Last week, I commented on the cost of travel on the Virgin Pendolinos between Birmingham New Street and London Euston, and compared it to the walk-on fares offered by Chiltern. Yesterday, I had an unexpected opportunity to compare and contrast both the fares and what was offered...
For my outward journey, I had booked through RedSpottedHanky.com as I had loyalty points to redeem. Thus my Virgin Advance First Class fare was reduced from £23.50 to a very reasonable £18.50. RSH is the new kid on the online booking block and is certainly making efforts both to differentiate itself from its competitors and be proactive in reaching out to both potential and existing customers. A nice touch is the pre-departure email 'Before the off' which arrives a couple of days prior to travel to remind you to pick up your tickets.
I was booked on the 12.30 departure from New Street. As ever, I took advantage of the First Class lounge beforehand - it definitely makes New Street more pleasant from which to depart. Quiet coach H was busier than usual (though not actually busy!) and as the Reservations had failed to download it was a bit of a free for all in looking for a table on which to work. Still, settled on one whilst being welcomed by the ticket restriction litany - at least yesterday's train manager actually put a bit of life into it.
Power points and WiFi working fine. Coffee offered after Birmingham International and again after Milton Keynes (nice touch) whilst the soft drinks trolley and sandwiches (can recommend the egg brown baguette) came round after Coventry. Slight delay at Watford Junction meant a 3 min late arrival into Euston but overall an excellent travel experience for the price I paid.
Unexpectedly, I returned on the 1807 Chiltern Railways Silver Service from London Marylebone. The walk-on Standard Class return fare is £50 (compared to Virgin's £158 and London Midland's £27) for which you get table seats with power points and free WiFi and access to an Expresso Bar (Virgin charge for WiFi in Standard; LondonMidland don't offer power points, WiFi or refreshments in Standard).
Standard class was relatively busy but a seat was to be had easily enough. Strangely, as I got on, the train was in darkness - the lights had tripped and noone had complained (the crew hadn't noticed, being deep in conversation on the platform...). Perhaps this is a common occurrence for Chiltern regulars???
As regular readers of my blog will know, I love travelling on the former Wrexham & Shropshire stock - proper trains! - especially now that the Class 67's can show what they can do with the former speed restrictions lifted. Actually, they can show what they can do until they leave the Marylebone signalling area... yesterday, although Aynho Junction was taken at speed, the train was delayed at Banbury by a CrossCoiuntry in front, and then at Dorridge by poor signalling looping the train through the platform to pass a LondonMidland service. Don't Network Rail get the concept of the Mainline service?
So a 15 minute late arrival into Snow Hill due to factors outside Chiltern's direct control. Would Virgin stand for being treated in such a way?
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