Great Western Coffee Shop

It may just be me but I have managed to rip three sets of suit trouser pockets sitting down on HST seat armrests - the latest tonight. The pocket catches on them and by the time my bum hits the seat the pocket is ripped. Question is it just me ??? of do other people  do the same ???

The only time I have been close to ripping a pocket is when the arm rest wasn't up fully..

the middle arm rest is pointless if the person also sitting next to you wants to use it

No it's not! Even if they have their arm sitting on it, the armrest is a very important demarcation of personal space. Especially if they're, *cough*, a little larger than average.  ;)

thats a good point i dont think of that but only one of you can put your arm on it, unless you want to remove that personal space eliment, lol its more of a divider

What I want to know (asked it before) is why the inner arm of the FC seats dont lift up

minor wibble I know but I swear my back has a ridge mark where it sticks in wen I try to sleep of a morning

The inner arm is not attached to anything - just seems they wanted to save money on a hinge!  Not a prob when I need a coat - it gets used as padding - but in these temps - back and blue I am!

FallenAngel or Yoda you are? ;D

I don't think you will find any trains in the UK where the inner arm lifts!

Doesnt explain why though!

Some of the chapman seats on 150 units have a lifting inner arm , but think in 1st class the inner arm forms part of the seat anchorage points

You see - someoe said that before and i was sad enough to investigate the construction when stuck on the line one night

They arent anchored to anything!

Since there has not been a rush of others ripping trouser pockets on the armrest - my conclusion It's me!!!! Interesting that arm rests could spark some interesting discussion.

At least those horrible fixed armrests on the old HST carriages have now gone.

the 159 lifts

Was on a chiltern Clubman last night, and the middle arm lifted.

I can't think whether 168 or 17Xs do or not...

Because I always have all armrests down.

Pretty sure i said in my last post that 168s do....

We're talking about inner arm rests. ;)

I know that Chiltern Clubmans (as most modern trains) have liftable middle arm rests!

The inner armrest on the ECML mkIV stock was designed to lift but jams against the tumblehome form (presumably designed with tilting mind). York to KX a good time to get some shut-eye if on the early trains, but that pesky armrest jammed at 45 degrees particularly useless. >:(

Slight delay in me noticing this topic, but I can only think of two reasons why they don't:

1) Moving parts equate to higher maintenance costs - as most people would prefer the armrests down and you don't need to have the inner one up in order to get into the seat it was probably just a decision based on economy.

2) In first class over time I'm sure it would damage or lessen the life of the curtains, as when moved it would interfere with their natural position.

Both reasons are hardly going to bankrupt the company, but small things like that do make a difference over time.

Not just on cost grounds, but the bad impression that is given when things are broken

Some of the First Class armrests are in a pickle. Some of them drop far lower than intended.

Like that on SWT class 444s as well.

Due to vandalism/excessive weight being put on them which bends the stops. Should be rectified on the sets next C/D exam.