London Midland First Class Offering

[Trainfan344]

Have booked advance tickets for travel on London Midland First class from Stoke-on-Trent to London Euston, any ideas on the first class service on this route?

 

[Goatboy]

It's terrible and frankly borderline false advertising IMHO. I had the misfortune to use it but luckily on an '& Connections' 1st Advance so I didn't feel ripped off.

Imagine the standard class section on a London Midland Class 170. This is what passes for First Class on a 350.

Pretty much the only benifit it offers is the ability to get a seat in peak times. Given the price of some 1st class tickets, this is pretty terible.

 

[oversteer]

So over a 350/1 standard class seat you get -
A mains socket
An antimacassar
A sliding seat base
Reading light
Curtains on the windows

Enjoy!

 

[Tubeboy]

Everyone is different, I find the 1st class seats are a bit more comfy than standard. Apart from that, not much of a difference, more quieter on 1st too which can be a big bonus.

 

[Trainfan344]

Glad I didn't pay too much then, £11.90 first class advance to Euston, got the entire journey home cheaper than a standard virgin advance ticket.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

That's not too bad what you paid. Like others have said though, the first class is pretty poor. I remember accidentally sitting in FC once and thinking this is a bit uncomfortable and that's without even realizing I was in FC. Also, I hope you realize how long this journey is with LM over Virgin. It maybe the case VT is a little more, but look at the time compared to LM.

 

[DarloRich]

Everyone is different, I find the 1st class seats are a bit more comfy than standard. Apart from that, not much of a difference, more quieter on 1st too which can be a big bonus.

they are exactly the same seats - only they move a bit and you get an antimacassar.

The only helpful thing is the plug socket

 

[TEW]

The First Class seats in 350s are different, they are the same seats as fitted to 377s rather than standard desiro seats.

 

[Trainfan344]

That's not too bad what you paid. Like others have said though, the first class is pretty poor. I remember accidentally sitting in FC once and thinking this is a bit uncomfortable and that's without even realizing I was in FC. Also, I hope you realize how long this journey is with LM over Virgin. It maybe the case VT is a little more, but look at the time compared to LM.

I don't care, it gets me there, and VT is not a little more, £43.50 with discount for VT Standard, I've done my entire journey from Stoke-on-Trent to Norwich First Class for less than that.

 

[Masbroughlad]

And they even got rid of catering trolleys....

 

[185143]

And they even got rid of catering trolleys....

That is a point actually! Why, LM, why??

 

[SS4]

That is a point actually! Why, LM, why??

Lack of use wasn't it? I can't imagine many of those who choose LM to pay for food and drink which, in certain cases, was half the price of their ticket.

 

[Goatboy]

Does anyone even use them? They are so expensive it doesnt matter how far I'm going I always stock up beforehand. If catering stopped overnight on IC services I wouldn't notice.

Actually I would, as it would make negotiating a Voyager that much easier.

 

[Polarbear]

LM 1st class is certainly nothing to shout about. It gets you a little more peace & quiet on the busier services but that's about the only benefit.

I've booked some advance tickets Crewe - London in a few weeks time. I'm going down standard as although the train will be arriving in London in the peak, I'm getting on at Crewe so in theory, should have a few seats to choose from.

Coming back, it's a Friday evening & likely to be busy so have elected for a 1st advance for around £4 extra over the standard class.

I'm hoping that when the extra 350's arrive & they beef up their London - Crewe services a little more, LM have a think about their 1st class offering & if nothing else, enhance the seating on board to differentiate it a little more from standard.

 

[Butts]

I once made the mistake of getting LM from Sandwell & Dudley to Liverpool instead of changing at Stafford onto a VT Service.

The only good thing was a direct journey - the 1st Class Product is ****e in comparison :cry:

 

[gnolife]

LM 1st class is certainly nothing to shout about. It gets you a little more peace & quiet on the busier services but that's about the only benefit.

I've booked some advance tickets Crewe - London in a few weeks time. I'm going down standard as although the train will be arriving in London in the peak, I'm getting on at Crewe so in theory, should have a few seats to choose from.

Coming back, it's a Friday evening & likely to be busy so have elected for a 1st advance for around £4 extra over the standard class.

I'm hoping that when the extra 350's arrive & they beef up their London - Crewe services a little more, LM have a think about their 1st class offering & if nothing else, enhance the seating on board to differentiate it a little more from standard.

In my opinion, the biggest problem with it is that it's right in the middle of the train, meaning that anyone who needs to switch from one half of standard to the other, for example to use the bogs, has to go through the first class section, hence ruining any chance of a first class feel to the area.

 

[Kristofferson]

But where else do you put it on a Desiro with 1/3 and 2/3 doors? Southern's offering on the Electrostars is rubbish because it's located at the end of the carriage (amongst other things).

 

[gordonthemoron]

In my opinion, the biggest problem with it is that it's right in the middle of the train, meaning that anyone who needs to switch from one half of standard to the other, for example to use the bogs, has to go through the first class section, hence ruining any chance of a first class feel to the area.

there are toilets either side of first class. However, LM trains frequently have one or even both toilets locked out of use (in a 4 car set)

 

[Mojo]

But where else do you put it on a Desiro with 1/3 and 2/3 doors? Southern's offering on the Electrostars is rubbish because it's located at the end of the carriage (amongst other things).

The West Coast 321s had (have) First class at one end, with a section between the doors and the cab, and a smaller section on the other side of the doors. The 3 Car 165s are similar too (no longer on Chiltern who scrapped 1st).

 

[Kristofferson]

Good point well made

 

[jaigee]

Imagine the standard class section on a London Midland Class 170. This is what passes for First Class on a 350.

Not really, the standard seats on a 170 are much better than LM's offering in first.