Chiltern Business Zone

[Malakriss]

Having never travelled much on Chiltern before, I had some questions about the Business Zone weekend upgrade; do all mainline Banbury -> London Marylebone services have a BZ, or is it just Loco-hauled services? I'm travelling to London tomorrow with my Fiancée and hoping to upgrade. We may be on a train stopping at Wembley, and with England playing tomorrow I think being in the BZ might be the best way to hope for a peaceful journey.

Secondly, is it like upgrading to First with other TOCs, where you just get on and sit in the carriage with a standard ticket and pay the upgrade when the Train Manager comes around?

Thanks in advance!

 

[AlterEgo]

Only loco hauled services have a Business Zone. Multiple units don't (and I'm not sure about the one off "Banbury Set" of LHCS). Where it's available you just upgrade on board. No need to buy in advance.

 

[Malakriss]

Only loco hauled services have a Business Zone. Multiple units don't (and I'm not sure about the one off "Banbury Set" of LHCS). Where it's available you just upgrade on board. No need to buy in advance.

Ahh, that's a shame - thanks though. I assume with this http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C71482/2016/10/08/advanced saying DMU, I'll be out of luck

 

[AlterEgo]

That's a loco hauled train. It just means it's pathed as a 158 (which CH don't have!).

England kick off isn't until 5pm so I don't expect that train to be busy or noisy at all.

 

[The Planner]

Its not pathed as a 158 it is just another foible of the way the data comes through, they are timed as 168s.

 

[najaB]

Its not pathed as a 158 it is just another foible of the way the data comes through, they are timed as 168s.

I wouldn't have expected LHCS to be able to run to MU timings.

Does that mean their 168s are rubbish or that their 68+Mk3s are good?

 

[hexagon789]

Sort of a combination of the two. I read in a railway magazine article that the 68s can accelerate to 100 mph about a minute faster than the 67s could and can outperform the 168s.

 

[boxy321]

The 7:12 from Kidderminster is tabled as being a 'Mainline Silver train including Business Zone coach' on Saturdays.

As Chiltern say, there are no restrictions on Saturdays so BZ would cost a tenner. Maybe worth it to sit in the Gulliver's Kingdom style giant seats in total quiet for an hour or so. No teens playing music, saying 'like' every 5 seconds or babies crying. It's actually eerily so as there's only ever about 3 people in there and no engines revving or anything apart from the air-con.

£25 is a bit steep for a coffee and bacon sarnie (which you don't get off-peak) so check prices before you go.

Chiltern rail is excellent generally - they even have signs saying don't put your feet on the seats, and the guards remind the scum how to behave on the journey.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Sort of a combination of the two. I read in a railway magazine article that the 68s can accelerate to 100 mph about a minute faster than the 67s could and can outperform the 168s.

They are faster. All three types of train (67, 68, 168) will be doing 75mph at Neasden junction as they head out of London towards Wembley but the line speed increases through Wembley and towards the country. A class 68 pulling a rake of six coaches and a DVT will be doing 100 near Northolt Park station, the other two types of traction will probably be on the 'new' down main near South Ruislip before they hit 100. Loco hauled sets tend to have longer dwell times at stations than DMU's though, even the ones fitted with power doors.

 

[bramling]

Chiltern rail is excellent generally - they even have signs saying don't put your feet on the seats, and the guards remind the scum how to behave on the journey.

Went on Chiltern for the first time in a while last week.

20 minutes queue for the booking office at Marylebone, train not advertised until 5 minutes before departure and then found it was a 2-car class 170 for a "mainline" service to Birmingham. Interior was filthy, and when the train got busy to the point of crush loading I decided to get off and wait for the train half an hour later.

To be fair, that journey was fine as it was a 4-car class 168, and I liked the quiet area which actually seemed to be respected by all.

All very well Chiltern doing all their business development, but running crush-loaded 2-car trains is just ridiculous, especially when Marylebone was full of stabled DMUs being middle of the day.

All in all, not particularly impressed.

 

[boxy321]

Went on Chiltern for the first time in a while last week.

20 minutes queue for the booking office at Marylebone, train not advertised until 5 minutes before departure and then found it was a 2-car class 170 for a "mainline" service to Birmingham. Interior was filthy, and when the train got busy to the point of crush loading I decided to get off and wait for the train half an hour later.

To be fair, that journey was fine as it was a 4-car class 168, and I liked the quiet area which actually seemed to be respected by all.

All very well Chiltern doing all their business development, but running crush-loaded 2-car trains is just ridiculous, especially when Marylebone was full of stabled DMUs being middle of the day.

All in all, not particularly impressed.

I agree with the comment on the 2-car trains as I got one from Solihull earlier this week. When it pulled in I could see it was heaving and they bursted out when the doors opened. I've never bought a ticket from Chiltern so can't comment on that though.

 

[Bletchleyite]

20 minutes queue for the booking office at Marylebone, train not advertised until 5 minutes before departure and then found it was a 2-car class 170 for a "mainline" service to Birmingham.

Yes, their own extra-special version of the Euston scrum.

All the TOCs need to pack it in, advertise early, and provide proper queueing areas if necessary (like Liverpool Lime St). It isn't a problem at most provincial termini, why do they have to create a problem at London terminals (that and Inverness, Glasgow Central and Waverley)?

 

[bramling]

Yes, their own extra-special version of the Euston scrum.

All the TOCs need to pack it in, advertise early, and provide proper queueing areas if necessary (like Liverpool Lime St). It isn't a problem at most provincial termini, why do they have to create a problem at London terminals (that and Inverness, Glasgow Central and Waverley)?

Don't forget Blackpool North.

That has to be one of the most unpleasant-to-use stations in Britain. One would like to think the forthcoming rebuilding would take the opportunity to remodel the station into a much more user-friendly setup, but somehow I doubt it will happen, the abominable setup there seems rather entrenched.

 

[Bletchleyite]

FWIW Inverness used to be great, you would queue (yes, in a line) at the platform barrier for the required train. Most civilised. Then they introduced automatic barriers, and the scrum started.

The way Inverness works, and the passenger numbers involved, make it quite adequate to have the Guard plus one member of staff check tickets for each train. Rarely do two board at the same time.

 

[The Planner]

I wouldn't have expected LHCS to be able to run to MU timings.

Does that mean their 168s are rubbish or that their 68+Mk3s are good?

Bit of a fudge to allow anything to run in any path is all.

 

[work-traveller]

I've always rather liked the Chiltern Railways catering on the loco hauled services - which they inherited from Wrexham & Shropshire. Where else can a standard class passenger watch a bacon sandwich being grilled and put together? On one occasion, the chap in the buffet car apologised for having no bacon or sausage loaded that morning, but instead made me some toast and buttered and marmaladed it for me. The best you'd have got with another TOC would have been a slice of factory packaged flapjack.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Hi guys,

Just bringing this up again because I am planning a trip to Birmingham and as Virgin Trains/CrossCountry are quite expensive at the moment and I don't like London Midland Trains I looked on National Rail and found a very good deal (£4 for one adult, one child, one railcard) with Chiltern departing Marylebone 1040 and arriving into Birmingham SHill at 1251. (Will be returning VT 1st)

To my delight, it appears this service is formed of a silver set. I have been on a couple of 168s before but never a 67/68 hauled train (Yes I know the 67s are gone, was just saying)

Now, as it is after ten (by forty mins) I imagine the upgrade is £10. Is it cheaper for under 15s. And is Business Zone actually worth it?

Plus, what food should I expect?

Thanks,
Z

 

[James H]

Catering has been abolished on Chiltern Railways.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Catering has been abolished on Chiltern Railways.

What?? Since when? Their website says I will get refreshments in Business Zone! Maybe for the 168s, but not the 68+Mk3s?

 

[AlterEgo]

The Business Zone is £10 and there are no child fares I can see.

It's not really worth it on an off peak service, as you'll easily get a seat elsewhere in Standard, in perfectly amenable surroundings.

 

[James H]

You might get a bottle of water but that's about it.

https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/changes-chilterns-catering-service

Following an extensive review, we are sorry to announce that as of 20 May 2017, Chiltern Railways will no longer provide on-train catering services. This affects both the Espresso Bar on our silver trains and the trolley service that operates on certain long-distance services.

Over time, increasing numbers of customers are choosing to purchase food and drink at the shops and cafes at our stations, this has led to far fewer people purchasing on board and the delivery of the service is no longer sustainable. Therefore, from 20 May 2017, the service will no longer be available and customers should purchase before travelling.

From 22 May 2017, our Business Zone will also be updated. The Business Zone will continue to offer a private environment with plug points, wider seats and larger tables. Wi-Fi is currently available with a limit of 125 Mb, and this will now be upgraded to provide an unlimited service. In addition, at peak times smoothies and juices will be offered alongside snacks including nuts, seeds or popcorn.

 

[class387]

Hi guys,

Just bringing this up again because I am planning a trip to Birmingham and as Virgin Trains/CrossCountry are quite expensive at the moment and I don't like London Midland Trains I looked on National Rail and found a very good deal (£4 for one adult, one child, one railcard) with Chiltern departing Marylebone 1040 and arriving into Birmingham SHill at 1251. (Will be returning VT 1st)

To my delight, it appears this service is formed of a silver set. I have been on a couple of 168s before but never a 67/68 hauled train (Yes I know the 67s are gone, was just saying)

Now, as it is after ten (by forty mins) I imagine the upgrade is £10. Is it cheaper for under 15s. And is Business Zone actually worth it?

Plus, what food should I expect?

Thanks,
Tom

When I went on Chiltern's Business Zone (Under 15, accompanied by an adult) the guard only charged my parent and let me sit there for free, but I doubt all guards do that. I loved the experience, but that was when there was still free food.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

You might get a bottle of water but that's about it.

https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/changes-chilterns-catering-service

. But is the 1040 train going to have these smoothies and stuff?

 

[AlterEgo]

. But is the 1040 train going to have these smoothies and stuff?

No, as it isn't a peak service.

There's an AMT Coffee at Marylebone which does good smoothies and milkshakes - for a price!

 

[gallafent]

There's an AMT Coffee at Marylebone which does good smoothies and milkshakes - for a price!

… and a generally well-stocked M&S food shop

 

[Doctor Fegg]

There's an AMT Coffee at Marylebone which does good smoothies and milkshakes - for a price!

I'd be surprised if they gave them away free...

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

No, as it isn't a peak service.

There's an AMT Coffee at Marylebone which does good smoothies and milkshakes - for a price!

Phoned up! The lady said complementary drinks, smoothies, biscuits and crisps. That'll do me to be honest, in my experience train bacon rolls are fatty.

 

[185143]

I've always rather liked the Chiltern Railways catering on the loco hauled services - which they inherited from Wrexham & Shropshire. Where else can a standard class passenger watch a bacon sandwich being grilled and put together? On one occasion, the chap in the buffet car apologised for having no bacon or sausage loaded that morning, but instead made me some toast and buttered and marmaladed it for me. The best you'd have got with another TOC would have been a slice of factory packaged flapjack.

Having travelled on ATW's Southbound WAG express, I beg to differ! I ordered a full cooked breakfast (from the buffet car-I was in Standard) and could almost feel the heat from the frying pan as it was being cooked! As for the smell...

I'm going to stop typing now... the memories are making me hungry!

 

[AlterEgo]

Phoned up! The lady said complementary drinks, smoothies, biscuits and crisps. That'll do me to be honest, in my experience train bacon rolls are fatty.

Let us know how you get on. The website says different and it was updated recently. Chiltern withdrew the catering!

Phoning up is usually the least reliable way of getting an answer to a "non standard" question, because the staff don't actually know, and often have to refer to old emails or circulars.

 

[Mag_seven]

Don't bother with the Business Zone coach - get yourself into the "enthusiast Zone coach" i.e. the front coach and enjoy some Class 68 sounds!