Further to my recent blog on the two Chiltern related books I bought last Saturday at Moor Street...
David Postle of KRM Publishing tells me that 'Birmingham Moor Street Station - A Century of Enterprise' is due to hit the shops next week. In the meantime, he is happy to take orders:
Contact details: krm@krm.org.uk Phone number: 01562 825316. If you want a copy posting to you it is £19.95 (not charging postage).
Friday, 17 December 2010
Virgin Pendolinos Wednesday 15th December 2010
Regular readers of this blog will know that I was booked onto Virgin First Class travel today through the Telegraph promotion that ran in November. £18 each way is truly a bargain...
Caught the 10.50 Pendolino from Birmingham New Street. In the new timetable from 12th December, this train is shown as the last having a full breakfast service in the morning. In fact, it and the two previous departures offer hot bacon or sausage rolls in place of the breakfast range available earlier. Certainly an improvement over the cold sandwich snack but not quite what appears to be promised! As ever, two servings of cold drinks and coffee/tea to accompany the food.
Another change, at least until the end of February, is that Virgin are offering Free Wi-Fi for both standard and first-class passengers. The service is still based on T-Mobile's offering but the version for mobile devices such as iPhones now has Google co-branding. One of the downsides of this move is that the speed of connection seesm to be reduced as the bandwidth is presumably being shared even more thinly than before!
Nevertheless, another good run as Virgin prove yet again that a VHF timtable is entirely possible on the WCML...
Returned to Birmingham on the 20.03 from Euston. This service was reasonably busy in First Class being the first to accept the Telegraph promotion tickets and Virgin's own discounted advance first tickets. Interestingly, many were using it only to the first stop at Rugby.
The food selection seems to have improved for the cold snack service. I enjoyed a very tastly stilton and pear roll which was accompanied by a nicely wrapped box of two chocolates. As ever, regular servings of drinks (hot and cold) on offer.
On time arrival into New Street ended a very good, and certainly value for money, Virgin train experience...
Caught the 10.50 Pendolino from Birmingham New Street. In the new timetable from 12th December, this train is shown as the last having a full breakfast service in the morning. In fact, it and the two previous departures offer hot bacon or sausage rolls in place of the breakfast range available earlier. Certainly an improvement over the cold sandwich snack but not quite what appears to be promised! As ever, two servings of cold drinks and coffee/tea to accompany the food.
Another change, at least until the end of February, is that Virgin are offering Free Wi-Fi for both standard and first-class passengers. The service is still based on T-Mobile's offering but the version for mobile devices such as iPhones now has Google co-branding. One of the downsides of this move is that the speed of connection seesm to be reduced as the bandwidth is presumably being shared even more thinly than before!
Nevertheless, another good run as Virgin prove yet again that a VHF timtable is entirely possible on the WCML...
Returned to Birmingham on the 20.03 from Euston. This service was reasonably busy in First Class being the first to accept the Telegraph promotion tickets and Virgin's own discounted advance first tickets. Interestingly, many were using it only to the first stop at Rugby.
The food selection seems to have improved for the cold snack service. I enjoyed a very tastly stilton and pear roll which was accompanied by a nicely wrapped box of two chocolates. As ever, regular servings of drinks (hot and cold) on offer.
On time arrival into New Street ended a very good, and certainly value for money, Virgin train experience...
Saturday, 11 December 2010
New timetable starts 12th December 2010
Don't forget that the new National Rail timetables start tomorrow (Sunday 12th). I have already blogged on the Chiltern changes, so find below the details for the three companies which actually offer First Class travel Monday to Friday.
Of course, the sad news is that the Wrexham and Shropshire service has been heavily pruned Birmingham to London. Now there are only two trains a day from Tame Bridge Parkway, though there remain three return trips. The two trains south are at 06.44 (arr London Marylebone 08.57) and 09.02 (arr London Marylebone 11.15). Trains from Marylebone are at 09.24 (arr Tame Bridge Parkway 11.45), 16.30 (arr Tame Bridge Parkway 18.43), and 18.30 (arr Tame Bridge Parkway 20.43).
Prices remain very competitive (£120 Flexible First Return) and, of course, the service is superb in all respects apart from the length of journey...
LondonMidland now have an additional through train at 17.46 from Euston to New Street though it does take 2 hours 17 mins (Don't forget that the 17.13, 18.13, and 21.13 trains from Euston take only 2 hours 3 or 4 mins). Other than this addition, the service is as before.
The Virgin Pendolino service remains unchanged. Given that Virgin have said they'll be bidding for the new 2012-2027 franchise, it will be interesting to see how they up their game in relation to the use being made of First Class carriages during most of the day...
Of course, the sad news is that the Wrexham and Shropshire service has been heavily pruned Birmingham to London. Now there are only two trains a day from Tame Bridge Parkway, though there remain three return trips. The two trains south are at 06.44 (arr London Marylebone 08.57) and 09.02 (arr London Marylebone 11.15). Trains from Marylebone are at 09.24 (arr Tame Bridge Parkway 11.45), 16.30 (arr Tame Bridge Parkway 18.43), and 18.30 (arr Tame Bridge Parkway 20.43).
Prices remain very competitive (£120 Flexible First Return) and, of course, the service is superb in all respects apart from the length of journey...
LondonMidland now have an additional through train at 17.46 from Euston to New Street though it does take 2 hours 17 mins (Don't forget that the 17.13, 18.13, and 21.13 trains from Euston take only 2 hours 3 or 4 mins). Other than this addition, the service is as before.
The Virgin Pendolino service remains unchanged. Given that Virgin have said they'll be bidding for the new 2012-2027 franchise, it will be interesting to see how they up their game in relation to the use being made of First Class carriages during most of the day...
For Chiltern die-hards...
Two books were being sold at Moor Street during today's celebrations, and I was fortunate to get a copy of each signed by the respective authors...
The Chiltern Railways Story
by Hugh Jones tells "the story of the most successful of Britain's new private railway companies". I know Hugh from days in Banbury and can vouch for the meticulous work that has gone into producing this definitive history, and for the support of his long-suffering wife Rosemary who entertained many Chiltern personnel to dinner so that Hugh could get first-hand accounts...
Better still, Hugh is donating 50% of the royalties from the book to the Railway Children charity!
Birmingham Moor Street Station - a century of enterprise by Ian Baxter and Richard Harper details the story of the Building, Heyday, Decline and Closure, and Re-Opening and Re-Birth of this amazing station. Fascinatiing photos accompany a text which is detailed and informative. Published by KRM Publishing, it costs £19.95 (ISBN 978 0 9534775 9 3)
The Chiltern Railways Story
by Hugh Jones tells "the story of the most successful of Britain's new private railway companies". I know Hugh from days in Banbury and can vouch for the meticulous work that has gone into producing this definitive history, and for the support of his long-suffering wife Rosemary who entertained many Chiltern personnel to dinner so that Hugh could get first-hand accounts...Better still, Hugh is donating 50% of the royalties from the book to the Railway Children charity!
Birmingham Moor Street Station - a century of enterprise by Ian Baxter and Richard Harper details the story of the Building, Heyday, Decline and Closure, and Re-Opening and Re-Birth of this amazing station. Fascinatiing photos accompany a text which is detailed and informative. Published by KRM Publishing, it costs £19.95 (ISBN 978 0 9534775 9 3)
Going First Class with Chiltern - well almost...
Great celebrations at Birmingham Moor Street station today as Chiltern prepared to launch its new timetable for the services from tomorrow (Sunday 12th December).
Of course, the big news is the move of 1 off-peak service an hour away from Birmingham Snow Hill to start at Moor Street on the 55 mins past the hour (from 9.55)with an improved journey time of 2 hours. (Coming back, the equivalent 20 minutes past the hour - from 9.20 manages the journey in 118 mins).
However, the more intriguing development is the use of Wrexham and Shropshire stock and crew for the 05.46 from Moor Street and the 16.33 return. This locomotive hauled train is timed to take 126 mins to London and 122 minutes back.
In the strangely titled leaflet 'Important information for regular sevice users', Chiltern state the First Class carriage of this stock will be available to all Chiltern Railways ticket holders (ie standard class) and that there will be a full catering service offering breakfast on the way up to London and dinner on the way back. What it doesn't say is whether the Wi-Fi will be available...
Given that Wrexham and Shropshire staff are superb, the stock is the best loco-hauled stock on the network, and the meals are simply deliciously good value, one wonders why Chiltern are downplaying this brilliant move on their part... After all, at £35 advance or £49.50 walk-on plus £12.50 for the meal (presuming it follows W&S pricing) from Birmingham AND £30.90 walk-on back from London plus £12.50 for a meal, it knocks spots off Virgin's early morning / early evening offering!
By the way DON'T pay Chiltern's peak return fare from Birmingham as there are NO peak fares from London Marylebone. See my blog post of June for full details.
Of course, the big news is the move of 1 off-peak service an hour away from Birmingham Snow Hill to start at Moor Street on the 55 mins past the hour (from 9.55)with an improved journey time of 2 hours. (Coming back, the equivalent 20 minutes past the hour - from 9.20 manages the journey in 118 mins).
However, the more intriguing development is the use of Wrexham and Shropshire stock and crew for the 05.46 from Moor Street and the 16.33 return. This locomotive hauled train is timed to take 126 mins to London and 122 minutes back.
In the strangely titled leaflet 'Important information for regular sevice users', Chiltern state the First Class carriage of this stock will be available to all Chiltern Railways ticket holders (ie standard class) and that there will be a full catering service offering breakfast on the way up to London and dinner on the way back. What it doesn't say is whether the Wi-Fi will be available...
Given that Wrexham and Shropshire staff are superb, the stock is the best loco-hauled stock on the network, and the meals are simply deliciously good value, one wonders why Chiltern are downplaying this brilliant move on their part... After all, at £35 advance or £49.50 walk-on plus £12.50 for the meal (presuming it follows W&S pricing) from Birmingham AND £30.90 walk-on back from London plus £12.50 for a meal, it knocks spots off Virgin's early morning / early evening offering!
By the way DON'T pay Chiltern's peak return fare from Birmingham as there are NO peak fares from London Marylebone. See my blog post of June for full details.
Friday, 3 December 2010
Tuesday 30th November
Up to London on Tuesday at the start of what turns out to be a big freeze.. However, no problems for me on the Birmingham to London run nor on its return.
Having a few days notice of the timings for my meetings, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Virgin were offering a £44 Advance First Class Single fare on the 9.10 out of New Street. As this was £3 cheaper than the Advance Standard Class Fare, there was no contest (writing today Friday 3rd I see that this applies for trains on the 14th so its is always worth checking the First Class panel on the virgintrains.co.uk site).
Spent a productive hour in Virgin's First Class lounge at New Street - free Wi-Fi, coffee, cereal, snacks and loo - before heading to Platform 2.
The trouble with the 9.10 is that it comes from Wolverhampton and, although presumably Network Rail know that a Pendolino takes up the whole of the platform, it is shown as arriving and departing from 2B. The Indicator on Platform 2A - the Firts Class end of the train - resolutely claimed that the next train was the local to Walsall; hardly helpful.
Once on the train, all was well apart from a lack of Wi-Fi. As ever, the train crew couldn't help and, as Hotline seems to have ceased publication, there was no help number to ring to find out what the problem was. One would have thought by now that Virgin would have trained their First Class hosts to at least know the basics of what to do if Wi-Fi is not working...
Coffee / tea offered after Birmingham International, and a full English breakfast served after Coventry. Good run too until the approach to Euston when slight congestion caused a 5 min delay on arrival.
Overall, good value for money but one feels that Virgin could do so much better in both publicising and delivering its First Class service...
Returned on the 1900 Clubman from Marylebone. As Chiltern do not operate Peak Fares from the London end of the journey, a walk-on return was £31.90 - truly value for money. The Clubman was relatively quiet so able to work at a table with socket.
Slightly slow journey but an almost on time arrival at Snow Hill (those additional minutes between Moor Street and Snow Hill really do help Chiltern's punctuality figures). So, as ever, well done Chiltern...
Having a few days notice of the timings for my meetings, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Virgin were offering a £44 Advance First Class Single fare on the 9.10 out of New Street. As this was £3 cheaper than the Advance Standard Class Fare, there was no contest (writing today Friday 3rd I see that this applies for trains on the 14th so its is always worth checking the First Class panel on the virgintrains.co.uk site).
Spent a productive hour in Virgin's First Class lounge at New Street - free Wi-Fi, coffee, cereal, snacks and loo - before heading to Platform 2.
The trouble with the 9.10 is that it comes from Wolverhampton and, although presumably Network Rail know that a Pendolino takes up the whole of the platform, it is shown as arriving and departing from 2B. The Indicator on Platform 2A - the Firts Class end of the train - resolutely claimed that the next train was the local to Walsall; hardly helpful.
Once on the train, all was well apart from a lack of Wi-Fi. As ever, the train crew couldn't help and, as Hotline seems to have ceased publication, there was no help number to ring to find out what the problem was. One would have thought by now that Virgin would have trained their First Class hosts to at least know the basics of what to do if Wi-Fi is not working...
Coffee / tea offered after Birmingham International, and a full English breakfast served after Coventry. Good run too until the approach to Euston when slight congestion caused a 5 min delay on arrival.
Overall, good value for money but one feels that Virgin could do so much better in both publicising and delivering its First Class service...
Returned on the 1900 Clubman from Marylebone. As Chiltern do not operate Peak Fares from the London end of the journey, a walk-on return was £31.90 - truly value for money. The Clubman was relatively quiet so able to work at a table with socket.
Slightly slow journey but an almost on time arrival at Snow Hill (those additional minutes between Moor Street and Snow Hill really do help Chiltern's punctuality figures). So, as ever, well done Chiltern...
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Virgin First Class fares
Just as in the summer (see my posts in June and July 2010), Virgin has followed up the Telegraph promotion with one of its own... Basically, off-peak single First Class tickets to/from Birmingham and London are available for £19 between Saturday 11th December and Sunday 23rd January if booked by the 5th December through the Virgin trains site.
When I checked for Monday 13th December, trains available from Birmingham New Street were those departing between 10.50 and 14.10, and 18.50 through to 21.10. Trains from London Euston were the 6.03, 10.23 through to 14.23, and 20.03 through to 23.30. Note that meals are included on the 18.50 and 19.10 from Birmingham, and the 6.03 from London making those trains a particularly good choice!
Given that First Class travel includes access to the excellent First Class lounges and gives Free Wi-Fi, this offer is brilliant value for money...
When I checked for Monday 13th December, trains available from Birmingham New Street were those departing between 10.50 and 14.10, and 18.50 through to 21.10. Trains from London Euston were the 6.03, 10.23 through to 14.23, and 20.03 through to 23.30. Note that meals are included on the 18.50 and 19.10 from Birmingham, and the 6.03 from London making those trains a particularly good choice!
Given that First Class travel includes access to the excellent First Class lounges and gives Free Wi-Fi, this offer is brilliant value for money...
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Chiltern timetable 12 December 2010 to 21 May 2011
Chiltern have published the timetable for the 5 'winter' months starting on the 12th December, and are, of course, preparing for the use of the reconnected bay platforms at Birmingham Moor Street.
The key change for Birmingham to London passengers is in the off-peak provision: only one off-peak train (at 12 mins past the hour) will start from Birmingham Snow Hill and it will be 'slow' to London Marylebone (2hrs 19 mins). The 'fast' service will leave from Birmingham Moor Street at 55 mins past the hour and will take 2 hours.
Coming back from London, the pattern is that the 20 mins past the hour is 'fast' to Moor Street and the 50 mins past the hour is 'slow' to Snow Hill.
To celebrate the new timetable, the first train out of the new platforms at Moor Street will be The First Moor Street Express on Saturday 11th December headed by Castle class steam locomotive No 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. Return fares to Paddington start at £80.
The key change for Birmingham to London passengers is in the off-peak provision: only one off-peak train (at 12 mins past the hour) will start from Birmingham Snow Hill and it will be 'slow' to London Marylebone (2hrs 19 mins). The 'fast' service will leave from Birmingham Moor Street at 55 mins past the hour and will take 2 hours.
Coming back from London, the pattern is that the 20 mins past the hour is 'fast' to Moor Street and the 50 mins past the hour is 'slow' to Snow Hill.
To celebrate the new timetable, the first train out of the new platforms at Moor Street will be The First Moor Street Express on Saturday 11th December headed by Castle class steam locomotive No 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. Return fares to Paddington start at £80.
In praise of the Chiltern Clubman Wednesday 17th November 2010
Regular readers of this blog will know that I am a great fan of the Chiltern Railways services between Birmingham and London. In my experience, the company provides reliable comfortable trains between the two cities at an amazing price when you consider the facilities offered, and the attitude of the staff who serve, both on board and at the stations.
Yesterday's return journey illustrated the Chiltern plus effect perfectly. Travelling up to London, I caught the 8.15 Clubman service from Birmingham Moor Street. As I have a Chiltern Gastro Card, I benefitted from a 10% reduction on the already bargain fare of £31.90 - paying just £28.70.
On its on-time arrival from Kidderminster, there was the usual mixture of many commuters (some of whom stay onto Solihull) and a few long distance travellers, so obtaining a table on which to work wasn't a problem. As expected, the socket was working so my laptop was happy...
Although a catering trolley joins at Moor Street for the journey through to London, it tends to be slow working its way through the train so I had bought a coffee from one of the many outlets on the station itself. In the event the catering stewardess made it through to the rear carriage by Warwick, and then appeared again around High Wycombe.
The train filled up during the run, particularly at Banbury, but wasn't over-full at any stage. Toilets were fine, and arrival at London Marylebone was on-time.
I returned on the 2.50pm Clubman from Marylebone. Reasonably busy to Bicester but again no trouble finding a table with a working socket. No catering trolley on the afternoon services but Marylebone has plenty of outlets. Arrival in Birmingham Snow Hill on time...
So what's there not to like? Well, the main weakness for those who want to work on the train is the lack of wireless connectivity which is aggravated for both Orange and Vodafone users by the poor coverage of the country portions of the route by the telecom providers. Apart from that, as I have commented before, speed isn't everything...
Yesterday's return journey illustrated the Chiltern plus effect perfectly. Travelling up to London, I caught the 8.15 Clubman service from Birmingham Moor Street. As I have a Chiltern Gastro Card, I benefitted from a 10% reduction on the already bargain fare of £31.90 - paying just £28.70.
On its on-time arrival from Kidderminster, there was the usual mixture of many commuters (some of whom stay onto Solihull) and a few long distance travellers, so obtaining a table on which to work wasn't a problem. As expected, the socket was working so my laptop was happy...
Although a catering trolley joins at Moor Street for the journey through to London, it tends to be slow working its way through the train so I had bought a coffee from one of the many outlets on the station itself. In the event the catering stewardess made it through to the rear carriage by Warwick, and then appeared again around High Wycombe.
The train filled up during the run, particularly at Banbury, but wasn't over-full at any stage. Toilets were fine, and arrival at London Marylebone was on-time.
I returned on the 2.50pm Clubman from Marylebone. Reasonably busy to Bicester but again no trouble finding a table with a working socket. No catering trolley on the afternoon services but Marylebone has plenty of outlets. Arrival in Birmingham Snow Hill on time...
So what's there not to like? Well, the main weakness for those who want to work on the train is the lack of wireless connectivity which is aggravated for both Orange and Vodafone users by the poor coverage of the country portions of the route by the telecom providers. Apart from that, as I have commented before, speed isn't everything...
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Wrexham and Shropshire timetable changes
Alas, Wrexham and Shropshire will be operating only three trains a day from the new timetable which starts on Sunday 12th December. Worse, Tame Bridge Parkway loses its afternoon departures!
New times out from Tame Bridge are 06.41 (arr London Marylebone 08.57) and 09.02 (arr London Marylebone 11.15). Trains from London Marylebone are at 09.24 (arr Tame Bridge Parkway 11.41), 16.30 (arr Tame Bridge Parkway 18.39), and 18.30 ((arr Tame Bridge Parkway 20.39).
The good news is that fares remain a bargain... Walk-on First Class return is £120 and includes a full meal, Wi-Fi, and truly comfortable surroundings (not mention the fantastically helpful staff), whilst a Walk-on First Class single is £70. Compare and contrast with Virgin's Pendolino offering - speed isn't everything!
So if you live in North or North-West Birmingham, give the W&S a try. The SatNav for Tame Bridge Parkway is WS10 0LD, buses from Walsall and West Bromwich do pass it, and of course LondonMidland local services from Rugeley and Walsall run through it.
New times out from Tame Bridge are 06.41 (arr London Marylebone 08.57) and 09.02 (arr London Marylebone 11.15). Trains from London Marylebone are at 09.24 (arr Tame Bridge Parkway 11.41), 16.30 (arr Tame Bridge Parkway 18.39), and 18.30 ((arr Tame Bridge Parkway 20.39).
The good news is that fares remain a bargain... Walk-on First Class return is £120 and includes a full meal, Wi-Fi, and truly comfortable surroundings (not mention the fantastically helpful staff), whilst a Walk-on First Class single is £70. Compare and contrast with Virgin's Pendolino offering - speed isn't everything!
So if you live in North or North-West Birmingham, give the W&S a try. The SatNav for Tame Bridge Parkway is WS10 0LD, buses from Walsall and West Bromwich do pass it, and of course LondonMidland local services from Rugeley and Walsall run through it.
Telegraph Virgin Trains offer update
Today's Sunday Telegraph repeats the offer with a slightly amended code (but yesterday's still works). Booking is open to Sunday 21st November and apparently 50,000 tickets have been allocated to the offer...
Saturday, 13 November 2010
Virgin Trains Telegraph offer
Today's Daily Telegraph (Saturday 13th November) has the details of the latest Telegraph / Virgin Trains link-up to encourage First Class Travel at 'quiet periods' - in this case Saturday 4th December through to Saturday 16th January.
Based on a journey I need to make on Wednesday 15th December, First Class singles to London seem to be available at £18 on the following Monday to Friday services from Birmingham New Street: 10.50 to 14.10 and 18.50 to 22.10. First Class singles to Birmingham New Street from London Euston at £18 seem to be available on the 6.03, from 10.23 to 14.23, and from 20.03 to 23.30.
Full details on http://www.telegraph.co.uk/promotions/8117302/First-Class-travel-with-Virgin-Trains-for-less.html - a code from the paper is required before the promotional fares are shown!
Based on a journey I need to make on Wednesday 15th December, First Class singles to London seem to be available at £18 on the following Monday to Friday services from Birmingham New Street: 10.50 to 14.10 and 18.50 to 22.10. First Class singles to Birmingham New Street from London Euston at £18 seem to be available on the 6.03, from 10.23 to 14.23, and from 20.03 to 23.30.
Full details on http://www.telegraph.co.uk/promotions/8117302/First-Class-travel-with-Virgin-Trains-for-less.html - a code from the paper is required before the promotional fares are shown!
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Megatrain value
Megatrain is available between Birmingham and London on Virgin's Pendolino services to/from New Street and Euston. This means that you get Virgin's fast service at standard class fares which can beat even Chiltern's Advance tickets.
Booking is upto 6 weeks ahead though next day booking isn't generally available. Trains available Monday to Friday are the 11.30, 11.50, and 12.50 from New Street, and the 11.03, 12.03, 12.43, 20.03 and 20.43 from Euston.
Fares range from £9 to £1 depending upon how far in advance you are booking. There is also a one-off 50p booking charge. Don't forget that you won't get a seat reservation with Megatrain (but Coach E is always unreserved).
Overall, a brilliant way of saving 'serious' money if you can book in advance and can travel on very specific trains.
Booking is upto 6 weeks ahead though next day booking isn't generally available. Trains available Monday to Friday are the 11.30, 11.50, and 12.50 from New Street, and the 11.03, 12.03, 12.43, 20.03 and 20.43 from Euston.
Fares range from £9 to £1 depending upon how far in advance you are booking. There is also a one-off 50p booking charge. Don't forget that you won't get a seat reservation with Megatrain (but Coach E is always unreserved).
Overall, a brilliant way of saving 'serious' money if you can book in advance and can travel on very specific trains.
Thursday 7th October
An evening meeting known about well in advance allowed me to take advantage of the Megatrain fares between Birmingham New Street and London Euston. Though limited in availability, they can be amazing value: today's return journeys on the Pendolinos cost me the princely sum of £6.
The 11.30 Pendolino out of New Street was relatively quiet so no problems finding a table seat in Coach E (with working socket). The shop opened upon departure so I was able to get a hot 'meal deal' after Coventry - ham & cheese panini, orange juice, and Doritos for £4.45. Currently, the Virgin shop doesn't take credit or debit cards though it does take cheques! One way round this shortcoming is to buy a Shop Voucher from the ticket office before travelling: the cheapest at £3.95 covers the cheapest meal deal.
Tickets check after Birmingham so straight out at Euston after an almost on-time arrival.
Returned on the 20.43 Pendolino. This was slightly delayed in boarding so had to walk up the length of the platform to Coach A for a seat but again no problem finding a table with a socket. This train had a trolley service in Standard Class as well as the Shop but once again the trolley service wasn't announced.
Ticket checked before Coventry so slightly better attempt at revenue protection than last week's 20.23. Arrival was 15 minutes late into New Street due to a track defect at Bourne End.
Overall, an amazing value journey but how many people know to check the Megatrain site (http://uk.megabus.com/default.aspx)?
The 11.30 Pendolino out of New Street was relatively quiet so no problems finding a table seat in Coach E (with working socket). The shop opened upon departure so I was able to get a hot 'meal deal' after Coventry - ham & cheese panini, orange juice, and Doritos for £4.45. Currently, the Virgin shop doesn't take credit or debit cards though it does take cheques! One way round this shortcoming is to buy a Shop Voucher from the ticket office before travelling: the cheapest at £3.95 covers the cheapest meal deal.
Tickets check after Birmingham so straight out at Euston after an almost on-time arrival.
Returned on the 20.43 Pendolino. This was slightly delayed in boarding so had to walk up the length of the platform to Coach A for a seat but again no problem finding a table with a socket. This train had a trolley service in Standard Class as well as the Shop but once again the trolley service wasn't announced.
Ticket checked before Coventry so slightly better attempt at revenue protection than last week's 20.23. Arrival was 15 minutes late into New Street due to a track defect at Bourne End.
Overall, an amazing value journey but how many people know to check the Megatrain site (http://uk.megabus.com/default.aspx)?
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Fare news Wrexham & Shropshire
Alas, the W&S has amended its fare policy so that the first train of the day up to London Monday to Friday (06.41 fom Tame Bridge Parkway) and the 16.30 back from Marylebone now cost more - £49 Standard Class single and £50 Standard Class return. The remaining trains still offer the £31 / £32 equivalent fares. Booking ahead sees single fares start at £10 for Standard Class and £35 for First Class passengers.
The Free Sandwich on a Sunday offer remains for Standard Class ticket holders
The Free Sandwich on a Sunday offer remains for Standard Class ticket holders
Fare news Virgin
The October 2010 issue of Hotline has a column on Making Fridays More Fun (p89) which focuses on top tips for travelling from Euston on a Friday afternoon / evening. One of the tips is to book an Advance First Class ticket on any train after 17.30 using the www.virgintrains.com site
Trying this out today for the coming Friday (8th), I found £44 First Advance Single tickets available on all the Pendolinos from Euston after 17.30 with £35 tickets on the 1903 and 1923. In most cases, these tickets were cheaper than the Standard Class equivalent. Considering that the services from 17.43 to 18.43 include a hot meal along with use of the First Class Lounges, this seems excellent advice from Virgin!
Virgin ticket holders can take advantage of discount offers at Birmingham restuarants and hotels - see www.visitbirmingham.com/foodie
Trying this out today for the coming Friday (8th), I found £44 First Advance Single tickets available on all the Pendolinos from Euston after 17.30 with £35 tickets on the 1903 and 1923. In most cases, these tickets were cheaper than the Standard Class equivalent. Considering that the services from 17.43 to 18.43 include a hot meal along with use of the First Class Lounges, this seems excellent advice from Virgin!
Virgin ticket holders can take advantage of discount offers at Birmingham restuarants and hotels - see www.visitbirmingham.com/foodie
Fare news LondonMidland
The Great Escape offer is returning for the Autumn half-term (Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st October). Downloading a voucher from www.londonmidland.com/greatescape enables you to buy a return ticket to anywhere on the LondonMidland network for £10 standard class and £20 First Class.
Better still, the tickets are valid on the 7.53 and 8.53 services to London Euston from Birmingham New Street (and of course on any LM connecting service) Monday to Friday. Don't forget that these two services currently have a trolley service of refreshments, and that the 17.13, 18.13 and 21.13 services from Euston are as fast as Chiltern's Clubmans.
Excellent value for money!
Better still, the tickets are valid on the 7.53 and 8.53 services to London Euston from Birmingham New Street (and of course on any LM connecting service) Monday to Friday. Don't forget that these two services currently have a trolley service of refreshments, and that the 17.13, 18.13 and 21.13 services from Euston are as fast as Chiltern's Clubmans.
Excellent value for money!
Fare news Chiltern Railways
The company has published a leaflet entitled 'If you think fares to London should be fairer, join us' which sets out the range of fares (as at June 2010) available on its services. Very useful BUT it lists the Anytime Return fare of £82 correctly without mentioning that you never need to buy it! As my June posting (http://birmingham2london.blogspot.com/2010/06/chiltern-fares.html) pointed out, a combination of peak single out to London and off-peak or Super off-peak single back will always save you money...
A 10% discount on any Chiltern fare to London from Birmingham MOOR STREET is available to holders of the VIP Gastro Card until 31st December 2010. Unfortunately, this card was a Chiltern promotion at the July Taste of Birmingham event so are no longer available.
HOWEVER, the leaf-fall timetable which runs from last Monday (4th October) to Friday 10th December means that Super off-peak singles and returns are now valid on the 10.52 departure from Snow Hill as it is booked to arrive in London Marylebone at 13.02. An extra half-hour in London thanks to the onset of Autumn!
A 10% discount on any Chiltern fare to London from Birmingham MOOR STREET is available to holders of the VIP Gastro Card until 31st December 2010. Unfortunately, this card was a Chiltern promotion at the July Taste of Birmingham event so are no longer available.
HOWEVER, the leaf-fall timetable which runs from last Monday (4th October) to Friday 10th December means that Super off-peak singles and returns are now valid on the 10.52 departure from Snow Hill as it is booked to arrive in London Marylebone at 13.02. An extra half-hour in London thanks to the onset of Autumn!
Monday 4th October
Up to London Marylebone on the 11.52 Chiltern Clubman from Birmingham Snow Hill. This service has Super-Off Peak availability giving a return fare of £19.50 if you can come back at 8pm or later (or between 10.30 and 15.20). An advantage of starting the journey at Snow Hill is that the train is usually virtually empty giving a good choice of table seats...
Settled into a table seat with a working socket and spent the journey happily working on my laptop. This train proved to be relatively quiet throughout the journey so working conditions were good. No catering trolley of course but I had stocked up at the Costa at Snow Hill. Ticket barriers at Snow Hill and at Marylebone plus a ticket check after Dorridge suggested that revenue protection was reasonably successful.
Chiltern trains are cleared of rubbish during the turn-rounds at Snow Hill and at Marylebone so the travelling ambience is good. Toilets clean and working too, and, being Chiltern, the train ran to time. Overall, it is difficult to fault Chiltern for their provision of value for money reliable services...
Returned on the 20.23 Pendolino from London Euston to Birmingham New Street. As I was using an off-peak walk-on standard class return, I hadn't booked a seat but as there were only 53 seat reservations on the train (according to the train manager) this wasn't a problem. Coach E is unreserved anyway so I started there (nearer to the platform entrance!) and found a table without difficulty. Finding a table is important when travelling Standard Class on a Pendolino and wanting to work as the 'airline' seats don't have sockets...
Had commented in a previous post that Virgin was expensive for food on the journey. In fact I discover from the latest Hotline magazine that if you have a trolley service then coffee and a flapjack would be £3 which is the same as Chiltern and only slightly dearer than LondonMidland's tfp trolley. However, buying from the shop puts the price up to £3.30...
My service had a trolley though it wasn't announced and for some reason didn't reach coach E so it was the shop for me.
No barrier or ticket check at the platform entrance, no ticket check on the train, and none at New Street suggest that revenue protection isn't such a high priority for Virgin...
Slightly late into New Street as a LondonMidland local was allowed in front at Coventry (!) but overall a good fast journey in clean stock with working toilets. The fare, of course, is over twice that of Chiltern so I think the jury's out on value for money...
Settled into a table seat with a working socket and spent the journey happily working on my laptop. This train proved to be relatively quiet throughout the journey so working conditions were good. No catering trolley of course but I had stocked up at the Costa at Snow Hill. Ticket barriers at Snow Hill and at Marylebone plus a ticket check after Dorridge suggested that revenue protection was reasonably successful.
Chiltern trains are cleared of rubbish during the turn-rounds at Snow Hill and at Marylebone so the travelling ambience is good. Toilets clean and working too, and, being Chiltern, the train ran to time. Overall, it is difficult to fault Chiltern for their provision of value for money reliable services...
Returned on the 20.23 Pendolino from London Euston to Birmingham New Street. As I was using an off-peak walk-on standard class return, I hadn't booked a seat but as there were only 53 seat reservations on the train (according to the train manager) this wasn't a problem. Coach E is unreserved anyway so I started there (nearer to the platform entrance!) and found a table without difficulty. Finding a table is important when travelling Standard Class on a Pendolino and wanting to work as the 'airline' seats don't have sockets...
Had commented in a previous post that Virgin was expensive for food on the journey. In fact I discover from the latest Hotline magazine that if you have a trolley service then coffee and a flapjack would be £3 which is the same as Chiltern and only slightly dearer than LondonMidland's tfp trolley. However, buying from the shop puts the price up to £3.30...
My service had a trolley though it wasn't announced and for some reason didn't reach coach E so it was the shop for me.
No barrier or ticket check at the platform entrance, no ticket check on the train, and none at New Street suggest that revenue protection isn't such a high priority for Virgin...
Slightly late into New Street as a LondonMidland local was allowed in front at Coventry (!) but overall a good fast journey in clean stock with working toilets. The fare, of course, is over twice that of Chiltern so I think the jury's out on value for money...
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Friday 24 September
Up to London on the 7.53 LondonMidland service to Euston. The Class 350 four carriage set for thsi service starts at Crewe so is fairly full of Birmingham commuters on arrival at New Street. Slightly confusingly, it is announced as a terminating service but that didn't seem to stop a good crowd of passengers joining, mainly, it transpired, for Birmingham International, Coventry and Rugby.
As I had known on Wednesday that I was travelling today, I had booked a £16 First Class Advance Single. Clearly, this fare is not a complete secret as one or two other passengers were with me for the whole of the 2 hour 14 min journey. Otherwise, the compartment complement came and went at various key stations en route. Hardly busy however so I had one side of a table to myself and access to a working socket for my laptop.
The big surprise on leaving New Street was the distribution of a menu card by the on-board caterer tfp followed up by a visit by the catering trolley itself. Apparently this is a trial service following customer feedback and runs on the 7.53 and 8.53 services from New Street and the balancing services back. Food and drink seem reasonably priced - a coffee and a flapjack being £2.85 which is 15p cheaper than Chiltern and certainly less than Virgin - and the trolley appeared regularly throughout the journey. Alas, a First Class ticket doesn't mean its free.
Ticket checked after New Street and again after Northampton; toilets clean and working; on time arrival. Overall, heading towards matching Chiltern for value-for-money...
Had booked back on the 1303 Pendolino. Much to my delight, I had discovered that this service still had £26.50 First Class Advance Singles when I looked on Wednesday. Clearly a bargain as for the extra £10.50 not only do you get a faster service, free food, free Wi-Fi, more room, and a quieter environment but you also get use of the First Class Lounges at both ends of the journey.
First however you need to persuade a ticket machine at Euston to supply the booked ticket... Apparently, machines at the concourse side of the booking hall have had their card readers changed and none would accept my credit card. Fortunately, there are a few 'old' machines at the far side of the booking hall and one of these happily read my credit card. According to the harassed staff, 'management' are well aware of this problem but refuse to do anything about it...
Very disappointed with the main Euston First Class lounge. Naturally, being Friday lunchtime, it was busy but even so it was particularly poorly stocked with only the main area coffee/tea machines and orange juice dispensers in operation and little stock in the fridges. No food or biscuits and few staff to be seen (certainly not on the bar). A great contrast to previous visits, and certainly a huge difference to the New Street Lounge which was generously stocked when I dropped in on arrival.
The 13.03 wasn't particularly busy. The First Class hosts were efficient and friendly though I was surprised to find a dirty mug in the setting for my booked seat. Coffee on departure from Euston followed by a selection of drinks and a choice of Sweet Potato and Falfa Wrap or Ham sandwich and fruit or toffee muffin. Coffee again offered before Rugby.
Though the Pendolinos are fast, their speed does highlight the poor track condition at various points of the journey - surely the dips in the track being hit a speed can't be doing the wheelsets much good...
So by booking in advance I enjoyed two first class journeys for the equivalent of the any permitted standard class off-peak fare, and both ran to time!
As I had known on Wednesday that I was travelling today, I had booked a £16 First Class Advance Single. Clearly, this fare is not a complete secret as one or two other passengers were with me for the whole of the 2 hour 14 min journey. Otherwise, the compartment complement came and went at various key stations en route. Hardly busy however so I had one side of a table to myself and access to a working socket for my laptop.
The big surprise on leaving New Street was the distribution of a menu card by the on-board caterer tfp followed up by a visit by the catering trolley itself. Apparently this is a trial service following customer feedback and runs on the 7.53 and 8.53 services from New Street and the balancing services back. Food and drink seem reasonably priced - a coffee and a flapjack being £2.85 which is 15p cheaper than Chiltern and certainly less than Virgin - and the trolley appeared regularly throughout the journey. Alas, a First Class ticket doesn't mean its free.
Ticket checked after New Street and again after Northampton; toilets clean and working; on time arrival. Overall, heading towards matching Chiltern for value-for-money...
Had booked back on the 1303 Pendolino. Much to my delight, I had discovered that this service still had £26.50 First Class Advance Singles when I looked on Wednesday. Clearly a bargain as for the extra £10.50 not only do you get a faster service, free food, free Wi-Fi, more room, and a quieter environment but you also get use of the First Class Lounges at both ends of the journey.
First however you need to persuade a ticket machine at Euston to supply the booked ticket... Apparently, machines at the concourse side of the booking hall have had their card readers changed and none would accept my credit card. Fortunately, there are a few 'old' machines at the far side of the booking hall and one of these happily read my credit card. According to the harassed staff, 'management' are well aware of this problem but refuse to do anything about it...
Very disappointed with the main Euston First Class lounge. Naturally, being Friday lunchtime, it was busy but even so it was particularly poorly stocked with only the main area coffee/tea machines and orange juice dispensers in operation and little stock in the fridges. No food or biscuits and few staff to be seen (certainly not on the bar). A great contrast to previous visits, and certainly a huge difference to the New Street Lounge which was generously stocked when I dropped in on arrival.
The 13.03 wasn't particularly busy. The First Class hosts were efficient and friendly though I was surprised to find a dirty mug in the setting for my booked seat. Coffee on departure from Euston followed by a selection of drinks and a choice of Sweet Potato and Falfa Wrap or Ham sandwich and fruit or toffee muffin. Coffee again offered before Rugby.
Though the Pendolinos are fast, their speed does highlight the poor track condition at various points of the journey - surely the dips in the track being hit a speed can't be doing the wheelsets much good...
So by booking in advance I enjoyed two first class journeys for the equivalent of the any permitted standard class off-peak fare, and both ran to time!
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Monday 13th September
Up to London Marylebone on the 8.12 Chiltern Clubman from Snow Hill today. This train comes from Kidderminster so is full of commuters to Snow Hill, Moor Street, and Solihull. Nevertheless, tables are to be had, and I got one with working sockets from Moor Street.
Also joining at Moor Street is the trolley service which made its way to my end of the train before Warwick Parkway. Not quite the same as using the Wrexham and Shropshire buffet car but reasonable enough and not too pricy at £3 for a coffee and flapjack.
Reasonably filled by Warwick Parkway customers for London but not so that tables became crowded. Skipped the Leamington Spa stop as a CrossCountry service was stuck in the platform due to a passenger being taken ill - an interesting judgment by Chiltern control as this made sure that Banbury and beyond passengers were not delayed but at the cost of an extra hour's journey for any Leamington Spa passengers...
Returned on the 14.50 Clubman which is a far better service to catch back to Birmingham than the preceding 14.20 Class 165 service (see last Monday's comments). No trolley service on pm Chiltern trains of course but a Spiced Apple drink from Marlyebone's AMT kept me going.
Reasonably quiet so no trouble getting to a table with sockets. Good on-time journey back to Snow Hill. Interestingly, in the light of the Chiltern proposed timetable changes in December, I was one of the few passengers remaining on the train after Moor Street. Clearly, the termination of key off-peak trains at Moor Street is not going to inconvenience many people...
At £31.90 off-peak return with clean trains, working toilets, and friendly staff, Chiltern continue to set the value for money standard from central Birmingham!
Also joining at Moor Street is the trolley service which made its way to my end of the train before Warwick Parkway. Not quite the same as using the Wrexham and Shropshire buffet car but reasonable enough and not too pricy at £3 for a coffee and flapjack.
Reasonably filled by Warwick Parkway customers for London but not so that tables became crowded. Skipped the Leamington Spa stop as a CrossCountry service was stuck in the platform due to a passenger being taken ill - an interesting judgment by Chiltern control as this made sure that Banbury and beyond passengers were not delayed but at the cost of an extra hour's journey for any Leamington Spa passengers...
Returned on the 14.50 Clubman which is a far better service to catch back to Birmingham than the preceding 14.20 Class 165 service (see last Monday's comments). No trolley service on pm Chiltern trains of course but a Spiced Apple drink from Marlyebone's AMT kept me going.
Reasonably quiet so no trouble getting to a table with sockets. Good on-time journey back to Snow Hill. Interestingly, in the light of the Chiltern proposed timetable changes in December, I was one of the few passengers remaining on the train after Moor Street. Clearly, the termination of key off-peak trains at Moor Street is not going to inconvenience many people...
At £31.90 off-peak return with clean trains, working toilets, and friendly staff, Chiltern continue to set the value for money standard from central Birmingham!
Friday, 10 September 2010
Chiltern Timetable Consultation
You have until 21st September to respond to Chiltern's invitation to comment on the Dec. 2010 timetable proposals - see http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/timetable-consultation-proposed-december-2010-timetable
Key points from Chiltern's page:
* Off peak, one train per hour from Birmingham to London Marylebone will start from Birmingham Snow Hill station and one from Birmingham Moor Street. The Moor Street train will use the newly-reinstated terminal platforms
* On Mondays to Fridays, services that currently leave London Marylebone at 20 minutes past each hour and stop at High Wycombe, Princes Risborough and Haddenham & Thame Parkway are proposed to switch to the 50 minutes past each hours service, in preparation for the 2011 Chiltern Mainline timetable
Of interest to those students of Chiltern's practice of adding 'punctuality' minutes to the journey from Moor Street to Snow Hill is the fact that those trains terminating at Moor Street will not get them. Wonder what this will do to Chiltern's punctuality record?
Key points from Chiltern's page:
* Off peak, one train per hour from Birmingham to London Marylebone will start from Birmingham Snow Hill station and one from Birmingham Moor Street. The Moor Street train will use the newly-reinstated terminal platforms
* On Mondays to Fridays, services that currently leave London Marylebone at 20 minutes past each hour and stop at High Wycombe, Princes Risborough and Haddenham & Thame Parkway are proposed to switch to the 50 minutes past each hours service, in preparation for the 2011 Chiltern Mainline timetable
Of interest to those students of Chiltern's practice of adding 'punctuality' minutes to the journey from Moor Street to Snow Hill is the fact that those trains terminating at Moor Street will not get them. Wonder what this will do to Chiltern's punctuality record?
Monday 6th September
Took the 9.02 Wrexham & Shropshire service up to Marylebone from Tame Bridge Parkway, travelling standard... A refurbished set so comfortable with plenty of tables with sockets. No wi-fi however, though First Class passengers were enjoying this benefit... clearly the problems with transmitting the length of the train continue.
Staff as ever very friendly and helpful, and the buffet car a delight to use (and not particularly expensive). Not too many more passengers picked up at Leamington and Banbury so had the table to myself for the 2 hours 13 minutes of the journey. Had to feel for those who had joined with reservations (advance ticket holders?) who were packed into Coach B when coaches C and D were relatively quiet!
So with no peak fares, the W&S continue to offer the best standard class experience between Birmingham and London - just a pity that it is so slow and that TBR is so remote for most of Birmingham....
Returned on the 2.20 Chiltern service from Marylebone to Snow Hill. Fares-wise this is a real bargain with Super Off-Peak walk-on returns costing £19.50. Alas, the service was run by a Class 165 NOT a Clubman so lacked any facilities such as tables and sockets. Also, very slow at 2 hours 14 minutes to Moor Street due to numerous stops so definitely NOT recommended for those wanting to work!
Staff as ever very friendly and helpful, and the buffet car a delight to use (and not particularly expensive). Not too many more passengers picked up at Leamington and Banbury so had the table to myself for the 2 hours 13 minutes of the journey. Had to feel for those who had joined with reservations (advance ticket holders?) who were packed into Coach B when coaches C and D were relatively quiet!
So with no peak fares, the W&S continue to offer the best standard class experience between Birmingham and London - just a pity that it is so slow and that TBR is so remote for most of Birmingham....
Returned on the 2.20 Chiltern service from Marylebone to Snow Hill. Fares-wise this is a real bargain with Super Off-Peak walk-on returns costing £19.50. Alas, the service was run by a Class 165 NOT a Clubman so lacked any facilities such as tables and sockets. Also, very slow at 2 hours 14 minutes to Moor Street due to numerous stops so definitely NOT recommended for those wanting to work!
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Monday 16th August
Back in June, I highlighted a Telegraph promotion for Virgin train travel during August (http://birmingham2london.blogspot.com/2010/06/telegraph-prpmotion-10000-advance.html). As I had a long-standing evening engagement on the 16th, I took advantage of the promotion to book £19 First Class Pendolino tickets for the 13.10 up to Euston and the 21.03 back.
Judging by the sea of empty First Class seats both ways, these two trains clearly hadn't benefitted greatly from the promotion (or Virgin's own subsequent copy during July). Given that the 13.10 in particular was 'full' standard class, one wonders at Virgin's inability to fill First Class seats... clearly, the headline fares (£120 single / £240 return) don't help but surely Virgin can find a way of encouraging First Class travel, especially by those Railcard holders who qualify for a significant discount.
So I benefitted from delightfully quiet journeys... the service was friendly both ways though on the 13.10 there wasn't a second round of coffee / tea offered, whilst on the 21.03 there was the usual delay in serving food until after the Milton Keynes stop.
Today's food was a choice of Tuscan Ham Roll or Pasta Salad followed by Strawberry cake or fruit. Fruit juices or alcoholic drinks accompanied the choice. I plumped for the Tuscan Roll on the way down and the Pasta Salad on the way back with apples both ways. Both were fine but hardly filling - the pasta salad in particularly being a fairly small portion...
Nevertheless, both journeys ran to time and both had working Wi-Fi. So for £38, pretty good!
Judging by the sea of empty First Class seats both ways, these two trains clearly hadn't benefitted greatly from the promotion (or Virgin's own subsequent copy during July). Given that the 13.10 in particular was 'full' standard class, one wonders at Virgin's inability to fill First Class seats... clearly, the headline fares (£120 single / £240 return) don't help but surely Virgin can find a way of encouraging First Class travel, especially by those Railcard holders who qualify for a significant discount.
So I benefitted from delightfully quiet journeys... the service was friendly both ways though on the 13.10 there wasn't a second round of coffee / tea offered, whilst on the 21.03 there was the usual delay in serving food until after the Milton Keynes stop.
Today's food was a choice of Tuscan Ham Roll or Pasta Salad followed by Strawberry cake or fruit. Fruit juices or alcoholic drinks accompanied the choice. I plumped for the Tuscan Roll on the way down and the Pasta Salad on the way back with apples both ways. Both were fine but hardly filling - the pasta salad in particularly being a fairly small portion...
Nevertheless, both journeys ran to time and both had working Wi-Fi. So for £38, pretty good!
Monday, 9 August 2010
Wrexham and Shropshire First Class upgrades
The Wrexham and Shropshire press office have told me the following:
"There are two upgrades when travelling on board Wrexham & Shropshire. The first is for Wrexham & Shropshire ticket holders who would like to upgrade to first class from standard. This will come at a price of £35 and will include the complimentary meal from our menu of freshly prepared, locally sourced food. Passengers travelling to and from Tame Bridge Parkway can take advantage of the complimentary meal subject to availability. The second upgrade is for Chiltern Railways ticket holders travelling to and from Banbury and Leamington Spa during the week and both Chiltern and Wrexham & Shropshire passengers travelling on the weekend. This upgrade is £15 and does not include the complimentary meal. Upgrades can only be purchased on board to ensure availability - there's nothing worse than purchasing an upgrade and finding there is no seat available. However, our refurbished first class carriages offer more first class seating than our previous trains and we are confident that we can accommodate most passengers looking to upgrade."
I have amended my web sites accordingly. NOTE that at the weekend, a Wrexham & Shropshire ticket holder should opt for the £15 upgrade and buy the meal for £12.50!
"There are two upgrades when travelling on board Wrexham & Shropshire. The first is for Wrexham & Shropshire ticket holders who would like to upgrade to first class from standard. This will come at a price of £35 and will include the complimentary meal from our menu of freshly prepared, locally sourced food. Passengers travelling to and from Tame Bridge Parkway can take advantage of the complimentary meal subject to availability. The second upgrade is for Chiltern Railways ticket holders travelling to and from Banbury and Leamington Spa during the week and both Chiltern and Wrexham & Shropshire passengers travelling on the weekend. This upgrade is £15 and does not include the complimentary meal. Upgrades can only be purchased on board to ensure availability - there's nothing worse than purchasing an upgrade and finding there is no seat available. However, our refurbished first class carriages offer more first class seating than our previous trains and we are confident that we can accommodate most passengers looking to upgrade."
I have amended my web sites accordingly. NOTE that at the weekend, a Wrexham & Shropshire ticket holder should opt for the £15 upgrade and buy the meal for £12.50!
Saturday 7th August
Following on from last Sunday's Virgin Weekend First experience, I took the opportunity to try out the Wrexham and Shropshire equivalent today.
I left Snow Hill on the 7.52 Chiltern Clubman service. Unsurprisingly, very quiet compared to its Monday-Friday 7.45 equivalent so plenty of tables, all with working sockets! No catering trolley of course... Train ran happily to time to Banbury.
Had to drop off at Banbury so re-started my journey south on the 9.50 Clubman / Class 165 train. Despite the fact that Chiltern was extending the journey time due to Mainline project works (see below), there were numerous passengers crowding onto the Clubman portion at Banbury so I joined the rear 165 set. Not brilliant for working in as no tables nor power points. Glad I don't commute on these sets...
The train continued to get busier at Bicester and Haddenham and Thame Parkway, and again at Aylesbury and Harrow on the Hill after reversal at Princess Risborough. Due to the reversals, the timing was a shade under 2 hours so not ideal when compared to the normal hour or so from Banbury but at least the service ran to time.
The 12.18 Wrexham and Shropshire was waiting and passengers were allowed on around 12 noon. No reservations on the train due to the changed timings but this didn't seem to matter as the loading looked lightish. I confirmed that Weekend First was available so found a table in the relatively busy First Class coach.
Complimentary coffee served in a coffee pot with milk in a jug before departure, accompanied by biscuits and papers. A refurbished set was being used so power points available BUT no Wi-Fi (apparently the boxes are working reliably as yet). As ever, the staff were friendly and attentive.
Departure from Marylebone on time for a quick run to Neasden Junction where the train reversed onto the Dudding Hill Freight Line so that it could reverse again at Acton and so access the West Coast Main Line from Euston to Birmingham.
Lunch was offered so I choose Mushroom Soup with a warm roll along with Roast Vegetable with Wensleydale Bake and salad from the fairly extensive menu. Both were nicely served and delicious, and accompanied by orange juice and coffee - certainly a very pleasant way to pass the gentle timing of 2hours and 24 minutes to Tame Bridge Parkway!
I had hoped that the meal was included in the Weekend First upgrade price of £15 and indeed nothing on the Menu seemed to indicate that this wasn't the case. However, it turned out to cost me £12.50...
Nevertheless, compared to the First Single walk-on fare of £70, the upgrade with meal was reasonable value at £43.50 (arrived at by including £16 for the outward half of the £32 walk-on standard class return fare). NOTE that on a 'normal' Saturday, an Advance Single First Class fare of £35 is available which does include the meal.
Still impressed by the Wrexham and Shropshire service but it needs to get its Wi-Fi sorted out and it needs to be clearer about Weekend Fares on its website and in its printed publicity.
I left Snow Hill on the 7.52 Chiltern Clubman service. Unsurprisingly, very quiet compared to its Monday-Friday 7.45 equivalent so plenty of tables, all with working sockets! No catering trolley of course... Train ran happily to time to Banbury.
Had to drop off at Banbury so re-started my journey south on the 9.50 Clubman / Class 165 train. Despite the fact that Chiltern was extending the journey time due to Mainline project works (see below), there were numerous passengers crowding onto the Clubman portion at Banbury so I joined the rear 165 set. Not brilliant for working in as no tables nor power points. Glad I don't commute on these sets...
The train continued to get busier at Bicester and Haddenham and Thame Parkway, and again at Aylesbury and Harrow on the Hill after reversal at Princess Risborough. Due to the reversals, the timing was a shade under 2 hours so not ideal when compared to the normal hour or so from Banbury but at least the service ran to time.
The 12.18 Wrexham and Shropshire was waiting and passengers were allowed on around 12 noon. No reservations on the train due to the changed timings but this didn't seem to matter as the loading looked lightish. I confirmed that Weekend First was available so found a table in the relatively busy First Class coach.
Complimentary coffee served in a coffee pot with milk in a jug before departure, accompanied by biscuits and papers. A refurbished set was being used so power points available BUT no Wi-Fi (apparently the boxes are working reliably as yet). As ever, the staff were friendly and attentive.
Departure from Marylebone on time for a quick run to Neasden Junction where the train reversed onto the Dudding Hill Freight Line so that it could reverse again at Acton and so access the West Coast Main Line from Euston to Birmingham.
Lunch was offered so I choose Mushroom Soup with a warm roll along with Roast Vegetable with Wensleydale Bake and salad from the fairly extensive menu. Both were nicely served and delicious, and accompanied by orange juice and coffee - certainly a very pleasant way to pass the gentle timing of 2hours and 24 minutes to Tame Bridge Parkway!
I had hoped that the meal was included in the Weekend First upgrade price of £15 and indeed nothing on the Menu seemed to indicate that this wasn't the case. However, it turned out to cost me £12.50...
Nevertheless, compared to the First Single walk-on fare of £70, the upgrade with meal was reasonable value at £43.50 (arrived at by including £16 for the outward half of the £32 walk-on standard class return fare). NOTE that on a 'normal' Saturday, an Advance Single First Class fare of £35 is available which does include the meal.
Still impressed by the Wrexham and Shropshire service but it needs to get its Wi-Fi sorted out and it needs to be clearer about Weekend Fares on its website and in its printed publicity.
Friday, 6 August 2010
LondonMidland Rail Sale
LondonMidland are offering 50% off standard off-peak RETURN fares until Sunday 5th September. Thus Birmingham to London becomes £12.40 day return, and £14.35 for a monthly return when travelling on LondonMidland trains (see below for how to save when travelling on certain Pendolino services).
Off-peak LM trains from Birmingham start at 7.53 whilst from London the earliest departure is 8.46 Monday to Friday. Better still, there are no peak restrictions on the evening 'fast' returns from London at 17.13, 18.13, and 21.13
These fares have to be booked online on the LM site (don't forget to enter Via Northampton under more options), so effectively need to be bought at least 2 hours in advance of travel.
HOWEVER, as the explanatory page makes clear (see http://www.londonmidland.com/tickets-and-fares/summer-rail-sale/), the 50% reduction applies to 'any permitted' route fares set by LondonMidland. So pre-booked off-peak Pendolino journeys from Milton Keynes to London cost £9.90 day return and £12.30 monthly return. The off-peak Pendolino fare to Milton Keynes from Birmingham is £24.20 (10.30 service onwards), SO there is a saving of at least £5.40 by splitting the fare booking at Milton Keynes... Just watch out for the evening peak restrictions back from Euston and remember to travel back from London on the Pendolinos which call at Milton Keynes (the 43 mins past the hour).
Off-peak LM trains from Birmingham start at 7.53 whilst from London the earliest departure is 8.46 Monday to Friday. Better still, there are no peak restrictions on the evening 'fast' returns from London at 17.13, 18.13, and 21.13
These fares have to be booked online on the LM site (don't forget to enter Via Northampton under more options), so effectively need to be bought at least 2 hours in advance of travel.
HOWEVER, as the explanatory page makes clear (see http://www.londonmidland.com/tickets-and-fares/summer-rail-sale/), the 50% reduction applies to 'any permitted' route fares set by LondonMidland. So pre-booked off-peak Pendolino journeys from Milton Keynes to London cost £9.90 day return and £12.30 monthly return. The off-peak Pendolino fare to Milton Keynes from Birmingham is £24.20 (10.30 service onwards), SO there is a saving of at least £5.40 by splitting the fare booking at Milton Keynes... Just watch out for the evening peak restrictions back from Euston and remember to travel back from London on the Pendolinos which call at Milton Keynes (the 43 mins past the hour).
Monday, 2 August 2010
Weekend First update
Virgin are offering the Birmingham to London single upgrade to First from Standard for £10 (£5 child) over the summer holidays. This is terrific value as it gives access to the First Class Lounges, free WiFi (Kindle / iPhone users please note), refreshments (admittedly of a snacky sort), and more comfort to holders of seemingly all types of Standard Class tickets (see http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/weekend-first-class/ and http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/pr3744bcc35ce7410024862c7ece4649/details.html).
Further, holders of standard class ANYTIME tickets get the upgrade for free. Thus there is absolutely no reason to buy a First Class ticket for the Pendolino service at the weekend or on bank holidays: upgrade when booking online or when on the train. Pity that the booking sites / station ticket machines don't make this clear!
Wrexham & Shropshire offer their upgrade for £15 BUT it is only available to purchase on the train which, as First Class is limited, leaves you at the mercy of the loading. It applies to all types of Standard Class tickets BUT does NOT include the full meal service that makes the W&S trains so distinctive (the Upgrade entitles you to complimentary light refreshments). There is no mention of this upgrade on the W&S web site. See also the official WSR statement at http://birmingham2london.blogspot.com/2010/08/wrexham-and-shropshire-first-class.html
LondonMidland do not offer a Weekend First upgrade.
Further, holders of standard class ANYTIME tickets get the upgrade for free. Thus there is absolutely no reason to buy a First Class ticket for the Pendolino service at the weekend or on bank holidays: upgrade when booking online or when on the train. Pity that the booking sites / station ticket machines don't make this clear!
Wrexham & Shropshire offer their upgrade for £15 BUT it is only available to purchase on the train which, as First Class is limited, leaves you at the mercy of the loading. It applies to all types of Standard Class tickets BUT does NOT include the full meal service that makes the W&S trains so distinctive (the Upgrade entitles you to complimentary light refreshments). There is no mention of this upgrade on the W&S web site. See also the official WSR statement at http://birmingham2london.blogspot.com/2010/08/wrexham-and-shropshire-first-class.html
LondonMidland do not offer a Weekend First upgrade.
Sunday 1st August
Unusually I had an opportunity to travel to London on a Sunday... The first train out of Birmingham on a Sunday is the 0830 Pendolino which has an extra 30 minutes built into its schedule compared to the weekday run (partly because it stops at all the 'Pendolino' calling points - see below).
The train left New Street 8 minutes late due to overrunning engineering works towards Coventry. It was fairly quiet on departure but picked up many passengers at subsequent stations until the Standard class was standing room only after Milton Keynes. Fortunately, I was taking advantage of the £10 upgrade offer to First Class which Virgin are offering over the summer holidays (see my Weekend First post) so was spared such overcrowding. Not suprisingly, one or two adventurous souls made it into First Class after MK vowing to fight extradiction should the train manager challenge them - strangely enough he did not appear...
Despite the engineering works, arrival at Euston was on time thanks to the extra 30 minutes in the schedule. Virgin certainly are delivering with their Pendolinos- it's just a pity that they are failing to promote the benefits of leisure First Class travel as a way of managing excess passenger numbers on their trains.
Returned on the 3-coach Chiltern Clubman 20.20 departure from Marylebone. This is of course was full on departure due to the additional stops at Gerards Cross and Princess Risborough but had emptied to a comfortable level after High Wycombe. The timing of this train is very easy (2hrs 20 mins!) so it easily made it into Moor Street as booked.
Revenue protection at Marylebone (gates) and after Banbury (an active train manager) presumably means that Chiltern get a good return from running the service BUT are intermediate passenger numbers being picked up?
Overall a good day's travel once more but am relieved that Sunday is not one of my usual travelling days!
The train left New Street 8 minutes late due to overrunning engineering works towards Coventry. It was fairly quiet on departure but picked up many passengers at subsequent stations until the Standard class was standing room only after Milton Keynes. Fortunately, I was taking advantage of the £10 upgrade offer to First Class which Virgin are offering over the summer holidays (see my Weekend First post) so was spared such overcrowding. Not suprisingly, one or two adventurous souls made it into First Class after MK vowing to fight extradiction should the train manager challenge them - strangely enough he did not appear...
Despite the engineering works, arrival at Euston was on time thanks to the extra 30 minutes in the schedule. Virgin certainly are delivering with their Pendolinos- it's just a pity that they are failing to promote the benefits of leisure First Class travel as a way of managing excess passenger numbers on their trains.
Returned on the 3-coach Chiltern Clubman 20.20 departure from Marylebone. This is of course was full on departure due to the additional stops at Gerards Cross and Princess Risborough but had emptied to a comfortable level after High Wycombe. The timing of this train is very easy (2hrs 20 mins!) so it easily made it into Moor Street as booked.
Revenue protection at Marylebone (gates) and after Banbury (an active train manager) presumably means that Chiltern get a good return from running the service BUT are intermediate passenger numbers being picked up?
Overall a good day's travel once more but am relieved that Sunday is not one of my usual travelling days!
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Wednesday 28th July
A trip to Farnham in Surry via London gave me an opportunity to use the return half of my Oyster offer ticket on LondonMidland and to validate my comments on the comparison between LM first class and Chiltern standard class (see http://bit.ly/b2OJ89)
The 0753 LM train to London Euston actually arrives from Crewe so was not waiting in New Street when I arrived at 7.40. Though a good number of passengers got off and joined the four car unit, the First Class section was quiet (only 3 occupants) so a table was secured. Two got off at Coventry and one at Rugby so the compartment was left to myself apart from one 'joiner' at Long Buckby...
Naturally no revenue protection checks on board the train but, despite the busyness of the standard class accommodation (particularly after Northampton), noone seemed tempted to chance using it with a standard class ticket.
As I have commented before, the ride of the Class 350 EMUs is good so working in the first class compartment is a relative pleasure. In addition, once past Milton Keynes, my Vodafone dongle worked perfectly adequately... Of course, with the journey taking a booked 147 minutes (actually arrived around 5 minutes early), there is plenty of time to do so!
At Northampton, the Birmingham portion joins a further four carriages waiting there. The downside of this is that on arrival at Euston there is quite a walk to the exit barriers... Quite a scuffle here as people tried to hurry through them - no wonder that in past times, the staff have simply opened the gates and not bothered with the ticket check.
I returned on the 7pm Chiltern service from Marylebone. A fairly full Clubman but a table was available. Alas, it was one of the sets which haven't been fully upgraded so there were no sockets at the table - will Chiltern bother to finish this work now that Project Mainline is in full swing?
A good run back with a revenue protection check after Banbury. Clubmans also ride well but it has to be said that the country stretches play havoc with a dongle connection so working online is rather hit and miss.
The walk-on fare for the Clubman journey was £31.90 compared to the normal LM First Class fare of £95. As the Clubman journey is normally faster than the LM service (and at least as fast as the fastest LM evening trains), is there any real reason not to prefer Chiltern???
The 0753 LM train to London Euston actually arrives from Crewe so was not waiting in New Street when I arrived at 7.40. Though a good number of passengers got off and joined the four car unit, the First Class section was quiet (only 3 occupants) so a table was secured. Two got off at Coventry and one at Rugby so the compartment was left to myself apart from one 'joiner' at Long Buckby...
Naturally no revenue protection checks on board the train but, despite the busyness of the standard class accommodation (particularly after Northampton), noone seemed tempted to chance using it with a standard class ticket.
As I have commented before, the ride of the Class 350 EMUs is good so working in the first class compartment is a relative pleasure. In addition, once past Milton Keynes, my Vodafone dongle worked perfectly adequately... Of course, with the journey taking a booked 147 minutes (actually arrived around 5 minutes early), there is plenty of time to do so!
At Northampton, the Birmingham portion joins a further four carriages waiting there. The downside of this is that on arrival at Euston there is quite a walk to the exit barriers... Quite a scuffle here as people tried to hurry through them - no wonder that in past times, the staff have simply opened the gates and not bothered with the ticket check.
I returned on the 7pm Chiltern service from Marylebone. A fairly full Clubman but a table was available. Alas, it was one of the sets which haven't been fully upgraded so there were no sockets at the table - will Chiltern bother to finish this work now that Project Mainline is in full swing?
A good run back with a revenue protection check after Banbury. Clubmans also ride well but it has to be said that the country stretches play havoc with a dongle connection so working online is rather hit and miss.
The walk-on fare for the Clubman journey was £31.90 compared to the normal LM First Class fare of £95. As the Clubman journey is normally faster than the LM service (and at least as fast as the fastest LM evening trains), is there any real reason not to prefer Chiltern???
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Fare News
From Sunday 1st August until Sunday 5th September, LondonMidland are cutting their Off-peak return fares by 50% and still giving Railcard discounts. This makes the Birmingham to London Adult off-peak fare £12.50 valid on any train Monday to Friday from the 07.54. NOTE that these tickets HAVE to be booked online - booking opens Thursday 29th July. Full details: http://www.londonmidland.com/your-journey/summer-rail-sale/
Chiltern Railways are offering a third off fares on TUESDAYS until Tuesday 28th September to over-60 holders of the National Travel Pass or London Freedom Pass (i.e. your ‘bus pass’ displaying the ‘red rose’ logo). Full details: http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/over-60-brighten-your-chiltern-tuesday-13-fares
Barry Doe in Rail 649 (in newsagents from Wednesday 28th July) points out that Railcard holders can travel on any Virgin train journey on which VIRGIN SETS THE FARES at any time for the Off-peak fare (ie there are NO peak restrictions). For Birmingham to London passengers this means a saving of £43 on the single peak standard fare. Even better, for Senior Railcard holders, the First Class single fare on the first two trains Monday to Friday becomes £57.75 rather than £120 (see http://birmingham2london.blogspot.com/2010/06/virgin-fares.html for the reason).
When you add in passengers who can use the Virgin Charity Line facilty, I now understand why the 7.30 Pendolino is so busy in Standard Class! However, NOTE that the conditions for the Virgin Charity Line are changing from Friday 13th August: it won't be so useful after that date it would appear...
Chiltern Railways are offering a third off fares on TUESDAYS until Tuesday 28th September to over-60 holders of the National Travel Pass or London Freedom Pass (i.e. your ‘bus pass’ displaying the ‘red rose’ logo). Full details: http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/over-60-brighten-your-chiltern-tuesday-13-fares
Barry Doe in Rail 649 (in newsagents from Wednesday 28th July) points out that Railcard holders can travel on any Virgin train journey on which VIRGIN SETS THE FARES at any time for the Off-peak fare (ie there are NO peak restrictions). For Birmingham to London passengers this means a saving of £43 on the single peak standard fare. Even better, for Senior Railcard holders, the First Class single fare on the first two trains Monday to Friday becomes £57.75 rather than £120 (see http://birmingham2london.blogspot.com/2010/06/virgin-fares.html for the reason).
When you add in passengers who can use the Virgin Charity Line facilty, I now understand why the 7.30 Pendolino is so busy in Standard Class! However, NOTE that the conditions for the Virgin Charity Line are changing from Friday 13th August: it won't be so useful after that date it would appear...
Friday 23rd July
A day's work in London presented a dilemna as I wanted to test out the Oyster card First Class travel offer on LondonMidland (see http://birmingham2london.blogspot.com/2010/06/cheap-return-travel-from-london-26-june.html). Catch the 0745 Chiltern service from Snow Hill and split the fare at Haddenham & Thame Parkway (£36 - see http://birmingham2london.blogspot.com/2010/06/chiltern-fares.html) or hope that a Virgin Advance single fare would be available on Pendolinos arriving before 10am.
Amazingly, checking on the Thursday morning, I found a £28 standard advance fare on the 0830 Pendolino and, better still, was able to book a table seat (giving me access to a socket!) Interestingly, if I could have caught the 8.50, I would have travelled First Class for £44 - a bargain when you consider it includes a full breakfast, free WiFi, and access to the First Class lounges at both ends of the journey.
The 0830 starts from New Street so was sitting waiting for me when I arrived at 0815 off my Plusbus connection (another hidden bargain: £2.20 unlimited bus travel in the West Midlands compared to the walk-on nbus fare of £3.70). Friendly staff with amusing announcements made the journey very pleasant, especially with the shop being very convenient for my table. Used the £5 WiFi connection for an hour: adequate without being brilliant - the upload speed wasn't sufficient for me to upload files to my websites...
On time arrival in Platform 1 at Euston as I have come to expect...
No problem buying the Oyster offer ticket at the LondonMidland booth on the concourse. The 18.13, which is LondonMidland's fastest train of the day from London at 123 minutes, was sitting in Euston's other extremity platform (18) and formed of 12 coaches. Walked up the train to the front 4 coaches so as to be sure to be on the through portion and found First Class reasonably busy but by no means full. No table available but the drop-down table on the airline seats is actually adequate for a laptop and of course there are sockets.
Departure was on time as was arrival in New Street. The ride was very good but the facilities even for First Class are minimal: no refreshments for a start! However, the train was clean and the loos fine so for £30 return, can one complain? Well, Chiltern offer virtually the equivalent level of comfort, speed, and facilities for their standard class passengers at almost the same walk-on fare day in day out...
Finally, the lack of revenue protection surprised me: no check on boarding at Euston, no on-board check, and, as ever, no check on leaving at New Street's Victoria Square exit. It's a good job that most of the travelling public are honest, and that most standard class passengers remain happy to take the accommodation offered for their fare... Even so, LondonMidland do need to up their game as they have admitted to Barry Doe in the latest Rail magazine (649 due out on Wednesday 28th July).
Amazingly, checking on the Thursday morning, I found a £28 standard advance fare on the 0830 Pendolino and, better still, was able to book a table seat (giving me access to a socket!) Interestingly, if I could have caught the 8.50, I would have travelled First Class for £44 - a bargain when you consider it includes a full breakfast, free WiFi, and access to the First Class lounges at both ends of the journey.
The 0830 starts from New Street so was sitting waiting for me when I arrived at 0815 off my Plusbus connection (another hidden bargain: £2.20 unlimited bus travel in the West Midlands compared to the walk-on nbus fare of £3.70). Friendly staff with amusing announcements made the journey very pleasant, especially with the shop being very convenient for my table. Used the £5 WiFi connection for an hour: adequate without being brilliant - the upload speed wasn't sufficient for me to upload files to my websites...
On time arrival in Platform 1 at Euston as I have come to expect...
No problem buying the Oyster offer ticket at the LondonMidland booth on the concourse. The 18.13, which is LondonMidland's fastest train of the day from London at 123 minutes, was sitting in Euston's other extremity platform (18) and formed of 12 coaches. Walked up the train to the front 4 coaches so as to be sure to be on the through portion and found First Class reasonably busy but by no means full. No table available but the drop-down table on the airline seats is actually adequate for a laptop and of course there are sockets.
Departure was on time as was arrival in New Street. The ride was very good but the facilities even for First Class are minimal: no refreshments for a start! However, the train was clean and the loos fine so for £30 return, can one complain? Well, Chiltern offer virtually the equivalent level of comfort, speed, and facilities for their standard class passengers at almost the same walk-on fare day in day out...
Finally, the lack of revenue protection surprised me: no check on boarding at Euston, no on-board check, and, as ever, no check on leaving at New Street's Victoria Square exit. It's a good job that most of the travelling public are honest, and that most standard class passengers remain happy to take the accommodation offered for their fare... Even so, LondonMidland do need to up their game as they have admitted to Barry Doe in the latest Rail magazine (649 due out on Wednesday 28th July).
Saturday 10th July / Tuesday 20th July
A family holiday in France gave me an opportunity to experience Virgin's services once more courtesy of the Eurostar link booking service for stations outside London. We were travelling to Perpignan for the princely adult single advance fare of £69 and were booked on the 0830 Pendolino out of New Street.
Yet again, a more than adequate service: clean train, on time, clean loos, open shop, interesting 'Hotline' magazine... just a pity that Standard class isn't particularly comfortable, especially in the lack of leg room if you haven't secured a table.
Lots of announcements on the section to Coventry about not using LondonMidland only tickets; ticket check occured after Coventry allowing a quick exit at Euston (as a point of interest, NO ticket check took place on the TGV from Lille to Perpignan).
Returned from Paris on the 20th and were booked on the 20.23 service from Euston. Again, more than adequate but our seats were not aligned with windows at all - such a contrast with the comfortable layout of the Eurostar standard class carriages. Still, the service ran to time and of course was superb value - Paris to Birmingham in 3 1/2 hours (thanks to the time change) at an adult advance single fare of £59
Yet again, a more than adequate service: clean train, on time, clean loos, open shop, interesting 'Hotline' magazine... just a pity that Standard class isn't particularly comfortable, especially in the lack of leg room if you haven't secured a table.
Lots of announcements on the section to Coventry about not using LondonMidland only tickets; ticket check occured after Coventry allowing a quick exit at Euston (as a point of interest, NO ticket check took place on the TGV from Lille to Perpignan).
Returned from Paris on the 20th and were booked on the 20.23 service from Euston. Again, more than adequate but our seats were not aligned with windows at all - such a contrast with the comfortable layout of the Eurostar standard class carriages. Still, the service ran to time and of course was superb value - Paris to Birmingham in 3 1/2 hours (thanks to the time change) at an adult advance single fare of £59
Monday, 5 July 2010
Tuesday 29th June
Another early evening event in London... As I had had plenty of notice of this 'do', I took the opportunity of trying the Megatrain booking service for the Pendolinos and ended up travelling down on the 12.50 and returning from Euston on the 20.03 - all for the princely sum of £12.50 (£5 down, £7 back, and a 50p booking charge).
Of course, Megatrain is standard class only and doesn't reserve a seat for you. On the few Birmingham to London and return trains on which it is available this shouldn't be a problem as they are lightly loaded. Though, of course, it would help if a) the seat reservation system is working (it wasn't on the 12.50) and b) Virgin made it clear that Coach 'E' is usually reservation free!
Apart from the seat reservation glitch and the failed air-conditioning in Coach 'C', the 12.50 down and 20.03 back were perfectly good Pendolino services: on time, clean, and with open shops. Pity that standard class is so claustrophic and noisy even at quiet times - perhaps Megatrain should suggest a 'no-frills' First Class equivalent for those of us who like a bit more space and a quieter environment...
Of course, Megatrain is standard class only and doesn't reserve a seat for you. On the few Birmingham to London and return trains on which it is available this shouldn't be a problem as they are lightly loaded. Though, of course, it would help if a) the seat reservation system is working (it wasn't on the 12.50) and b) Virgin made it clear that Coach 'E' is usually reservation free!
Apart from the seat reservation glitch and the failed air-conditioning in Coach 'C', the 12.50 down and 20.03 back were perfectly good Pendolino services: on time, clean, and with open shops. Pity that standard class is so claustrophic and noisy even at quiet times - perhaps Megatrain should suggest a 'no-frills' First Class equivalent for those of us who like a bit more space and a quieter environment...
Saturday, 26 June 2010
Telegraph promotion: 10,000 advance Virgin First Class tickets
Until July 1st, a Telegraph promotion is offering 10,000 Virgin First Class Tickets for the period July 24th to September 5th. They are Advance Singles at a cost of £19 to / from Birmingham and London (see http://www.telegraph.co.uk/promotions/7852370/First-Class-travel-with-Virgin-Trains-from-19.html). No voucher or promotion code is required - just follow the link on the page.
Friday, 25 June 2010
Cheap return travel from LONDON 26 June to 25 July
Thanks to Martin's Money Tips (www.moneysavingexpert.com), I have been alerted to the Oyster Card and Freedom Pass Voucher offer (http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/oyster-voucher) which starts tomorrow (Saturday 26th June 2010) and runs until Sunday 25th July.
Basically, Oyster card holders can print a voucher which gives them a walk-on fare of £15 return from London to Birmingham using either Chiltern Railways or LondonMidland. Oyster cards can be obtained by anyone on demand in London or by post for a refundable fee of £3...
The ticket is for off-peak travel only BUT as Chiltern do not have peak-time restrictions on journeys from Marylebone to Moor Street / Snow Hill the voucher is giving you better than half-price travel on this line (don't forget that you can't return on trains which arrive in London before 10am Monday to Friday). Better still, the ticket is valid for the normal period of a month...
LondonMidland off-peak services from Euston are from the 0846 Monday to Friday; as with Chiltern, you can't return on trains which arrive in London before 10am Monday to Friday. First class returns are available for £30 and I assume are 'off-peak' too; both classes are monthly returns.
NOTE these tickets have to be purchased from the booking office of a National Rail station in the London area.
Basically, Oyster card holders can print a voucher which gives them a walk-on fare of £15 return from London to Birmingham using either Chiltern Railways or LondonMidland. Oyster cards can be obtained by anyone on demand in London or by post for a refundable fee of £3...
The ticket is for off-peak travel only BUT as Chiltern do not have peak-time restrictions on journeys from Marylebone to Moor Street / Snow Hill the voucher is giving you better than half-price travel on this line (don't forget that you can't return on trains which arrive in London before 10am Monday to Friday). Better still, the ticket is valid for the normal period of a month...
LondonMidland off-peak services from Euston are from the 0846 Monday to Friday; as with Chiltern, you can't return on trains which arrive in London before 10am Monday to Friday. First class returns are available for £30 and I assume are 'off-peak' too; both classes are monthly returns.
NOTE these tickets have to be purchased from the booking office of a National Rail station in the London area.
Thursday, 24 June 2010
National Passenger Survey Spring 2010
The NPS for 2010 by Passengerfocus is now available (http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/news-and-publications/document-search/document.asp?dsid=4094) and makes happy reading for the Wrexham & Shropshire and Chiltern railway companies, and reasonably good reading for Virgin and London Midland.
As it happened, I completed a questionnaire for this latest Survey whilst travelling on a Wrexham & Shropshire service earlier this year so have a personal interest in the results! My memory of completing the questionnaire was that it was long (certainly too long to complete on a short journey), and not particularly well organised - groups of questions did not seem to follow logically on from each other. Nevertheless, it is worth looking at the key points for each company...
Chiltern - sample size 1043; satisfaction rating 91% (treated as a London & SE operator)
In detail, 3 declines and 2 improves since Spring 2009
LondonMidland - sample size 1050; satisfaction rating 86% (treated as a London & SE operator)
In detail, 0 declines and 17 improves since Spring 2009
Virgin - sample size 1725; satisfaction rating 90% (treated as a long distance operator)
In detail, 0 declines and 6 improves since Spring 2009
Wrexham & Shropshire - sample size 532; satisfaction rating 99% (treated as a Long distance operator)
In detail, 3 declines and 4 improves since Autumn 2009
As it happened, I completed a questionnaire for this latest Survey whilst travelling on a Wrexham & Shropshire service earlier this year so have a personal interest in the results! My memory of completing the questionnaire was that it was long (certainly too long to complete on a short journey), and not particularly well organised - groups of questions did not seem to follow logically on from each other. Nevertheless, it is worth looking at the key points for each company...
Chiltern - sample size 1043; satisfaction rating 91% (treated as a London & SE operator)
In detail, 3 declines and 2 improves since Spring 2009
LondonMidland - sample size 1050; satisfaction rating 86% (treated as a London & SE operator)
In detail, 0 declines and 17 improves since Spring 2009
Virgin - sample size 1725; satisfaction rating 90% (treated as a long distance operator)
In detail, 0 declines and 6 improves since Spring 2009
Wrexham & Shropshire - sample size 532; satisfaction rating 99% (treated as a Long distance operator)
In detail, 3 declines and 4 improves since Autumn 2009
Virgin fares
Have only just picked up on the trial Virgin First Class Off-Peak fare to and from Birmingham International and London Euston. At £84 each way for a walk-on fare, this offers a significant saving for Birmingham passengers as the First Class Anytime Virgin-only return fare between New Street and International is £6.20 - giving a walk-on off-peak day fare of £174.20 (compared to the quoted New Street-Euston walk-on fare of £240...)!
This fare is available to Euston on the 0539 and 0600 trains from International (0529 and 0550 from New Street) on which breakfast is served, and then on every train from 10.39 (10.30 from New Street). Don't forget that an evening meal is available on the trains from 1739 through to 1920 (1730 to 1910 from New Street).
From Euston, the fare is available on services from 0943 through to 14.43, then from 1903 through to 2330. Note that breakfast is available on the 0943.
A note to any readers from Coventry: as the First Class Anytime Virgin-only return fare between Coventry and International is £3.50, your walk-on off-peak day fare could be £171.50(compared to the quoted Coventry-Euston walk-on fare of £215...)!
Interestingly, this fare is also available on LondonMidland trains though, of course, one would never purchase it for this purpose as LM's walk-on First Anytime single fare is £60!
This fare is available to Euston on the 0539 and 0600 trains from International (0529 and 0550 from New Street) on which breakfast is served, and then on every train from 10.39 (10.30 from New Street). Don't forget that an evening meal is available on the trains from 1739 through to 1920 (1730 to 1910 from New Street).
From Euston, the fare is available on services from 0943 through to 14.43, then from 1903 through to 2330. Note that breakfast is available on the 0943.
A note to any readers from Coventry: as the First Class Anytime Virgin-only return fare between Coventry and International is £3.50, your walk-on off-peak day fare could be £171.50(compared to the quoted Coventry-Euston walk-on fare of £215...)!
Interestingly, this fare is also available on LondonMidland trains though, of course, one would never purchase it for this purpose as LM's walk-on First Anytime single fare is £60!
Tuesday 22nd June
An early evening meeting in London gave me the opportunity to book in advance on the 12.10 Pendolino south and the 20.23 return.
Going onto the Virgin trains web site on Monday morning showed standard class advance fares of £14 each way and First Class advance fares of £26.50 each way. If you are planning to work on the train, then there really is no contest: first class it is for the following reasons:
first, free Wi-Fi (£5 to standard class passengers);
secondly, regular refreshments (worth another £5?);
thirdly, guaranteed table with power socket;
fourthly, quieter less crowded environment;
and finally, the use of first class lounges (free WiFi, refreshments, papers, loos) at both ends of the journey.
The journey south was very pleasant: the Quiet coach H was very quiet; coffee was served on departure from Birmingham; 'lunch' after Coventry (ham roll, an apple, orange juice, and a second coffee); and arrival on time. My only complaint is that the staff place the free Financial Times on the rack at one end of the coach so unless you are in the know this benefit is lost...
Coming back was almost as pleasant though I don't think that the pasta salad alternative to the ham roll is particularly appetising. My key complaint is that the riding on the down line between Milton Keynes and Rugby leaves much to be desired: there were two times when the wheelset thumped alarmingly beneath me as it passed over a poorly maintained stretch of track!
Punctuality was good both ways as it has been in my general experience of using the VHF service. Interestingly, the May 2010 punctality record (http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=5268&NewsAreaID=2) shows Virgin overall heading to a 90% 'on-time' record.
Going onto the Virgin trains web site on Monday morning showed standard class advance fares of £14 each way and First Class advance fares of £26.50 each way. If you are planning to work on the train, then there really is no contest: first class it is for the following reasons:
first, free Wi-Fi (£5 to standard class passengers);
secondly, regular refreshments (worth another £5?);
thirdly, guaranteed table with power socket;
fourthly, quieter less crowded environment;
and finally, the use of first class lounges (free WiFi, refreshments, papers, loos) at both ends of the journey.
The journey south was very pleasant: the Quiet coach H was very quiet; coffee was served on departure from Birmingham; 'lunch' after Coventry (ham roll, an apple, orange juice, and a second coffee); and arrival on time. My only complaint is that the staff place the free Financial Times on the rack at one end of the coach so unless you are in the know this benefit is lost...
Coming back was almost as pleasant though I don't think that the pasta salad alternative to the ham roll is particularly appetising. My key complaint is that the riding on the down line between Milton Keynes and Rugby leaves much to be desired: there were two times when the wheelset thumped alarmingly beneath me as it passed over a poorly maintained stretch of track!
Punctuality was good both ways as it has been in my general experience of using the VHF service. Interestingly, the May 2010 punctality record (http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=5268&NewsAreaID=2) shows Virgin overall heading to a 90% 'on-time' record.
Friday, 18 June 2010
Chiltern Fares
The 0745am service from Snow Hill is treated by Chiltern as a peak fare service, arriving as it does in Marylebone at 9.59. Thus, the walk-on RETURN fare is quoted as £82 but do you ever need to pay this exorbitant (in Chiltern though NOT in Virgin terms) amount? The answer is NO.
First, note that the following 0812 train gets into Marylebone 29 minutes later yet costs only £31.90 return - ie saving 29 minutes costs you £50.10 ...
Secondly, if you really do need to be in London by 10, buy a Peak SINGLE for the 0745 and earlier trains at £45.90 (or cheaper, see below) as there are NO Peak restrictions on trains back from Marylebone. So use an off-peak or super off-peak ticket for the return journey.
*** Don't forget that the return portions of Off-peak and Super Off-peak return tickets, which cost pence more than the equivalent single, are valid for a month so can be used later to return to London on off-peak or super off-peak trains. ***
Thirdly, savings on Peak Single fares can be made by splitting the journey as follows:
0543 (Bicester North - £16.40 + £21.40 = £37.80)
0615 (Banbury - £14* + £28.90* = £42.90*)
0650 (Banbury - £14* + £28.90* = £42.90*)
0714 (Haddenham & Thame Parkway - £20.80 + £15.20* = £36)
0745 (Haddenham & Thame Parkway - £20.80 + £15.20* = £36)
* Anytime Day Singles
DO NOT be afraid to ask for split fares at the Booking Office - there is no reason why you shouldn't be sold them.
Fourthly, if you are sure about which train you are taking, then Chiltern Advance fares booked before 6pm the day before travel are often available at a maximum £35 single.
Finally, don't forget to use a Railcard if you are eligible for one - they save on both walk-on and advance fares.
Off peak trains:
From Birmingham Snow Hill: 0812 onwards Monday to Friday
From London Marylebone : ALL Departures
Super off peak trains:
From Birmingham Snow Hill: 11.52 onwards Monday - Friday
From London Marylebone: 11.24 to 15.20 / 2000 onwards Monday to Friday; 11.24 onwards Saturday; 11.20 onwards Sunday
First, note that the following 0812 train gets into Marylebone 29 minutes later yet costs only £31.90 return - ie saving 29 minutes costs you £50.10 ...
Secondly, if you really do need to be in London by 10, buy a Peak SINGLE for the 0745 and earlier trains at £45.90 (or cheaper, see below) as there are NO Peak restrictions on trains back from Marylebone. So use an off-peak or super off-peak ticket for the return journey.
*** Don't forget that the return portions of Off-peak and Super Off-peak return tickets, which cost pence more than the equivalent single, are valid for a month so can be used later to return to London on off-peak or super off-peak trains. ***
Thirdly, savings on Peak Single fares can be made by splitting the journey as follows:
0543 (Bicester North - £16.40 + £21.40 = £37.80)
0615 (Banbury - £14* + £28.90* = £42.90*)
0650 (Banbury - £14* + £28.90* = £42.90*)
0714 (Haddenham & Thame Parkway - £20.80 + £15.20* = £36)
0745 (Haddenham & Thame Parkway - £20.80 + £15.20* = £36)
* Anytime Day Singles
DO NOT be afraid to ask for split fares at the Booking Office - there is no reason why you shouldn't be sold them.
Fourthly, if you are sure about which train you are taking, then Chiltern Advance fares booked before 6pm the day before travel are often available at a maximum £35 single.
Finally, don't forget to use a Railcard if you are eligible for one - they save on both walk-on and advance fares.
Off peak trains:
From Birmingham Snow Hill: 0812 onwards Monday to Friday
From London Marylebone : ALL Departures
Super off peak trains:
From Birmingham Snow Hill: 11.52 onwards Monday - Friday
From London Marylebone: 11.24 to 15.20 / 2000 onwards Monday to Friday; 11.24 onwards Saturday; 11.20 onwards Sunday
Tuesday 15th June
Out on the 0812 Chiltern Clubman from Snow Hill today - a train significantly cheaper than the last peak time service at 0745. Today's set had power points installed at the tables, and, as usual, one was free for use from Snow Hill.
This service is not too busy until Warwick Parkway so plenty of time to settle to work on my laptop. Tickets were checked after Moor Street, the buffet trolley arrived before WP, and the toilets were clean and working! Arrival on time in Marylebone for yet another efficient trip.
Meant to return on the 16.30 Wrexham and Shropshire and change at Leamington Spa but, although a refurbished set was sitting on Platform 4, I had a brainstorm and ended up on the 16.33 Clubman! This was relatively busy to Bicester North but interestingly not particularly so to Banbury - perhaps Banbury and Leamington folk have caught onto the W&S comforts (and of course slightly faster timings). Of course, no trolley service on returning peak time Chiltern trains so I wish I had caught the W&S if only for its buffet service!
Still, tables with working power points were available after Bicester, and the service arrived on time in Birmingham - actually early into Snow Hill due to the 'punctuality' timing of this last leg of the journey...
Out of interest, the Birmingham Post Business & Property Review for June 2010 carries an interview with Adrian Shooter (chairman of Chiltern Railways), which, whilst focussing rather on his garden railway, does give an insight into why Chiltern has been so successful as a franchise.
This service is not too busy until Warwick Parkway so plenty of time to settle to work on my laptop. Tickets were checked after Moor Street, the buffet trolley arrived before WP, and the toilets were clean and working! Arrival on time in Marylebone for yet another efficient trip.
Meant to return on the 16.30 Wrexham and Shropshire and change at Leamington Spa but, although a refurbished set was sitting on Platform 4, I had a brainstorm and ended up on the 16.33 Clubman! This was relatively busy to Bicester North but interestingly not particularly so to Banbury - perhaps Banbury and Leamington folk have caught onto the W&S comforts (and of course slightly faster timings). Of course, no trolley service on returning peak time Chiltern trains so I wish I had caught the W&S if only for its buffet service!
Still, tables with working power points were available after Bicester, and the service arrived on time in Birmingham - actually early into Snow Hill due to the 'punctuality' timing of this last leg of the journey...
Out of interest, the Birmingham Post Business & Property Review for June 2010 carries an interview with Adrian Shooter (chairman of Chiltern Railways), which, whilst focussing rather on his garden railway, does give an insight into why Chiltern has been so successful as a franchise.
Saturday 12th June
This was definitely a 'just for fun' journey to and from the Capital as the purpose was to take The Capital Deltic Mini Tour from London to Oxford!
As I knew that I would need to be on the 830 Pendolino to Euston, I checked fares on Thursday on the LondonMidland web site and was pleasantly surprised to find that booking a first class seat at £26.50 was cheaper than any advance or walk-on standard single fare...
Joining the train on the day, the first class carriages were largely empty and were being patrolled by the train manager who was evicting numerous standard class passengers who seemed intent on sneaking a free upgrade on their journey to Birmingham International. There followed numerous announcements on ticket validity which, whilst clear, did highlight the possibly bewildering ticket choices to London from Birmingham. However, standard class travellers were given until Coventry to actually make sure that all was correct before an actual ticket check was made.
After Coventry, the refreshment trolley came through with a very friendly hostess in charge. Being the weekend, the refreshment range was limited to say the least: tea, coffee, water, or Virgin Cola along with biscuits or pretzels but at least the service was offered twice.
The Pendolino ran easily to the slightly slower weekend timing of 85 minutes for a punctual arrival at Euston.
A saunter along the Euston Road to King's Cross for an unusual route back to Birmingham. Just as an aside, King's Cross must be one of the least pleasant LOndon Termini to use: the current redevelopment making it seem more cramped and busy than either Euston or Marylebone and without the range of shops and outlets of either of them.
55022 brought a Spitfire Railtours train from Preston in slightly late but was quickly turned round for the 1045 departure. The West Coast Railway Company Mark II stock made the Wrexham & Shropshire spare set look palatial but of course that is not the point of the journey. 55022 and train were dragged up to Ferme Park reception sidings for reversal so that the Deltic could lead the train via Gospel Oak to join the Great Western mainline at Acton.
Alas, the timing of the journey out to Oxford from there was 1 hour 20 meaning that the train sauntered along the slow lines as HST after HST roared past on the fast lines. Not until after Reading did the Deltic get an opportunity to show what it could do (the timing of the return journey suggests a better run was enjoyed then). Anyway, good fun and great value at £19
Returned from Oxford on the 1336 XC Voyager to Manchester Piccadilly. The loading from Oxford always seems to be heavy but fortunately this service was lightly filled on arrival so Quiet Coach seats were available. Actually had a ticket check after Oxford, and the refreshment trolley appeared after Banbury. Ran to time to Birmingham...
The single standard walk-on Oxford-Birmingham fare (which I needed in case the Railtour was delayed) is £27. However splitting it at Banbury brought it down to £18.90 - which of course the booking site can't point out automatically... One final point: if I had needed more flexibility, then a standard off-peak any permitted route ticket at £41.90 would have been my choice - shame it wasn't valid on the Railtour!
As a postscript, Barry Doe in Rail 646 comments on the lack of effective barrier staff at New Street. What is worse is that the Victoria Square entrance / exit is only manned on weekday peak times. Given the lack of, and often impossibility of, on-train ticket checking one wonders if anyone actually knows how much fare dodging is going on in the Birmingham area - or are we all woonderfully honest?
As I knew that I would need to be on the 830 Pendolino to Euston, I checked fares on Thursday on the LondonMidland web site and was pleasantly surprised to find that booking a first class seat at £26.50 was cheaper than any advance or walk-on standard single fare...
Joining the train on the day, the first class carriages were largely empty and were being patrolled by the train manager who was evicting numerous standard class passengers who seemed intent on sneaking a free upgrade on their journey to Birmingham International. There followed numerous announcements on ticket validity which, whilst clear, did highlight the possibly bewildering ticket choices to London from Birmingham. However, standard class travellers were given until Coventry to actually make sure that all was correct before an actual ticket check was made.
After Coventry, the refreshment trolley came through with a very friendly hostess in charge. Being the weekend, the refreshment range was limited to say the least: tea, coffee, water, or Virgin Cola along with biscuits or pretzels but at least the service was offered twice.
The Pendolino ran easily to the slightly slower weekend timing of 85 minutes for a punctual arrival at Euston.
A saunter along the Euston Road to King's Cross for an unusual route back to Birmingham. Just as an aside, King's Cross must be one of the least pleasant LOndon Termini to use: the current redevelopment making it seem more cramped and busy than either Euston or Marylebone and without the range of shops and outlets of either of them.
55022 brought a Spitfire Railtours train from Preston in slightly late but was quickly turned round for the 1045 departure. The West Coast Railway Company Mark II stock made the Wrexham & Shropshire spare set look palatial but of course that is not the point of the journey. 55022 and train were dragged up to Ferme Park reception sidings for reversal so that the Deltic could lead the train via Gospel Oak to join the Great Western mainline at Acton.
Alas, the timing of the journey out to Oxford from there was 1 hour 20 meaning that the train sauntered along the slow lines as HST after HST roared past on the fast lines. Not until after Reading did the Deltic get an opportunity to show what it could do (the timing of the return journey suggests a better run was enjoyed then). Anyway, good fun and great value at £19
Returned from Oxford on the 1336 XC Voyager to Manchester Piccadilly. The loading from Oxford always seems to be heavy but fortunately this service was lightly filled on arrival so Quiet Coach seats were available. Actually had a ticket check after Oxford, and the refreshment trolley appeared after Banbury. Ran to time to Birmingham...
The single standard walk-on Oxford-Birmingham fare (which I needed in case the Railtour was delayed) is £27. However splitting it at Banbury brought it down to £18.90 - which of course the booking site can't point out automatically... One final point: if I had needed more flexibility, then a standard off-peak any permitted route ticket at £41.90 would have been my choice - shame it wasn't valid on the Railtour!
As a postscript, Barry Doe in Rail 646 comments on the lack of effective barrier staff at New Street. What is worse is that the Victoria Square entrance / exit is only manned on weekday peak times. Given the lack of, and often impossibility of, on-train ticket checking one wonders if anyone actually knows how much fare dodging is going on in the Birmingham area - or are we all woonderfully honest?
Thursday 10th June
Had to split my journey at Banbury today so started by taking the 745 from Snow Hill. This Clubman service is busy into Snow Hill with commuters and then relatively busy with new commuters from Snow Hill and Moor Street through to Solihull. Still, managed to get a table at Moor Street only to find that the power point hadn't been installed on this set (I thought the upgrade programme had finished) - fortunately, my laptop battery lasted to Banbury.
Other than that, this was a typical efficient Chiltern journey: on time, buffet trolley available, clean, working toilets etc. This train gradually fills at Warwick Parkway and Leamington but is not actually 'full' until Banbury. Pity it costs so much to use through to London (BUT see my blog on fares) and yet is relatively slow due to stops at Lapworth and Hatton!
I had timed my break at Banbury to allow me to catch the 10.04 Wrexham & Shropshire service onto Marylebone. Clearly, the benefits of travelling W&S (and perhaps the fact that the 10.04 is the first service on which the Network South-East railcard can be used from Banbury) are being realised as there were a good number of passengers waiting with me for the train. So, although not full, the train was nicely busy on departure.
Alas, the service was made up of the spare set which meant that although First Class passengers had the benefit of a refurbished coach, standard class had only the old Mark III stock. These coaches are starting to look their age and, of course, do not have power points or WiFi. Still, you do get proper seats and plenty of table space... Fortunately, the buffet car was as pleasant and well stocked as ever, allowing me the treat of Welsh Cakes with my Cappucino!
My return journey was on the 1.50 Chiltern Clubman from Marylebone. Only a 3-car set so virtually full on departure. However, many were travelling only to the first stop, Bicester North (for retail therapy at Bicester Village), where a table (with working power points) became available. As with the outward Clubman journey, the service did what it says on the tin: ran to time, relatively comfortably, though without a buffet trolley. Of course, the fare is much cheaper and the timings are faster...
Other than that, this was a typical efficient Chiltern journey: on time, buffet trolley available, clean, working toilets etc. This train gradually fills at Warwick Parkway and Leamington but is not actually 'full' until Banbury. Pity it costs so much to use through to London (BUT see my blog on fares) and yet is relatively slow due to stops at Lapworth and Hatton!
I had timed my break at Banbury to allow me to catch the 10.04 Wrexham & Shropshire service onto Marylebone. Clearly, the benefits of travelling W&S (and perhaps the fact that the 10.04 is the first service on which the Network South-East railcard can be used from Banbury) are being realised as there were a good number of passengers waiting with me for the train. So, although not full, the train was nicely busy on departure.
Alas, the service was made up of the spare set which meant that although First Class passengers had the benefit of a refurbished coach, standard class had only the old Mark III stock. These coaches are starting to look their age and, of course, do not have power points or WiFi. Still, you do get proper seats and plenty of table space... Fortunately, the buffet car was as pleasant and well stocked as ever, allowing me the treat of Welsh Cakes with my Cappucino!
My return journey was on the 1.50 Chiltern Clubman from Marylebone. Only a 3-car set so virtually full on departure. However, many were travelling only to the first stop, Bicester North (for retail therapy at Bicester Village), where a table (with working power points) became available. As with the outward Clubman journey, the service did what it says on the tin: ran to time, relatively comfortably, though without a buffet trolley. Of course, the fare is much cheaper and the timings are faster...
Friday, 4 June 2010
Wednesday 2 June 2010
Used a first-class 'Great Escape' voucher from LondonMidland today to travel south on the 0853 from New Street.
The first class compartment of the Class 350 EMU was moderately busy, and the two tables were occupied when I joined at 0850 so I had to make do with an airline style seat. Fortnately, all seats have power sockets, and the pull down table is sufficiently large to support a laptop.
The train got busier as the journey progressed and the first class gradually filled to capacity. No ticket checks were carried out during the journey so there was nothing except inate honesty to prevent standard class ticket holders sitting in the compartment.
The journey arrived on time in Euston which it should as the timing is very gentle 145 minutes! No attempt to check tickets at Euston...
Returned from London on the 1350 Chitern Clubman service from Marylebone. Reasonably busy but tables available so was able to set up my laptop in 'working comfort'. All seats on a Clubman have power sockets... Typical speedy Chiltern service: 119 minutes to Moor Street. Ticket barriers at Marylebone and a ticket check after Banbury.
The 'Great Escape' fare was £20, and my return Chiltern Super Off Peak Return was £19.50. During a normal working week, the comparable fares for the outward journey would have been £95 LondonMidland (£16 x 2 if booked in advance) and £32 Chiltern. Given that the Chiltern service is faster and offers more flexibility and at least the same level of comfort and facilities, I'm afraid it looks to me as if the LondonMidland 'no frills' First Class is not actually worth the extra from the Birmingham end.
The first class compartment of the Class 350 EMU was moderately busy, and the two tables were occupied when I joined at 0850 so I had to make do with an airline style seat. Fortnately, all seats have power sockets, and the pull down table is sufficiently large to support a laptop.
The train got busier as the journey progressed and the first class gradually filled to capacity. No ticket checks were carried out during the journey so there was nothing except inate honesty to prevent standard class ticket holders sitting in the compartment.
The journey arrived on time in Euston which it should as the timing is very gentle 145 minutes! No attempt to check tickets at Euston...
Returned from London on the 1350 Chitern Clubman service from Marylebone. Reasonably busy but tables available so was able to set up my laptop in 'working comfort'. All seats on a Clubman have power sockets... Typical speedy Chiltern service: 119 minutes to Moor Street. Ticket barriers at Marylebone and a ticket check after Banbury.
The 'Great Escape' fare was £20, and my return Chiltern Super Off Peak Return was £19.50. During a normal working week, the comparable fares for the outward journey would have been £95 LondonMidland (£16 x 2 if booked in advance) and £32 Chiltern. Given that the Chiltern service is faster and offers more flexibility and at least the same level of comfort and facilities, I'm afraid it looks to me as if the LondonMidland 'no frills' First Class is not actually worth the extra from the Birmingham end.
Monday, 31 May 2010
Wrexham & Shropshire tickets
I have updated the page on Wrexham and Shropshire services from Tame Bridge Parkway in the light of Barry Doe's FareDealer article in RAIL 645. He points out that the Wrexham and Shropshire ONLY first class fares of £70 single and £120 return are technically OFF PEAK tickets to prevent break of outward journey at Banbury... if you need to break your outward journey at either Leamington Spa or Banbury then you should buy 'Anytime' tickets at £76.30 single and £152.60 return.
Sunday, 23 May 2010
New timetables & fares
Just finished updating the timetable and fare information on www.birmingham2london.com in preparation for tomorrow (24th May).
Main news is that LondonMidland now run 18 through trains Monday to Friday each way between New Street and Euston, and that two from Euston, 17.13 & 18.13, do the journey in a shade over 2hours. Next week, 1st - 4th June, the return journey can be made for £20 first class using a voucher (http://www.londonmidland.com/tickets-and-fares/great-escape/) leaving Birmingham on the 7.53 or later. Don't forget too that the Advance single first class fare is £16 for most journeys in either direction...
The Wrexham & Shropshire service first class fare is now fixed at £70 single and £120 return. An Advance single fare is £55 BUT the 17.02 from Tame Bridge Parkway and the 7.33 from Marylebone have a £35 advance single fare.
As for Virgin, use the Virgin Trains only walk-on fares to at least trim back on the astronomical £240 return first class fare. Travelling out and back in a day and splitting the fare at Rugby or Milton Keynes on the relevant hourly services can save around £40. Even splitting the fare at Coventry (and therefore retaining the benefits of the VHF timetable) will save almost £20!
Advance single fares start at £26.50 BUT peak times see them reach £105.50 on certain trains. Interestingly, the 18.50 and 19.10 trains from Birmingham which offer an 'evening meal' service have £35 fares as does the 6.03 'breakfast' train from Euston.
Clearly both the W&S and Virgin are experiencing the same type of traffic flow on their services!
Main news is that LondonMidland now run 18 through trains Monday to Friday each way between New Street and Euston, and that two from Euston, 17.13 & 18.13, do the journey in a shade over 2hours. Next week, 1st - 4th June, the return journey can be made for £20 first class using a voucher (http://www.londonmidland.com/tickets-and-fares/great-escape/) leaving Birmingham on the 7.53 or later. Don't forget too that the Advance single first class fare is £16 for most journeys in either direction...
The Wrexham & Shropshire service first class fare is now fixed at £70 single and £120 return. An Advance single fare is £55 BUT the 17.02 from Tame Bridge Parkway and the 7.33 from Marylebone have a £35 advance single fare.
As for Virgin, use the Virgin Trains only walk-on fares to at least trim back on the astronomical £240 return first class fare. Travelling out and back in a day and splitting the fare at Rugby or Milton Keynes on the relevant hourly services can save around £40. Even splitting the fare at Coventry (and therefore retaining the benefits of the VHF timetable) will save almost £20!
Advance single fares start at £26.50 BUT peak times see them reach £105.50 on certain trains. Interestingly, the 18.50 and 19.10 trains from Birmingham which offer an 'evening meal' service have £35 fares as does the 6.03 'breakfast' train from Euston.
Clearly both the W&S and Virgin are experiencing the same type of traffic flow on their services!
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Standard Class
At long last, the bare bones of the standard class site www.birmingham2london.co.uk are in place
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Tuesday / Wednesday 11th / 12th May 2010
Had an overnight stay in London so a chance to experiment with return ticket combinations...
Out on the 11.52 Chiltern service from Snow Hill using the Super off-peak return fare of £19.50. As ever, relatively quiet start so no problems getting a table. On time running. Just so pleasant an experience.
Can back on the 17.13 LondonMidland service from Euston at the LondonMidland Off-peak standard return fare of £29. This train is timed for 2 hours so effectively is as fast as the Chiltern services. Of course, it is a true (fast) commuter train until Northampton so is made up of 12 coaches. Unfortunately, only the front four go through to Birmingham which does mean quite a walk at Euston. The Desiros are ok but basic - definitely feel more spacious than the Pendolinos but the seats and tables are not quite as comfortable as those in a Chiltern Clubman. Although I got a table after Leighton Buzzard, those in standard class don't have power sockets so I had to eek my laptop batter along...
My ticket combination will allow me to travel to London within a month anytime using the 7.53 or later from Birmingham New Street and return if I avoid the evening peak (roughly 4pm to 8pm). 2 return journeys for £48.50 - not too bad...
Out on the 11.52 Chiltern service from Snow Hill using the Super off-peak return fare of £19.50. As ever, relatively quiet start so no problems getting a table. On time running. Just so pleasant an experience.
Can back on the 17.13 LondonMidland service from Euston at the LondonMidland Off-peak standard return fare of £29. This train is timed for 2 hours so effectively is as fast as the Chiltern services. Of course, it is a true (fast) commuter train until Northampton so is made up of 12 coaches. Unfortunately, only the front four go through to Birmingham which does mean quite a walk at Euston. The Desiros are ok but basic - definitely feel more spacious than the Pendolinos but the seats and tables are not quite as comfortable as those in a Chiltern Clubman. Although I got a table after Leighton Buzzard, those in standard class don't have power sockets so I had to eek my laptop batter along...
My ticket combination will allow me to travel to London within a month anytime using the 7.53 or later from Birmingham New Street and return if I avoid the evening peak (roughly 4pm to 8pm). 2 return journeys for £48.50 - not too bad...
Wednesday 5th May 2010
Today's trip to London had to be broken at Coventry on the outward leg so I took advantage of Virgin's extremely cheap First Class Single fare (£4.30) in order to kill an hour of waiting in the New Street First Class lounge. Access to refreshments, papers, and free Wifi make this fare a 'steal'... Note that if you want to top it off with a coffee on the train, you need to be near to the kitchen!
Onwards from Coventry on a mid-morning Pendolino using the £18 advance single standard fare. Good value if you can book far enough ahead to guarantee a table! Alas, the Wifi failed me today (but T-Mobile did not quibble about refunding the charge).
Back on 14.50 Chiltern from Marylebone at the amazing advance single standard fare of £5. Table, space, and reasonable quiet - no wonder I love Chiltern!
Onwards from Coventry on a mid-morning Pendolino using the £18 advance single standard fare. Good value if you can book far enough ahead to guarantee a table! Alas, the Wifi failed me today (but T-Mobile did not quibble about refunding the charge).
Back on 14.50 Chiltern from Marylebone at the amazing advance single standard fare of £5. Table, space, and reasonable quiet - no wonder I love Chiltern!
Thusrday 29th April 2010
Had to be in London early and back relatively late so the speed of the Pendolinos won out over my enthusiasm for Chiltern today.
The 0750 whisked me to Euston for a 9.30 arrival but at a single advance fare of £52.50 from Coventry. One advantage of booking in advance is the guarantee of a table if they are available - if you want to work, this is essential as Pendolino airline seats are not laptop friendly (no space and no power point!). Very busy train, especially from Coventry and then Rugby, which heightened the claustrophobic feel of standard class...at least I was in Coach C near the Shop so had some feeling of space! Talking of the Shop, Virgin have now ceased to take credit / debit cards for Shop transactions.
Back on the 19.43 at a more reasonable advance fare of £18.00. Was able to sign onto the Wifi for £5 - slow but at least it stayed available all the journey! Not nearly as busy as the morning service so a rather more pleasant experience.
The 0750 whisked me to Euston for a 9.30 arrival but at a single advance fare of £52.50 from Coventry. One advantage of booking in advance is the guarantee of a table if they are available - if you want to work, this is essential as Pendolino airline seats are not laptop friendly (no space and no power point!). Very busy train, especially from Coventry and then Rugby, which heightened the claustrophobic feel of standard class...at least I was in Coach C near the Shop so had some feeling of space! Talking of the Shop, Virgin have now ceased to take credit / debit cards for Shop transactions.
Back on the 19.43 at a more reasonable advance fare of £18.00. Was able to sign onto the Wifi for £5 - slow but at least it stayed available all the journey! Not nearly as busy as the morning service so a rather more pleasant experience.
Tuesday 27th April 2010
A straight forward Chiltern there and back, going out on the 8.12 from Snow Hill and returning on the 16.00. Tremendous value at £31.90. Definite plus points: the availablity of tables with power points for passengers starting at Birmingham; reliability and punctuality of the services; friendly staff; and clean trains and toilets. As a freelance who carries his laptop with him, my only real gripe is the loss of my Orange data connection at certain parts of the route (Dorridge - Warwick Parkway; Leamington - Banbury; climbing to Bicester North; Haddenham & Thame Parkway - Princes Risborough).
Wednesday 21st April 2010
Day return journey to London, stopping off at Banbury on the outward leg, saw me leave Snow Hill on the 7.45am departure for Marylebone - somewhat delayed by a broken down LondonMidland train at Acocks Green. After confusion at both Snow Hill and Moor Street over the length of the delay, the ensuing loss of time wasn't too great. As ever, the Chiltern train was busy until Solihull, quiet from Solihull to Warwick Parkway, and then busy once more from there onwards. However, even 'busy' means tables are available to Birmingham - London passengers...
One of the plus points about needing to break my journey at Banbury was an opportunity to catch the 10.04 Wrexham & Shropshire train onto Marylebone. I had had a follow-up letter about Wifi in standard class - basically admitting they were having problems - and I wanted to see if they had been resolved. Alas not, and I see from the web site http://www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk/new-wifi-on-board.php that it is still not an established feature... Still, the quality of travel is amazing for standard class, and the loading from Banbury suggests that more people are cottoning onto this fact.
Back on a mid-afternoon Pendolino using one of the cheap advance Firsts (£26.50). No problems with the free Wifi, nor with the range and service of the refreshments. For speed and efficiency (if not for price), Virgin have got it sussed!
One of the plus points about needing to break my journey at Banbury was an opportunity to catch the 10.04 Wrexham & Shropshire train onto Marylebone. I had had a follow-up letter about Wifi in standard class - basically admitting they were having problems - and I wanted to see if they had been resolved. Alas not, and I see from the web site http://www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk/new-wifi-on-board.php that it is still not an established feature... Still, the quality of travel is amazing for standard class, and the loading from Banbury suggests that more people are cottoning onto this fact.
Back on a mid-afternoon Pendolino using one of the cheap advance Firsts (£26.50). No problems with the free Wifi, nor with the range and service of the refreshments. For speed and efficiency (if not for price), Virgin have got it sussed!
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Chiltern Mainline
Chiltern has published the proposed timetables for the 'Mainline' service due to start in May 2011. They can be found at http://mainline.chilternrailways.co.uk/feedback from where comments can be submitted. You have until May 7th to do so...
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Thursday 18th March
When doing the First Class week in February, one of the combinations of Birmingham to London journeys that I didn't acheive was the 09.03 CrossCountry connection into the 09.46 Wrexham & Shropshire service from Leamington Spa (a combination giving an overall journey time of 132 minutes).
Last Thursday, I had reason to be in London and the above combination fitted in well with my day. Naturally, I baulked at the £148.20 walk-on First Class return fare but such are the vagaries of UK rail fares that I was able to travel to Leamington First Class for £9.60 (only £2.30 more than the standard single fare), and, as I mentioned last week, Wrexham & Shropshire's standard class is as good as First Class...
The Voyager from Manchester was packed as it arrived into New Street but was relatively quiet from there onwards. I had had a very mixed First Class experience on CrossCountry in February so was very keen to see if matters had improved... First signs were good as the friendly First Class host offered a copy of The Times before bringing round the drinks and food selection.
Despite the listings on the 'menu card' on the table, the food offering proved to be a Danish Pastry with a choice of fillings: brie & cranberry or marmalade. I plumped for the brie and cranberry which turned out to be a product designed to be frozen (frozen best before date was in September 2010) which had clearly been thawed out for the journey ('fresh' best before date was 19 March). It was ok but nothing more. Fortunately, the fresh orange was better!
A second offering came round after Coventry, so this First Class journey was the best to date, certainly in terms of value-for-money.
There is a rumour around that Deutsch Bahn, the owners of the Wrexham & Shropshire Railway, have bid for Arriva, the owners of CrossCountry. One can only hope that it is true as I would like to believe that CrossCountry is ripe for improvement and that the style and class of the Wrexham & Shropshire services might influence this improvement!
Thursday's 9.46 was as pleasant a journey as one could wish for, though, of course, the space available in Standard Coaches 'C' and 'D' occurs partly because the reservations are 'crammed' (relatively speaking) into Coach 'B'. The service continues to delight apart from the weakness of the 'free' wi-fi offering which once again wasn't working in Standard Class. Had a very enjoyable cappacino and chocolate muffin from the buffet car.
Submitted a comment card regarding the WiFi. Wrexham & Shropshire aim for a 10 day response time for comments. I can report that a week after my comment form from the 11th I had a letter saying that high correspondence levels meant that my comments might not be answered in the 10 days...
Came back from London Marylebone on the 16.00 Chiltern service. Another Deutsch Bahn company which does almost everything right, though of course the standards of comfort on the Clubmans can't match the Wrexham & Shropshire 'proper' trains.
Fingers crossed over the future of Arriva!
Last Thursday, I had reason to be in London and the above combination fitted in well with my day. Naturally, I baulked at the £148.20 walk-on First Class return fare but such are the vagaries of UK rail fares that I was able to travel to Leamington First Class for £9.60 (only £2.30 more than the standard single fare), and, as I mentioned last week, Wrexham & Shropshire's standard class is as good as First Class...
The Voyager from Manchester was packed as it arrived into New Street but was relatively quiet from there onwards. I had had a very mixed First Class experience on CrossCountry in February so was very keen to see if matters had improved... First signs were good as the friendly First Class host offered a copy of The Times before bringing round the drinks and food selection.
Despite the listings on the 'menu card' on the table, the food offering proved to be a Danish Pastry with a choice of fillings: brie & cranberry or marmalade. I plumped for the brie and cranberry which turned out to be a product designed to be frozen (frozen best before date was in September 2010) which had clearly been thawed out for the journey ('fresh' best before date was 19 March). It was ok but nothing more. Fortunately, the fresh orange was better!
A second offering came round after Coventry, so this First Class journey was the best to date, certainly in terms of value-for-money.
There is a rumour around that Deutsch Bahn, the owners of the Wrexham & Shropshire Railway, have bid for Arriva, the owners of CrossCountry. One can only hope that it is true as I would like to believe that CrossCountry is ripe for improvement and that the style and class of the Wrexham & Shropshire services might influence this improvement!
Thursday's 9.46 was as pleasant a journey as one could wish for, though, of course, the space available in Standard Coaches 'C' and 'D' occurs partly because the reservations are 'crammed' (relatively speaking) into Coach 'B'. The service continues to delight apart from the weakness of the 'free' wi-fi offering which once again wasn't working in Standard Class. Had a very enjoyable cappacino and chocolate muffin from the buffet car.
Submitted a comment card regarding the WiFi. Wrexham & Shropshire aim for a 10 day response time for comments. I can report that a week after my comment form from the 11th I had a letter saying that high correspondence levels meant that my comments might not be answered in the 10 days...
Came back from London Marylebone on the 16.00 Chiltern service. Another Deutsch Bahn company which does almost everything right, though of course the standards of comfort on the Clubmans can't match the Wrexham & Shropshire 'proper' trains.
Fingers crossed over the future of Arriva!
Friday, 12 March 2010
Friday 12th March
Back to the Pendolinos: this time, the 10.30 'off-peak' New Street to London Euston service. Not particularly busy which meant a '2-seater' table to myself in Quiet Coach 'A'. So able to plug my laptop into the socket and boot up the (paid-for) Wi-Fi which worked fine.
Smooth, on time journey. Tickets checks, shop announcements, and cleaning runs. Virgin have got it right, especially if you can avail yourself of the return fare of £41.90 ie return before 3pm or after 6.45pm or at weekends!
Came back to Coleshill Parkway using the 17.10 SuperVoyager to Nuneaton for a change onto the 18.17 CrossCountry service. The 17.10 service turned out to be two sets - the front for Holyhead and the rear for Chester - which were very busy though seats were available. After travelling Pendolino at speed, it is very different to use a SuperVoyager: there is much more of the sense of the power being unleashed to acheive the timings demanded.
Slight confusion over the Shop announcement which seem to indicate that only the Holyhead set had one (I was in the Chester set) but this was cleared up and I partook of one of Virgin's Meal Deals: hot chocolate, Red Salmon Sandwich, and crisps for £3.95. Certainly palatable but the W&S buffet is better...
The friendly shop steward extolled the meal being served to the First Class passengers which certainly sounded more interesting than the Pendolino First Class evening meal that I had received a few weeks ago. Serving it fully would take some doing though in the 62 minutes that the run takes...
No problem making the connection into a busy, tired-looking Class 170 3-car diesel set to Coleshill. Got a table seat however... No announcement, no refereshment trolley, but an on-time arrival at Coleshill Parkway gave a start-to-stop journey time of 82 minutes. Interestingly, the through single walk-on fare is £70 yet by splitting the fare at Nuneaton, this drops to £65.90. Aren't rail fares a nonsense!
So ends another week of on-time, safe, pleasant journeys. My thanks as ever to the teams across the privatised network who manage to make this happen. It's just a pity that their work is never recognised, only criticised...
On a final note, yesterday saw the announcement of HS2. I'm with Christian Wolmar: why can't we spend significantly less money by focusing on clearing the pinch points on the network so that our existing 'high-speed' services between the two cities are really given a chance to shine?!
Smooth, on time journey. Tickets checks, shop announcements, and cleaning runs. Virgin have got it right, especially if you can avail yourself of the return fare of £41.90 ie return before 3pm or after 6.45pm or at weekends!
Came back to Coleshill Parkway using the 17.10 SuperVoyager to Nuneaton for a change onto the 18.17 CrossCountry service. The 17.10 service turned out to be two sets - the front for Holyhead and the rear for Chester - which were very busy though seats were available. After travelling Pendolino at speed, it is very different to use a SuperVoyager: there is much more of the sense of the power being unleashed to acheive the timings demanded.
Slight confusion over the Shop announcement which seem to indicate that only the Holyhead set had one (I was in the Chester set) but this was cleared up and I partook of one of Virgin's Meal Deals: hot chocolate, Red Salmon Sandwich, and crisps for £3.95. Certainly palatable but the W&S buffet is better...
The friendly shop steward extolled the meal being served to the First Class passengers which certainly sounded more interesting than the Pendolino First Class evening meal that I had received a few weeks ago. Serving it fully would take some doing though in the 62 minutes that the run takes...
No problem making the connection into a busy, tired-looking Class 170 3-car diesel set to Coleshill. Got a table seat however... No announcement, no refereshment trolley, but an on-time arrival at Coleshill Parkway gave a start-to-stop journey time of 82 minutes. Interestingly, the through single walk-on fare is £70 yet by splitting the fare at Nuneaton, this drops to £65.90. Aren't rail fares a nonsense!
So ends another week of on-time, safe, pleasant journeys. My thanks as ever to the teams across the privatised network who manage to make this happen. It's just a pity that their work is never recognised, only criticised...
On a final note, yesterday saw the announcement of HS2. I'm with Christian Wolmar: why can't we spend significantly less money by focusing on clearing the pinch points on the network so that our existing 'high-speed' services between the two cities are really given a chance to shine?!
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Thursday 11th March
Back to the delights of the Wrexham & Shropshire service today as I joined the 9.02 from Tame Bridge Parkway to Marylebone. Reasonably busy train - amused to see a fully reserved Coach 'B' with relatively empty 'C' and 'D' coaches - but I had no problem finding a table to myself.
Alas, the promised free standard class wireless didn't materialise for my laptop. Fortunately, W&S employ tech-savvy train managers. In this case, she pointed out that the wireless transmitter was in First Class and so may not be reaching my end of the train... She was correct: carrying the laptop to the Buffet end of the First Class coach established a connection, though this was lost on my return to my seat!
Have completed a comment form so look forward to a W&S response on this matter.
Other than that disappointment, the service was fine (indeed, more than fine). W&S staff are friendly and helpful; the buffet car stays open the whole journey and serves good, interesting food; the carriages and toilets are clean and cared for; the power points work; and the seats are comfortable. What more for a walk-on single fare of £31 (£19.40 after 1pm) could a standard class passenger want?
Well, a slightly faster journey would be a start: the 9.02 takes 133 minutes; and a more convenient station location: Tame Bridge Parkway is fine for Walsall and NW Birmingham but not easy to reach from more central areas of Birmingham even by car.
One does wonder if the company could get a variation to allow a stop at Birmingham International - I'm sure an argument could be made for Welsh passengers needing the airport...
Incidentally, the train manager confirmed that the 11.20 W&S service from Marylebone also has the £19.40 Super-off peak single fare: anyone thinking of travelling on the 11.24 Chiltern service to Banbury and beyond, take note!
On the subject of Super off-peak fares, the ticket machine (LondonMidland owned) at Tame Bridge Parkway fails to make the availability clear. Why can't these machines show the time restrictions in an obvious and clear manner?
Walked along the Regent Canal to Paddington for lunch at The Mad Bishop & Bear, Paddington's lovely pub tucked away on the 2nd floor of the food court (though obviously not too hidden given the busyness over lunch). Almost as nice as the former Royal Waiting Room (aka the FGW First Class Lounge) though of course you have to pay for the (wider range of!)refreshments...
Caught the 13.00 FGW HST to Bristol to connect into the 13.41 CrossCountry Reading to Birmingham. Both trains reasonably quiet and the connection made comfortably. Both HSTs and Voyagers offer reasonably comfortable seats, some tables, power sockets, and refreshments (albeit from a trolley).
The 132 minute journey* would have cost £40.90 (off-peak single fare) so doesn't compare in price with LondonMidland's equivalent timed offering (though more comfortable and with refreshments and sockets) and is nowhere near the value for money of the W&S service... I still think that, given it is an effectively half-hourly service, FGW and XC are missing the opportunity to capture some of the London-Birmingham traffic with some aggressive pricing...
* The 132 minute comes from catching the 13.06 out of Paddington
Alas, the promised free standard class wireless didn't materialise for my laptop. Fortunately, W&S employ tech-savvy train managers. In this case, she pointed out that the wireless transmitter was in First Class and so may not be reaching my end of the train... She was correct: carrying the laptop to the Buffet end of the First Class coach established a connection, though this was lost on my return to my seat!
Have completed a comment form so look forward to a W&S response on this matter.
Other than that disappointment, the service was fine (indeed, more than fine). W&S staff are friendly and helpful; the buffet car stays open the whole journey and serves good, interesting food; the carriages and toilets are clean and cared for; the power points work; and the seats are comfortable. What more for a walk-on single fare of £31 (£19.40 after 1pm) could a standard class passenger want?
Well, a slightly faster journey would be a start: the 9.02 takes 133 minutes; and a more convenient station location: Tame Bridge Parkway is fine for Walsall and NW Birmingham but not easy to reach from more central areas of Birmingham even by car.
One does wonder if the company could get a variation to allow a stop at Birmingham International - I'm sure an argument could be made for Welsh passengers needing the airport...
Incidentally, the train manager confirmed that the 11.20 W&S service from Marylebone also has the £19.40 Super-off peak single fare: anyone thinking of travelling on the 11.24 Chiltern service to Banbury and beyond, take note!
On the subject of Super off-peak fares, the ticket machine (LondonMidland owned) at Tame Bridge Parkway fails to make the availability clear. Why can't these machines show the time restrictions in an obvious and clear manner?
Walked along the Regent Canal to Paddington for lunch at The Mad Bishop & Bear, Paddington's lovely pub tucked away on the 2nd floor of the food court (though obviously not too hidden given the busyness over lunch). Almost as nice as the former Royal Waiting Room (aka the FGW First Class Lounge) though of course you have to pay for the (wider range of!)refreshments...
Caught the 13.00 FGW HST to Bristol to connect into the 13.41 CrossCountry Reading to Birmingham. Both trains reasonably quiet and the connection made comfortably. Both HSTs and Voyagers offer reasonably comfortable seats, some tables, power sockets, and refreshments (albeit from a trolley).
The 132 minute journey* would have cost £40.90 (off-peak single fare) so doesn't compare in price with LondonMidland's equivalent timed offering (though more comfortable and with refreshments and sockets) and is nowhere near the value for money of the W&S service... I still think that, given it is an effectively half-hourly service, FGW and XC are missing the opportunity to capture some of the London-Birmingham traffic with some aggressive pricing...
* The 132 minute comes from catching the 13.06 out of Paddington
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
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!
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!
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Tuesday 9th March
One of the inspirations for the Birmingham2London site was the realisation that most of my friends and colleagues weren't aware of the great service being offered by Chiltern and by its companion company, the Wrexham & Shropshire Railway.
Chiltern, of course, don't offer a First Class service and weren't included in my first week of blogging so it was with great pleasure that I turned up at Moor Street for the 8.15 Clubman to Marylebone this morning.
Moor Street is definitely the nicest and most interesting of the Birmingham and London stations that I frequent, and, of course, is undergoing a further make-over in preparation for the 2011 Chiltern Mainline upgrade. However, Platform 2 can be bleak, and the waiting room, whilst warm and tidy, is rather bare...
As ever, the 8.15 carried a strong commuter flow both to Moor Street and onwards to Solihull. Seats were available but tables were at a premium. Although quieter after Solihull, there was another commuter influx at Warwick Parway and Warwick bound for Leamington and London.
So a busy train but not crowded. No problems for ticket checks nor for the refreshment trolley. The power points worked ok, the toilets were ok, and the train ran comfortably to time. For a return fare of £31.90 and a reasonable arrival time in London of 10.27, what more could one ask?
Came back on the 11.20 Wrexham & Shropshire service to Leamington Spa which, as it is followed by the 11.24 Chiltern service to Moor Street, gives a 130 minute journey between the two cities.
There is no doubt that the W & S 'spoil' their standard class passengers. The refurbished coaches give plenty of room around the numerous tables aligned to the large windows (with curtains), the toilets are the best of the standard class provision, and the buffet service is superb. Staff are friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere quiet and comfortable.
Had the sausage and bacon bap (excellent value at £3.75) along with tea and Welsh cakes. The freshness was certainly a contrast to the ok but rather packaged offerings from the Virgin Shop yesterday - and the availability of the buffet was announced!
Leamington station waiting room is fine but rather drab. One wonders why the owning train companies don't adorn their waiting rooms with bright posters or other artwork.
The Chiltern Clubman onto Birmingham was quiet, and ran to time... another successful day of travel!
Chiltern, of course, don't offer a First Class service and weren't included in my first week of blogging so it was with great pleasure that I turned up at Moor Street for the 8.15 Clubman to Marylebone this morning.
Moor Street is definitely the nicest and most interesting of the Birmingham and London stations that I frequent, and, of course, is undergoing a further make-over in preparation for the 2011 Chiltern Mainline upgrade. However, Platform 2 can be bleak, and the waiting room, whilst warm and tidy, is rather bare...
As ever, the 8.15 carried a strong commuter flow both to Moor Street and onwards to Solihull. Seats were available but tables were at a premium. Although quieter after Solihull, there was another commuter influx at Warwick Parway and Warwick bound for Leamington and London.
So a busy train but not crowded. No problems for ticket checks nor for the refreshment trolley. The power points worked ok, the toilets were ok, and the train ran comfortably to time. For a return fare of £31.90 and a reasonable arrival time in London of 10.27, what more could one ask?
Came back on the 11.20 Wrexham & Shropshire service to Leamington Spa which, as it is followed by the 11.24 Chiltern service to Moor Street, gives a 130 minute journey between the two cities.
There is no doubt that the W & S 'spoil' their standard class passengers. The refurbished coaches give plenty of room around the numerous tables aligned to the large windows (with curtains), the toilets are the best of the standard class provision, and the buffet service is superb. Staff are friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere quiet and comfortable.
Had the sausage and bacon bap (excellent value at £3.75) along with tea and Welsh cakes. The freshness was certainly a contrast to the ok but rather packaged offerings from the Virgin Shop yesterday - and the availability of the buffet was announced!
Leamington station waiting room is fine but rather drab. One wonders why the owning train companies don't adorn their waiting rooms with bright posters or other artwork.
The Chiltern Clubman onto Birmingham was quiet, and ran to time... another successful day of travel!
Monday, 8 March 2010
Monday 8th March
Back on the rails again - this time with a standard class Tame Bridge Parkway to London (any route permitted) 7 day season...
Birmingham New Street ticket office sold me for £215.30 (once again no mention of London Midland's cheaper offering, though I did ask for any permitted route) and I was in good time for the 9.10 Pendolino from Platform 2. As this is an arrival from Wolverhampton, I had the pleasure of using the waiting room at the 'b' end of the platform. Warm, tidy but hardly inspiring...
On time departure accompanied by a very thorough and clear rendition of the 'peak' ticket restrictions that applied to the train. Quiet coach 'A' and coach 'E' were lightly loaded, especially after Coventry, and 'B', 'C', and 'D' reasonably full.
No announcement regarding the shop until a '10 minute to closure' one as we sped through Milton Keynes. Of course, the shop had been open from New Street...
Tickets checked, and rubbish collected as the journey progressed. Loos clean and working! On time arrival at Euston.
Overall, another efficient example of the Very High Frequency service being offered day-in, day-out by Virgin. Just a pity about the fare structure (see below).
Returned from London on the 16.23 Pendolino from Euston platform 3. One of the downsides of Euston is the length of the walk to the standard class accommodation, especially if you want to reach Quiet Coach A. New Street's access arrangements definitely score in this respect!
On time departure accompanied again by the 'peak' ticket restrictions announcement. Reasonably busy in all the coaches. No shop announcement at all though the shop was open. Tickets checked during the journey. Loos ok.
Alas, quiet coach 'A' is not quiet after Coventry due to the influx of commuters there. On time arrival at New Street. Another good journey!
By the way, Hotline magazine is very good and informative.
Returning to the fares... if I had bought a Return for this journey from New Street, I would have been charged £140 (shows what good value a season ticket is...). However, by buying an Anytime Return to Coventry (£4.70) and an Anytime Return from Coventry to London (£122), the cost drops to £126.70. Still an awful lot of money but a saving worth having (and it gets better on those trains which stop at Rugby: £115.80 using 2 Anytime Returns). I plan to highlight such savings as my Birmingham2London website develops!
Finally, Barry Doe in Rail 639 (in all good newsagents on Wednesday) highlights the anomalies in London Midland's ticket restrictions to London Euston. It makes you long for the simplicity of the Wrexham & Shropshire ticket structure (of which more later in the week).
Birmingham New Street ticket office sold me for £215.30 (once again no mention of London Midland's cheaper offering, though I did ask for any permitted route) and I was in good time for the 9.10 Pendolino from Platform 2. As this is an arrival from Wolverhampton, I had the pleasure of using the waiting room at the 'b' end of the platform. Warm, tidy but hardly inspiring...
On time departure accompanied by a very thorough and clear rendition of the 'peak' ticket restrictions that applied to the train. Quiet coach 'A' and coach 'E' were lightly loaded, especially after Coventry, and 'B', 'C', and 'D' reasonably full.
No announcement regarding the shop until a '10 minute to closure' one as we sped through Milton Keynes. Of course, the shop had been open from New Street...
Tickets checked, and rubbish collected as the journey progressed. Loos clean and working! On time arrival at Euston.
Overall, another efficient example of the Very High Frequency service being offered day-in, day-out by Virgin. Just a pity about the fare structure (see below).
Returned from London on the 16.23 Pendolino from Euston platform 3. One of the downsides of Euston is the length of the walk to the standard class accommodation, especially if you want to reach Quiet Coach A. New Street's access arrangements definitely score in this respect!
On time departure accompanied again by the 'peak' ticket restrictions announcement. Reasonably busy in all the coaches. No shop announcement at all though the shop was open. Tickets checked during the journey. Loos ok.
Alas, quiet coach 'A' is not quiet after Coventry due to the influx of commuters there. On time arrival at New Street. Another good journey!
By the way, Hotline magazine is very good and informative.
Returning to the fares... if I had bought a Return for this journey from New Street, I would have been charged £140 (shows what good value a season ticket is...). However, by buying an Anytime Return to Coventry (£4.70) and an Anytime Return from Coventry to London (£122), the cost drops to £126.70. Still an awful lot of money but a saving worth having (and it gets better on those trains which stop at Rugby: £115.80 using 2 Anytime Returns). I plan to highlight such savings as my Birmingham2London website develops!
Finally, Barry Doe in Rail 639 (in all good newsagents on Wednesday) highlights the anomalies in London Midland's ticket restrictions to London Euston. It makes you long for the simplicity of the Wrexham & Shropshire ticket structure (of which more later in the week).
Friday, 5 March 2010
Requirements questionnaire
One of the supporters of the Birmingham2London site is The Design Institute at Coventry University (http://wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/business/designinstitute/Pages/DesignInstitute.aspx).
The team has created an online questionnaire (http://bit.ly/ad8Pko) on users' requirements for a site such as mine.
Please complete it!
Many thanks...
The team has created an online questionnaire (http://bit.ly/ad8Pko) on users' requirements for a site such as mine.
Please complete it!
Many thanks...
Thursday, 18 February 2010
CrossCountry / FGW update
I have now had responses to my comments on the variable First Class offerings from CrossCountry and First Great Western.
Maxine Patrick of CrossCountry tells me that: "all refreshments that we offer are complimentary and do not form part of the upgrade price.With this in mind we always say that all refreshments are subject to availability. You pay the upgrade to sit in the First Class Carriage where you enjoy extra legroom, wider seats and a quieter ambience. Full details of what you can expect from us and to clarify this, you can view the service we offer by visiting the 'travelling with us' section on our website www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk" (the actual page is http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/Travelling_with_us/First_class.aspx)
To which my comment is first, CrossCountry clearly see First Class as an 'upgrade' rather than a choice; secondly, you have to look very thoroughly for the 'availability' disclaimer (it is the last bullet point on the page); and finally, it still doesn't explain the variability in approach from the First Class hosts.
Claire Roth of First Great Western simply points me to the relevant web page http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=60 but doesn't address the variability in service received either. Interestingly, the FGW First Class page makes no mention of 'availability', rather giving the impression that daytime trains should be fully serviced!
So, alas, no real appreciation of the poor service that seems to pertain on some of the trains that both companies run. A pity, because as have said in a previous post, the actual timings of the trains could make the Paddington-Birmingham route competitive if the price was right and the service level guaranteed...
Maxine Patrick of CrossCountry tells me that: "all refreshments that we offer are complimentary and do not form part of the upgrade price.With this in mind we always say that all refreshments are subject to availability. You pay the upgrade to sit in the First Class Carriage where you enjoy extra legroom, wider seats and a quieter ambience. Full details of what you can expect from us and to clarify this, you can view the service we offer by visiting the 'travelling with us' section on our website www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk" (the actual page is http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/Travelling_with_us/First_class.aspx)
To which my comment is first, CrossCountry clearly see First Class as an 'upgrade' rather than a choice; secondly, you have to look very thoroughly for the 'availability' disclaimer (it is the last bullet point on the page); and finally, it still doesn't explain the variability in approach from the First Class hosts.
Claire Roth of First Great Western simply points me to the relevant web page http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=60 but doesn't address the variability in service received either. Interestingly, the FGW First Class page makes no mention of 'availability', rather giving the impression that daytime trains should be fully serviced!
So, alas, no real appreciation of the poor service that seems to pertain on some of the trains that both companies run. A pity, because as have said in a previous post, the actual timings of the trains could make the Paddington-Birmingham route competitive if the price was right and the service level guaranteed...
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Wrexham & Shropshire update
The First Class page of the Wrexham & Shropshire web site (http://www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk/first-class.php) has been updated to clarify the meal service availability on their services.
It is now clear that complimentary meals are available to passengers to or from London who board or leave at Tame Bridge Parkway BUT are not available to passengers who board or leave at Leamington Spa.
Although I am glad the position is clarified, I am sorry that the company doesn't think that First Class passengers from Leamington should get this meal service, especially as they are of course paying more than those joining at Tame Bridge!
I would argue that there may be untapped commuter traffic from Warwickshire who would be interested in upgrading from the admittedly very good Chiltern service (especially on the two evening return services from London), and that summer tourists to Stratford would find a 11.20 'luncheon' train very attractive (though of course Chiltern would have to cooperate with a connection onwards from Stratford...)
It is now clear that complimentary meals are available to passengers to or from London who board or leave at Tame Bridge Parkway BUT are not available to passengers who board or leave at Leamington Spa.
Although I am glad the position is clarified, I am sorry that the company doesn't think that First Class passengers from Leamington should get this meal service, especially as they are of course paying more than those joining at Tame Bridge!
I would argue that there may be untapped commuter traffic from Warwickshire who would be interested in upgrading from the admittedly very good Chiltern service (especially on the two evening return services from London), and that summer tourists to Stratford would find a 11.20 'luncheon' train very attractive (though of course Chiltern would have to cooperate with a connection onwards from Stratford...)
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Tuesday 9th February
My blog about yesterday's Pendolino journeys to and from Coventry mentioned the quietness of the return journey. The reason was, of course, the damage to the overhead lines at Berkhampstead which meant that Virgin was running a Birmingham to Rugby only service in the early afternoon.
The trouble with incidents such as this one is twofold: first, the lack of information being given to passengers, and secondly, the opportunity it presents to journalists for over-reaction.
Taking the first point. At Coventry in the eraly afternoon, the information screens were showing 'delayed' uniformly on all the fast services to Euston. Whilst 'true', wouldn't it be more helpful to add a line advising would-be passengers to seek assistance from station staff?
As I waited, a Wrexham & Shropshire to Marylebone - hardly busy - eased through. Again, I know that decisions have to be taken with limited information but wasn't it clear by then that it would have been helpful to stop the W&S train at both Birmingham International and Coventry to pick up stranded Euston passengers?
Back in Birmingham, staff had been told to tell passengers that Chiltern and Cross Country would honour their tickets for the journey South. However, what was not being made clear was how to reach Moor Street - one young lady I met had been sent out of the Victoria Square entrance! Again, regular announcements would have helped...
Today, of course, Birmingham's regional paper's web site was stating that 'Passengers on rail routes between Birmingham and London were enduring travel misery again this morning' despite the fact that only one route was affected and it admitted at the foot of the article that 'There may be some short notice alterations to these services due to displacement of trains and staff'...
Even the later update stating that services were back to normal couldn't resist starting 'Commuters are facing a day of chaos on the rail network after the troubled West Coast Main Line between Birmingham and London ground to a halt' and 'The fault meant misery for passengers heading for the capital as they were forced to cram on to reduced services or take alternative routes' whilst actually admitting 'that trains were running as normal between New Street and London Euston'...
Who would run a railway?
The trouble with incidents such as this one is twofold: first, the lack of information being given to passengers, and secondly, the opportunity it presents to journalists for over-reaction.
Taking the first point. At Coventry in the eraly afternoon, the information screens were showing 'delayed' uniformly on all the fast services to Euston. Whilst 'true', wouldn't it be more helpful to add a line advising would-be passengers to seek assistance from station staff?
As I waited, a Wrexham & Shropshire to Marylebone - hardly busy - eased through. Again, I know that decisions have to be taken with limited information but wasn't it clear by then that it would have been helpful to stop the W&S train at both Birmingham International and Coventry to pick up stranded Euston passengers?
Back in Birmingham, staff had been told to tell passengers that Chiltern and Cross Country would honour their tickets for the journey South. However, what was not being made clear was how to reach Moor Street - one young lady I met had been sent out of the Victoria Square entrance! Again, regular announcements would have helped...
Today, of course, Birmingham's regional paper's web site was stating that 'Passengers on rail routes between Birmingham and London were enduring travel misery again this morning' despite the fact that only one route was affected and it admitted at the foot of the article that 'There may be some short notice alterations to these services due to displacement of trains and staff'...
Even the later update stating that services were back to normal couldn't resist starting 'Commuters are facing a day of chaos on the rail network after the troubled West Coast Main Line between Birmingham and London ground to a halt' and 'The fault meant misery for passengers heading for the capital as they were forced to cram on to reduced services or take alternative routes' whilst actually admitting 'that trains were running as normal between New Street and London Euston'...
Who would run a railway?
Monday 8th February - Wrexham and Shropshire
Later in the day, I joined the 12.30 Banbury to Leamington Spa Wrexham & Shropshire service (the 11.20 from Marylebone upon which I travelled last Monday), so took the opportunity ask at the buffet on meal availability. Apparently, meals, at least for Standard Class passengers to Leamington, are at the discretion of the First Class Steward and are dependent upon how busy First Class is. So, it is always worth asking! At £9.95 for a Full Welsh breakfast or for a main course, the pricing seems very reasonable. Hope to report back further during March.
Alas, not had the official line on First Class meal provision from the Company - something to chase up later this week...
Alas, not had the official line on First Class meal provision from the Company - something to chase up later this week...
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