First Great Western First Class

[headshot119]

What do you get free in first class with them?

I await ALR's opinion

 

[anthony263]

Not much, coffee, packet of crisps and a biscuit at least thats what i was gievn when i last travelled first class with FGW

 

[glenbogle]

Not much, coffee, packet of crisps and a biscuit at least thats what i was gievn when i last travelled first class with FGW

Me too.

 

[sonic2009]

Crisps, Fruit, Eat Natural Bars,Nuts,Tea,Coffee,Water,Biscuits the usual.

 

[TEW]

Depends if it's a weekend or not. Weekends you have to go to the buffet and you only get tea, coffee, water and biscuits. Weekdays is a trolley and their is fruit juice, fruit cake, crisps, nuts, fruit and the like as well.

 

[Intermodal]

In my opinion FGW's offering is not nearly as good as other Intercity operators - although they do have my favourite coaches out of all of them (except maybe ATW). I like the leather seats and (fake) wooden tables as well as the quietness that comes with loco hauled stock.

 

[Essexman]

If there's a Travelling Chef on board you get at seat meals, ordered from a menu and served on china plate with metal cutlery. As close as a restaurant car that we can now get (bar FGW's 4 & ATW's 2, plus to an extent the Scottish sleepers).

 

[Squaddie]

Bigger seats, less overcrowding, fewer chavs.

What more do you need?

 

[All Line Rover]

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=43700

I've travelled with them numerous times in recent months. The seating is pleasant and comfortable enough (providing that the automatic door closes, otherwise it can be very noisy!). During the Off-Peak, you can almost always get a table of 4 to yourself. The First Class lounge at Paddington is also excellent. So yes, it's a pleasant experience. Refreshments are very limited however, so if you're hungry, either eat a lot at the Paddington lounge or buy something to eat before boarding!

 

[Daimler]

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=43700

I've travelled with them numerous times in recent months.The seating is pleasant and comfortable enough (providing that the automatic door closes, otherwise it can be very noisy!). During the Off-Peak, you can almost always get a table of 4 to yourself. The First Class lounge at Paddington is also excellent. So yes, it's a pleasant experience. Refreshments are very limited however, so if you're hungry, either eat a lot at the Paddington lounge or buy something to eat before boarding!

Yes, the vestibule doors are a real pain on the Mk3 coach...sliding open as the train goes round bends, opening and closing for no reason, and of course refusing to close altogether.

 

[AlexS]

That said, I last used FGW first class for a journey of length in August 2010 and between Paddington and Cheltenham Spa via Kemble there were at least 3 runs of the trolley which I didn't think was bad - certainly more than the 2 at most I've ever had from Virgin between Euston and New Street.

 

[N Levers]

and of course refusing to close altogether.

Better than refusing to open when you want to get off...

 

[DarloRich]

Yes, the vestibule doors are a real pain on the Mk3 coach...sliding open as the train goes round bends, opening and closing for no reason, and of course refusing to close altogether.

that is becuase often there is some luggage resting on the foot pad!

 

[stut]

My last journey was down to Cornwall, and the trolley was round an impressive amount of times (I lost count at 6). There was indeed a travelling chef onboard (I didn't sample the food as I had an M&S special) and the food looked rather good - note that you do have to pay for it, however.

Wasn't really fussed at the lack of refreshments, to be honest. The journey was extremely comfortable, and, by the time I arrived, I could scarcely believe the journey had been 5 hours long - it felt more like 2!

Sampled the Paddington first class lounge on return (off the sleeper). It was pleasant enough, and the coffee was good, but I wouldn't go out of my way (i.e. pay a specific supplement) to wait in here vs the Starbucks next to the Hilton, say.

 

[shaun]

In past experience, plenty. In the past i've mostly used it for Weekend First, but once i did pay full first class fare and had a free glass of wine as well as the trolley offering plenty of complimentary food and drink. When using Weekend First on producing my upgrade at the buffet I was offered the usual tea/coffee/biscuits, but was also offered coke/diet coke, peanuts, pretzels, water. This was around three years ago i last used it though, so might have changed since then.

FGW provided the best first class service in my opinion, i've also used Virgin Trains a few times recently and on one occasion they told me off for asking for more than one cup of tea (two and a half hour journey)!!! The FC seats on pendos aren't as good as the ones on FGW either. OK FGW don't provide complimentary meals (to my knowledge), but then their first class fares are cheaper than Virgin's in my experience.

Also used NXEA and EMT, and basically all you get with them is a bigger seat. Don't bother, especially if it's a Meridian as the FC seats are similar to Standard just a bit wider. No more comfortable if you ask me.

 

[All Line Rover]

FGW provided the best first class service in my opinion, i've also used Virgin Trains a few times recently and on one occasion they told me off for asking for more than one cup of tea (two and a half hour journey)!!! The FC seats on pendos aren't as good as the ones on FGW either. OK FGW don't provide complimentary meals (to my knowledge), but then their first class fares are cheaper than Virgin's in my experience.

I disagree. That is a highly unusual experience with Virgin - you should have complained! I also disagree that the FGW seats are more comfortable than the Pendolino seats - I find them to be similar. East Coast have the best First Class seats by far! Virgin must install similar seats when the trains are refurbished.

The "Pullman" FGW services from Paddington in the evening also have some astronomically high fares. Higher than Virgin! hock:
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Yes, the vestibule doors are a real pain on the Mk3 coach...sliding open as the train goes round bends, opening and closing for no reason, and of course refusing to close altogether.

Points 1 and 2 also apply to Voyagers and Pendolinos. :roll: You really expect those problems to have been sorted on "new" trains.

 

[starrymarkb]

Don't FGW and EC have the same seats (but with different material trim) - SWTs 159s have them too

 

[WelshBluebird]

I've travelled in first class on a HST once (because there was a cheap advance first class fare that was cheaper than the cheapest standard class fare), and I wasn't that impressed really. It was allright considering I hadn't paid any more, but certainly it isn't worth the normal increase in price (at least in my view).

 

[shaun]

Don't FGW and EC have the same seats (but with different material trim) - SWTs 159s have them too

Yep...

FGW, EC, Southern 442s, XC HSTs, Chiltern Mk3s and some SWT 159s have the same first class seats. Only difference with the FGW ones is that they have leather seat coverings. Pendo/Voyager FC seats for me are a little too narrow, they're not much wider than the standard class ones on ECML/XC HSTs.

 

[TEW]

The "Pullman" FGW services from Paddington in the evening also have some astronomically high fares. Higher than Virgin! hock:

But you can use the restaurant with a standard class ticket, which will get you access to First Class for the duration of your meal. The last couple of times I have travelled there were some spaces for standard class passengers in the restaurant as well.

 

[bnm]

The "Pullman" FGW services from Paddington in the evening also have some astronomically high fares. Higher than Virgin! hock:

And Virgin run in competition with FGW do they?

No mind lets do a comparison based on mileage. The closest I can find is Paddington(PAD) to Plymouth(PLY) 226 miles, versus Euston(EUS) to Lancaster(LAN) 229 miles. Looking at trains leaving London at similar times, between 1800-1900:

PAD-PLY 1st Anytime Single £174.50
EUS-LAN 1st Anytime Single £207.50

With PAD-PLY on the 'Pullmans' you can use a 1st Off Peak Return at £229. Nearest equivalent fare for EUS-LAN would be an eye-watering £415.

Now what about Advance Purchase?

I've looked at a dozen or so random dates up to the booking horizon and the 1803 or 1903 from PAD-PLY is almost always £104 ADV 1st

The 1757 and 1830 EUS-LAN is almost always £114.

So I refute your assertion that the 'Pullmans' have astronomical fares in comparison to similar distance journeys with Virgin. Yes, you do have added value with inclusive food and alcohol on Virgin, but with the walk-up fares you've got a large enough differential to make using the 'Pullman' restaurant worthwhile. And the food's better!

 

[All Line Rover]

And Virgin run in competition with FGW do they?

No mind lets do a comparison based on mileage. The closest I can find is Paddington(PAD) to Plymouth(PLY) 226 miles, versus Euston(EUS) to Lancaster(LAN) 229 miles. Looking at trains leaving London at similar times, between 1800-1900:

PAD-PLY 1st Anytime Single £174.50
EUS-LAN 1st Anytime Single £207.50

With PAD-PLY on the 'Pullmans' you can use a 1st Off Peak Return at £229. Nearest equivalent fare for EUS-LAN would be an eye-watering £415.

Now what about Advance Purchase?

I've looked at a dozen or so random dates up to the booking horizon and the 1803 or 1903 from PAD-PLY is almost always £104 ADV 1st

The 1757 and 1830 EUS-LAN is almost always £114.

So I refute your assertion that the 'Pullmans' have astronomical fares in comparison to similar distance journeys with Virgin. Yes, you do have added value with inclusive food and alcohol on Virgin, but with the walk-up fares you've got a large enough differential to make using the 'Pullman' restaurant worthwhile. And the food's better!

Now that is an unfair comparison! Virgin's "Peak" is between 17:00 and 19:00. FGW's "Peak" is 18:03 and 19:03.

I think it is fair enough to compare Virgin Trains, East Coast and First Great Western since they are all similar InterCity operators. Now here goes...

Looking at Wednesday 7th December, here are Virgin's London to Manchester Advance fares:

• 18:00 - £108.50
• 18:20 - £59.00
• 18:40 - £59.00
• 19:00 - £46.00

Here are East Coast's London to Leeds Advance fares (similar distance):

• 18:03 - £59.15
• 18:33 - £39.50
• 19:03 - £39.50

Now here are First Great Western's London to Taunton Advance fares (again, a similar distance):

• 18:03 - £94.00
• 19:03 - £94.00
• 19:45 - £58.00

(I have ignored the 18:33 as it has an extended journey time.)

It is quite obvious that First Great Western is significantly more expensive than both Virgin Trains and East Coast, even though you get almost no complimentary food.

 

[TEW]

It's all about supply and demand, they are busy trains, even in First Class so the fares will be expensive. AP are after all used to try and fill up otherwise unused seats, and the 18:03 and 19:03 trains don't have many unused seats to fill up.
The fares I see from London-Taunton on the 7th December are £84, £84 and £55.50 on the 1803, 1903 and 1945 respectively btw.

 

[bnm]

Now that is an unfair comparison! Virgin's "Peak" is between 17:00 and 19:00. FGW's "Peak" is 18:03 and 19:03.

Sorry, no. The 1803 and 1903 are Off Peak to Newton Abbot and beyond. The 1903 is Off Peak to Taunton and beyond.

Oh, and where on earth did you get those times and fares for London - Preston. Did you mean Manchester by chance?

I specifically chose PAD-PLY versus EUS-LAN because of almost exactly the same distance and a similar service level. Comparing Manchester to Taunton is disingenuous in the extreme.

You'll note that I was careful to compare walk-up fares first. Suggest you look at the same for Manchester and Leeds in comparison with Taunton, even though Taunton is not a similar distance from London.

 

[headshot119]

I think I'll change my plans and go for a trip on the ECML instead. Thanks all.

 

[All Line Rover]

Sorry, no. The 1803 and 1903 are Off Peak to Newton Abbot and beyond. The 1903 is Off Peak to Taunton and beyond.

Oh, and where on earth did you get those times and fares for London - Preston. Did you mean Manchester by chance?

I specifically chose PAD-PLY versus EUS-LAN because of almost exactly the same distance and a similar service level. Comparing Manchester to Taunton is disingenuous in the extreme.

You'll note that I was careful to compare walk-up fares first. Suggest you look at the same for Manchester and Leeds in comparison with Taunton, even though Taunton is not a similar distance from London.

Sorry, yes, I meant Manchester.

I didn't mean "Peak fares" when I said "Peak." "Peak" meant the time when meals are available in First Class - 18:03 and 19:03 on FGW.

 

[devon_metro]

Now that is an unfair comparison! Virgin's "Peak" is between 17:00 and 19:00. FGW's "Peak" is 18:03 and 19:03.

I think it is fair enough to compare Virgin Trains, East Coast and First Great Western since they are all similar InterCity operators. Now here goes...

Looking at Wednesday 7th December, here are Virgin's London to Manchester Advance fares:

• 18:00 - £108.50
• 18:20 - £59.00
• 18:40 - £59.00
• 19:00 - £46.00

Here are East Coast's London to Leeds Advance fares (similar distance):

• 18:03 - £59.15
• 18:33 - £39.50
• 19:03 - £39.50

Now here are First Great Western's London to Taunton Advance fares (again, a similar distance):

• 18:03 - £94.00
• 19:03 - £94.00
• 19:45 - £58.00

(I have ignored the 18:33 as it has an extended journey time.)

It is quite obvious that First Great Western is significantly more expensive than both Virgin Trains and East Coast, even though you get almost no complimentary food.

I think you are the one with an unfair comparison.

The London to Manchester & Leeds trains terminate there, as such have more space.
London - Taunton is 1h45 into a 5 hour journey so clearly demand for the trains is far greater.

Also, London - Manchester has 3tph, Leeds is 2tph I believe whilst Taunton has 1 fast train, and 1 considerably slower train during peak time, so obviously demand is considerably greater than on the other flows.

 

[krisk]

I disagree. That is a highly unusual experience with Virgin - you should have complained!

What was the situation, how busy was First Class, was their any redeeming factors that meant a trolley run might have only been offered once.

When Stoke and Man City travelled to Euston, I had 120+ in First, that was one trolley run only and those joining at Stoke didnt get anything for ages due to not finishing those that had been on from Manchester.

Instead of saying write in and complain, typical what can we get for complaining culture...

 

[SWT_USER]

I've just booked a 1st advance single to Carmarthen on the 12.45 from Paddington as it was only £1 more than the standard fare. Will FGW give me the chance to make my money back with free booze or do I have to make do with coffee?

 

[ChiefPlanner]

You will not be plied with free booze - but the trolley staff will ensure you have plenty of non alcoholic drinks - fruit , cake , crisps etc (croissants on am trains) - newspapers and the services hopefully of the Travelling Chef ! (the latter does a great food offer at good prices - served on proper china with proper cutlery)

Generally speaking - excellent staff and friendly service.