FGW first class HST coaches.

[Bishopstone]

I spent some time in the West Country last week, and observation suggests about 40% of HST consists have been reduced to 1.5 First.

There were apologies at Exeter on Wednesday that one mid-day up HST had no First Class at all: the coaches concerned were locked out of use due to a fault.

 

[Manchester77]

I spent some time in the West Country last week, and observation suggests about 40% of HST consists have been reduced to 1.5 First.

There were apologies at Exeter on Wednesday that one mid-day up HST had no First Class at all: the coaches concerned were locked out of use due to a fault.

Hopefully that wasn't on a Pullman service?

 

[Bishopstone]

Hopefully that wasn't on a Pullman service?

No, it was about an hour before the first of the Pullmans were due through. Whether they operated, I don't know, as this was the day of the Lostwithiel derailment and everything coming in from the west was delayed, altered or cancelled.

 

[GodAtum]

I was struggling last Sunday to get a 1st class seat from Paddington - Newbury on an HST. A lot of holidaymakers who may or may not have had 1st class tickets.

 

[bnm]

I was struggling last Sunday to get a 1st class seat from Paddington - Newbury on an HST. A lot of holidaymakers who may or may not have had 1st class tickets.

A 1st Class ticket is not needed on a Sunday. Just a payment to the TM if and when he comes round!

 

[jon0844]

Today I travelled on a 6 + 1.5 so confirms to my own eyes that those who "think" are incorrect. Lead by 43137 (complete with a dead bird stuck to the front) and 43169 at the rear.

I've seen trains with black dots/squares/triangles to signify various things, but a dead bird stuck to the front is a new one.

 

[richw]

I've seen trains with black dots/squares/triangles to signify various things, but a dead bird stuck to the front is a new one.

Here it is just for reference. I wondered how long it had been there as 43137 arrived on the rear, so hadn't taken it on its last run. Its like one of those American trucker mascots stuck to the front grille of their trucks

43137 by Rich.W., on Flickr

 

[GatwickDepress]

FGW trying their own variation on the InterCity Swallow?

 

[Manchester77]

FGW trying their own variation on the InterCity Swallow?

Somehow I think intercity swallow sounds petter than first pigeon

 

[Michael.Y]

Those will be sets with a Micro buffet (TSMB). There are no 1st class seats in this carriage with the short yellow stripe. Quite why FGW bothered to put the stripe above the door is beyond me.

To try and dissuade standard pax from boarding through the area by the buffet which usually has a trolley parked right by the door.

 

[Flamingo]

Those will be sets with a Micro buffet (TSMB). There are no 1st class seats in this carriage with the short yellow stripe. Quite why FGW bothered to put the stripe above the door is beyond me.

Also, if it is officially designated First Class, then passengers standing there on Std class tickets getting in the way of the catering staff can be told to bugger off out of the vestibule.

 

[spark001uk]

I heard the Justified Ancients of MuMu are making a comeback on the mini buffet sets.

KLF, very good.

 

[spark001uk]

I have seen a couple of 7car lately (one 1st taken out, but no extra standard), and also a set with the buffet the wrong way round (its seats not adjoining 1st class). However this one is the funniest:

Now then, is my seat reservation for coach D, or coach D??

 

[Flamingo]

They are all over the bloody place at the moment, and on past experience during the last major refurb, will be for 6-9 months as coaches are pulled out and put back. Think about it, trying to get the correct coach to the correct set in the correct depot with enough time to do the relevant shunting before the set is required back into service for 60+ trains is one hell of a puzzle...

 

[Pumbaa]

Don't know what you're talking about! LHCS is always better, innit

 

[spark001uk]

Couple that (pun intended) with the frequent late running and cancellations and yes, they've got a very hard job!
Aren't they meant to be fitting wifi also?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Don't know what you're talking about! LHCS is always better, innit

Speaking of which, I'm on tonight's 1C99, getting out of here for a week!

EDIT: Just seen 1A91 pass me, only had 7 on.

 

[Defiance149]

I have seen a couple of 7car lately (one 1st taken out, but no extra standard)

There's eight TF away at Kilmarnock for conversion at present so bound to be a bit short.

 

[asylumxl]

I have seen a couple of 7car lately (one 1st taken out, but no extra standard), and also a set with the buffet the wrong way round (its seats not adjoining 1st class). However this one is the funniest:

Now then, is my seat reservation for coach D, or coach D??

What a nice set of Double Ds.

 

[CC 72100]

One first class coach on my set tonight was partly re-done in the new style. By partly, I mean that 4 of the seats in the coach were new, the rest of the coach was in the old style. Looking a little strange to be honest!

 

[fgwrich]

One first class coach on my set tonight was partly re-done in the new style. By partly, I mean that 4 of the seats in the coach were new, the rest of the coach was in the old style. Looking a little strange to be honest!

I did hear that one coach had been fitted with the new seats during a trial - presumably this is the coach then.

Speaking of FGW, I gather one Mk3 TSO from the Night Riviera has been seen in a new non First Group livery - A livery based on Brown with a cream band and the wording gWr ------------- A FirstGroup company.

So the talk of First trialling a new non First Group/Dynamic Lines based livery seem to be true. A shame though, as I rather like the smart Dynamic Lines based livery and really do feel that any change in livery/branding half way through a franchise isn't the best idea - If you want to distance yourself from First, then save it for a new Franchise rather than gambling it before potentially losing it.

 

[Suraggu]

But the HST fleet are coming back from Overhaul/refresh in Blue with dynamic lines but the first class are being changed into the GWR style.

 

[jimm]

I did hear that one coach had been fitted with the new seats during a trial - presumably this is the coach then.

Speaking of FGW, I gather one Mk3 TSO from the Night Riviera has been seen in a new non First Group livery - A livery based on Brown with a cream band and the wording gWr ------------- A FirstGroup company.

So the talk of First trialling a new non First Group/Dynamic Lines based livery seem to be true. A shame though, as I rather like the smart Dynamic Lines based livery and really do feel that any change in livery/branding half way through a franchise isn't the best idea - If you want to distance yourself from First, then save it for a new Franchise rather than gambling it before potentially losing it.

Depends what you mean by a 'new' franchise. One offered through open bidding could be five years away, but with First and DfT negotiating for an extended direct award to run from next year, it may well be that some sort of new look is on the cards shortly. And First do seem to be moving in that direction across their operations, making them more like Go-Ahead, which has always used individual identities for its bus and rail subsidiaries.

 

[Flamingo]

I was on a HST today, and the toilets in 1st are getting a makeover as well! Green, with a two-tone lily pattern on top, stripes on the bottom had, and a circular mirror. Very nice!

 

[Yew]

I was on a HST today, and the toilets in 1st are getting a makeover as well! Green, with a two-tone lily pattern on top, stripes on the bottom had, and a circular mirror. Very nice!

Excellent, I've always found the MK3 toilets are a bit of a let down compared to the saloon

 

[387star]

GWR branding is for premium products only ie first class and the sleeper

 

[CC 72100]

I was on a HST today, and the toilets in 1st are getting a makeover as well! Green, with a two-tone lily pattern on top, stripes on the bottom had, and a circular mirror. Very nice!

I think it's best we don't let the Reading commuters know about that one then.

 

[jon0844]

I was on a HST today, and the toilets in 1st are getting a makeover as well! Green, with a two-tone lily pattern on top, stripes on the bottom had, and a circular mirror. Very nice!

Surely the Reading commuters just want more seats in the toilets?

I think it's best we don't let the Reading commuters know about that one then.

I think they should be given their own carriages. They could look like this:

 

[Flamingo]

I think it's best we don't let the Reading commuters know about that one then.

They will give a new twist on the "It only counts as First Class if I sit down" excuse

 

[CC 72100]

I think a few of the new first class carriages have gone past today - looking into them, they are a lot darker inside than the previous ones. I'm not sure whether it is because there is some sort of film on the windows or whether the light is darker. Note that these have been 'one-off' carriages in FC formations - the trains I have seen have not had first class made up of 2 refurbished coaches.

 

[Flamingo]

Lights are darker, they are on a photo-cell which brightens them automatically if going into a tunnel, etc. I don't know if I like it or not.