Most comforrtable third class carriage on a tourist railway

What is the most comfortable vehicle on a tourist railway for those not paying a supplementary fare? My own candidate is the Bluebell Railway's Maunsell era open third with the full width droplight windows. The latter feature suggests the designer had been across to Calais Maritime and liked the practicality of what he saw.

Externally the appearance is a touch austere but, inside, the beautifully crafted dark wood panelling is perfectly balanced by bright blue Art Deco coverings on the exceptionally comfortable seats. There is plenty of legroom and the vehicle rides particularly smoothly also. To my mind the seating surpasses much first class accomodation and, dare it be said, Pullman armchairs as well.

No one expects modern rolling stock to reproduce inter-war styles of decoration or finish. Nowadays speeds are also much higher. Mischieviously it is tempting though, to suggest that present day train operators should be forced to go to Sheffield Park and explain why they refuse to match the comfort levels offered to ordinary passengers seventy years ago!

What are other peoples candidates for the most comfortable vehicle?

 

I think for comfort you are right, in my experience - those Maunsells (and especially the droplight third) take some beating for comfort. To me they seem quite softly sprung and with soft springs in the seats - lovely at low speed though I wonder if they'd feel a bit wobbly at high speed or on poor track?

For all round 3rd class opulence though, I'd go with LSWR 3rd Brake 1520 - beautiful deep red moquette, wood panelled interior and delightful photos of sights of the south west, including my home town. Bliss! If only a complete 4 car set had been preserved...

Tom

 

How about the LNERCA's Gresley open thirds? They are every comfortable and I'm often asked by passengers if they are first class or is there a supplement for riding in them.

 

Personally, I would emotively deny the comfort of LNER carriages, I really find them the least comfortable of all! However, in my experience, the general public do love their teak style and often will make a particular point of travelling in them.

Having travelled many times in BR, GWR, LNER and LMS carriages - all in preservation - I would say, without a shadow of a doubt, that your most comfortable 3rd class no supplement carriages are the LMS 3rd (Compartment) on the SVR (not sure if there are any other LMS carriages preserved in operating condition, apart from one or two at Foxfield/Peak?). I would say that BR come a reasonable second, with GW and LNER trailing, in that order, way down the scale. I cannot comment on SR carriages.

 

The "bucket" seats as fitted to 56856 has a reputation for being uncomfortable, but no-one was able to say for certain after the Tyneside Electrics were withdrawn because none survived. Those in 56856 are replicas from the original drawings and I find very comfortable. At the coach's first public appearance (Doncaster Open Day), at least one visitor was found fast asleep in 56856! The other 2 Third Class teaks currently in service on the LNERCA set have a different style of bench seat (using original frames, I believe), whilst many LNER coaches running today have adapted Mark 1 seats. For the Thompson era Third Class compartments, I believe this is pretty close to what they were originally fitted with. The LNERCA's 1623 is, I believe, to use adapted Mark 1 SK setas (61624 will now doubt confirm).

Steven

 

Yes indeed, 1623 is to have Mk 1 compartment seats, but they are very close in design to the LNER ones and will be modified to have rounded ends to the armrests rather than the BT squared ends, and will be upholstered with a "Jazz" moquette that was originally used on the 1938 Flying Scotsman set in third class, but seems to have become the standard Thompson third class material after the war. They will also have be modified to make them slightly narrower than standard Mkm 1 seats in order to make them fit properly.

In contrast, another LNERCA coach that is nearing completion, brake third 3669, will have specially made authentic seats to the original drawings (they are on order), although we're still on the lookout for suitable moquette for this coach and would be pleased to hear from anyone with a fawn-coloured (-ish!) material to an early 1930s pattern - we probably need 40-60M.

Both designs of open third seats - "buckets" or "armchairs" - seem to be very popular with the public, but the tubular chrome chairs in the buffet cars are less so. In part that's because they were designed to encourage people not to linger, but to have their food and drink and then move away for the next customers!

 

Agreed! We might be discussing how comfort levels are declining, but on a trip from (say) Kings Cross to Edinburgh I'd much rather sit in a mk3/4 than a Gresley, they're uncomfortable enough for 16 miles along the valley! Personally I'd say the declassified prototype mk1 on the SVR (declassified FO, or previously an upgraded SO?) with reclining seats

 

The pictures look very good and remind me of various vehicles running in the Isle of Wight which have most attractive interiors. However IMHO none of these are the reproach to modern train operating companies which the Maunsell droplight saloon represents.

Paul

 

I'm not sure what coach it is but the maroon mark 1 that is currently with the LNER set is rather comfortable. I mean the one that is 2 + 1 seating that is 3rd class but is more like a 1st class coach.

 

Yes I did mean the Severn Valley. Ah I did wonder about the coach as it did seem like a first class coach.

 

Agreed! We might be discussing how comfort levels are declining, but on a trip from (say) Kings Cross to Edinburgh I'd much rather sit in a mk3/4 than a Gresley, they're uncomfortable enough for 16 miles along the valley! Personally I'd say the declassified prototype mk1 on the SVR (declassified FO, or previously an upgraded SO?) with reclining seats

Not really fair to LNER seats, as I don't think any of the coaches there actually has LNER seats fitted! The opens and the buffet car have MK1 TSO seats and the BCK and CK have (I think) SR seats from 4-COR units - might be wrong about the CK though!

 

I would agree with this. My well justified reason? I fell asleep in it only two months ago at the diesel gala! Was the quickest Bridgnorth to Kidderminster run I've ever had :biggrin1:

 

3083 is one of the best, very nice. I would also suggest the 3rd class seats in GNR 2701 as being very nice and comfortable. TBF, quite often when I'm riding, I'm standing in a door window looking out, so my experience of seats is less than it should be. If I'm sat down, it's an SVR Gala and First is declassified. For window comfortably, BR loses out, I quite like GWR windows for standing in.

 

I think I know the SVR vehicle referred to by others in this thread. If so, I agree about its comfort but as a downgraded first it does not really count! The Bluebell's "droplight" third was designed as such.

Paul

 

I've found Bulleid Semi-Open Brake no 2526 on the Bluebell to be very comfortable.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again...LMS 3rd Compartments are the best around.

 

You would need to sample the best vehicles on the Isle of Wight and Bluebell before coming to a definitive view.

P.

 

Addendum:

LMS 3rd Compartments are the best around and I sincerely doubt I shall ever find any more comfortable 3rd class seating anywhere in these islands, but will wait and see!