Reading to Gatwick

[CardiffKid]

Hi, I've booked a cheap 1st class ticket from Cardiff to Gatwick (£19.55 single) with a change in Reading.

I know FGW will use a HST for the Cardiff to Reading section, but anyone know what type of train will be used from Reading to Gatick? Will it have a first class section?

 

[bb21]

The ones via Guildford should be 165s iirc.

 

[Greenback]

Indeed it will - I have undertaken a similar journey and it was very nice to sit in a peak time (1737) first class section of the class 165 at Reading and watch people in standard cramming into the rest of the train!

 

[LexyBoy]

It'll be a Turbo (165 or 166), which will have a first class section at one end of the unit. It's a commuter train, so nothing exciting in FC - 2+2 seating with slightly nicer seats than Standard. Don't think there's catering on those services.

Platform 4A/4B (not to be confused with platform 4!) at Reading BTW.

edit:very slow today!

 

[Greenback]

It'll be a Turbo (165 or 166), which will have a first class section at one end of the unit. It's a commuter train, so nothing exciting in FC - 2+2 seating with slightly nicer seats than Standard. Don't think there's catering on those services.

Platform 4A/4B (not to be confused with platform 4!) at Reading BTW.

edit:very slow today!

I have never known of any catering on that route, though there may have been something way back in the days of yore. The ability to get a seat was the main benefit for us at the time we traveleld, and the cost of 1st single to Gatwick was as cheap as a standard single to Reading!

 

[dzug2]

There was certainly a trolley service at one time - I'm pretty sure I remember it in 2002 or thereabouts

 

[Greenback]

The old Thames Trains did run a couple of through trains from Oxford at one time, though I don't recall them offering any refreshment service during the time I worked in Reading. I did move in 2001, so it's certainly possible that there was a short lived trolley shortly afterwards.

 

[schwa]

There was a trolley refreshment service on the trains between Reading and LGW at least until 2008.. not sure how productive they were but that is a totally different topic.

 

[LexyBoy]

There was a trolley refreshment service on the trains between Reading and LGW at least until 2008.. not sure how productive they were but that is a totally different topic.

Shame those trains don't still run - I spent New Year very near Langwathby and it would have been handy to have a direct train!

 

[schwa]

Shame those trains don't still run - I spent New Year very near Langwathby and it would have been handy to have a direct train!

LGW as in the airport of course. Nearly got away with it..

 

[Roylang]

The old Thames Trains did run a couple of through trains from Oxford at one time, though I don't recall them offering any refreshment service during the time I worked in Reading. I did move in 2001, so it's certainly possible that there was a short lived trolley shortly afterwards.

I moved away from the area in 2000 and the trolley service was in full flow at that time - when they could be bothered. Often to be found just based in one of the doorways.

Roy

 

[Greenback]

I moved away from the area in 2000 and the trolley service was in full flow at that time - when they could be bothered. Often to be found just based in one of the doorways.

Roy

My memory must be even more faulty than I thought. I was working in Reading ticket office then and I have absolutely no recollection of a trolley service on that route!