Morpeth-Aberdeen-Penzance-London-Morpeth

[Mainliner]

Setting off today on this (roughly) triangular trip which aims to do the Aberdeen-Penzance service before it ends next month, and also sample the GWR Pullman dining meal on a return leg. I will be staying overnight in Aberdeen tonight, and in Penzance tomorrow night (all being well with the booked trains…!).

Currently in LNER first class, on the on-time 09:01 Morpeth-Aberdeen service, enjoying the Full LNER Breakfast. Nice sunny morning on the East coast.

 

[Mainliner]

The good LNER service continues, with coffee and biscuits, a whisky, and lamb rogan Josh lunch.

 

[Zerothebrake!]

Heard today that the XC Aberdeen to Penzance service will be reumed from the December timetable - can anyone confirm this?

 

[Mainliner]

Just a few minutes late into Aberdeen, but can’t otherwise fault the LNER service. Sadly, not expecting Cross Country to compare with it tomorrow!

 

[Zerothebrake!]

Why not? It can only run it's services on time if everybody else does the same with theirs.

 

[Mainliner]

Why not? It can only run it's services on time if everybody else does the same with theirs.

I meant compare the food and drinks service!

 

[HST43257]

I meant compare the food and drinks service!

I’m sure a singular flapjack for your 13 hour journey will suffice!

 

[Mainliner]

I’m sure a singular flapjack for your 13 hour journey will suffice!

I will be bringing sufficient supplies onto the train to cater for all eventualities!

 

[Zerothebrake!]

I should cling on to that flapjack until you get to Plymouth as there probably won't be anything offered thereafter. XC's catering issues need to be addressed (or dropped completely?).

 

[Mainliner]

First concern allayed - on-time departure!

 

[Mainliner]

Second concern addressed - bacon rolls available!

 

[Mainliner]

On time at Edinburgh, where sandwiches are reportedly to be loaded

 

[Mainliner]

Lost a bit of time, 16 minutes late at Berwick, but a long way to go! Hoping for a pizza twist soon

 

[Mainliner]

Pizza twist duly served, but I broke into my supplies for some wine to accompany it

 

[Mainliner]

First class fairly full after Newcastle, with some people joining from an earlier delayed service

 

[spyinthesky]

All southbound from Edinburgh ahead of you have worse delays 1E11 has 44L and the one in front of you has 19L
They are all making up time slowly though.

 

[Mainliner]

Just 10 minutes late after Leeds, and still not too busy, looks like it won’t be rammed this week

 

[Mainliner]

Also had a BLT sandwich before the sandwiches ran out after Leeds. Might need to break into supplies again if no restocking further down the line.

 

[Ianigsy]

On time at Edinburgh, where sandwiches are reportedly to be loaded

I remember being on a Pendolino from Wigan to Edinburgh about ten years ago where there was great anticipation when it was announced that crisps were being loaded at Preston!

 

[Mainliner]

I remember being on a Pendolino from Wigan to Edinburgh about ten years ago where there was great anticipation when it was announced that crisps were being loaded at Preston!

It’s like the food-deprived celebs on Get Me Out Of Here getting excited over a reward of minor nibbles after a successful bushtucker trial challenge!

 

[Mainliner]

Back on time at Bristol Temple Meads

 

[Willie Bee]

Just a few minutes late into Aberdeen, but can’t otherwise fault the LNER service. Sadly, not expecting Cross Country to compare with it tomorrow!

Just as a matter of interest .. where did you stay in Aberdeen.

i am thinking about booking a short trip there, for later in the year

 

[Mainliner]

Just as a matter of interest .. where did you stay in Aberdeen.

i am thinking about booking a short trip there, for later in the year

https://www.siberia-aberdeen.com/ Near the station, good value.

I recommend walking down to the old fishing village of Footdee (near the entrance to the harbour, and the beach), now a conservation area and very pretty. https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/aberdeen-blog/a-wander-through-footdee/

 

[Mainliner]

Arrived in Penzance just 9 minutes late, a great day. There were about 15 people doing the whole trip, about half in first class and half in standard.

Cloudy and misty in parts in Scotland, but generally brightened up as we went further south. Great views of the Devon and Cornwall coast in the evening sunshine.

The food and drink service in first class was good at the start, patchy in the middle after Leeds, but picked up again later. Bacon rolls in the morning, pizza twists and sandwiches for lunch, and more sandwiches later, with the usual hot and cold drinks, biscuits, crisps, etc throughout, but of course needed to bring own beer/wine.

I expect plenty more people will be doing ABD-PNZ in the next 3 weeks or so - if you’re undecided, don’t delay!

 

[WolvertonWorks]

Thanks so much for this report as the trip progressed - really enjoyed looking to see how it was going.

 

[Willie Bee]

https://www.siberia-aberdeen.com/ Near the station, good value.

I recommend walking down to the old fishing village of Footdee (near the entrance to the harbour, and the beach), now a conservation area and very pretty. https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/aberdeen-blog/a-wander-through-footdee/

Many thanks !

 

[Mainliner]

Nice on-time GWR journeys on final day of my trip - Penzance-Plymouth, with a pleasant walk down to the sea at Plymouth Hoe, and then GWR Pullman dining meal between Plymouth and Paddington - superbly cooked steak, and nice cheeseboard.

 

[Mainliner]

Final leg will be rather back down to earth with the 20:27 Lumo Kings Cross to Morpeth, although I do think Lumo do what they do very well.

 

[Mainliner]

On my Lumo train now, fully booked, usual rows of red lights above seats, throughout!

 

[Mainliner]

Routine on-time journey on Lumo, bringing an end to around 26 hours of train travel in 3 days, all trouble-free! Congratulations to LNER, Cross Country, GWR and Lumo!