OK, so after a LOT of buses (including a manky double decker on the X5) I've managed to track one down on Ely-Norwich which is giving me an hour or so to try one out!
Impressions so far...
- Low floor and gap bridge good - should be mandatory. I was however surprised that the gap bridge bridged the gap fully then pulled back about 1" - is this a fault? The Swiss ones don't do this, they fully bridge the gap.
- Build quality very good as expected, though there are some bits that aren't quite as good as the norm for Stadler - the top of the panel covering the external PIS display is a bit cock-eyed and there are some squeaks from the articulated joint.
- As quiet as LHCS - in a middle coach you can't even hear an EMU like whine.
- Acceleration average - 195s are quicker off the mark, I was surprised at this - I think unless they are driving them very carefully the 3-car units will be underpowered.
- Interior colour scheme absolutely spot on - fake wood, dark seats, red carpets and leather headrests - seriously classy.
- Lighting a bit bright but better than most modern kit. Slightly flickery as LEDs tend to be, but I'm unusually sensitive to this so most won't notice it.
- Seats (FISA LEAN) are basically very similar to Grammer E3000 "Desiro seats" - but not quite as comfortable (I think because they are very slightly more upright). So Grammer are, I'm afraid, not "unseated" (!) as my preferred supplier. Also the back is thicker than the E3000 which means less legroom in the airline seats (there is *only just* enough for me though it is acceptable and slightly more than the non-priority seats in a 350). The niche is useless for those who will most need it - it needs to go, like Class 175s, at the outside of the seats, not in the middle. Acceptable, though - and certainly preferable to the "amputee seats" of a Class 153.
- Ride decent, no banging like the 195 and very smooth generally, but a bit of a side to side shudder at times. Edit: the shudder or possibly the LED lighting flicker is making me feel a bit queasy
- Window alignment not bad - certainly better than Class 195. It has at least been thought about even if it isn't 100%.
- Emergency window - appallingly and probably dangerously stupid piece of design which also mean that window isn't good for looking out of. To open one you have to remove the key from a wall mounted case (which is just screwed on and I have not a clue from looking at it how to open the case - the pictures on the sign don't resemble the actual box). If needed in a panic there are all sorts of things that could go wrong here e.g. dropping the key or fiddling to fit it. If not in a panic you'd just use the regular door. Seriously - this is the worst piece of emergency exit design I have ever seen, and they need ripping out and replacing with break-glass hammers, Euro-style "pull the rubber bit" ones or something similar. I am utterly amazed they comply with anything.
- Window-mounted external display takes up too much of the window and should be smaller and higher up. The bay/airline rows with that have a Pendolino sized mini window. Other windows large, but too many are obstructed in this sort of way so the effect is spoilt.
- Windows appear to be covered in some kind of external film with a 2mm-ish grid on it. I have no idea what this is for but it distorts the view out, and it is not present on any other FLIRT I have ever been on. Awful, almost as bad as Contravision (though not quite). Needs removing. Almost as annoying as the distortion you get from the film that has been badly fitted to almost all 323s.
- Brakes a bit noisy - are they tread brakes?
- And now for a really bad bit which they have in common with the Class 195 - cantilever mounted seats and a massive heating duct mean the window seat is seriously unpleasant to sit in - you can't *not* have your leg against it, and when it's on that's very uncomfortable. It appears the duct is a standard Stadler design (same as the Swiss units) but is in the "wrong place" due to the sidewalls not being vertical unlike other FLIRTs. This is seriously poor design. Why is it that only the Pendolino manages to keep this suitably small? You could put your foot on top (as I like doing) - but in table seats or for anyone who doesn't like doing that this is a seriously bad piece of design.
- Overhead racks not needed (only got a small bag with me and it's near empty) but look suitably large, I reckon my "test piece" 120l rucksack would fit easily.
- Decent sized bike etc area at one end (I think).
- Big window frames good for resting your arm on.
- Don't need a wee so not used the bog! I'm sure it's a standard modular one though, and at least the small one is in use as I saw someone else use it. 2 bogs - the correct number for a unit this size.
- Rather than a mix of seat directions it seems to be mostly facing the cabs in the end vehicles. This isn't great - a Class 158 style layout would be better.
So in summary - Stadler quality, nice looking interior (possibly the nicest in the UK so far - TPE being a close second but I find the lighter wood and blue seats decidedly reminiscent of ageing East German LHCS), but some poor design features. Better than a Class 195 (I think you'd expected me to say that!) and definitely better quality than one (and the PIS works) but not as good as I thought it'd be. Beats a 150, 153 or 156 into a cocked hat, though, and probably also beats a 170 due to the low floor, better seats and higher quality - which is what the intention is - but I believe the IC kit is going to have essentially the same interior, and I don't think it's
quite up to that job - I actually think (Fainsa Sophias aside) I slightly prefer the 80x interior for IC. Probably beats a Pendolino though.