(Share yours in comments!) Today I will be sharing my Railway Unpopular Opinions. 1. Fresh WCR Liverys aren't nice. Now don't get me wrong I like the WCR livery but when it is freshly painted it dosen't look great. Idk why but it just dosen't look right to me. 2. The Class 800s are overrated. Now I think a lot of people will agree with this but for some reason people love the 800s/801/802/803 etc. But what those people forget is what they replaced. That being the Class 43 which was in operation all over the country once but only is operated by GWR, XC, Colas, and ScotRail. And when you consider before 2019 the were running with LNER, EMR/EMT and now even though they're running with GWR they are on reduced consists and are due to leave service by the end of this year along side XC. They were the top of their time. Then the 800s came along and said "Imma 'bout to end this man's whole career". But yeah guys that is my unpopular Railway opinions and I will see you in the next thread.
I’ll say one thing though that thing erupted out of the low level like no joke the driver thrashed it that hard the roar went through my body
I don’t think the class 700 is a bad as people say. Now I’ve nervier ridden on one myself but I have been on a 331 which as similar seats and they aren’t that bad in my opinion, the only thing that brings the 700 down is the seats, everything else is a step up from the 377 & 319.
Yeah I kinda agree. Now I've never seen a 700 but I do like them. By the sounds of it most modern trains don't have the best seats although I will say the Mk1s are comfortable though.
My most unpopular railway opinion is that the 80xs are much nicer than and worthy successors of the HSTs which were old battered and definitely showning their age at the end. Obviously from an enthusiast's poing of view you will pick the HSTs but having to decide which one to work on all day isn't really a decision: the 80xs win every day of the week. I genuinely don't enjoy having the other class of trains we have (which I won't mention to keep my toc private) as the 80xs are much nicer. I would even go as far as saying I prefer riding as a passenger on the 80xs than their predecessors. Another unpopular opinion would be that I can't stand the wesgern region hydraulics though I've no explaination for that one!
I massively dislike gwr both modern an old. Not much more I can say apart from that was very relieving!!!
Whilst I don't quite agree, it is a shame that they replaced the HSTs. Not that I have ever travelled on a HST as they disappeared before I could get a chance to use one, but I can't moan over the seating quality in the 800s.
1. Modern UK trains look much better with yellow front ends To me the LNWR class 350s would look far better with the livery broken up on the cab ends like the LM livery did. Same with some operators of IET sets. 2. Class 800s - have the worst toilets I’ve ever been to on a train! As previous posters have said the Class 800s create a lot of division, I’m a staunch HST fan but I do think they are a worthy successor to the HST, although as a passenger the seats seem to have a ridge in the cushions which is not quite comfortable. It’s the small toilets on some of the vehicles that are the worst I’ve visited. Far too small and claustrophobic in my opinion. 3. Onboard announcements Now I get that these are very beneficial to those with visual and mobility impairments and those with travel anxiety but in some instances we have The train service Next station This station Refreshments Seating zones (First class etc) Quiet coach Connections Security announcements (Most of the above repeated at least after each stop) some twice between two stations and that doesn’t include request stops, short platforms and everything repeated bi-lingual, connections on buses or minding the gap and taking your belongings! I know there are government guidelines on the minima but do we really need this much info? Some would argue it’s an information overload! I’ve probably got more but I’ll leave it there (for now)
The class 80x do a job, and they do that job well enough when they're not cracking or being on strike. That they replaced the HSTs is about as relevant as the HSTs replacing the Deltics Things move on and for better or for worse the new units are faster and who knows, in 30 years time when they get phased out for something else people may miss those units too I have always had a place in my hate box for the 700s. They're ugly, the sounds are unique but grating and for some reason the fact that the light on the top of them (intended for OHLE monitoring cameras to have light) doesn't switch off when the pantos are all down (so no OHLE to be inspected) is just annoying. After London Bridge there's absolutely no reason for that light to be on Oh, and South of the Thames they're just awful, stopping almost everywhere and taking ages to do the 30 miles from LBG to GLM. Grrr With regards to announcements - and again on the Thameslink tip... .Do we really need all 32 stations on the Rainham to Luton train repeated twice on platform, twice on train and ... Just mind melting (let alone the rest as raised by 43050 above) UNPOPULAR OPINIONS... Jointed track was awful, and even the sound set my teeth on edge. Jointed track is much better Steam engines are much better for once in a while tours (so long as they don't get in the way) than as every day trains
Not sure how popular and unpopular they are but; - ScotRail and GWR have the best HST livery. - LNER (and possibly others) 800 series seats are painfully uncomfortable, honestly I like them but not the seats, change the seats and their a great commute option (never been on a HST to my memory so I can’t compare but I have been on a 142 near the end of their days and got a similar pain from their seats aswell) -the only thing I like about privatisation of the trains is the livery variety. - First class is overrated, for what you get for the price of it…
Dynamic Lines is the best privatisation livery, runners up are SWT and Virgin. Also, I actually quite like CrossCountry trains, even the Voyagers.
TGVs are overrated and terrible for travelling with luggage. Also the airline style operation of TGVs (pre boarding ticket checks???) and nowadays even other services is the worst, on many weekends or in the holidays you cant make a spontaneous train journey because tickets are sold our for days. And dont get me started on Eurostar
I do see what you mean but honestly I think it actually looks better but red is my favourite colour so that probably explains it.
Pre boarding ticket is there for a reason and it’s to avoid fare evasion and assaults on train conductors. There’s been an increase of fare evasion and assault on train conductors while checking for tickets on board that almost every day that kind incident happened and that’s the reason why they decided to put gates at platform to check before boarding if someone hasn’t got a ticket to avoid any incident. That’s the only solution as there’s not many police officers patrolling on TGVs and SNCF police are more concerned patrolling on rough and dangerous train lines.
And other times there's no difference. I just checked on SNCF connect and can get trains in 90 minutes or 3 hours from now, booked on the website with e-tickets. I prefer that they can only sell the seats they have, so there's no chance of standing room only and ending up with some strange woman in my armpit for an hour (as was the case last year on a trip from St Pancras to the Midlands)
They are very reliable but the seats are appalling. The problem is they are designed as commuter trains so people are travelling on them for about an hour every day. Try that every day and then tell me they are good. They are freezing cold in the morning too and the awful announcer voice is so annoying.
Completely agree on announcements. It’s ridiculous and actually counter-productive as people switch off and don’t listen. The quantity is there for risk assessments and to cover the department for transport. The companies don’t get to choose what is announced on trains or at stations as it is all regulated. They can add their own stuff but only after the DFT mandated announcements. My most loathed one is the one that plays on top of staircases every time it senses movement telling you to take care and hold the handrail.
I totally understand that. But would you have found it better if you couldnt get on the train at all because it was booked out? Its either standing on the train or on the platform seeing it depart/cant do a spontaneuos train journey when demand is high. I think DBs system is very good in this regard, on long distance trains, you can reserve a seat, but dont have to. So guaranteed seating for those who want it combined with flexibility as there are no passenger limits. Thats also good when you missed a train and need to take the next one, there are lots of cases where people cant take another service as an alternative when they dont have a Reservation.
DB is resting on its laurels; it ain't what it used to be. OBB is a much nicer railway. Also, GWR green is the nicest livery in Britain today.
If we count special liveries then I think ScotRail, for both the Inter7City (HSTs) and Highland Explorer (Cl. 153s), take the prize for best livery. GWR Green is probably fighting a close battle with TPE for regular liveries, but whilst TPE is a better livery, there's just something about GWR Green that makes it nicer.
Normally when I'm on a train it's either a commuter run or I'm booking two or three weeks in advance, so my answer would be yes Given the SNCF is only operating intercity and there aren't too many people who have absolutely unchangeable urgent intercity travel requirements I don't see it as a huge issue. Inconvenient if you do have those absolutely unchangeable urgent intercity travel requirements...
Unpopular railway opinions that I have: I like Southern, and the seats on Aventras and Desiro City trains are quite comfortable. I also like the Class 800 series (but have only been on an LNER one). It is safe to say that my view on the world is backwards, but I like it that way. ? *Google* Ooh is it this fancy blue one?
I agree there the Azumas are certainly an upgrade. Although I prefer the exterior of the Class 91s more.
The Avanti livery is already a mess (unpopular opinion?) but that train looks even more of a mess. I think that the livery on Century (an Azuma) is rather nice and I have always said that a Gold line would look better than silver. Even just the bog standard Azuma livery is quite nice. Actually apart from the Avanti livery I think all of the 800 series liveries are quite nice, though the lumo and hull ones would look even better with yellow fronts personally.
Well I am glad you agree but I have seen many people who cuddle that livery like a teddy bear! Same!! No, sorry I meant one I've liked.
1. Voyagers are fantastic trains. People only moan about them because they're not HSTs and they're too short. I guarantee if they were 7+ coaches no one would have issues with them. They're very fast, have nice interiors (although admittedly long in the tooth now) and for the incredibly intensive work they do, are remarkably reliable. The fact they're still going strong on long XC routes over 20 years after their introduction without a major overhaul scheme is a testament to their quality. There's a reason XC aren't currently looking into getting 800s like every other TOC these days. 2. Classic BR Blue era Diesels are no more interesting than modern trains. 3. Modern EMUs like Electrostars and 700s are great. I actually prefer 387s over 800s on journeys from Cardiff to Paddington, think there's a daily diagram for them which I always try to get whenever I need to go that way.
