FGW 1st Class?

[First ScotRail]

Can anybody give me an indication of what this is like monday to friday? Im thinking of travelling to Bristol Temple Meads and am looking at whether or not 1st class is worth the extra. Whats the catering like and can advance purchase ticket holders gain access to the first class lounges at Paddington and Bristol?

 

[devon_metro]

There is a trolley service M-F serving teas coffees, cakes, fruit, biscuits and other stuff like that. Also coke and other fizzy drinks. Believe AP can access the lounges although can't say. The FC is MUCH better than SC so deffo go for it!

 

[rail-britain]

Compared to the likes of VT and NXEC
Do you get "complimentary" drinks and food?

To me VT is the best value for money, unlimited drinks and snacks served at least every two hours, with premium meals before 09:00 and between 17:00 and 19:00

NXEC comes second, although it's only unlimited drinks
I've only travelled a few times to Darlington and once to Kings Cross

FSR comes third, again unlimited drinks but sometimes you have to go hunting the trolley
This is an issue I've already raised with management and one of the first projects we are going to tackle!

TPE comes last
The southbound train I was on had NO catering and the "guard" was unco-operative to all the customers between Glasgow and Preston, I overheard this to one customer "Aye I wiz late oot a bed, that's why your ticket's invalid"
The northbound train was also had an uninspired crew
I was CHARGED for my tea, so only had one, asked for a receipt and wasn't offered one
I've not seen this member of staff since, say no more!

 

[mrcheek]

basically, if you sit in FC, you will have at least 2 seats to yourself if you want them, whereas SC will most likely be full.
FGW's leather seats in FC are probably the comfiest seats on the whole network, and well worth the extra if you can afford it.
Food and drink is pretty basic, and the trolley is usually the first thing to be cancelled if there are any staff shortages, so I always try and get a single seat in the buffet car, so its not far to go to collect your freebies anyway (this is especially handy on journeys where the buffet is closed for portions of the route, as you can get there first whenever its reopened).

 

[First ScotRail]

What about FGW compared to EMT? As derby's also a possibility..

 

[devon_metro]

Depends if you like the old BR seats.

 

[rail-britain]

I always try and get a single seat in the buffet car, so its not far to go to collect your freebies anyway

Assuming that is FGW, so what freebies and how often?
Do you always have to collect them or is there an at-seat service?

I'm supposed to be going down to experience three trips on FGW at the end of September, so just want to know what to expect

 

[devon_metro]

View my first post...........

 

[rail-britain]

Yes, but do you have to pay for any of it (like what happened with all the FC customers on TPE) or is it all "free and unlimited"?

 

[devon_metro]

When I was in first class everything from the trolley was free and paid items are at buffet

 

[Mojo]

When I last travelled First Class on FGW, most things from the trolley were free, but they also had some packaged Sandwiches which you have to pay for. I am assuming this is for convenience of the passengers who want something to eat so they avoid having to go to the buffet.

 

[mrcheek]

Assuming that is FGW, so what freebies and how often?
Do you always have to collect them or is there an at-seat service?

I'm supposed to be going down to experience three trips on FGW at the end of September, so just want to know what to expect

actually, i dont like railway food, so I cant comment on free food. but tea, coffee and orange juice are free, and i dont think theres a limit (tho if you demanded coffee every 5 minutes I guess they might try and limit you). One time there was no trolley, and only one guy in the buffet car, and I asked for orange juice, so he handed me a cup, and a full 1 litre carton. i told him i didnt want that much, but he insisted.
and they give you biscuits with tea and coffee. posh biscuits they are too!

on all the journeys Ive made on FGW, I think theres been an at seat service only half the time.

 

[rail-britain]

When I last travelled First Class on FGW, most things from the trolley were free, but they also had some packaged Sandwiches which you have to pay for

That's a good con and quite open to abuse, something else for me to look at
The unsuspecting customer might select something thinking it is complimentary then be asked for payment, and knowing customers like I do most won't question it

I had quite a similar experience on TPE, when I knew that as a FC ticket holder all items should be free
Yes, my first tea was free and I had my snack box, however after being served my second cup of tea I was asked for £1.10
Paid up and asked for a receipt "Sorry, I don't have any", aye right I know where that moneys going!

 

[Krispo]

So what are you actually entitled to on TPE? I've always just got a Tea, thinking that only tea & coffee were free.

 

[rail-britain]

Yes, there does seem to be some confusion about what you are "supposed" to get on TPE with FC
I think the main problem comes from the briefing and guidelines, or possible lack of, given to staff

In the morning you are supposed to get a breakfast box
In the afternoon and evening you are supposed to get a snack box

It's pretty much the same as what used to be offered under Virgin Cross Country, except it is cold food

 

[me123]

Sounds a bit like a posh Happy Meal :?

 

[rail-britain]

The main problem seems to be on the first TPE service of the day from Glasgow and Edinburgh
As a result of that I now book with VT between Glasgow and Preston, it's like comparing night and day

The trolley on a FSR service normally makes one run up the length of the train every hour
Sadly this means if you are in First Class then you can end up waiting all the way from Glasgow to Linlithgow for your complimentary drink
However, it is better between Glasgow and Aberdeen, the trolley manages at least one trip between each major station

 

[support-uk-rail]

You wanna get yourself on the last service to Plymouth or Exeter St Davids.

After Reading, you'll usually have a FC carriage to yourself, and after Pewsey (Westbury route) or Swindon (Bristol route) you'll have FC to yourself!


--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Sounds a bit like a posh Happy Meal :?

The sort of thing wherer you get 'Chipped Pomme de Terre' instead of chips/fries and 'Paddington Venison in Crusty Homemade Seeded Bread' instead of burgers.

Oh yeah, and of course 'Sweet tomato dip' instead of ketchup. :grin:

 

[Royston Vasey]

I suspect the answer to this is no, but do FGW offer WiFi (free or otherwise) on their services, a la NXEC?

 

[Mojo]

I suspect the answer to this is no, but do FGW offer WiFi (free or otherwise) on their services, a la NXEC?

You're right, unfortunately it's not on offer onboard trains.

 

[First ScotRail]

You're right, unfortunately it's not on offer onboard trains.

I would think it is in the pipeline though.

 

[TEW]

I travelled AXC FC today and in my opinion it was very good. OK, the seats arent as good as FGWs but you got unlimited free drinks and biscuits and a hot pannini or cold sandwich, both a fair size. I travelled Bristol to Camborne and after Plymouth I was in FC by my own.

 

[class 313]

I travelled AXC FC today and in my opinion it was very good. OK, the seats arent as good as FGWs but you got unlimited free drinks and biscuits

As you do with FGW first class and EMT First Class (the best FC IMO), not sure with NXEC/NEAA First Class.

 

[P156KWJ]

I've travelled first class with EMT once before, which was very good indeed. Never tried TPE 1st class, but on the 158s they used to have it was pointless to upgrade anyway - same seats (just a different upholstery), wood effect tables as opposed to normal ones, and a lamp on the table

 

[Pumbaa]

The only TOC I haven't travelled FC with is fGW. On the whole Virgin offer the best FC, because the service is unbeatable despite the uncomfortable seats and crap view.

Incidentally, I didn't rate EMT ex MML FC at all well. I think I preferred NXEA FC to them if I'm honest.

 

[voyagerdude220]

*Post Moved*

 

[class 313]

Incidentally, I didn't rate EMT ex MML FC at all well. I think I preferred NXEA FC to them if I'm honest.

Why is this?

• Great service
• Endless top ups of Tea/Coffee
• Better prepared food as to what 2nd class gets
• Free news paper
• And big, comfy chairs with a pillow (On an HST)
• Complementary snacks ranging from Chocolate raisins to various nuts

But to be honest EMT have made FC better, food wise. Because they have actually included a lot more of a selection (albeit not always available on all trains). I have travelled various times FC on both a Meridian and HSTs and IMO the HST is better because the atmosphere is a lot nicer. A lot more space too.

 

[voyagerdude220]

But the thing which confuses me about the new FC EMT menus, is that the menus imply (IMO) that the food service is available on every service, as it doesn't specify otherwise, apart from the time period which the menus apply.

However, the timetables disagree, with the breakfast menu stating "available before 11:00", as the timetable shows the breakfast/restaurant symbol, on a very small handful of services, suggesting that only those marked with the relevant symbol offer the service. :-?

 

[class 313]

Well they say a full menu isn't available in the evening because they don't sell that much which is fair enough I guess.

 

[Pumbaa]

Aye - plus the service I've had on EMT hasn't always been great - and has been the subject of a £20 rail travel voucher in compensation from EMT! On every service I've been on, I've had the tea and coffee patrol come around once we left every other major station. On one service, they pushed the boat out and came around after every stop, which is what I suspect they are meant to do. The food is also rather expensive compared to other TOCs IMO, in terms of what you get for your money.