QUOTE (On the edge @ Nov 4 2014, 11:15 PM)
Umm, I'm clearly getting to old and am cursed with a memory. There was time when trains had comfortable seats with reasonable leg room....indeed, even those turbo trains when first introduced, had air conditioning units. So what passenger transformation is this? I've clearly missed something. As for customer information, until recent times FGW couldn't even be bothered to tell you what platform your train might arrive at in Newbury! OK if you happen to be a nice fit railman but a nightmare if you were a disabled OAP.
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.