First Class

[Hellfire]

Virgin First Class is a definite improvement on Standard. The seats are wider, there is more leg room and you get free WiFi. In the mornings you get a pretty good breakfast.

Having said all that the reason I prefer First is because it is normally quieter, there are less likely to be noisy children in the coach and it is an altogether more civilised environment.

I only travel First when I can get a good deal so it's an experience I rarely get but very enjoyable when I do.

 

[BestWestern]

Is there not a reasonable argument that on stupidly busy networks like FCC all available space should be standard class and first class provision should be done away with? It is, after all, just there to make money for the TOC, these are hardly services which are being 'sold' to people who have a genuine alternative. Of course it is welcomed by those who use it, but some routes are a truly an essential public service on which there perhaps ought to be maximum focus on catering for the masses as best possible.

 

[HST Power]

The 321s have a good FC area, but the 317s are pathetic. Of course, if you're able to get a seat where you otherwise wouldn't, it will still be worth it for some.

The 321 is good, and the 365 is good as well. In some ways I actually prefer the 321. Nonetheless, as you say, the 317 is awful. I will ask at the ticket office if I think a service might be worked by a 317, and save money in the process.

 

[jon0844]

I went FC on Virgin recently. Just me and one other in coach K, so out numbered by staff. Was on 1000 train so only got bacon roll and loads of coffee. Was very nice, but I forgot that it still feels rather cramped in there.

I'd definitely seek out a FC advance ticket again, but coming back standard I have to say that it's hardly cramped there (if there's nobody sitting next to you) so it would only be worth it when you know or expect a train to be packed.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

 

[southern442]

Virgin First Class is a definite improvement on Standard. The seats are wider, there is more leg room and you get free WiFi. In the mornings you get a pretty good breakfast.

Having said all that the reason I prefer First is because it is normally quieter, there are less likely to be noisy children in the coach and it is an altogether more civilised environment.

I only travel First when I can get a good deal so it's an experience I rarely get but very enjoyable when I do.

I feel exactly the same way as you, I don't regularly travel on first class (mainly because I live in a London suburb) but when I do I want to get a good offer, and in my opinion virgin have the best first class.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The 321 is good, and the 365 is good as well. In some ways I actually prefer the 321. Nonetheless, as you say, the 317 is awful. I will ask at the ticket office if I think a service might be worked by a 317, and save money in the process.

I'm pretty sure that the 317 first class seat is similar to the slam door standard class seat. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[HST Power]

I'm pretty sure that the 317 first class seat is similar to the slam door standard class seat. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Not sure what you mean by 'slam door' but aside from that the seat is more or less identical - bar a 'First Class' head-cover and an enlarged headrest.

 

[Manchester77]

Do TPE offer anything as part of their First Class product? I've never travelled with them.

Last summer I went to Blackpool from manchester first class with TPE because ironically it was cheaper than standard! You get offered tea / coffee and buscuits as well as stuff from the trolly. I find the compartment quite nice seats are nice and comfortable but they aren't that bad in standard.

Commuter franchise FC areas are more about getting a seat as said instead of getting free stuff.

My friend recently travelled on a FGW and did the Paddington to Plymouth Pullman dining experience. From what he said it was well worth the money he said he was impressed with the FC carriages. I'd like to use the Pullman service but never have enough time to get to london and then the west of England, wonder if metrolink would fancy doing Pullman dining on their doubles

 

[southern442]

Last summer I went to Blackpool from manchester first class with TPE because ironically it was cheaper than standard! You get offered tea / coffee and buscuits as well as stuff from the trolly. I find the compartment quite nice seats are nice and comfortable but they aren't that bad in standard.

Commuter franchise FC areas are more about getting a seat as said instead of getting free stuff.

My friend recently travelled on a FGW and did the Paddington to Plymouth Pullman dining experience. From what he said it was well worth the money he said he was impressed with the FC carriages. I'd like to use the Pullman service but never have enough time to get to london and then the west of England, wonder if metrolink would fancy doing Pullman dining on their doubles

But as mentioned, on southern's Brighton fasts and GatEx, there is complimentary items from the trolley. It could be argued that this is the reason why the first class seats are not much different to standard, but I think it was just done out of laziness

Is there anything like this on SWT? Or do first class passengers get anything similar on SE as a fair number of their services have trolleys...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
What is the least amount of first class seats on a train? as far as I know the 171/7's have only 9 first class seats.

 

[HST Power]

What is the least amount of first class seats on a train? as far as I know the 171/7's have only 9 first class seats.

That's probably the lowest - 365 Networkers have twelve at each end.

 

[Isonstine]

That's probably the lowest - 365 Networkers have twelve at each end.

Just nine First Class seats on a XC's 170 too.

 

[Manchester77]

Most would probably be a class 390?

 

[Ebore]

Just nine First Class seats on a XC's 170 too.

Only 8 on a TPE 170.

 

[pjnathanail]

What is the least amount of first class seats on a train? as far as I know the 171/7's have only 9 first class seats.

Zero seats on any train with no first class provision to be really pedantic!

Other than that I imagine 170s.

 

[tsr]

What is the least amount of first class seats on a train? as far as I know the 171/7's have only 9 first class seats.

Zero seats on any train with no first class provision to be really pedantic!

To be very, very pedantic, 171s on the Southern Marshlink route have no First Class seats at all... just Permanently Declassified First-Class-style seats!

I'm sorry, what's that you say about an overnight Eastbourne-Selhurst balancing move? Somebody?

 

[34D]

I feel exactly the same way as you, I don't regularly travel on first class (mainly because I live in a London suburb) but when I do I want to get a good offer, and in my opinion virgin have the best first class.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I'm pretty sure that the 317 first class seat is similar to the slam door standard class seat. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Indeed. The IC70 seat. As fitted to all mark 3 and 3a second class coaches (and some mark 2f) and first class of class 317 units.

Retained on some class 317 fc, and GA and EMT first class.

Re class 365s, I find standard more comfortable than FC.

 

[David Goddard]

We generally use First Class on any journey longer than two hours (except when we did Birmingham-Liverpool the other week because it was our anniversary).
Worth it for that bit more space to spread out (2+1 seating means we can find a table just for us two), generally quieter and on long distance trains some freebies at least.

 

[jon0844]

It's certainly very cramped in first class on a 365. The fixed table on the airline seats are bizarre, compared to a seat back table.

I wonder if this will be changed at all when (if?) the 365s get their major overhaul.

 

[HST Power]

It's certainly very cramped in first class on a 365. The fixed table on the airline seats are bizarre, compared to a seat back table.

I wonder if this will be changed at all when (if?) the 365s get their major overhaul.

When I sit on the airline seats I always feel like I'm having to lean forward when I want to read a paper, or place the laptop, onto the table.

Does anyone know if the 365s are due in for an upgrade? Would be interested to find out more if so.

While we're on the subject, to save me making a new thread, could anyone explain to me how these seating configurations work? Such as 2+2, 2+1 etc. I've never understood that.

 

[CC 72100]

While we're on the subject, to save me making a new thread, could anyone explain to me how these seating configurations work? Such as 2+2, 2+1 etc. I've never understood that.

It's referring to how many seats are across the coach if you took a cross-section of the coach. For example, a mark 3 in standard is 2+2 - 2 seats on each side of the aisle. First class is 2+1 - two seats on one side of the aisle, one on the other. Finally 3+2 would refer to something like a 323 or 350/2, where you have 3 seats on one side of the aisle, 2 on the other.

Was that what you were wondering?

 

[southern442]

It's referring to how many seats are across the coach if you took a cross-section of the coach. For example, a mark 3 in standard is 2+2 - 2 seats on each side of the aisle. First class is 2+1 - two seats on one side of the aisle, one on the other. Finally 3+2 would refer to something like a 323 or 350/2, where you have 3 seats on one side of the aisle, 2 on the other.

Was that what you were wondering?

Are there any trains that have 3+2S and 2+1F?

 

[HST Power]

It's referring to how many seats are across the coach if you took a cross-section of the coach. For example, a mark 3 in standard is 2+2 - 2 seats on each side of the aisle. First class is 2+1 - two seats on one side of the aisle, one on the other. Finally 3+2 would refer to something like a 323 or 350/2, where you have 3 seats on one side of the aisle, 2 on the other.

Was that what you were wondering?

Yes indeed, thank you for the clarification. So would this be 2+2?

 

[tsr]

Yes indeed, thank you for the clarification. So would this be 2+2?

Yep!

 

[Roverman]

Southern Trains have just reached a now low in utter contempt for their 'mug punters' who go 1st class. They have removed the door separating it from the second class section of coach. Also the seats are identical to those in 2nd barring a nasty cheap piece of anti-macassar. All in all a terrible experience.

 

[ainsworth74]

That's not a change a number of their trains have always had this layout. Normally focused on suburban services.

 

[Roverman]

It's been 12 months since I last used Southern and the unit had doors then. The problem with no doors is people just wander in and sit down and then row with the conductor.

This is a service from Littlehampton to Victoria taking almost 2 hours I don't know if that comes under suburban or not.

 

[southern442]

It's been 12 months since I last used Southern and the unit had doors then. The problem with no doors is people just wander in and sit down and then row with the conductor.

This is a service from Littlehampton to Victoria taking almost 2 hours I don't know if that comes under suburban or not.

the 377/4's have doors, and they are normally used on "mainline west" services to Littlehampton and Portsmouth etc. so maybe the unit before was a 377/4.

I think someone should write to southern about the no partition issue.

 

[ainsworth74]

Was it the same unit? If not then as I say some of them don't have doors between first and standard. Also like I said they're focused on suburban services which doesn't mean they can't from time to time appear on longer distance services.

 

[HST Power]

Southern Trains have just reached a now low in utter contempt for their 'mug punters' who go 1st class. They have removed the door separating it from the second class section of coach. Also the seats are identical to those in 2nd barring a nasty cheap piece of anti-macassar. All in all a terrible experience.

Why did they do that? Bit short on cash perhaps? Did they sell them?!

Sometimes, the doors really rattle on 365 services. This was notable two weeks ago when I used a London bound service.

I thought FCC were disliked - but Southern seem to hated!

 

[Roverman]

the 377/4's have doors, and they are normally used on "mainline west" services to Littlehampton and Portsmouth etc. so maybe the unit before was a 377/4.

I think someone should write to southern about the no partition issue.

Thank you for your reply, I'm not sure what the train was that I was on last August but it was a v similar design to this. I will be writing to them as the toilet was also locked at Angmering, two hours before closing time!

 

[southern442]

Why did they do that? Bit short on cash perhaps? Did they sell them?!

Sometimes, the doors really rattle on 365 services. This was notable two weeks ago when I used a London bound service.

I thought FCC were disliked - but Southern seem to hated!

I sort of want to feel sorry for southern-but there are many ways the service could be improved.