Planning a Scotrail HST trip

[170UTD]

Moderator note: split from

Scotrail HSTs - 4-5 years in

I know this might just prompt the repetition of many arguments that have already been had many times over... Perhaps we can keep this thread focused on the situation now rather than discussions about whether the HST project should have happened in the first place. So far it's had to survive the...

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I know it's probably mentioned up thread, but how busy is the 1st Class section on an Edinburgh to Aberdeen HST service normally?

I'm thinking of coming north towards the end of the month and upgrading on board seems to be the cheapest option. I could buy a 1st class advanced ticket, but that depends on how reliable the diagrams are.

Thanks in advance.

 

[John Bishop]

I know it's probably mentioned up thread, but how busy is the 1st Class section on an Edinburgh to Aberdeen HST service normally? I'm thinking of coming north towards the end of the month and upgrading on board seems to be the cheapest option. I could buy a 1st class advanced ticket, but that depends on how reliable the diagrams are. Thanks in advance.

I would wait till onboard as there is a good chance you could end up on a 170 or even a 158 depending on the fleet failure rate that day.

 

[Carntyne]

I know it's probably mentioned up thread, but how busy is the 1st Class section on an Edinburgh to Aberdeen HST service normally? I'm thinking of coming north towards the end of the month and upgrading on board seems to be the cheapest option. I could buy a 1st class advanced ticket, but that depends on how reliable the diagrams are. Thanks in advance.

It's normally like a staff coach, reminiscent of Coach K on Pendolinos back in the day.

 

[170UTD]

It's normally like a staff coach, reminiscent of Coach K on Pendolinos back in the day.

OK so, I should be safe upgrading on board then
Also, it doesn't really matter, but is there any scheduled 5-car diagrams at all?

 

[chuff chuff]

OK so, I should be safe upgrading on board then
Also, it doesn't really matter, but is there any scheduled 5-car diagrams at all?

Yes there are but like anything else HST wise here nothing is guaranteed.

 

[EnchantGaming]

ScotRail's HSTs operate on:

Edinburgh to Aberdeen/Inverness
Glasgow to Aberdeen/Inverness
Aberdeen - Inverness via Elgin

They aren't booked to run on any other routes other than the above.

 

[EnchantGaming]

I've been on a few of them, they are nice.

 

[hexagon789]

ScotRail's HSTs operate on:

Edinburgh to Aberdeen/Inverness
Glasgow to Aberdeen/Inverness
Aberdeen - Inverness via Elgin (only during 158/170 shortages)

They aren't booked to run on any other routes other than the above.

There are a couple of booked Aberdeen - Inverness HST turns.

 

[EnchantGaming]

There are a couple of booked Aberdeen - Inverness HST turns.

Oh I see. Thanks for correcting me.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Oh I see. Thanks for correcting me.

Nowhere as near as many as there were though. Used to be loads.

 

[hexagon789]

Oh I see. Thanks for correcting me.

Well, there aren't many currently, there were more previously.

For reference:

From Inverness -
1B70 0454 (continues to Edinburgh)
1A04 0549
1A26 1713

From Aberdeen -
1H35 0614
1H61 1341
1H77 2200

 

[hexagon789]

Nowhere as near as many as there were though. Used to be loads.

Correct though not loads, but similar applies to Glasgow to Inverness.

Previously the 0707, 1208 and 1508 were HSTs. Now it's the 1007 and 1507.

The 0707 still works an Inverness to Aberdeen 3-leg turn after arriving at Inverness but its booked 170 now. Previously that gave two middle-of-day Inverness / Aberdeen HSTs workings and an evening return.

It's all linked to the wholesale changes that the 'Fit for the Future' timetable produced at the May 2022 change.

Tbh, the 1007 Glasgow to Inverness always needed to be HST capacity-wise, the 0707 really doesn't.

 

[HST43257]

As far as I’m concerned, don’t buy SR HST first class. In my experience I’ve always been able to get £5 upgrades on board and it’s always empty.

 

[The Puddock]

What is the latest position with catering on ScotRail services? I know the HST buffets are out of use (and are very unlikely to ever return) but on the services with a trolley, is there still a complimentary first class offer of any sort?

 

[hexagon789]

What is the latest position with catering on ScotRail services? I know the HST buffets are out of use (and are very unlikely to ever return) but on the services with a trolley, is there still a complimentary first class offer of any sort?

Yes, hot drink or water plus a biscuit. Same as has been offered for the last two decades I believe.

There is an up-to-date list of services booked a trolley on the website; next increase is due after Easter.

 

[kkong]

What is the latest position with catering on ScotRail services? I know the HST buffets are out of use (and are very unlikely to ever return) but on the services with a trolley, is there still a complimentary first class offer of any sort?

There is also a self-service tray in the First Class coach which may or may not be stocked with canned (Welsh!) water and a selection of twin-pack biscuits.