Declassified First Class

[valenta]

Hello,

Went on a Grand Central from Sunderland to York about a week ago, and I was pleasently surprised that despite not having a first class ticket, I ended up in a first class coach - at least, that's what it used to be. Coach A (formerly coach F) in the 12:28 from Sunderland - London was a former first class carriage, and eventhough it didn't have all the trimmings, it was a nice change, the seats were more comfortable, more leg-room and general space, it allowed for a more enjoyable experience.

Presumably when Grand Central bought the former Virgin MK3's, they found themselves with a surplus amount of first class carriages or they decided to refurbish former standard class coaches, so this allowed them to have former first class coaches working as standard class coaches.

I think it is a shrewd move by Grand Central to do this, as it definitely encourages me to travel with them again.

Bit of a downer to travel back on XC Voyager!

 

[Royston Vasey]

This has been the case for years, on two of three sets I think. The consists were meant to have two FO and three TO, but it was soon clear that they had more demand for standard and less for first than anticipated. By this time they'd already refurbed the FOs and its not worth converting again for the sake of about 20 seats.

 

[sprinterguy]

As Royston Vasey says, it's more a case that Grand Central have a high number of FO vehicles (six) compared to TSOs (nine), rather than a business decision to up the standard of standard class, as the original intention was I believe to have trains formed with two FOs and three TSOs. Because of this, there is currently one GC HST rake operating with two declassified FOs and another with one declassified FO acting as standard class accomodation. It does indeed make a nice treat for standard class passengers

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

GC have added an extra First carriage to act as Standard over the summer, to try and keep up with demand. It's not usually the case - only Summers/odd occasions.