CrossCountry repainted and refreshed 170s

[JamieLei]

The first refresh of the interior of a 170 is out after a long wait! The exteriors (as I'm sure most people have already seen) have been showing for quite a while now, with a pair of 220s in Burgundy since launch day.

Fotopic of 170 Turbostar interior
CrossCountry Press Release

I've heard that there's sadly a reduction in legroom and that that contrary to the press report, luggage space seems to have _decreased_ - odd for an airport service. However, I feel it's better than the Central livery (I never really liked the blue/green), but doesn't quite match up to Chiltern's 168s, which look really classy .

[Ameecher]

Would still look better in Loadhaul.

[Dave]

I think it looks well smart.

But LoadHaul would be much more appropriate.

[Ameecher]

But LoadHaul would be much more appropriate.

Good man!

I take it these were overhauled on Arriva Depots and not Clacton where the repaints have been taking place?

[Parkey]

Do you know if they've sorted out the legroom problem? My girlfriend is 5'4" and when she travels on them she's always complaing that her knees are jammed against the seat in front.

[Ameecher]

I've heard that there's sadly a reduction in legroom

That seems to be the answer to your question, Parkey. And tell her to sit in the priority seats. No shortage of legroom there! And 170s are a damn sight better for legroom than other classes I can think of for my rather gangly 6'2" frame!

[andel]

Sadly parking in a priority seat will find you seated opposite a wheelchair user who will ask you to move to allow his or her partner to join them.

The XC 170s are being refurbed in my home town - another one due tomorrow or Tuesday.

[Parkey]

I've heard that there's sadly a reduction in legroom

That seems to be the answer to your question, Parkey. And tell her to sit in the priority seats. No shortage of legroom there! And 170s are a damn sight better for legroom than other classes I can think of for my rather gangly 6'2" frame!

Bu.... wha... HOW can there be a reduction in legroom on those things?! Are the seats now inside the seats in front?

I went on one of these on friday (unrefurbished ex-CT 170 between BHM and NOT) and I had to sit sort of sideways-ish to avoid severe discomfort. Still not pleasant, and certainly not suitable for a long distance cross-country route.

[JamieLei]

I went on one of these on friday (unrefurbished ex-CT 170 between BHM and NOT) and I had to sit sort of sideways-ish to avoid severe discomfort. Still not pleasant, and certainly not suitable for a long distance cross-country route.

This is what you get when you combine a TOC promising more seats, but a lack of extra carriages. Look what happened with FGW! Although I'm tempted to think that Virgin got the balance right with the Pendolinos (of which I seem to be the only one that likes them...). No matter how much whining from the railfans, not all seats can be set round a table and window for the convenience of photo-takers!

[Parkey]

No matter how much whining from the railfans, not all seats can be set round a table and window for the convenience of photo-takers!

Would you buy a car if the passenger's side window had a big fat column in the middle of it, completely blocking their view?

[athanasios]

Ceert'ly not!

[Dave]

No matter how much whining from the railfans, not all seats can be set round a table and window for the convenience of photo-takers!

Would you buy a car if the passenger's side window had a big fat column in the middle of it, completely blocking their view?

That point is moot in terms of train travel since people buy a car for their own luxury, whilst train travel is a service.

Sure, you can have all the view, legroom and tables you want, that'll be 300% the price of your normal fare please.

[JamieLei]

Would you buy a car if the passenger's side window had a big fat column in the middle of it, completely blocking their view?

Sadly there's no perfect train.

142 Pros: Very narrow pillars, best for photo-taking. Cons: Crap crashworthyness, body easily displaced from underframe.

390 Pros: Excellent crashworthyness (carrages stay intact, body intact). Cons: Small windows, big pillars.

Like I said, most commuters who use the FGW HST refurbished sets are happy with them, especially with the increased number of seats. As there are more commuters than leisure passengers, I believe that seating should be orientated in their favour. Commuters also bring in far more money than leisure passengers.

Of course, as Dave said, if you'd like both, you could pay for First Class. Season tickets are almost universally 1.5x the price of the equivalent in standard and thus not as expensive as people make them out to be.

[andel]

Next one is due to move to Clacton on Tuesday for an internal referb...

[JamieLei]

Next one is due to move to Clacton on Tuesday for an internal referb...

Out of interest, what would the difference be when NXEC refurbish the Mk4s? - GNER refurbished them in the mallard style to a high quality (in my opinion) so it seems a little unnecessary to refurbish again.

[Kevo00]

Wouldn't it be a waste of money to refurb the mk4s now?

[andel]

the MK4s will not get an internal refurb for a few years - the external will probably be done over the next 18 months or so.

[JamieLei]

the MK4s will not get an internal refurb for a few years - the external will probably be done over the next 18 months or so.

Ah makes more sense. Currently I think they look a bit odd with that white stripe across the GNER colours. Just like those 158s that used to run round with Northern Spirit, TPE and Central branding all at once!

[Ameecher]

Ah makes more sense. Currently I think they look a bit odd with that white stripe across the GNER colours. Just like those 158s that used to run round with Northern Spirit, TPE and Central branding all at once!

And now have East Midland Trains logos stuck on them too.

[JamieLei]

And now have East Midland Trains logos stuck on them too.

Lol! I hadn't thought of that! - Have you got a photo?

I think overall, WAGN must have been the worst TOC for branding. Are there others thinking that their original Primary Colours livery was far nicer than any of their subsequent livery? (pic1) (pic2)