Regular readers of my blog will know that I favour afternoon / early evening events in London as timings tend to allow the use of off-peak fares, and, if I am lucky, the use of my favourite train: the 1055 Chiltern Mainline Silver service from Birmingham Moor Street to London Marylebone.
Yesterday's event timing allowed me this pleasure and so I turned up at Moor Street at 10.30 knowing that the Silver set would be in the platform, having arrived at 1017 (being the 0837 from Marylebone). Pleasantly surprised to find the train in Platform 3 rather than 4 - a small touch but a sensible one. Boarded the Business Zone - declassified for this journey of course - and settled down to work in the comfortable surroundings.
The locomotive had been shut down for the layover so I wasn't too bothered by the lack of power from the socket. However, it was clear as departure time neared that all was not well - though the loco started up ok, the Business Zone power did not respond. Cue frantic activity from Chiltern staff as they tried to get power and WiFi back on but defeat seemed to be admitted as we departed.
In fact, the standard class carriages were unaffected so, given that Chiltern Mainline Silver Standard is as good as most TOCs First Class offerings, I moved along a carriage and settled in the slightly noisy Standard Class environment (thank goodness half-term has ended!) where the sockets worked. In fact WiFi returned after a time, as did the power to the Expresso Bar so in the end, a very pleasant and productive journey was enjoyed. One suspects that Chiltern are desperate to start using the refurbished stock for their Silver Services and to get the two existing sets off to be upgraded...
Going up to London with Chiltern in effectively First Class comfort on this train costs £24.90 single. However, coming back mid-evening Chiltern can't compete with the Virgin Trains First Class Advance fare of £23.50. So it was that I joined the 2043 Pendolino back to Birmingham at Euston's Platform 18 (at least a Pendolino isn't as lost there as the LondonMidland four car EMUs).
The advantage of the 2043 is that it gets into New Street at 2206 (Chiltern's 2037 doesn't get into Moor Street until 2242); the disadvantage is that unless you can be sure of your timings, the cheapest First Class walk-on fare is £92.70. Clearly, most passengers don't plan in advance as First Class Quiet Coach H was virtually empty and, judging by the speed of service, so was the rest of First Class...
Pity as a Pendolino First Class journey is so much more pleasant than the Standard Class experience: tables, free WiFi, food and drink, window seats, and generally a quiet environment. Just a shame that Virgin price it so extortionately for walk-on off-peak...
Tuesday 21 February 2012
Friday 17 February 2012
Chiltern Railways: a half-term travel experience
Declaration of interest: I used a Chiltern Free Travel pass for the two journeys described in this post, and a Chiltern promotional voucher for the Business Zone upgrade.
On Wednesday, I had an opportunity to use the 6.55 Silver train service from Birmingham Moor Street to London Marylebone, and to take advantage of the Business Zone that this service conveys.
Arriving at Moor Street at 645 gave me plenty of opportunity to settle into my seat, set up my laptop before departure, and then sympathize with the passengers off the 610 connecting service from Kidderminster who just made it across the footbridge in time (roll on Platform 4 at Snow Hill - the sooner the Metro gets out of the way, the better).
Alas, WiFi wasn't working! It stayed that way for the journey, despite the efforts of the train manager to reset it. Another alas... Chiltern still don't take credit cards for food purchases in Business Zone so I had to forgo the anticipated bacon roll (that'll teach me not to rely on the Moor Street Cash Machine).
Other than the above, and the five minute late arrival into Marylebone (held outside awaiting a platform), the journey was pleasant and productive. Tea / coffee was offered soon after departure, and served in proper pots with real milk; the Financial Times was available as was inBusiness (though rather dated, but then it was the issue with a strong Chiltern influence); and the carriage wasn't overly busy (with some passengers were actually paying for the upgrade...).
Coming back was another matter. I had hoped to use the 1807 Silver train but finishing late meant that I ended up on the 1840 Clubman instead. In theory, this train is restricted to holders of Off-Peak (as opposed to Super Off-Peak) and Family (as opposed to Family Travelcard) tickets. But, of course, there are no barrier checks currently at Marylebone and, as I suspect is well known, none on the train until at least Banbury...
Thus, on joining the train 10 minutes before departure, I found it virtually full with many tables occupied by families with young / very young children. Although I managed to get a table seat, there were many adult standing passengers on departure - a situation which lasted until Banbury. Of course, this week has been half-term and Chiltern have been promoting 2 for 1 attractions in London. Nevertheless, it would be nice if the company considered the needs of its business and commuting customers too!
My disappointment at the travelling environment was compounded by the lack of WiFi once more.
Not too bad a run, though surely the timing should be better than 107 minutes. Like LondonMidland, Chiltern's evening service fails to offer fast runs back to Birmingham despite the fact that the off-peak daytime runs can do so.
Overall, not what I expected from Chiltern!
*** Chiltern tell me that they hope to be taking credit card payments for food in the Business Zone, Expresso Bar, and Trolley services in the not too distant future.
On Wednesday, I had an opportunity to use the 6.55 Silver train service from Birmingham Moor Street to London Marylebone, and to take advantage of the Business Zone that this service conveys.
Arriving at Moor Street at 645 gave me plenty of opportunity to settle into my seat, set up my laptop before departure, and then sympathize with the passengers off the 610 connecting service from Kidderminster who just made it across the footbridge in time (roll on Platform 4 at Snow Hill - the sooner the Metro gets out of the way, the better).
Alas, WiFi wasn't working! It stayed that way for the journey, despite the efforts of the train manager to reset it. Another alas... Chiltern still don't take credit cards for food purchases in Business Zone so I had to forgo the anticipated bacon roll (that'll teach me not to rely on the Moor Street Cash Machine).
Other than the above, and the five minute late arrival into Marylebone (held outside awaiting a platform), the journey was pleasant and productive. Tea / coffee was offered soon after departure, and served in proper pots with real milk; the Financial Times was available as was inBusiness (though rather dated, but then it was the issue with a strong Chiltern influence); and the carriage wasn't overly busy (with some passengers were actually paying for the upgrade...).
Coming back was another matter. I had hoped to use the 1807 Silver train but finishing late meant that I ended up on the 1840 Clubman instead. In theory, this train is restricted to holders of Off-Peak (as opposed to Super Off-Peak) and Family (as opposed to Family Travelcard) tickets. But, of course, there are no barrier checks currently at Marylebone and, as I suspect is well known, none on the train until at least Banbury...
Thus, on joining the train 10 minutes before departure, I found it virtually full with many tables occupied by families with young / very young children. Although I managed to get a table seat, there were many adult standing passengers on departure - a situation which lasted until Banbury. Of course, this week has been half-term and Chiltern have been promoting 2 for 1 attractions in London. Nevertheless, it would be nice if the company considered the needs of its business and commuting customers too!
My disappointment at the travelling environment was compounded by the lack of WiFi once more.
Not too bad a run, though surely the timing should be better than 107 minutes. Like LondonMidland, Chiltern's evening service fails to offer fast runs back to Birmingham despite the fact that the off-peak daytime runs can do so.
Overall, not what I expected from Chiltern!
*** Chiltern tell me that they hope to be taking credit card payments for food in the Business Zone, Expresso Bar, and Trolley services in the not too distant future.
Saturday 11 February 2012
LondonMidland's Great Escape
This weekend comes in the middle of LondonMidland's Great Escape promotion - still plenty of vouchers left for the half-term... Last Tuesday, I took advantage of the promotion to travel to London from Birmingham First Class for £25.
The first train out of New Street Monday-Friday on which the promotion is valid is the 0913 (arrives into Euston at 11.27). First surprise of the morning was to find New Street's Victoria Square entrance / exit fully manned for both ticket sales and ticket checks. These checks were followed up regularly on the train, even past Northampton.
The four car unit waiting on the platform wasn't particularly busy, so a table secured without a problem on which to work. Plenty of time to take advantage of the peaceful environment as the train runs local to Northampton before being semi-fast to Euston. Toilets clean and working... The only downside is the arrival into Euston's Platform 17 which must be one of the most depressing arrival / departure environments. Still, overall, a typically efficient LondonMidland working.
I returned on the 1946 - again a four car unit - which was standing forlornly in Platform 17. No barrier checks of course, none on the train, and none, naturally, at Birmingham New Street. Still, the train was relatively quiet and First Class particularly so, especially after Northampton. One of the peculiarities of the LondonMidland timetable is that it runs relatively fast trains out of London (2hrs 3mins) during the off-peak day but doesn't mid-evening. Thus the 1946 is timetabled to take 2hrs 15mins - almost mind-numbingly slow at that time of night.
So, although LondonMidland score highly on the working environment if travelling First Class, Chiltern still win out overall by charging the same price for a walk-on fare (£25 super off-peak return 0955 out, 1937 back), being quicker, offering Free WiFi, and refreshments in the morning... Sorry LM!
The first train out of New Street Monday-Friday on which the promotion is valid is the 0913 (arrives into Euston at 11.27). First surprise of the morning was to find New Street's Victoria Square entrance / exit fully manned for both ticket sales and ticket checks. These checks were followed up regularly on the train, even past Northampton.
The four car unit waiting on the platform wasn't particularly busy, so a table secured without a problem on which to work. Plenty of time to take advantage of the peaceful environment as the train runs local to Northampton before being semi-fast to Euston. Toilets clean and working... The only downside is the arrival into Euston's Platform 17 which must be one of the most depressing arrival / departure environments. Still, overall, a typically efficient LondonMidland working.
I returned on the 1946 - again a four car unit - which was standing forlornly in Platform 17. No barrier checks of course, none on the train, and none, naturally, at Birmingham New Street. Still, the train was relatively quiet and First Class particularly so, especially after Northampton. One of the peculiarities of the LondonMidland timetable is that it runs relatively fast trains out of London (2hrs 3mins) during the off-peak day but doesn't mid-evening. Thus the 1946 is timetabled to take 2hrs 15mins - almost mind-numbingly slow at that time of night.
So, although LondonMidland score highly on the working environment if travelling First Class, Chiltern still win out overall by charging the same price for a walk-on fare (£25 super off-peak return 0955 out, 1937 back), being quicker, offering Free WiFi, and refreshments in the morning... Sorry LM!
Saturday 4 February 2012
Miscellaneous updates: Chiltern Railways / LondonMidland / Virgin Trains
Chiltern Railways
Chiltern continue to promote the Mainline service in Birmingham. Last Thursday's Birmingham Post carried a full page advert offering a MacBook Air in a competition... see www.chilternmacbook.co.uk
LondonMidland
LondonMidland's Great Escape starts today and runs until Sunday 19th February. Off-peak day tickets for £15 (£25 First Class) - first train to London is the 0913 from New Street - with NO restrictions for Birmingham passengers returning from London Euston. Will be monitoring the Twittersphere to see what the commuters make of this generosity during half-term!
Virgin Trains
Virgin are upgrading the food and drink offering in their First Class Lounges and are seeking feedback. Alas, the upgrade hadn't reached New Street on Friday so I can not yet give an opinion...
onboard for Winter / Spring '12 has been published and features a range of festivals in Birmingham.
Congratulations to Virgin Trains on two recent awards: Favourite Rail Operator award at the prestigious Globe Travel awards and for topping the performance league among companies operating long-distance rail franchises
Chiltern continue to promote the Mainline service in Birmingham. Last Thursday's Birmingham Post carried a full page advert offering a MacBook Air in a competition... see www.chilternmacbook.co.uk
LondonMidland
LondonMidland's Great Escape starts today and runs until Sunday 19th February. Off-peak day tickets for £15 (£25 First Class) - first train to London is the 0913 from New Street - with NO restrictions for Birmingham passengers returning from London Euston. Will be monitoring the Twittersphere to see what the commuters make of this generosity during half-term!
Virgin Trains
Virgin are upgrading the food and drink offering in their First Class Lounges and are seeking feedback. Alas, the upgrade hadn't reached New Street on Friday so I can not yet give an opinion...
onboard for Winter / Spring '12 has been published and features a range of festivals in Birmingham.
Congratulations to Virgin Trains on two recent awards: Favourite Rail Operator award at the prestigious Globe Travel awards and for topping the performance league among companies operating long-distance rail franchises
Using the train as a travelling office: LondonMidland
Last Monday saw me on the 0753 LondonMidland service out of Birmingham New Street bound for London Euston. Knowing about this journey well in time enabled me to take advantage of the £16 advance First Class Fare, and so make use of the table and power points (though of course there isn't WiFi on LondonMidland services).
The 0753 is formed of a 4-car Class 350 set which works in from Crewe and arrives and departs from Platform 1B in New Street. Clearly a train which is used by many regular commuters for stations to Coventry but by not too many First Class travellers (mind you there are only 24 First Class seats, of which 8 are around tables). The key to getting to a table is to remember that the First Class Compartment is in the centre of the train..
Active ticket checks up to Northampton were in evidence but none after that station (nor on exit slightly late at Euston...), and the First Class, though getting busier, remained a comfortable working environment. Pity the trolley service has gone but one can always remember a flask (and, of course, there is the wait at Northampton which would give the chance to use the station facilities). A (Orange) mobile wireless dongle finds coverage for most of the journey too...
Coming back from St Albans Abbey, I joined the 1201 Crewe / Birmingham service at Watford Junction. Announcements here and on board made it clear that the rear four coaches were for New Street. As before, the First Class Advance Fare was £16 though of course being midday the First Class Compartment was virtually empty. Another good run - and as before, the ambient temperature was pleasant and the toilets were clean!
So, despite the lack of WiFi and refreshments, there are times when LondonMidland can be used as a reasonably priced travelling office but generally, Chiltern would be my first choice...
The 0753 is formed of a 4-car Class 350 set which works in from Crewe and arrives and departs from Platform 1B in New Street. Clearly a train which is used by many regular commuters for stations to Coventry but by not too many First Class travellers (mind you there are only 24 First Class seats, of which 8 are around tables). The key to getting to a table is to remember that the First Class Compartment is in the centre of the train..
Active ticket checks up to Northampton were in evidence but none after that station (nor on exit slightly late at Euston...), and the First Class, though getting busier, remained a comfortable working environment. Pity the trolley service has gone but one can always remember a flask (and, of course, there is the wait at Northampton which would give the chance to use the station facilities). A (Orange) mobile wireless dongle finds coverage for most of the journey too...
Coming back from St Albans Abbey, I joined the 1201 Crewe / Birmingham service at Watford Junction. Announcements here and on board made it clear that the rear four coaches were for New Street. As before, the First Class Advance Fare was £16 though of course being midday the First Class Compartment was virtually empty. Another good run - and as before, the ambient temperature was pleasant and the toilets were clean!
So, despite the lack of WiFi and refreshments, there are times when LondonMidland can be used as a reasonably priced travelling office but generally, Chiltern would be my first choice...
Using the train as a travelling office: Chiltern Railways
A trip to the Golden Whistles Awards, sponsored by Modern Railways, on the 27th saw me back on Chiltern's Mainline trains. A peculiarity of the current timetable is the running of a Mainline service as a multi-station stopper in front of a fast Mainline service; examples being the 0659, 0744, and 0825 services from Moor Street all of which have published arrival times into Marylebone 1 minute ahead of the 0733, 0815, and 0855 respectively.
From a 'working on board' point of view, the best of these slow trains is the 0825 from Moor Street which actually starts from Snow Hill at 0822 and benefits from the £50 return fare. So it was that I joined the virtually empty Clubman set at Snow Hill and settled myself at a table ready to work on my laptop. Departure was on time and the power points were working but disaster, no external WiFi connection... Fortunately, Chiltern train managers have a 'can-do' attitude... Steve reset the box whilst waiting in the Dorridge loop and the full (free) WiFi service sprang into life.
Although the train got busier, at no time was it uncomfortably so. With an at-seat trolley service (pity they still don't take credit / debit cards), what more can the working traveller want?
Alas, coming back wasn't quite so pleasant. The 1915 is notorious amongst Chiltern's vocal Twitter following for being overcrowded and this Friday's was no exception. I got a seat by dint of boarding at 1905 but on departure it was full and standing, and it wasn't until Leamington Spa that the last of the standing passengers got a seat. The primary cause of this overcrowding would seem to be the fact that the 1915 is the first super-off peak service out of Marylebone in the evening, along with the stop that it makes at Bicester North. Perhaps Chiltern could adopt a variable ticket restriction which sees Bicester North super off-peak tickets valid from the following 1937 rather than the 1915...
Of course, that would require ticket checking, something which all the TOCs that I use seem to find very difficult especially in the evening. On the Friday in question, the barriers were not in place at Marylebone (they're being upgraded), there was no on-board checking, and of course, there is no 'exit' checking at any Chiltern station en-route... Just as with Virgin and LondonMidland, one suspects a business plan which focuses on travel into London and works on the assumption that travellers out of London will be on return tickets...
Finally, a quick word about the Golden Whistles. Alas, the only whistle that the three TOCs won was Virgin's award for 'managing disruption'. By all accounts, something for which the TOC had plenty of opportunity to display in yesterday's WCML disruption at Bletchley.
From a 'working on board' point of view, the best of these slow trains is the 0825 from Moor Street which actually starts from Snow Hill at 0822 and benefits from the £50 return fare. So it was that I joined the virtually empty Clubman set at Snow Hill and settled myself at a table ready to work on my laptop. Departure was on time and the power points were working but disaster, no external WiFi connection... Fortunately, Chiltern train managers have a 'can-do' attitude... Steve reset the box whilst waiting in the Dorridge loop and the full (free) WiFi service sprang into life.
Although the train got busier, at no time was it uncomfortably so. With an at-seat trolley service (pity they still don't take credit / debit cards), what more can the working traveller want?
Alas, coming back wasn't quite so pleasant. The 1915 is notorious amongst Chiltern's vocal Twitter following for being overcrowded and this Friday's was no exception. I got a seat by dint of boarding at 1905 but on departure it was full and standing, and it wasn't until Leamington Spa that the last of the standing passengers got a seat. The primary cause of this overcrowding would seem to be the fact that the 1915 is the first super-off peak service out of Marylebone in the evening, along with the stop that it makes at Bicester North. Perhaps Chiltern could adopt a variable ticket restriction which sees Bicester North super off-peak tickets valid from the following 1937 rather than the 1915...
Of course, that would require ticket checking, something which all the TOCs that I use seem to find very difficult especially in the evening. On the Friday in question, the barriers were not in place at Marylebone (they're being upgraded), there was no on-board checking, and of course, there is no 'exit' checking at any Chiltern station en-route... Just as with Virgin and LondonMidland, one suspects a business plan which focuses on travel into London and works on the assumption that travellers out of London will be on return tickets...
Finally, a quick word about the Golden Whistles. Alas, the only whistle that the three TOCs won was Virgin's award for 'managing disruption'. By all accounts, something for which the TOC had plenty of opportunity to display in yesterday's WCML disruption at Bletchley.
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