Greater Anglia IC First Class

TrainTube · 5 Jan 2020

I am headed up to Norwich in February, and the return leg is in first class (The 1430 out). What are the benefits? I am aware of the leather seats and power sockets and all that but do you get served meals or refreshments?

RailUK Forums

NoOnesFool · 5 Jan 2020

Kettle Chips, Special Biscuit and drinks - served at seat the last time I used it.

Andy Pacer · 5 Jan 2020

I had to go to the buffet to collect my complimentary bits in October.

basfordlad · 5 Jan 2020

When was the resturant cars withdrawn on this service?

Bletchleyite · 5 Jan 2020

The seats are very comfortable (though if I recall rightly the recliners have been removed) unlike the IC70 detritus in Standard.

hexagon789 · 5 Jan 2020

basfordlad said:
When was the resturant cars withdrawn on this service?

2009 I think it was

TrainTube · 5 Jan 2020

Are the snacks and drinks served once/only able to be collected once? Or could I get more than one drink/snack during the journey?

gaillark · 5 Jan 2020

TrainTube said:
Are the snacks and drinks served once/only able to be collected once? Or could I get more than one drink/snack during the journey?

I've had no problems as I have first anytime tickets but the buffet stewards have told me several times that those holding advance tickets won't be so lucky.

Starmill · 5 Jan 2020

Be warned - there have been a large number of services between London and Norwich which have no catering recently, and have reduced First Class without tables and charging sockets. I have had two such trips when I've been using a First Class Advance ticket, and on both occasions my request of the station staff to wait for the following service, which was confirmed to have the onboard catering and table seats, was declined. Complaints were made on both occasions, and I was simply reminded that this is company policy at Greater Anglia.

If this frequent substitution of rolling stock is continuing now and into February I don't know, but perhaps others can advise.

TrainTube · 5 Jan 2020

Starmill said:
Be warned - there have been a large number of services between London and Norwich which have no catering recently, and have reduced First Class without tables and charging sockets. I have had two such trips when I've been using a First Class Advance ticket, and on both occasions my request of the station staff to wait for the following service, which was confirmed to have the onboard catering and table seats, was declined. Complaints were made on both occasions, and I was simply reminded that this is company policy at Greater Anglia.

If this frequent substitution of rolling stock is continuing now and into February I don't know, but perhaps others can advise.

On their website they state some service are run by "Commuter Trains". My first class is the 14:30 from Norwich so I should think it would be a 90.

TrainTube · 5 Jan 2020

gaillark said:
I've had no problems as I have first anytime tickets but the buffet stewards have told me several times that those holding advance tickets won't be so lucky.

I don't understand what they mean by "Wont be so lucky". Youre either in first class or not, its not like you get different benefits based on when you bought your ticket! Does this mean off peak people "wont be so lucky" too?

TT-ONR-NRN · 8 Jan 2020

TrainTube said:
I don't understand what they mean by "Wont be so lucky". Youre either in first class or not, its not like you get different benefits based on when you bought your ticket! Does this mean off peak people "wont be so lucky" too?

Because if you have an advance and a substitute 321 turns up vice a 90 (very common these days, happened to me the other day), with a tiny 2x2 first class no tables and dirty seats and no catering, you cannot wait for the next train instead.

TrainTube · 9 Jan 2020

TT-ONR-NRN said:
Because if you have an advance and a substitute 321 turns up vice a 90 (very common these days, happened to me the other day), with a tiny 2x2 first class no tables and dirty seats and no catering, you cannot wait for the next train instead.

Oh I see, sorry I misunderstood, I thought you meant staff on MK3 services let advance holders have less snacks than off peak tickets!

Starmill · 10 Jan 2020

TrainTube said:
Oh I see, sorry I misunderstood, I thought you meant staff on MK3 services let advance holders have less snacks than off peak tickets!

The company could choose to allow customers booked on the substitute rolling stock to wait for the following service, of their own accord. They've just decided not to bother with a high standard of customer service in this respect.

Bletchleyite · 10 Jan 2020

Starmill said:
The company could choose to allow customers booked on the substitute rolling stock to wait for the following service, of their own accord. They've just decided not to bother with a high standard of customer service in this respect.

Is anyone other than an enthusiast going to want that? More popular would be a partial refund for loss of amenity.

Starmill · 10 Jan 2020

Bletchleyite said:
Is anyone other than an enthusiast going to want that? More popular would be a partial refund for loss of amenity.

I agree totally. I asked the company for a 50% credit to my account, which I thought was more tthan reasonable. They refused. I thought they might refuse which was thw reason that I gave the staff the opportunity to sort something else out.

Bletchleyite · 10 Jan 2020

Starmill said:
I agree totally. I asked the company for a 50% credit to my account, which I thought was more tthan reasonable. They refused. I thought they might refuse which was thw reason that I gave the staff the opportunity to sort something else out.

Given that their Aventra replacements won't even have 1st[1], they might as well declassify, then that solves it, there is a procedure for partial refund then.

[1] Unless they change their mind - there is a section of 2+2 by each cab which is a bit like the Desiro "extra legroom table" in that it's noticeably better than the rest of the unit so they could just shove antimacassars on and call that 1st.

Starmill · 10 Jan 2020

Bletchleyite said:
Given that their Aventra replacements won't even have 1st[1], they might as well declassify, then that solves it, there is a procedure for partial refund then.

[1] Unless they change their mind - there is a section of 2+2 by each cab which is a bit like the Desiro "extra legroom table" in that it's noticeably better than the rest of the unit so they could just shove antimacassars on and call that 1st.

As I understand it London to Norwich services will continue to have First Class for the foreseeable future? Or have I got that wrong?

Bletchleyite · 10 Jan 2020

Starmill said:
As I understand it London to Norwich services will continue to have First Class for the foreseeable future? Or have I got that wrong?

The new Aventras won't have 1st so anything operated by them won't have 1st.

I don't know about how it will be phased out on existing stock I'm afraid.

Starmill · 11 Jan 2020

Starmill said:
As I understand it London to Norwich services will continue to have First Class for the foreseeable future? Or have I got that wrong?

Bletchleyite said:
The new Aventras won't have 1st so anything operated by them won't have 1st.

I don't know about how it will be phased out on existing stock I'm afraid.

I'm pretty I'm correct that First Class will continue to be available on London to Norwich.

matt · 11 Jan 2020

Bletchleyite said:
The new Aventras won't have 1st so anything operated by them won't have 1st.

I don't know about how it will be phased out on existing stock I'm afraid.

That's not the correct. The London to Norwich services will still have first class. This is a link to the seating plan

https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/sit...l_layout_diagram_12_car_stadler_intercity.pdf

Bletchleyite · 11 Jan 2020

matt said:
That's not the correct. The London to Norwich services will still have first class. This is a link to the seating plan

https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/sit...l_layout_diagram_12_car_stadler_intercity.pdf

It is correct. The Stadlers have First Class. The Aventras do not, and as is the case now some Norwich services will be operated using commuter stock (there aren't enough FLIRTs for all of them to move over), and those will, therefore, not carry First Class.

Starmill · 11 Jan 2020

Bletchleyite said:
It is correct. The Stadlers have First Class. The Aventras do not, and as is the case now some Norwich services will be operated using commuter stock (there aren't enough FLIRTs for all of them to move over), and those will, therefore, not carry First Class.

To refer to the exchange:

Starmill said:
Be warned - there have been a large number of services between London and Norwich which have no catering recently, and have reduced First Class without tables and charging sockets.

...

Bletchleyite said:
Given that their Aventra replacements won't even have 1st[1], they might as well declassify, then that solves it, there is a procedure for partial refund then.

[1] Unless they change their mind - there is a section of 2+2 by each cab which is a bit like the Desiro "extra legroom table" in that it's noticeably better than the rest of the unit so they could just shove antimacassars on and call that 1st.

Starmill said:
As I understand it London to Norwich services will continue to have First Class for the foreseeable future? Or have I got that wrong?

I'm unable to spot what point you're making if you're not making the point that London to Norwich services won't have First Class any more in the future.

As we've established, that's not true.

Unless your suggestion is that First is removed temporarily, and reinstated later? Given my substitution wasn't announced in advance its hard to see what you're endorsing.

My suggestion was that the company respond to the matter using the normal customer service channels, with a small voucher or credit to cover the inconvenience. Apparently that's unacceptable to them, for their own reasons.

Bletchleyite · 11 Jan 2020

Starmill said:
I'm unable to spot what point you're making if you're not making the point that London to Norwich services won't have First Class any more in the future.

The point I am making is that in future there will be some London to Norwich services which don't have First Class, as some services will be operated using Aventras, just as some services are operated using 321s now.

TT-ONR-NRN · 12 Jan 2020

matt said:
That's not the correct. The London to Norwich services will still have first class. This is a link to the seating plan

https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/sit...l_layout_diagram_12_car_stadler_intercity.pdf

Yes well that isn’t an Aventra!

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