 For a brief period starting in October 1973, first class service was provided but the total number of seats was much reduced from the former second class only stock, from 772 to 560 seats, and this resulted in much dissatisfaction due to the consequent overcrowding.However, the first-class train stock used consisted of 4VEPs and, owing to a shortage of this stock available for the stopping services between Waterloo and , first-class service was abruptly withdrawn from the New Guildford line and second-class only service reinstated.During the period of first-class service, a number of trains ran as stopping services to and from Portsmouth.