222s are Meridians and have completely different interiors (better seating, colour schemes, luggage storage, no smells e.t.c) to Virgin/CrossCountry Voyagers. The problems of the Voyagers were ironed out with these trains. Personally, I think they are much better than Voyagers, Pendos and more suitable than 185s for InterCity services.
I find no significant difference in comfort between the First Class seating on Meridians and Voyagers, although I have a
slight preference for the Voyagers. Both are "adequate."
I don't find the colour scheme on EMT to be better than the Voyagers either. Does anyone really care about the colour scheme? Providing it's not garish bright colours then I'm happy!
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The carpet, though, leaves something to be desired......
There may be more luggage space for large items (even though that is debatable when compared to XC Voyagers) but since I am now accustomed to travelling with a mini suitcase, there is DEFINITELY less space for them. I traveled on a VT Voyager on the way back to Crewe and my suitcase fit comfortably in the overhead luggage rack (unlike on EMT).
And finally, I completely disagree with your last point. There was a definite aroma in the vestibule in Coach G. One that wasn't pleasant!
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They could but then people would sit next to you.
1+2 seating.
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The left for busy trains, the right for quiet ones.
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But surely you can understand that First Class (on a day when they are flogging £2 tickets) is going to be a lot busier than First Class (on a day when everyone pays full price). So complaining that the service was busy is hardly any guide to a "normal" day...
That's a fair point. But the last time I traveled with EMT (a few months ago before the refurb), First Class was still packed and there wasn't a sale on! The fact that the cheapest First Advance fare is less than 1.5x the cheapest Standard Advance fare makes First Class significantly busier (almost as busy as Standard Class). On Virgin, the cheapest First Advance fare is 3x the cheapest Standard Advance fare, but is still a reasonable price. (The cheapest Standard Advance fare on Virgin is cheaper than the cheapest Standard Advance fare on EMT.)
Having to fight for legroom with the person opposite, being in a busy (and therefore) noisy carriage - as well as a hot one - in a seat that has no window view, as well as having extremely limited refreshments, in a carriage which is supposed to be FIRST CLASS (!), well, I might as well be in the Standard Class Quiet Coach on Virgin, might'n I? And bring my own food? I don't understand how EMT expect people to work in such an environment.