South Western Railway 1st class -- worth paying for?

[Bungaroosh]

Hello,

I'm looking to book a return journey from Clapham Junction to Exeter. On a Two Together Railcard 1st class costs just £10 extra each for the return journey. I'm not familiar with these trains though, so if the only difference in the seats is the presence of an antimacassar (as on Southern and Gatwick Express), I'd not bother. But for noticeable extra comfort on 7 hours of train travel, a tenner would be well spent.

So yes, just wondering what the seats are like on this route.
Thanks!

 

[CC 72100]

That route will be operated by class 159s, which have a 'proper' first class compartment with 2+1 seating. Will be in a couple of locations throughout the train, as each 2 or 3-car unit has a first class area of 15 seats or so, and the train may leave Waterloo as 9-cars (3x 3 car units) but may only end up with 3 cars West of Salisbury.

 

[Bungaroosh]

Perfect, thanks!

 

[Kite159]

Plus the first class area has plug sockets.

 

[adrock1976]

When I travelled from Waterloo to Exeter back in 2015, I went First Class and got served with a complementary cup of tea.

 

[davetheguard]

When I travelled from Waterloo to Exeter back in 2015, I went First Class and got served with a complementary cup of tea.

The trolleys work between London and their home depot at Axminster in Devon, where they get off. No refreshments are available for the shortish part of the journey from there on to Exeter.