State of train toilets

[Drsatan]

In the past, I have travelled on several trains with toilets that are decidedly filthy. For instance, I travelled on the 1848 (ex Victoria) from East Croydon to Southampton Central, which suffered from unkempt toilets: tissues were strewn across the sink and the floor was flooded in one toilet. I'm assuming there had been no time to clean the train upon turnaround at Victoria.

I was also told that a 150 on a Barnstaple - Exmouth working was terminated at Exeter St Davids because of the abysmal state of the toilets. Apparently faeces and body fluids were strewn across the cubical - I don't want to think about what might have gone on in there.

Has anyone else discovered a toilet as disgusting as the above two?

 

[AlterEgo]

Has anyone else discovered a toilet as disgusting as the above two?

I was travelling on a 142 from Darlington to Saltburn which was horrific. There was a brown filmy watery substance all over the floor, which when I opened the door to enter, came out into the main saloon of the train. Filthy - although TOCs can't really be expected to account for individuals soiling the toilet during the course of a day.

I ended up breaking my journey at Middlesbrough to use the loo.

 

[GarethW]

Oh yes, usually on FGW between Bristol/Soton and Pmth.

I think its fair to say virtually every time I've travelled back from Bristol this year the toilets (those that are open) are in a pretty bad state.

A pity because I like 158s and the advance fares are generally very reasonable on that route.


SWTs toilets generally ok.

 

[WestCoast]

I was travelling on a 142 from Darlington to Saltburn which was horrific. There was a brown filmy watery substance all over the floor, which when I opened the door to enter, came out into the main saloon of the train. Filthy - although TOCs can't really be expected to account for individuals soiling the toilet during the course of a day.

I ended up breaking my journey at Middlesbrough to use the loo.

Northern's toilets can be a bit scary at times...

 

[Peter Mugridge]

This seems an appropriate point at which to mention the "slight problem" with the toilets on the Mk 4s when they were first delivered, which was at least quickly corrected after it was discovered on trials.

The retention tank drain valves were initially not capable of resisting the air pressure from the shock wave when passing through the tunnels near Grantham above a certain speed and the result was the "waterspout effect" in the toilets...

 

[Desiro360]

I boarded a Class 321 unit at Manningtree a few years ago that was working the 10:00 from Harwich Town to London Liverpool St. As we were approaching Colchester the driver announced that this train will terminate at Colchester as a result of the toilet's contents leaking into the adjacent carriage.

I was glad that I was not sitting in the affected coach at the time as it would have been unpleasant. Luckily a Class 360 unit was sitting in Platform 6 at Colchester to take over the service whilst the affected Class 321 unit went to Colchester Depot for its toilet to be fixed.

 

[jopsuk]

those on NXEA 317s, especially the 317/5 fleet, are often horrible. The taps for the sinks are still the type operated by a pneumatic button on the floor- except that on many, the button is missing. They seem to be rubbish at topping up the tanks, too, even where there are buttons- so you do what you need to do, only to discover no flush and no wash...

 

[Fincra5]

Thing is though, the Toilets (at least down here) are cleaned by the cleaners at Terminals. Then they go back into service with the traveling public and become a mess all over again...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

There are times when it is not the fault of the flushing mechanism that faeces still remain floating, but of sheer bad manners of some rail-users who cannot be bothered to flush...nor I should imagine, to wash their hands, leaving germs on the inside door locking system when they unlock the door to exit the toilet.

 

[Phil6219]

/\ That's why it's best to open the door with a paper towel (A trick I learnt as an air steward - a shocking number of people really don't wash their hands).

Well back in the mid/late '90s I boarded a Merseyrail 150/2 at Manchester Airport and promptly bailed after spotting a turd under an adjacent seat. Got on a 158 and it was brill, clean throughout and the toilet had clearly been serviced on the turnaround.

I've noticed that there is an issue on 185s with the taps and the flush not working sporadically. I think it depends on what notch the driver is using as they would not work when it appeared to be in a higher notch. Definitely not confined to one unit though as it's happened a few times in the past.

Now this doesn't count as it was a charter but if anyone happened to be on the tour to Dundee with the Royal Scots Grey on that rather cold December last year it was rather amusing to find the water in the toilet pretty much completely frozen. Mainly since the heaters in the WC compartments on the MK1s were not working (at least in steerage) so it was somewhere around -10c in there, which resulted in the inevitable fogging issue too All good fun though

Phil

 

[asylumxl]

Unfortunately some people have disgusting hygiene. I really don't know what is wrong with them, but I guess they think it's funny or something, and feel the need to ruin things for everyone else...

 

[Class172]

LM toilets are usually clean, though they don't have an excuse as the majority of their stock if relatively new. Toilets on their 150s aren't bad either.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

To the people complaining of the state of door handles, when you go, do you do your belt up before or after washing your hands?

 

[trainophile]

I never visit a train toilet without a pocket full of tissues (usually loo roll nicked from the station) and an aerosol foam hand cleanser. The only problem I can't deal with is if there is soap in the dispenser but no water to wash it off. Makes for a rather sticky rest of journey.

Worst ever journey was Crewe to Hereford with a couple of hundred post-match Man Utd fans (+ obligatory crates of ale) and both loos out of service! They had to let everyone off at Hereford or there would have been a (wet!) riot.

 

[All Line Rover]

To the people complaining of the state of door handles, when you go, do you do your belt up before or after washing your hands?

I don't wear a belt, but if I did, I would do so before washing my hands, because a belt can have germs on it. It doesn't seem very clever to wash your hands, touch your belt (and your zip) and then
touch your mouth!

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I never visit a train toilet without a pocket full of tissues (usually loo roll nicked from the station) and an aerosol foam hand cleanser. The only problem I can't deal with is if there is soap in the dispenser but no water to wash it off. Makes for a rather sticky rest of journey.

Worst ever journey was Crewe to Hereford with a couple of hundred post-match Man Utd fans (+ obligatory crates of ale) and both loos out of service! They had to let everyone off at Hereford or there would have been a (wet!) riot.

In my suitcase, which comes with me EVERYWHERE (as people who have met me will know), is a supermarket carrier bag (Tesco or Sainsbury's), which contains a Triple Velvet loo roll and some moist wipes (to "freshen up" after having a no. 2 ). I could also bring some antiseptic wipes, but find that too much of a hassle - instead I just cover the toilet seat in loo roll, and keep it clean for everyone in the process!

 

[SouthEastern-465]

I don't wear a belt, but if I did, I would do so before washing my hands, because a belt can have germs on it. It doesn't seem very clever to wash your hands, touch your belt (and your zip) and then
touch your mouth!

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


In my suitcase, which comes with me EVERYWHERE (as people who have met me will know), is a supermarket carrier bag (Tesco or Sainsbury's), which contains a Triple Velvet loo roll and some moist wipes (to "freshen up" after having a no. 2 ). I could also bring some antiseptic wipes, but find that too much of a hassle - instead I just cover the toilet seat in loo roll, and keep it clean for everyone in the process!

A bit much info!

 

[alexf380]

Scotrail toilets OK on the new 380s , 170s and Inverness based 158s.

 

[Drsatan]

To the people complaining of the state of door handles, when you go, do you do your belt up before or after washing your hands?

Before, usually.

Because hand dryers (especially on 158s) seem to be useless at drying your hands I usually wipe mine on my jeans!

 

[185]

A 185 toilet covered a passenger with poop some time ago, during a normal flush cycle.

Too much force during the down-vacuum was muted.

I'd rather have an old clapped out 142 bog anyday.

 

[DarloRich]

I got a Northern 158 from Nottingham to Leeds on Saturday and the toilet was spotless and clean smelling.

 

[schwa]

I find the toilets on HSTs are usually alright.. I don't personally make a habit of using train toilets however.

 

[All Line Rover]

A bit much info!

It's all good hygiene!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Before, usually.

Because hand dryers (especially on 158s) seem to be useless at drying your hands I usually wipe mine on my jeans!

You are correct - it's more like a gentle breeze. Even on the refurbs they are pathetic!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I find the toilets on HSTs are usually alright.. I don't personally make a habit of using train toilets however.

VT toilets are OK (mainly because there are many to pick from), as are Southeastern High Speed toilets.

The worst are those on commuter trains, including LM, because there are very few toilets for lots of people. Desiro's have just 2 - and you should see the state of the small one when the disabled one is out of order!

 

[DarloRich]

VT toliets are NOT ok - they smell and are often drenched in someone elses pish!

 

[All Line Rover]

VT toliets are NOT ok - they smell and are often drenched in someone elses pish!

Perhaps the Standard Class ones do, but loos on most trains smell when someone has had a no. 2. (Although I agree that Pendolinos can suffer particularly badly from the smell leaking out!) When these trains go in for a refurb within the next 10 years, Alstom must sort out this toilet problem, put comfier seats with more padding, align all seats with windows, and perhaps turn 1 First Class carriage into Standard Class.

Perhaps I'm being a bit too graphic, but my general experience of having a poo on VT trains has been fine!

 

[Crossover]

When it comes to fastening my belt, I usually do it before washing hands, but, to be honest, I see it as a low risk and it has never caused me any problems as of yet.

As for train toilets, I try and avoid them on the whole and use station ones but especially recently I have had to use the facilities on occasion. I haven't found the majority to be that bad and the Pendolino ones were OK (although it was the FC one on all but one occasion, which may help), as were the XC Voyager. The worst by far I have had recently was on an ATW 175 last week where there was no soap, only a dribble of water and the dryer wasn't working. Not a huge problem (though I prefer to always wash my hands after visiting the facilities anywhere really) but I sorted that one out on the Pendo drag I was on a short while later - that time it was SC and I had no qualms about it then either. I have also been on a Mk 3 some time back where there was no water in the toilet.

I have only ever once been on a train with all toilets out of service - that was a 185 from Scarborough-Liverpool. We got set swapped at York as a result of it.

 

[All Line Rover]

When it comes to fastening my belt, I usually do it before washing hands, but, to be honest, I see it as a low risk and it has never caused me any problems as of yet.

As for train toilets, I try and avoid them on the whole and use station ones but especially recently I have had to use the facilities on occasion. I haven't found the majority to be that bad and the Pendolino ones were OK (although it was the FC one on all but one occasion, which may help), as were the XC Voyager. The worst by far I have had recently was on an ATW 175 last week where there was no soap, only a dribble of water and the dryer wasn't working. Not a huge problem (though I prefer to always wash my hands after visiting the facilities anywhere really) but I sorted that one out on the Pendo drag I was on a short while later - that time it was SC and I had no qualms about it then either. I have also been on a Mk 3 some time back where there was no water in the toilet.

I have only ever once been on a train with all toilets out of service - that was a 185 from Scarborough-Liverpool. We got set swapped at York as a result of it.

Quite frequently LM's Euston to Crewe service has both toilets out of order for the last hour or so.

The worst ever was the 18.52 VT Voyager from Edinburgh to Birmingham during the winter of 2009. ALL FOUR toilets were out of order for the entire journey! The circumstances were really exceptional though - I remember the TM saying: "It's better to run a train with no loos, than some loos with no train!"

 

[BestWestern]

Oh yes, usually on FGW between Bristol/Soton and Pmth.

I think its fair to say virtually every time I've travelled back from Bristol this year the toilets (those that are open) are in a pretty bad state.

A pity because I like 158s and the advance fares are generally very reasonable on that route.


SWTs toilets generally ok.

Sadly you are very right! :roll: The 158's are particularly poor on the bog front, with the FGW fleet boasting a bewildering array of various different pan designs, presumably from various different refurbs in decades gone by - most of which aren't very good.

The problem begins when somebody deposits a ripe quarter-pounder down the pan and finds once the job is done that the lav just can't cope with their offering (assuming they bother to try), the water pressure on the flush simply not being up to the grizzly job. If their 'requirements' include copious amounts of paper too then you've no chance From then on in it's pretty grim.

That said, there are many maintenance issues which remain outstanding for far too long, but I'm told that this is partly due to the afore mentioned varying designs, some of which are apparently very tricky to get parts for! On the plus side, 158 798 now has a dazzling offering of four toilets (it's a three car!), thanks to FGW taking the initiative to reinstate one which had been out of use and panelled up for a long while. I was quite impressed with that; most TOC's wouldn't have bothered.

 

[GarethW]

Sadly you are very right! :roll: The 158's are particularly poor on the bog front, with the FGW fleet boasting a bewildering array of various different pan designs, presumably from various different refurbs in decades gone by - most of which aren't very good.

The problem begins when somebody deposits a ripe quarter-pounder down the pan and finds once the job is done that the lav just can't cope with their offering (assuming they bother to try), the water pressure on the flush simply not being up to the grizzly job. If their 'requirements' include copious amounts of paper too then you've no chance From then on in it's pretty grim.

That said, there are many maintenance issues which remain outstanding for far too long, but I'm told that this is partly due to the afore mentioned varying designs, some of which are apparently very tricky to get parts for! On the plus side, 158 798 now has a dazzling offering of four toilets (it's a three car!), thanks to FGW taking the initiative to reinstate one which had been out of use and panelled up for a long while. I was quite impressed with that; most TOC's wouldn't have bothered.

Hah Hah - I must remember to take a closer look at the differering types when travelling on the 158s. Used to love the variety of fifties and sixties porcelain on the various slammers.

 

[gnolife]

Northerns 323s are usually pretty damn foul IMO, but I suppose thats because they have ridiculously short turnaround times at the ends of the line (some trains leaving 1-12 at Piccadilly within 3 minutes of arrival).
I think that XC toilets are pretty alright, but thats probably due to the high number of them for the length of the train
I can imagine that the bogs are bad on 142s because of the p!^% poor suspension (if you pardon the pun), i certainly wouldn't touch one with a bargepole (not that id be able to get a bargepole on! )

 

[Solent&Wessex]

When I start an early shift with a unit straight off depot the toilets are spotless with everything working. When a train visits MIA a toilet cleaner now gets on and wipes surfaces and mops the floor. Despite this, due to the foul behaviour of many members of the public the toilets can become disgusting in no time at all. I dread to think what some people's homes are like. It is similar to rubbish on trains. When you are bored of your sandwich and don't want to eat the rest feel free to shove it down the side of the seat - despite being sat next to a clearly marked and completly empty rubbish bin.