first class generally

[YorkshireBear]

I have never travelled first class but recently it turned out it was only £2 more expensive to go first class advance to newcastle and back from leeds. Naturally i am about to book first class.
Through well i dunno excitement/nervousness (i dont particularly look first class longish haired student) i just wanted to know what to expect from first class travel?

p.s it is east coast and pennine express im travellign first class with On all journey cept last bit of return which is northern york to leeds

 

[ainsworth74]

(i dont particularly look first class longish haired student)

I wouldn't worry, I look nothing like a business person and personally enjoy smiling back at any that scowl at me violating their domain

just wanted to know what to expect from first class travel?

You won't get anything much from TPE other than bigger seat and guaranteed power socket. You might get some refreshments or you might not.

On EC you will get Tea/Coffee and a biscuit. The train might have catering (cooked meals) but they may struggle serve and you eat it between York and Newcastle.

 

[CosherB]

We travelled Virgin 1st Wilmslow to Euston a while back, and returned a few days later on Wrexham & Shropshire 1st (to Shrewesbury, Arriva Wales to home from there).

Free light lunch, tea, coffee, and alchoholic drinks on Virgin. All served at-seat.

Free superb full 3-course lunch on W&S and a reasonably priced bottle of very good wine to wash it down.

Book in advance and this can be done at a reasonable price. On these services, 1st is soooo much better than 2nd. And W&S is almost 'fine dining' standard!

I got my taste for travelling 1st when I was working. I used to use Virgin 1st a lot at peak times before I retired, so I wasn't buying the ticket myself! At something like £350 for an open return, any 'scruffs' noted in the quiet and refined world of 1st would get a 'stare', just in case they were refugees from the horrors of overcrowded 'Standard' trying it on!

 

[142094]

You won't get anything much from TPE other than bigger seat and guaranteed power socket. You might get some refreshments or you might not.

Won't get anything full stop between York and Newcastle on TPE, the trolleys are only between York and Manchester.

 

[route101]

We travelled Virgin 1st Wilmslow to Euston a while back, and returned a few days later on Wrexham & Shropshire 1st (to Shrewesbury, Arriva Wales to home from there).

Free light lunch, tea, coffee, and alchoholic drinks on Virgin. All served at-seat.

Free superb full 3-course lunch on W&S and a reasonably priced bottle of very good wine to wash it down.

Book in advance and this can be done at a reasonable price. On these services, 1st is soooo much better than 2nd. And W&S is almost 'fine dining' standard!

I got my taste for travelling 1st when I was working. I used to use Virgin 1st a lot at peak times before I retired, so I wasn't buying the ticket myself! At something like £350 for an open return, any 'scruffs' noted in the quiet and refined world of 1st would get a 'stare', just in case they were refugees from the horrors of overcrowded 'Standard' trying it on!

Wrexham and Shropshire sounds good , ive only done Wrexham to Wolverhampton in Standard.

I hate it when im the only non business person in first . Even the staff dont warm to you . I much prefer it when there is leisure passngers .

 

[anthony263]

I travled first class on wrexham & shropshire yesterday on the 11:27 Wrexham _ London Marylebone. I must say that the service we received was fantastic and that the sheperds pie i had was lovely.

We were the only 2 people in first class till the 2nd stop after wrexham (cant remember the name) were 2 more people got on after shrewsbury most of the seats were taken mostly by businessmen so that service did seem to be quit popular.

 

[Deerfold]

As you'll have seen it varies wildly between companies - it also makes a difference if it's a weekend.

I had a very disappointing journey 1st class on EMT on Sunday from Sheffield to London. There was a trolley offering tea or coffee but no bottled water. It didn't look as if the carriage had even been cleaned despite having been sat in the platform for some time - the seat next to mine appeared to be covered in biscuit crumbs.

It was the first EMT train I've been on fitted with WiFi which is free iin 1st class. Unfortunately it gave up about 10 minutes out of Sheffield

 

[trentside]

I never had a bad first class experience on NXEC. The staff were always attentive, and my coffee cup was never empty for long! Haven't had the opportunity to sample East Coast's first class, but I doubt much has changed.

On the subject of East Midlands Trains first class, I'll reserve judgement until I have an opportunity to try the week day service. The weekend service I have experienced left a lot to be desired, to be perfectly honest.

Never thought TPE first class was worthwhile, to be honest.

 

[wintonian]

My first 2 trips in 1st on Virgin involed the staff asking if I would lake any coffe/ tea and then promptly walking on before I had time to answer!

Though the apperant oppertunity is a rather better offering then any of the likes of SWT, Southern etc. will offer.

In my opinion the only reasons to go 1st is pirmarily to avoid overcrowding on long trips or at the weekend to enjoy a more comfortable seat with a cuppa on a long trip. But for a couple of pounds extra I would probably go 1st for a 40min trip to Brockenhurst, even though you get nothing for it.

 

[route101]

My first 2 trips in 1st on Virgin involed the staff asking if I would lake any coffe/ tea and then promptly walking on before I had time to answer!

Though the apperant oppertunity is a rather better offering then any of the likes of SWT, Southern etc. will offer.

In my opinion the only reasons to go 1st is pirmarily to avoid overcrowding on long trips or at the weekend to enjoy a more comfortable seat with a cuppa on a long trip. But for a couple of pounds extra I would probably go 1st for a 40min trip to Brockenhurst, even though you get nothing for it.

I found East Coast friendlier than virgins . Maybe its policy at Virgin with them making you bad when you get there food offerings.

 

[YorkshireBear]

im on TPE leeds york, EC york newcastle then newcastle york next day then northern york leeds (last leg aint first class but owell it was an extra £2)

I best start liking tea and coffee pretty quickly then

 

[142094]

On the TPE from Leeds to York you might be lucky and get something, depends what end the trolley is and how full the train is. The offerings on EC will be better, probably could fit in 3 cups of coffee/tea each way! Most I've had is about 8 (not between York and Newcastle of course!).

 

[YorkshireBear]

i'm guessing not but anything apart from tea and coffee im very strange in not being keen on either :/
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
cant remeber last time i tried them though to be fair so maybe im just being an arse

 

[142094]

Water and orange juice normally. Thinks like Coke and lemonade you have to pay for.

 

[YorkshireBear]

love orange juice thanks alot

 

[googolplex]

It is however usually juice from concentrate, which I find isn't as nice!

 

[bnm]

Free superb full 3-course lunch on W&S and a reasonably priced bottle of very good wine to wash it down.

I was under the impression it was 2 courses complimentary with a 3rd available for £3.95.

 

[142094]

It is however usually juice from concentrate, which I find isn't as nice!

I agree, although beggars can't be choosers! Still, normally go with the tea and coffee, which there is always plenty of on EC.

 

[CosherB]

I was under the impression it was 2 courses complimentary with a 3rd available for £3.95.

You are correct, that's what it says on the menu. But we weren't charged for the extra course!

Same thing last time I travelled W&S. Not sure this is always the case, though.

 

[premier01]

You are correct, that's what it says on the menu. But we weren't charged for the extra course!

Same thing last time I travelled W&S. Not sure this is always the case, though.

It sounds good-can't find any reason to use on usual business trips though! Probably would have to try on a leisure trip some time.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Free superb full 3-course lunch on W&S and a reasonably priced bottle of very good wine to wash it down.

Book in advance and this can be done at a reasonable price. On these services, 1st is soooo much better than 2nd. And W&S is almost 'fine dining' standard!

I strongly agree with you there Captain Speaking..

I've travelled with WSMR around four times, all in First, and found the food to be outstanding every time.

Most recent journey was yesterday- I can honestly say that the breakfast I scoffed on the 08:07 Shrewsbury to Marylebone (07:23 ex Wrexham) was the best i've ever had on trains before.

Before I had the Full Welsh, I was presented with a plate contain four (!) slices of toast, alongside a small pot of strawberry jam & marmelade. I personally really like jam, and aren't fond of marmelade, so I was happy to be offered jam. (I say this because I haven't had jam on Virgin apart from one rare journey)

The breakfast itself was fantastic, the black pudding was like none i've tasted before.. Delicious!

Yes I paid more than double for First, compared to the equivalent standard advance fare (£13 ish compared to £36.30 with railcard), but I think the service was worth it without a doubt. You can even sometimes get the First Class ticket for £23.10 (with railcard discount) on the 11:23/15:23 ex Wrexham.

I counted four, if not five (!) choices on the lunch/dinner menu, which is a huge contrast to Virgin's "selection" of two hot options.

Sample WSMR First Class Menu:

http://www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk/project/uploaded-media/3-16-aug-menu.pdf

No longer pastries (listed on the sample menu) offered after breakfast, but I don't think it's needed after such a big breakfast.

 

[route101]

Oh that gets me going for a ride on WSMR ! Ive done Standard on the a Wrexham to Wolverhampton back in June 08 . That was part of a day trip from Glasgow haha.