Honestly it just gets more disgusting by the day.
Four TfW with ticket machines slung on their shoulder waiting on the platform for the 12:49 197/1B operated service to Manchester. I ask them if I have the right platform for Manchester and if they know which end the standard premium end will be. The one nearest to me, who was originally with her back to me, turned round and said “have you got a standard premium ticket?”
I said, “No, but you’re not selling them yet, right? I was more interested in looking-“
She cut me off and said “Then it doesn’t matter which end, does it.” Turned her back to me again and struck up a new conversation with her colleagues. Part of me wondered if she’d been trying to be funny, but it didn’t come across that way, her face was deadpan serious! The guard (who’d been on the platform with her) came through to check my ticket and did apologise profusely when I told him I wasn’t thrilled.
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Anyway. 197115’s Standard Premium area is lovely and could very well be simply “First Class” were it equipped with the necessary accessible toilets this end of the train, the lamps are absolutely perfect.
Much as I love leather furnishings the headrest pushes my head forward a bit much and I think it’s a shame they didn’t cover the whole seat in leather and then lose the headrest, which would certainly make it a similar style to the MK4 offering. The firm, generous wings of the seat will be amazing for when I need to take early morning trips, and what with there being seats both sides of the door there is plenty of space.
Not a jot of signage yet so I sincerely hope no one has been asked to move before.