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Best 1st class?
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moffatcalum
Member
i was stunned & actually bowled over at how good the Scotrail HST was in 1st class from Kirkcaldy to Aberdeen. Got to watch the sunrise over the Tay and soak in the superb workmanship that must have went into that refurb.
I for one hope we do not end up getting them replaced for ages as they surely act as a slight niche rail tourist attraction for Scotland and obviously I hope they remain safe and reliable enough to keep them going as long as the 222/810 delays keep rolling along.
As I was in awe by how much superior it was to anything else and especially standard class which was reasonable enough, ended up taking alot of photos and videos for a proper review.
The extra cost of the upgrade is IMO rarely worth it on other trains I have travelled on but this most certainly was 10/10
I for one hope we do not end up getting them replaced for ages as they surely act as a slight niche rail tourist attraction for Scotland and obviously I hope they remain safe and reliable enough to keep them going as long as the 222/810 delays keep rolling along.
As I was in awe by how much superior it was to anything else and especially standard class which was reasonable enough, ended up taking alot of photos and videos for a proper review.
The extra cost of the upgrade is IMO rarely worth it on other trains I have travelled on but this most certainly was 10/10
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
In the UK, probably the original Pendolino first class interior. Sadly the refurb has introduced a very hard, protruding headrest which makes the seat substantially less comfortable for me (as it impacts the back of my shoulders) which coupled with the significant upgrade to Standard means I no longer upgrade. Saves me a few quid I suppose.
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Completely agree. I don't mind that seat in the Southern Electrostars, but somehow WMT seems to have fiddled with the shape of the back cushion such that it gives me severe back pain very quickly, and the legroom is inferior to most of Standard.
While we're talking about WMT, the 319s had the best commuter first class going. Proper 2+1. I often paid for it once I knew the 0656 was being worked by a first class fitted 319 set that day, and it was even better when it became declassified and thus at Standard prices!
"1st" is slightly better than Standard in the 730/0, though. Basically the same as the Class 197 interior.
duffield
Established Member
Back in the days when I used to smoke, coach H (MK3 1st smoking) on the HSTs from London to Nottingham, me and my late wife chuffing away, swilling and talking, talking, talking (I bet the other passengers loved us, though it was usually pretty empty).
Now? The "transition" seats (1+1) half way along the MK4 1st class coaches on the London to Leeds 91 hauled services.
Now? The "transition" seats (1+1) half way along the MK4 1st class coaches on the London to Leeds 91 hauled services.
FrontSideBus
On Moderation
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LNER on the Mk4's followed by..... TFW on the Mk4's 
Avanti and TPE's 1st class service is complete rubbish IMO.
Avanti and TPE's 1st class service is complete rubbish IMO.
m0ffy
Member
This’ll be controversial, but I do like 1st on EMR’s 222s. Yes, the seats are knackered and threadbare, but they are wide, and I usually find the service to be attentive, and the range of refreshments is perfectly adequate.
XC remains at the bottom of my list. “Catering? Yeah, that stopped at Birmingham.”
XC remains at the bottom of my list. “Catering? Yeah, that stopped at Birmingham.”
croydontangle
Member
southern — i love a good antimacassar 
Fair point on the catering, but I personally love the 22x first class setup. Big old school reclining seats, and massive windows to boot.
(Not trying to turn this into yet another Voyager thread, but I'm a big fan!)
m0ffy
Member
I’ll agree, it claws back significant points for the seats. Especially as they’ll often be the only ones free on the train. For all their issues, the 22x family is pretty good.
I would nominate the Enterprise DD stock, for the simple reason of getting a sofa as a seat (since they used the same seats as the TGVs of the time, seats that can be also found on Ouigo España amusingly). And the food is great on there as well.
Or ‘they’re in the other set’ missing out on that luke warm cardboard cup of ‘tea’ and biscuit.
Steddenm
Established Member
Class 92 sets? The 92 is an electric loco.
All the Mk 1 loco hauled coaches had great first class and the 1st generation DMUs were great as well.
Mk 2 1st class coaches that were refurbished during the 80s were good as well.
The original Mk 3 first class coaches were not great but when they were refurbished with sprung seats they were very good.
Mk 2 1st class coaches that were refurbished during the 80s were good as well.
The original Mk 3 first class coaches were not great but when they were refurbished with sprung seats they were very good.
Mk1dreamer
Member
Now if I win the lottery I need one built and placed in my garden as a man cave lol
duffield
Established Member
I'll only be impressed if they've got some decent cider as well.
My vote would be the Mk 2 First Class compartments that could be found on the Holyhead- Birmingham New Street FNW Class 37-hauled services circa 2000.
Most of the time no supplement was asked for, and when it was it was just £3 extra to the guard.
Very comfortable and private but more modern and cleaner than a dusty Mk 1.
Most of the time no supplement was asked for, and when it was it was just £3 extra to the guard.
Very comfortable and private but more modern and cleaner than a dusty Mk 1.
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