Declassified First Class In 171/2

[Doomotron]

A few days ago I was coming back from Rye and the train was an ex-Scotrail 171. I noticed that on the inside it was very grubby and the seat covers hadn't been applied properly (very loose and a massive gap between the fabric on the headrest and the seats themselves). I then realised that the first class section was actually standard class (seats were the same but had no anti-maccassars and the seat fabric was the standard class design). Does anyone know whether the first class seats will ever be swapped for the standard class type or can't that happen?

Also, I read on here that on Marshlink services, the first class is declassified. Is this true?

 

[GW43125]

<snip>

Also, I read on here that on Marshlink services, the first class is declassified. Is this true?

Yes.

 

[superalbs]

Also, I read on here that on Marshlink services, the first class is declassified. Is this true?

No. Not anymore.

 

[tsr]

I believe when they moved to GTR and were converted to Southern branded 171s, the seats were simpy specified for refurbishment and reupholstering rather than full replacement. You’ll see the First Class seats themselves are actually a different design.

As for the grubbiness - yes, sadly the 171s are often filthy inside. The best they get is when they are outberthed at Oxted and then go on to form the first train from Uckfield - a specialist cleaner attends and cleans just the one unit to a very high standard indeed (following complaints from when it wasn’t done, and the first train of the day was often cancelled due to the detritus being too much for the crew to handle).

 

[Doomotron]

<snip>

Yes.

No. Not anymore.

So who's right? It didn't say on the timetable PDF about first class but if it is declassified, the tables have turned...

Spoiler

Although it did have Newhaven Marine on it, so I guess I didn't waste my time downloading it. Funny how it's been closed for years yet still appears on timetables.

 

[superalbs]

National Rail Enquiries, Real Time Trains, etc. says that those services DO have first class.

Whether or not it's declassified on the day is a different matter.

 

[Doomotron]

I travelled to Brighton two days ago and on the Ashford to Hampden Park leg, the train was so packed that the guard declassified first class. Me and my mother sat in it and it was great in the /7. Very enjoyable journey and I especially enjoyed disproving my mother on that journey because, a few weeks before that she said 'it doesn't seem like an upgrade'. Then I showed her all the stuff that came in First Class. Yay.

 

[paul1609]

I believe when they moved to GTR and were converted to Southern branded 171s, the seats were simpy specified for refurbishment and reupholstering rather than full replacement. You’ll see the First Class seats themselves are actually a different design.

As for the grubbiness - yes, sadly the 171s are often filthy inside. The best they get is when they are outberthed at Oxted and then go on to form the first train from Uckfield - a specialist cleaner attends and cleans just the one unit to a very high standard indeed (following complaints from when it wasn’t done, and the first train of the day was often cancelled due to the detritus being too much for the crew to handle).

In my experience they are pretty good on Marshlink services. Generally cleaned at Brighton and again by a travelling cleaner who often gets on at Appledore or Ham Street at the Ashford end. I've been away from the UK since June but then all the ex Scotrail Units were banned on Marshlink because of their unreliability and the lines remoteness from Selhurst.

 

[Doomotron]

all the ex Scotrail Units were banned on Marshlink because of their unreliability and the lines remoteness from Selhurst.

Oh dear. Am I right in saying that Southern have cancelled the deal with SC to transfer the other 170s? Maybe Southern should instead opt for bi-mode (or fully electric if the Marshlink Line is electrified) 230s (or whatever they'd be classified as - 778 would be fun because they're D78s) and transfer the other 171s to the Uckfield Line, possibly replacing the /2s and 4s until they can start running reliably.

 

[Doomotron]

In my experience they are pretty good on Marshlink services. Generally cleaned at Brighton and again by a travelling cleaner who often gets on at Appledore or Ham Street at the Ashford end. I've been away from the UK since June but then all the ex Scotrail Units were banned on Marshlink because of their unreliability and the lines remoteness from Selhurst.

A couple of days ago there was a /2 at Ashford running an Eastbourne service.

 

[Fincra5]

Marshlink used to be Declassified, when they ran to Brighton. However since they have been shorted to Eastbourne, I believe 1st is back in use.

 

[Fincra5]

Oh dear. Am I right in saying that Southern have cancelled the deal with SC to transfer the other 170s? Maybe Southern should instead opt for bi-mode (or fully electric if the Marshlink Line is electrified) 230s (or whatever they'd be classified as - 778 would be fun because they're D78s) and transfer the other 171s to the Uckfield Line, possibly replacing the /2s and 4s until they can start running reliably.

Ages ago as they're no longer needed on SN due to the new Timetable.