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In fairness the 444s have a good layout, comfortable seats and good legroom in standard. Arguably one of the best passenger experiences of any intercity train. The usual SWR caveats apply. There may be no seats left and there won’t be catering.

I will say, purely as a passenger, that the open, walk-through nature of the trains, Air Conditioning and plenty of standing space seem likely to be a huge improvement over what is currently in use. The sooner SWR and Alstom can get these trains in reliable service the happier I will be.

You would hope, but given the nature of the current cosplay cabinet I wouldn't be so sure. Even in the BR days, I don't think there was a unified single livery, so does having trains in various shades of blue and grey in various parts of the country really matter? Does anyone know how long...

I guess the 701s are, realistically, limited to 3rd rail land? If SWR don't introduce them to service where could they, realistically, go? As a user of the Woking Stopper service I'll be glad to see the back of the 455/456's with their lack of Air Conditioning and Power Provision. Its hardly to...

From a customer point of view the fleet is progressively turning battleship grey. It certainly feels like there is 1 set in each 450 formation these days. The 444s seem to be predominantly battleship, from what I see. At lest the acid-yellow ends add some element of interest. Personally, I...

Are the 701s out in traffic then? Or still in driver training, when you say 'released from Wimbledon'?

You mention standing and “a few empty middle seats” on the 450s. Standard is not full, overcrowded or crush loaded in that scenario and people have chosen to stand. I don’t think First should be declassified in that scenario. Additionally there are only 24 first class seats available - also busy...

No sooner had I posted when a full ticket check room place. Railcard included. No one is saying you HAVE to use data/storage/power, or calling anyone a fare evader. The option is there to buy mobile tickets. Or use a TVM, a staffed office or get a promise to pay. All I’m saying is that there...

The guy who sent the tweet presumably did so from his mobile. No excuses for him not to have a valid ticket, really. Here in SWR land I believe the guards aren’t commercial. I have had the odd check, usually on the Portsmouth services. There does tend to be RPI inspectors at stations in the...

Between Woking/Guildford and London they don’t. I wrongly assumed they didn’t do them across the network. I thought I had read that somewhere, but I’ve generalised a specific case.

SWR don’t do advances, unfortunately.

I disagree. The seats are more needed than luggage storage. There aren’t huge amounts of luggage on the majority of routes using the 450s. The 444s have a bit more, but I’ve never seen the overheads full. Seats are almost always in short supply though. As for the grab poles, the orange might...

How did it end up in reverse in the first place?

I think the orange handles look fine. While stagecoach chose it because of their corporate colours, but it looks well against the navy seats and light blue walls. To be honest it just looks like any other high contrast pole/handle. Goes to show how anonymous most corporate branding is...