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...
Thursday, 18 February 2010
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...
Monday 8th February
Had occasion to go to Coventry this morning for a 9.30am meeting. Was idly looking at the options for this journey on the LondonMidland website the night before when my eye was caught by a £7 First Class Anytime Day Return fare for Virgin Trains only. Given that the Anytime Day Return fare (any operator) is £6.20 for this journey and I had an hour to kill before the 8.50 Pendolino, this walk-on fare was a no-brainer!
So I turned up at New Street at 7.50, bought my ticket from a machine, and spent a productive hour in the First Class lounge catching up on email using the free WiFi connection there. Refreshments and papers available of course, as they were on the 8.50 train which turned out to be a Class 90 push-pulling a set of Mk 3 coaches. Was amused at the reaction of a regular passenger who assured me that this really was the way to travel First Class, and I have to admit that the Mk 3 seats are more comfortable than those of the Pendolino...
Coming back of course one doesn't get a coffee but the coaches were very quiet (see below). Must check to see if the ticket clerks at New Street actually offer this travel option without being prompted. By the way, the equivalent Virgin only standard class fare is £4.70 but I think the extras swing it for the First Class ticket.
Intestingly, if you are travelling there and back in a day, then buying the ticket above along with an Anytime Return from Coventry to Euston will save you £18 (£7 + £215) - worth the hassle of two sets of tickets I suspect. Indeed, as the Anytime Return is only £9.30, splitting your ticket purchase for any Pendolino service which calls at Coventry (ALL but the 7.30am) will save you a minimum of £15.70!
However, should you be able to time your journeys to use the xx.50 services which call at Rugby and the balancing xx.03 return workings, then your split fare -Birmingham-Coventry-Rugby-Euston - drops to £201.20 (£9.30 + £8.90 + £183), a saving of £38.80 (and slightly greater if there and back in a day).
Even more savings to be had if you are able to use the Pendolinos which stop at Milton Keynes but this will have to wait until I load the Fares page onto my site!
So I turned up at New Street at 7.50, bought my ticket from a machine, and spent a productive hour in the First Class lounge catching up on email using the free WiFi connection there. Refreshments and papers available of course, as they were on the 8.50 train which turned out to be a Class 90 push-pulling a set of Mk 3 coaches. Was amused at the reaction of a regular passenger who assured me that this really was the way to travel First Class, and I have to admit that the Mk 3 seats are more comfortable than those of the Pendolino...
Coming back of course one doesn't get a coffee but the coaches were very quiet (see below). Must check to see if the ticket clerks at New Street actually offer this travel option without being prompted. By the way, the equivalent Virgin only standard class fare is £4.70 but I think the extras swing it for the First Class ticket.
Intestingly, if you are travelling there and back in a day, then buying the ticket above along with an Anytime Return from Coventry to Euston will save you £18 (£7 + £215) - worth the hassle of two sets of tickets I suspect. Indeed, as the Anytime Return is only £9.30, splitting your ticket purchase for any Pendolino service which calls at Coventry (ALL but the 7.30am) will save you a minimum of £15.70!
However, should you be able to time your journeys to use the xx.50 services which call at Rugby and the balancing xx.03 return workings, then your split fare -Birmingham-Coventry-Rugby-Euston - drops to £201.20 (£9.30 + £8.90 + £183), a saving of £38.80 (and slightly greater if there and back in a day).
Even more savings to be had if you are able to use the Pendolinos which stop at Milton Keynes but this will have to wait until I load the Fares page onto my site!
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Friday 5 February
Final working day and a return to the Coleshill Parkway - London Euston via Nuneaton route as I had noticed that the xx.35 CrossCountry service to Nuneaton gets you into Euston in 99 minutes by changing at Nuneation and Rugby.
Caught the slightly late running 11.35 CrossCountry Class 170 which, being a Stanstead Airport service, conveys a refreshment trolley (or 'full at-seat service' as the web site describes it...). Although I didn't want a drink on the short hop to Nuneation, I was disappointed to find that I would have been expected to purchase one...
Comfortable connection time for the change - Platform 7 to Platform 5 - to the ontime 12.02 Class 350 to Euston. The quiet First Class compartment was taken over by a group of students who were smilingly evicted by the guard shortly after departure.
They did not protest, unlike Brian Viner in Thursday's Independent who wrote a typical anti-rail column after seemingly feeling aggrieved at actually being challenged for sitting in First Class whilst carrying a standard class ticket on a Birmingham - London Pendolino. The column is full of classic exaggerations - a good example being his own 'without too much exaggeration' comment: 'first-class upgrades on Britain's railways can cost anything between £15 and £1,650,417' - yet it will no doubt be cited by all those who prefer to rundown the rail service rather than marvel at what it does deliver in the constraints that the ownership system has imposed.
On time arrival at Rugby gave a same platform connection into the 12.24 Pendolino to Euston. Quickly served with coffee /tea followed up by the drinks trolley and the lunchtime choice: chicken curry pie or cheese ploughman's and strawberry crumble or fruit. WiFi worked fine, and, yet again, an ontime arrival...
Being Friday, the First Class lounge was busy. Plenty of drinks available but no food other than some apples. As I was planning to return on a peak Pendolino to try out the hot food evening menu, I took myself off to the King's Cross / St Pancras area to enjoy the transformations that are taking place there (ranging from the British Library and St Pancras to the Central St Martin's Kings Cross Campus). Found 'Eleven Minutes Late' by Matthew Engel in Foyles at St Pancras which seemed to be an appropriate book to buy.
Back to a packed First Class lounge at 4.30pm so took myself off to the much quieter Coffee lounge which had hot and soft drinks and biscuits on offer. I suspect that the Friday night attraction of the main lounge is the alcoholic bar given the number of passengers grouped around it.
Was going to ctach the 17.03 back to Birmingham but once on board, it was announced that there would be no hot food service due to a techical fault. As it was assured that there would be hot food on the 17.23, I decamped to this train which was ready to board almost straight away.
A failure to download seat reservations for this train was causing some confusion but there were actually plenty of first class seats free anyway (at least in Coach G). The hot food menu turned out to be Smoked Fish in Sauce or Vegetarian Risotto. I had the Risotto which was served efficiently in a bowl. Quite appetising but not particularly exciting, but then there is only an hour in which to serve it and get cleared away...
Coffee / tea, drinks and an apple completed my meal experience. Arrival in Birmingham was on time - how boring for the critics.
So endec a fascinating week but for one final surprise. On Saturday, I had, with my family, an occasion to use the LondonMidland local service to Hampton-in-Arden. Of course, the Season Ticket covers this journey (and my daughter has a Centro Term Ticket) but my wife was expecting to pay a normal day return fare (all of £3.80). However, the (LondonMidland)ticket staff at New Street's Victoria Square entrance - who, incidently, must have the worst working conditions on the Station - insisted she could travel for a £1 as a 'family & friend' of a season ticket holder.
This helpful treatment was enhanced by the guard on the train (I won't name which one as I don't wat him to be in trouble) who insisted we all travel Frist Class for the short journey as noone was using the compartment.
So, if I was giving out awards, LondonMidland's staff would definitely be top of the list not only for yesterday and for the condition of Nuneation (see Thursday's blog), but for their general good humour and helpfulness across the week.
Commendations too for Virgin and Wrexham & Shropshire staff, and, of course, to all the unseen staff who keep the trains running.
Back in March with the Standard Class experience - looking forward to it already!
Caught the slightly late running 11.35 CrossCountry Class 170 which, being a Stanstead Airport service, conveys a refreshment trolley (or 'full at-seat service' as the web site describes it...). Although I didn't want a drink on the short hop to Nuneation, I was disappointed to find that I would have been expected to purchase one...
Comfortable connection time for the change - Platform 7 to Platform 5 - to the ontime 12.02 Class 350 to Euston. The quiet First Class compartment was taken over by a group of students who were smilingly evicted by the guard shortly after departure.
They did not protest, unlike Brian Viner in Thursday's Independent who wrote a typical anti-rail column after seemingly feeling aggrieved at actually being challenged for sitting in First Class whilst carrying a standard class ticket on a Birmingham - London Pendolino. The column is full of classic exaggerations - a good example being his own 'without too much exaggeration' comment: 'first-class upgrades on Britain's railways can cost anything between £15 and £1,650,417' - yet it will no doubt be cited by all those who prefer to rundown the rail service rather than marvel at what it does deliver in the constraints that the ownership system has imposed.
On time arrival at Rugby gave a same platform connection into the 12.24 Pendolino to Euston. Quickly served with coffee /tea followed up by the drinks trolley and the lunchtime choice: chicken curry pie or cheese ploughman's and strawberry crumble or fruit. WiFi worked fine, and, yet again, an ontime arrival...
Being Friday, the First Class lounge was busy. Plenty of drinks available but no food other than some apples. As I was planning to return on a peak Pendolino to try out the hot food evening menu, I took myself off to the King's Cross / St Pancras area to enjoy the transformations that are taking place there (ranging from the British Library and St Pancras to the Central St Martin's Kings Cross Campus). Found 'Eleven Minutes Late' by Matthew Engel in Foyles at St Pancras which seemed to be an appropriate book to buy.
Back to a packed First Class lounge at 4.30pm so took myself off to the much quieter Coffee lounge which had hot and soft drinks and biscuits on offer. I suspect that the Friday night attraction of the main lounge is the alcoholic bar given the number of passengers grouped around it.
Was going to ctach the 17.03 back to Birmingham but once on board, it was announced that there would be no hot food service due to a techical fault. As it was assured that there would be hot food on the 17.23, I decamped to this train which was ready to board almost straight away.
A failure to download seat reservations for this train was causing some confusion but there were actually plenty of first class seats free anyway (at least in Coach G). The hot food menu turned out to be Smoked Fish in Sauce or Vegetarian Risotto. I had the Risotto which was served efficiently in a bowl. Quite appetising but not particularly exciting, but then there is only an hour in which to serve it and get cleared away...
Coffee / tea, drinks and an apple completed my meal experience. Arrival in Birmingham was on time - how boring for the critics.
So endec a fascinating week but for one final surprise. On Saturday, I had, with my family, an occasion to use the LondonMidland local service to Hampton-in-Arden. Of course, the Season Ticket covers this journey (and my daughter has a Centro Term Ticket) but my wife was expecting to pay a normal day return fare (all of £3.80). However, the (LondonMidland)ticket staff at New Street's Victoria Square entrance - who, incidently, must have the worst working conditions on the Station - insisted she could travel for a £1 as a 'family & friend' of a season ticket holder.
This helpful treatment was enhanced by the guard on the train (I won't name which one as I don't wat him to be in trouble) who insisted we all travel Frist Class for the short journey as noone was using the compartment.
So, if I was giving out awards, LondonMidland's staff would definitely be top of the list not only for yesterday and for the condition of Nuneation (see Thursday's blog), but for their general good humour and helpfulness across the week.
Commendations too for Virgin and Wrexham & Shropshire staff, and, of course, to all the unseen staff who keep the trains running.
Back in March with the Standard Class experience - looking forward to it already!
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Thursday 4th February
Another day, another hypothesis to test... This time, that passengers to the east of Birmingham are as well served by the new Coleshill Parkway station and a change at Nuneaton as they would be making their way into New Street.
Left Coleshill slightly late at 8.07 in a CrossCountry 2-carriage Class 170 - the first class of which consists of one 4 seat table, one 2 seat table and three airline seats. All seats recline; there is luggage space; and the tables have power sockets and table lights. Being a short working to Leicester, there were no refreshments.
Fortunately, the 8.07 has a 25 minute connection time at Nuneaton into the 8.46 Pendolino to Euston as signalling problems on the approach to Nuneaton caused a delay. Still, a 10 minute late arrival left plenty of time to cross from the 'new' Platform 7 to an 'old' Platform 4.
Just a note of praise to LondonMidland and the station manager for the superb state of the station. Clean, fresh looking, with superb toilets on Platform 2 and the BEST printed 'destination' style timetable that I have seen (showing short codes for stations, PlusBus availability, and fast connections out of slower services such as those for London) backed up by clear announcements (Birmingham New Street take note).
The Pendolino pulled in on time and proved relatively busy (ie 1 person per four seat table in Quiet Coach H). Both the Independent and the FT could be picked up, though only if you know to look on the luggage rack at the end of the coach! Tea/coffee offered straight away, followed by the breakfast order being taken. Went for the 'full' once more which was accompanied by three slices of toast, butter and marmalade. Orange juice and a second tea round completed an enjoyable meal experience.
The staff were uniformly pleasant even though their skills were being tested by the rough riding of the Pendolino - one particularly hairy moment at Wolverton stands out - and the train ran easily to time. WiFi worked too, and the announcements were informative without being verbose.
So, a start to stop time of 103 minutes which isn't bad. Pity the walk-on return fare remains £240!
As Wrexham & Shropshire haven't replied to my email asking for clarification on meals to Leamington, I sauntered over to Paddington to give FGW / CrossCountry a chance to redeem themselves (and also to enjoy the First Class lounge once more).
Caught the 11.06 'The Mayflower' to Plymouth. What a difference a name makes! Immediately offered tea or coffee from a trolley (though I had to ask for a biscuit) and this was followed up by a look at the Travelling Chef menu (admittedly, this is a priced meal). Menu looks very varied and reasonably priced but, of course, is not actually relevant for a journey to Reading. First Class, by the way, was relatively busy but hardly crowded.
On time arrival at Reading platform 3 gave ample connection time into the 11.41 CrossCountry train to Newcastle from Platform 7. A few paasengers in first class BUT no menu cards and no sign of a First Class host and no announcements regarding the (lack of) First Class service.
Turned out that the Host was due on at Oxford, and that service would be offered after Banbury. In the meantime, the Standard Class trolley had 'parked' in the wheelchair space of the First Class carriage but clearly it wasn't this Steward's job to look after the First Class passengers!
Finally offered a choice of tea / coffee or soft drink along with a egg and cress roll or a pepperoni pizza. I plumped for the roll which was actually very good - the pizza, though hot, looked as though it was for a child.
No snacks, biscuits, fruit, or second drink offered for the rest of the journey to Birmingham. On time arrival gave a start to stop journey time of 132 minutes - ie quicker than the LondonMidland equivalent and with (sometimes) better facilities. So why don't CrossCountry and FGW co-operate to offer a first class return walk-on fare of £95 to match that of LondonMidland for what is in effect their half-hourly service during the working day??? Surely Virgin can't have blocked such competition (!) though of course it would mean that both companies would have to decide to
provide a First Class service consistently.
So day 4 ends with yet another example of how trains do run when timetabled, and do run on time. Full marks to the staff of the operating companies, to Network Rail's track and signalling / control staff, and to the train maintenance crews who work so tirelessly to make this happen.
Left Coleshill slightly late at 8.07 in a CrossCountry 2-carriage Class 170 - the first class of which consists of one 4 seat table, one 2 seat table and three airline seats. All seats recline; there is luggage space; and the tables have power sockets and table lights. Being a short working to Leicester, there were no refreshments.
Fortunately, the 8.07 has a 25 minute connection time at Nuneaton into the 8.46 Pendolino to Euston as signalling problems on the approach to Nuneaton caused a delay. Still, a 10 minute late arrival left plenty of time to cross from the 'new' Platform 7 to an 'old' Platform 4.
Just a note of praise to LondonMidland and the station manager for the superb state of the station. Clean, fresh looking, with superb toilets on Platform 2 and the BEST printed 'destination' style timetable that I have seen (showing short codes for stations, PlusBus availability, and fast connections out of slower services such as those for London) backed up by clear announcements (Birmingham New Street take note).
The Pendolino pulled in on time and proved relatively busy (ie 1 person per four seat table in Quiet Coach H). Both the Independent and the FT could be picked up, though only if you know to look on the luggage rack at the end of the coach! Tea/coffee offered straight away, followed by the breakfast order being taken. Went for the 'full' once more which was accompanied by three slices of toast, butter and marmalade. Orange juice and a second tea round completed an enjoyable meal experience.
The staff were uniformly pleasant even though their skills were being tested by the rough riding of the Pendolino - one particularly hairy moment at Wolverton stands out - and the train ran easily to time. WiFi worked too, and the announcements were informative without being verbose.
So, a start to stop time of 103 minutes which isn't bad. Pity the walk-on return fare remains £240!
As Wrexham & Shropshire haven't replied to my email asking for clarification on meals to Leamington, I sauntered over to Paddington to give FGW / CrossCountry a chance to redeem themselves (and also to enjoy the First Class lounge once more).
Caught the 11.06 'The Mayflower' to Plymouth. What a difference a name makes! Immediately offered tea or coffee from a trolley (though I had to ask for a biscuit) and this was followed up by a look at the Travelling Chef menu (admittedly, this is a priced meal). Menu looks very varied and reasonably priced but, of course, is not actually relevant for a journey to Reading. First Class, by the way, was relatively busy but hardly crowded.
On time arrival at Reading platform 3 gave ample connection time into the 11.41 CrossCountry train to Newcastle from Platform 7. A few paasengers in first class BUT no menu cards and no sign of a First Class host and no announcements regarding the (lack of) First Class service.
Turned out that the Host was due on at Oxford, and that service would be offered after Banbury. In the meantime, the Standard Class trolley had 'parked' in the wheelchair space of the First Class carriage but clearly it wasn't this Steward's job to look after the First Class passengers!
Finally offered a choice of tea / coffee or soft drink along with a egg and cress roll or a pepperoni pizza. I plumped for the roll which was actually very good - the pizza, though hot, looked as though it was for a child.
No snacks, biscuits, fruit, or second drink offered for the rest of the journey to Birmingham. On time arrival gave a start to stop journey time of 132 minutes - ie quicker than the LondonMidland equivalent and with (sometimes) better facilities. So why don't CrossCountry and FGW co-operate to offer a first class return walk-on fare of £95 to match that of LondonMidland for what is in effect their half-hourly service during the working day??? Surely Virgin can't have blocked such competition (!) though of course it would mean that both companies would have to decide to
provide a First Class service consistently.
So day 4 ends with yet another example of how trains do run when timetabled, and do run on time. Full marks to the staff of the operating companies, to Network Rail's track and signalling / control staff, and to the train maintenance crews who work so tirelessly to make this happen.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Wednesday 3rd February
Early start as I wanted to try out Virgin's 'flagship' Pendolino service: the 7.30am from New Street which is booked to take a mere 72 minutes (does Birmingham need HS2?)However, a neighbour gave me a lift into the city so one of the key advantages of Virgin's Very High Frequency timetable came into play and I caught the 7.10 instead..
Naturally, the gremlins at New Street were out. The departure screen on Platform 2a displayed the next train as being the 7.33 to Northampton, whilst a departing XC Voyager drowned out any announcements as the Pendolino from Wolverhampton hove into view.
Quiet coach H was very quiet (though business definitely picked up at Birmingham International and Coventry) and departure was on time. Funny how the little things irritate: a member of staff walked down the carriage with a pile of Independents but instead of offering a copy to those of us she passed, she simply put the pile in the luggage rack at the far end from where we had to fetch our own. As a footnote, I noticed on the 13.23 return that a pile was similarly placed. As they are not immediately visible unless you are 'in the know', it is not surprising that many passengers don't pick one up.
WiFi worked fine this morning. There are two screens to navigate before you are logged on BUT, unlike the W&S service, you don't get asked for your personal details.
Coffee / tea and then fruit juices offered efficiently followed by a request for the breakfast choice (the choice wasn't announced beforehand on this service). I went for the Full English and was rewarded in the end - full English seemingly the last to be served - with bacon, fried egg, sausage, tomatoes, and hash browns. Almost as good as the W&S breakfast though slightly let down by being accompanied by 'only' two half slices of toast with butter and marmalade and a failure to do a second hot drinks round.
The Virgin staff work miracles in serving a full meal in effectively the hour from Coventry BUT it does mean they have to tidy up and re-lay around you as you are having your meal. Still, they do it with good humour and, considering that some staff are doing 3 return trips a day, without too many mishaps.
Arrival into Euston was 5 minutes early (so a start to stop time of 77 minutes) which gave me a chance to call into the 'hidden' First Class Coffee Lounge which seems to have become lost behind the refurbished ticket hall. Not surprisingly there were very few in it.
So, onto trying out another hypothesis: that the xx.46 from Euston and the balancing xx.33 from New Street were the way to travel between the two cities using London Midland First Class services even though a change at Rugby or Northampton is necessary.
The 8.46 train from Euston turned out to be 3 Class 350 units (12 coaches) with only the front unit going onto Crewe (and therefore calling at Rugby) - the remaining two being dropped off at Northampton. Confusingly, the back two units both claimed to be going to Birmingham, an mistake compounded by the on-board automatic announcements which kept telling passengers to move to the rear portions of the train for Birmingham. To be fair, the guard kept cutting in to correct this mistake BUT wouldn't it be better if he could solve the problem directly? After Northampton, the remaining unit claimed that the next stop was Watford Junction...
I wasn't surprised to find the First Class 'compartment' empty. Class 350 First Class compartments have two four seat tables and sixteen 'airline' seats, power sockets, and 'reclining' seats. For some reason, I had thought that London Midland ran refreshment trolleys on their Crewe sevices but this is certainly not the case. No WiFi of course, and Vodafone USB dongle connection fluctuated in coverage. Also, NO ticket checks (revenue protection!) at all...
Arrival into Rugby's Platform 2 was on time, giving plenty of connection time for the following 10.16 local from Northampton to New Street from Platform 1. Thus, if I had carried on to New Street, I would have enjoyed a journey time of 135 minutes compared to the 143 minutes of the following through xx.54 service from Euston.
Instead, I crossed to Platform 5/6 to witness the on time arrival on Platform 5 of the 9.33 from New Street which connects into the 10.19 departure to Euston from Platform 6. Was tempted to abandon the latter train by the simultaneous (early) arrival of the 10.24 Pendolino non-stop to Euston on Platform 5 but stuck to my plan when it was announced the Off-Peak tickets are not valid on this service. How can Virgin justify this restriction?
Not surprisingly, the London Midland service - which is timed to take 90 minutes despite the fact that the service out of Euston takes only 77 minutes - was relatively full with 6 in First Class from Rugby and a further 10 joining at Northampton. Tickets checked after Rugby and again after Northampton. Was told that with there being a 10 minute wait at Northampton, I had time to get off the train for a coffee...
Turns out the reason for the slower journey south is to allow Pendolinos to rush past prior to Milton Keynes. What price speed in terms of fares?
Arrival into Euston was slightly late, with a journey time of 136 minutes from New Street, compared to the 145 of the following through xx.53 departure.
London Midland can't compete on speed (though I do feel that the timings favour Virgin rather heavily) but can compete on price. Virgin's walk-on first class fare is £240 return (admittedly with varying options of food and free WiFi); London Midland's is £95... 'Go figure', as someone once said!
A break in London allowed a quick visit to East Midland's Trains First Class lounge at St Pancras (still my favourite railway station) in case a plan for Friday works out... Back to Euston to find points failure at Bletchley was causing cancellations though fortunately not to my planned 13.23 Pendolino.
As the preceding 13.03 was a victim to the problem, the First Class was busy (busier than normal?) though not crowded which shows again the strength of the VHF concept. As on the 15.23 departure experienced on Monday, food and drink was efficiently served - ham and mustard roll this time with an English Russet apple - and the service ended up being only 5 minutes late.
So, another successful day of rail travel. Now, who would believe that???
Naturally, the gremlins at New Street were out. The departure screen on Platform 2a displayed the next train as being the 7.33 to Northampton, whilst a departing XC Voyager drowned out any announcements as the Pendolino from Wolverhampton hove into view.
Quiet coach H was very quiet (though business definitely picked up at Birmingham International and Coventry) and departure was on time. Funny how the little things irritate: a member of staff walked down the carriage with a pile of Independents but instead of offering a copy to those of us she passed, she simply put the pile in the luggage rack at the far end from where we had to fetch our own. As a footnote, I noticed on the 13.23 return that a pile was similarly placed. As they are not immediately visible unless you are 'in the know', it is not surprising that many passengers don't pick one up.
WiFi worked fine this morning. There are two screens to navigate before you are logged on BUT, unlike the W&S service, you don't get asked for your personal details.
Coffee / tea and then fruit juices offered efficiently followed by a request for the breakfast choice (the choice wasn't announced beforehand on this service). I went for the Full English and was rewarded in the end - full English seemingly the last to be served - with bacon, fried egg, sausage, tomatoes, and hash browns. Almost as good as the W&S breakfast though slightly let down by being accompanied by 'only' two half slices of toast with butter and marmalade and a failure to do a second hot drinks round.
The Virgin staff work miracles in serving a full meal in effectively the hour from Coventry BUT it does mean they have to tidy up and re-lay around you as you are having your meal. Still, they do it with good humour and, considering that some staff are doing 3 return trips a day, without too many mishaps.
Arrival into Euston was 5 minutes early (so a start to stop time of 77 minutes) which gave me a chance to call into the 'hidden' First Class Coffee Lounge which seems to have become lost behind the refurbished ticket hall. Not surprisingly there were very few in it.
So, onto trying out another hypothesis: that the xx.46 from Euston and the balancing xx.33 from New Street were the way to travel between the two cities using London Midland First Class services even though a change at Rugby or Northampton is necessary.
The 8.46 train from Euston turned out to be 3 Class 350 units (12 coaches) with only the front unit going onto Crewe (and therefore calling at Rugby) - the remaining two being dropped off at Northampton. Confusingly, the back two units both claimed to be going to Birmingham, an mistake compounded by the on-board automatic announcements which kept telling passengers to move to the rear portions of the train for Birmingham. To be fair, the guard kept cutting in to correct this mistake BUT wouldn't it be better if he could solve the problem directly? After Northampton, the remaining unit claimed that the next stop was Watford Junction...
I wasn't surprised to find the First Class 'compartment' empty. Class 350 First Class compartments have two four seat tables and sixteen 'airline' seats, power sockets, and 'reclining' seats. For some reason, I had thought that London Midland ran refreshment trolleys on their Crewe sevices but this is certainly not the case. No WiFi of course, and Vodafone USB dongle connection fluctuated in coverage. Also, NO ticket checks (revenue protection!) at all...
Arrival into Rugby's Platform 2 was on time, giving plenty of connection time for the following 10.16 local from Northampton to New Street from Platform 1. Thus, if I had carried on to New Street, I would have enjoyed a journey time of 135 minutes compared to the 143 minutes of the following through xx.54 service from Euston.
Instead, I crossed to Platform 5/6 to witness the on time arrival on Platform 5 of the 9.33 from New Street which connects into the 10.19 departure to Euston from Platform 6. Was tempted to abandon the latter train by the simultaneous (early) arrival of the 10.24 Pendolino non-stop to Euston on Platform 5 but stuck to my plan when it was announced the Off-Peak tickets are not valid on this service. How can Virgin justify this restriction?
Not surprisingly, the London Midland service - which is timed to take 90 minutes despite the fact that the service out of Euston takes only 77 minutes - was relatively full with 6 in First Class from Rugby and a further 10 joining at Northampton. Tickets checked after Rugby and again after Northampton. Was told that with there being a 10 minute wait at Northampton, I had time to get off the train for a coffee...
Turns out the reason for the slower journey south is to allow Pendolinos to rush past prior to Milton Keynes. What price speed in terms of fares?
Arrival into Euston was slightly late, with a journey time of 136 minutes from New Street, compared to the 145 of the following through xx.53 departure.
London Midland can't compete on speed (though I do feel that the timings favour Virgin rather heavily) but can compete on price. Virgin's walk-on first class fare is £240 return (admittedly with varying options of food and free WiFi); London Midland's is £95... 'Go figure', as someone once said!
A break in London allowed a quick visit to East Midland's Trains First Class lounge at St Pancras (still my favourite railway station) in case a plan for Friday works out... Back to Euston to find points failure at Bletchley was causing cancellations though fortunately not to my planned 13.23 Pendolino.
As the preceding 13.03 was a victim to the problem, the First Class was busy (busier than normal?) though not crowded which shows again the strength of the VHF concept. As on the 15.23 departure experienced on Monday, food and drink was efficiently served - ham and mustard roll this time with an English Russet apple - and the service ended up being only 5 minutes late.
So, another successful day of rail travel. Now, who would believe that???
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Tuesday 2nd February
After two return journeys yesterday, I thought I take matters more gently today so turned up at New Street for the 8.39 LondonMidland service to Tame Bridge Parkway. It was running late, so I consoled myself with a quick visit to the First Class lounge which I had to admit looked less 'tired' - perhaps I was just more awake!
The 8.39 finally rolled up 10 minutes late, and, I'm pretty sure, then followed the 0847 stopping local meaning that I arrived at Tame Bridge Parkway at 915... fortunately, the 905 Wrexham & Shropshire was running 10 minutes late due to signalling problems earlier so the train manager had the delight of seeing me running down the ramp!
I was the only First Class passenger to join at Tame Bridge (and none joined at Leamington or Banbury). The coach was nicely full (ie one person per 4 seat table) but there was a two seat table free. An offer of tea quickly followed which arrived (a POT not just a mug - Virgin please note) as I set up my laptop. WiFi is a dream to set up on the W&S - again, something that Virgin could check out...
Then, the BIG question: would I be offered breakfast? According to the company's website 'The complimentary meal service is available to all first class passengers crossing ... Tame Bridge Parkway (when travelling South)' which, after my experience yesterday, would suggest NO. However, an offer of a Full Breakfast was made and gratefully accepted.
What a breakfast! Freshly cooked with tasty bacon rashers, a sausage, hash browns, tomatoes, mushrooms, scrambled eggs, and a portion of black pudding, along with 6 half-slices of toast with real butter and jam / marmalade and a refresh of the teapot... AND then after Leamington, an offer of a Danish pastry...
So my optimism regarding my experience of the W&S was restored: good food, comfortable seating, brilliantly helpful staff, WiFi which worked straight away, and, of course, the Warwickshire countryside and the Chilterns.
Quibbles? No newspapers; the train ended up being 15 minutes late; I'm still not convinced by the claim for the toilet (see below); and, of course, my meal experience on the train yesterday (about which I have written to W&S).
Decided to walk to Paddington along the Regents Canal though not in expectation of needing to work up a new appetite for my return leg.
Revisited the First Class lounge there which is definitely the best of the three (though closely followed by Euston) on this travel circuit. Once more, a good selection of hot and cold drinks, nibbles, fruit, biscuits, and, being lunchtime, sandwiches. Realised today that this favoured location was actually the former Royal waiting room!
Pity FGW & CrossCountry can't match this pleasure on their trains. Left Paddington on the 13.06 HST to Plymouth and had a good fast run to Reading. The refurbished leather seats in First Class are very comfortable and the ambience is nice (and quiet). BUT, no first class host nor refreshments.
No problem connecting with the 13.41 CrossCountry to Newcastle. Only one in First Class. No menu card but was offered a newspaper (The Times), and a drink & biscuit immediately on departure. Left the train at Oxford for 'research' purposes (see below) and restarted my return on the 1507. Slightly busier First Class with Menu Cards. First Class host immediately offered tea and later came round again to see if another was required. BUT no mention of food.
Fell into conversation with a fellow season ticket holder. His experience was that 'breakfast' was usually forthcoming but nothing else later in the day unless one made a fuss. His view was that CrossCountry were busy cost-cutting whilst continuing to hike his fare (Wolverhampton-Oxford 1st class 7 day £229.60!).
There is no WiFi on CrossCountry BUT there is enhanced Orange Mobile - something to bear in mind when choosing a USB dongle (of course, I'm on Vodafone so had little signal for most of this journey).
One of my hypothesis for my Birmingham-London web site was that CrossCountry and FGW combined actually offered a competitive hourly service (c 120 mins both ways if the trains are chosen carefully) with reasonable First Class provision. Sadly, although the timings have proved robust (well, at least over two days), the customer service hasn't. Will be interested in any response from CrossCountry or FGW.
Finally, back to the toilets on the W&S. Being a Morse fan, I was sure that the Randolph in Oxford was at least a four-star hotel (in fact it is 5 stars), so decided to check out W&S's assertion there. I can report that a 5 star hotel 'public' gents has Kleenex tissues, 'soft' paper towels as well as a hand dryer, and bottles of soap and hand lotion. Interestingly, the colour scheme is black and white giving a similar effect to the W&S enhancement of what looks to me like a souped-up Voyager disabled toilet. Don't get me wrong, I think the W&S toilet is very good but four-star???
The 8.39 finally rolled up 10 minutes late, and, I'm pretty sure, then followed the 0847 stopping local meaning that I arrived at Tame Bridge Parkway at 915... fortunately, the 905 Wrexham & Shropshire was running 10 minutes late due to signalling problems earlier so the train manager had the delight of seeing me running down the ramp!
I was the only First Class passenger to join at Tame Bridge (and none joined at Leamington or Banbury). The coach was nicely full (ie one person per 4 seat table) but there was a two seat table free. An offer of tea quickly followed which arrived (a POT not just a mug - Virgin please note) as I set up my laptop. WiFi is a dream to set up on the W&S - again, something that Virgin could check out...
Then, the BIG question: would I be offered breakfast? According to the company's website 'The complimentary meal service is available to all first class passengers crossing ... Tame Bridge Parkway (when travelling South)' which, after my experience yesterday, would suggest NO. However, an offer of a Full Breakfast was made and gratefully accepted.
What a breakfast! Freshly cooked with tasty bacon rashers, a sausage, hash browns, tomatoes, mushrooms, scrambled eggs, and a portion of black pudding, along with 6 half-slices of toast with real butter and jam / marmalade and a refresh of the teapot... AND then after Leamington, an offer of a Danish pastry...
So my optimism regarding my experience of the W&S was restored: good food, comfortable seating, brilliantly helpful staff, WiFi which worked straight away, and, of course, the Warwickshire countryside and the Chilterns.
Quibbles? No newspapers; the train ended up being 15 minutes late; I'm still not convinced by the claim for the toilet (see below); and, of course, my meal experience on the train yesterday (about which I have written to W&S).
Decided to walk to Paddington along the Regents Canal though not in expectation of needing to work up a new appetite for my return leg.
Revisited the First Class lounge there which is definitely the best of the three (though closely followed by Euston) on this travel circuit. Once more, a good selection of hot and cold drinks, nibbles, fruit, biscuits, and, being lunchtime, sandwiches. Realised today that this favoured location was actually the former Royal waiting room!
Pity FGW & CrossCountry can't match this pleasure on their trains. Left Paddington on the 13.06 HST to Plymouth and had a good fast run to Reading. The refurbished leather seats in First Class are very comfortable and the ambience is nice (and quiet). BUT, no first class host nor refreshments.
No problem connecting with the 13.41 CrossCountry to Newcastle. Only one in First Class. No menu card but was offered a newspaper (The Times), and a drink & biscuit immediately on departure. Left the train at Oxford for 'research' purposes (see below) and restarted my return on the 1507. Slightly busier First Class with Menu Cards. First Class host immediately offered tea and later came round again to see if another was required. BUT no mention of food.
Fell into conversation with a fellow season ticket holder. His experience was that 'breakfast' was usually forthcoming but nothing else later in the day unless one made a fuss. His view was that CrossCountry were busy cost-cutting whilst continuing to hike his fare (Wolverhampton-Oxford 1st class 7 day £229.60!).
There is no WiFi on CrossCountry BUT there is enhanced Orange Mobile - something to bear in mind when choosing a USB dongle (of course, I'm on Vodafone so had little signal for most of this journey).
One of my hypothesis for my Birmingham-London web site was that CrossCountry and FGW combined actually offered a competitive hourly service (c 120 mins both ways if the trains are chosen carefully) with reasonable First Class provision. Sadly, although the timings have proved robust (well, at least over two days), the customer service hasn't. Will be interested in any response from CrossCountry or FGW.
Finally, back to the toilets on the W&S. Being a Morse fan, I was sure that the Randolph in Oxford was at least a four-star hotel (in fact it is 5 stars), so decided to check out W&S's assertion there. I can report that a 5 star hotel 'public' gents has Kleenex tissues, 'soft' paper towels as well as a hand dryer, and bottles of soap and hand lotion. Interestingly, the colour scheme is black and white giving a similar effect to the W&S enhancement of what looks to me like a souped-up Voyager disabled toilet. Don't get me wrong, I think the W&S toilet is very good but four-star???
Monday, 1 February 2010
Monday 1st February 2010
7.50am - present myself at Birmingham New Street ticket office (staffed by Virgin Trains) and ask for a First Class seven day season from Tame Bridge Parkway to London Terminals, any permitted route. Am told that I needn't specify 'any permitted route' which I'm sure is news to LondonMidland who would wish me to buy their (much) cheaper LM only season... Anyway, the price of £353.10 is still a bargain.
8am - partake of the hospitality of New Street's First Class lounge. Good range of refreshments including cereals on offer, along with the FT and the Independent. Toilet clean too, but the room looks rather 'tired' (peeling prints on the wall etc) though no doubt the new New Street will see this cramped area improved.
8.25am - join the 8.30 Pendolino in Quiet Coach H. No sign of the free newspapers promised on the Virgin Trains site (http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/trains/first-class/) and I can't get the WiFi to work. Neither the Train Manager nor the Service Manager can say why (turns out I had failed to open my browser and login - oops). Coffee/tea, orange juice, scrambled eggs & salmon start the day well. On time arrival at Euston. Tour the far superior First Class lounges...
Walk over to Marylebone for the 11.20 Wrexham& Shropshire to Leamington Spa - that I was expecting to be a highlight. Nicely refurbished first class coach though it has lost the 'old-world' charm of the original borrowed stock, and I'm not sure that I would rate the toilet as 'four-star hotel standard' as claimed (http://www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk/press-release.php?id=46)... Alas, my biggest disappointment was that meals are NOT served to passengers getting off at Leamington Spa despite the wording of the web site 'The complimentary meal service is available to all first class passengers crossing ... Leamington Spa (when travelling North) (http://www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk/first-class.php). Still, I was offered a choice of soups by way of compensation!
Considering that a First Class Single to Leamington Spa would have cost me £72, and that Virgin can serve their meals in a 82 minute time slot when W&S timings are 88 minutes, I found this very strange.
Arrived on time at Leamington and crossed over for the 13.00 to Reading. Actually on time, and the Voyager First Class coach was reasonably quiet. Was offered tea/coffee, pretzels and crisps immediately upon leaving Leamington BUT despite there being a Menu Card on the table, no further refreshments were offered...
Arrived on time at Reading so made the 14.08 FGW HST to Paddington. Made the mistake of hurrying to the London end for the First Class coaches only to be told on departure that there would be no first class refreshments due to 'shortage of stock' and that the Refreshment Trolley would only be serving coaches A & B!
Fortunately, an on-time arrival and Paddington's wonderful if idiosyncratic First Class lounge made up for FGW's on-board failings. Strange lounge to enter as the first room was full of people on quite uncomfortable looking chairs looking in silence at Sky News... yet beyond there are quiet rooms with real leather armchairs and settees - and the refreshments are better even than those at Euston.
Finally, back to Birmingham on the 15.23 Pendolino. This time there was definitely no WiFi in Quiet Coach H and again the staff couldn't help. Apart from that, the journey was fast, service was courteous and efficient, and the Lite Bites fine (brie & cranberry roll plus chocolate cake). Arrival once again on time.
So, in total, a brilliant example of how good the TOCs running between Birmingham and London are at keeping to time and at keeping their trains clean and comfortable. Each TOC has still not got everything right, and I look forward to seeing how the rest of the week measures up to a good start...
8am - partake of the hospitality of New Street's First Class lounge. Good range of refreshments including cereals on offer, along with the FT and the Independent. Toilet clean too, but the room looks rather 'tired' (peeling prints on the wall etc) though no doubt the new New Street will see this cramped area improved.
8.25am - join the 8.30 Pendolino in Quiet Coach H. No sign of the free newspapers promised on the Virgin Trains site (http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/trains/first-class/) and I can't get the WiFi to work. Neither the Train Manager nor the Service Manager can say why (turns out I had failed to open my browser and login - oops). Coffee/tea, orange juice, scrambled eggs & salmon start the day well. On time arrival at Euston. Tour the far superior First Class lounges...
Walk over to Marylebone for the 11.20 Wrexham& Shropshire to Leamington Spa - that I was expecting to be a highlight. Nicely refurbished first class coach though it has lost the 'old-world' charm of the original borrowed stock, and I'm not sure that I would rate the toilet as 'four-star hotel standard' as claimed (http://www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk/press-release.php?id=46)... Alas, my biggest disappointment was that meals are NOT served to passengers getting off at Leamington Spa despite the wording of the web site 'The complimentary meal service is available to all first class passengers crossing ... Leamington Spa (when travelling North) (http://www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk/first-class.php). Still, I was offered a choice of soups by way of compensation!
Considering that a First Class Single to Leamington Spa would have cost me £72, and that Virgin can serve their meals in a 82 minute time slot when W&S timings are 88 minutes, I found this very strange.
Arrived on time at Leamington and crossed over for the 13.00 to Reading. Actually on time, and the Voyager First Class coach was reasonably quiet. Was offered tea/coffee, pretzels and crisps immediately upon leaving Leamington BUT despite there being a Menu Card on the table, no further refreshments were offered...
Arrived on time at Reading so made the 14.08 FGW HST to Paddington. Made the mistake of hurrying to the London end for the First Class coaches only to be told on departure that there would be no first class refreshments due to 'shortage of stock' and that the Refreshment Trolley would only be serving coaches A & B!
Fortunately, an on-time arrival and Paddington's wonderful if idiosyncratic First Class lounge made up for FGW's on-board failings. Strange lounge to enter as the first room was full of people on quite uncomfortable looking chairs looking in silence at Sky News... yet beyond there are quiet rooms with real leather armchairs and settees - and the refreshments are better even than those at Euston.
Finally, back to Birmingham on the 15.23 Pendolino. This time there was definitely no WiFi in Quiet Coach H and again the staff couldn't help. Apart from that, the journey was fast, service was courteous and efficient, and the Lite Bites fine (brie & cranberry roll plus chocolate cake). Arrival once again on time.
So, in total, a brilliant example of how good the TOCs running between Birmingham and London are at keeping to time and at keeping their trains clean and comfortable. Each TOC has still not got everything right, and I look forward to seeing how the rest of the week measures up to a good start...
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