Press release -
Squeaky seat-back train tables given the silent treatment
A familiar sound for passengers travelling on trains across London and the South Coast is being given the silent treatment by train operator Southern.
VIDEO: Before and after of the squeaky tables
The squeak of seat-back tray tables being pulled down or folded back up is soon to be a thing of the past, as new – silent – parts are being rolled out across its fleet of Electrostar trains, the largest in the country.
More than 31,000 ageing rubber ‘bushes’, the part which reduces friction when the table is moved, will be replaced with a nylon version on seat-back tables across the fleet as part of the train operator’s regular maintenance programme, which will also include a fresh lick of paint, new seat fabrics and new carpets throughout.
Louis Rambaud, Southern’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “We’re all familiar with the moment you lower a table and feel like you’ve announced yourself to the whole carriage. This is quickly becoming a thing of the past as we refurbish our trains to make journeys even more comfortable.
“We’re hot on the heels of change, tackling even the squeakiest of details, as we know small improvements like these often make the biggest difference to your journey.”
The improvement is made as part of a major refurbishment of the fleet by Southern. One train goes through the ‘C6’ overhaul at Selhurst Depot in South London each week and undergoes a full inspection before receiving a repaint, new seat upholstery and carpet, as well as repairing any outstanding issues or making modifications.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
There are two bushes installed per seat-back tray table, with roughly 86 tables per unit, meaning a total 31,304 bushes installed across the fleet of 182 Class 377 1-4 trains.
A small selection of video footage is available to download within the press release. Further footage can be provided upon request.
Interviews and trips on squeaky (and squeak-free!) trains are available upon request. Email press.office@gtrailway.com to arrange.
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For more information, contact the press office on 0203 750 2031.
GTR
GTR operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows:
- Thameslink – cross-London services between Bedford/Peterborough/Cambridge and Brighton/Horsham/East Grinstead, and between Luton/St Albans and Sutton/Wimbledon/Rainham; plus services between London and Sevenoaks
- Great Northern – services between London and Welwyn, Hertford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn
- Southern – services between London and the Sussex coast (Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Hastings) and parts of Surrey, Kent and Hampshire (Ashford International, Southampton, Portsmouth)
- Gatwick Express – fast, non-stop direct services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria
www.southernrailway.com, www.thameslinkrailway.com, www.gatwickexpress.com, www.greatnorthernrail.com
