I travel from Godalming to Waterloo in first class most days. We typically have 450s or occasionally 444s but i understand these we will soon have 442s?
Anyway, I’m keen to hear what’s happening to first class? Are the numbers of seats reducing significantly on these trains? I travelled in the 450 today which had a new, small 8 seat first class in the middle of the train - 2 pairs of 4 seats around tables - is this the future? I’m sure there used to be at least 24 seats in the first class compartment on these trains?
Thanks!
There are 3 450s with the revised layout in service as stated above.
And yes, the plan is for all the 450s to be refurbished with this layout - with 8 first class seats at the end of each unit - meaning 16 in total (there were 24 before). Also, the guards compartment has been removed to enable additional standard class capacity.
The 444s are being subject to a similar refurbishment - there are 3 refurbished ones in service. The first class section has been reduced to 32 seats in 2+2 layout (was 35 in 2+1 layout), the guards compartment and buffet have been removed - all increasing standard seating capacity.
442s will be introduced on the line next year I believe- although initially I think they will be used on the fast services straight through Godalming. They are being refurbished and will be of a (nearly) identical layout to refurbished 444s.
Hi Peter. Thank you. That makes sense.
A lot of the fast trains that didn’t stop at Godalming now do which is great.
Re the 450s however I’m a bit confused. Currently they are mostly 12 coaches which is 3 units (?) each with a first class in the middle which has 24 seats, so there are 72 seats in total. But it’s going down to 8x3 = 24??
Surely that can’t be right?
You're welcome! Tere are 8 first class seats at each end of each unit - the original compartment of 24 has been split in two. Hence each unit has 16 first class seats - 16x3=48.
Thanks again! That’s not great, it’s often full so with less seats I hope they offer refunds on season tickets. Any idea when?