TT-ONR-NRN critiques... (note: contains large images)

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Great Western Railway First Class - High Speed Train


Breakfast, Rest of Day and Weekend offerings respectively.


Travelled: October 2017

Where: Reading to Evesham

Stock: Class 43 High Speed Train


Good evening. Today’s report is on GWR’s exquisite first class product. I say exquisite because the HST First class interior is absolutely outstanding. If you haven’t had the pleasure of travelling in first class on a GWR HST then I recommend it soon before the IEPs replace them altogether - they offer a pleasant enough first class but it is a different experience altogether.


So, my most recent first class journeys with the GWR HSTs were in October Half Term - I must confess I do have a few months of catching up to do! So on a windy October’s morning I purchased a first class return from Reading to Oxford to enjoy a half hour’s journey in each direction. Hey, I was depressed that winter was approaching - and what better way to rewind that in First Class, eh?

My HST trailed in slowly, squeaking a little as usual, I boarded and sat down in the stylish leather seating which looks like this:



A smartly dressed attendant walked through the aisles and offering continental breakfast to all passengers. She approached me and after asking me what drink I wanted placed a large Coke can on my table. These are much larger than on CrossCountry! (330ml).

I decided to go for Porridge, which was hot and filling. I was also given a mini cranberry flapjack labelled a “Fabjack” and a slice of fruit cake. GWR does the best fruit cake, followed by CrossCountry, with Virgin coming last on this one.

I am not a big eater so I did feel full after my porridge and fruit cake, though I decided I would try and fit in the “fabjack”, although I’ve never liked flapjacks very much at all. But wow, it was so nice! I absolutely loved it!

I really was full now so I reclined my seat and enjoyed my journey. I plugged in my iPhone - GWR have at seat plug sockets on the tables, very stylish with nice blue lights.



The announcement was made to tell us the train was arriving in, so I went to the nearest door, which was the one by the Express Cafe. The lady asked me if I wanted any pastries to take away with me as she had too many. I accepted gratefully and she gave me two almond croissants which I knapsacked for laters.

I returned later in the day. Here the “Rest of the Day” option was on offer. I chose the Chicken Salad Sandwich. (The other option was a Ploughmans Sandwich - gross)

I was very surprised when she put a fancy little platter of four mini sandwiches onto my table, served in a pretty transparent plastic dish! Talk about nice presentation! It was served with what I now call “cancer crisps” (Tyrrells), and fruit cake. To drink I had my favourite double double which was nice but nothing has ever touched the original Tim Hortons blend , not even at Costa or Starbucks!


Overall it was a very pleasant trip. My tips for weekday travel are:

Don’t expect hot food. What you get with GWR is a glamorised version of Virgin Trains East Coast’s weekend service. A nice touch though however, is if you end up with stingy trolley staff, you can get your money’s worth by receiving freebies from the Express Cafe too.

I would definitely order a sandwich meal deal. (I say meal deal - it’s free) Sandwich platter, crisps, cake, drink.

The following weekend I decided to get an Oxfordshire Day Ranger. Ryan and I spent most of the day bashing HSTs, (at the time IETs only worked weekdays), then towards the end of the day he decided to go to Banbury while I decided to go to Moreton-in-Marsh and get a first class upgrade too.

My train arrived into Didcot Parkway and the very nice TM on board sold me a £7.50 upgrade. He also said he would ignore the rover boundary at Moreton in Marsh and let me change at Evesham instead, because he told me I would have long connection time if I got off at Moreton.

I picked up my Double Double from the Express Cafe (no trolley on weekends) and the cafe manager went to get me a snack bag. Similar to Virgin who offer a picnic tray on weekends, GWR offer a snack bag on most HST journeys. (On very short ones such as London to Oxford only a tray is simply laid out for you to help yourself.)

The GWR weekend offering is much for substantial than that on Virgin, it contained: Tyrrells Crisps, Popcorn, Fruit Cake, Honey Muffin, Vanilla Croissant, Golden Oat Crumbles, Salted Peanuts and a can of Coke. I had been told that GWR were generous on weekends and I was right! Damn!

I settled down for my hour’s journey and watched the Cotswolds fly by, nibbling on a honey muffin and dunking my golden oat crumbles into my coffee. Very relaxing. (Though obviously I didn’t eat all of the bag’s contents there was too much!)

Then the TM came round handing out Cokes and biscuits. He placed a coke and two G. O. Crumbles packets on my table. “I’ve already received my refreshments, thanks!” I said, but he said, “Oh well, it’s a long journey!”

I put the food in the snack bag and sighed at the mass of junk food in my bag. They really do give you too much!!!

Anyway, I alighted at Evesham, thanking the staff on my way out and braced myself for a long journey back on a thin 166 seat.

Overall: On weekends GWR give you far too much!!! I’ve read about this happening before. If you’re a greedy, bottomless pit maybe you could finish all the food they give you in one journey but if you’re normal you’ll be full within minutes. I had a massive bag of food left over. My brothers helped themselves liberally.

You can view the weekday GWR menu here.

https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/menus/first-class/first-class-weekday-menu.pdf?la=en

Anyway - next time:

1. Great Western Railway Class 800 - First Class

1. Great Western Railway Class 180 - First Class

1. TBC

Lates

 

[Dhassell]

I have only done First Class with GWR twice on a weekday, and enjoyed it both times . I also like the fruit cake! The provider is local to me and funnily enough I saw the delivery van in my town today! The class 800 first class is a big let down compared to what the GWR HST's are now!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I have only done First Class with GWR twice on a weekday, and enjoyed it both times . I also like the fruit cake! The provider is local to me and funnily enough I saw the delivery van in my town today! The class 800 first class is a big let down compared to what the GWR HST's are now!

Haha I’m certainly going to miss the nice leather seats!

 

[DanNCL]

Great Western Railway First Class - High Speed Train


Breakfast, Rest of Day and Weekend offerings respectively.


Travelled: October 2017

Where: Reading to Evesham

Stock: Class 43 High Speed Train


Good evening. Today’s report is on GWR’s exquisite first class product. I say exquisite because the HST First class interior is absolutely outstanding. If you haven’t had the pleasure of travelling in first class on a GWR HST then I recommend it soon before the IEPs replace them altogether - they offer a pleasant enough first class but it is a different experience altogether.


So, my most recent first class journeys with the GWR HSTs were in October Half Term - I must confess I do have a few months of catching up to do! So on a windy October’s morning I purchased a first class return from Reading to Oxford to enjoy a half hour’s journey in each direction. Hey, I was depressed that winter was approaching - and what better way to rewind that in First Class, eh?

My HST trailed in slowly, squeaking a little as usual, I boarded and sat down in the stylish leather seating which looks like this:

View attachment 41717

A smartly dressed attendant walked through the aisles and offering continental breakfast to all passengers. She approached me and after asking me what drink I wanted placed a large Coke can on my table. These are much larger than on CrossCountry! (330ml).

I decided to go for Porridge, which was hot and filling. I was also given a mini cranberry flapjack labelled a “Fabjack” and a slice of fruit cake. GWR does the best fruit cake, followed by CrossCountry, with Virgin coming last on this one.

I am not a big eater so I did feel full after my porridge and fruit cake, though I decided I would try and fit in the “fabjack”, although I’ve never liked flapjacks very much at all. But wow, it was so nice! I absolutely loved it!

I really was full now so I reclined my seat and enjoyed my journey. I plugged in my iPhone - GWR have at seat plug sockets on the tables, very stylish with nice blue lights.

View attachment 41718

The announcement was made to tell us the train was arriving in, so I went to the nearest door, which was the one by the Express Cafe. The lady asked me if I wanted any pastries to take away with me as she had too many. I accepted gratefully and she gave me two almond croissants which I knapsacked for laters.

I returned later in the day. Here the “Rest of the Day” option was on offer. I chose the Chicken Salad Sandwich. (The other option was a Ploughmans Sandwich - gross)

I was very surprised when she put a fancy little platter of four mini sandwiches onto my table, served in a pretty transparent plastic dish! Talk about nice presentation! It was served with what I now call “cancer crisps” (Tyrrells), and fruit cake. To drink I had my favourite double double which was nice but nothing has ever touched the original Tim Hortons blend , not even at Costa or Starbucks!


Overall it was a very pleasant trip. My tips for weekday travel are:

Don’t expect hot food. What you get with GWR is a glamorised version of Virgin Trains East Coast’s weekend service. A nice touch though however, is if you end up with stingy trolley staff, you can get your money’s worth by receiving freebies from the Express Cafe too.

I would definitely order a sandwich meal deal. (I say meal deal - it’s free) Sandwich platter, crisps, cake, drink.

The following weekend I decided to get an Oxfordshire Day Ranger. Ryan and I spent most of the day bashing HSTs, (at the time IETs only worked weekdays), then towards the end of the day he decided to go to Banbury while I decided to go to Moreton-in-Marsh and get a first class upgrade too.

My train arrived into Didcot Parkway and the very nice TM on board sold me a £7.50 upgrade. He also said he would ignore the rover boundary at Moreton in Marsh and let me change at Evesham instead, because he told me I would have long connection time if I got off at Moreton.

I picked up my Double Double from the Express Cafe (no trolley on weekends) and the cafe manager went to get me a snack bag. Similar to Virgin who offer a picnic tray on weekends, GWR offer a snack bag on most HST journeys. (On very short ones such as London to Oxford only a tray is simply laid out for you to help yourself.)

The GWR weekend offering is much for substantial than that on Virgin, it contained: Tyrrells Crisps, Popcorn, Fruit Cake, Honey Muffin, Vanilla Croissant, Golden Oat Crumbles, Salted Peanuts and a can of Coke. I had been told that GWR were generous on weekends and I was right! Damn!

I settled down for my hour’s journey and watched the Cotswolds fly by, nibbling on a honey muffin and dunking my golden oat crumbles into my coffee. Very relaxing. (Though obviously I didn’t eat all of the bag’s contents there was too much!)

Then the TM came round handing out Cokes and biscuits. He placed a coke and two G. O. Crumbles packets on my table. “I’ve already received my refreshments, thanks!” I said, but he said, “Oh well, it’s a long journey!”

I put the food in the snack bag and sighed at the mass of junk food in my bag. They really do give you too much!!!

Anyway, I alighted at Evesham, thanking the staff on my way out and braced myself for a long journey back on a thin 166 seat.

Overall: On weekends GWR give you far too much!!! I’ve read about this happening before. If you’re a greedy, bottomless pit maybe you could finish all the food they give you in one journey but if you’re normal you’ll be full within minutes. I had a massive bag of food left over. My brothers helped themselves liberally.

You can view the weekday GWR menu here.

Anyway - next time:

1. Great Western Railway Class 800 - First Class

1. Great Western Railway Class 180 - First Class

1. TBC

Lates

I think GWR need to go and show TPE what proper first class service is; that sounds much better than TPE's offer!

Another detailed review there; I look forward to reading the next one!

 

[STKKK46]

I think GWR need to go and show TPE what proper first class service is; that sounds much better than TPE's offer!

Another detailed review there; I look forward to reading the next one!

Just as a side note, I think for what is effectively a regional express operator, what I saw of the TPE First Class recently, it was excellently laid out with fantastic seating!

I am however unsure on their offerings but due to lack of kitchen etc I doubt it can be anywhere near as good as GWR.

TT-ONR-ONR, excellent review again. I wish my priv was First Class so I could enjoy the same as you. I did get a ride recently behind an East Coast 91 in First which was very good for a weekend, have you tried that yet?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I think GWR need to go and show TPE what proper first class service is; that sounds much better than TPE's offer!

Another detailed review there; I look forward to reading the next one!

Thanks as always

Just as a side note, I think for what is effectively a regional express operator, what I saw of the TPE First Class recently, it was excellently laid out with fantastic seating!

I am however unsure on their offerings but due to lack of kitchen etc I doubt it can be anywhere near as good as GWR.

TT-ONR-ONR, excellent review again. I wish my priv was First Class so I could enjoy the same as you. I did get a ride recently behind an East Coast 91 in First which was very good for a weekend, have you tried that yet?

Thanks man (my username ends with NRN though ) and yeah I have done VTEC’s weekend first class (between Darlington and Inverness). What’s a priv? I’m Canadian - that phrase is new to me.

Z

 

[fowler9]

That was a really good read and very well written, very interesting and entertaining to read, enjoyed your photos as well. The food does look really good on the Virgin West Coast weekday first. It sounds like you had a great time and I loved the odd bits of banter between you and your brother. Ha ha. I look forward to reading more of your trip reports. I am making an educated guess that priv referes to privilege passes given to railway staff members for free travel.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

That was a really good read and very well written, very interesting and entertaining to read, enjoyed your photos as well. The food does look really good on the Virgin West Coast weekday first. It sounds like you had a great time and I loved the odd bits of banter between you and your brother. Ha ha. I look forward to reading more of your trip reports. I am making an educated guess that priv referes to privilege passes given to railway staff members for free travel.

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Next review is due tomorrow.

Thanks for the clarification but @STKKK46 I don’t get rail staff privileges I’m a teenager

 

[STKKK46]

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Next review is due tomorrow.

Thanks for the clarification but @STKKK46 I don’t get rail staff privileges I’m a teenager

I’m aware of that however you do get automatically dirt cheap fares due to that fact!

When I can travel in standard for the price I can, the difference between that price and the full price I’d have to pay for first is huge.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Just as a side note, I think for what is effectively a regional express operator, what I saw of the TPE First Class recently, it was excellently laid out with fantastic seating!

I am however unsure on their offerings but due to lack of kitchen etc

This was the breakfast offering on TPE South on a recent trip from Stockport to Doncaster. Carluccios pastries, biscuits and two rounds of hot drinks on a journey of just over an hour, and even that unrefurbished first class accommodation is very nice.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I’m aware of that however you do get automatically dirt cheap fares due to that fact!

When I can travel in standard for the price I can, the difference between that price and the full price I’d have to pay for first is huge.

Ah I see. Well, I believe it is about 50%.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

This was the breakfast offering on TPE South on a recent trip from Stockport to Doncaster. Carluccios pastries, biscuits and two rounds of hot drinks on a journey of just over an hour, and even that unrefurbished first class accommodation is very nice.

Nice. I’ll have to give TPEX a go at some point.

 

[STKKK46]

This was the breakfast offering on TPE South on a recent trip from Stockport to Doncaster. Carluccios pastries, biscuits and two rounds of hot drinks on a journey of just over an hour, and even that unrefurbished first class accommodation is very nice.

That’s surpassed my expectations by quite a distance. Very impressive on a DMU.

 

[Ash Bridge]

That’s surpassed my expectations by quite a distance. Very impressive on a DMU.

Agreed, and the return trip journey in a newly refurbished 185 with the white leather trimmed seating etc. really puts certain (unnamed) long distance operators well in the shade.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Great Western Railway First Class - Intercity Express Train - Breakfast Offering


Travelled: Late October 2017

Where: Didcot to Reading

Stock: Class 800 Intercity Express Train


Good afternoon. Today’s report is on the new 800s, as despite offering a very similar catering offer to that on the HSTs, the whole experience is something that I think is completely different altogether.

This was back in October again and my first 800 ride. I have since enjoyed many more, but as they say, the first time is always the best. I travelled to Didcot Parkway on a High Speed Train bound for Cardiff, enjoying a nice coffee (a plain latte this time, fancied a change from my usual double double) and pastry on board.

Then it was a cold wait on the platform until suddenly everyone was practically blinded by the extremely dazzling lights of the IET which was making it’s way into the platform. I enjoyed the reactions of people who obviously had no clue about railways as they saw this magnificent, sleek vision of the future glide in elegantly.

Then once everyone had recovered from the deafening wail played by doors as they opened, it was all aboard the Intercity Express Train.

Ok, so here it is, during day and night respectively:


The seats are not leather, nor in GWR colours. In addition the seats are very thinly padded and rather hard, plus the lighting is pretty bright.

However, there are some improvements over the HST - the 800s have a very comfortable head cushion and a more generous recline.

A first class host came and served me a hot chocolate - I don’t normally go for these at all as they are very sweet. This was eaten with a breakfast bar, Golden Oat Crumbles and a delicious as always Fabjack.

There is no Express Cafe but there is a large galley where food can be cooked. This takes up approximately half of a coach however, meaning there are two full coaches worth of first class seating per ten carriage train.

I do like the modern atmosphere of the train actually. It really doesn’t seem like a British train on the inside!

Overall, the train was pretty cool and I liked the atmosphere of the train - but the seats are certainly a downgrade from the current High Speed Train product. I do like leather seats, maybe if the 800s had those they would be even better?

Thanks for reading - next time:

Great Western Railway Class 180 - First Class
Taktish,
Z

 

[fowler9]

Great Western Railway First Class - Intercity Express Train - Breakfast Offering


Travelled: Late October 2017

Where: Didcot to Reading

Stock: Class 800 Intercity Express Train


Good afternoon. Today’s report is on the new 800s, as despite offering a very similar catering offer to that on the HSTs, the whole experience is something that I think is completely different altogether.

This was back in October again and my first 800 ride. I have since enjoyed many more, but as they say, the first time is always the best. I travelled to Didcot Parkway on a High Speed Train bound for Cardiff, enjoying a nice coffee (a plain latte this time, fancied a change from my usual double double) and pastry on board.

Then it was a cold wait on the platform until suddenly everyone was practically blinded by the extremely dazzling lights of the IET which was making it’s way into the platform. I enjoyed the reactions of people who obviously had no clue about railways as they saw this magnificent, sleek vision of the future glide in elegantly.

Then once everyone had recovered from the deafening wail played by doors as they opened, it was all aboard the Intercity Express Train.

Ok, so here it is, during day and night respectively:
View attachment 41747
View attachment 41749
The seats are not leather, nor in GWR colours. In addition the seats are very thinly padded and rather hard, plus the lighting is pretty bright.

However, there are some improvements over the HST - the 800s have a very comfortable head cushion and a more generous recline.

A first class host came and served me a hot chocolate - I don’t normally go for these at all as they are very sweet. This was eaten with a breakfast bar, Golden Oat Crumbles and a delicious as always Fabjack.

There is no Express Cafe but there is a large galley where food can be cooked. This takes up approximately half of a coach however, meaning there are two full coaches worth of first class seating per ten carriage train.

I do like the modern atmosphere of the train actually. It really doesn’t seem like a British train on the inside!

Overall, the train was pretty cool and I liked the atmosphere of the train - but the seats are certainly a downgrade from the current High Speed Train product. I do like leather seats, maybe if the 800s had those they would be even better?

Thanks for reading - next time:

Great Western Railway Class 180 - First Class
Taktish,
Z

How was it in real life at night? On the photo it looks kind of stark for want of a better word. Lots of white plastic, bright lights. Things can look very different when you are actually there of course.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

How was it in real life at night? On the photo it looks kind of stark for want of a better word. Lots of white plastic, bright lights. Things can look very different when you are actually there of course.

Well to be fair that photo isn’t actually from the journey mentioned. Lights were indeed bright when I travelled on one when it was dark, full of drunks

The seatbacks aren’t white plastic in First Class, just in Standard. If you’re on an 800 better to book in first for sure. The standard seats really are plasticky. But Voyagers have metal seats, so why is everyone moaning about staring at plastic on them eh? I don’t understand...

 

[anti-pacer]

Another couple of excellent reads there.

 

[backontrack]

You have a lovely writing style.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

You have a lovely writing style.

Yo thanks man! Really nice of you to say.

 

[anti-pacer]

You have a lovely writing style.

Doesn't he just? For a lad of his age, he comes across as very mature. I enjoy reading his pieces.

 

[SWTrainspottin]

Although sometimes if you sit near a nasty woman who looks like Charity Dingle

Haha love it.

Great reviews here too, really interesting to read. Keep them up!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Haha love it.
Great reviews here too, really interesting to read. Keep them up!

Thanks, haha. You watch Emmerdale too eh? I got hooked once and now I can’t bear to miss an episode - but no one must ever find out...


Virgin Trains First Class - Pendolino Weekend

Travelled: December 2017

Where: Birmingham New Street to London Euston

Stock: Class 390 Pendolino


Yo, guys. Hope you’re all good. Today I’m going to be reviewing the Virgin weekend first class product, something I’ve sampled quite a few times now and always been fairly satisfied with.

It is December where we lay today’s scene and the journey started when in came a sleek Virgin Pendolino to the dark and gloomy Birmingham New Street platform, creeping in silently. The doors opened and I went to take a seat in standard where my ticket was valid. I planned to get an upgrade but I figured I would wait until the train was moving rather than bother the train manager straight away.

This proved to be a mistake. The train got so crowded that the vestibule was completely blocked. I got as far as the toilets when the vestibule got so crowded that no one could move!!! I waited about five minutes in hope that the people would somehow magically shift but sadly they didn’t. All that did happen was that more people builded up behind me and blocked the way back to my seat! They couldn’t move either - I was trapped next to a toilet!

So out came my phone and I spoke to Ryan (who had a window seat in standard) nagging him about what had happened. This conversation led to a disagreement which led to a full blown argument because he said that it served me right for being snobbish and going off to first class so I hung up, in a bad mood...

Ten minutes later the doors slid open at Birmingham International and thankfulment the vestibule did clear then. I paid a fiver for a first class upgrade then took a private table seat in the front carriage.



I always have liked the Pendolino first class seat. There are further reviews on Pendolino first class (albeit weekdays) on the first page of this thread.

The train glided gracefully out of International. I reclined and settled down for a relaxing journey. It was a relaxing, fairly uneventful journey. I just sat there, looking out of the window at the West Midlands while listening to music from my headphones. It was very nice. The Wi-Fi as I have said before, is free with Virgin Trains, so I was able to WhatsApp my girlfriend too and browse the forum as well whilst thundering along the WCML at 125mph.

Round came the trolley as soon as we left Coventry. A smiling lady asked me if I would like tea or coffee. Well - this is me we’re talking about here and I do like me a coffee on trains so I requested one of these and using two of the sugars from the daintly li’l china boat on my table and double fresh milk from the kind service manager’s jug a fairly decent double double was produced Take out cups are used on weekends, the china cups that sit on the tables are either unused or just aren’t there.

She asked me whether I wanted the Pulled Pork and Jalapeño Wrap or the Cheddar Cheese and Onion Sandwich. Well, IMO, cheese and onion should never be eaten together as I find they clash - so I went for the Pulled Pork as I like spicy foods such as jalapeños. So the lady produced the usual little picnic tray which I always like, filled with my wrap, a mini packet of sour cream and onion pretzels, golden oat crumbles and a mini chocolate cookie thing. You can help yourself to unlimited bottles of still and sparkling water from the designated water shelf in each first class carriage.

This made for perfectly substantial and pleasant snack for the hour’s journey to Euston - although! This is all you get no matter how long your journey is. You may want to bear that in mind - as you don’t want to spend your money and then be disappointed, eh?



Anyway, I was perfectly happy with it, and journey was a smooth ride to Euston. My phone’s battery did drop considerably as it was being used up fairly quickly what with all of the free WiFi letting me surf the web, WhatsApp and use Instagram. However - plug sockets are as ever, provided for complementary use.

Upon arrival at Euston I headed to the lounge. Just like the trains, the lounges also reduce their service on weekends. I enjoyed a R Whites Lemonade and gigantic flapjack, made a double double using the machine for the journey on SWR home and that sadly concluded my journey.

Overall my tips are as follows:

If you like first class for the good food, experience and overall service - you want to save up and buy a weekday ticket (my review for VT Weekday 1st is on the first page) and you’ll be able to enjoy a great first class experience.

If you only care about the fact that first class means a more comfortable seat, extra legroom, free WiFi and a hot drink with snack every now and again, then for sure go for it. Book a weekend standard class ticket and uograde for a cheap price on board.

Go to the TM and upgrade before you sit in first. Don’t wait for them to come to you while you relax in a first class seat because this can be seen as fare evasion.

Anyway, thanks for reading and sorry for lying.

Well, I didn’t really lie - I changed my mind. I told you today’s review would be of the GWR Adelante First but as they don’t exist anymore I decided it wouldn’t be of any use to anyone. What do you think?

Anyway, keep it cool!
Z

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Another couple of excellent reads there.

Thank you

 

[backontrack]

Yo thanks man! Really nice of you to say.

You're welcome.

Doesn't he just? For a lad of his age, he comes across as very mature. I enjoy reading his pieces.

He really does. I dabbled in reports a while back, but they really didn't get off the ground - although people were initially complimentary about my writing style, the thread petered out because I didn't get much chance to get out and about, and I didn't do traditional 'bashing'.

So I certainly wish TT the utmost success here. It's good to do something slightly different to what everyone else does, so relish it. I'll repeat that you write very eloquently, and I'll also mention that, by writing these critiques, you are doing something that will help those planning journeys, for example on First Class, so it's a double-edged sword.

Now do it on a Voyager

 

[fowler9]

Good little read that. Somewhat reminiscent of trip reviews on Airliners.net (Apologies if I have said that before).

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Doesn't he just? For a lad of his age, he comes across as very mature. I enjoy reading his pieces.

You're welcome.

He really does. I dabbled in reports a while back, but they really didn't get off the ground - although people were initially complimentary about my writing style, the thread petered out because I didn't get much chance to get out and about, and I didn't do traditional 'bashing'.

So I certainly wish TT the utmost success here. It's good to do something slightly different to what everyone else does, so relish it. I'll repeat that you write very eloquently, and I'll also mention that, by writing these critiques, you are doing something that will help those planning journeys, for example on First Class, so it's a double-edged sword.

Now do it on a Voyager

Good little read that. Somewhat reminiscent of trip reviews on Airliners.net (Apologies if I have said that before).

These comments are really nice thank you

Another couple of excellent reads there.

A belated thank you and I apologise, I did not see this!

You're welcome.

He really does. I dabbled in reports a while back, but they really didn't get off the ground - although people were initially complimentary about my writing style, the thread petered out because I didn't get much chance to get out and about, and I didn't do traditional 'bashing'.

So I certainly wish TT the utmost success here. It's good to do something slightly different to what everyone else does, so relish it. I'll repeat that you write very eloquently, and I'll also mention that, by writing these critiques, you are doing something that will help those planning journeys, for example on First Class, so it's a double-edged sword.

Now do it on a Voyager

I like Voyager First Class

 

[Fred43123]

Hey Z,

Have you ever expirienced Standard Premier on Eurostar? Just out of curiosity.

I enjoy reading your reports on each TOC's first class service by the way. Most of them I have been on myself.

I've attached a photo of an example of what you get in Standard Premier on Eurostar.

 

[backontrack]

Hey Z,

Have you ever expirienced Standard Premier on Eurostar? Just out of curiosity.

I enjoy reading your reports on each TOC's first class service by the way. Most of them I have been on myself.

I've attached a photo of an example of what you get in Standard Premier on Eurostar.

Looks nice enough.

I wonder whether anyone here would be interested in my sig...
↓

 

[Nippy]

Go to the TM and upgrade before you sit in first. Don’t wait for them to come to you while you relax in a first class seat because this can be seen as fare evasion.

Are you sure?