RailWonderer
Established Member
I missed my LNER service this evening because I got lost in the dark, so I went to the machine to buy a new ticket since my advance was wasted. On the day, an off peak single in standard on LNER was £74.95 and the same off peak single but in first class on Grand Central was only £60. First on LNER is £159 in comparison.
I’m not sure the budget feel is deliberate and a proper budget operator wouldn’t have a first offering. On the class 180 the interior feels dated. Then the 180s rattle and shake about so the extra comfort in first makes little difference, and you have to be an acrobat to drink your tea/coffee without spilling it. Then they’re only 5 car so you’re more likely to be standing for a while. Is it the 180 that’s a budget train?
Either way, the first class, while given complimentary refreshments, is underwhelming and feels a disappointment compared with what I would’ve had on LNER had I caught my train.
Any experience with GC and the 180s, and the first service?
P. S. The 180s are a horrible train. I prefer the modern stuff but I’d rather have an HST > 91 > 800.
I’m not sure the budget feel is deliberate and a proper budget operator wouldn’t have a first offering. On the class 180 the interior feels dated. Then the 180s rattle and shake about so the extra comfort in first makes little difference, and you have to be an acrobat to drink your tea/coffee without spilling it. Then they’re only 5 car so you’re more likely to be standing for a while. Is it the 180 that’s a budget train?
Either way, the first class, while given complimentary refreshments, is underwhelming and feels a disappointment compared with what I would’ve had on LNER had I caught my train.
Any experience with GC and the 180s, and the first service?
P. S. The 180s are a horrible train. I prefer the modern stuff but I’d rather have an HST > 91 > 800.
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