Why no Corridors?

[umontu]

Why does modern rolling stock not have corridor carriages? I'd love to have a compartment on a train, even if it was full at least you couldn't hear the person playing awful music on a phone at the other end of the carriage.

 

[Eagle]

Why does modern rolling stock not have corridor carriages? I'd love to have a compartment on a train, even if it was full at least you couldn't hear the person playing awful music on a phone at the other end of the carriage.

Because it's a horrendously inefficient way of fitting seats into a carriage. Simple as.

 

[yorksrob]

I've come to the conclusion that there's only one possible explanation:

It's because modern trains aren't quite as good as the old ones

 

[umontu]

Because it's a horrendously inefficient way of fitting seats into a carriage. Simple as.

Mark 1 standard open's and corridors had the same number of seats. 64 according to wikipedia.

I've come to the conclusion that there's only one possible explanation:

It's because modern trains aren't quite as good as the old ones

lol

 

[tbtc]

If people don't like sitting three abreast then asking them to sit four abreast would be even less popular

 

[plannerman]

Safety - it's hard for fellow passengers/crew to see or hear anything going on in a compartment. There was a murder in the 1980's on a 4-EPB in the south-east which pretty much ended the use of compartment stock

 

[yorksrob]

Safety - it's hard for fellow passengers/crew to see or hear anything going on in a compartment. There was a murder in the 1980's on a 4-EPB in the south-east which pretty much ended the use of compartment stock

Well, there's a difference between non-corridoor compartment stock which was phased out for that reason and corridoor stock which survived in everyday use on the network until as late as 2008.

 

[Lampshade]

Safety - it's hard for fellow passengers/crew to see or hear anything going on in a compartment. There was a murder in the 1980's on a 4-EPB in the south-east which pretty much ended the use of compartment stock

442s were built new with compartments in 1988.

 

[lookingforit35]

At least we have our memories!

Many a commute having sneaked out early to get the 17.02 from Waterloo, which ran for 30 minutes non-stop (not even Clapham Junction) to my home station. A compartment to oneself to travel all the way home in splendid isolation was quite frankly magnificent. We'll never see the like again sadly.

 

[yorksrob]

At least we have our memories!

Many a commute having sneaked out early to get the 17.02 from Waterloo, which ran for 30 minutes non-stop (not even Clapham Junction) to my home station. A compartment to oneself to travel all the way home in splendid isolation was quite frankly magnificent. We'll never see the like again sadly.

Happy memories indeed

 

[WestCoast]

Not in the UK, but modern long-distance express stock and EMUs in continental Europe do often feature some form of compartments. For example, they feature on refurbished DB ICE1 stock which are relatively modern - the corridor and the compartment.

They're very popular on longer journeys, and especially well used by business associates and families travelling together.

 

[yorksrob]

Not in the UK, but modern long-distance express stock and EMUs in continental Europe do often feature some form of compartments. For example, they feature on refurbished DB ICE1 stock which are relatively modern - the corridor and the compartment.

Very swish - perhaps we might get some through the chunnel !

 

[umontu]

Safety - it's hard for fellow passengers/crew to see or hear anything going on in a compartment. There was a murder in the 1980's on a 4-EPB in the south-east which pretty much ended the use of compartment stock

Surely with modern cctv this is not a problem. Or at least less of an issue.

A compartment to oneself to travel all the way home in splendid isolation was quite frankly magnificent. We'll never see the like again sadly.

It's not wanting one to myself, its just better to have a smaller environment sometimes.

I think the first class end (I know it's DM... something) of a 185 comes closest to ideal now. I'm sure everyone else is aware of the disabled toilet end that most passengers think is first class. Even when that's full it's always a nicer place to sit.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Not in the UK, but modern long-distance express stock and EMUs in continental Europe do often feature some form of compartments. For example, they feature on refurbished DB ICE1 stock which are relatively modern - the corridor and the compartment.

They're very popular on longer journeys, and especially well used by business associates and families travelling together.

Reminds me of the Brel international stock. Wish we had them on long distance services in the uk.

 

[WestCoast]

Very swish - perhaps we might get some through the chunnel !

Perhaps, I haven't seen the interior plans for the latest generation of ICE that DB may be sending from 2015 onwards. I don't think it will feature compartments and it certainly won't have a forward viewing lounge.

I would totally disagree with those who say that compartments are outdated or archaic in some way, I think they're still very useful for long-distance stock (only).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Surely with modern cctv this is not a problem. Or at least less of an issue..

Safety is a concern, but with transparent doors, CCTV and use only on long-distance/InterCity services, it becomes much less of an issue. Travellers won't be forced to sit in them (in fact it's rare than I manage to get a seat in one on DB services as they are so popular!), so they can use their own personal judgement if travelling alone at a certain time.

 

[WatcherZero]

The Chinese trains have compartments, but since the privacy screens dont go all the way up and down their not that private.

 

[fgwrich]

442s were built new with compartments in 1988.

Yep, and rather impressivly, you can fit up to 33 people in one compartment as ive found out

 

[brillopad]

At least we have our memories!

Yep - I remember non corridor compartments.

 

[Juniper Driver]

At least we have our memories!

Many a commute having sneaked out early to get the 17.02 from Waterloo, which ran for 30 minutes non-stop (not even Clapham Junction) to my home station. A compartment to oneself to travel all the way home in splendid isolation was quite frankly magnificent. We'll never see the like again sadly.

Did that out of Liverpool Street in the late 70's and it was great.

 

[asylumxl]

Railjet on the conitent has something somewhat like compartments, but they're not really private.

 

[yorksrob]

London direct either to Sevenoaks or (if lucky) Tonbridge for me.

 

[WestCoast]

Railjet on the conitent has something somewhat like compartments, but they're not really private.

Yes, they are more like dividers. See here.

 

[D6975]

The capacity of old Mk1s isn't really relevent as the opens had seats around tables. Modern opens have mostly airline style seats. This does give greater capacity (how many seats in a FGW mark 3 nowadays compared to the original 72? ). Airline style seats in compartments?? non starter really.
Using partitions within coaches to produce large 'compartments' - really semi-opens I guess with 12-16 seats (like 185s) is used here end there and these do give a better environment than full open coaches in my opinion.

 

[transmanche]

(how many seats in a FGW mark 3 nowadays compared to the original 72? ).

80 (low density) or 84 (high density).

 

[Matt Taylor]

Yep, and rather impressivly, you can fit up to 33 people in one compartment as ive found out

I remember that train!

 

[jopsuk]

if people aren't in airline seats, I reckon that most like to have a table- even if just the mini-table found in the "bays" on many commuter units. It's handy for putting down hotdrinks etc, whilst proper tables are obviously useful for laptops etc. I've never seen a picture or film of a seating compartment with any sort of table whatsoever.

 

[87015]

if people aren't in airline seats, I reckon that most like to have a table- even if just the mini-table found in the "bays" on many commuter units. It's handy for putting down hotdrinks etc, whilst proper tables are obviously useful for laptops etc. I've never seen a picture or film of a seating compartment with any sort of table whatsoever.

Really? There are plenty knocking around in pres with mini-tables and some even with full tables fitted. Most continental stuff has the mini-table by the window, generally with a small hopper bin underneath it, which both Austrian and German modern IC stock has for sure. Some places see fit to have a bottle opener built in to the table - a top move! A quick scan of railfaneurope finds http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/at/car/IC-EC/Bbmvz/Bbmvz_i1.jpg which is fairly representative of the more modern air-con compo stock I'd say. Also see the ICE1 stock linked to upthread...

I think a mix of open and compo stock generally works well, although on a wedged train I'd go for the airlines than wedge in a compo - but the normals across Europe do seem very pro-compo.

 

[jon0844]

Why can't some carriages be configured to move the aisle over to one side for part of the way, to allow for 4+0 seating - intended for use by groups/families? Or have half/three-quarter-height dividers.

On the Swedish X2000 trains, in first class there was a small compartment - which I presume was for when smoking was allowed - with glass all around. So, you had some privacy to talk, but not from being seen - which I guess would reduce safety concerns.

 

[tom1649]

My last memory of travelling in a compartment was on a Class 309 from Manchester Piccadilly to Hazel Grove. Not the most likely route to find yourself travelling in the luxury of a declassified first class compartment I wouldn't have thought! This was in 2000 I think just before the 309s sadly departed this world.

 

[ChrisCooper]

Remember catching a rush hour 12 car service off either Charing Cross or Victoria towards the end of the slammers, and having a compartment all to myself in the front coach. When I got off (Sevenoaks I think) further down the train was packed and standing, probably moaning about overcrowding.

Another nice run was on the East Coastway from Polegate to Hastings in a sea side compartment on a nice sunny day. Window open with a breeze, nice view, smooth ride and comfortable springy seat. Followed that up with a Thumper to Ashford, then a CEP to Charing Cross.

Less nice one which highlights the problem was in the leading compartment of a CIG to East Grinstead. Group of lads got off at one of the intermediate stations and tried to grab my bad on the way past. Didn't get it, and got a few weedy punches for the privalage of keeping it. Then again similar things could happen on an open train if it's quiet, or if the other passengers decide they aren't going to do anything (and CCTV only might catch them afterwards, it doesn't stop it).

 

[jopsuk]

Remember catching a rush hour 12 car service off either Charing Cross or Victoria towards the end of the slammers, and having a compartment all to myself in the front coach. When I got off (Sevenoaks I think) further down the train was packed and standing, probably moaning about overcrowding.

I was on an S8 Met line recently that stood at Baker Street for a bit due to an incident. A circle line train got emptied (and that platform closed) before the line got reopened, and the passengers were directed to my train. It seemed that almost all of them got on at the doors nearest the bottom of the stairs. And stayed there.

People are stupid. They don't move down inside even when it is obvious and easy