Bedford To Leeds Journey Time

[MontyMinerWA]

Hi everyone,

Before I go any further I want to point out that hilst I know very little about railways I have little or no interest in cars. However I do own one.

In normal times I try and see my team Leeds United play at Elland Road as often as I can. I live close to Bedford and I can travel up to Leeds in around two and a half hours in a modern but modest car. However the train takes almost an hour longer and I really want to know why!

I would love to be able to have a beer before kick off (by travelling by train) but I can't justify the extra journey time just to have a beer.

Please understand that I'm not anti rail.

Thanks very much.

 

[Horizon22]

Hi,

Because the stations are on different lines, as opposed to being a direct service. It appears you have to change at Nottingham and/or Sheffield / Chesterfield. After your first change, I believe the line speed is slower. This obviously adds time and the connection(s) of course adds time; a cursory check on a journey planner suggests around 30mins of waiting for another train at the aforementioned stations which is calculated into your journey time.

Edit: Either that or you have to go to London walk across to Kings Cross and go back on yourself, obviously adding time going the wrong way!

Additionally, there may be service alterations still in place due to Covid (unless you're referring to journey times pre-March) but someone more in the know could explain if that is the case with EMR/Northern.

By car you obviously live close to the the M1 and its pretty much a straight blast up there to Leeds.

 

[MontyMinerWA]

Hi,

Because the stations are on different lines, as opposed to being a direct service. It appears you have to change at Nottingham and/or Sheffield / Chesterfield. After your first change, I believe the line speed is slower. This obviously adds time and the connection(s) of course adds time; a cursory check on a journey planner suggests around 30mins of waiting for another train at the aforementioned stations which is calculated into your journey time.

Additionally, there may be service alterations still in place due to Covid (unless you're referring to journey times pre-March) but someone more in the know could explain if that is the case with EMR/Northern.

Okay many thanks for the explanation. It just seems crazy given that my average speed on the motorway (and in all fairness it's motorway for the vast majority of the journey) is around 75 mph and yet the trains near our house go along at a terrific pace.

Thanks again.

 

[Horizon22]

Okay many thanks for the explanation. It just seems crazy given that my average speed on the motorway (and in all fairness it's motorway for the vast majority of the journey) is around 75 mph and yet the trains near our house go along at a terrific pace.

Thanks again.

I tell a lie there are some direct trains to Leeds from St. Pancras, but they often don't stop at Bedford and/or take just as long. Seems to just be an awkward journey to make.

 

[Segedunum]

Changing at Leicester and Sheffield is a bit of a faff as you arrive usually at xx41 past the hour in Sheffield and the fast Northern leaves at xx45 so it's a tight connection and journey planners won't do it. Even then it would still take around 3hr 05min.

Indeed you can get to Sheffield in a fair lick, just short of two hours when changing. It's the last few miles to Leeds that are a bit of a stagger.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The main problem is that the line through Bedford is the Midland Main Line (MML) but most Leeds to London services use the East Coast Main Line (ECML). The MML is very much the "ginger stepchild" line and isn't as fast, so is only really used as far as Sheffield. There are a few services to/from Leeds in the morning and evening because the depot those trains use is in Leeds. I don't know if those services call at Bedford anyway, but having to change at Sheffield at least will extend your journey time.

One option would be to drive to Peterborough and take a direct train to Leeds from there. If you have a beer at half-time, at least two hours will have passed by the time you get back to Peterborough, so as long as you aren't on the Spesh you'll be okay to drive- though of course if in doubt, don't drive.

 

[MontyMinerWA]

Hi,



Additionally, there may be service alterations still in place due to Covid (unless you're referring to journey times pre-March) but someone more in the know could explain if that is the case with EMR/Northern.

By car you obviously live close to the the M1 and its pretty much a straight blast up there to Leeds.

I'm almost certain it was pretty much the same journey time by rail before Covid 19. I've been making the same journey for many years!

 

[MontyMinerWA]

The main problem is that the line through Bedford is the Midland Main Line (MML) but most Leeds to London services use the East Coast Main Line (ECML). The MML is very much the "ginger stepchild" line and isn't as fast, so is only really used as far as Sheffield. There are a few services to/from Leeds in the morning and evening because the depot those trains use is in Leeds. I don't know if those services call at Bedford anyway, but having to change at Sheffield at least will extend your journey time.

One option would be to drive to Peterborough and take a direct train to Leeds from there. If you have a beer at half-time, at least two hours will have passed by the time you get back to Peterborough, so as long as you aren't on the Spesh you'll be okay to drive- though of course if in doubt, don't drive.

Huddersfield Town? If so the very best of luck for next season. I have a soft spot for all Yorkshire teams.

The problem is once I have one pint it's very difficult to switch to orange squash. I know that paints me in a bad light but we all have our faults.

Thanks for your input and advice; it's much appreciated.

 

[endofthetunnel]

#MOT
A possible option is to get a cab/lift to Sandy, which is on the correct line and not too far from Bedford. You could then get a local train up to Peterborough (or down to Stevenage) and change to a high speed one there. Would be a bit of a pain I agree but definitely doable and probably about the same as driving if the connections work out.

 

[DarloRich]

I would love to be able to have a beer before kick off (by travelling by train) but I can't justify the extra journey time just to have a beer.

I am a regular traveler up to Darlo for the match so have tired most of these routes. I need a beer to get through the match. Your best option is into London and out again via Kings Cross. Journey time is better frankly.

Your other option is the X5 to St Neots or MK and train from there. Not great for getting back after the match mind.

BTW i would say 2.5 hours bedford to Leeds by car is "on a good day"!

 

[MontyMinerWA]

your best option is into London and out again via Kings Cross. Journey time is better frankly.

BTW i would say 2.5 hours bedford to Leeds by car is "on a good day"!

In all fairness that's on a Saturday for a 15.00 KO. There won't be many of those next season and goodness only knows when we'll be allowed back into Elland Road. Thanks for the suggestion via London. I'll take a look once we're allowed back in. Thanks again.

 

[MontyMinerWA]

#MOT
A possible option is to get a cab/lift to Sandy, which is on the correct line and not too far from Bedford. You could then get a local train up to Peterborough (or down to Stevenage) and change to a high speed one there. Would be a bit of a pain I agree but definitely doable and probably about the same as driving if the connections work out.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[MontyMinerWA]

#MOT
A possible option is to get a cab/lift to Sandy, which is on the correct line and not too far from Bedford. You could then get a local train up to Peterborough (or down to Stevenage) and change to a high speed one there. Would be a bit of a pain I agree but definitely doable and probably about the same as driving if the connections work out.

Marching On Together indeed! Chelsea away will be magnificent if we're allowed back in!

 

[Iskra]

I have a similar problem for Leeds games. 1hr 15ish by train or 35 minutes in the car. Car is cheaper, quicker, more reliable, more comfortable, cleaner and door to door.

Have you looked if any LUFC supporters group coaches stop near you? Yes, it would be slower than driving but you could have a few drinks. I used to get a supporters bus from Lancaster when I lived over that way. It was affordable and let me have a few drinks.

 

[Bald Rick]

The main issue is that trains stop at various intermediate stations, whereas, I assume, in your car you don’t stop.

It comes down to priorities. When I go to football it’s always quicker to drive, (1h45, vs 2h30-3h), but i often take the train so I can relax, have a beer (or 4), read the paper, and avoid the hassle of parking. Also the train is much more reliable - I’ve never missed a kick off through a seriously late train, but have missed several with major traffic problems.

 

[MontyMinerWA]

I have a similar problem for Leeds games. 1hr 15ish by train or 35 minutes in the car. Car is cheaper, quicker, more reliable, more comfortable, cleaner and door to door.

Have you looked if any LUFC supporters group coaches stop near you? Yes, it would be slower than driving but you could have a few drinks. I used to get a supporters bus from Lancaster when I lived over that way. It was affordable and let me have a few drinks.

Thanks for your reply. I meet up with a few London based Leeds fans for away games in the 'Smoke. However they all get the train up from Kings Cross. I have considered getting the train down to St Pancras from Bedford but of course I'm losing time either way.

If we're allowed back in for the Manchester United and Chelsea home games I think my wife might be prepared to drive me to and from Peterborough.

 

[MontyMinerWA]

The main issue is that trains stop at various intermediate stations, whereas, I assume, in your car you don’t stop.

You're right I don't tend to stop unless I need the toilet. However we live close to the railway and the trains go past at a terrific pace. Given this I always assumed that the train would be quicker despite the stops. Obviously not. Nevermind.

 

[Saint66]

I can very much relate! I'll normally travel up to Leeds for a weekend every 4-6 weeks from St Albans. The easiest route via train is to go into London and make the change onto LNER at Kings Cross, and generally that isn't too bad. Normally it is about 3 hours but can be done quicker with a slightly shorter connection in London (I like to be fairly safe with my connections so I dont need to rush).

Going by train allows me to relax and touch wood isn't ever too stressful!

 

[30907]

St Neots to Leeds is normally just a couple of minutes over 2 hours, Sandy slightly more (but less easy to drive to IIRC). Saturday morning trains in normal times are half hourly with either 1 or 2 changes. I would have thought that was your best alternative to via London.

 

[ChrisC]

Try doing a journey from Mansfield to Leeds with the current Coronavirus timetables from EMR and Northern. It’s only a journey of 58 miles by road and takes approx 1hr 15min using the M1. Its now taking around 3 hours by train and that’s if no connections are missed at Sheffield. This is currently a problem for anyone trying to travel to any destination in the north from Mansfield.

EMR are only running an hourly service from Mansfield to Nottingham which just misses the connection into the Norwich to Liverpool service by a few minutes. This means a wait of approx 30 minutes in Nottingham for the Northern service which is only running as far as Sheffield with a connection into XC service at Sheffield. If the Northern train is late it means an hour delay at Sheffield to wait for the next XC service as there are currently no semi fast Northern trains via Barnsley.
The normally easier option of changing at Worksop is no better as the current Lincoln to Leeds Northern Service is only running between Lincoln and Sheffield. As there are currently no Gainsborough Central to Sheffield trains the Lincoln to Sheffield trains have been retimed meaning a wait of around 50 minutes for a connection at Worksop to Sheffield.