How do they get away with calling this First Class?!? SWR Class 450 Review!
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- Опубликовано: 6 мар 2022
- Today, we take a SWR Class 350 from Portsmouth to London in First Class!
Date of Travel: April 2021
Class of Travel: First Class
Rolling Stock: Class 450 Siemens Desiro
Operator: South Western Railway
Train Number: 1T58
Origin: Portsmouth Harbour, Hampshire, United Kingdom (England)
Destination: London Waterloo, United Kingdom (England)
Cost of Ticket: £9.95 ($13.55, €11.95; including railcard discount of ⅓)
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It's worth noting that the fast trains from Pompey to London via Guildford *do* usually use class 444s, with the class 450s normally only working the slow trains via Guildford and these trains via Basingstoke - with the fast trains being 20-30 minutes quicker, most people travelling the full route will use them, and these trains will largely be used by passengers making shorter journeys.
Also, I had to laugh at the announcement at the end, "This is London Waterloo, change here for Underground services, etc" ... as it's the last station, how about "This is London Waterloo, change here for _absolutely everywhere except going back the way you just came from"?_ 😄
Yes im not quite sure why he chose to do a review of an indirect route between two places tbh
And he keeps referring to it as a "longer journey" saying they are not suitable. I would consider Portsmouth to London an outer-suburban service (its roughly the same distance from London as Northampton or Cambridge for example, which are also served by suburban EMUs) - and given the high population density and number of commuters in the south of england I think they are absolutely fit for purpose.
I Think the slow trains at Portsmouth Harbour only show their furthest destination on the board as Farnborough even though they go Waterloo via Eastleigh
@@Sheffield5047 portsmouth local. They do show waterloo but its clearly stated they go via Basingstoke.
@@concofps these units are absoloutely not fit for purpose especially on the Portsmouth - Waterloo express services. 444s should be operating this express service, not these outer suburban units that aint designed for the service!
@@ajf3202 Not enough stock for 444s to operate all services and 450s provide more capacity so really they are fine.
7 carriages away? I hope someone didn't have an urgent "gotta go" moment on that train.
A far cry from the speed and comfort of the Nelsons.
I'll never get bored with the hello at the start of the video
Maybe SWR should designate the seats in these trains as "2nd class" and "3rd class"? As a regular train traveller in both 1st and 2nd class seats across the UK and Europe, I would certainly not count the SWR offering as First Class by any means.
I get these trains every afternoon on the Waterloo - Reading line, where the first class is declassified. I always sit in first class, as it is much nicer than the 3+2 (without tables) seating in the rest of the train, and you can't really complain when its free! However, I never knew that the seats reclined, so this video has actually been very useful!
Also, from my experience, its more common to have 4/4 toilets out of order than any working at all!
On the reading routes is 1st class always declassified?
@@odhranpenfold7732 yep, there is never a first class symbol on the timetable, and I have had my standard class ticket checked while sitting in first class, and all was fine.
Totally unacceptable! You are not getting the service you paid through the nose for.
@@Delta-pantages You don't seem to understand; on the Waterloo - Reading line, you do not need a first class ticket to sit in first class, furthermore, you cannot purchase a first class ticket as there is technically no first class operating on this line. However, the trains still have first class sections, meaning you can sit there with a standard class ticket.
Maybe better to get the GWR services from Paddington instead
We really need a railway watchdog that defines different accommodation classes, perhaps with minimum standards for first class such as wider, more comfortable seating, extra legroom, wi-fi availability, plug & USB sockets, free at-seat refreshments, window shades, working air conditioning and so on. Perhaps this could be done on a points basis - so, if the particular unit on the service doesn't offer at least six of these, they have to operate it as a standard-class only train... Indeed it might be that these high-density units that are designed for shorter journeys, simply don't have any first class seating available - which would surely incentivise the train operating companies to ensure that the best units are available for those that sell the most first class seats! Lack of catering is also unacceptable: there is no reason a self-service drinks machine and a supply of individual portion, prepackaged biscuits could not be a feature of first class - perhaps operated by tokens issued by the ticket collector on presentation of the appropriate tickets. Alternatively, a pre-packaged bag of edible goodies with a bottle of drinking water could be offered. A general lack of catering on the train is no excuse. Likewise, if the air-con isn't working properly, the curtains have been pulled off their rails; the wi-fi doesn't work or the bulbs of the individual reading lights have died - the passenger is offered a claim form, and subsequently receives the difference between what they paid and the price of a standard class ticket... It's not rocket science, after all.
Think about Hull trains! No catering for 2nd class disgrace.
Why have different classes of accomodation on trains at all? It's a throwback to an earlier age.
@@bennyattar8862 Some folk want to work in peace and quiet - not generally afforded by those glued to their mobiles, out on stag and hen parties, attending sporting fixtures; allowing their children to run riot and treating the entire place as if it was their own living rooms, etc. Perhaps once people learn how to behave in public, we can think about being classless!
And also make sure the toilets are kept clean and working. On some operators, the toilets are always out of service, such as south western, but other operators manage to keep the toilets working and emptied, so what's the excuse?
@@paulharvey9149here's this thing called the quiet carriage. Classless travel would also give everyone more space to spread out more and avoid that sort of folk
The second class seats in these trains are just outrageous.
Those 2nd class seats are par for the course throughout the southern half of the UK in my experience. Ugh!
@@Parlophonic
The UK has the smallest loading gauge in Europe, and yet I can't think of any trains in other European countries using 2+3 seating, not even on extremely short and high-density local routes. It's absolutely ridiculous.
@@mikeblatzheim2797 I agree with you, but still, we have to put up with it!
@@mikeblatzheim2797 Paris RER trains use some 2+3 - but inside much larger carriages
@@mikeblatzheim2797on the french TER Paris - Chartres there are trains with 3+2 seating
Back in the day, these services were 4CIG emus, with first class compartments. Six seats, not eight. Even though they were based on MK1 stock, they were pretty comfortable.
On the Wairarapa Line...100km from Wellington to Masterton NZ we use Mk2s, later versions of, with excellent 3 level lighting, power points for every seat, lovely big windows, curtains and Tablesssss. With the almost new upholstery ( viz in Google Images) ,,,and an average speed of 62 km/hr... they are actually very comfortable...and a pleasant way ( at 16p/!mile,, to use old units ) to pass 100 minutes the full length. No wifi,,, but one manages
@@neville132bbk Yes, you kiwis sure know how to upgrade the UK rejects. I had the pleasure of travelling from Wellington to Masterton and return on one of these sets just after their introduction. Greetings from across the ditch (Melbourne).
Thanks, Dylan! You give us only beautiful videos. That you show the train well. How well you say your opinions. Thanks for showing us the London Underground at the end. Friendships.
Great trip report
Awesome Video Once Again Dylan👍🏻
Nice video!! The class 450s used to be my local trains, but have since been moved to longer distance services - it’s a real shame because I think these trains have so much potential for SWR, but they just need a bit of an upgrade! May I also request a review on a TFWs class 67 and new mark 4 coaches set!
Great video !!
I completely agree with you, the conditions were terrible - especially for First Class!
This video was a great trip down memory lane for me. Firstly, I was born in Eastleigh and having relatives that worked at (what is now) Eastleigh Train Care Centre, I spent many happy day as a kid going around on open days and taking in the sights, smells and sounds (I can also remember when Eastleigh had 4 platforms, the original platform 1 now lost under the car park)
It also reminded me of the 6 week summer holidays where myself and friends would get a day ticket from Eastleigh Train Station to Portsmouth Harbour and onto Cows IOW. Like you said Dylan it was all included under one ticket and make for a great day out.
Keep up these videos Dylan, they are amazing.
I used to go from platform 1 to Romsey going home from school.
@@paulbaker654 it didn't get used much but I do remember sitting on the platform once or twice watching trains leave and head up the line through Chandlers Ford to Romsey
I tried first Class on the Class 450 back in November when visiting the Isle of Wright for the introduction of the Class 484s and I was not impressed but on the way back it was quiet, plus wifi connections was rubbish in certain areas on route when you get no signal, great video.
There is such a variation in the quality of first class across operators and types. If that is factored into the price differential then OK but this is not always the case. Thanks for the enjoyable video - was nice to see Portsmouth Harbour and its unique station.
When first class means being in a tiny box like that, I always wonder whether it's even a good thing. I suppose if standard class were really packed, or if you just really hate sitting with common people? The Öresund trains between Sweden and Denmark have something similar.
Travelled in standard class with them from portsmouth to London a few days ago, really wished I had paid the few quid extra for first class, it was so uncomfortable in standard.
At least the Øresund trains have comfortable seats and decent leg room even in 2nd class.
Here in Denmark, First Class is pretty much non-existent on regional services. Usually just some slightly fancier seats. Intercity services have extra amenities for first class.
But yeah, 2+2 seating might be acceptable for regional train first class in countries with wider loading gauges, but in countries like the UK where the trains are even narrower than the European standard? It just doesn't work. I've tried 2+3 seating in UK commuter trains, and that's the least comfortable train trip I've ever had. The seats were like ironing boards, barely any padding at all.
I hate to sit with com-mon peo-ple. I hate to sit the way common people do.
I really enjoyed this video , the chances of everything going to plan for 48 hours was always likely to have the odd issue but it was still great fun .
I just love the class 444, 450, 350 and 360 for their stability. These German trains really offer some of the smoothest rides in the UK
And the Class 185 and Class 380 as well.
Really? I've always found it the exact opposite, certainly at the ends of Coaches. They sway alarmingly, particularly on points
I have found this to be very noticeable between Clapham junction and Putney
sooo you oike siemens
Bonus points for the word "whinging" :) Thanks for adding the facts about Winchester & Clapham Junction as well as pointing out the sites of interest in Portsmouth.
This journey reminds me of using the London northwestern services on 350s. They have a funny little 1st class bit right in the middle. It only makes sense considering that it is the only way of working on the train at peak times in the London or Birmingham ends. Off peak 1st and 2nd class are more or less the same price. Fun fact: some of the 350s were modified to increase their maximum speed to 110mph to allow them to bypass Northampton without getting in the way of the pendulinos and voyagers.
No one would travel from Portsmouth to Waterloo via Winchester and Basingstoke, the train is intended to provide a service from Winchester to Waterloo which takes about an hour. If you wish to travel from Portsmouth to Waterloo you would travel via Havant and Guildford with a journey time of about 1 hour 30 mins.
Nice description.
might want to change it from 350 to 450!
A steal for a tenner tbf. Nice video Dylan!
When SWT ordered the 450s the first class was in the centre of the unpowered centre coach, so not over the wheels. I believe it was also 2 + 1. When SWR took over they moved the first class to where is now which is why the legroom is so tight. That space was built for standard class.
As others have said no one uses that route to go all the way to London. Even a stopping train on the Portsmouth Direct Route* is quicker than the route you used! Oh I can’t agree with you on the SWR livery. It looks like it’s light & dark grey, almost black
*That is the, actual, original name of the route.
Great video👍
Given the choice of the 450, a 159 or the old Wessex electrics with the proper bar area; I'll take the latter. Another great video.
Unrefurbished 159, most comfortable seats in the country (not the driver's seat though). Spent 21 years working them.
Unfortunately, I think the bar area was removed when the Wessex Electrics had their ill fated refurbishment. I remember taking one from Southampton to Waterloo when they first ran, to a business meeting. We made good use of the bar area :)
I've travelled in both 1st class and standard class (2nd class) and I found 2nd class to be more comfortable surprisingly
thank you
These trains are great. There is one a day of these between Weymouth and Brockenhurst.
Normally Portsmouth Harbour to Waterloo is class 444. As well as the Weymouth to Waterloo. I have only seen these class 450s trains go between Bournemouth and Winchester.
For those of us old enough to remember, I use to travel to/from Southampton on the mainline….. in the days of push/pull from Bournemouth so driver set (complete with buffet) was at the London end…. Strangely the same end as the entrance to the platform at Southampton…… high tea on the train back in the buffet was something to behold if the same could not be said for the tea in the cup. Ride quality was …..well exhilarating but not remotely smooth ! I always thought a rare line when train goes very close to Sandown (“railway fences”) Park racecourse.
This is more a "business" or "standard +" type seat and it's definitely priced like that - for 10 quid with railcard it's pretty good value as things go, especially if its only 2 quid more than standard
What’s interesting is that when these trains were under ownership of SWT and for a couple of years in SWR ownership, these trains had a much bigger and better first class section in the middle of the train and the old guard’s compartment used to be there too. The seating was also better (the SWT seats at least) and it overall felt much more like an actual first class: good for long journeys like this one. On some 450s with the ex-SWT livery, you can actually see where the blue dots indicating first class used to be on one of the middle coaches. I’m not sure why thought it was a good idea to get rid of those old first class sections and replace them with several tiny ones; just another example of SWR making poor decisions.
Increase standard class. By reducing the size of ‘first class’ overall it created more standard class seating, which pre-pandemic was needed on SWML.
Albeit it only added a couple of additional seats more spaces at the end of the day in standard class is more space.
Brilliant Video 😃. I am going to Portsmouth Harbour next month and I am looking at which trains I should get so for your video, it was really helpful 😊. The best solution (based on my research) is to go via Southampton Central. You would pay the same as you did for First Class but you would get the Class 444 guaranteed and it is only 4 stops, then you'd get a GWR Semi-Fast service to Portsmouth Harbour.
Having done a number of journeys with SWR from Southampton/Eastleigh/Portsmouth I can confirm the 450s are not at all well suited to long distance travel. I find the seats uncomfortable due to their low height (I'm tall) and short of the sometimes closed off section, there is little point in going first class on the 450s.
Now if I travel with SWR I aim for 444s wherever possible!
I have done that route on that train in first class funnily enough and Dylan's absolutely spot on the seats were very uncomfortable and hard, I couldn't get the recline to work, the legroom was absolutely appalling and the Wi-FY wouldn't work, apart from that it was a nice journey scenic wise.
Thought the three across seating was strange, probably because I’ve never seen it before. Also think it cuts down on aisle mobility a lot. Three out of four bathrooms out of order “I think that’s out of order.” Good one Dylan.
Well, the 450s were essentially replacements for the VEPs. Since they had so many of them, South West Treins used them on Portsmouth fast diagrams, while 444s were used on Poole stoppers. The Portsmouth via Eastleigh route, being more to provide a service for intermediate stations rather than those wishing to travel from Portsmouth to London, is arguable better suited for them
nobody takes the eastleighs to london from here. furthest anyone will go is Farnborough.
Wow, I travel on SWR a lot and never understand how you can get this so cheap! And you found a plug socket too, absolute bonus. I appreciate my expectations are low, there is still no on board catering even on the Exeter route (3.5 hours) and really SWR shouldn't be allowed to run anything other than commuter routes if maximum an hour
Thank you for showing my local Pompey to London service warts and all. All you say is true and shows what a shocking rail service we have to put up with. When I go on my UK and European ail trips it saddens me each time to realise that I have to do that route on those uncomfortable trains on my last leg. You would have loved even more sitting on the ironing board seats in standard class.
Did that run on a class 444 back in 2018. Much preferred to the 450 on the following service for the distance...
Fantastic trains on the most part but not cut out for this type of journey. This route definitely needs the 444s
you can also get a ticket to shanklin train station on the iow this includes the ferry once on the iow you get back on the train to shanklin its possible to book through swr as island line is part of its franchise
Ticket 🎫 Office closed 🤣 very useful, surprised it’s not permanently closed down there in Portsmouth Harbour! A few years ago I needed a particular ticket that could only be bought in a ticket office at the time. Office was meant to have been open but wasn’t on more than one occasion 🥵 I tried the day before too, no one seemed interested in selling it. Anyway I was very lucky 🍀 as I just had to travel the journey and met a gentleman ticket 🎫 conductor from GwR whom organised the specific ticket I needed at a station 🚉 further up the line and got it delivered it to the train 🚞 for me, and said the lack of customer service was happening all the time there, no one really cared 🤣 Have to say GwR were in a different league in customer service and attitude to the the issue 👍
Your video title says it all!
Having lived in the Southeast my whole life, luxuries are few and far between as far as our public transport goes. Peak hour services are frequent but are usually so crowded that the 3 + 2 layout still leaves people standing for the first half hour out of London, the last 2 years has been much nicer but I've noticed numbers appear to be returning to their old levels again since the start of the new year. This unfortunately means that the government isn't really interested in providing creature comforts on new rolling stock resulting in almost everything we've been given over the last 20 years having some variation of the dreaded ironing board seating and legroom that is so narrow that taller people (like myself) struggle to get in and out of if carrying any kind of backpack or large bag. Same goes for our buses (outside of London), we have been given a lovely new fleet of buses recently only for the local council to cut back the service to less than half the frequency it was 5 years ago with the only decent frequency occuring during rush hour and the routes remaining barren and usually late running for the rest of the day. No wonder so many people around here have stuck with their cars since returning to the office...
I live in Basingstoke and was on that platform at the time
i never had a prop with them seats and did find them comfortable
I Agree
I'd recommend travelling via Petersfield/Haslemere, it'll save thirty minutes!
brilliant video dylan mate the 450 looks better than the 444
Used to use them while back had trouble with one of their off duty revenue inspectors. Sitting in 1st class waiting for the guard to come round to up grade for a £5. Charge on a Saturday. As u could for told I was not sitting in correct carriage for the standard day return. Never used them since.
Outside of the former Southern region and London, the only other place in the UK that employs the same sort of 750v DC third rail is the Merseyrail network
Transpennine Express's Class 350s (which have the same bodyshell as the 450s, but are 25kv AC powered) have a much bigger and better first class section, with 2+1 seating. These units have now been replaced on Anglo-Scottish services by Class 397s.
I feel for you Dylan. Lovely start to the video. I loved the ship. It was downhill from there. They have nerve to call that box of a room, first class. 8 seats isn't first class. That lack of legroom was a disgrace. You're lucky you had nobody next to or across from you. Three out of four toilets out of service, & the only one working was dirty? I'd report that. Yes the price was cheap but not considering everything. They should pay you. The other sections with the 2 plus 3 seats is a joke. I pity anyone forced to ride those 3 seats. What a tight squeeze that'd be. Considering it's a two hour journey, no way I'd go for that train. Could have been nice, but, seeing is believing. Thanks for the view.
The decimation of First Class means even "at seat" upgrades start feeling absolutely worthless, I mean FC on a 225 was worth it weekdays (not Sundays) but now, wouldnt bother myself. Better food available often from the station M&S and the wine is cheaper from Sainsburys.
You’ll have to repeat this route again in the near(ish) future when the class 458’s have been reconfigured back to four-car units, overhauled and reassigned to the Portsmouth services. I’m not saying what I think on here by the way about that. However the 458’s once for the chop now have their stay of execution, plus an upgrade programme, so I’ll remain open minded for now.
What I liked so much about SWT's old liveries was that they were as far as I know the only TOC to colour co-ordinate their rolling stock. White trains (Class 444 and 159) were for long distance services to Portsmouth, Weymouth and Exeter. Red trains (Class 455&6 and the new 707) would serve only commuter services in London going as far as Woking and Guildford (although I've seen a 455 once a few years ago at Haslemere).
However the blue trains which are the class 450 (and 458) serves as a 'jack of all trades' unit. Each carrage has 2 sets of double doors which leads to a flat section for standing passengers and has one less carrage in a train set then the 444 but with the same motors meaning its better (I speculate) for frequent stopping. But the 450 can also do 100mph, the same as the 444. So if the Portsmouth Direct Line is short of a 444, a 450 can serve! Much to the dismay of myself and any commuter heading to London because they are not as nice to travel on. We wanted our football team to be blue but not our trains!
But the saving grace is the price is very good, an upgrade is not much more than standard. So first class _at present_ is worth it.
(Also, I swear that the Virgin Trains Mk2 coach 7:54 has ALWAYS been there at Eastleigh)
PS. I can only imagine what SWR are doing is imitating what Southern have been doing with the 377. They have a 2+2 with table but then squease another pair of seats between that and the drivers cab. And, have them facing inwards towards each other! But standard class would be busy at rush hour with standing passengers. While there would be one or two people in first, probably sneaking in with a standard ticket.
Well wait for the refurbished Class 458 to work on the Portsmouth Direct line...SWR said that the 442, originally to enter service on the route, were been withdrawn due to accessibility issues, reliability issues, high maintenance costs, the 458 will be refurbished to suit the distances of the Portsmouth Harbour line.
Great 👍👍👍👍 bro very nice ❤️❤️❤️
Both the Class 450 and Class 444 Desiro EMUs built by Siemens are incredible trains. When will you be doing a review of the SWR Class 701 “Arterio” as of when they do enter service on the suburban services in Southwest London and on the Windsor & Eton Riverside and Reading routes.
the toilet, my chap, was grotty.. not just dirty!
On swr on the London Waterloo to Exeter st David’s line, the first class seats are a different material, a much softer one. The seats recline aswell but no wireless charging areas. Apparently they might be doing it up though according to someone I know who works for swr
When I see Portsmouth, I hope you trying the Ferry from UK to Spain. When I see your seating, it isn't First Class, I prefer called it Family Class or Economy Plus Class. When I see entire second class seating, it's remembered me about similar configuration with the economy class train in my country, but he difference is they use couch seating. And also some local buses or regional economy buses uses this configuration.
I used to make this journey regularly in the days of SWT. Whilst I always preferred the 444 the 450 was acceptable. However I see that SWR have reconfigured the carriages and appear intent to cram in as many passengers as possible. From 2+2 in Standard we now have 3+2. But I guess that during rush hour at least you have a better chance of a seat rather than having to stand.
Always been 3+2 in standard class on these units.
@@danielstripreports I'm obviously getting old. Although it does underline why I preferred the 444. With SWT there was a complete First Class compartment with 2+1.
I agree bit much 2plus2 but the extra thought of paying first class might keep out some of the rif raf out
I think it’s agreed by both enthusiasts and commuters that the class 444s are superior trains. The class 450s, while by no means bad trains, are better off for medium distance routes (e.g Alton, Basingstoke, Reading).They suit them much better than the Portsmouth Direct Line, or the stopping service from Waterloo to Poole which takes close to 3 hours.
Yes, I use them a lot on the Alton line. For medium journeys like these, they are great trains - clean and comfortable - and even the first class is a nice upgrade if you are just on for a short while.
450s i feel are acceptable on the stoppers on the direct but the fast? Couldnt think of anything more innapropriate. Im an SWR employee and I agree the 444 is far superior traction.
Could you do a trip report on some of Scotrail’s commuter trains like the class 318, 320, 334 and class 380s?
i’ve done this trip before alongside a ferry trip to gosport. it was pleasant but that’s about it
For someone who works at south western railway those first class seats are comfortable for me as a short person 😂
Personally I always liked those seats, but entirely because on the Reading lines they don't operate 1st class so you can sit in those seats without a 1st class ticket. (Something I always did when travelling that route to/from uni)
The Eastleigh route isn't bad but SWR has no on train catering. Catering is available at Basingsroke. It is a bit faster via Havant.
Celia lives on!
I have subscribed
Hello from the Isle of Wight 👋
the 444's that operate on the london-weymouth line are in a long distance config, therefore, and comfier
adding onto this, you got unlucky and got the longer route (via eastleigh) when there is a much faster (1h 30m i think) route via haslemere
TFW First Class on SWR 450s is sometimes the same as standard class on Southern & Southeastern
Referring to your previous video, the Class 450s are pretty much 3rd rail only variants of the Class 350/2xx, which also have 3+2 seating (and can be used on services like up to Birmingham as I had experienced unfortunately). Honestly, while better than Southern 455s, I'd rate them as mediocre glorified commuter trains along with the 375/9xx's.
I've ridden the 350s out of Birmingham a couple of times and they seem better than the 450s for sure.
The 1st class seats on the Southwestern Railway DMU trains to Salisbury & Exeter are way better. SWR also have quite good advance tickets, even if there is no longer an onboard F&B service
For those who want to see HMS Warrior, Drachinifel posted a video tour of the ship recently on his channel.
i've used SWR a few times travelling to and from southampton. Rather than being an inter city AND commuter railway. it has been dumbed down into a very long commuter line. you try travelling with suitcases from a cruise.
that ticket office is probably only open in the morning for the commuters. There's a lot of end of line/not heavily used stations doing that to save money.
The thing that is good on these trains is 2+2 seats instead of 2+3 seats
I've been to Portsmouth Harbour
I thought was a bit long going last time I traveled Portsmouth to London was on my discharge from Royal Navy in may 1976 was different route
Loks like a simillar problem to 195s. A commuter train used on long services with the expectation that not many passengers will do a full trip. I could get a 195 from Leeds to Chester on the slow Calder Valley line, but I doubt many do it. The issue comes when someone does and has hours on a terrible unit.
You should see Southern First class, some don't even have a door to section off first class it is just a small dirty cloth that says first class that you get.
Looked OK to me, you wouldn’t think the train was 20 years old. It was in good order and clean.
exactly the same first class as in 350s, however they're more comfortable seats in the 350s. awful first class on 450s I'd never pay extra for first class on Regonial trains
Sometimes Portsmouth to London is also operated by a 444 normally via guildford
Fast is mainly 444
Stopper is mainly 450
I was trying to find some way to cut SWR some slack for that train but they lost all hope with the loo. Chicago Metra has got better seats and the bathrooms work. Price wasn't bad, though.
£9 for a first-class 2hr-journey ticket?? Please teach me your ways 😆
The toilets are a problem on most electric units - at least those used on southern routes. They are too automated and consequently not robust enough for the task. I think that the older class 442 units used on the direct Portsmouth and the Weymouth/Bournemouth were much more comfortable.
the class 350 is exactly the same but can run of both overheads and 3rd rail
I travelled first class return, but on the fast via Guildford, much better experience than you had - a whole carriage for a start and more leg room. Was there a reason you chose the route you did?
Can you do a review on the Greater Anglia class 321/317 before they retire please?
Looks like a modernized sprinter / pacer
I understand the less than stellar review title after watching it. One functional toilet seven cars away? That should never happen. The 3+2 configuration might be okay for a local commuter train but not one of this length. Fortunately the train was very uncrowded. Imagine if all seats were full, especially with some loud lads and kids like on your last post. At least the day was nice. I liked that Spinnaker Tower; it looked like a sailboat, a nod to Portsmouth's history I assume.
2 GBP more for a slightly better seat and more electric power options... sound actually like a reasonable price tbh :P