There's been an increase in the number of five car sets compared to four car ones, so that's good news.
It makes sense that they're retaining the existing Grammar seats; they're of a modern and comfortable design that should be absolutely fine in the lower density layout Scotrail have specified.
Thanks for posting this Clansman, it's good to see some confirmed details of these trains.
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British Rail were looking to move the guard's office to a mid-train position just over twenty years ago when they created a couple of concept vehicles for the next HST refurbishment; it's surprising that there has been little movement away from the TGS in the intervening two decades of privatisation (though the guard will still be based at one end of the train in this layout - just the opposite end to current practice!).
Grammer seats are modern & comfortable? Modern they may be, but comfortable they are definetly not!! Have sat in a GWR hst from padfington to St Austell, in a rock hard seat with a ridiculously upright pitch - they would ve far better with a better pitch. Far too high backs on them as well, but that's a safety thing, I would presume. Our Scotrail 158 grammer seats are even worse, as they feel cramped - particularly the table seats.
Morectable seats aren't necessarily a good thing either - far prefer an airline seat as I don't spend a journey trying not to acciddentaly kick the person opposite!
Deeply disappointed with the hst refurb - sounds like a tart up job, like the Inverness 158s. Wish there were 26 class 180 units available instead - 5 coaches, relatively comfy seats, much quicker crew training (3 days approx, rather than 3weeks) and plenty of power for the gradients!
