Paington to London - a backward step under FGW?

[whole diary]

[TRAIN DRAINED]

Perhaps I should not complain as I only travel to London from Paignton 4 to 6 times a month. Unlike the guys and girls on the daily recycled cattle trucks who's life span is shortened by (like the fares) sky high stress levels,but not liking change?
I travelled up on Monday to Paddington on one of these referbished 125's (over 4 hours). Yes, they have taken a leaf out of the budget airlines book: cramped hard seats, if you are over four foot six then you will need physiotherapy at Paddington. Yes they pack them in alright (and still people have to stand). If you do manage to get a table seat, the recycled ironing board that they laughingly call a table is a joke. The poor guy across from me trying to use his laptop had to give up. The lady sat next to me was in such discomfort she could not sit still.
I am old enough to remember when the 125's were introduced on BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) western region. I loved them; clean, spacious, all seats had tables of reasonable size, reasonable fares, staff for the most part real railway people. Then? well we all know what happended next, thus the reason for sites like this.
BRING BACK INTER-CITY! & British Rail, and most of all:the work shops and design teams who thirty years ago gave the tax payer a great british train which has now been referbished in to a cattle truck.

[grahame]

Hi, TRAIN DRAINED, and welcome to the forum.

I run a business, and I encourage customer feedback - it's our lifeblood in providing a service for the future.  So you're uttertly right to tell service provider what you think.

Indeed, I have moved your post from the middle of a very busy thread on the coming of the class 142 units to Devon so that it gets separate, and greater, exposure - hope you're OK with this.    ... And don't just tell us - tell that train operators and the train specifiers too.

Of course, everyone who provides a customer service would like to please all the customers, all the time and at a price that's so cheap that everyone consider it excellent value.  But you can't please all the people all of the time, so you may get a "no can do" response.  Operationally, that will be a valid answer sometimes, but I've learned that "niet" can change into "we're trying" and may even get to "here's a gesture in the right direction" ... that's where we are on the TransWilts now with the return of a southbound train on Sunday.  Next year ... we can get to an appropriate service!

[simonw]

I must object!

The refurbished carriages are a vast improvement for most people. The seats are more comfortable, provide a fold down laptop/book rest, power point and more space.

The old HST^▸ (High Speed Train) tables where not designed to be used with laptops! Calling many notebook computers on trains a laptop is a joke, 15-17 screen notepads are only fit for desk use. They are too large for most peoples laps, and get so hot they will cause an injury! When placed securly on the old HST tables, they occupy most of the useable space

If anyone wants to use a train as a mobile office, go first class. The seats are better, and the tables bigger!

[vacman]

I agree, as in my other post I think FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have done a good job with the refurbed HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s. When HST's were introduced there were far less passengers travelling than now so more seats are required, it's all very well saying "put more carriages on" like most of the travelling public keep moaning about but it isn't practical to extend HST's there's enough problems at short platforms already! And I work HST's on a daily basis and 90% of passengers comment on how nice the "new" trains are!

[Shazz]

Yes, they have taken a leaf out of the budget airlines book: cramped hard seats, if you are over four foot six then you will need physiotherapy at Paddington.

Odd, i prefer these seats to the old ones, as i'm 6ft.

so much more room than the old HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s at least a good 3 inches of leg room. compared to none in the old hst's.

The new refurbs are a vast improvement

[devon_metro]

I prefer the old ones but understand that the new ones are an improvement for some passengers.

The morning paignton - paddington was 63 minutes late into Paddingtin today running on one engine only.

[martyjon]

The morning paignton - paddington was 63 minutes late into Paddingtin today running on one engine only.

If this is the service which operates via Bristol, it was on one engine only, had additional stops at Bridgwater and Highbridge due to the previous service being cancelled. The service was losing time and holding up a following Virgin service and therefore was looped at Yatton to allow the Edinburgh Voyager to overtake.