Sat 13th Strikes, option of another train but will we get on

[Rotty66]

Hi

Obviously no one can no for definite but just looking for opinions or more regular rails users than myself

We have 1st class tickets booked on LNER on sat 13 from Newark to Kings Cross

Our train is cancelled but others are running, we were told we just needed to make seat reservations but by the time they told us they were all gone

LNER have now said this

London North Eastern Railway


Coach C is unreservable in Standard. if you are first class, you can obtain some seating in Coach M


Any thoughts as to whether it is likely that we will get on the train or whether it would be full before it got to us, a seat would get great but we would put up with standing of we had to

Thanks

Gary

 

[m4tt]

Coach C is unreservable in Standard. if you are first class, you can obtain some seating in Coach M

Coach M only as around 20 seats so that would be hard to get a seat in especially if it has come from quite a way.

Looking at the timetable they are all originating from York or Edinburugh so I don't know if you will be able to get a seat. I would presume you would definetly struggle to find more than one.

Good luck

 

[Rotty66]

Thanks

at a loss as to whether to go for it or not

 

[Fyldeboy]

I'll just repeat m4tt's comments really. If you were boarding at the originating station - maybe - but from Newark - unlikely.
if you do end up standing, always worth checking out coach C but it's far from certain you'd find space there either.

 

[Techniquest]

Thanks

at a loss as to whether to go for it or not

Honestly, if your journey is refundable and non-essential, I would be voting against going. It might be fine, but the concern about it in the meantime and on the day of travel would put me off. For an essential journey, I'd endure it and hope for the best in the meantime. Otherwise, I'd find something better to do.

 

[Segedunum]

Having taken what was the first train out of Newcastle (0730) on the 30th of July (another strike day), I found that by Newark, it was very busy indeed.

There wasn't anyone standing in C but the sheer amount of people alighting at King's Cross suggests that there likely were elsewhere.

I only pressed on with my trip as I was boarding at the origin and the alternative train was only half an hour after my booked one. At an intermediate station I'd be more cautious.

 

[Kite159]

It depends what you were planning to do in London and when you were planning to return.

And if what you were planning to do will cost money to cancel.

If on a day trip or staying overnight somewhere with free cancellation it might be worthwhile cancelling the trip, especially with the warm weather forecasted

 

[800001]

Coach M only as around 20 seats so that would be hard to get a seat in especially if it has come from quite a way.

Looking at the timetable they are all originating from York or Edinburugh so I don't know if you will be able to get a seat. I would presume you would definetly struggle to find more than one.

Good luck

Coach M only has 5 unreserved seats, rest are reservable or only reservable my passenger assistance team.

 

[Rotty66]

Thanks all, appreciate your replies

Looks like time for plan B (whatever that is)

 

[trentvalley]

Thanks all, appreciate your replies

Looks like time for plan B (whatever that is)

Via Nottingham on EMR?

 

[Rotty66]

Thanks

having a look now, seems like it works though quite a bit more expensive

 

[Dave91131]

My advice, especially given the forecasted heat and if it's an option available to you, - if you have a car, forget the railway and take that.

 

[Old Yard Dog]

I looked at travelling form Crewe to Kettering via Nottingham using EMT trains but they all seem to be described as "Sold out" on the various websites. EMT say trains on the St Pancras - Derby/Nottingham - Sheffield route are likely to be extremely busy and passengers cannot guarantee getting on the train they desire. So I've given up and I'm going to watch Tranmere instead.

 

[Rotty66]

Thanks

we have given up and are driving

Trainline have been a joke, they haven't even told be the train is cancelled yet

 

[Dave91131]

Thanks

we have given up and are driving

Trainline have been a joke, they haven't even told be the train is cancelled yet

Correct decision in my view.

The railway simply can't be trusted at present, and I don't see that changing any time soon.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Correct decision in my view.

The railway simply can't be trusted at present, and I don't see that changing any time soon.

I think it can be trusted. It's a strike day, of course trains aren't running.

 

[Dave91131]

I think it can be trusted. It's a strike day, of course trains aren't running.

Perhaps the broader question of "do you have sufficient confidence in the railway to use it for travel at present" would be best in a new thread of its own, given that the OP's query which opened this thread is now resolved.

It isn't just the strikes that have led to form the view that the railway can't be trusted at present.

The daily carnage served up by Avanti, Thameslink and TPE, the seemingly multiple times a week that the ECML witnesses major disruption, the increasing frequency of the "do not travel" messages, and the woeful inadequacy of rolling stock used by various TOC's on certain services are other factors.

Why, just why, would anyone bother if they have access to a vehicle?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I see all TfW Birmingham services are turning at Wolverhampton instead of running through to Birmingham International.
What's the reason for truncating the service (TfW are not on strike)?
As there are no other services on the route to Birmingham, the WM Metro tram is going to be busy today.

 

[SJN]

I see all TfW Birmingham services are turning at Wolverhampton instead of running through to Birmingham International.
What's the reason for truncating the service (TfW are not on strike)?
As there are no other services on the route to Birmingham, the WM Metro tram is going to be busy today.

New Street station is closed.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

New Street station is closed.

That feels a bit discriminatory to me.
Isn't everybody still being paid (except for drivers at the TOCs who are striking)?
Unless NR has decided to do some engineering work in the white space.
Anybody from TfW-land wanting flights from BHX will be impacted.

TfW is still running services to Manchester as normal, with Crewe, Warrington BQ and Stockport being open despite minimal other services running.

 

[Bald Rick]

Unless NR has decided to do some engineering work in the white space.

It has.

 

[dk1]

Why, just why, would anyone bother if they have access to a vehicle?

Because you can’t drink then.