Leg space on trains

[JonSnow_12]

So I was on a long train journey the other day (Cornwall to London), and a girl similar age to me, (I'm 22) came and sat opposite me and I really needed to stretch my legs, but didn't want to seem rude. So I resisted and kept my legs back but after about an hour, I decide to put my legs out. She had her legs together, so I stretched them either side of hers. Then a little later she then crossed her legs between mine. Would you females find what I did rude, or not really mind? Have a great day.

 

[Bletchleyite]

If someone is opposite, then each person has to the centreline of the table/bay for their legs and feet.

TBH, if someone sits opposite me and it's only the two of us at the table, I'll usually move to the other seat of the pair. I do however think it's bad form to sit directly opposite someone in a situation where the train has enough space for 2 seats each and I won't generally do it, I'll sit diagonally opposite (i.e. if they're in the window I will use the aisle and vice versa), as that way both people can stretch out.

 

[JonSnow_12]

If someone is opposite, then each person has to the centreline of the table/bay for their legs and feet.

TBH, if someone sits opposite me and it's only the two of us at the table, I'll usually move to the other seat of the pair. I do however think it's bad form to sit directly opposite someone in a situation where the train has enough space for 2 seats each and I won't generally do it, I'll sit diagonally opposite (i.e. if they're in the window I will use the aisle and vice versa), as that way both people can stretch out.

Ah, ok thanks. That was the tricky thing, either I got up and moved, which I felt was maybe rude or I stretch my legs. I'm about average height male, but still felt there wasn't that much room to stretch unless I crossed over to her side.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Ah, ok thanks. That was the tricky thing, either I got up and moved, which I felt was maybe rude or I stretch my legs. I'm about average height male, but still felt there wasn't that much room to stretch unless I crossed over to her side.

I'd not say it's rude to move. When I've done so I usually say something like "I'll just move over here then we can both stretch out". It does make a point about it being a bit rude to plonk yourself directly opposite someone when there's another option (i.e. to take the diagonally opposite seat), but does so in a friendly and accommodating manner.

 

[JonSnow_12]

I'd not say it's rude to move. When I've done so I usually say something like "I'll just move over here then we can both stretch out". It does make a point about it being a bit rude to plonk yourself directly opposite someone when there's another option (i.e. to take the diagonally opposite seat), but does so in a friendly and accommodating manner.

Actually that's a nice line, I'll use that phrase next time. And yes, I was a bit surprised when she sat opposite me and not diagonally but I didn't mind. On this particular journey there wasn't a third or fourth passenger at the table, but if there was another 2 people at the table would it still be rude to stretch my legs either side? Because there isn't the option to move to the other seat.

 

[westv]

This is why I prefer airline seats.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Actually that's a nice line, I'll use that phrase next time. And yes, I was a bit surprised when she sat opposite me and not diagonally but I didn't mind. On this particular journey there wasn't a third or fourth passenger at the table, but if there was another 2 people at the table would it still be rude to stretch my legs either side? Because there isn't the option to move to the other seat.

Often people agree to stretch out different ways, so I think it's just one of those things to agree, either explicitly or via body language.

 

[BostonGeorge]

Facing somebody is never nice. I don’t know where to look, where to put my legs, where to put my property. Hell, I started work at 4am, so it is okay if I put my head down on the table for a nap?

I’ll tell you what I don’t miss in post-COVID world; sitting next to a stranger on a train. One problem that often arises - who does the middle arm rest belong to? Do I need a timeshare agreement?!

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

Did you get talking to her? Trains can be good places to meet people
..
I am of average height but I often find train seats too cramped, sometimes there is not enough room to hold the newspaper at a comfortable distance to read

New trains on the U-Bahn in Berlin shall have special seats for tall and for short people

 

[JonSnow_12]

Did you get talking to her? Trains can be good places to meet people
..
I am of average height but I often find train seats too cramped, sometimes there is not enough room to hold the newspaper at a comfortable distance to read

New trains on the U-Bahn in Berlin shall have special seats for tall and for short people

Haha, she actually started speaking to me. We had a really good chat, she was going all the way to Paddington too. That's a great idea to have different spaced seats. Hopefully England can do that too.

 

[al78]

If someone is opposite, then each person has to the centreline of the table/bay for their legs and feet.

Surely it would be fairer to allocate space based on need. A five year old child doesn't need as much legroom as a 6'6" man with a 38 inch inside leg measurement, for example. Easier to try and avoid sitting directly opposite someone if you have long legs (not ideal if someone chooses to sit directly opposite you).

New trains on the U-Bahn in Berlin shall have special seats for tall and for short people

That sounds like a great idea. I wonder if the UK population are capable of thinking enough for that to work here.

 

[Robnw67]

Careful that you don't get accused of 'manspreading'......

 

[Mat17]

Always avoid table seats like the plague, there isn't much leg room and I don't really feel comfortable sat opposite strangers, especially on a busy service where you're in the aisle seat, with seemingly every one trying to avoid everyone else's eye contact. So awkward. I pick airline seats every time or if one of those isn't available I generally choose to stand.

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

I do not mind standing occasionally, on my last trip the train was full of people and cycles, had to stand
Spent ten minutes enjoying chatting to some cheeky children

'Brief Encounters', another benefit of train travel

 

[High Dyke]

Perhaps there was a reason the young lady sat opposite you.

 

[JonSnow_12]

Perhaps there was a reason the young lady sat opposite you.

Haha, funny you say that, we did add each other on Instagram. Unfortunately she does have a boyfriend

 

[High Dyke]

Haha, funny you say that, we did add each other on Instagram. Unfortunately she does have a boyfriend

Well it was just a thought. Lol

 

[MotCO]

I have a slightly different problem. I am tall, and my legs are quite long so that on metro trains the airline layout seats are so close together that I cannot sit comfortably in them. I therefore prefer facing seats, but then my knees project beyond the halfway line. What should I do? What is the correct protocol?

 

[3141]

I'd not say it's rude to move. When I've done so I usually say something like "I'll just move over here then we can both stretch out". It does make a point about it being a bit rude to plonk yourself directly opposite someone when there's another option (i.e. to take the diagonally opposite seat), but does so in a friendly and accommodating manner.

I prefer to sit by the window, and there are probably millions of other passengers who feel the same. Your approach means that if one person is sitting by the window at a table, a second person who arrives there should not. My opinion is that you may sit where you like if a seat is free. The polite thing would be to speak to the person opposite if you find that both pairs of feet are trying to occupy exactly the same spot, and reach an agreeable arrangement. That's what people have to do anyway in a busier train when all four table seats are occupied.

I have a slightly different problem. I am tall, and my legs are quite long so that on metro trains the airline layout seats are so close together that I cannot sit comfortably in them. I therefore prefer facing seats, but then my knees project beyond the halfway line. What should I do? What is the correct protocol?

I don't think there is a protocol, if that means a well-known and recognised procedure about whose feet go where. I think both people should politely adjust the position of their feet, accompanied by an exchange of remarks, so as to share the available space. I travel most frequently on class 159s, where the space at tables is a bit tight, and almost everyone seems able to reach an acceptable arrangement. As for the projecting knees, there must be large numbers of other people with long legs (mine are), and when two of them end up opposite each other I find it's normally easy to make similar arrangements for the knees as for the feet.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

If someone is opposite, then each person has to the centreline of the table/bay for their legs and feet.

TBH, if someone sits opposite me and it's only the two of us at the table, I'll usually move to the other seat of the pair. I do however think it's bad form to sit directly opposite someone in a situation where the train has enough space for 2 seats each and I won't generally do it, I'll sit diagonally opposite (i.e. if they're in the window I will use the aisle and vice versa), as that way both people can stretch out.

Indeed that is exactly what I do unless I am in nerd mode and really want a window seat to photograph or view something railways related.

 

[SynthD]

The only thing I avoid is being on both sides of them as you describe. Always a table seat, always try to stretch my legs. If it’s busy this means identifying where they aren’t and going there, ie we’re both pointing to our left.

 

[dk1]

This is why I prefer airline seats.

Every time. I cannot bear to sit opposite strangers at a table. It's bad enough when they want to talk at you let alone the leg struggle.

 

[Vespa]

This is why if travelling first class, I try to book a single table 2 seater 9 times out of ten there's usually nobody opposite me

 

[Mcr Warrior]

What are the units often used on Cumbrian coast services out of Carlisle towards Whitehaven?

Awful leg room on them, particularly if you find yourself in a seat where there's underfloor equipment bolted under the seat in front of you.

 

[Mikey C]

New trains on the U-Bahn in Berlin shall have special seats for tall and for short people

Surely that's not the case?

Priority seats on our trains have more legroom (which I always try to take if available as I'm tall) but tall people aren't one of the groups they're designed for.

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

I read it black on white in the newspaper, which also reported that changes may yet be made to the layout, two doors each side instead of three..
It is difficult to satisfy various customer groups. I am quite happy to stand for a while, as long as one can see out of the windows
Looking forward to seeing for myself in a few years

 

[Rhydgaled]

I have a slightly different problem. I am tall, and my legs are quite long so that on metro trains the airline layout seats are so close together that I cannot sit comfortably in them. I therefore prefer facing seats, but then my knees project beyond the halfway line. What should I do? What is the correct protocol?

I'm the same, airline-style legroom is almost never good enough so I try to find a free table bay and hope nobody sits opposite me. The exception is if I'm travelling alone on a train which does have sufficient legroom in the airline-style seats (pretty much only 175s, and perhaps 180s) although I also prefer bays for the better view they offer if properly aligned with the windows.

Personally I think that new trains (especially for long distances) should aim to be at least as comfortable as existing trains, which would mean everything over time getting 175-levels of legroom which would be great.

What are the units often used on Cumbrian coast services out of Carlisle towards Whitehaven?

Awful leg room on them, particularly if you find yourself in a seat where there's underfloor equipment bolted under the seat in front of you.

Pacers, 153s and 150s all have awful leg room; I have a feeling 150s aren't used on the Cumbrian coast so probably either a Pacer or 153. I think 156s are also used on the Cumbrian coast, I've always thought of them as nicer than 153s and 150s but that might just be because I have been able to get a bay with nobody opposite and the airline legroom might still be as terrible as 153s and 150s.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm the same, airline-style legroom is almost never good enough so I try to find a free table bay and hope nobody sits opposite me. The exception is if I'm travelling alone on a train which does have sufficient legroom in the airline-style seats (pretty much only 175s, and perhaps 180s) although I also prefer bays for the better view they offer if properly aligned with the windows.

Personally I think that new trains (especially for long distances) should aim to be at least as comfortable as existing trains, which would mean everything over time getting 175-levels of legroom which would be great.

If you can stand Fainsa Sophia seats, you'll be pleased to know that all 80x so far have excellent legroom in Standard.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

What are the units often used on Cumbrian coast services out of Carlisle towards Whitehaven?

Awful leg room on them, particularly if you find yourself in a seat where there's underfloor equipment bolted under the seat in front of you.

Pacers, 153s and 150s all have awful leg room; I have a feeling 150s aren't used on the Cumbrian coast so probably either a Pacer or 153. I think 156s are also used on the Cumbrian coast, I've always thought of them as nicer than 153s and 150s but that might just be because I have been able to get a bay with nobody opposite and the airline legroom might still be as terrible as 153s and 150s.

Must have been a well loaded pre-lockdown 156 I was on.

153's are usually single carriage jobs and it wasn't a Pacer either.

P.S. Are Class 37 loco hauled services off the Cumbrian coast line now?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Northern have I think been running some 153s as pairs, as have TfW. Don't know if the former have any left now though.