Has anyone ever done Aberdeen to Penzance straight through?

[ATW Alex 101]

Why would anyone do that trip unless on an Advance or on a Rover?

You are tied to one train anyway.

Somebody in Aberdeen may want to go to Penzance? Maybe fishing or holiday or something?

 

[Eagle]

But it's quicker via London, or via Virgin to Birmingham.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

True, but some people who are not very knowledgable may just like the direct train.

 

[AndyLandy]

True, but some people who are not very knowledgable may just like the direct train.

If what others have said on here are true, there's a huge majority of the travelling public who would choose to spend a lot longer travelling, if they can get a train with no changes.

In fact, I gather that's the reason why ABD-PNZ still exists as a through service.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

If what others have said on here are true, there's a huge majority of the travelling public who would choose to spend a lot longer travelling, if they can get a train with no changes.

In fact, I gather that's the reason why ABD-PNZ still exists as a through service.

Yes, for example an older person may wish to not make a cross-London transfer or a change at Birmingham New Street.

I always thought the service existed for people to travel in segments of the journey. i.e Aberdeen-Edinburgh, Edinburgh-Newcastle/Leeds, Birmingham-Bristol, Bristol-Cornwall. Like the Liverpool-Norwich service, not many people travel end to end, but people will use it for Manchester-Sheffield etc.

 

[142094]

You'd be surprised - in the carriage I was on there were two or three people who did quite long journeys such as Aberdeen - Plymouth and Dundee - Exeter.

 

[1e10]

If what others have said on here are true, there's a huge majority of the travelling public who would choose to spend a lot longer travelling, if they can get a train with no changes.

In fact, I gather that's the reason why ABD-PNZ still exists as a through service.

I always opt for direct services where possible. I sit on the train using my iPad and it's a pain having to pack all my stuff away and then have to get it put again on the next train.

 

[Be3G]

For what it's worth, years ago (back when it was Virgin Cross Country) I overheard someone at St. Erth phoning Virgin to complain about the late running of the train from Aberdeen, because he was waiting for his elderly parents who had been on it for something like ten hours and he was getting a bit concerned about them. So yes, direct trains do certainly hold some value over journey time.

 

[Eagle]

Ah, but back then it ran via the WCML, so it was actually competitive timewise with going via London.

Going via the ECML, as it does today, adds an hour or so to the total journey time.

 

[185143]

OK, you people are crazy!

I once did Newcastle-Southampton with CrossCountry. 6h10 on a Voyager. By about Oxford, I was climbing the walls! I don't think I'd survive 13h22 on a single train. You guys must have the patience of saints!

I did Manchester to Southampton on the same train. Going down was ok. Coming back however, I was practically climbing the walls at New Street as we had to wait at SOU for 3 and a half hours!

 

[TrainNut11]

Hi guys, I'm new on here, just signed up and spotted this conversation. I am actually doing this trip in 3 weeks time, end of June. I'm almost certain it'll on a voyager because I have never known an HST on this service! Guess its 13 hours of crampedness for me then!

 

[PaxVobiscum]

I think I would like to go for this as well, but would appreciate some advice on possible splits for the tickets. Unfortunately the split ticket advice sites don't seem to cater for the long Aberdeen - Penzance meander. I can get a Senior Railcard Advance for £78.60 without splitting, but it would be good to see if that can be beaten.
I have worked out a few successful splits on other routes for myself, but this journey is a bit of a humdinger so I could use some help.

 

[Techniquest]

I think I would like to go for this as well, but would appreciate some advice on possible splits for the tickets. Unfortunately the split ticket advice sites don't seem to cater for the long Aberdeen - Penzance meander. I can get a Senior Railcard Advance for £78.60 without splitting, but it would be good to see if that can be beaten.
I have worked out a few successful splits on other routes for myself, but this journey is a bit of a humdinger so I could use some help.

Last I looked at an Advance for me, Railcard-less these days sadly, it was around £122 for a Standard Class Advance from Aberdeen to Penzance so £78.60 is most impressive.

Even splitting on walk-up tickets is going to be expensive, and the pile of tickets would be enormous! When I last tried working it out, it was something like:

Aberdeen to Dundee
Dundee to Edinburgh
Edinburgh to Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newcastle
Newcastle to York
York to Leeds
Leeds to Sheffield
Sheffield to Derby
Derby to Birmingham New Street
Birmingham New Street to Cheltenham Spa
Cheltenham Spa to Bristol Temple Meads
Bristol Temple Meads to Taunton
Taunton to Tiverton Parkway
Tiverton Parkway to Penzance

12 split points by my count, although a couple may be able to be knocked out of that. Not looked up the cost of that lot though for a long time but I doubt muchly you'll beat that Advance you found!

TrainNut11: Good luck and do let us all know how you get on!

 

[TrainNut11]

I will and thanks. That's a hell of a split. I'm actually doing the trip on a 7 day all line rail rover, and doing some route bashing around Glasgow during the week. I have seen the same price for this trip you have all been talking about, 116 pounds roughly. Just to add I am also going from Plymouth to Aberdeen in the other direction! Well up for it and will let you all know about it.

 

[Kite159]

I will and thanks. That's a hell of a split. I'm actually doing the trip on a 7 day all line rail rover, and doing some route bashing around Glasgow during the week. I have seen the same price for this trip you have all been talking about, 116 pounds roughly. Just to add I am also going from Plymouth to Aberdeen in the other direction! Well up for it and will let you all know about it.

I challenge you to find the buttons to open the doors on the 314s in Glasgow

 

[TrainNut11]

Well guys, I return from my marathon 13hours 30 minutes (as it turned out) trip from Aberdeen to Penzance and as we are all train fans, I would highly recommend it!! It was on a voyager, 5 car one too, but it wasn't 2 cramped I must admit. I had a quality window seat and saw all the comings and goings!!

The busiest part of the journey was by far the first part, between probably Dundee and Newcastle. It was on a Friday and I was expecting the whole journey to be manic but it was fine. Between Dundee and Newcastle was crazy, the amount of people getting on was a nightmare and no1 could find their seats and when they did find them, other people were sitting in them! It was very entertaining to watch them all I must say, knowing I was staying on the Train the whole way!

The best and quietest part of the trip was definitely between Exeter and Penzance! As a Devonian, when travelling to Cornwall, I am used to A; going in the morning, B; using Great Western services and C; normally a class 150 from Bristol. It was very strange not alighting at Exeter St Davids, my local station, and arriving in Cornwall using Crosscountry trains and on a Voyager! Ironically also, there were no delays the whole way down from Aberdeen, until we left Liskeard! Signalling problems. Curse those damn semaphores 10 minutes we were held up, hence arrived into Penzance 10 minutes late. Also on arrival in Penzance, I was amazed to see that only 4 people got off including me, 3 of us I the same carriage!

All in all, it was fantastic and I didn't want it to end. If you think you can stomach it for 13 and a quarter hours or so, I would say do it! The voyager seats are not to bad, just remember to have a walk now and again otherwise you'll seize up! I bought an all line 7 day rover to do it and it worked really well; Brilliant seat, not overly busy, arrived in Penzance still with sunlight JUST and all round just a brilliant day.

The first leg, on the Monday from Plymouth to Aberdeen, was excellent too but obviously not the full trip but still fantastic. Like I said, if any of you guys are interested in doing it or thinking about it, do it but make sure you find somewhere to stay in Penzance because the arrival has the possibility of being late!

 

[FQ]

Well guys, I return from my marathon 13hours 30 minutes (as it turned out) trip from Aberdeen to Penzance and as we are all train fans, I would highly recommend it!! It was on a voyager, 5 car one too, but it wasn't 2 cramped I must admit. I had a quality window seat and saw all the comings and goings!!

The busiest part of the journey was by far the first part, between probably Dundee and Newcastle. It was on a Friday and I was expecting the whole journey to be manic but it was fine. Between Dundee and Newcastle was crazy, the amount of people getting on was a nightmare and no1 could find their seats and when they did find them, other people were sitting in them! It was very entertaining to watch them all I must say, knowing I was staying on the Train the whole way!

The best and quietest part of the trip was definitely between Exeter and Penzance! As a Devonian, when travelling to Cornwall, I am used to A; going in the morning, B; using Great Western services and C; normally a class 150 from Bristol. It was very strange not alighting at Exeter St Davids, my local station, and arriving in Cornwall using Crosscountry trains and on a Voyager! Ironically also, there were no delays the whole way down from Aberdeen, until we left Liskeard! Signalling problems. Curse those damn semaphores 10 minutes we were held up, hence arrived into Penzance 10 minutes late. Also on arrival in Penzance, I was amazed to see that only 4 people got off including me, 3 of us I the same carriage!

All in all, it was fantastic and I didn't want it to end. If you think you can stomach it for 13 and a quarter hours or so, I would say do it! The voyager seats are not to bad, just remember to have a walk now and again otherwise you'll seize up! I bought an all line 7 day rover to do it and it worked really well; Brilliant seat, not overly busy, arrived in Penzance still with sunlight JUST and all round just a brilliant day.

The first leg, on the Monday from Plymouth to Aberdeen, was excellent too but obviously not the full trip but still fantastic. Like I said, if any of you guys are interested in doing it or thinking about it, do it but make sure you find somewhere to stay in Penzance because the arrival has the possibility of being late!

Eek 13 hours 30 minutes on a voyager. Basically If I were to travel it would be the 07:52 EC service to London Kings Cross for a tube to London Paddington for the 15:06 FGW service to Penzance getting there at 20:38.
If i missed that one it would be the 16:06 FGW service to Penzance arriving at 21:29. Probably quicker. Definitely is if you make the 15:06 of Paddington.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Which seat did you have, may I ask? (And BTW, can anyone confirm that this seating plan is accurate & up to date? I don't understand the two sets of letters and the additional comments about 4 car trains).

I was just a tiny wee bit put off by experience on Friday when I thought I was getting a Pendolino to Preston but it turned out to be a Virgin SuperVoyager with 2 toilets locked off. My seat was not all that comfortable, faced back to travel direction and didn't quite line up with the window.

Having some slight doubts about it, but a good seat would restore confidence.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Which seat did you have, may I ask? (And BTW, can anyone confirm that this seating plan is accurate & up to date? I don't understand the two sets of letters and the additional comments about 4 car trains).

I was just a tiny wee bit put off by experience on Friday when I thought I was getting a Pendolino to Preston but it turned out to be a Virgin SuperVoyager with 2 toilets locked off. My seat was not all that comfortable, faced back to travel direction and didn't quite line up with the window.

Having some slight doubts about it, but a good seat would restore confidence.

I always opt for Coach F Seat 16 on Voyagers. It is in the Quiet Zone, it has a clear window (i.e. no wall alignment blocking your view) and it's also a priority seat, which is good for lanky buggers such as myself!

Unfortunately, direction of travel can NOT be guaranteed.

 

[IanD]

Well guys, I return from my marathon 13hours 30 minutes (as it turned out) trip from Aberdeen to Penzance and as we are all train fans, I would highly recommend it!! It was on a voyager, 5 car one too, but it wasn't 2 cramped I must admit. I had a quality window seat and saw all the comings and goings!!

The busiest part of the journey was by far the first part, between probably Dundee and Newcastle. It was on a Friday and I was expecting the whole journey to be manic but it was fine. Between Dundee and Newcastle was crazy, the amount of people getting on was a nightmare and no1 could find their seats and when they did find them, other people were sitting in them! It was very entertaining to watch them all I must say, knowing I was staying on the Train the whole way!

The best and quietest part of the trip was definitely between Exeter and Penzance! As a Devonian, when travelling to Cornwall, I am used to A; going in the morning, B; using Great Western services and C; normally a class 150 from Bristol. It was very strange not alighting at Exeter St Davids, my local station, and arriving in Cornwall using Crosscountry trains and on a Voyager! Ironically also, there were no delays the whole way down from Aberdeen, until we left Liskeard! Signalling problems. Curse those damn semaphores 10 minutes we were held up, hence arrived into Penzance 10 minutes late. Also on arrival in Penzance, I was amazed to see that only 4 people got off including me, 3 of us I the same carriage!

All in all, it was fantastic and I didn't want it to end. If you think you can stomach it for 13 and a quarter hours or so, I would say do it! The voyager seats are not to bad, just remember to have a walk now and again otherwise you'll seize up! I bought an all line 7 day rover to do it and it worked really well; Brilliant seat, not overly busy, arrived in Penzance still with sunlight JUST and all round just a brilliant day.

The first leg, on the Monday from Plymouth to Aberdeen, was excellent too but obviously not the full trip but still fantastic. Like I said, if any of you guys are interested in doing it or thinking about it, do it but make sure you find somewhere to stay in Penzance because the arrival has the possibility of being late!

This has been my thoughts on the journey all along. Glad to see someone who has actually done the trip agrees with me. Cheers.

 

[Bayum]

I like travelling, I really do.

I've recently just got a job at a school which is part one of travelling around the world.

Single handedly, I made a journey to Waverley to see a hospital consultant at the children's hospital nearby. I then made a journey to see my mum who had moved to Cornwall recently.

Never again. The extra few hours from Edinburgh to Leeds were just too much. My joints seized even though I had a lovely HST to walk up and down and by the end of the journey I was travel sick - something that doesn't happen easily to me.

I like to travel - but that was one journey too long.

 

[Kite159]

I might do that trip next year on my 1st class ALR, depending if I can stand the lovely Voyagers

 

[TrainNut11]

Well, in response to fishquinn, doing it that way would probably be quicker and easier but doing it that way, we could not say that we travelled on the longest direct train journey in Britain but yeah you are right it is an easier way and more changes, hence more movement!

As for the seats, I didn't arrange them. The guy in the ticket office at Exeter St Davids sorted them out so it was kind of pot luck what I got. I was just praying not to get the window seat with the stupid partition as DanTrainMan said. On the way up from Plymouth I was in Coach D seat 33A, which was a window seat. On the way down from Aberdeen I was in Coach C seat 41A, both ways it being a 5 car voyager. The seats were top notch and both facing forwards for both trips so even better!

Like I said if you can stick the voyagers, it is certainly a must! When I did the first leg from Plymouth it felt an age and I thought to myself how the hell am I going to do the return leg but it was awesome, probably because I knew kind of what I was letting myself in for. I'm sorry to hear that Bayum and I agree that HST's are a lot better and more leg room but if you love trains and travelling on them, which I'm guessing we all do, then I would say this direct train is a must. Whatsmore the amount of people I actually helped with info about seats, stations etc. was quite rewarding!

And yes, sitting in first class is probably the best way to go but honestly, where I sat was fine and I managed to have a walk fairly regularly.

 

[FQ]

Like I said if you can stick the voyagers, it is certainly a must!

Agreed. Well I refuse to travel on 220s or 221s for the obvious reasons; Killed off whopper locomotives, Smell rank, look horrible but also because I had a friend who was going to bash the FGW HSTs who lived in Leamington Spa and he was taking a Voyager from Leamington to Reading to start his 2 week bash but when he got off the train, his heart stopped and he dropped dead.

 

[Techniquest]

Agreed. Well I refuse to travel on 220s or 221s for the obvious reasons; Killed off whopper locomotives

You do realise those locomotives were knackered and needed replacing? Same for the HSTs, they were heavily used and worn out!

I had a friend who was going to bash the FGW HSTs who lived in Leamington Spa and he was taking a Voyager from Leamington to Reading to start his 2 week bash but when he got off the train, his heart stopped and he dropped dead.

hock: hock: hock:

Now that is a good (in my opinion at least) reason to not want to travel on Voyagers. Not a reason based in logic (as horrible and heartless as that makes me sound), but we've all got those things that make us go "F**K THAT!", and I don't blame you for avoiding Voyagers for your reason.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Well guys, I return from my marathon 13hours 30 minutes (as it turned out) trip from Aberdeen to Penzance and as we are all train fans, I would highly recommend it!! It was on a voyager, 5 car one too, but it wasn't 2 cramped I must admit. I had a quality window seat and saw all the comings and goings!!

The busiest part of the journey was by far the first part, between probably Dundee and Newcastle. It was on a Friday and I was expecting the whole journey to be manic but it was fine. Between Dundee and Newcastle was crazy, the amount of people getting on was a nightmare and no1 could find their seats and when they did find them, other people were sitting in them! It was very entertaining to watch them all I must say, knowing I was staying on the Train the whole way!

The best and quietest part of the trip was definitely between Exeter and Penzance! As a Devonian, when travelling to Cornwall, I am used to A; going in the morning, B; using Great Western services and C; normally a class 150 from Bristol. It was very strange not alighting at Exeter St Davids, my local station, and arriving in Cornwall using Crosscountry trains and on a Voyager! Ironically also, there were no delays the whole way down from Aberdeen, until we left Liskeard! Signalling problems. Curse those damn semaphores 10 minutes we were held up, hence arrived into Penzance 10 minutes late. Also on arrival in Penzance, I was amazed to see that only 4 people got off including me, 3 of us I the same carriage!

All in all, it was fantastic and I didn't want it to end. If you think you can stomach it for 13 and a quarter hours or so, I would say do it! The voyager seats are not to bad, just remember to have a walk now and again otherwise you'll seize up! I bought an all line 7 day rover to do it and it worked really well; Brilliant seat, not overly busy, arrived in Penzance still with sunlight JUST and all round just a brilliant day.

The first leg, on the Monday from Plymouth to Aberdeen, was excellent too but obviously not the full trip but still fantastic. Like I said, if any of you guys are interested in doing it or thinking about it, do it but make sure you find somewhere to stay in Penzance because the arrival has the possibility of being late!

Glad you managed the whole trip, and that it was a good time. I was going to do it on my 7 day ALR in 2011, however I chickened out by the time I got to Dundee on the way north and preferred the idea of line bashing instead. Not a decision I regret now, but I still need to get that milestone done! If I can ever afford another ALR, I'm definitely doing it this time! Back when I was a Voyager crank (thank Goodness that phase was kicked at last on 17th January 2009!) I'd have loved to do the Aberdeen to Penzance all the way through, one day I'm going to do it but just a case of finding the money!

 

[ValleyLines142]

but when he got off the train, his heart stopped and he dropped dead.

What happened??

I really like Voyagers actually! I must admit.

 

[sprinterguy]

Same for the HSTs, they were heavily used and worn out!

Towards the end of their operation in particular I suspect that had more to do with Virgin’s maintenance regimes, when there were shiny new Voyager trains to play with on the horizon, than the age or ability of the trains themselves.

 

[FQ]

What happened??

I really like Voyagers actually! I must admit.

Heart attack. I, admittedly couldn't get to Reading but another one of my friends drove over. I couldn't find the story on the internet but I avoid the 220s and 221s like the plague.

Techniquest: all of the 47/8s used to be on them and they are in good nick (Excepting 47832).

There is discussion and rumour that when the IEPs come in the 220s and 221s in Cross Country will go to Scot Rail for the long distance stuff (Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness, Fort William and Aberdeen and maybe the Inverness to Kyle and Wick and Thurso) and the HSTs will take over all of the duties the 220s and 221s do. Brilliant for me, in a place where you get 4 of the foul XC voyagers an hour.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Eek 13 hours 30 minutes on a voyager. Basically If I were to travel it would be the 07:52 EC service to London Kings Cross for a tube to London Paddington for the 15:06 FGW service to Penzance getting there at 20:38.

I strongly agree (though would skip the tube).

I had to do Newcastle - Plymouth and back earlier this week, and didn't hesitate in choosing East Coast and FGW HSTs in first class. That was just about 13 hours on board trains, but much preferrable to a Cross Country Voyager, and with decent kitchens and staffing levels on board too. (I also broke my own record for cycling between Paddington & Kings Cross - in under 15 minutes.)

 

[sprinterguy]

There is discussion and rumour that when the IEPs come in the 220s and 221s in Cross Country will go to Scot Rail for the long distance stuff (Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness, Fort William and Aberdeen and maybe the Inverness to Kyle and Wick and Thurso) and the HSTs will take over all of the duties the 220s and 221s do. Brilliant for me, in a place where you get 4 of the foul XC voyagers an hour.

I can envisage 220s or 221s logically going to Scotrail, but the West and North Highland lines are not part of the Scotrail proposal for improved long distance services, so would be very unlikely to see Voyager operation. The fuel (and presumably leasing and track access) costs would be astronomical compared to Sprinters, and you would completely eradicate the operational convenience of portion working as far as Crianlarich on the West Highland.

Sadly, the idea of HSTs making a big come back on Crosscountry when you consider the much better dwell times, acceleration rates and (generally) match of capacity to passenger loadings sounds more like wibble and piffle from my armchair perspective.