First Class who has the best?

[camperdown9]

Hi

From time to time I travel from Chestfield or Whistable on Southeastern into London. The journey time is about 1 hr 30 mins. The first class section is a few rows of seats at one end of a carriage. The seats seam to be the same as standard, there might be a little more leg room than in standard but I can't be sure. Basically by paying first class on this route all you are doing is giving yourself more chance of getting a seat.

I have a friend who travels from Manningtree into London most days. Its a journey time of about an hour and he gets different seats, wifi and I think tea and coffee in first.

A few months ago we traveled on Virgin from London up to Darlington. In first class the seats were better and they offered coke and crisps or tea and biscuits.

I read somewhere yesterday that CrossCountry operate the longest train service in the UK from Aberdeen to Penzance. The journey time is 13 hrs and 23 mins. We'll that's about the same time that it takes to fly from London to Singapore. On a flight to Singapore you would expect multiple meals, drinks and snacks. Do CrossCountry do anything to upgrade the service on this journey for first class passengers?

I might have to go to Milton Keynes from Euston next week. The journey time is about 30 mins. Other than a different seat do Virgin give first class passengers anything? I am guessing not due to the journey time.

Who offers the best first class product?

Alex

 

[najaB]

Who offers the best first class product?

'Best' is subjective. Could we have some parameters?

 

[AlterEgo]

Virgin give you a cup of coffee if you travel MKC-EUS with them.

XC have a poor first class product but then almost nobody travels the full ABD-PNZ journey you quoted.

Best First Class is GWR on a Pullman Dining service, or the ATW Premier train.

 

[Retorus]

The best consistent service I've used has been Virgin East Coast, I always seem to get a little more with them than others.

 

[camperdown9]

'Best' is subjective. Could we have some parameters?

Ok

Best for a journey time of upto 90 mins.

And

Best for a journey time of more than 3 hrs

 

[yorksrob]

For me, my favourite first class is currently EMT's services from London to the North. The HST's have by far the most comfortable seating of any TOC, there are still times (admittedly rarer than they used to be) when you can get a bargain, and although free food and drink is less than other TOC's, they have a good range of onboard hot and cold meals in the very reasonable £5-7 range on weekdays. Weekends, nip to Sainsbury's beforehand and enjoy the ride.

In the old days, a 1st class compartment on a spanner.

 

[AlterEgo]

Ok

Best for a journey time of upto 90 mins.

And

Best for a journey time of more than 3 hrs

Depends on what you're looking for I guess. Food? A massive seat? First Class Lounge? What's important to you?

I still think GWR Pullman is the most comprehensive First Class product out there - a lounge at Paddington, reserved seat in the restaurant car, slap up meal, and very swanky new interiors. But, you will pay handsomely to experience it, so it's not one to try on a budget.

 

[jp4712]

It's very interesting that the OP travels from Whitstable to London on a journey of 1 hour 30 minutes; my (about once a month) journey from Lichfield to London takes 1 hour 10 minutes on a Pendolino and I get a full English breakfast, free coffee, free Wi-Fi... But you're not comparing apples with apples in terms of cost, line capacity etc. I'd agree that the FGW Pullman is splendid, especially combined with the Mk3 spaciousness and ride.

 

[Deepgreen]

The comfort of the GWR HSTs' leather 'armchairs' is excellent - I make no comment on the service, etc., as I usually don't bother to indulge.

For what it's worth (rant opportunity here!) the worst, by far and in every measurable respect, is, of course, GTR, where comfort is no better than standard, enforcement is virtually non-existent and, obviously, no services are on offer that don't also apply to standard.

 

[xtradj]

It depends if you want to eat drink and or at seat service

If that doesn't matter to you, in terms of space, comfort and legroom I enjoyed SWT when travelling Waterloo to Southampton Central

 

[boxy321]

It's very interesting that the OP travels from Whitstable to London on a journey of 1 hour 30 minutes; my (about once a month) journey from Lichfield to London takes 1 hour 10 minutes on a Pendolino and I get a full English breakfast, free coffee, free Wi-Fi... But you're not comparing apples with apples in terms of cost, line capacity etc. I'd agree that the FGW Pullman is splendid, especially combined with the Mk3 spaciousness and ride.

Same here. I do the short run from Coventry to Brum and back every day. Lounges with snacks at each end if you want/have time, free papers, tea and coffee, wi-fi, a SEAT!

In comparison to the Delhi/Shanghai style stopper on LM with 4 coaches and 800 people jammed in it is bliss.

 

[yorksrob]

Depends on what you're looking for I guess. Food? A massive seat? First Class Lounge? What's important to you?

I still think GWR Pullman is the most comprehensive First Class product out there - a lounge at Paddington, reserved seat in the restaurant car, slap up meal, and very swanky new interiors. But, you will pay handsomely to experience it, so it's not one to try on a budget.

I think I would have preferred FGW's travelling chef, which seemed to offer decent food at a reasonable price, however, I tended to do my long distance GW journeys on weekends then, so didn't get the chance.

I did contemplate a Pullman meal this year, but at over twenty squid, thought better of it.

 

[AlterEgo]

I think I would have preferred FGW's travelling chef, which seemed to offer decent food at a reasonable price, however, I tended to do my long distance GW journeys on weekends then, so didn't get the chance.

I did contemplate a Pullman meal this year, but at over twenty squid, thought better of it.

I miss the Travelling Chef. It was a little less fussy but the breakfasts were very good - and they had beans!

 

[bramling]

Hi

From time to time I travel from Chestfield or Whistable on Southeastern into London. The journey time is about 1 hr 30 mins. The first class section is a few rows of seats at one end of a carriage. The seats seam to be the same as standard, there might be a little more leg room than in standard but I can't be sure. Basically by paying first class on this route all you are doing is giving yourself more chance of getting a seat.

I have a friend who travels from Manningtree into London most days. Its a journey time of about an hour and he gets different seats, wifi and I think tea and coffee in first.

A few months ago we traveled on Virgin from London up to Darlington. In first class the seats were better and they offered coke and crisps or tea and biscuits.

I read somewhere yesterday that CrossCountry operate the longest train service in the UK from Aberdeen to Penzance. The journey time is 13 hrs and 23 mins. We'll that's about the same time that it takes to fly from London to Singapore. On a flight to Singapore you would expect multiple meals, drinks and snacks. Do CrossCountry do anything to upgrade the service on this journey for first class passengers?

I might have to go to Milton Keynes from Euston next week. The journey time is about 30 mins. Other than a different seat do Virgin give first class passengers anything? I am guessing not due to the journey time.

Who offers the best first class product?

Alex

In terms of ambience, the GWR HST has to be up there as one of the best - but let down by the reduction to only one full vehicle per train.

Pendolino is not bad, and VTEC Mk4s not bad either.

In my view few of the commuter trains are worth bothering with. Class 365 is ok, class 444 quite nice.

 

[Bletchleyite]

From EUS to MKC you get tea or coffee.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[dave87016]

I have experienced VTWC VTEC EMT and GWR Pullman Dining ( Brunch Only) so I will post below my feelings on each

VTWC, ok first class lounges by why there isn't one at Preston is beyond me !! For me they are very very consistent with the breakfast offering however I wish they would do mushrooms or beans with it, but the food is 99% of the time excellent , the evening meals are very nice but the portions have gone quite small the all day offering is poor IMO but the seats are comfy and plenty of space

VTEC, decent First Class lounges , The breakfast is lovely however its not consistent sometimes they wont serve full breakfast or miss items due to lack of or electrical fault or lack of catering staff.

All day menu has to be the best offering by any TOC hot options , gourmet sausage roll, even the packaged sandwich has a generous and tasty filling

Evening meal, the best where they is no additional charge on board for them great variety and really good portions and great taste as are the desserts

EMT the Free breakfast has to be the best of the TOC's lovely hot and delicious full of flavour and you get offered toast everyytime they come round with it, cant find any faults with their FULL Breakfast service ( which is served only on selected services)

however the all day meals that generally cost between £5-£7 are very nice ,again good size portions and good service

GWR Pullman Restaurant ( Brunch ) Brilliant First Class lounge at Paddington great coffee and creamy hot chocolate I then used the 10:06 service from Paddington as far as Newton Abbot for £18 I sat in the restaurant car, unlimited Coffee and as much toast as I wanted, Bacon, Cumberland style sausage, black pudding, potato sausage with Cornish yarg ( which is like a croquette with a bit of cheese in ) quite tasty and nice actually , scrambled egg , beans and fried bread

then when I had finished I sat in my reserved seat ( one carriage further back) and was offered the usual complimentary freebies worth every penny

 

[yorksrob]

I miss the Travelling Chef. It was a little less fussy but the breakfasts were very good - and they had beans!

Indeed. No cooked breakfast is complete without beans IMO.

 

[Drogba11CFC]

I'd say VTEC, from experience.

 

[godfreycomplex]

Premium and Business on Trenitalia's various species of "Frecce" have (vast quantities of) free prosecco.
Admittedly the only other thing you usually get is a couple of breadsticks but it's quite comfy nonetheless

 

[Old Yard Dog]

With Virgin, it depends when you travel. You get little or no complimentary food in Virgin (WCML) First Class at weekends.

Some so called First Class carriages are nothing of the sort. TPE 1st has 2+2 seating which is little different to standard and (I believe) no complimentary food. Some of the TOCs around London are little better. So all you are paying for is separation from the hoi polloi. But the price differential between First and Standard is generally lower than on Virgin.

 

[Mojo]

I miss the Travelling Chef. It was a little less fussy but the breakfasts were very good - and they had beans!

Travelling Chef was very good if you were already travelling First class, as it was served on a plate rather than a disposable box for Standard class customers.

I think for Standard class customers, on a journey like Bristol to London where you could reasonably spend the entire journey in the First class section, the Pullperson dining service is much better.

As for the OP, here's my "awards" from last time this thread topic came up, back in May: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=2570305&postcount=38

 

[marcouk2]

Some so called First Class carriages are nothing of the sort. TPE 1st has 2+2 seating which is little different to standard and (I believe) no complimentary food. Some of the TOCs around London are little better. So all you are paying for is separation from the hoi polloi. But the price differential between First and Standard is generally lower than on Virgin.

2+1 Seating on 170s, 185s & 350s, decent sized snack box and hot drink/bottled water.

Definitely worth the weekend first price anyway.

 

[ScouserGirl]

I've only used VTWC and GWR..

VTWC:- breakfast menu isn't to bad i enjoyed it, lunch menu isn't bad either decent service as well from the staff.

GWR:- The pullman service is fab I had this at lunch time the steak was lovely, it's worth the price you a meal for two rounded up to about £96 this included starter, main and puddings and drinks. I like the leather seats as well on gwr.. i will highly recommend the pullman if you can afford it.

 

[bnm]

Pullperson

Bit of PC fun there?

Does the service ultimately derive its name from George Pullperson? :roll:

 

[Mojo]

Bit of PC fun there?

Got it in one

 

[jkkne]

TPE...it's the best way to guarantee a seat and no-one standing in the aisle bashing you with a laptop bag (food isn't great, croissant on a morning, sandwich and snack box at other times)

The seats are genuinely comfortable, carriage very small so feels nicer.

Otherwise, I quite like Grand Central, such lovely welcoming staff

 

[AnonymousUser1]

Depends on what you're looking for I guess. Food? A massive seat? First Class Lounge? What's important to you?

I still think GWR Pullman is the most comprehensive First Class product out there - a lounge at Paddington, reserved seat in the restaurant car, slap up meal, and very swanky new interiors. But, you will pay handsomely to experience it, so it's not one to try on a budget.

exactly what defines 'best' ? it;s a persona lthing also what;s best on a jounrney of 1 to 2 hours may well be different o what is best on a 3 + hour journey ... also what if that 3 hour journey just 'misses' a meal time ( e.g. 0930 or 1400 departure) or departs after 1900hrs ?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

2+1 Seating on 170s, 185s & 350s, decent sized snack box and hot drink/bottled water.

Definitely worth the weekend first price anyway.

indeed i've only been disappointed by TPE first once and that was sunday afternoon service where the caterign was none existant because of staff shortage , conversely the XC first class service o nthe friday morning the other end of the trip was good , with several (soft / hot) drinks services and more than adequate bacon cobs between Leeds and Newcastle

 

[43096]

I miss the Travelling Chef. It was a little less fussy but the breakfasts were very good - and they had beans!

Travelling Chef was very good. Back when they had proper HSTs on GW, would regularly start a Saturday out to the south-west with a breakfast baguette on the first Padd-Penzance - they were really very nice.

 

[basfordlad]

I really like the first class service on grand central, ok you don't get much , but I ended up having are least 5 mugs of tea between Sunderland and York,

Both times used it staff have been great

 

[sheff1]

EMT the Free breakfast has to be the best of the TOC's lovely hot and delicious full of flavour and you get offered toast everyytime they come round with it, cant find any faults with their FULL Breakfast service ( which is served only on selected services)

The EMT breakfast used to be excellent, but it has gone rapidly downhill. First the starters (cereal or fruit salad) disappeared, then the bread basket (toast, croissants etc) went the same way.