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.
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