High Speed Train Replacement

[whole diary]

[Chris2]

I wouldn't travel London to Penzance on a 444. But I would travel London to Penzance on a TGV^▸ (Train a Grande Vitesse), eurostar or an ICE train. I have done London to St. Austell on a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HD set in standard and that was ok for the first three hours.

[swlines]

The point I'm making by asking whether you would travel in FGW^▸ (First Great Western) standard nowadays is one key reason - the seats are essentially the same. A curved ironing board with about 3mm padding (well, not really but you get the idea).

The key thing to remember is that the 444 design has advanced since it's inception (see the class 185, you can hardly hear the squeaks).

I would be quite happy to travel in any 444 variant between London and Penzance (or any journey less than 6 hours for that matter) as long as:
* The train does not swing from side to side in Siemens suspension, and instead bounces up and down.
* Seating is more adequate than most trains nowadays (this is the main reason why I try and travel FC^‡(resolve) everywhere - far better seating).
* Adequate number of tables.

[Conner]

Would you travel London to Penzance on a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HD set in standard?

Most definatly, done it from Castle Cary, could do it from London.
Seating is the main reason I don't like 444's, it is a lot less comfortable than FGW standard.

[devon_metro]

I'd travel on a 444, they look nice and airy and have large windows.

[Jim]

I'd travel on a 444, they look nice and airy and have large windows.

and the seats are sh1te

[swlines]

I'd say seating is a question of taste.

You can not like a seat and eventually get used to it - this is very much the case with 444 seating.

[Conner]

It has far less padding than HST^▸ (High Speed Train) standard.
HST standard has loads of padding, give the seats a couple of years and they will be extremely comfortable.

[Pete]

Please, please, please, regardless of anything else  - windows that open in the vestibule areas !

[jester]

..................essential for that mid journey, cigarette break!!! 

[standclearplease]

I'd rather have a 444 than some foul old botched 153 that should be operating regional Bristol services and not BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) to PNZ.

[Conner]

I'd rather have a 444 than some foul old botched 153 that should be operating regional Bristol services and not BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) to PNZ.

153's actually should be used on branchlines.
And 153's are more comfortable than 444's and more comfortable and nicer inside than a 150, the usual stock for BRI-PNZ.

[swlines]

There is absolutely no chance of droplights being fitted to new rolling stock running at 125mph.

I can't believe all of you are saying that you'd never travel on a 444 from London to Penzance - I clearly said it would be a variant. It is also up to the respective operator to do internal layouts - and specify the seats used (although I suspect all will choose the cheapest option).

[Conner]

A varient of the 444, with new seats would be a brilliant train for Portsmouth-Cradiff but still not convinced it is the best option for London-Penznace.

[swlines]

You're keeping to the idea it will be a fixed formation 5 car unit too much.

The design spec could supposedly be of any length, whether it be 3 coaches or 10 coaches.

[standclearplease]

I'd rather have a 444 than some foul old botched 153 that should be operating regional Bristol services and not BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) to PNZ.

153's actually should be used on branchlines.
And 153's are more comfortable than 444's and more comfortable and nicer inside than a 150, the usual stock for BRI-PNZ.

Perhaps I just have a bad attitude toward them them, based upon bad experiences on them before. Have the refurbishments done them any justice?