Most comfortable London-> North mainline

[Malakriss]

First of all, sorry if this is in the wrong place, I'm relatively new and I'm not sure exactly where this might go

I have a family member who gets very travel-sick and needs to travel on the train to London from the North - I'd recommended to him that he not get the WCML, as I don't think the tilting would do him any good at all, and my experience with Mk3/Mk4 stock on the ECML is that it's incredibly bumpy. However, I spend a lot of time on voyagers and have found them (though cramped) very smooth running relative to Mk3/4, and I was wondering if anyone had a similar experiences with the 222s on the MML? If they're as smooth as voyagers, then I think Sheffield - St Pancras is our best bet. Or if anyone has any other ideas, that would be much appreciated

 

[Essexman]

Where in the north?

I find HST to Nottingham or Chiltern MK3 to Birmingham are the most comfortable. Can change there to Cross Country, London Midland or EMT.
Two shorter journeys with short break in between can be better for travel sickness than one long run - especailly on WCML where they may not be a stop for a couple of hours.

Pendolinos have greatest potential for travel sickness and Voyagers & Merdians can get stuffy, cramped & claustrophic - especially Voyagers.

Bascially old trains are best!

Another thought - chose an East Coast train that will be an HST. Aberdeen & Inverness services always are and some others will be scheduled as HST although could change. If possible get a First Advance or Weekend First as more space and quieter atmosphere can be helpful

 

[MK Tom]

''The North'' is very big! Where are you actually going?

A London Midland Desiro to Crewe is a comfortable ride, and a bit slower than the intercity type trains. Other than that, the two ideas suggested above by Essexman.

 

[yorksrob]

I prefer old trains, but the MML 222's are pretty decent. They are also rather better laid out than the voyagers.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Yes, where is "the north"?

I'm sure that any discomfort experienced while travelling on either of the main lines would be trivial when compared with a connecting journey across the Tyne Valley, the pennines or Dales in a commuter diesel unit.
Just arrange for your friend to sit in the middle of a first class coach of whichever mainline is nearest in 'the north'.

 

[northwichcat]

Where in the north?

I find HST to Nottingham or Chiltern MK3 to Birmingham are the most comfortable. Can change there to Cross Country, London Midland or EMT.
Two shorter journeys with short break in between can be better for travel sickness than one long run - especailly on WCML where they may not be a stop for a couple of hours.

Pendolinos have greatest potential for travel sickness and Voyagers & Merdians can get stuffy, cramped & claustrophic - especially Voyagers.

Bascially old trains are best!

If you've got sensitive hearing the pressure build up on your ears that you get going through tunnels on the older high speed stock isn't good for your ear drums, while with the newer stock you don't get that but you do still get it on other forms of newer stock like the Desiros.

 

[aylesbury2]

Agree with Essexman, the Chiltern MK3s are very, very comfortable - the seats are like armchairs!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

If you're talking about ride rather than comfort, it's a bit of a lottery.
You can have both good and bad experiences in the same stock.
Voyagers are quite "jiggly" in their ride, while Pendolinos are usually (not always) rock solid.
Some of the worst-riding journeys I have had have been in Mk3 and Mk4 stock.
Mk3 stock has a tendency to "bounce" at speed, while Mk4 is "jiggly" like the Voyagers.
Desiros are pretty good and stable, but do tend to hunt a bit at speed.
The latest 350/4s are not immune from this (lower quality ride than Pendolinos on the same track).
Class 175s/180s tend to "wobble" at certain speeds.
I wouldn't worry about travel sickness induced by tilt on Pendolinos and Voyagers.
You don't really sense the tilt unless you are concentrating on it.

 

[route:oxford]

First of all, sorry if this is in the wrong place, I'm relatively new and I'm not sure exactly where this might go

I have a family member who gets very travel-sick and needs to travel on the train to London from the North - I'd recommended to him that he not get the WCML, as I don't think the tilting would do him any good at all, and my experience with Mk3/Mk4 stock on the ECML is that it's incredibly bumpy. However, I spend a lot of time on voyagers and have found them (though cramped) very smooth running relative to Mk3/4, and I was wondering if anyone had a similar experiences with the 222s on the MML? If they're as smooth as voyagers, then I think Sheffield - St Pancras is our best bet. Or if anyone has any other ideas, that would be much appreciated

If he's unsure about which service is going to be least-worst - best to take the fastest one and some sick bags.

 

[Essexman]

If you're talking about ride rather than comfort, it's a bit of a lottery.
You can have both good and bad experiences in the same stock.
Voyagers are quite "jiggly" in their ride, while Pendolinos are usually (not always) rock solid.
Some of the worst-riding journeys I have had have been in Mk3 and Mk4 stock.
Mk3 stock has a tendency to "bounce" at speed, while Mk4 is "jiggly" like the Voyagers.
Desiros are pretty good and stable, but do tend to hunt a bit at speed.
The latest 350/4s are not immune from this (lower quality ride than Pendolinos on the same track).
Class 175s/180s tend to "wobble" at certain speeds.
I wouldn't worry about travel sickness induced by tilt on Pendolinos and Voyagers.
You don't really sense the tilt unless you are concentrating on it.

I disagree with that.
Pendolinos are the only trains that I ever feel sick on and that's because of the tilt. I find it hard to read or work and need to look out of the window at fixed point on the horizon every time it tilts.

 

[fowler9]

If you're talking about ride rather than comfort, it's a bit of a lottery.
You can have both good and bad experiences in the same stock.
Voyagers are quite "jiggly" in their ride, while Pendolinos are usually (not always) rock solid.
Some of the worst-riding journeys I have had have been in Mk3 and Mk4 stock.
Mk3 stock has a tendency to "bounce" at speed, while Mk4 is "jiggly" like the Voyagers.
Desiros are pretty good and stable, but do tend to hunt a bit at speed.
The latest 350/4s are not immune from this (lower quality ride than Pendolinos on the same track).
Class 175s/180s tend to "wobble" at certain speeds.
I wouldn't worry about travel sickness induced by tilt on Pendolinos and Voyagers.
You don't really sense the tilt unless you are concentrating on it.

I think for me it isn't so much the ride quality on the Pendos, more the fact you feel closed in. I feel less sick on an Airbus A340 even though they can bump all over the place and obviously tilt every time they turn.

 

[Carlisle]

Yes, where is "the north"?

I'm sure that any discomfort experienced while travelling on either of the main lines would be trivial when compared with a connecting journey across the Tyne Valley, the pennines or Dales in a commuter diesel unit.
Just arrange for your friend to sit in the middle of a first class coach of whichever mainline is nearest in 'the north'.

You're right; a trip on Tyne Valley or somewhere else on a 142 is not in the comfort to 100 league

 

[Malakriss]

Sorry yes, the North is a bit vague. We live in West Yorkshire, so Wakefield for ECML, Sheffield for MML and Manchester for WCML are all within about an hour (ideally placed really). Thankyou all for your advice, one thing I hadn't considered was changing at Birmingham for a break and then going on a 350, might look at that - and yes, I suppose he might have a particular preference on getting the journey out of the way as quickly as possible, or a long but more comfortable journey. I appreciate the help guys!

 

[Tetchytyke]

I hadn't considered was changing at Birmingham for a break and then going on a 350, might look at that

I wouldn't.

It's not too bad if you get a 350/1, just a bit slow, but the 350/2s end up on New Street trains an awful lot (and the Crewes often enough). Two and a half hours on a 350/2 is not my idea of comfortable.

 

[wellhouse]

You might consider Grand Central from Halifax/Brighouse/Mirfield/Wakefield Kirkgate/Pontefract.

As has been suggested above, there is probably the greatest risk of travel sickness in the connecting journey to the long-distance train, whether by local rail or by road.

 

[gordonthemoron]

''The North'' is very big! Where are you actually going?

A London Midland Desiro to Crewe is a comfortable ride, and a bit slower than the intercity type trains. Other than that, the two ideas suggested above by Essexman.

However, the LM Euston-Crewe services often resemble a sardine can

 

[Cliveblackpool]

My tips would be
Face forwards
Window seat and enjoy the view
Sit towards the centre of a coach.
Avoiding the leading coach on a multiple unit train could make a slight difference.
Lastly, Sea sick tablets - take before you travel.

 

[SeanG]

Might sound daft but ginger nut biscuits help.

Ginger is a known preventer of sickness

 

[gordonthemoron]

or crystallised ginger/ginger beer

 

[route:oxford]

or crystallised ginger/ginger beer

Which TOC serves Crabbies?

 

[SprinterMan]

Might sound daft but ginger nut biscuits help.

Ginger is a known preventer of sickness

Apart from where Greater Anglia is concerned

 

[Minilad]

or crystallised ginger/ginger beer

Or just beer

 

[DiscoStu]

Just tell your friend to wear some of these ...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nausea-Motion-Sickness-Travel-Holiday/dp/B005EXKK4O

I get awful sea sickness and these cure it 100% (although I brought mine about ten years ago so I don't use this particular brand). Has to be worth a punt at £1.55!!

 

[aylesbury2]

My tips would be
Face forwards
Window seat and enjoy the view
Sit towards the centre of a coach.
Avoiding the leading coach on a multiple unit train could make a slight difference.
Lastly, Sea sick tablets - take before you travel.

Couldn't agree more, I find that Kwells are the best.

 

[nottsnurse]

Any antihistamine that causes drowsiness can help prevent travel sickness, not just the often over-priced 'travel sickness' tablets.

 

[Malakriss]

So many things I hadn't thought of - thanks to all of you. The journey in question is in September, I'll let you know how it goes

 

[rebmcr]

I think for me it isn't so much the ride quality on the Pendos, more the fact you feel closed in.

I find the seats on a Mk4 make me feel much more crowded than the side walls on a Pendo.

 

[Tetchytyke]

The Mk IV, the Pendo and the Voyager/Meridian all have the same issue: sloping side walls designed for when the train tilts. I feel slightly closed in on all of them because of the issue, the train slopes in right where my shoulders are.

The Pendo is worse because of the tiny windows and huge bulkheads though.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

''The North'' is very big!

Bigger than the other six kingdoms combined, apparently.

 

[GatwickDepress]

I find 350/1s to be quite comfortable, but 350/2s to be absolutely awful - like sitting on concrete! Please tell me London Midland have never ran Birmingham - Euston services with /2s.