FGW 1st Class - ongoing discussion of the benefits and their apparent reduction

[whole diary]

[Ollie]

Well I was on the 0655 Plymouth to Paddington and 1406 return today and both had a single FC^‡(resolve) coach.  Lets say it vas very cosy with only a couple of spare seats

So proving that on that occasion only the one first class coach was needed?

[SandTEngineer]

Well I was on the 0655 Plymouth to Paddington and 1406 return today and both had a single FC^‡(resolve) coach.  Lets say it vas very cosy with only a couple of spare seats

So proving that on that occasion only the one first class coach was needed?

Yes agreed.  The only trouble was the noise.  Impossible to get any rest 

[Ollie]

There will hopefully be some improvement to that when the "privacy" style seats get done.

[TaplowGreen]

I like the pink!

But I don't think it necessary to have a yellow stripe over the TSMB buffet end doors. 

For goodness's sake someone call Gok! 

[johoare]

7.59 Maidenhead to Paddington yesterday only had 1 1/2 first class carriages and was full (but not standing).. However it's the school holidays (so less people travelling) and the train was in reverse formation (so more people potentially trying to travel first class for free)..

There was  a ticket check though and I saw at least 3 people paying (having to pay for?) an upgrade 

[thetrout]

This is the set running around with 4 Seats in First Class of the new design. Having come within 15 metres of them I already don't like them...!



<tongue-in-cheek=on>

I also had to share a First Class Carriage with someone on 1A37 on Tuesday... An annoying girl who decided she didn't want to sit in a carriage on her own... Unacceptable!!

</tongue-in-cheek=off>

[SDS]

Theres a sticker right slap bang in the middle of the window? Hmm that could impede my views of the flooded countryside or the NR^» (Network Rail - home page) workers fixing the cables while we go through at 3mph.

[thetrout]

Well this is the 21:15 TAU^» (Taunton - next trains) - PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains). The 21:29 TAU - PAD was stood at the platform behind me. So this is a reflection. Although this may fill your desires to see such things

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmXiEljqveU#t=11

I think my pets and I are becoming acquainted a little too often

[John R]

A surprise awaited me on boarding my usual train this morning (0512 Plymouth to Paddington). A refurbished first class coach with lots of chatter from passengers and staff about it.

Initial verdict - looks very nice, has a premium feel to it, although on sitting down it did feel like I was sitting on a cushion on a seat. I guess that's the fact that the upholstery is new and still very firm. Reclining the seat didn't feel quite as laid back as on the unrefurbed coaches.

If you didn't know, you would think it was a brand new coach, and I bet some people will think it is. Who says Mk 3's can't go on for another 20 years? 

Other observations - the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) branding looks rather classy - is this going to be rolled out across the fleet I wonder, with "First" being dropped?  However, the lack of anti-macassers on the seat backs looks to be a mistake, unless there is a commitment to regular cleaning of the seat back.

There appeared to be only two single seats in "tabled" formation, with all the others airline, resulting in much smaller tables for laptops, newspapers, tea etc. I can see I am going to migrate from the single seat side to the tables of four.

The lighting is much dimmer, even with all strips lit, though that makes for a more relaxed feel. A nice touch that could have been added is seat lights, to give a real premium feel. Finally, the plugs will have USB ports attached for chargers, though not on this carriage, and there are some tiny blue lights by the plugs that don't appear to have any use, but look cool.

All in all - 8/10. A good effort, and one that I am sure will be appreciated by passengers.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Many thanks for posting that very useful, informative and detailed update here, John R. 

[Umberleigh]

Thanks, John R.

I would be useful if FGW^▸ (First Great Western) included an interactive seating plan when booking online now that there are a mix of single, 1+1 and 2+2 available.

[IndustryInsider]

I would be useful if FGW^▸ (First Great Western) included an interactive seating plan when booking online now that there are a mix of single, 1+1 and 2+2 available.

Won't what you get on the day be completely random until the refurbishment is completed?

[ChrisB]

Other observations - the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) branding looks rather classy - is this going to be rolled out across the fleet I wonder, with "First" being dropped?  However, the lack of anti-macassers on the seat backs looks to be a mistake, unless there is a commitment to regular cleaning of the seat back.

Too close to franchise renewal to use First branding only to take it off again in a year's time possibly. Anti-macassers are not needed, I was told, as their leather cleaner is superb! (we'll wait & see on this)

There appeared to be only two single seats in "tabled" formation, with all the others airline

Safety reason apparently - the space was too large to not have a facing single seat in there. Seat belts might have been necessary otherwise!

resulting in much smaller tables for laptops, newspapers, tea etc. I can see I am going to migrate from the single seat side to the tables of four.

Not sure that they're *that* much smaller? But yes, a tad smaller, I grant you. Plus the back of the seat in front across from the table, along with 50% of these not aligning properly with the window. But they'd have lost seats if they did - and defeat the object of this exercise (to produce additional seats overall)

The lighting is much dimmer, even with all strips lit, though that makes for a more relaxed feel. A nice touch that could have been added is seat lights, to give a real premium feel.

Ahhh, you missed the main thing here - that these are LED lights & a sensor automatically brightens/weakens the lighting power as the ambient light goes up & down. Put your hand over the sensor above the end door & watch....:-)

Finally, the plugs will have USB ports attached for chargers, though not on this carriage, and there are some tiny blue lights by the plugs that don't appear to have any use, but look cool.

Ok, you got the second set that I saw last week - the other set *does* have 2xUSB sockets as well as 2x3pi plug. They couldn't fit 4xplugs as the electric circuit wasn't replaced & it would overload it, if all used with 4xplugs. The USB sockets draw smaller current.

All in all - 8/10. A good effort, and one that I am sure will be appreciated by passengers.

Yes, that was my thinking too. I will add here once I have time (& my notes with me)


[/quote]

[JayMac]

All we need now is some photos of this new interior. I've not seen anything online yet from FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s preview of this carriage at Laira depot last Friday.

[ChrisB]

I will try & post some of those I took on Monday - sorry, but I doubt I'll find time before then to resize etc - they're still on the camera....