Regarding the 08.30 Norwich to Liverpool St, it’s the first off peak Norwich train, arriving in Liverpool St after 10.00. From Monday 11/12/17 The 08.48 from Ipswich no longer runs as a slow train attaching to a Colchester Town to Liverpool St service at Colchester, but simply calls Manningtree, Colchester, Stratford and Liverpool St arriving 10.10. For some strange reason for the first week of operation it still departs at 08.48, but from the following Monday 18/12/17 it departs Ipswich at 08.58, still arriving at 10.10. This is to tempt Ipswich, Manningtree and Colchester folks away from the 08.30 from Norwich.
Anyway back on the first class debate, it would be interesting to be party to the finances behind the decision. Capacity is the reason given, which on some trains is true, but there a huge uplift in capacity overall on the GEML. In the very long term, with continuous commuter housing being built, it may be the right decision, but in the short term there will be some very upset first class passengers.
With fewer trains with first class available at Manningtree and Colchester in particular, it will be a dilema whether to buy a first class season ticket in the first place, as the chances of getting a first class seat in the morning peak are reduced.