Back in June, I highlighted a Telegraph promotion for Virgin train travel during August (http://birmingham2london.blogspot.com/2010/06/telegraph-prpmotion-10000-advance.html). As I had a long-standing evening engagement on the 16th, I took advantage of the promotion to book £19 First Class Pendolino tickets for the 13.10 up to Euston and the 21.03 back.
Judging by the sea of empty First Class seats both ways, these two trains clearly hadn't benefitted greatly from the promotion (or Virgin's own subsequent copy during July). Given that the 13.10 in particular was 'full' standard class, one wonders at Virgin's inability to fill First Class seats... clearly, the headline fares (£120 single / £240 return) don't help but surely Virgin can find a way of encouraging First Class travel, especially by those Railcard holders who qualify for a significant discount.
So I benefitted from delightfully quiet journeys... the service was friendly both ways though on the 13.10 there wasn't a second round of coffee / tea offered, whilst on the 21.03 there was the usual delay in serving food until after the Milton Keynes stop.
Today's food was a choice of Tuscan Ham Roll or Pasta Salad followed by Strawberry cake or fruit. Fruit juices or alcoholic drinks accompanied the choice. I plumped for the Tuscan Roll on the way down and the Pasta Salad on the way back with apples both ways. Both were fine but hardly filling - the pasta salad in particularly being a fairly small portion...
Nevertheless, both journeys ran to time and both had working Wi-Fi. So for £38, pretty good!
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Monday, 9 August 2010
Wrexham and Shropshire First Class upgrades
The Wrexham and Shropshire press office have told me the following:
"There are two upgrades when travelling on board Wrexham & Shropshire. The first is for Wrexham & Shropshire ticket holders who would like to upgrade to first class from standard. This will come at a price of £35 and will include the complimentary meal from our menu of freshly prepared, locally sourced food. Passengers travelling to and from Tame Bridge Parkway can take advantage of the complimentary meal subject to availability. The second upgrade is for Chiltern Railways ticket holders travelling to and from Banbury and Leamington Spa during the week and both Chiltern and Wrexham & Shropshire passengers travelling on the weekend. This upgrade is £15 and does not include the complimentary meal. Upgrades can only be purchased on board to ensure availability - there's nothing worse than purchasing an upgrade and finding there is no seat available. However, our refurbished first class carriages offer more first class seating than our previous trains and we are confident that we can accommodate most passengers looking to upgrade."
I have amended my web sites accordingly. NOTE that at the weekend, a Wrexham & Shropshire ticket holder should opt for the £15 upgrade and buy the meal for £12.50!
"There are two upgrades when travelling on board Wrexham & Shropshire. The first is for Wrexham & Shropshire ticket holders who would like to upgrade to first class from standard. This will come at a price of £35 and will include the complimentary meal from our menu of freshly prepared, locally sourced food. Passengers travelling to and from Tame Bridge Parkway can take advantage of the complimentary meal subject to availability. The second upgrade is for Chiltern Railways ticket holders travelling to and from Banbury and Leamington Spa during the week and both Chiltern and Wrexham & Shropshire passengers travelling on the weekend. This upgrade is £15 and does not include the complimentary meal. Upgrades can only be purchased on board to ensure availability - there's nothing worse than purchasing an upgrade and finding there is no seat available. However, our refurbished first class carriages offer more first class seating than our previous trains and we are confident that we can accommodate most passengers looking to upgrade."
I have amended my web sites accordingly. NOTE that at the weekend, a Wrexham & Shropshire ticket holder should opt for the £15 upgrade and buy the meal for £12.50!
Saturday 7th August
Following on from last Sunday's Virgin Weekend First experience, I took the opportunity to try out the Wrexham and Shropshire equivalent today.
I left Snow Hill on the 7.52 Chiltern Clubman service. Unsurprisingly, very quiet compared to its Monday-Friday 7.45 equivalent so plenty of tables, all with working sockets! No catering trolley of course... Train ran happily to time to Banbury.
Had to drop off at Banbury so re-started my journey south on the 9.50 Clubman / Class 165 train. Despite the fact that Chiltern was extending the journey time due to Mainline project works (see below), there were numerous passengers crowding onto the Clubman portion at Banbury so I joined the rear 165 set. Not brilliant for working in as no tables nor power points. Glad I don't commute on these sets...
The train continued to get busier at Bicester and Haddenham and Thame Parkway, and again at Aylesbury and Harrow on the Hill after reversal at Princess Risborough. Due to the reversals, the timing was a shade under 2 hours so not ideal when compared to the normal hour or so from Banbury but at least the service ran to time.
The 12.18 Wrexham and Shropshire was waiting and passengers were allowed on around 12 noon. No reservations on the train due to the changed timings but this didn't seem to matter as the loading looked lightish. I confirmed that Weekend First was available so found a table in the relatively busy First Class coach.
Complimentary coffee served in a coffee pot with milk in a jug before departure, accompanied by biscuits and papers. A refurbished set was being used so power points available BUT no Wi-Fi (apparently the boxes are working reliably as yet). As ever, the staff were friendly and attentive.
Departure from Marylebone on time for a quick run to Neasden Junction where the train reversed onto the Dudding Hill Freight Line so that it could reverse again at Acton and so access the West Coast Main Line from Euston to Birmingham.
Lunch was offered so I choose Mushroom Soup with a warm roll along with Roast Vegetable with Wensleydale Bake and salad from the fairly extensive menu. Both were nicely served and delicious, and accompanied by orange juice and coffee - certainly a very pleasant way to pass the gentle timing of 2hours and 24 minutes to Tame Bridge Parkway!
I had hoped that the meal was included in the Weekend First upgrade price of £15 and indeed nothing on the Menu seemed to indicate that this wasn't the case. However, it turned out to cost me £12.50...
Nevertheless, compared to the First Single walk-on fare of £70, the upgrade with meal was reasonable value at £43.50 (arrived at by including £16 for the outward half of the £32 walk-on standard class return fare). NOTE that on a 'normal' Saturday, an Advance Single First Class fare of £35 is available which does include the meal.
Still impressed by the Wrexham and Shropshire service but it needs to get its Wi-Fi sorted out and it needs to be clearer about Weekend Fares on its website and in its printed publicity.
I left Snow Hill on the 7.52 Chiltern Clubman service. Unsurprisingly, very quiet compared to its Monday-Friday 7.45 equivalent so plenty of tables, all with working sockets! No catering trolley of course... Train ran happily to time to Banbury.
Had to drop off at Banbury so re-started my journey south on the 9.50 Clubman / Class 165 train. Despite the fact that Chiltern was extending the journey time due to Mainline project works (see below), there were numerous passengers crowding onto the Clubman portion at Banbury so I joined the rear 165 set. Not brilliant for working in as no tables nor power points. Glad I don't commute on these sets...
The train continued to get busier at Bicester and Haddenham and Thame Parkway, and again at Aylesbury and Harrow on the Hill after reversal at Princess Risborough. Due to the reversals, the timing was a shade under 2 hours so not ideal when compared to the normal hour or so from Banbury but at least the service ran to time.
The 12.18 Wrexham and Shropshire was waiting and passengers were allowed on around 12 noon. No reservations on the train due to the changed timings but this didn't seem to matter as the loading looked lightish. I confirmed that Weekend First was available so found a table in the relatively busy First Class coach.
Complimentary coffee served in a coffee pot with milk in a jug before departure, accompanied by biscuits and papers. A refurbished set was being used so power points available BUT no Wi-Fi (apparently the boxes are working reliably as yet). As ever, the staff were friendly and attentive.
Departure from Marylebone on time for a quick run to Neasden Junction where the train reversed onto the Dudding Hill Freight Line so that it could reverse again at Acton and so access the West Coast Main Line from Euston to Birmingham.
Lunch was offered so I choose Mushroom Soup with a warm roll along with Roast Vegetable with Wensleydale Bake and salad from the fairly extensive menu. Both were nicely served and delicious, and accompanied by orange juice and coffee - certainly a very pleasant way to pass the gentle timing of 2hours and 24 minutes to Tame Bridge Parkway!
I had hoped that the meal was included in the Weekend First upgrade price of £15 and indeed nothing on the Menu seemed to indicate that this wasn't the case. However, it turned out to cost me £12.50...
Nevertheless, compared to the First Single walk-on fare of £70, the upgrade with meal was reasonable value at £43.50 (arrived at by including £16 for the outward half of the £32 walk-on standard class return fare). NOTE that on a 'normal' Saturday, an Advance Single First Class fare of £35 is available which does include the meal.
Still impressed by the Wrexham and Shropshire service but it needs to get its Wi-Fi sorted out and it needs to be clearer about Weekend Fares on its website and in its printed publicity.
Friday, 6 August 2010
LondonMidland Rail Sale
LondonMidland are offering 50% off standard off-peak RETURN fares until Sunday 5th September. Thus Birmingham to London becomes £12.40 day return, and £14.35 for a monthly return when travelling on LondonMidland trains (see below for how to save when travelling on certain Pendolino services).
Off-peak LM trains from Birmingham start at 7.53 whilst from London the earliest departure is 8.46 Monday to Friday. Better still, there are no peak restrictions on the evening 'fast' returns from London at 17.13, 18.13, and 21.13
These fares have to be booked online on the LM site (don't forget to enter Via Northampton under more options), so effectively need to be bought at least 2 hours in advance of travel.
HOWEVER, as the explanatory page makes clear (see http://www.londonmidland.com/tickets-and-fares/summer-rail-sale/), the 50% reduction applies to 'any permitted' route fares set by LondonMidland. So pre-booked off-peak Pendolino journeys from Milton Keynes to London cost £9.90 day return and £12.30 monthly return. The off-peak Pendolino fare to Milton Keynes from Birmingham is £24.20 (10.30 service onwards), SO there is a saving of at least £5.40 by splitting the fare booking at Milton Keynes... Just watch out for the evening peak restrictions back from Euston and remember to travel back from London on the Pendolinos which call at Milton Keynes (the 43 mins past the hour).
Off-peak LM trains from Birmingham start at 7.53 whilst from London the earliest departure is 8.46 Monday to Friday. Better still, there are no peak restrictions on the evening 'fast' returns from London at 17.13, 18.13, and 21.13
These fares have to be booked online on the LM site (don't forget to enter Via Northampton under more options), so effectively need to be bought at least 2 hours in advance of travel.
HOWEVER, as the explanatory page makes clear (see http://www.londonmidland.com/tickets-and-fares/summer-rail-sale/), the 50% reduction applies to 'any permitted' route fares set by LondonMidland. So pre-booked off-peak Pendolino journeys from Milton Keynes to London cost £9.90 day return and £12.30 monthly return. The off-peak Pendolino fare to Milton Keynes from Birmingham is £24.20 (10.30 service onwards), SO there is a saving of at least £5.40 by splitting the fare booking at Milton Keynes... Just watch out for the evening peak restrictions back from Euston and remember to travel back from London on the Pendolinos which call at Milton Keynes (the 43 mins past the hour).
Monday, 2 August 2010
Weekend First update
Virgin are offering the Birmingham to London single upgrade to First from Standard for £10 (£5 child) over the summer holidays. This is terrific value as it gives access to the First Class Lounges, free WiFi (Kindle / iPhone users please note), refreshments (admittedly of a snacky sort), and more comfort to holders of seemingly all types of Standard Class tickets (see http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/weekend-first-class/ and http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/pr3744bcc35ce7410024862c7ece4649/details.html).
Further, holders of standard class ANYTIME tickets get the upgrade for free. Thus there is absolutely no reason to buy a First Class ticket for the Pendolino service at the weekend or on bank holidays: upgrade when booking online or when on the train. Pity that the booking sites / station ticket machines don't make this clear!
Wrexham & Shropshire offer their upgrade for £15 BUT it is only available to purchase on the train which, as First Class is limited, leaves you at the mercy of the loading. It applies to all types of Standard Class tickets BUT does NOT include the full meal service that makes the W&S trains so distinctive (the Upgrade entitles you to complimentary light refreshments). There is no mention of this upgrade on the W&S web site. See also the official WSR statement at http://birmingham2london.blogspot.com/2010/08/wrexham-and-shropshire-first-class.html
LondonMidland do not offer a Weekend First upgrade.
Further, holders of standard class ANYTIME tickets get the upgrade for free. Thus there is absolutely no reason to buy a First Class ticket for the Pendolino service at the weekend or on bank holidays: upgrade when booking online or when on the train. Pity that the booking sites / station ticket machines don't make this clear!
Wrexham & Shropshire offer their upgrade for £15 BUT it is only available to purchase on the train which, as First Class is limited, leaves you at the mercy of the loading. It applies to all types of Standard Class tickets BUT does NOT include the full meal service that makes the W&S trains so distinctive (the Upgrade entitles you to complimentary light refreshments). There is no mention of this upgrade on the W&S web site. See also the official WSR statement at http://birmingham2london.blogspot.com/2010/08/wrexham-and-shropshire-first-class.html
LondonMidland do not offer a Weekend First upgrade.
Sunday 1st August
Unusually I had an opportunity to travel to London on a Sunday... The first train out of Birmingham on a Sunday is the 0830 Pendolino which has an extra 30 minutes built into its schedule compared to the weekday run (partly because it stops at all the 'Pendolino' calling points - see below).
The train left New Street 8 minutes late due to overrunning engineering works towards Coventry. It was fairly quiet on departure but picked up many passengers at subsequent stations until the Standard class was standing room only after Milton Keynes. Fortunately, I was taking advantage of the £10 upgrade offer to First Class which Virgin are offering over the summer holidays (see my Weekend First post) so was spared such overcrowding. Not suprisingly, one or two adventurous souls made it into First Class after MK vowing to fight extradiction should the train manager challenge them - strangely enough he did not appear...
Despite the engineering works, arrival at Euston was on time thanks to the extra 30 minutes in the schedule. Virgin certainly are delivering with their Pendolinos- it's just a pity that they are failing to promote the benefits of leisure First Class travel as a way of managing excess passenger numbers on their trains.
Returned on the 3-coach Chiltern Clubman 20.20 departure from Marylebone. This is of course was full on departure due to the additional stops at Gerards Cross and Princess Risborough but had emptied to a comfortable level after High Wycombe. The timing of this train is very easy (2hrs 20 mins!) so it easily made it into Moor Street as booked.
Revenue protection at Marylebone (gates) and after Banbury (an active train manager) presumably means that Chiltern get a good return from running the service BUT are intermediate passenger numbers being picked up?
Overall a good day's travel once more but am relieved that Sunday is not one of my usual travelling days!
The train left New Street 8 minutes late due to overrunning engineering works towards Coventry. It was fairly quiet on departure but picked up many passengers at subsequent stations until the Standard class was standing room only after Milton Keynes. Fortunately, I was taking advantage of the £10 upgrade offer to First Class which Virgin are offering over the summer holidays (see my Weekend First post) so was spared such overcrowding. Not suprisingly, one or two adventurous souls made it into First Class after MK vowing to fight extradiction should the train manager challenge them - strangely enough he did not appear...
Despite the engineering works, arrival at Euston was on time thanks to the extra 30 minutes in the schedule. Virgin certainly are delivering with their Pendolinos- it's just a pity that they are failing to promote the benefits of leisure First Class travel as a way of managing excess passenger numbers on their trains.
Returned on the 3-coach Chiltern Clubman 20.20 departure from Marylebone. This is of course was full on departure due to the additional stops at Gerards Cross and Princess Risborough but had emptied to a comfortable level after High Wycombe. The timing of this train is very easy (2hrs 20 mins!) so it easily made it into Moor Street as booked.
Revenue protection at Marylebone (gates) and after Banbury (an active train manager) presumably means that Chiltern get a good return from running the service BUT are intermediate passenger numbers being picked up?
Overall a good day's travel once more but am relieved that Sunday is not one of my usual travelling days!
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