I have no issue with comfort, but I do have issue with getting a seat sometimes and knowing that I am on the right train. Then there's the endless apologies about signal failure.

I agree OTE.
There was a time when trains were comfortable with large windows and plenty of room.
OK so they were heated by steam and were less safe but passenger comfort was taken into consideration.
These days trains are more like aeroplanes with poor legroom, smaller windows and many seats that do not line up with them so you have a view of a plastic pillar!
It's all about cramming more bums on shorter trains
The new "bi-modal" IEP trains for the Great Western will be an even further step back from the HST's with, again, airline style seating and, when not under the wires, a diesel engine throbbing away beneath you!
With regard to the Turbos, they have many seats which face each other which is not too bad but most people these days think it is OK to put their feet on them with this arrangement. Also the air con has NEVER worked on them and was only fitted to the 166 variation.

I don't think I'm demanding comfort either, lack of leg room for average humans is simply incompetent design, failing to correct that year on year is incompetent management. Ironically, previous posts mention the 'bad old days'; but back in these 'bad old days' the railway workshops had calculated and acceptable standards for seating.

[quote name='Biker1' date='Nov 5 2014, 07:33 AM' post='99209']
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These days trains are more like aeroplanes with poor legroom, smaller windows and many seats that do not line up with them so you have a view of a plastic pillar!

I've yet to see standing passengers on aeroplanes in the western world or, for that matter, on the express coaches travelling on the motorways.

True, but I imagine there might be a bit of a fuss if they didn't allow anyone else to get on a train once the seats were full.

Quite right, then the cost of a few extra coaches would be insignificant against the overall refurbishment price. There was also talk sometime back about reducing the number of first class seats; I haven't seen any evidence of that yet, but it would help.

This is in progress.
All the HST sets will eventually be running with 1 additional standard coach and 1 less first.
Many of the HST's are now running with 6 standard, 1 buffet / 1st and 1 first. This has added a complete additional standard coach. All will be completed by the middle of next year.
The conversion is being done by a couple of coaches at a time hence the time taken.

At my peril I would like to make some comments on reports of the Ufton crash of which is the 10th anniversary today.
This was a terrible event and I have thoughts and sympathy for all involved and affected.
However I would challenge the NWN report that this was "one the worst rail disaster’s in the country". Passenger death statistics of past rail accidents unfortunately prove otherwise.
The BBC report "one of the worst of the last 20 years" is more accurate.
Also I would like to point out that the UK rail is now the safest rail system in Europe by passenger casualty statistics.
I will say no more on this sensitive subject. I am just trying to keep things in perspective.

That report is also worthy of an entry in the "NWN and the English language" thread.

Couple of Black 5's double headed on Tuesday through Newbury.
Booked at around 12:50 after taking water at Racecourse.
(Black 5)

This was announced around the middle of last year.
Why report it now?
See posts above.

Steam on Saturday at Newbury.
SR Light Pacific "Battle of Britain" Class No 34067 Tangmere
11:06 - 11:17 water at Newbury Racecourse.

Heading east or west?

Yes

Finest steam engines ever built in UK.

Sorry, West.
Will pass through Newbury station shortly afterwards.

I'll give you that, specially as you didn't strike through 'finest'.

I know it's diverting the thread, but how about another go at building a Leader class? Modern materials might just do it!

Looks like the new/replacement 125's are landed from Japan. These are the ones we will see on the western route through Newbury. Diesel and Electric

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31831603
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Reflections from another thread. It really isn't worth sending our kids to university is it?