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TPE 1st Class Liverpool to Manchester

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fowler9

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I've done it Liverpool to Leeds and it was well worth it without the free coffee. I'd deffo do it to Newcastle. Sadly the reason being Standard class is so poor.
 
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Greenback

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On most of my journeys on TPE, standard has been perfectly acceptable. The exception was a grossly overcrowded Easter Saturday service out of Scarborough - urgh.
 

CC 72100

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The exception was a grossly overcrowded Easter Saturday service out of Scarborough - urgh.

But look on the bright side, you were escaping Scarborough! ;)

For pedants, please note that this is an attempted joke...
 

trainophile

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I really only started using 1st Class as I'd read (probably on here) about the overcrowding problems in TPE Standard, which seem to be the rule rather than the exception. However given that I'm boarding at the start of the service I should be okay for a seat. Although maybe that doesn't necessarily apply, if Greenback started his journey at Scarborough and it was a crush from the off.

This is a route change for me, as I finally gave up on Pacers after suffering back pain the last few times I've been on one. It is worth the not inconsiderable extra cost (even with a railcard!) not to arrive feeling like I've been in a rugby scrum.
 

alexl92

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The question I'd ask myself is whether the fare is one I'm prepared to pay for the privilege of using first class for such a short journey. I must admit I wouldn't include the value of any refreshments in my thinking. as I look on them as a bonus, especially on a relatively short run.

When I used it between Man Picc and Preston, the rest of the train was rammed and it was only £3 to upgrade. It was entirely worth it for the comfort and space.
 

fowler9

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When I used it between Man Picc and Preston, the rest of the train was rammed and it was only £3 to upgrade. It was entirely worth it for the comfort and space.

To be fair many would be taking that £3 out of their food budget. £3 isn't much to me but to some it makes a difference. It really isn't worth not feeding the family for the comfort and space.
 

Greenback

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I really only started using 1st Class as I'd read (probably on here) about the overcrowding problems in TPE Standard, which seem to be the rule rather than the exception. However given that I'm boarding at the start of the service I should be okay for a seat. Although maybe that doesn't necessarily apply, if Greenback started his journey at Scarborough and it was a crush from the off.

Indeed it was, I should have expected it being as it was a rather fine Easter Saturday. I did expect it to be busy, but not to that extent, and I was even more surprised when there were further huge crowds at York, even at 1930. We left the service at Leeds, but at by the looks of things, not everyone who was waiting would have been able to get on!

I wasn't anywhere near the first class section, but I reckon that it would have been rammed as well, and upgrading to first wouldn't have been an option!
 

trainophile

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Indeed it was, I should have expected it being as it was a rather fine Easter Saturday. I did expect it to be busy, but not to that extent, and I was even more surprised when there were further huge crowds at York, even at 1930. We left the service at Leeds, but at by the looks of things, not everyone who was waiting would have been able to get on!

I wasn't anywhere near the first class section, but I reckon that it would have been rammed as well, and upgrading to first wouldn't have been an option!

Travelling during any holiday period is bound to be challenging. Applies on the roads too (which is perhaps why so many extra people take the train, believing it will be more civilized!).

I'm really looking forward to changing at Birmingham New Street on Christmas Eve... not!
 

alexl92

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To be fair many would be taking that £3 out of their food budget. £3 isn't much to me but to some it makes a difference. It really isn't worth not feeding the family for the comfort and space.

Absolutely agree. I'm a student so wouldn't normally permit myself these luxuries. Definitely a one-off for me, but worth it at the time whilst I could justify it!
 

trainophile

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:lol:
Tell me where I can get ten fags for £3 and I'll pay your train fair. I wouldn't waste £3 on Starbucks. :D

I think that's about what they cost before they started hiding them behind sliding doors in supermarkets :lol: . I haven't noticed the price since then, but probably about £8 a pack now? I've never had a Starbucks either, nor a Costa, nor any of the other over-priced café offerings. Would rather spend my money on travelling, 1st Class wherever possible!

(A Greggs steak bake is an occasional treat though :lol: ).

Sorry about going off-topic :oops: .
 

TOCDriver

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Anybody who pays 1st class between Liverpool and Manchester needs their heads examining. Much cheaper to get a coffee before boarding and sitting within the std saloon. Nearly always a seat for everybody from Liverpool since most get the Northern Service just a few minutes behind it and nearly all the reservations are for Leeds and beyond..
 

fowler9

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Anybody who pays 1st class between Liverpool and Manchester needs their heads examining. Much cheaper to get a coffee before boarding and sitting within the std saloon. Nearly always a seat for everybody from Liverpool since most get the Northern Service just a few minutes behind it and nearly all the reservations are for Leeds and beyond..

I would never get the Northern service all the way to Manchester. East Midlands for me if possible. Ha ha. :D
 

Starmill

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I would never get the Northern service all the way to Manchester. East Midlands for me if possible. Ha ha. :D

The Northern service is quicker than the EMT.

To reiterate for clarity: Nothern are quicker than EMT and TPE for Lime Street <> Piccadilly. Even some traincrew, platform and ticket office staff don't seem to really know about the Express nature of the Northern service via Chat Moss, let alone any of the passengers, which probably explains why it is usually quieter too. I can't help but wonder if everyone thinks that the Northern services all stop at loads of places. Until recently they were the fastest way to travel between the two cities period.
 

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Bantamzen

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I regularly use 1st class between Leeds and Warrington Central, and to be honest I do so because when using this service my wife and I are travelling to visit my family in rural Cheshire so we usually have at least one suitcase with us, and going 1st class means we have more room for luggage than in standard where it can be a bit of a gamble getting enough space. And whilst it's occasionally nice to get the complementary drinks, it isn't a big issue if the catering trolley isn't on board or is stuck at the other end of the unit due to the service being rammed. Normally if the sun is over the yard arm we will have brought a bottle of wine to enjoy. :D

Incidentally whilst there isn't always catering west of Manchester, it is sometimes available. I know the last trip a couple of weeks ago had a trolley on both journeys.
 

fowler9

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The Northern service is quicker than the EMT.

To reiterate for clarity: Nothern are quicker than EMT and TPE for Lime Street <> Piccadilly. Even some traincrew, platform and ticket office staff don't seem to really know about the Express nature of the Northern service via Chat Moss, let alone any of the passengers, which probably explains why it is usually quieter too. I can't help but wonder if everyone thinks that the Northern services all stop at loads of places. Until recently they were the fastest way to travel between the two cities period.

True mate, I live near South Parkway though. :D
 

snail

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Well, just to upset the freeloaders I travelled on TPE Preston to Chorley the other Saturday on my standard season ticket. Free first class upgrade, I got a coffee and a nice little snack box for my 12 minute journey!
 

fowler9

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Well, just to upset the freeloaders I travelled on TPE Preston to Chorley the other Saturday on my standard season ticket. Free first class upgrade, I got a coffee and a nice little snack box for my 12 minute journey!

Ha ha, now that is a bargain. :D
 

185143

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fowler9:2010242 said:
Well, just to upset the freeloaders I travelled on TPE Preston to Chorley the other Saturday on my standard season ticket. Free first class upgrade, I got a coffee and a nice little snack box for my 12 minute journey!

Ha ha, now that is a bargain. :D
done that one myself, fantastically between Birchwood and Manchester :D only had it once though!
 
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