1ST Class on First TransPennine Express

[cool2005]

I'm thinking of booking to go 1st class from Blackpool north to Manchester and wanted to ask what is included in 1st class? I've never been 1st class but always hearing about virgin trains 1st class. and as its only £12.30 I'm kind of want to try it I'm happy going Standard for the price is kind of good which makes me just want to try it so I can say I tried it

 

[thealexweb]

I'm thinking of booking to go 1st class from Blackpool north to Manchester and wanted to ask what is included in 1st class?

Most of Transpennine's Blackpool North services are currently being run using 2 x Class 156s borrowed in on a daily basis from Northern Rail. These have no first class facilities at all.

 

[cool2005]

Most of Transpennine's Blackpool North services are currently being run using 2 x Class 156s borrowed in on a daily basis from Northern Rail. These have no first class facilities at all.

Wow didn't know that how come they sell 1st class tickets for?

 

[smudga331]

I'm thinking of booking to go 1st class from Blackpool north to Manchester and wanted to ask what is included in 1st class?

A seat....which from my experience is more than what they could've offered me in standard that day

In all honesty, I travelled in first class with them from Blackpool to Manchester, it was a doubled up Class 185 but was still full to the rafters, even in first class, but I was offered complimentary non-alcoholic drinks etc.

 

[snail]

I travelled in first class with them from Blackpool to Manchester, it was a doubled up Class 185 but was still full to the rafters

Yes, a reservation is recommended on most 185 services in any class.

 

[yorkie]

I'm thinking of booking to go 1st class from Blackpool north to Manchester and wanted to ask what is included in 1st class?

At what time roughly?

 

[cool2005]

At what time roughly?

Was going to get the 0940

 

[yorkie]

Wow didn't know that how come they sell 1st class tickets for?

Looking into this in a bit more detail, the fare you quote is a 1st Advance. Therefore, the train will be booked to be formed of either Class 185 both of which convey 1st class.

There is one individual seat on a 185 if you can get it, failing that you may have someone sat opposite/next to you but probably not (depending on the time you travel), but even if you don't have your own space you will have more space.

Having a reserved seat can't really be given as a "benefit" of a 1st Advance over a Standard Advance.

Also the fact that some turns are booked to be formed of Class 156 units isn't really of a concern to you, given that won't apply to your train. In the unlikely event of disruption it is possible that your train may not convey 1st class (either because it is declassified or it is a Class 156) in which case you would be entitled to a refund of the difference in fares, which I calculate to be £6.20 (based on the difference between the 1EF and ZEF)

 

[Iskra]

Providing the train has 1st class provision, I think that's decent value and if you have't done it before worth a try. However, if you want to experience proper 1st class then book a trip on Virgin from Preston about 3 months in advance* and you can probably get to London in 1st for a very good price if you're flexible (preferably on a weekday for the full 1st class service).

*avoid the christmas period as there is more demand and less trains which pushes prices upwards.

 

[yorkie]

Was going to get the 0940

That's a direct train, and should be a Class 185, which will couple up with another 185 unit (from Barrow) at Preston.

At that time I'd expect there to be a trolley so you will hopefully get a complimentary drink of tea/coffee, a bottle of water and a biscuit, I think. However I am unsure if there will be a trolley on before Preston and I am also unsure if there will be two on from Preston to Manchester (if there is only one, I do not know which part of the train it would be in). Someone more experienced with travelling this route might be able to say.

 

[Northern Pacer]

Hi all,

In response to yorkie's comment of not having two trollies, there should be a trolley in both portions of the train. I (unfortunately) use this route a lot between WGN and Manchester Stns. So I have a bit of experience on the route. Hope this helps and have a good evening all!

 

[185143]

Hi all,

In response to yorkie's comment of not having two trollies, there should be a trolley in both portions of the train. I (unfortunately) use this route a lot between WGN and Manchester Stns. So I have a bit of experience on the route. Hope this helps and have a good evening all!

that's normally just on the electrics. I had a journey from Manchester to Blackpool North on a six car set and the guard told me to get in the other unit as that was where the trolley was.

That was the unit that the guard wasn't it however, and I had made him aware that I needed to excess my ticket into a FC one. He said he'd make his way Into the front unit at some point. He never appeared and I offered the excess to the ticket office at BPN but they didn't appear in the slightest bit interested!

 

[Northern Pacer]

I offered the excess to the ticket office at BPN but they didn't appear in the slightest bit interested!

They do that at BPN. Awful staff in my experience...

 

[Ash Bridge]

Not the Blackpool route, but I've just spoken to a friend and partner who traveled 1st Class on TPE from Manchester - Edinburgh on Monday and was full of praise for the comfort of the 350 and the offerings which soon after boarding commenced with tea/coffee,plus cake or biscuit followed later by more drinks with a sandwich, then later in the journey a different type of sandwich was offered plus further drinks! two very satisfied passengers, well done TPE.

 

[yorkie]

Interesting. Perhaps they've improved the offering on the Edinburgh (& Glasgow?) route to be a bit more competitive with Virgin's offering. However it seems unlikely that such a level of service would be provided on the Blackpool services.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Interesting. Perhaps they've improved the offering on the Edinburgh (& Glasgow?) route to be a bit more competitive with Virgin's offering. However it seems unlikely that such a level of service would be provided on the Blackpool services.

Yes, that's probably true, the only small criticism was the central location of the 350s first class which makes it prone to people in either side walking through for toilets, refreshments etc. and slightly spoils the ambience, I've only ever traveled standard on them btw, so that's just what I was told.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, that's probably true, the only small criticism was the central location of the 350s first class which makes it prone to people in either side walking through for toilets, refreshments etc. and slightly spoils the ambience, I've only ever traveled standard on them btw, so that's just what I was told.

It is basically LM spec except the 2+1 and extra luggage racks, as they were never intended to stay with TPE long term. But even so, I agree (though it is less stupid than the 185 layout) - it should be at the cab end split into two compartments, one either side of the first door.

 

[Ash Bridge]

It is basically LM spec except the 2+1 and extra luggage racks, as they were never intended to stay with TPE long term. But even so, I agree (though it is less stupid than the 185 layout) - it should be at the cab end split into two compartments, one either side of the first door.

Yes, that would be far preferable certainly as a single unit, although the same problem could occur when doubling up 350s unless the two first class sections could be kept at opposite ends which in practice I would imagine would be very difficult to guarantee.

 

[185143]

Yes, that's probably true, the only small criticism was the central location of the 350s first class which makes it prone to people in either side walking through for toilets, refreshments etc. and slightly spoils the ambience, I've only ever traveled standard on them btw, so that's just what I was told.

It is basically LM spec except the 2+1 and extra luggage racks, as they were never intended to stay with TPE long term. But even so, I agree (though it is less stupid than the 185 layout) - it should be at the cab end split into two compartments, one either side of the first door.

Except the TPE seats are soooo much nicer!!