I've found that trains with lower levels of light are far more relaxing journeys (i'll attatch pictures i've taken below) - my experience of trains is limited to south wales (in the last few months i've gone from the car to buses/trains) so I can't speak for anything other than ATW/FGW.
I have to go to Maesteg twice a week which takes about 1hr 45 from where I live (changing at cardiff) on which atw use most of their fleet, the most common being a 150/158. The 150 has an almost 'overbright' level of light which is rather offputting, and really do not envy the people having to endure that for 3 1/2 hours to west wales (Though the ex FGW 150s aren't too bad) - whereas the 158 has much more subdued lighting which is actually quite relaxing.
Just wondered what other people on these forums thought about commuter trains in their area (as this forum is pretty dead ;p).
attatched is some photos to show what I mean (the camera on my phone causes some bloom so apologies for that)
One off-topic question, today ATW employees (or at least they were wearing the uniform) were driving a FGW train from portsmouth harbour, is it normal for employees of one TOC to drive the trains of another?
Class 143 lighting.
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/8064/143lh7.jpg
150.
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/1829/150px5.jpg
153.
http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/5615/153ru1.jpg
158.
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/5217/158hw1.jpg