XC 1st class

[ThomasTank]

I was thinking about travelling up from either Darlington or Durham to Newcastle on XC. Is it worth sampling First Class on XC even for those two relativley short journeys?

Can't commit to a specific train so would have to book a First Class Anytime - £ 4.80 between Durham and Newcastle, as opposed to £ 3.20 standard. For £1.60 'extra' what will I get, given I will only be on there for around 20 minutes on a Thursday evening at around 19.00?

Cheers

 

[All Line Rover]

Short answer - no.

Long answer - no.

You are unlikely to be served any refreshments, and the train is likely to be very quiet in Standard Class at that time of the evening. Of course, if you're only travelling one way, you might decide to travel First Class anyway since the difference in price is so minuscule, just to get that "I'm travelling First Class " feeling.

 

[Deerfold]

Deleted due to previous lightning quick edit.

 

[wintonian]

For the £1.60 extra I would try it and find out, I suspect though you will be rather disappointed.

But for the price difference you quote you might as well and you haven't got much to lose by doing so.

 

[323235]

pretty much what ALR has said, XC's 1st Class isn't much cop to begin with but for journeys as short as that your just throwing money into the ocean.

 

[All Line Rover]

Like the others have said, you might as well pay the difference - it's pennies really. Just don't expect anything.

Because most First Class singles are half the price of First Class returns, whereas Standard Class singles are almost the same price as Standard Class returns, First Class is often just pennies more than Standard Class for those making a single, short-distance journey.

Oh, and I forgot to add - you have a 50/50 chance of getting a free copy of The Independent!

 

[telstarbox]

A tiny paper cup of rubbish tea - heaven.

 

[ThomasTank]

Thanks all. May give it a go even if it's just for a tea and a paper as it's cheaper than buying elsewhere.

 

[cuccir]

Have only done it once, but I really enjoyed travelling first class on a weekday with XC. I'd have thought you'd at least get your coffee and biscuits.

 

[Yew]

Isnt XC more of a 'ask and you'll get' than a 'get it when its offered' principle in first?

 

[All Line Rover]

A tiny paper cup of rubbish tea - heaven.

The tea is vile, yes. But at least they have Coke. Take note Virgin!

 

[wintonian]

The tea is vile, yes. But at least they have Coke. Take note Virgin!

But don't they have Virgin cola or does it not exist any more?

 

[AlterEgo]

But don't they have Virgin cola or does it not exist any more?

Virgin serve Pepsi on board in First Class. I can't remember the last time they did Virgin Cola - haven't seen it in this country for about ten years!

 

[wintonian]

Just had a hunt and according to Mr Branson on twitter:

@jezwelshmon: whatever happened to virgin cola?
@richardbranson: @Virgin got screwed – by guess who!?

found here

 

[Minilad]

I wonder who he could mean

 

[wintonian]

I wonder who he could mean

Arriva?

 

[All Line Rover]

Virgin serve Pepsi on board in First Class. I can't remember the last time they did Virgin Cola - haven't seen it in this country for about ten years!

And thank goodness for that! Virgin Cola was even more vile than XC tea!

 

[Waverley21]

Travelled from Edinburgh to Penzance with XC this summer - all 10+ hours of it, and back again. The First Class offering is definitely not up to much, although the coffee was the best I've tasted anywhere on wheels. Also extremely quiet, I was the only passenger north of Leeds, and when the lights failed they didn't know about it until I went looking for someone.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Contrary to some of the other comments on here, I have enjoyed First Class accom on cross country on short journeys south from Newcastle. In addition to the massive amount of space (few if any other passengers) I have been served a very enjoyable breakfast pannino and coffee.

 

[All Line Rover]

Contrary to some of the other comments on here, I have enjoyed First Class accom on cross country on short journeys south from Newcastle. In addition to the massive amount of space (few if any other passengers) I have been served a very enjoyable breakfast pannino and coffee.

The panini is an acciquired taste.

Regarding the coffee, I don't drink it myself, but people probably like it because it is "Starbucks coffee."

 

[wintonian]

The panini is an acciquired taste.

Regarding the coffee, I don't drink it myself, but people probably like it because it is "Starbucks coffee."

Can't you get normal coffee anywhere these days?

What is wrong with some scolding hot brown muck in a paper cup? Preferable and cheaper IMO.