what do you expect in first class?

[Topgun333]

In the middle of a first class ticket trip from Southampton to Manchester via London.

The Virgin 390 is OK. Plug socket, free WiFi, free snack box of a few nibbles, free drinks unless alcoholic. I also used the first class lounge at Euston which is fine.

By comparison I don't know what extras you get on the SWT 444 between Southampton and Waterloo: no seat bookings, no proper luggage space at low level, no WiFi which really surprised me, pay trolley service. In fact no discernible difference from standard class apart from a plug socket to charge phones etc.

What are other good and bad examples of first class on current rolling stock?

 

[swt_passenger]

First as you seem to expect it, especially in terms of freebies, only really applies to intercity routes. At least SWT have decent seating in the 444 first (which you don't appear to have noticed), you don't even get that in most of SE's or SN's stock. On London commuter TOCs 'first' is mostly about being more likely to get a seat in the peak - it is not comparable at all to what Virgin offer on the WCML, and it isn't intended to be...

 

[GarethW]

SWTs First on the 444s is a fiver per journey at weekends (ie today), worth it for a bigger seat, guarantee of a table, and a bit more peace and quiet, usually no-one else in the carriages until Winchester, and rarely more than five or six by journeys end. Standard on the Pmth-Eastleigh-Waterloos on a Saturday morning are generally pretty full by Farnborough if not Basingstoke.

 

[dk1]

You would have got nothing on several GEML services tonight. Seems there was a distinct lack of interest in the GA catering department :cry:.

 

[GWRtom]

At the Very least.
-Reclining seat with decent padding.
-Curtain.
-Free WiFi
-Free Snacks, at the very least coffee,Tea and a packet of biscuits or somthing.

Anything less should not be called first class.

 

[cjmillsnun]

At the very least.

A more comfortable seat than standard class.

Segregation from standard class.

It's worth the extra expense sometimes just for the peace and quiet.

 

[causton]

At the Very least.
-Reclining seat with decent padding.
-Curtain.
-Free WiFi
-Free Snacks, at the very least coffee,Tea and a packet of biscuits or somthing.

Anything less should not be called first class.

Don't see why you should get the last 2 all the time - for me it's about the peace and quiet! For example, on FCC services, First Class is I would say alright - if you're getting WiFi in first you might as well fit the whole train though, and how would you provide snacks on a DOO service with no other members of staff? Nobody really would use a trolley on the short journeys made on FCC's GN route - maybe the Cambridge Cruisers could have a trolley but nothing else!

 

[Lrd]

WiFi is coming to the 444s soon apparently.

 

[Topgun333]

First as you seem to expect it, especially in terms of freebies, only really applies to intercity routes. At least SWT have decent seating in the 444 first (which you don't appear to have noticed), you don't even get that in most of SE's or SN's stock. On London commuter TOCs 'first' is mostly about being more likely to get a seat in the peak - it is not comparable at all to what Virgin offer on the WCML, and it isn't intended to be...

Yes, tbf the leg room was spacious but not much more than standard so in that sense (being 5'7") SWT 444s are fine in that respect. Good point made.

I'd disagree about the route not being "intercity" though. Many people commute a long distance each day from places like Southampton or Winchester to Waterloo each day and that takes an hour or more. Given many of them are no doubt high paid individuals I'm sure that wifi would be something that they would appreciate to start work early etc.

I see another poster has mentioned that the 444s are going to get wifi soon. For first class I would see that as a necessity. Even new buses run by Stagecoach in Manchester from the suburbs to the city centre have free wifi available.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

At the very least.

A more comfortable seat than standard class.

Segregation from standard class.

It's worth the extra expense sometimes just for the peace and quiet.

You have just stated here the main points why both my wife and I (72 and 68 years of age) choose to travel in First Class where it is available. The lack of such a facility on the Class 175 units when travelling from Wilmslow to Ludlow and to Hereford is something that spoils our journeys there.

 

[Topgun333]

You have just stated here the main points why both my wife and I (72 and 68 years of age) choose to travel in First Class where it is available. The lack of such a facility on the Class 175 units when travelling from Wilmslow to Ludlow and to Hereford is something that spoils our journeys there.

Bloody Wilmslow hooligans

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Bloody Wilmslow hooligans

Steady on there, you young rapscallion, do not tar us with that particular brush. We may have to lower our expectations when we deign to use Wilmslow station, but where we live in the best rural part of Prestbury (by far the best part of the Cheshire Golden Triangle), life is far better there...

 

[Michael.Y]

First Class would be totally uneconomical on the Marches route, and implementation of it on the unexpandable Class 175 units would increase already crowded conditions in the peak / school hours. Do you really think those Herefordshire private school brats would respect it?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

First Class would be totally uneconomical on the Marches route, and implementation of it on the unexpandable Class 175 units would increase already crowded conditions in the peak / school hours. Do you really think those Herefordshire private school brats would respect it?

The type of clientèle who appreciate the culinary delights offered in Ludlow with certain restaurants there being of the first order would have no qualms whatsoever travelling first class by rail to them.

With regard to the Herefordshire private school incumbents to which you refer, the use of rail travel with first class accommodation, would be training in life for their future careers as Conservative MPs, Banking and Financial Services analysts and Captains of Industry....

 

[Michael.Y]

The type of clientèle who appreciate the culinary delights offered in Ludlow with certain restaurants there being of the first order would have no qualms whatsoever travelling first class by rail to them.

There'd have to be several hundred of them a week to justify the amount of dead air being hauled around for the cost of the ticket.

 

[alwaystouchout]

I've never used it but TPE first class doesn't look much cop, has anyone else?

 

[306024]

I got a free cuppa, but that would depend on whether there is a trolley aboard of course. As class 185s always seem to be crowded in my experience then just avoiding the scrum for a seat is worthwhile.

 

[BantamMenace]

I use TPE first class fairly regularly between Leeds and ManPic and all you get is a bigger seat and a lamp. Maybe one in five journeys the trolley offers me a hot drink and a sweet pastry. All in all it's pretty poor, especially compared to my onward journey from ManPic with XC. I pay the extra simply to get a seat as it can be a challenge when crossing the Pennines at times

 

[alwaystouchout]

I use TPE first class fairly regularly between Leeds and ManPic and all you get is a bigger seat and a lamp. Maybe one in five journeys the trolley offers me a hot drink and a sweet pastry. All in all it's pretty poor, especially compared to my onward journey from ManPic with XC. I pay the extra simply to get a seat as it can be a challenge when crossing the Pennines at times

Is the seating config 2+1 or 2+2 like the rest of the train? I can't quite remember.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Is the seating config 2+1 or 2+2 like the rest of the train? I can't quite remember.

It is 2 + 1 in both the Class 185 and the Class 170 units of First TPE.

 

[BantamMenace]

2+1 and the seats have a fairly generous recline

 

[Hyphen]

First Class on the XC 170 fleet is literally an end segment of carriage (A?) and has nothing more than some slightly more generous seating and electricity sockets.

I've never felt fit to pay extra for the privilege but as the catering on the ex-CT routes is outsourced to First Service Group (not related to First Group), I don't think there's anything in the way of freebies. They certainly have no authorisation to give out free water or anything in the event of severe disruption, despite what XC's passenger charter promises.

 

[Jonny]

I've never used it but TPE first class doesn't look much cop, has anyone else?

I would only if it increased the odds of getting a seat

Edit: But, then again, it's only the table seats that have plug sockets and not the airlines, no different to TPE Class 185 standard then.

 

[Michael.Y]

First Class on the XC 170 fleet is literally an end segment of carriage (A?) and has nothing more than some slightly more generous seating and electricity sockets.

I've never felt fit to pay extra for the privilege but as the catering on the ex-CT routes is outsourced to First Service Group (not related to First Group), I don't think there's anything in the way of freebies. They certainly have no authorisation to give out free water or anything in the event of severe disruption, despite what XC's passenger charter promises.

Free tea and coffee I think. On the odd occasion I've found myself in there, there's also a table light, a door separating it off from the hoi polloi allowing quiet, and reclining seats which are about an inch from the wall, leaving an uncomfortable gap when leaning.

 

[GatwickDepress]

When I've used Southern's first class, it's so I can get a seat without feeling uncomfortable due to crowding. While the rest of the twelve-coach train I got into Victoria was standing room only quite early on, I was blessed with a quiet section with three other people in and so I could read a book on the table without worrying about intruding on anyone else's space.

A free cup of tea from the trolley was just an added bonus.

 

[Beveridges]

On Saturday nights the drunks often use First Class on TPE for free as no one is checking. Anyone purchased a 1st class ticket only to travel with annoying drunks?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I think that the 10 class 350/4 units ordered by First TPE will have 2 + 1 seasting in the First Class section.

 

[southern442]

When I've used Southern's first class, it's so I can get a seat without feeling uncomfortable due to crowding. While the rest of the twelve-coach train I got into Victoria was standing room only quite early on, I was blessed with a quiet section with three other people in and so I could read a book on the table without worrying about intruding on anyone else's space.

A free cup of tea from the trolley was just an added bonus.

I agree. Whilst the first class in some 377's is nothing special at all, the 377/4 FC is actually quite decent. A small, quiet compartment with not many people inside, plug sockets, a slightly larger seat and complimentary trolley drinks is not bad in terms of FC.

As for what I expect, the first class has to be a noticeable improvement to standard class, plug sockets and it has to have BOTH armrests and tables, so you can discount class 321's.

 

[Butts]

I use TPE first class fairly regularly between Leeds and ManPic and all you get is a bigger seat and a lamp. Maybe one in five journeys the trolley offers me a hot drink and a sweet pastry. All in all it's pretty poor, especially compared to my onward journey from ManPic with XC. I pay the extra simply to get a seat as it can be a challenge when crossing the Pennines at times

In turn XC First Class is poor when set alongside East Coast - particularly the lack of free booze