List of First Class on all TOC's - from best to worst

[All Line Rover]

After recently going on a First Class ALR, on which I experienced the First Class product on every TOC, I think I am in a good position to rate how good each one is! (Before everyone starts arguing this is only my opinion - you are free to differ!)

This excludes airport shuttle TOC's and Grand Central - I think Grand Central would come near the bottom to be honest, because of being so expensive (compared to cheap Advance tickets) and because of having almost no complimentary food! For TOC's with many types of rolling stock, I also experienced no more than one or two types.

So here we go, from best to worst:

• Arriva Trains Wales Premier Service*
• Virgin Trains
• East Coast*
• First Hull Trains
• First Great Western*
• CrossCountry
• East Midlands Trains*
• First Transpennine Express
• South West Trains (Class 159)
• First Capital Connect (Class 319)
• ScotRail (Class 170)
• NXEA (HST)*
• London Midland*
• Southern
• Southeastern

*Thread to follow - the seats may not be the best in the world, the door may not close, but the staff are extremely good and the food is excellent!

*I was inclined to put East Coast above Virgin at first. The seats are more comfortable. The Advance tickets are cheaper on the whole. The "Mid-Morning" offering is superior. The King's Cross First Class lounge (thread to follow) is far superior than Virgin's Euston one.

However, Virgin prevailed because of having so many First Class seats per train (whether you think that's good or not I don't know, but from a First Class ticket holders perspective it is good!), because of having an Evening Meal service on all trains (both Northbound and Southbound) between 5pm and 7pm, and because of giving First Class lounge access to all First Class ticket holders.

*It's lower than HT because, even though it has more seats, it has much less complimentary food.

*It's lower than XC because the "mixed" coach with no partition feels less "exclusive." It also has less complimentary food.

*There has been absolutely no refurbishment, and far too many cheap Advance fares are available (so much so that people who would never consider travelling First Class normally - e.g. teenage girls who constantly chat on their mobile phone - actually buy First Class tickets!)

*The seats are pathetic and the compartment is very small - I've seen it get full on certain trains!

 

[MCR247]

NXEA don't have HSTs

 

[All Line Rover]

NXEA don't have HSTs

Well I did say I don't know much about HST's! Please correct me.

 

[Turbocharger]

Virgin no. XC no. EMT no. FTE no. I miss GNER but EC is tops out of those four I have mentioned. I haven't done FC with the others so that's it for me.

And the others say....................

 

[All Line Rover]

Virgin no. XC no. EMT no. FTE no. I miss GNER but EC is tops out of those four I have mentioned. I haven't done FC with the others so that's it for me.

And the others say....................

There is definitely scope for argument between VT and EC. For me, VT comes out tops (just) because, as I said, there is plenty of First Class seating, an Evening Meal on loads of trains and First Class lounge access is free to Advance ticket holders.

Also although EC are the cheapest for First Class Advance tickets on the whole, Virgin can also be cheap in certain places, as well as by making use of the Routeing Guide!

There is NO scope for argument with Arriva's Premier Service. I recommend that everyone tries the Evening Service! You WILL be impressed! (Thread to follow... probably tomorrow.)

 

[Olympian]

I certainly agree about the ATW Premier service being top of the list. Was on it from Cardiff - Crewe this evening, first time in several months, and it still impresses me. Great service and great food. (and the automatic door wasn't shutting tonight either, though that meant I could hear more of the 57!!)

 

[MCR247]

Well I did say I don't know much about HST's! Please correct me.

They use Class 90s & MK3s

 

[All Line Rover]

They use Class 90s & MK3s

Oh this is so confusing!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I certainly agree about the ATW Premier service being top of the list. Was on it from Cardiff - Crewe this evening, first time in several months, and it still impresses me. Great service and great food. (and the automatic door wasn't shutting tonight either, though that meant I could hear more of the 57!!)

I could go on, and ON, and ON about the ATW Premier Service, but I will wait until I create a specific thread about it instead of wrecking this one!

 

[Flamingo]

I certainly agree about the ATW Premier service being top of the list. Was on it from Cardiff - Crewe this evening, first time in several months, and it still impresses me. Great service and great food. (and the automatic door wasn't shutting tonight either, though that meant I could hear more of the 57!!)

It's the only one they run, I should hope they can pay attention to detail!

 

[lm321412]

EMT are positioned far too low.

The seating in First Class on the HSTs is excellent and most of the 222 interiors are also great.

The breakfast is far superior to anything offered by FHT, XC and FGW.

The light bite meals are also excellent and priced well.

You actually get served unlike XC, where often you are simply walked past.


I fail to see what is wrong with the seats onboard East Midlands Trains...

To also say there has been NO refurbishment to NXEA's MK3s is also wrong

ONE retrimmed the seating, albeit a small change there has been work done.

I am sorry, but you simply have NO clue and that is putting it politely, this thread is absolutely pointless as its based on your "expert" opinion which are normally found in something called a blog!!!
:roll:

 

[MCR247]

HSTs: 1 Class 43 PC at each end of a rake of HST Mk3s
90s + MK3s: A 90 loco hauling a rake of LHCS Mk3s, possibly with a DVT (which NXEA use)

Doubt that helped

 

[Turbocharger]

There is NO scope for argument with Arriva's Premier Service. I recommend that everyone tries the Evening Service! You WILL be impressed! (Thread to follow... probably tomorrow.)

Yes I have noted that and can't wait to try it. Nothing beats hands on recommendations thank you ALR much appreciated sir

 

[chris89]

VT i agree with as found it excellent. Haven't tried EC's or the Arriva Premium.

I would though rate AXC lower honestly though, great to just get a seat, and the seats need refurb, as the one i got was rather uncomfy

 

[All Line Rover]

EMT are positioned far too low.

The seating in First Class on the HSTs is excellent and most of the 222 interiors are also great.

The breakfast is far superior to anything offered by FHT, XC and FGW.

The light bite meals are also excellent and priced well.

You actually get served unlike XC, where often you are simply walked past.


I fail to see what is wrong with the seats onboard East Midlands Trains...

:roll:

Yes, but you have to pay for the food. I don't like paying for things once I've paid for my ticket!

And I wasn't very impressed by the nachos, either. Or the level of noise coming from the Standard Class section!

My recent experiences of XC haven't been too bad. Just double check the website before you travel, and ask the FC host for the food you want when he/she comes round. The thing with XC is the enormous gulf between Standard Class and First Class, which makes you feel better! (Mainly because Standard Class is so crowded.)

 

[ainsworth74]

Oh this is so confusing!

Well not really, one is an HST and the other is Locomotive Hauled Coaching Stock

As for first class ratings my experience is fairly limited but is GC, TPE, EC, VT, HT and EMT and I would rate them as follows:

VT (for similar reasons to ALR)
EC (pre 22nd May it would have been top)
EMT (Offer some decent catering and 222 FC is on the whole pretty good)
HT (Beats out GC because they actually offer food!)
TPE (Nothing to write home about but offer decent advances so beat out GC)
GC

 

[All Line Rover]

I fail to see what is wrong with the seats onboard East Midlands Trains...

To also say there has been NO refurbishment to NXEA's MK3s is also wrong

ONE retrimmed the seating, albeit a small change there has been work done.

I am sorry, but you simply have NO clue and that is putting it politely, this thread is absolutely pointless as its based on your "expert" opinion which are normally found in something called a blog!!!
:roll:

Well it's invisible work then.

I never said I'm an "expert." It's evident that you love EMT, and if so, good for you if you live in that area.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Well not really, one is an HST and the other is Locomotive Hauled Coaching Stock

As for first class ratings my experience is fairly limited but is GC, TPE, EC, VT, HT and EMT and I would rate them as follows:

VT (for similar reasons to ALR)
EC (pre 22nd May it would have been top)
EMT (Offer some decent catering and 222 FC is on the whole pretty good)
HT (Beats out GC because they actually offer food!)
TPE (Nothing to write home about but offer decent advances so beat out GC)
GC

TPE has comfy seats. If EC opened their First Class lounges to all ticket holders, and made all trains between 5pm and 7pm Evening Meal services, then they would come above VT.

 

[lm321412]

Yes, but you have to pay for the food. I don't like paying for things once I've paid for my ticket!

And I wasn't very impressed by the nachos, either. Or the level of noise coming from the Standard Class section!

My recent experiences of XC haven't been too bad. Just double check the website before you travel, and ask the FC host for the food you want when he/she comes round. The thing with XC is the enormous gulf between Standard Class and First Class, which makes you feel better! (Mainly because Standard Class is so crowded.)

I never ever pay for my breakfast, as there are very decent First Breakfast Advances which reserve a space in the Restaurant Car of which everything is then free.

To moan about the noise from standard class, what do you want EMT to do?

Tell them to be quiet?
Throw them off?
PF Them?

 

[Turbocharger]

I fail to see what is wrong with the seats onboard East Midlands Trains...

EC have used them and I thought they looked like and felt like they had been dragged out of a scrapyard. I see them at Neville Hill and they look so sad and dull.

It's a shame to be honest.

 

[All Line Rover]

I never ever pay for my breakfast, as there are very decent First Breakfast Advances which reserve a space in the Restaurant Car of which everything is then free.

To moan about the noise from standard class, what do you want EMT to do?

Tell them to be quiet?
Throw them off?
PF Them?

Install a partition door. It's not difficult. I don't have to experience that level of noise on ANY other InterCity TOC.

 

[LE Greys]

Having seen FCC first mentioned, I've only ever used it twice, and it's not worth the money except in the peaks, which is about the only time anyone ever uses it. The 317s have seats exactly the same as second, but with armrests and a different fabric, while the 365s are again almost exactly the same as second and right over the first or last bogie, hence a bit noisy and bouncy. I don't mind hearing an AWS ping twice a minute (most reassuring sound in the world) but it must really get on your nerves if you don't know what it is.

 

[Yew]

I want an EMT HST seat in my house!

 

[All Line Rover]

Having seen FCC first mentioned, I've only ever used it twice, and it's not worth the money except in the peaks, which is about the only time anyone ever uses it. The 317s have seats exactly the same as second, but with armrests and a different fabric, while the 365s are again almost exactly the same as second and right over the first or last bogie, hence a bit noisy and bouncy. I don't mind hearing an AWS ping twice a minute (most reassuring sound in the world) but it must really get on your nerves if you don't know what it is.

True, but for a commuters who wants to be guaranteed a seat and some peace and quiet during their commute to/from work, it is much better than London Midland, Southern or Southeastern.

 

[YorkshireRider]

You point out the ECs lounge is better than VTs, i cant help but think one of the reasons for this is that it is a lot quieter because it doesnt allow advance ticket holders in without an additional supplement.

 

[ainsworth74]

Out of curiosity just where in the hell is the first class lounge at Kings Cross because I swear I've never seen one sign for it!

 

[yorkie]

Out of curiosity just where in the hell is the first class lounge at Kings Cross because I swear I've never seen one sign for it!

Upstairs, above Platform 0. Not sure if that's permanent or not.

 

[YorkshireRider]

Yep, you enter via the big glass doors at the York Street entrance side and up the lift

 

[ainsworth74]

So tucked away where no one will notice it then

I'll have a little wander over there next time I've got some time at the Cross and see if I can track it down.

 

[SS4]

Did you take into account that advance firsts are generally unavailable when food is being served though? It's a sensible decision of course since the train is more likely to be full

 

[Turbocharger]

Yep, you enter via the big glass doors at the York Street entrance side and up the lift

Ahem..... York Way

 

[YorkshireRider]

Ahem..... York Way

Thats the one