St. Pancras - Gatwick; is first class worth it?

[WesternLancer]

1st class isn't declassified on Gatwick Express services. Are you getting confused with the 700s?

I assumed the query was ref 700s as it related to St P to Gatwick.

 

[infobleep]

On the MML side the declassified area often has more standees in it in the evening peak than the adjacent standard class area, even when there are free standard class seats.

Perhaps they enjoy the ability to be able to stand in that area. If it were first class, they would need a first class ticket even to stand there! I appreciate if they didn't get a seat with a first class ticket then they would be entitled to compensation or is it a refund?

Don't think Gatwick Express has ever been diverted to London Bridge. They have used the Gatwick Express 387s on Southern services which have been diverted to London Bridge, though!

Indeed I was on one the other day. A Gatwick Express branded Southern brand service to London Bridge! The 16:32 from Haywards Heath

 

[Deerfold]

1st class isn't declassified on Gatwick Express services. Are you getting confused with the 700s?

Most of this thread isn't about Gatwick Express, though a few comments have mentioned it. Hadders didn't mention Gatwick Express.

I've travelled First on St Pancras to Gatwick a few times - coming from an East Coast destination through fares can be quite reasonable. The main usefulness is having a bit more space to try and get some luggage into - for trains serving 2 airports they're light on luggage space.

 

[SAPhil]

I've travelled First on St Pancras to Gatwick a few times - coming from an East Coast destination through fares can be quite reasonable. The main usefulness is having a bit more space to try and get some luggage into - for trains serving 2 airports they're light on luggage space.

Strange how peoples opinions vary. One complaint I don't have about Thameslink is luggage space which I think is vastly better than it was on any previous rolling stock!

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Strange how peoples opinions vary. One complaint I don't have about Thameslink is luggage space which I think is vastly better than it was on any previous rolling stock!

It is very noticeable , peak and off peak - that the (good) racks are used to good effect. A win in my opinion therefore. Ideal for a route that serves at least 2 busy airports.

 

[Howardh]

I found this on youtube

a video of the 700's that appear to serve St P and Gatwick. What souless and sterile trains they are (although I'm glad to see there are toilets) - so that's one part of my journey I won't be looking forward to!

 

[radamfi]

It might also be worth mentioning there are single seats in the disabled areas. Arguably better than being in declassified First on a busy train.

 

[Howardh]

It might also be worth mentioning there are single seats in the disabled areas. Arguably better than being in declassified First on a busy train.

As an aside, I took mum on a bus the other day in her wheelchair and parked her in the appropriate space and with brakes on. However she was sliding all over the place and having dementia couldn't co-ordinate hanging on to straps (etc) so we had to alight and walk back home. The driver saw the problem and was very apologetic but there was nothing he could do, the floors were just too frictionless. Baffling design!! Hopefully trains are much more grippy!!

 

[Deerfold]

Strange how peoples opinions vary. One complaint I don't have about Thameslink is luggage space which I think is vastly better than it was on any previous rolling stock!

It has occurred to me that the vast majority of my experience is with the old stock.

 

[yorkie]

Don't think Gatwick Express has ever been diverted to London Bridge. They have used the Gatwick Express 387s on Southern services which have been diverted to London Bridge, though!

Yes, GTR were operating their GX branded 387s to London Bridge last weekend, under their Southern brand name.

 

[jon0844]

It might just be that they aren't bothered. I am aware that the rear compartment on a 700 is declassified. It doesn't mean that I always go and sit in it, even if I expect it to be empty.

The rear (declassified) first on a 700 out of King's Cross will be a mix of those in the know and those that don't care but boarded there because it was the first set of doors, or jumped on as the whistle was being blown and don't rush to move down - if at all. Many won't know it's declassified, at least until they see the message on the display.

For other services, especially with a 12 car service, you can find that it isn't just the front or rear first class that's empty but a good few coaches at either end. At weekends, people won't make the long walk, whereas I have no issue doing so and can walk back inside the train to alight somewhere more convenient later on.

 

[infobleep]

The rear (declassified) first on a 700 out of King's Cross will be a mix of those in the know and those that don't care but boarded there because it was the first set of doors, or jumped on as the whistle was being blown and don't rush to move down - if at all. Many won't know it's declassified, at least until they see the message on the display.

For other services, especially with a 12 car service, you can find that it isn't just the front or rear first class that's empty but a good few coaches at either end. At weekends, people won't make the long walk, whereas I have no issue doing so and can walk back inside the train to alight somewhere more convenient later on.

I always sit in first class declassified, when I remeber. So matter how short the journey. I do it because I can and because the idea of something being first class and then declassified seems bizarre on the face of it.

Sometimes I have to try and look up the information on my mobile when I'm not sure. Viewing such information isn't so easy on one's mobile, unless anyone knows otherwise.

If someone needed space for their luggage on the Sutton loop, no problem has the declassified afar often seems to be empty but maybe it was just the times I used it.

Obviously one wouldn't want to use it at the few times a day first class exists on such services.

 

[Surreytraveller]

Yes, GTR were operating their GX branded 387s to London Bridge last weekend, under their Southern brand name.

Just adds to the confusion when Southern tickets are valid on the red trains one day but not the next!

 

[yorkie]

Just adds to the confusion when Southern tickets are valid on the red trains one day but not the next!

You mean deemed valid / invalid by GTR

(But let's not get into the legality here )

 

[Haywain]

Sometimes I have to try and look up the information on my mobile when I'm not sure.

Obviously one wouldn't want to use it at the few times a day first class exists on such services.

What's to look up? On Thameslink services the rear "First class" section is ALWAYS declassified, regardless of whether the service conveys First class accommodation or not.

 

[infobleep]

What's to look up? On Thameslink services the rear "First class" section is ALWAYS declassified, regardless of whether the service conveys First class accommodation or not.

I don't solely travel on Thameslink trains. I was talking about other GTR brands. Besides, sometimes I might wish to travel on the front portion of a Thameslink service. That's allowed depending on what the timetable says.