Greater Anglia - Kings Lynn

[dk1]

Inter City rolling stock and a buffet car is more than 30 years ago now: it was a train every 2 hours with a journey time of more than 2 hours.

Kings Cross became the main route after electrification in 1992 because of faster journey times and to free up paths at Liverpool Street for Stansted Express.

From 1992 right up to covid its been a virtuous circle of traffic growth followed by faster schedules, increased frequency, longer trains and newer trains.

Wholeheartedly agree. Some dreadfully low passenger & revenue figures back then that greatly accelerated after the sparks effect. Those rose tinted specs did nothing for income but them wires certainly did.

 

[bspahh]

Sure, compared to where I’m originally from up north, Kings Lynn has it good.

It’s just that Norwich in my view has it far better. Example: I’m regularly going up there for £20 return from London, booking only a few days in advance. Whereas Kings Lynn return (from KX) on a weekend is £53.

You’d think for that extra £33 you’d be getting a much better product, but actually it’s worse.

So I vote with my feet / wallet and go to Norwich instead!

A Network card costs £30 will save 1/3rd for tickets between London and King's Lynn after 10am weekdays and all day on a weekend (edited) .

From Kings Cross to Kings Lynn on a Saturday, to return on a Sunday, it costs £35.35 on the direct trains at https://book.splitticketing.com/timetable_fares.aspx

 

[Hadders]

Kings Lynn to London Kings Cross:
Anytime Return £79.20
Anytime Day Return £63.30
Off Peak Return £53.60
Off Peak Day Return £41.00
Super Off Peak Day Return (Weekends) £27.60

If travelling after 10:00 on weekends or anytime at weekends or bankholidays you can save 34% on the above fares with a Network Railcard, making a day trip at the weekend £18.20.

Norwich to Liverpool Street:
Anytine Return £119.20
Off Peak Return £59.80
There are no day returns

Fares from Kings Kynn to London are much cheaper than those from Norwich to London. The weekend super off peak day return is an absolute bargain at £18.20 with a railcard. This is a walk on ticket, valid on any train, that can be purchased immediately before travel at the same price.

Greater Anglia do sell Advance fares which sometimes offer good value but these have to be booked ahead of travel and can only be used on the specified train. You might get lucky and bag a couple of bargain basement tickets but on balance I'd much rather have Kings Lynn fares.

 

[Brooke]

Kings Lynn to London Kings Cross:
Anytime Return £79.20
Anytime Day Return £63.30
Off Peak Return £53.60
Off Peak Day Return £41.00
Super Off Peak Day Return (Weekends) £27.60

If travelling after 10:00 on weekends or anytime at weekends or bankholidays you can save 34% on the above fares with a Network Railcard, making a day trip at the weekend £18.20.

Norwich to Liverpool Street:
Anytine Return £119.20
Off Peak Return £59.80
There are no day returns

Fares from Kings Kynn to London are much cheaper than those from Norwich to London. The weekend super off peak day return is an absolute bargain at £18.20 with a railcard. This is a walk on ticket, valid on any train, that can be purchased immediately before travel at the same price.

Greater Anglia do sell Advance fares which sometimes offer good value but these have to be booked ahead of travel and can only be used on the specified train. You might get lucky and bag a couple of bargain basement tickets but on balance I'd much rather have Kings Lynn fares.

I seem to have accidentally taken us off topic! I’ll vote with my feet and stick to my Norwich bargain basements

Hopefully this is useful to the OP though in terms of what trains run - and also what options for cheap fares there are!

 

[CBlue]

Inter City rolling stock and a buffet car is more than 30 years ago now: it was a train every 2 hours with a journey time of more than 2 hours.

Kings Cross became the main route after electrification in 1992 because of faster journey times and to free up paths at Liverpool Street for Stansted Express.

From 1992 right up to covid its been a virtuous circle of traffic growth followed by faster schedules, increased frequency, longer trains and newer trains.

Quite. You would think from some posts on here that the railway still has bowler-hatted city gent types, complete with umbrella and rolled up Daily Telegraph as passengers on routes to London.

 

[FenMan]

Inter City rolling stock and a buffet car is more than 30 years ago now: it was a train every 2 hours with a journey time of more than 2 hours.

Kings Cross became the main route after electrification in 1992 because of faster journey times and to free up paths at Liverpool Street for Stansted Express.

From 1992 right up to covid its been a virtuous circle of traffic growth followed by faster schedules, increased frequency, longer trains and newer trains.

I was a weekend commuter on the line back then. Very grimy corridor stock with smelly spring-loaded seats that had seen far better days. Perhaps it's more accurate to say ex-Inter City stock as the Fen Line was never designated as an Inter City route (as far as I'm aware).

Today's "normal" service provision is a massive improvement.

Anyway, back to the actual topic ...

 

[Magdalia]

I was a weekend commuter on the line back then. Very grimy corridor stock with smelly spring-loaded seats that had seen far better days. Perhaps it's more accurate to say ex-Inter City stock as the Fen Line was never designated as an Inter City route (as far as I'm aware).

Today's "normal" service provision is a massive improvement.

Anyway, back to the actual topic ...

In the 1980s the trains were mostly early Mark IIs and were usually in good condition. Some of these probably had "Inter City" on the side from when they were used on the Norwich trains.

But there were 2 carriages that fit your description: 2 SKs sat at Kings Lynn all week and were only used to strengthen the 1520 up and the 1835 down on Sundays. Someone probably gave them a cursory sweep every Monday but they would never have gone anywhere near a carriage washer.

 

[Bikeman78]

I'd say this analysis is a little negative.

Since being electrified in the 90s, Kings Lynn has had the luxury of having its rolling stock replaced not once but twice.

1992-1997 - served by class 317s - oldest 15 years old at replacement, newest around 10 years old
1997-2017 - served by class 365s - new to the route, just over 20 years old at replacement
2017-2022 - served by class 387s - 3 years old upon arrival, now 7 years old

I realise GA have run 317s up there at times during that, however by far the mainstay of the service has been provided by WAGN/FCC/GN, and since electrification these services have never seen a train older than 20 years. Notwithstanding the ironing board seats in the 387s which we know at least one particular well-known user dislikes, I don't think anyone can say Kings Lynn has had a bad deal. Since 2020 Kings Lynn also has had the luxury of virtually solid 8-car service, which again is by no means a bad deal.

For the bulk of the above time the GN service to Kings Lynn was solid 365, which like the 387s were pretty high-spec when first introduced, though we know they were "dumbed down" somewhat during the 2010s refurbishment.

Only one of the three King's Lynn trains has been a 317 since the 379s arrived. 317s ceased altogether when the 365s went because the DOO equipment was removed at stations north of Cambridge. I assume some of the platforms are curved? 317s stop at other stations without monitors; the driver simply looks out of the cab window.