1st Class Accommodation on Class 158s

[rfletcher72]

Hi Guys,

I recall that a number of 158s did have 1st class areas from the offset, but to clarify, which ones?

I seem to remember that the 46 sets introduced onto ScotRail routes had two bays of 1st class in one car, but which car? Was it in the 52xxx car or the 57xxx one? (I suspect the former).

Likewise the North-West to Scotland sets (158747 to 158753?). Was their set up the same as the HA sets above?

And there was the TP sets that plied Liverpool to Newcastle amongst others, the 3-car sets? What was the first class provision on these/the TP services in the early years, how many bays were given over to 1st class and in which cars?

Research in books and through images has been a bit inconclusive.

Any help given is greatly appreciated,

Kindest Regards,

Richard

 

[hairyhandedfool]

If my model of 158702 is anything to go by it was the 52xxx car that had first class accommodation.

I would imagine the TPE two and three car sets and the 'Cross Country' sets had the same amount of first class accommodation, but I have no proof either way.

 

[David Goddard]

I believe that it was only the aforementioned 701-746 that had First Class from the outset. Transpenninexpress retro fitted it to their units when their franchise began but apart from those sets that's all
The next installation of First Class was when the two baches of 158s moved to South West Trains as 159/1 (three car) and 158/8 (two car.

 

[Darren R]

Arriva Trains North also had some 158s with first class accomodation too (can't furnish any numbers though.) They were used on the Blackpool North to York services before the current franchise set-up in the North came into being in 2004.

 

[rfletcher72]

Thanks Guys for your replies, very helpful

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I believe that it was only the aforementioned 701-746 that had First Class from the outset. Transpenninexpress retro fitted it to their units when their franchise began but apart from those sets that's all
The next installation of First Class was when the two baches of 158s moved to South West Trains as 159/1 (three car) and 158/8 (two car.

Yes on SWT 159s the First class part is about half of one of the driving cars, so each 3 car set is half a coach first class and 2 & 1/2 coaches standard. I like the 159/158s that SWT Have. They are quite roomy and good movers.

 

[43074]

158786 & 158789 had it fitted from 2005 at SWT, the only ex Central units so fitted.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

What became Virgin XC had 4 x 158 (originally for Manchester Airport to Scotland services under BR - they were transferred to Wessex trains in / around 2003) - "Northern Spirit" converted a batch for Trans Pennine services around 1998 (the ORCATS revenue more than paid for the conversion as they got a slice of revenue off East Coast for York- Newcastle !) - a batch was built for Scotrail with 1st from new in the late 8O's replaced by class 170's in due course.

The state of the ex Virgin units , defied description ......

 

[sprinterguy]

I believe that it was only the aforementioned 701-746 that had First Class from the outset.

Having looked at a couple of written sources, it was only the first 33 Scotrail units that were fitted with first class accommodation from new. The remainder were retro-fitted to match in the mid to late nineties. It was indeed the 52xxx cars that featured first class.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

What became Virgin XC had 4 x 158

It's splitting hairs, I know, but it was five units: 158747 - 751. Retro-fitted with first class presumably at the time they became part of the Virgin XC franchise.

 

[rfletcher72]

Thanks again to all those who have replied.

I have found all your information very helpful .

Cheers,

Richard