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Lancaster to Preston First Class

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adamjayrail

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Hi,

I'm taking the train next week from Lancaster to Preston and was wondering whether paying the extra £10.60 is worth it to get a First class return...

The journey takes about 17 minutes (on virgin trains), or about 20 on ftpe trains. I've never taken first class before in either. Will that amount of time allow someone to offer me food? :)

Thanks
 
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AlterEgo

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The journey takes about 17 minutes (on virgin trains), or about 20 on ftpe trains. I've never taken first class before in either. Will that amount of time allow someone to offer me food? :)

It's very unlikely!

You may get a drink if you catch a trolley run, but don't bet on it.
 

rail-britain

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For 20 minutes it is hardly worth it
You might be lucky and be served a snack or a drink southbound, but very unlikely as the Glasgow crew will be preparing to get off at Preston
There is more chance northbound

However if it is a Voyager (Birmingham service) then you will most likely be offered both a snack and drink
This is the option I would go for
I use this between Preston - Warrington / Warrrington - Crewe, and have always been offered both a snack and drink between Warrington and Crewe
 

All Line Rover

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As rail-britain says, try and get a Voyager (to Birmingham). The First Class host usually comes out after every stop, so if you sit nearest to the front of the train (where the First Class host resides) you'll have a fair chance of getting a drink and something off the trolley. :)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Whether First Class is "worth" it or not will depend entirely on your own opinion. I, personally, do not think it's "worth it" for this particular journey as there is only a 50/50 chance of getting some food and there are no First Class lounges.

First Class is "worth it" on other routes - such as Crewe to Manchester - where both stations have First Class lounges and you have an 80/20 chance of getting some food and drink on board. First Class is less than £10 extra for a return journey on this route (less than double).
 

Poggs

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I'm taking the train next week from Lancaster to Preston and was wondering whether paying the extra £10.60 is worth it to get a First class return...

The journey takes about 17 minutes (on virgin trains), or about 20 on ftpe trains. I've never taken first class before in either. Will that amount of time allow someone to offer me food? :)

Will you be able to consume £10.60 worth of food in 20 minutes? More importantly, do *you* consider it good value? Judge for yourself :)
 

Lampshade

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Pendolino First Class seats aren't all that special anyway, I actually prefer the first class seats on TPE :shock:
 

errata

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Will you be able to consume £10.60 worth of food in 20 minutes? More importantly, do *you* consider it good value? Judge for yourself :)

Given that it's a return, it would be £5.30 worth of food and seat leg-room etc. per each leg of the journey (twenty minutes each).
 

All Line Rover

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Pendolino First Class seats aren't all that special anyway, I actually prefer the first class seats on TPE :shock:

I agree that the TPE seats are better in terms of comfort, but because there are so many First Class seats on Pendolino's, there is more space (and therefore legroom).
 

bengolding

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As rail-britain says, try and get a Voyager (to Birmingham). The First Class host usually comes out after every stop, so if you sit nearest to the front of the train (where the First Class host resides) you'll have a fair chance of getting a drink and something off the trolley. :)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Whether First Class is "worth" it or not will depend entirely on your own opinion. I, personally, do not think it's "worth it" for this particular journey as there is only a 50/50 chance of getting some food and there are no First Class lounges.

First Class is "worth it" on other routes - such as Crewe to Manchester - where both stations have First Class lounges and you have an 80/20 chance of getting some food and drink on board. First Class is less than £10 extra for a return journey on this route (less than double).

I disagree with the First Class Guru's words here on whether a journey is worth it. His assumption is purely based on First Class lounges and complimentary snacks - he may well base his endless Virgin journeys on these factors alone but many customers just pay for First Class tickets to get a 2+1 seating configuration and a quieter carriage, especially on FGW with whom I travel daily in First to Paddington. I can assure you that many people I see don't base their decision on entry into the Paddington lounge or what type of biscuits FGW will offer in First :). But if the OP only cares about complimentary food, then go for the xx57 southbound Voyager and xx53 north. For a 20 mile journey, I think the price is reasonable, compared to the Reading - Paddington First Class fare!
 

All Line Rover

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I disagree with the First Class Guru's words here on whether a journey is worth it. His assumption is purely based on First Class lounges and complimentary snacks - he may well base his endless Virgin journeys on these factors alone but many customers just pay for First Class tickets to get a 2+1 seating configuration and a quieter carriage, especially on FGW with whom I travel daily in First to Paddington. I can assure you that many people I see don't base their decision on entry into the Paddington lounge or what type of biscuits FGW will offer in First :). But if the OP only cares about complimentary food, then go for the xx57 southbound Voyager and xx53 north. For a 20 mile journey, I think the price is reasonable, compared to the Reading - Paddington First Class fare!

I mention the First Class longes because, since the journey time is so short, you'd probably spend more time in the lounges (if they were available) than on the train! :)

The OP has a 99% chance of getting a seat in Standard Class. Does anyone really care about having a table and free Wi-Fi for a 20 minute journey?

 

snail

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The OP has a 99% chance of getting a seat in Standard Class.
Not if he gets a TPE train! There are pretty much always standing passengers in standard on their routes, particulary the Scotland services. Unfortunately, First may also be full as there are only 15 seats and a good proportion are sold as AP tickets. The trolley usually takes up station in First though so a drink and snack should be available.

Having said all that, I do that journey quite regularly and personally wouldn't bother given the limited journey times (it's as little as 13 minutes on a northbound Pendolino). <D
 

sonic2009

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I always thought Virgin Staffed Changed at Preston espically on Glasgow - London Runs. So very unlikely you will get something.
 

All Line Rover

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Not if he gets a TPE train! There are pretty much always standing passengers in standard on their routes, particulary the Scotland services. Unfortunately, First may also be full as there are only 15 seats and a good proportion are sold as AP tickets. The trolley usually takes up station in First though so a drink and snack should be available.

Having said all that, I do that journey quite regularly and personally wouldn't bother given the limited journey times (it's as little as 13 minutes on a northbound Pendolino). <D

True, but it is clear that the OP intends to travel on a Virgin train. There is no benefit of travelling with TPE.

 

MidnightFlyer

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The OP has a 99% chance of getting a seat in Standard Class. Does anyone really care about having a table and free Wi-Fi for a 20 minute journey?

Maybe on the Scotland-Birmingham Voyagers, but many Euston services are full and standing from Carlisle. I have been one of six in a vestibule on the 0938 Euston service from there.

I always thought Virgin Staffed Changed at Preston espically on Glasgow - London Runs. So very unlikely you will get something.

AFAIK all long-distance VT services through Preston change crew, but some Lancaster terminators have the same staff throughout.
 

snail

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True, but it is clear that the OP intends to travel on a Virgin train. There is no benefit of travelling with TPE
Why does he mention TPE in the OP then? :lol:

And why is there no benefit? You are much more likely to get a sandwich, biscuits and coffee on a TPE train than a Virgin train over that route. And a more comfortable seat.
 

adamjayrail

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Thanks everyone for your input... it would be more likely that I would be getting a TPE train. Still not sure whether I should get a first class ticket - i'll have a think about it.
 

ainsworth74

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On TPE I would say it depends on the time you're travelling as to whether or not it's worth getting first class or not. If you are going to be travelling at a time when the train is likely to be very busy then I would say for only a tenner more you might as well. Conversely if the train is likely to be empty/quiet I don't think I'd bother and keep the tenner to spend on something else.
 

All Line Rover

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Thanks everyone for your input... it would be more likely that I would be getting a TPE train. Still not sure whether I should get a first class ticket - i'll have a think about it.

I would not bother going First Class on a TPE train for such a short journey - definitely not! You aren't going to have much extra room in First Class compared to Standard (it's a very small compartment), and you'll only get some mediocre tea/coffee and a biscuit (at most). Even if you have to stand in Standard, it's not really that bad for a 20 minute journey. I often have to stand for 45 minutes between Manchester and Leeds!
 

Johnny Lewis

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If you DO catch a TPE train and you are desperate for your complimentary refreshments, make sure you catch a train that has come from, or is going to, Scotland. The Barrow and Windermere trains don't have trolleys on them north of Preston!
 

cuccir

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Thanks everyone for your input... it would be more likely that I would be getting a TPE train. Still not sure whether I should get a first class ticket - i'll have a think about it.

Don't bother. Save your money and wait for the opportunity to experience first class properly. For £10 on a short journey it's not worth it at all: even if it's busy you only have to put up with it for 20 minutes.

If you are heading for a busy service, then head to the end entrance of the first class carriage (I think this is usually at the very back of the train). The vestibule area is roomy, with fold down seats, and is part of standard class. However, it is usually overlooked by most passengers as it looks like it might be part of first class and is at one end of the train, so it can be quite quiet even on a busy a train. Furthermore, if first class is declassified due to overcrowding, you are in a prime position to nip in and grab a seat!
 

scotsman

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AFAIK all long-distance VT services through Preston change crew, but some Lancaster terminators have the same staff throughout.

Only the Drivers and TMs - some onboard crews continue through to Euston
 
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