Which TOC has best and worst first class

[Goatboy]

The SWT 158s also have the same seats in standard and first as the 159s, the first class seats are very nice-probably the best on SWT.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40172673@N03/8680283815/in/photostream


Not many TOCs have first class on 158s but I don't know of any better than SWT, although the old Northern Spirit first class was pretty good.

I travelled First in SWT on a 3 hour journey on a 159 last month. It was nice but to be honest I was left wondering if it was worth the money. Not because First wasn't good but because the standard and comfort of accomodation in Standard on an SWT 158/159 is so excellent itself.

If only every regional express DMU was as well appointed as those operated by South West Trains.

I'd genuinelly rather travel West Country to the Midlands and beyond on an SWT 159 than I would on a Voyager. They just seem like much better trains.

 

[Aldaniti]

I'd genuinelly rather travel West Country to the Midlands and beyond on an SWT 159 than I would on a Voyager. They just seem like much better trains.

You're not the only one!

 

[Richard5608]

East coast has to be a good contender now they have free food

 

[61653 HTAFC]

If only every regional express DMU was as well appointed as those operated by South West Trains.

Shame the Northern extension will be more years of 'no growth'. A small sub-fleet of 158s refitted to the standard of SWT 158/159s and well publicised would be a hit with tourists on the S&C...

 

[Aldaniti]

East coast has to be a good contender now they have free food

As with Virgin, the food and drink isn't free, it's included in the ticket price.

 

[skyetraveller]

Virgin and East Coast win every time for me. Not impressed with Grand Central's first class on the HST's though - very old and tired seats and poor service, but then I've only used them once from Sunderland to Kings Cross so could just have been unlucky. Not a patch on the East Coast 225 from Glasgow to Newcastle earlier that day though. Top class service all the way.

 

[RPI]

I cant really judge on price, since I generally do my First Class travelling on on All Line Rover!

But East Coast would probably win for me overall. Comfortable seats, with the choice of single or double seats, and a decent set of free food and drink without going over the top. They also have the best First Class lounges that Ive experienced so far, always an advantage if you happen to arrive early at the start of your journey.

Virgin would be as good if pendolino seats werent so uncomfortable, and if the people serving food and drink would actually leave you alone for five minutes.

First Great Western offer rather less in the way of freebies, but probably get second place overall thanks to the awesome leather seats, which really are way better than any other seat on any other train Ive experienced. And it may just be my taste, but their coffee and tea is the best. They really should have wi-fi by now though.

Obviously the London commuter franchises (Southern, FCC, Southeastern) are the worst, since they dont really offer anything for the First Class traveller, aside from a slightly better chance of getting a seat.

I agree that East Coast wins for me (Wrexham and Shropshire would have won hands down if still operating!), the FGW offer isn't great by way of comp's, but at least on FGW you can have as many freebies as you like because if the trolley isn't about you can simply show your ticket at the buffet and get more, East Coast's offering seems to be that you get what youre given and only when it's given.

 

[ModernRailways]

East Coast wins for me in terms of long distance First Class. Grand Central are probably the worst long distance First Class, the headrests in the seats have the old Grand Central logo on (shouldn't cost too much too change), the seats are a tiny better to standard, but Standard they already have great seats. You get free tea/coffee and a selection of rather terrible biscuits.

As for short distance I would probably say South Eastern/FCC GN. FCC Great Northern tends to have a door covering it as do some South Eastern services. I've had to use South Eastern during the peak and I can honestly say the £5 extra for First Class was worth it. Not only did I get a seat, but standard class was so rammed I could barely board, thankfully as I was going into First Class a few people jumped off the train then jumped back on so I could get on. For leisure travellers travelling outside of the peaks I would say just go Standard class.

In rank order for long distance (long distance being mainline journeys on the ECML/WCML/GWML/SWML), these are also for weekdays as weekends tend to have poor offerings across all TOCs:

1. East Coast
2. Virgin West Coast
3. Scotrail Caledonion Sleeper
4. First Great Western
5. South West Trains
6. First Hull Trains
7. Grand Central

Short distance First Class tends to all be similar, as in it basically gives you more chance of getting a seat. Because of this I won't rank short distance commuter journeys.

 

[asylumxl]

First Class is an evil bourgeois idea and should be abolished!

Besides.. It'd save this forum a lot of bandwidth.

 

[Butts]

East Coast wins for me in terms of long distance First Class. Grand Central are probably the worst long distance First Class, the headrests in the seats have the old Grand Central logo on (shouldn't cost too much too change), the seats are a tiny better to standard, but Standard they already have great seats. You get free tea/coffee and a selection of rather terrible biscuits.

As for short distance I would probably say South Eastern/FCC GN. FCC Great Northern tends to have a door covering it as do some South Eastern services. I've had to use South Eastern during the peak and I can honestly say the £5 extra for First Class was worth it. Not only did I get a seat, but standard class was so rammed I could barely board, thankfully as I was going into First Class a few people jumped off the train then jumped back on so I could get on. For leisure travellers travelling outside of the peaks I would say just go Standard class.

In rank order for long distance (long distance being mainline journeys on the ECML/WCML/GWML/SWML), these are also for weekdays as weekends tend to have poor offerings across all TOCs:

1. East Coast
2. Virgin West Coast
3. Scotrail Caledonion Sleeper
4. First Great Western
5. South West Trains
6. First Hull Trains
7. Grand Central

Short distance First Class tends to all be similar, as in it basically gives you more chance of getting a seat. Because of this I won't rank short distance commuter journeys.

Have you been on First Hull Trains ? - How can you rate SWT above them is beyond me.

Nice Leather Seats and complimentary at table drinks and snacks served on china

How come you missed Cross Country off ? - not that they are that great but you get more freebies than SWT .
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

First Class is an evil bourgeois idea and should be abolished!

Besides.. It'd save this forum a lot of bandwidth.

Don't worry some peasants like myself take advantage of EC Advanced 1st Fares at "prol prices" and "continue the struggle" - to neck as many complimentary scotches as possible

 

[westv]

Hull Trains complimentary drinks consist of just tea or coffee in my experience. Snacks are just one shortbread buscuit.

 

[Butts]

Hull Trains complimentary drinks consist of just tea or coffee in my experience. Snacks are just one shortbread buscuit.

Eh.... I have had mini-meals and all sorts of bits and pieces

 

[westv]

Eh.... I have had mini-meals and all sorts of bits and pieces

Perhaps the crew on the 18:50 from Kings X save some of the goodies for themselves!
There are the "mini" mini meals but I was referring just to snacks.

 

[ModernRailways]

Have you been on First Hull Trains ? - How can you rate SWT above them is beyond me.

Nice Leather Seats and complimentary at table drinks and snacks served on china

How come you missed Cross Country off ? - not that they are that great but you get more freebies than SWT .

I knew I'd miss one TOC. Cross Country are probably on par with SWT, possibly higher.

I've travelled FC with SWT all the way to Weymouth and was allowed anything of the trolley when it passed through - 4 times. I was the only one in FC all the way mind so it could have just been a one off. The seats are much nicer though so you do get an upgrade unlike GC.

As for Hull Trains, I hate leather seats, FGW is similar but they give you a meal (at certain times). Hull Trains have always been tea and biscuits like Grand Central.

 

[Butts]

I knew I'd miss one TOC. Cross Country are probably on par with SWT, possibly higher.

I've travelled FC with SWT all the way to Weymouth and was allowed anything of the trolley when it passed through - 4 times. I was the only one in FC all the way mind so it could have just been a one off. The seats are much nicer though so you do get an upgrade unlike GC.

As for Hull Trains, I hate leather seats, FGW is similar but they give you a meal (at certain times). Hull Trains have always been tea and biscuits like Grand Central.

Tea and Biscuits ????


Breakfast Menu
Hot Bacon Roll served with a choice of saucesAll butter Croissant, served with Strawberry Jam and Butter (V)Delicious Hot Porridge served with Honey to sweeten (V)Fresh Fruit Salad (V) (G)

All Day Menu
Beef Chilli with Tortilla Chips (G) *Chicken Tikka with Naan Bread (G) *Lamb Hotpot with Fresh Bread Roll (G)3 Bean Chilli containing Camargue Red Rice served with a Fresh Bread Roll (V) (G)Fresh Sandwich VarietyMeat SelectionVegetarian Selection (V)Luxury Cakes - Toffee, Lemon, Victoria Sponge or ChocolateFresh Fruit Salad

 

[westv]

The chicken tikka is more like a soup.

 

[Butts]

The chicken tikka is more like a soup.

I've not had that but they once gave me a meal on a 20 min journey on an EC Advanced ticket which was impressive (the gesture if not the meal )

Coffee was nice in a proper cup with a biccie.

I'm just trying to "trash" this tea and biscuits nonsense being bandied about

 

[HST Power]

I've not had that but they once gave me a meal on a 20 min journey on an EC Advanced ticket which was impressive (the gesture if not the meal )

Was that a hot meal?

I should have been happy with my service yesterday, but if I can get hot food in 20 minutes as well........