Because Glasgow and Aberdeen are different places. I wouldn't place them as equal in terms of leisure market, really. Plus different time of day, different direction etc.
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How busy have your trains been?
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Because Glasgow and Aberdeen are different places. I wouldn't place them as equal in terms of leisure market, really. Plus different time of day, different direction etc.
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DanNCL
Established Member
You don't seem to be getting the point. The point is that the LNER services were the only ones that weren't pretty much back to pre pandemic loading levels, and it's not just by a small margin either.
Or LNER have started ditching the public with their reservation policy.
Based on a sample of 2 specific services:
-Early morning one to Edinburgh easily explained by ongoing lack of 9-5 commuters
-Weekday Mid morning service to the that reknown tourist/leisure/day out hotspot of Aberdeen...
Boarding the 12:40 Guildford to Gatwick Airport service, there were 9 people in the third and last carriage
As I walked through the train, whilst we nearer and waited outside Gatwick Airport, I counted 12 in coach 2 and 5 in coach 1. Our train had been held up outside Redhill so was running late. Guard did make an effort to explain but as he couldn't be heard very well, it was to no avail. They make passengers off this train have to officially wait 10 minutes for a connection, whilst only allowing 4 minutes for the train to turn round. Hmmm.
Contrast the 12;40 with the 13:32 Gatwick Airport to Brighton service, which in the second to last coach had 29 people in it.
Let's hope things pick up on the North Downs Line or they might decide not to run that extra train each hour to Gatwick Airport. That would then make all the waits at Guildford by the stopping train, so this currently non-existent fasr train can overtake it, pointless.
As I walked through the train, whilst we nearer and waited outside Gatwick Airport, I counted 12 in coach 2 and 5 in coach 1. Our train had been held up outside Redhill so was running late. Guard did make an effort to explain but as he couldn't be heard very well, it was to no avail. They make passengers off this train have to officially wait 10 minutes for a connection, whilst only allowing 4 minutes for the train to turn round. Hmmm.
Contrast the 12;40 with the 13:32 Gatwick Airport to Brighton service, which in the second to last coach had 29 people in it.
Let's hope things pick up on the North Downs Line or they might decide not to run that extra train each hour to Gatwick Airport. That would then make all the waits at Guildford by the stopping train, so this currently non-existent fasr train can overtake it, pointless.
bramling
Veteran Member
Well, we’re in Newcastle for a couple of weeks. Today the weather has been dull so we were thinking of things to do. One possibility was taking the train to Glasgow to pay a visit to the Subway.
The whole prospect of compulsory reservations put us off and we didn’t bother.
Jamesrob637
Established Member
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- 6,078
I can only imagine how the Toon would've been last night had we won. Probably lively enough even though we lost!
Trains around Manchester were quieter than their usual quiet today.
bramling
Veteran Member
The T&W Metro was nicely quiet yesterday evening - I took the opportunity to get a few photos of the central tunnel stations. Not sure what they’re like on a normal Sunday evening, however I managed 10 minutes with both platforms of Haymarket to myself, and Monument was almost as quiet. We were safely back in Tynemouth by the time it all finished, we had the train back largely to ourselves, and that was with a cancellation in front!
Been wanting to get some architectural photos of the Metro stations for a while, been waiting for the right opportunity for a while as they’re normally busy - as well as Nexus’s draconian photography policy. We were milling about for the full duration of the match taking photos galore, barely saw anyone, and no staff at all.
317 forever
Established Member
I had a holiday in Newcastle last month and a daytrip to Edinburgh from there. On the way up I moved a little way down the carriage to an unreserved table as there were a couple of passengers next to eachother across the aisle. A conductor saw me and never questioned why I was sitting there. My tickets were not checked on the train in either direction either (but I did need them to open the gates at both stations).
In coach 2 of the 8 coach 18:12 Haywards Heath to London Victoria service, there were just 6 people in the carriage including myself
Clearly, Tuesday evening at 18:12 isn't popular. At least not this week.
I then boarded the 18:29 Gatwick Airport to Reading, which is a cross-platform change but still requiring one to take 10 minutes to do so. There were just 7 people in the back coach, number 3. This would become the front coach once the train departed Redhill.
Things picked up at Redhill though. At least another 13 boarded this coach. Clearly, Redhill is currently a popular departure point heading west. Or at least around 18:40 on a Tuesday evening it is.
Clearly, Tuesday evening at 18:12 isn't popular. At least not this week.
I then boarded the 18:29 Gatwick Airport to Reading, which is a cross-platform change but still requiring one to take 10 minutes to do so. There were just 7 people in the back coach, number 3. This would become the front coach once the train departed Redhill.
Things picked up at Redhill though. At least another 13 boarded this coach. Clearly, Redhill is currently a popular departure point heading west. Or at least around 18:40 on a Tuesday evening it is.
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Failed Unit
Established Member
EMR have a couple reported as full today.
0943 Leicester - Grimsby (from Nottingham)
1039 Grimsby- Leicester (from Grimsby)
neither are a surprise and common pre Covid. The 1039 is probably more so as the previous timetables departures were 930ish and 1130ish
good to see things getting back to normal. I hope these go to 3 car soon (or maybe when the service goes hourly it won’t be such a problem)
0943 Leicester - Grimsby (from Nottingham)
1039 Grimsby- Leicester (from Grimsby)
neither are a surprise and common pre Covid. The 1039 is probably more so as the previous timetables departures were 930ish and 1130ish
good to see things getting back to normal. I hope these go to 3 car soon (or maybe when the service goes hourly it won’t be such a problem)
Peregrine 4903
Established Member
There were some very busy trains on the bml today. Particularly the thameslink trains going to brighton.
Still some quite services but you can't expect every service to be busy.
Still some quite services but you can't expect every service to be busy.
Kite159
Veteran Member
2 coach 195 on a Leeds - Chester this morning, rolled into Victoria looking rather full, emptied out and replaced with more passengers so it departed full, by Warrington it was standing room only.
Didn't help that the AC had failed in one of the coaches.
4 coach 158 towards Holyhead, from Chester was rather full, I alighted at Shotton and there was a good 30+ passengers wanting to board
Didn't help that the AC had failed in one of the coaches.
4 coach 158 towards Holyhead, from Chester was rather full, I alighted at Shotton and there was a good 30+ passengers wanting to board
WestRiding
Member
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- 1,014
Is there any difference in how busy trains are as of today, with the easing of restrictions?
Failed Unit
Established Member
Mine was quieter then last week, but then it is the start of the school holidays for many schools, so I don't really think we can tell if freedom day has made any difference. I expect trains heading to coastal sides are much busier, but again more down to weather rather then changes to regulations.
Travelled on 0737 Avanti 11 coach pendolino Wolverhampton to Preston today, loading very light, 8 passengers average in coach U. Masks worn by staff and those walking around. Buffet open also an at seat service. The 0946 Northern Preston to Leeds 3 car 195 was busy, masks generally worn. 1645 Transpennine Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly was 6 car 185, quite full, masks worn generally. 1827 XC voyager 9 car Piccadilly to Wolverhampton lightly loaded, 10-15 average per carriage, despite this being the only cheap train for advance fares booked late, and in rush hour. Asked to wear masks by train crew via announcement. Buffet at seat service.
I was on the 15:40 Guildford to Gatwick Airport, which departed 2 minutes late.
I didn't count the number of people on the train but it didn't seem that much busier than before. However, a lot more people remained on it to Gatwick Airport. Definitely a stream of people heading up the escalators.
In fact, there was a steady stream of people heading from London Gatwick Airport to platform 7 of Gatwick Airport.
I took the left-hand stairs as that outs me bearers the exit at Haywards Heath and it keeps away from the masses using the more prominent right-hand side escalators and stairs.
The first carriage I got in, on the 16:32 to Haywards Heath, was 3rd from the back. It wasn't empty but it had some space in it.
There was however at least one group of people one of whom wasn't wearing a mask, possibly for medical reasons.
Anyway, I decided to go to another carriage, 4th from the back, which was quieter.
Possibly because it isn't by the bottom of the escalators. I imagine it is busier closer to the front.
Some were wearing masks but others not and I'm sure some of them would have done so this time last week.
I didn't count the number of people on the train but it didn't seem that much busier than before. However, a lot more people remained on it to Gatwick Airport. Definitely a stream of people heading up the escalators.
In fact, there was a steady stream of people heading from London Gatwick Airport to platform 7 of Gatwick Airport.
I took the left-hand stairs as that outs me bearers the exit at Haywards Heath and it keeps away from the masses using the more prominent right-hand side escalators and stairs.
The first carriage I got in, on the 16:32 to Haywards Heath, was 3rd from the back. It wasn't empty but it had some space in it.
There was however at least one group of people one of whom wasn't wearing a mask, possibly for medical reasons.
Anyway, I decided to go to another carriage, 4th from the back, which was quieter.
Possibly because it isn't by the bottom of the escalators. I imagine it is busier closer to the front.
Some were wearing masks but others not and I'm sure some of them would have done so this time last week.
0922 from Arbroath to Edinburgh had all seats (not just bays, all seats) taken with people standing in all doorways by the time it arrived in Edinburgh, that was a 3 car 170.
1200 Edinburgh to London still has 5 minutes to go before departing but again very busy in both classes, most bays taken in first with some sharing of tables between strangers.
Edinburgh in general has seemed busy despite the lack of foreign tourists with plenty of people using buses, trams and trains which is good to see.
1200 Edinburgh to London still has 5 minutes to go before departing but again very busy in both classes, most bays taken in first with some sharing of tables between strangers.
Edinburgh in general has seemed busy despite the lack of foreign tourists with plenty of people using buses, trams and trains which is good to see.
This evening I got the 19:12 Haywards Heath to Gatwick Airport.
I was roughly 3 coaches from the back of this train. Possibly a 12 car one and it started shortly at Preston Park due to staff shortages.
This combined caused the coach I was in to be empty.
Once at Gatwick Airport, I waited for the 19:29 to Guildford. I was expecting it to be late but actually, as the inbound service was due at 19:20, so there was time to make up the time.
However, switch the platform, so we all trundled around and the train decorated a minute late.
As the back of the train was now further down the platform, I got the back part of coach 3 to myself until a family of 4 boarded.
I like coach 3 because on departure from Redhill it becomes coach 1.
Quite a few people at Redhill station walling to and fro.
At Reigatevanorher boarded but they didn't go into the section I was in
I was roughly 3 coaches from the back of this train. Possibly a 12 car one and it started shortly at Preston Park due to staff shortages.
This combined caused the coach I was in to be empty.
Once at Gatwick Airport, I waited for the 19:29 to Guildford. I was expecting it to be late but actually, as the inbound service was due at 19:20, so there was time to make up the time.
However, switch the platform, so we all trundled around and the train decorated a minute late.
As the back of the train was now further down the platform, I got the back part of coach 3 to myself until a family of 4 boarded.
I like coach 3 because on departure from Redhill it becomes coach 1.
Quite a few people at Redhill station walling to and fro.
At Reigatevanorher boarded but they didn't go into the section I was in
This evening I was on the slightly late running 17:34 Guildford to Waterloo, which was only 2 minutes late departing
Coach 5 was busy but I didn't count the numbers. Coach 4 has 21 people, coach 3, which seemed the busiest of the lot had 36. Then it dropped off as coach 2 had only 12 and coach 1 just 9, which included me.
Coach 5 was busy but I didn't count the numbers. Coach 4 has 21 people, coach 3, which seemed the busiest of the lot had 36. Then it dropped off as coach 2 had only 12 and coach 1 just 9, which included me.
0941 Newcastle to Bristol today had a reasonable load with basically every window seat taken after York in Coach F.
The 0947 to Liverpool however seems like it would have been very full indeed. A lot of passengers waiting for the doors to be unlocked at Newcastle and probably another 60-70 or so waiting for it at Durham. At least it was an 802 because in 185 days you'd have standees from the origin.
The 0947 to Liverpool however seems like it would have been very full indeed. A lot of passengers waiting for the doors to be unlocked at Newcastle and probably another 60-70 or so waiting for it at Durham. At least it was an 802 because in 185 days you'd have standees from the origin.
Yesterday I got the 13:40 Guildford to Gatwick Airport.
The train was reasonably busy and quite a few got off at Guildford too. Still, there was enough space to have my own two seats with no one directly in front of me. I was in coach 2.
Once at Gatwick Airport, I boarded a late-running 14:21, which departed 14:34. This was going to Littlehampton and I'm sure I read it was delayed due to awaiting a member of staff on National Rail Enquiries and due to a late-running late in front on Real Time Trains.
Despite only being 4 carriages the one I got in, which must have been something like 2 from the back was empty. I was surprised by this
We got overtaken by the Brighton train that was behind us and arrived 19 minutes late. I was 10 minutes late but as the train was an unofficial connection, I guess technically I wasn't late!
The train was reasonably busy and quite a few got off at Guildford too. Still, there was enough space to have my own two seats with no one directly in front of me. I was in coach 2.
Once at Gatwick Airport, I boarded a late-running 14:21, which departed 14:34. This was going to Littlehampton and I'm sure I read it was delayed due to awaiting a member of staff on National Rail Enquiries and due to a late-running late in front on Real Time Trains.
Despite only being 4 carriages the one I got in, which must have been something like 2 from the back was empty. I was surprised by this
We got overtaken by the Brighton train that was behind us and arrived 19 minutes late. I was 10 minutes late but as the train was an unofficial connection, I guess technically I wasn't late!
Yesterday I did:
1808 Cambridge-King's Cross
Maybe 40% loaded. Still not pre-Covid busy
2028 Paddington-Cheltenham
Let's just say that I had no competition in the Seatfrog auction. Paddington was dead. The traditional Weekday post-work-post-pub market is near non-existent at present.
1808 Cambridge-King's Cross
Maybe 40% loaded. Still not pre-Covid busy
2028 Paddington-Cheltenham
Let's just say that I had no competition in the Seatfrog auction. Paddington was dead. The traditional Weekday post-work-post-pub market is near non-existent at present.
ChiefPlanner
Established Member
MK to Man Picc on the 0851 - 40% in first class - Victoria to Hudderfield maybe 40% on a 185 - 150 via Penistone to Sheffield 80% after Barnsley - 1400 Sheffield to Leicester "light) and various connections to Luton light bar the GTR which was 60% to St Albans.
Ticket checks on all bar Kettering to Luton and of course on GTR.
Ticket checks on all bar Kettering to Luton and of course on GTR.
Did the return journey today (1259 from Cheltenham, 1542 from King’s Cross. Similar loadings on the return (although Seatfrog competition this time, so dodn't bother)
However, observed a couple of NE-SW XC services whilst waiting at Cheltenham (0701 Edinburgh-Plymouth Double Voyager and 0923 Plymouth-Aberdeen Single Voyager ), both pretty full with most seats occupied.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Saturday 09:47 from Salisbury to Exeter. Very busy after Crewkerne, only a single unit
Barnstaple was lightly loaded both ways
166 to Paignton was very busy
800 to Newton Abbot was quiet in the coach I was in (9 coach unit)
Pair of 150s to Dawlish was quiet in the front coach but busy in coach 2 & 3
HST to Exeter was quiet in front coach
159s back home was reasonable, very quiet in coach 4 by Crewkerne
Barnstaple was lightly loaded both ways
166 to Paignton was very busy
800 to Newton Abbot was quiet in the coach I was in (9 coach unit)
Pair of 150s to Dawlish was quiet in the front coach but busy in coach 2 & 3
HST to Exeter was quiet in front coach
159s back home was reasonable, very quiet in coach 4 by Crewkerne
seaviewer
Member
- Joined
- 3 Aug 2018
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- 65
one side-effect of the reduced train services is that some services are very busy. This was certainly the case on the 11.30 Brighton to Southampton service yesterday, which was VERY busy. The problem is that the stopping services to West Worthing have been withdrawn, and the Southampton and Portsmouth services need to cover all the stops. Goodness knows how busy the Portsmouth services are, as these are only three-car class 313 units.
So reducing services to save money is fine in theory, but could be counter-productive.
So reducing services to save money is fine in theory, but could be counter-productive.
Some of them were full and standing into Brighton back in April! I'd imagine that lack of crew is the reason that the West Worthing trains are not running. The situation might have improved now that the Hove to Brighton shuttle is running again. So people from Worthing, Lancing, Shoreham and Portslade have the option of an eight car train to Hove for a connection to Brighton.
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