Transpennine First Class

[Greenback]

I see the TPE website states that holders of First Class tickets are entitled to complimentary tea, coffee, water and a biscuit on services where refreshments are available.

Has anyone ever managed to obtain more than one biscuit?

But seriously folks, which TPE trains carry refreshments? Do they have trolleys on the North Transpennine run? If so, do cover the whoel route or just the core section?

Finally, is First Class worth paying extra for on the 185's?

PS Sorry for all the questions, and if they have been answered elsewhere on the forum at some time!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Mondays-Fridays: Catering is available on most North TransPennine services as far as York on SCA/MBR/NCL trains, I'm unsure about trains to HUL. It is also available on most BPN/BIF runs, and all to GLC/EDB. I'm not sure about WDM. On South TransPennine it is available to DON.
Saturdays: More select services, and all Scotland trains.
Sunday: Even more scarse, but all Scotland trains.

 

[WestCoast]

Whenever a trolley is onboard, in my experience you will get your refreshments. To the best of my knowledge all TPE routes carry a trolley for at least part of their route on certain services - which are actually quite numerous if you check the timetable!

On my regular North West TPE journeys I see the trolley in First Class (not that I can afford a first class journey though ). On the Blackpool North - Man. Airport runs the trolley normally joins at Preston.

The one experience I do remember was on a Man Airport - Edinburgh service last year, the 185 was so rammed because of the festival the trolley just parked at one end of the train and could not move...

 

[Failed Unit]

I see the TPE website states that holders of First Class tickets are entitled to complimentary tea, coffee, water and a biscuit on services where refreshments are available.

Has anyone ever managed to obtain more than one biscuit?

Yes, but then if you are travelling from Edinburgh - Manchester you would hope that you do

But seriously folks, which TPE trains carry refreshments? Do they have trolleys on the North Transpennine run? If so, do cover the whoel route or just the core section?

Edinburgh - Manchester = Yes
Manchester Airport - Cleethorpes = No - I haven't seen one between Doncaster and Cleethorpes for a long time, I think the trolley gets off at Sheffield?

Finally, is First Class worth paying extra for on the 185's?

You are never going to get it back from the freebies - buy them

Like always it is a case on how much of a price you put on a better seat and a bit of exclusivity. The difference between 1st and Standard is better than many operators in the South East where it is just the same seat but behind the drivers cab.

You don't feel as ripped off as you do if you go 1st Class on the stansted express and end up with 2x 317/8s!

Don't do it between Manchester and Preston in the peak, it will be declassified anyway (judging by my experience)

 

[Johnny Lewis]

Trolley provision is as follows:

Monday-Friday: 7am to 7pm on journeys between Manchester and Preston, York and Doncaster.
Saturday: Available between the above points on "selected" services, as shown in the pocket timetables.
Sundays: Not available

The exception is trains between Manchester and Scotland, which should all convey a catering service, 7 days per week.

Normally the Host will come around only once between Manchester and Preston or Manchester and Leeds. He/she might appear again between Leeds and York or between Sheffield and Doncaster. Each time he/she appears, a hot/cold drink should be offered. Uusually, the range of complimentary refreshments is only offered once.

On very busy trains, it is standard practice for the trolley to remain in the First Class carriage, so First Class passengers should still get their complimentaries, but Standard Class passengers usually have to fight their own way through the train (somewhat negating the point of an at-seat trolley).

 

[Greenback]

The freebies are just a bonus - we are more interested in whether the seats are that much better, and if there's a bit more space!

As I've never been on any TPE train at all, do they ahve 2+1 or 2+2 seating in First Class?

We will be going from Manchester to Leeds, which I would expect to be quite busy at most times of day.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The freebies are just a bonus - we are more interested in whether the seats are that much better, and if there's a bit more space!

As I've never been on any TPE train at all, do they ahve 2+1 or 2+2 seating in First Class?

We will be going from Manchester to Leeds, which I would expect to be quite busy at most times of day.

2+1. Better if you want peace and quiet, it can be hellishly busy and uncomfortable

 

[Max]

I'd say it's worth it on 185s, not so sure about 170s!

 

[Donny Dave]

Manchester Airport - Cleethorpes = No - I haven't seen one between Doncaster and Cleethorpes for a long time, I think the trolley gets off at Sheffield?

Manchester Airport - Cleethorpes = no, however between May and September, there is a trolley between Manchester Piccadilly and Cleethorpes, otherwise it's between Piccadilly and Doncaster

 

[WestCoast]

Don't do it between Manchester and Preston in the peak, it will be declassified anyway (judging by my experience)

Or the guard cannot get down the train to check tickets, and therefore the trolley can't either. So everyone sits/stands there anyway :roll:
Slower, but more pleasant to use a Northern 180 (if it's in service) on that journey.

 

[Liam]

On very busy trains, it is standard practice for the trolley to remain in the First Class carriage, so First Class passengers should still get their complimentaries, but Standard Class passengers usually have to fight their own way through the train (somewhat negating the point of an at-seat trolley).

On Friday Edinburgh and Glasgow's the trolley usually sits in the vestibule outside the First Class bit. The 185's are just awful for busy long distance services, really needs to be a voyager or loco hauled. I know the Scotland services are extensions of the Windermere services, but I think removing the Bolton and Chorley stops would help greatly.

 

[Failed Unit]

On Friday Edinburgh and Glasgow's the trolley usually sits in the vestibule outside the First Class bit. The 185's are just awful for busy long distance services, really needs to be a voyager or loco hauled. I know the Scotland services are extensions of the Windermere services, but I think removing the Bolton and Chorley stops would help greatly.

It would need to be the 5 car Voyager then, the 4 car would only really give you more standing room. Some trips to Edinburgh are now 6 cars in busy times. Hopefully once the 350s start on the route they will be able to cope with demand better, but by then it may have increased even more.

 

[WestCoast]

On Friday Edinburgh and Glasgow's the trolley usually sits in the vestibule outside the First Class bit. The 185's are just awful for busy long distance services, really needs to be a voyager or loco hauled. I know the Scotland services are extensions of the Windermere services, but I think removing the Bolton and Chorley stops would help greatly.

Yeah, the fact that Bolton commuters seem to take the first train (whether it's crush loaded or not) doesn't help at all :roll:

I agree about the 185s - excellent trains for the routes that they were designed for but not so good for the Manchester - Glasgow/Edinburgh routes. As has been said on RailUK many times before, the 180s would be much better.

 

[Statto]

This is what you can expect in FC on TPE

First Class and Weekend First

A First Class option is available. Holders of First Class tickets are entitled to complimentary tea/coffee/water and a biscuit on services where catering is provided.

Holders of Standard Class tickets may upgrade to First Class on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays on payment of a £6.00 single journey supplement to the Conductor between any two train stations on the First TransPennine route network. (On our Manchester to Edinburgh and Manchester to Glasgow train services the single journey supplement is £10.00).

Customers holding a valid Season Ticket may make their normal daily journey in First Class at weekends at no extra cost.

 

[ainsworth74]

I'd say it's worth it on 185s, not so sure about 170s!

Depends on how bad the overcrowding is! I've done first class on a 170 once between Leeds and Hull, fought my way on board a rammed 170 on a Saturday and decided to nip into first class and buy an upgrade when the guard came round. In that scenario it was worth it, but otherwise I wouldn't have bothered as there really is no point the only benefit is the 2+1 seating.

 

[table38]

Has anyone ever managed to obtain more than one biscuit?

Yes, I got a free sandwich on a Manchester-Glasgow run last year. I was expecting the trolley to only last until Preston or Carlisle, but it stayed on right until Glasgow and I was offered another free sandwich!

Being naturally cynical, I checked the sell-by date in case it was a matter of them giving away the ones that would be thrown away tomorrow, but it wasn't the case.

 

[Greenback]

Excellent! A free sandwich! That's as good as Virgin!

I think we'll give the First Class a go, it sounds like it's worth it for the extra space and quiet.

 

[Butts]

Excellent! A free sandwich! That's as good as Virgin!

I think we'll give the First Class a go, it sounds like it's worth it for the extra space and quiet.

Why don't the tightwads include free booze, newspapers, wifi etc - then they might be " as good as Virgin "

 

[Greenback]

I never got a free newspaper on Virgin!

There may have been free booze but I didn't want any at 1000!

I enjoyed the cheese roll though...

 

[S19]

I see the TPE website states that holders of First Class tickets are entitled to complimentary tea, coffee, water and a biscuit on services where refreshments are available.

Has anyone ever managed to obtain more than one biscuit?

But seriously folks, which TPE trains carry refreshments? Do they have trolleys on the North Transpennine run? If so, do cover the whoel route or just the core section?

Finally, is First Class worth paying extra for on the 185's?

PS Sorry for all the questions, and if they have been answered elsewhere on the forum at some time!

I travelled from Lancaster to Edinburgh recently and back again on TPE 185s. There was a trolley service and for my weekend First Class upgrade I got unlimited coffee, some crisps, a sandwich, a biscuit and a bottle of water

 

[Greenback]

Nice to have the sandwich and crisps, but just one biscuit...?!

 

[Central Trains]

I have friends who got a free glass of vino!

 

[323235]

I did Manchester - Sheffield on an EMT&Connexions First Class Advance and wasn't offered a biscuit or anything foodie . It was just Tea,Coffee or Water.

 

[table38]

Nice to have the sandwich and crisps, but just one biscuit...?!

They just wave a basket of assorted biscuits and cakes in front of you. There may have also been a healthy option of fruit instead, but I can't remember as my brain would have automatically filtered that out as information surplus to requirements, allowing me to concentrate on the basket.

Short of some sort of diversion tactic in order to swipe multiple biscuits, may I humbly suggest the following untested ploys:

1. say "oh I can't decide between <biscuit A> or <biscuit B>" and dither long enough for them to suggest you have one of each
2. ask if you can have a biscuit and a piece of cake, as the biscuit the accompaniment for the tea/coffee, but the cake is for "afters"
3. say "oh I see that guy over there didn't want a biscuit, can I have his as well"

Any or all of which AYOR, unless successful in which case feel free to credit me.

 

[142094]

TPE were doing a 30% discount on 1st class tickets if you had bought a ticket on their site recently - only problem was that the code didn't work.

 

[premier01]

I have friends who got a free glass of vino!

That's unusual for TPE! It sounds like a disgruntled catering assistant on their last day!

There is another thread on this from last year but I am a frequent traveller on TPE and find the 1st offering good compared to many other TOC's who's offerings are pathetic! In summary if travelling peak times on a journey over 1 hour it's worth it for the relatively relaxed coach and the good seating and tables with power sockets.

Even on Manchester to Preston service at 17.46 the service assistant will try to get to all 1st customers with the trolley and usually only declassified to Bolton-very expensive on longer routes for Open Returns though unless travelling on business.

 

[WillPS]

My experiences:
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=519866&postcount=45

I'm not in a hurry to do it again.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Have gone for the first class upgrade on a number of occasions on TPE services from Edinburgh to Manchester Airport (on Saturdays) and in my opinion I'd say that it's worth the extra £10. As well as the more comfortable 2+1 seating layout, you normally get complimentary sandwiches, crisps, a choice of biscuits and a mini slice of cake, as well as tea/coffee or water/soft drinks from the trolley operator (who normally stays on until Preston).