First TransPennine Express - First Class - worth doing?

[WillPS]

I'm planning a weekend away with my girlfriend. The trip could cost as little as £20 with Standard Advances or £50 with Fist Advances and Weekend Supplements (which in fairness is still less than the £60ish 2 Standard Off-Peak returns would cost).

Trying to justify the added expense in my head, does anybody have any experience of 185 (and possibly 170) First Class?

 

[156499]

I've done first class in a 185 before, Glasgow - Preston, seats are comfortable, amazing legroom, peace and quiet! and the freebies aren't too bad either, I got a wee basket with Crisps, Biscuits and juice in it, and you get the choice of Tea, Coffee, Hot Choco. I saw yesterday quite a few passengers in first class had sandwhiches so possibly they give them out for free now, definatley worth a try, cracking train, cracking experience im doing it on march 6 Glasgow - Manchester First class, going to the ELR diesil gala and night rider

 

[WillPS]

Here's how the costs break down in Standard:

First:

I could save a fiver or so by buying the return leg on Sunday as standard and getting Weekend upgrades. The outward portion would be on a Friday evening, from Sheffield, between 4 and 6 pm, during term time. That is pushing me towards First Class even more.

 

[GodAtum]

I went from Manchester Piccadilly - Liverpool Lime Street on a 185 in 1st class. the seating was very comfy and the nice and quiet.

 

[142094]

AFAIK you don't get free sandwiches, only drinks and nibbles. It might be worth it if you want to have better legroom and a quieter carriage, but think that the money saved by going in standard you could go to a nice restaurant, which would certainly please the gf!

 

[poshbakerloo]

Its only worth it if the rest of the train is very busy...and most of that time they are!

 

[142094]

I used to commute on 185s to Leeds, and 1st class did appeal at rush hour. But outside of peak hours and away from major flows, standard class is not that bad. Even if you don't get the free drinks and snacks, you could by them yourself from the trolley and still save a fair bit of money, and have a good meal later on.

 

[323235]

All I got offered when travelling in FC on TPE was Free Tea/Coffee/Water
There was never any mention of any Cakes,Hot Chocolate or Nibbles
Is that something you have to ask for to get?

 

[156499]

All I got offered when travelling in FC on TPE was Free Tea/Coffee/Water
There was never any mention of any Cakes,Hot Chocolate or Nibbles
Is that something you have to ask for to get?

Sometimes its really your luck whats on board, I did Peterborough - Glasgow First class in November, and All I got was tea and Orange juice... oh and lets not forget the one bite and its gone short bread... what an experience HA not!

 

[rosscbrown]

I used to do Edinburgh > Lockerbie FC twice a week for about two years. Not the best offering and they'd done away with the cute little breakfast boxes too.

The only reason I go FC is to get a seat. I don't get the chance to book seats/tickets in advance.

 

[156499]

so if the snack boxes are gone what are the freebies now?

 

[WillPS]

I'm mainly driven by the desire to just have things nice and stress free. Spending quite a lot on a UK break because Gem suffers from anxiety - so planes are off the list... I think tbh I've just answered my own question there.

Think I'll give it a go, and if it's rubbish I'll know not to again.

 

[Pumbaa]

I'm mainly driven by the desire to just have things nice and stress free. Spending quite a lot on a UK break because Gem suffers from anxiety - so planes are off the list... I think tbh I've just answered my own question there.

Think I'll give it a go, and if it's rubbish I'll know not to again.

Will - the Sheffield - Man leg will be a 170 more than likely now. Honestly, don't bother. Although so saying that, this way you will be guarunteed a seat. Blackpool North - Preston has no FC service either.

 

[Active_Lad]

I've travelled on occasions from Grantham to Stockport. The "official" route is with EMT on their Norwich -> Liverpool 2 Car Units that have no catering and no first class. So I route via Doncaster on East Coast and TPE and have always been very impressed with TPE. Not only is it about 25 minutes quicker, despite the wait at Doncaster, but the first class experience on TPE is very good. Carriages are always clean and quiet and are a great boon especially when travelling in the peak when standard is packed. Since I usually work the power points help too. Freebies are fine for a relatively short journey. Never had cause to complain!

 

[Max]

The first class seats on 185s are very comfortable, but I'm not sure they're worth the amount extra you are looking at. They're great on a £6 weekend first upgrade, but £15 more each way? I'm not so sure.

 

[WillPS]

The first class seats on 185s are very comfortable, but I'm not sure they're worth the amount extra you are looking at. They're great on a £6 weekend first upgrade, but £15 more each way? I'm not so sure.

In the end I found the 'TPESALE' promotion takes 25% off First Class Advance tickets (still allowing Railcard Discount), so got them for £40, which works out as £5 per person each way. I'm fine with that

I've travelled on occasions from Grantham to Stockport. The "official" route is with EMT on their Norwich -> Liverpool 2 Car Units that have no catering and no first class. So I route via Doncaster on East Coast and TPE and have always been very impressed with TPE. Not only is it about 25 minutes quicker, despite the wait at Doncaster, but the first class experience on TPE is very good. Carriages are always clean and quiet and are a great boon especially when travelling in the peak when standard is packed. Since I usually work the power points help too. Freebies are fine for a relatively short journey. Never had cause to complain!

Norwich - Liverpool now has a trolley between Nottingham and Stockport (again). But yeah it is a poor offering compared to other services...

Will - the Sheffield - Man leg will be a 170 more than likely now. Honestly, don't bother. Although so saying that, this way you will be guarunteed a seat. Blackpool North - Preston has no FC service either.

I definitely see far more 185s through Sheffield than 170s. Either way, I don't mind Turbostars and I've got First Class seats reserved now though... so sod it If I see a First Class service just once on both journeys I'll be happy!

 

[MCR247]

Blackpool North - Preston has no FC service either.

What do they do take the FC 185 seats out at Preston?

 

[transportphoto]

What do they do take the FC 185 seats out at Preston?

lol - can't see that happening. Unless they close 1st Class and keep it as a unofficial staff rest zone!!!

 

[voyagerdude220]

Will - the Sheffield - Man leg will be a 170 more than likely now.

Please tell me this isn't the case...

I've known about the 170s working some Man to Cleethorpes services vice 185, to shift more 185s onto the Scottish services, but i've always been under the impression that it's only 2 or 3 departures max on the route?

I "started out" riding 185s from Manchester Picc to Cleethorpes [in First Class] and have always found it to be a highly pleasurable ride in FC. Although the complimentaries aren't the best, they're definately satisfactory, although i'm not happy with the axing of trolleys at Cleethorpes..

I'd never pay alot more for TPE FC, but when it's available for a reasonable amount more, i'd be very happy to pay it.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

There are now additional 170s operating on the South Route.

There are 2 daytime diagrams Monday to Thursday which operate separately. I.e. 2 x 170s running around on their own. The night trains are virtually exclusively 170s now.

There are no 170s on the South Route on a Friday.

On Saturdays there is 1 diagram for 2 units - i.e. a 4 car 170 running around all day. It starts at Manchester Airport at 0515.

As someone who works on them, the 170 First Class, although smaller, is far comfier, quieter and warmer than a 185. The seats especially on ours are very comfy.

Class 185 First Class is quite good for a DMU, however, it can often be very cold in there as the only heating in the 185 First Class compartment comes from the floor radiators. These radiators only work if both the 51 & 53 (First Class DMCL and MSL) engines are on. If either of these engines is out for whatever reason, there is no heating in First Class and as result will often resemble a mobile ice box.

If travelling at a weekend it is often cheaper to buy a Standard Class ticket and upgrade by buying weekend first for £6.

 

[The 158 Man]

Class 185 First Class is quite good for a DMU, however, it can often be very cold in there as the only heating in the 185 First Class compartment comes from the floor radiators. These radiators only work if both the 51 & 53 (First Class DMCL and MSL) engines are on. If either of these engines is out for whatever reason, there is no heating in First Class and as result will often resemble a mobile ice box.

I know what you mean there Tim!

Also, whenever I've travelled in First Class on a 185, the vibrations from the engines have been terrible when 'idling'. However, that could just be the odd two or three units I've travelled on and it's highly unlikely the entire fleet is like this.

 

[WillPS]

Please tell me this isn't the case...

I've known about the 170s working some Man to Cleethorpes services vice 185, to shift more 185s onto the Scottish services, but i've always been under the impression that it's only 2 or 3 departures max on the route?

Is 170 First Class not as good? I have reserved seats in it, so the reduced size doesn't matter much (if it does turn up as a Turbo).

There are now additional 170s operating on the South Route.

There are 2 daytime diagrams Monday to Thursday which operate separately. I.e. 2 x 170s running around on their own. The night trains are virtually exclusively 170s now.

There are no 170s on the South Route on a Friday.

On Saturdays there is 1 diagram for 2 units - i.e. a 4 car 170 running around all day. It starts at Manchester Airport at 0515.

As someone who works on them, the 170 First Class, although smaller, is far comfier, quieter and warmer than a 185. The seats especially on ours are very comfy.

Class 185 First Class is quite good for a DMU, however, it can often be very cold in there as the only heating in the 185 First Class compartment comes from the floor radiators. These radiators only work if both the 51 & 53 (First Class DMCL and MSL) engines are on. If either of these engines is out for whatever reason, there is no heating in First Class and as result will often resemble a mobile ice box.

If travelling at a weekend it is often cheaper to buy a Standard Class ticket and upgrade by buying weekend first for £6.

Thanks for the info. With the present 25% off Advance tickets (incl. First and valid with railcards) it's worth double checking. You do get a reservation as well, although I can't imagine it being a problem. The supplement is £10 on the Scottish services, I think?

 

[Oliver]

I'm mainly driven by the desire to just have things nice and stress free. Spending quite a lot on a UK break because Gem suffers from anxiety - so planes are off the list... I think tbh I've just answered my own question there.

Think I'll give it a go, and if it's rubbish I'll know not to again.

It's a no brainer; go First Class and show your girlfriend a good time.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

It's a no brainer; go First Class and show your girlfriend a good time.

...wait until you're off the train though...

 

[voyagerdude220]

Is 170 First Class not as good? I have reserved seats in it, so the reduced size doesn't matter much (if it does turn up as a Turbo).

I don't want to say that 170s aren't as good etc, as i've only had one trip on a TPE 170 before, from Hull to Leeds in FC, and didn't find it terribly enjoyable despite being the sole occupant of FC the entire way..

I remember trading my 170 for a packed peak-time 185 from Leeds to Piccadilly and finding it alot more pleasant, despite it being very busy.

I'd still like to try a TPE 170 again tho, just to be fair & see how i find it.

 

[fireincairo]

Norwich - Liverpool now has a trolley between Nottingham and Stockport (again). But yeah it is a poor offering compared to other services...

A trolley which can move nowhere because the train is always so overcrowded! The last time I did Manchester - Nottingham I got on at Oxford Road so as to get a seat, and had to wait until people got off at Piccadilly before one was free. The poor people boarding at Piccadilly didn't stand a chance of sitting down for however long they were stuck on that terrible train.

 

[Eng274]

I've just booked tickets for a christmas break to the isle of man, managed to get first class tickets for trans pennine express between edinburgh and lancaster for £9.55 each way, i rarely travel first class at all, so from what I've read so far it seems a shrewd investment i am over the moon that i found tickets so cheap! Does anyone know whether first class is busy on edinburgh - manc services?

Also, the east coast trains online booking website (which is normally excellent) now does not list the onward services to heysham port, it instead tells you to seek the operators website for more information- no big deal, found it on northern's website, but it just seemed strange that EC's booking engine doesn't show it any more.. Anybody know why?

 

[ainsworth74]

IDoes anyone know whether first class is busy on edinburgh - manc services?

It will depend on the time of day, peak time probably quite busy middle of the day or evening probably fairly quiet.

As for cheap advances, Inverness to Kings Cross (which is 580 miles) £49.40 first class with EC. That's about 8p per mile.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Talking about cheap advance singles..

Two or three times this year, i've travelled ABD to MAN via YRK for £22.45 First Class (r/c discount), using the 14:50 Abd to Kings Cross HST, which I think is a bargain, considering East Coast's own advance fare down to York was around £60-£70 alone.

Unfortunately it appears that East Coast have cottoned onto what i've been doing with the "AP TPE & Connect" ticket, as the website is only offering me advance fares priced by EC now.

 

[scotsman]

...wait until you're off the train though...

LAD