Exactly - seems like a really practical use of space, means passengers no longer have to walk past the toilet to get between the platform and their seats, improves "flow", allows the carriage to have a tapered end... IEP is a pretty good idea isn't it
The announcements constantly remind people to keep their luggage with them at all times. How do you do that if the luggage shelves are on the far side of a vestibule? But I agree that 26 metre vehicles are an excellent idea if they are like this on the inside and the system can accommodate them without spending half as much again as the vehicles cost in the first place. And there isn't a diesel engine throbbing away under the floor.
or even this with 2+3 seating

which is 3.5 metres wide.
If trains like this will not fit on the system then you cut your coat according to the cloth, and if people continue to get fatter and fatter the seating will have to be 2+1 in standard class too.
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They do that already, especially on EC HSTs. Thing is, will passengers trust that their luggage won't disappear if it is out of their sight?
Did you hear the story about the man who systematically stole luggage from trains? One day he opened his loot and found the suitcase contained an IRA bomb.
His confession to the police must have been embarrassing.
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The space in the vehicle ends is being used for toilets and luggage stowage on the IEP trains. This leaves the full saloon length between the doors free to be filled entirely with seating.
Yes but most people want to keep their luggage close by where they are sitting. And people are constantly being told to do that "for security reasons".