nathanclass323
Member
Despite my name suggesting that I like these units (which I do!), I reckon the seats on class 323s are poor
Despite my name suggesting that I like these units (which I do!), I reckon the seats on class 323s are poor
Whilst getting off a Southern 455 at Victoria on Saturday morning, I noted 377601 sitting at the platform opposite waiting to leave for Caterham. Whilst I didn't get on it, I could see the seating and good word, did it look uncomfortable. Very, very thin seats.
So, it got me wondering, which stock has the most uncomfortable seating? From my observations, it would appear to be a tie between the 376s and the 377/6s (although I am yet to travel on either. )
Inb4 the suggestions of 142s and other Pacers.
I did Filey to Sheffield on one of those yesterdaynorthernchris:1728735 said:I find the seats on Northern's 158/9s to be uncomfortable as they have too much padding so I end up sitting at an awkward angle. The ex Central 158s seem to have the best seating
Airline style seating on any ATW class 150. They're too close to the seats in front and for someone with long legs (like me) they're extremely uncomfortable to sit in
The mark 2 desiro stock has awful seating - the 3+2 setup just doesn't work as well on those as it did on the Dusty Bins.
When I was young, I would sometimes travel on a Class 304 emu south of Manchester. Lovely, well-sprung seating. But were they too well sprung? Once they got above 40mph or so, a resonant frequency effect would lead to passengers bouncing about, sometimes to a ridiculous, unbelievable, comic degree.
So, a left-field nomination there - be careful what you wish for!
we'll be saying that about pacers in a few decades if they do ever go!Ash Bridge:2108524 said:When I was young, I would sometimes travel on a Class 304 emu south of Manchester. Lovely, well-sprung seating. But were they too well sprung? Once they got above 40mph or so, a resonant frequency effect would lead to passengers bouncing about, sometimes to a ridiculous, unbelievable, comic degree.
So, a left-field nomination there - be careful what you wish for!
You've just jogged my memory there, that's exactly how I remember them in my young days. Living in Heaton Chapel (as I still do) used to travel on them often, e.g. to Manchester, Crewe, Macclesfield, etc. would imagine the mainly jointed track on the slow lines, especially between Stockport & Manchester contributed to that springy ride quality, used to think they were awful in those days, the 310s seemed light years ahead with their B4 bogies, double glazing, fluorescent lighting and suchlike, but what I would give now for a trip on a 304 again!
The seats in Desiro units aren't bad in 2+2 form but in 2+3 form, like the 350/2s and the 450s, they're pretty grim. No wonder the residents of Portsmouth did their nut when the 444s were moved to the Weymouth line and 450s brought in instead.
we'll be saying that about pacers in a few decades if they do ever go!
304s were quite funny to travel in, particularly if you were on the full width bench on the inner end of the driving coach. Bouncy, bouncy. Wolves-Stoke was an entertaining journey to do because there were several fast stretches that could almost have you off the seat. Going up to Stoke on a Saturday morning for the 20s on the Lludos, memories, memories.
I often wondered if the drivers and guards on the 304s, with their quite different seating, had any idea about the passengers flying about behind / in front of them. I'm sure I can recall one instance of someone actually being bounced off their seat, the oscillations were so violent - it must have happened a number of times. Not sure whether it was confined to the 304s - were the Bury units as bad, or others?