"First Class" on a 166

Clan Line

Hero Member

Posts: 1155

"First Class" on a 166

« on: November 13, 2025, 14:11:13 »

I travelled from Fareham back to Warminster yesterday afternoon. The train looked about a third full overall. I went into the very rear of the train where there were four nice large tables with 2 + 2 seating - completely empty. At Southampton 3 men got in and started to settle down when one of them commented - "isn't this 1st class" ? After a bit of discussion about lack of signs, etc, they stayed put. As soon as the train moved away, the guard appeared from the rear cab - they asked him if they were in 1st Class - he confirmed they weren't.

It doesn't say a great deal about the generally perceived quality of the rolling stock on this line when half decent 2 + 2 seating with tables is now often mistaken for 1st Class. "Let them eat cake !"

PS: I was really impressed with the electric buses running down the old railway line to Gosport ! Comfy seats too.


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WSW Frome

Transport Scholar
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Posts: 219

Re: "First Class" on a 166

« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2025, 15:55:22 »

Many of the end sections of 165/166 stock still contain the former first class sections as used in the Thames Valley. They have undergone very little modification apart from re-trimming and removal of the reading lights! A few still display first class signs.

On BRI^▸ - WEY^▸ direct services there are no first class fares anyway and probably not on GWR^▸ PMH^▸ -CDF^▸ services. More people are recognising the extra comfort available but always worth a try to bag such a better seat.


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Clan Line

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Posts: 1155

Re: "First Class" on a 166

« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2025, 18:50:16 »

Quote from: WSW Frome on November 13, 2025, 15:55:22

This was a refurbished one - oh....and I forgot, the "accessible loo" was out of order. I did notice that the other "1st Class" bit was full of railway workers in their orange coats - which was why I tried the other end.


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eightonedee

Transport Scholar
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Posts: 2009

Re: "First Class" on a 166

« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2025, 22:41:28 »

Quote

Quote from: WSW Frome on Today at 15:55:22
Many of the end sections of 165/166 stock still contain the former first class sections as used in the Thames Valley. They have undergone very little modification apart from re-trimming and removal of the reading lights! A few still display first class signs.

Indeed - once one of the first-class sections of each 166 were declassified, that's where those of us who were savvy North Downs commuters went for a much more comfortable ride from Reading to Guilford! Even better was a period when many trains were entirely declassified, so even the first class end of a 165 was available.


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