Wednesday 10th March

Caught the 7.30 Pendolino for the non-stop run to Euston today. I wasn't the only one... standard class was packed! The train manager announced prior to departure that there were only 19 unreserved seats in coaches 'A' to 'D' (coach 'E' being unreserved) and judging by my later walk to the Shop there were very few 'no-shows'.

Of course, such take-up brings to the fore the 'sardine' style seating of the Pendolino standard class and means that work on a laptop is virtually impossible (compunded, I realised today, by the lack of sockets at the airline style seating...). So, the chargeable Wi-Fi was not used by me today at least.

Have to admit to being surprised at the busyness of this train. Admittedly, the 72 minute run is excellent for London morning meetings but the walk-on full fare is £70 with Advance tickets at £55. Would be very interested to learn the ticket types of the clientele: season ticket holders, charity ID holders, railcard holders or business types / public officials charging it to expenses...

Anyway, another efficient on-time journey. Shop announced several times; ticket checked; and rubbish collected frequently! Just a pity about the seating...

Came back on the 13.46 LondonMidland Class 350 service, which, with a change at Rugby, should give a 135 minute journey with a walk-on single fare of £16.90 (the equivalent Virgin fare is £40.90 albeit for a much quicker journey).

Class 350 units ride well but the seats are really not particularly comfortable. Of course, being designed for commuting, there are no tables, no power sockets, no Wi-Fi, and no refereshments. Definitely a no-frills offering. Still, busy enough with a number of people travelling beyond Rugby.

The train ran to time to Rugby, and the connecting local service (also a Class 350 set) arrived on time. Alas, held at Coventry due to trespassers at Tile Hill which meant that arrival in New Street was 15 minutes late.

Given that the 13.50 Chiltern service from Marylebone to Moor Street has a walk-on fare of £19.40 for a faster service and some frills (namely, tables, sockets, and more comfortable seats) I think that I will be sticking to Chiltern for my low-cost journeys!