First class needs to be swept away with perhaps the exception of longer inter-city routes. It is a relic of a bygone age.
Northern are in possession of a 158 ex Scotrail that still has a first class. You need to wipe your feet when you come out of it. Paying extra to sit in that, I'd want them to pay me.
The one which used to be at SWT with a small area of 2+1 seating where Scotrail didn't use for services with first class on for the last couple years when their other 158s with had pointless first class turned into standard class.
I presume it will be changed to the more standard 2+2 throughout with the new seats when it goes in for refurbishment.
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As for this gentleman, it seems he knew what he was doing (sitting in first class on a busy service where it would be likely the guard wouldn't get around to check tickets) and is bitter because he got caught out.
Maybe if his regular service was a pair of 170s he would aim for the unit where the guard wasn't.