jbl

We will be catching the 18.34 St Pancras--Gatwick train 17/01/12 as the final leg of the journey to Gatwick and have treated ourselves to First Class tickets. As we will have the holiday suitcases and I don't fancy legging it down a platform full of late commuters to the F/C end of the train I thought it would be helpful to know which end of the train (Bedford /Brighton) the F/C would be so we could be at that end of the platform. I did the obvious and contacted First Capital Connect but they cannot tell me as they don't know which way the train will be running. Is there any way to find out if First will be at the front or rear ? Would it be announced over the platform speakers ?
Any ideas ?

Cheers and thanks.

Brian

Ant

How long do you think this train is?

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Easiest to ask once you get to the platform, the station staff usually know.

Trains DO get turned round and can appear "wrong" way round, but the station staff usually know as they often have to meet passengers travelling disabled.

RJMS

iTrader: (2)

I might be wrong but I would imagine that the train will be made up of four carriage units with first class at one end of each unit - so in theory you probably wouldn't have to walk more than the length of 4 carriages to find a first class section (unless of course the units are not all running the same way around!)

jbl

Cheers all..

Just hope the commuters have mostly gone by 18.30 !
Brian

CrisPDuk

First Class used to always be at the Up (London) end of trains, I'm not sure whether this is still the case though?

RJMS

iTrader: (2)

With this particular train it's a bit of an issue as it runs from Bedford through London to Gatwick, my daughter was on it the other day and she doesn't think it actually "turned around" at St. Pancras so I don't think this rule can work here!

ReallyReallyGoodMeat

Far from it I'm afraid.

Simon C

To answer your question, its the first 8 seats behind the drivers cab.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I think your in for a shock. First class on these trains practically doesn't exist any more.

First capital are my local train operator, and there is basically no difference between F/C and cattle class any more. If the train is busy, dosnt expect to have it to yourself either, First Capital are 1 of the worst for over crowding.

CrisPDuk

Ah, the old BedPan train, good luck with that

What passes for 1st will probably be at the London end from Bedford

Pjamie

That's what I'd say too. I used to catch a lot of trains all over the country and 1st class was always on the "London" end.

Ant

When I caught 1st class a couple of months ago it was farthest away at London.

With east midland trains there's certainly a difference between 1st and cattle

jbl

This was why we opted for the Leicester~St Pancras~Gatwick route so as to enjoy "proper" 1st for the longest leg. We could go Leicester~Bedford~Gatwick but the timetable means longer waits and almost a 2hr ride from Bedford in a questionable 1st.

Thanks for the comments.

Cheers

Brian

Leslie

You could always ask "Mr Porter" and request that he carries your luggage.

Les