Interior lighting in modern carriages

[tornado]

Having had to use quite a few evening services recently I've noticed distinct differences in the quality of the lighting across different rolling stock, and disappointingly some of the newest trains are the worst. My subjective opinions:

GWR 801 - blue white, harsh, clinical, overly bright
Cross Country Voyager - warm yellow, relaxing, cosy!
GWR Class 387 - neutral white, ok, not too bright

(Eurostar E320 - like an extreme 801, awful!)

Given that modern LED lighting can be configured to give exactly the shade of white you want from 2700k (warm yellow) to 6000K (blue white), why have modern train designers got this so wrong? I understand that colder light is more conducive to working, but all the people who might be working on an 801 would be doing that in the morning when there is adequate sunlight anyway. Did nobody bother to test the lighting before manufacture?!

I find the XC Voyager evening lighting very relaxing and just right in terms of brightness. Shame the more recent stock can't match it.

 

[Colin1501]

Sorry to go slightly off- topic, but I'm glad you've found something positive about the Voyagers, to offset the cramped seating, toilet smells, and generally claustrophobic interiors!

 

[tornado]

I agree entirely, but when there are only a handful of people per carriage they are amazing!

 

[rjames87]

I personably dislike the lighting in the XC voyagers. Much prefer the new lighting on the ones which Avanti are refreshing. The whole carriage feels much more pleasant.

 

[tornado]

What colour is it in the evening? Modern designers seem to go for blinding bright hospital white over the more pleasant yellow you might have in your living room.

Eurostar have managed to alter theirs a bit, but in the early days people were wearing sunglasses on the E320 as it was so unpleasant.

 

[supervc-10]

I'm sure that last time we had this discussion, someone mentioned that on some ICE trains in Germany (I think) they have colour changing LEDs, which are more white during the day, and more yellow at night. I have my living room lights set to do the same thing, which is great when it's a miserable grey day!

 

[swt_passenger]

LED Lighting was discussed at some length in September:

LED lights onboard

Does anyone know why some of the newer trains, for example the Azuma have LED lighting that makes the interior feel and look cold rather than than warm ones? Is it for security reasons?

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[gaillark]

Having had to use quite a few evening services recently I've noticed distinct differences in the quality of the lighting across different rolling stock, and disappointingly some of the newest trains are the worst.

Agree. Real treat to get a Mark IV between London and York, HST's on the Midland and Pendolinos on West Coast. Pefect lighting levels for work or relaxation. Very harsh and brutal especially during hours of darkness on all new InterCity Express trains procured by HM Government.

 

[tornado]

LED Lighting was discussed at some length in September:

LED lights onboard

Does anyone know why some of the newer trains, for example the Azuma have LED lighting that makes the interior feel and look cold rather than than warm ones? Is it for security reasons?

www.railforums.co.uk

Thanks that thread was very informative. Seems a combination between long procurement meaning only older generations of LED lighting can be fitted, and the people speccing the trains not knowing about colour temperature of lighting.

Perhaps there is hope that when the LED bulbs come to be replaced warmer whites could be chosen?

Also, Eurostar managed to turn down the brightness on their E320 so perhaps that is also possible for other TOCs.