1st Class complimentaries on South West Trains

[Johnny Lewis]

Quick query?

I am travelling First Class on the 15.20 Waterloo to Exeter St. Davids later today. Can I expect anything complimentary in First Class from the trolley? Also, is the train likely to be very busy, as I only have a counted place, not a seat reservation.

Thanks.

 

[swt_passenger]

Quick answer - nothing whatsoever.

 

[Johnny Lewis]

Thanks a lot! At least I will be spared any embarassment when I order tea, water, orange juice, gin, sandwiches, crisps, cake, biscuits and a banana, all of which I am currently enjoying for free on East Coast!!!

 

[starrymarkb]

Its a 'Regional Express' rather then Intercity, so your ticket gets you a nicer seat* and that's it


*most 159s have the same seats as First on EC, it's not like Southern where you get the same seat with a antimacassar. Also be advised that Window alignment is poor as the windows are spaced for standard (where there is perfect alignment)

 

[Muzer]

I might just be weird, but I really dislike the seats in first. Seriously, I would pay more to sit in standard.


(I seem to recall in my vague memories that there used to be something complimentary, or am I going crazy?)

 

[Lockwood]

I've had free coffee on SWT before now

 

[Goldfish62]

I've had free coffee on SWT before now

I think it's only at certain times, eg in AM peak towards London. It's certainly not all the time.

 

[Andrewlong]

If the author wanted freebies, did not the topic raiser consider travelling with FGW instead ?

 

[Birdbrain]

159 First class is a waste of time in my opinion.The standard seats are comfortable and align with the windows perfectly, the first seats do not.

 

[ValleyLines142]

If the author wanted freebies, did not the topic raiser consider travelling with FGW instead ?

Perhaps the OP found cheaper tickets with SWT instead of FGW, which can be quite pricey (of course, I'm certainly not judging the OP's finances!)

I've yet to try First Class with SWT. I must try it very soon.

 

[Matt Taylor]

This is what you'll get for seating:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40172673@N03/8680283815/

 

[HowardGWR]

159 First class is a waste of time in my opinion.The standard seats are comfortable and align with the windows perfectly, the first seats do not.

I don't understand this comment. In both classes, sitting in an airline seat section could end up with staring at a wall. see

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rorymacveii/8713184863/

 

[142056]

I've done Bath Spa-Clapham Junction on a 159 in First class before, on a weekend. Nothing free, but I feel that the extra couple of quid that I paid was worth it to have a table to myself, a comfortable seat and a plug socket.

Admittedly, Standard looked nice too, so wouldn't be too bad being stuck in there.

Compared to FGW where you can sometimes be lucky even to get a coffee, banana and a tiny cookie for free then the saving on SWT would be worth it (c'mon, buying those things would set you back the best part of £4) - though if FGW offered WiFi then it'd be a different story.

 

[Muzer]

The plug socket is the only reason I'd use first class. If I were on the train for more than an hour, I might consider it for that.

 

[Eagle]

I've had free coffee on SWT before now

That's usually on (long-distance) 444s, not 159s.

 

[starrymarkb]

I don't understand this comment. In both classes, sitting in an airline seat section could end up with staring at a wall. see

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rorymacveii/8713184863/

I don't see, the standard as built 158/159 has perfect window alignment... SWT have never reconfigured standard so all seats have a window view

 

[Qwerty133]

I've done Bath Spa-Clapham Junction on a 159 in First class before, on a weekend. Nothing free, but I feel that the extra couple of quid that I paid was worth it to have a table to myself, a comfortable seat and a plug socket.

Admittedly, Standard looked nice too, so wouldn't be too bad being stuck in there.

Compared to FGW where you can sometimes be lucky even to get a coffee, banana and a tiny cookie for free then the saving on SWT would be worth it (c'mon, buying those things would set you back the best part of £4) - though if FGW offered WiFi then it'd be a different story.

where do you shop- you can easily get that for just over £2

 

[142056]

where do you shop- you can easily get that for just over £2

Yeah I know but I was thinking at a London terminus, where you can quite easily pay £2.50 for an Americano of decent volume...

 

[starrymarkb]

With First and Standard being similarly priced on SWT (and both far cheaper then FGW standard) I'll be giving 159 First a go in August - Definitely think the extra £5 return will be worth it on a Summer Saturday (when standard is likely to be busy and full of kids!)

Actually this will be the first time I've travelled in First while paying for it (before has either been declassifed ex-TPX and the other was an free upgrade due to a vehicle fault on the ICE)