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How do they get away with calling this First Class?!? SWR Class 450 Review!
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- čas přidán 6. 03. 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.
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.
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
A far cry from the speed and comfort of the Nelsons.
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
I'll never get bored with the hello at the start of the video
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).
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.
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
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
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!
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.
I completely agree with you, the conditions were terrible - especially for First Class!
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.
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 :)
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.
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.
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.
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 👍
Nice description.
might want to change it from 350 to 450!
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.
SWR never fails to disappoint. That's true for every time I go to Sherborne, Exeter or on the rambling train from Reading to Clapham Junction - a distance of 30 miles that takes 74 minutes. The fact that 3 out of 4 loos were out of order with the 4th one being filthy doesn't surprise me.
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.
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!
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
How do SWR get away with keeping the franchise is my question? They've cut the frequency to half-hourly on my route, and also halved the length of most trains to 5 cars. And it goes without saying the punctuality is awful.
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.
I've travelled in both 1st class and standard class (2nd class) and I found 2nd class to be more comfortable surprisingly
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
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
The thing that is good on these trains is 2+2 seats instead of 2+3 seats
Looked OK to me, you wouldn’t think the train was 20 years old. It was in good order and clean.
2 GBP more for a slightly better seat and more electric power options... sound actually like a reasonable price tbh :P
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.
Awesome Video Once Again Dylan👍🏻
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.
the toilet, my chap, was grotty.. not just dirty!
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.
For those who want to see HMS Warrior, Drachinifel posted a video tour of the ship recently on his channel.
I travel from Fareham to London quite often which luckily gives me a choice of routes - the one in this video, via Havant and the Portsmouth direct line or the Southern services to Victoria. I generally go for the Southern services purely because I despise the seats on the 450s. Takes a bit longer, but at least it doesn't destroy my back.
And it's a more scenic route on Southern.
@@golledgestravels326 Surely not. Who could possibly resist the charms of Eastleigh?
You lucked out with this trip. Those Class 450s should never go beyond Guildford, Dorking or Redhill. Even Sir Humphrey Appleby (of Yes Minister fame) would frown if one of these turned up to take him from Haslemere to Whitehall, especially if some other minion had occupied HIS first class section. Such a pity that those lovely Class 442s have gone the way of the dodo bird and there aren't enough 444s to go around. Having to go 7 vehicles to find a working dunny is a big thumbs down from me for SouthWestern. On the plus side, thanks for showing a part of England that I didn't have time on my itinerary to check out. Apart from Basingstoke, Clapham Junction and Waterloo stations, this was all new territory for me. Keep up the good work and cheers from Michael downunder in Melbourne.
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.
Beats me why anyone would pay a first class fare to sit in such a claustrophobic compartment with facing seats. That small area at the unit ends was originally 2nd class. For many years it was the ONLY place I would sit on those 450s because they provided 2+2 coach style seating with better leg room and more privacy than any other part of the train. Hope the 458s will be better if/when they arrive on the route
I used that line back in the late70's and 80's when it was a third rail electric line. I presume that is no longer the case?
If you asked me 444's and the ghastly 450's are not fit for purpose, the seats are like sitting on concrete, always have Toilets out of use and the same can be said for the Doors, Guaranteed to find some locked o.o.u.
I'm not sure why they bother with having eight seats designated as First Class and unless I could get a bargain price I wouldn't bother with paying for them. It looked like the seats were marginally better than Standard Class, and they did have charging outlets. Beyond that, you were offered the same closed/dirty toilets as Standard Class.
Great video !!
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
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'll constrain my language here. I hate those class 450s with a passion, they are just dreadful. It seems that the chances of getting a 444 are getting more remote Looking on the bright side, you could have been going to Cardiff from Portsmouth, those excuses for trains are even worse. Still, it's good to see you in good old Pompey and giving my home town of Fareham a shout. If I knew you were down this way, i'd have got you a drink.
I literally just did this trip on Friday on a class 444 and by far is is so much more first class standard than this (though it is still pretty bad for first class, only a seat upgrade which is actually good). SWR, Southern and Southeastern really do need to work on first class standards much more as it simply is not fit enough for first class and it puts our country to shame sometimes (as well as the south of England mainly).
Theses 3 Tocs are commuter tocs so don’t ever expect Avanti or lner like service! Tbh I think they should just scrap first class on this service altogether
@@josephstyborski8152 Agreed, first class on commuter trains is unnecessary. What is really needed is better overall interior comfort like Chiltern Railways Class 168 fleet.
The price you paid would get a better seat on a bus in some places. However, I suspect the regular commuters who probably pay through the nose to travel in the peak in 'normal' times consider the select cabin something of a haven from the crush of Standard Class. I agree with you entirely, these units are a disgrace for such long journeys. Mind you, if you have just arrived from the IoW having used the train and ferry, they might seem to be the height of luxury. 😁
I do love these trains they have comfy seats but the first class is tiny! And the seats are the same as standard class just with leather covering and curtains at windows, granted its better than some first class offerings it is by no means the best, these trains are lovely but could be much improved and they are not the best for long distance travelling, far better to have the class 444s doinh this service
Are you Fred Mills from the B1M? I subscribe to that channel, too.
@@John_Fugazzi no??
Sadly not enough 444s were built. Youll only ever see those on Weymouth and Portsmouth via Guildford fast services. You rarely see em on the Portsmouth via Basingstokes.
Such a shame as they are very good units
@@ajf3202 like you said, they’re often between London and Portsmouth via Guildford and to Weymouth, but mostly operate the fast services between London and Southampton via Basingstoke as well. It’s normally only the services that stop between Woking and Basingstoke that are the 450s. Take it from someone who’s lived in haslemere guildford and Woking in the last 15 years!
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.
Those toilets being closed is a disgrace !
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?
great video , but as people have said ... the direct services do tend to be 444s which are a considerably better unit , saying this on LNW we have 350s on all our routes with the longest journey being 158 miles .. 1st class is better
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 .
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.
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.
This is not the main route from Portsmouth, hence why 450s were used - the faster trains are 444s via Guildford, not Eastleigh
In case you didn’t notice the description says class 350. Not that it really matters!
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.
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.
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.
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
good thing that train was running in multiple a bit poor for the rear train to not have 1 working loo on a inter-city journey,
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.
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.
Beautiful countryside! While you were in Portsmouth did you have a chance to see Lord Adm. Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory? Were any of Cunard's Queens in port at nearby Southampton? Just wondering?
I agree bit much 2plus2 but the extra thought of paying first class might keep out some of the rif raf out
To call that first class is a disgrace IMO, even with the low price. And it is definitely out of order for three of the four toilets to be out of order.
See you on Friday, Dylan!
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.
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
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 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
A steal for a tenner tbf. Nice video Dylan!
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.
Being in a wheelchair in this train has to suck, sitting directly adjacent to the toilet. I guess it's better than sitting somewhere without a toilet and not being able to get over that obstacle course of a train car.
That is just standard 2nd class seats. should be 2 + 1 seating with recline. Also no buffet car serving hot meals is not on either. This is one of those cases where lower frequency but more comfortable trains is preferred option. Are there any proper full service long distance trains on this route?
The fact 3 out of 4 toilets were out of service should have resulted in this train being withdrawn from service at next available station and another train used instead. If no spare train was a available bring out the toilet equipped road coaches.
In my opinion, Standard Class is more comfortable on the 444s.. The seats feel softer
£9 for a first-class 2hr-journey ticket?? Please teach me your ways 😆
Great trip report
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.
This could be what the Class 360s look like on EMR. Maybe 800s would work better for SWR on these services
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.
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.
For someone who works at south western railway those first class seats are comfortable for me as a short person 😂
i’ve done this trip before alongside a ferry trip to gosport. it was pleasant but that’s about it
Did that run on a class 444 back in 2018. Much preferred to the 450 on the following service for the distance...
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
Lets try bringing these trains upto date first! Front end? No just a joining bit! Not at all streamlined. Less seats for long journeys, more space and better internal designs. All so bog basic.
I travelled between Portsmouth and London very regularly in the 70s, 80s and 90s. But always via Petersfield and Guildford. No better back then quite frankly. When I did have an opportunity to travel 1st class I decided it was a waste of money.
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
Fantastic trains on the most part but not cut out for this type of journey. This route definitely needs the 444s