Preston - ever get a first-class lounge?

[Howardh]

Probably mentioned on loads of other threads but can't find one! As it says on the tin, a very large station with connections n, s, e and w - so I find it puzzling why there isn't a lounge when places like Crewe have.

Are there any future plans (presumably Virgin)? Must admit the general facilities at Pre are very satisfactory, but a lounge would be a nice addition, although not entirely sure where it could go!

 

[najaB]

Are there any future plans (presumably Virgin)? Must admit the general facilities at Pre are very satisfactory, but a lounge would be a nice addition, although not entirely sure where it could go!

Finding a suitable location would be a challenge, though not insurmountable. I doubt anything will happen before the West Coast franchise is next assigned though.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I'm not sure what they are currently used for, but there's a lot of seemingly disused rooms around what I believe was the old bar to the south (i.e. First Class end) of p3/4.

 

[Howardh]

It would be a pity if just one company's passengers could use it, should be open to all; TPE passengers in 1st get a wider seat and next-to-nothing else, and nothing if there's no trolly on board!

 

[Bletchleyite]

It would be a pity if just one company's pax could use it, should be open to all; TPE pax in 1st get a wider seat and next-to-nothing else, and nothing if there's no trolly on board!

On the North West Express routes (the only ones serving Preston) First Class is a ruse by TPE to rip people off for ensuring a seat, which they should have anyway - just like in the South East.

Chiltern are the only honest South East TOC who abolished it (then brought it back in the hauled sets, but that may simply be because they had a number of first class coaches they didn't want to re-seat).

Neil

 

[Howardh]

ah the RUK first class obsession once again - imagine the toffs /railcard wonders having to slum it in the waiting room with the hoi polloi :roll:

Perhaps we could open a first class lounge at Milton Keynes or Bedford or Warrington.

Eh? What's wrong with having a little extra on a day out? It's ace when you can use the 1st lounge at Euston after a long hot day out, where there's showers and a cooling drink?
If the current waiting rooms are "slums" then I suggest there should be somewhere better for those wanting to pay a bit extra. I wonder if those trapped in the wind-tunnel @ Bolton 3/4 would be prepared to pay extra for a much more agreeable, comfy room - and don't forget, some of those are 1st class passengers too :?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Preston could do with the postal platform being brought back into passenger use.
Looking across to it from the mean and draughty P1/2 island it looks to have a decent set of sturdy Victorian buildings with a large canopy and wide platforms, much like P3/4.
Ideal as the main northbound platform.

 

[DarloRich]

Preston could do with the postal platform being brought back into passenger use.
Looking across to it from the mean and draughty P1/2 island it looks to have a decent set of sturdy Victorian buildings with a large canopy and wide platforms, much like P3/4.
Ideal as the main northbound platform.

the buildings are in use as offices and there are a load of portacabins behind them.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Ideal as the main northbound platform.

Really? Surely main northbound traffic is best suited to p3/4 as at present, where it can remain on the Fasts throughout and not block access to the Slows and Blackpool line. It would be useful I guess for traffic to and from Blackpool (save the Airport service which I think uses the Fasts to Euxton Jn) and in emergencies, but not much really to anything using the Fasts or to Lancaster and beyond.

 

[snail]

I wonder if those trapped in the wind-tunnel @ Bolton 3/4 would be prepared to pay extra for a much more agreeable, comfy room - and don't forget, some of those are 1st class passengers too :?

What's wrong with the waiting rooms at Bolton? Ok, the area between P1 & P3 has doors that open every time someone walks past but I find it a comfortable enough place to sit and wait for a train. There's also the excellent cafe.

 

[Kite159]

On the North West Express routes (the only ones serving Preston) First Class is a ruse by TPE to rip people off for ensuring a seat, which they should have anyway - just like in the South East.

Chiltern are the only honest South East TOC who abolished it (then brought it back in the hauled sets, but that may simply be because they had a number of first class coaches they didn't want to re-seat).

Neil

But it's not First Class on Chiltern, it's an expense-fiddling Business Class

 

[Bletchleyite]

the buildings are in use as offices and there are a load of portacabins behind them.

It has been used in relatively recent years. When part of the main station roof was blown off in the late 1990s, it was opened as a Platform 7 while it was being fixed.

Neil
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

But it's not First Class on Chiltern, it's an expense-fiddling Business Class

True

Neil

 

[DarloRich]

It has been used in relatively recent years. When part of the main station roof was blown off in the late 1990s, it was opened as a Platform 7 while it was being fixed.

Neil

used when some golf thing was on as well

 

[Bletchleyite]

Probably mentioned on loads of other threads but can't find one! As it says on the tin, a very large station with connections n, s, e and w - so I find it puzzling why there isn't a lounge when places like Crewe have.

Are there any future plans (presumably Virgin)? Must admit the general facilities at Pre are very satisfactory, but a lounge would be a nice addition, although not entirely sure where it could go!

How much of a business travel destination is Preston? People going from home will most likely turn up soon before their train, whereas somewhere like London they might use the lounge because their meeting has finished early.

That said, there is one at Crewe, perhaps mainly for those changing there?

Neil

 

[yorksrob]

Not sure about a lounge, but last time I was there, Preston could certainly do with a bar serving proper beer.

 

[DarloRich]

Not sure about a lounge, but last time I was there, Preston could certainly do with a bar serving proper beer.

that is DO agree with. is there even a decent one within walking distance?

 

[Howardh]

What's wrong with the waiting rooms at Bolton? Ok, the area between P1 & P3 has doors that open every time someone walks past but I find it a comfortable enough place to sit and wait for a train. There's also the excellent cafe.

Are you at the same Bolton as me?!! It's awful. Uncomfy seats, doors opening and closing from both sides, what heat there is gets blown away...is it any surprise the area outside the toilets always has people standing and waiting
The cafe's reasonable, but only open during the day.
Preston is miles better than Bolton for facilities, and on many an occasion I've been glad my connection is 20 minutes late so I can get a swift one in at the bar!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not sure about a lounge, but last time I was there, Preston could certainly do with a bar serving proper beer.

Last time I changed onto the Sleeper at Crewe (well, the only time) *everything* including the pub was shut by the time it arrived. Which was a bit rubbish.

Neil

 

[yorksrob]

that is DO agree with. is there even a decent one within walking distance?

I'm not sure. Went for a stroll once to get some brekkie and couldn't even find a Spoons !
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Last time I changed onto the Sleeper at Crewe (well, the only time) *everything* including the pub was shut by the time it arrived. Which was a bit rubbish.

Neil

That does sound rather poor. At least you could hit the bar once on the train

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I'm not sure. Went for a stroll once to get some brekkie and couldn't even find a Spoons !

For future reference, Spoons is out of the station, over the crossroads, down Corporation Street and turn right down the ring road, 8 minutes tops. Though if it be breakfast you're after, Tasty's on Corporation Street is one of the finest breakfast bars I've ever come across.

 

[yorksrob]

Are you at the same Bolton as me?!! It's awful. Uncomfy seats, doors opening and closing from both sides, what heat there is gets blown away...is it any surprise the area outside the toilets always has people standing and waiting
The cafe's reasonable, but only open during the day.
Preston is miles better than Bolton for facilities, and on many an occasion I've been glad my connection is 20 minutes late so I can get a swift one in at the bar!

Indeed, always been there in the evening and the station can seem very sombre. Cafe's never been open, which is usual for that time for a non-booze establishment.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

For future reference, Spoons is out of the station, over the crossroads, down Corporation Street and turn right down the ring road, 8 minutes tops. Though if it be breakfast you're after, Tasty's on Corporation Street is one of the finest breakfast bars I've ever come across.

Duly noted, many thanks

 

[Elecman]

There is a long awaited scheme to bring the PCD at Preston back into regular passenger use.

 

[gordonthemoron]

Perhaps we could open a first class lounge at Milton Keynes or Bedford or Warrington.

having a toilet on platforms 5/6 at MKC would be an improvment

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

There is a long awaited scheme to bring the PCD at Preston back into regular passenger use.

Excellent. The 1st class lounge can go there then.
It would be busier than the existing ones at Stoke and Lime St.
They need one at Glasgow Central too if the airline passengers are to be wooed onto rail.
Come to think of it, the ones at Glasgow and Edinburgh could both be "Virgin" branded lounges now, and available to VTWC and VTEC.

 

[Howardh]

Excellent. The 1st class lounge can go there then.
It would be busier than the existing ones at Stoke and Lime St.
They need one at Glasgow Central too if the airline passengers are to be wooed onto rail.
Come to think of it, the ones at Glasgow and Edinburgh could both be "Virgin" branded lounges now, and available to VTWC and VTEC.

I'll vote for ones at Glasgow and Edinburgh!

 

[PermitToTravel]

On the North West Express routes (the only ones serving Preston) First Class is a ruse by TPE to rip people off for ensuring a seat, which they should have anyway - just like in the South East.

Chiltern are the only honest South East TOC who abolished it (then brought it back in the hauled sets, but that may simply be because they had a number of first class coaches they didn't want to re-seat).

Neil

Chiltern don't care about reseating. Their 165s had first class areas when in service with BR, but Chiltern have just rebadged these as Quiet Zones while leaving the nicer 2+2 seating

 

[DarloRich]

having a toilet on platforms 5/6 at MKC would be an improvment

but only for first class passengers - scum class can wee on the tracks

 

[PermitToTravel]

They would do that anyway

 

[Starmill]

On the North West Express routes (the only ones serving Preston) First Class is a ruse by TPE to rip people off for ensuring a seat, which they should have anyway - just like in the South East.

As I have pointed out several times before - this is abject nonsense. On TPE, both First and Standard class passengers may reserve seats. This is not the case on Southern or Southeastern. I further point out that First Class on TPE features 2+1 seating that is very different from the standard class interior. Trolley served trains are limited, but if you do get one with a trolley you get a hot drink and a biscuit. Southeastern do not even have catering, Southern do not give anything complimentary to First Class passengers.

FINALLY Manchester to Scotland trains serve Preston - this does not look like a regional express route to me, all trains have catering and (small) First Class offer, and they are definitely long-distance services.

I'll vote for ones at Glasgow and Edinburgh!

Glasgow Central has an excellent one already run by VT

 

[GatwickDepress]

Southern do not give anything complimentary to First Class passengers.

On routes with catering facilities available, first class passengers get a complimentary water or tea/coffee.