Crewe to Euston - Seating hacks and wondering how busy the service will be!

[Prodigy]

Hi guys,

Travelling to London from Manchester via Crewe next weekend (it was £50 cheaper than going direct and it's an off peak ticket too rather than advanced!). I have to be in London by 1-2pm so I can get to Wimbledon for an event I'm attending. What I am wondering is two things -

1) Is there any specific part of the train I should head to for a seat with good legroom, ideally one singular seat on it's own would be nice but I know I might not have that luxury!
2) I'll likely be getting either the 10:13 or 11:13 train, just wondering from experience of people who've done this journey on the weekend, which one is more likely to be the quieter one? Last time I travelled this route it was mid week and I remember that the train was in on the platform way before departure, should my train from Manchester run on time (Northern so not sure!) I'll have 15 minutes to change trains so wondering if the train will already be waiting at Crewe at this time? The reason I ask about the business is because I am travelling with a suit for the event I am attending and hope for a good space to store it and also I have anxiety so busier services can overwhelm me quite a bit.


Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Bletchleyite]

Rolling stock wise this could be Class 350 or 730. Today and last Saturday both of those trains were 8 car Class 350 formations so they probably will be this weekend too, though some are slowly changing over to 10 car 730 formations.

On the 350 the best place to sit is the vehicle ends where there is extra legroom and all seats are window aligned. If you like a table then the one by the cab has extra space. Unfortunately there aren't any single seats in a 350. I would recommend this over the former first class as I find that cramped and the seats hurt my back though your opinion may vary!

If you get a 730 formation the former first class is the best place to sit on these. There are also extra legroom priority seats in Standard at the ends and near the doors but all bar one pair of these seats (I forget where it is now, I think in the second coach from one end but I can't remember which end) isn't window aligned. I can't remember if there are any lone single seats.

 

[jfollows]

So you’re getting on at Wilmslow, not Manchester?
Ignore!

 

[DarloRich]

what is a "seating hack"?

The LNWR Crewe > Euston train starts from Crewe so walk as far along the platform as you can and get on there. Head for the former first class section if you want a bit nicer seat but the 350's are good trains and have decent space throughout. If you want lots of space hope for a 350/2!

350's have good, deep overhead racks so your suit and bag will be fine.

Remember to take your own food/drinks. The train will be full.

 

[Prodigy]

Rolling stock wise this could be Class 350 or 730. Today and last Saturday both of those trains were 8 car Class 350 formations so they probably will be this weekend too, though some are slowly changing over to 10 car 730 formations.

On the 350 the best place to sit is the vehicle ends where there is extra legroom and all seats are window aligned. If you like a table then the one by the cab has extra space. Unfortunately there aren't any single seats in a 350. I would recommend this over the former first class as I find that cramped and the seats hurt my back though your opinion may vary!

If you get a 730 formation the former first class is the best place to sit on these. There are also extra legroom priority seats in Standard at the ends and near the doors but all bar one pair of these seats (I forget where it is now, I think in the second coach from one end but I can't remember which end) isn't window aligned. I can't remember if there are any lone single seats.

Thanks, that's very useful information! I'll definitely head to the far end of the train sets!

what is a "seating hack"?

The LNWR Crewe > Euston train starts from Crewe so walk as far along the platform as you can and get on there. Head for the former first class section if you want a bit nicer seat but the 350's are good trains and have decent space throughout. If you want lots of space hope for a 350/2!

350's have good, deep overhead racks so your suit and bag will be fine.

Remember to take your own food/drinks. The train will be full.

Good question! Suppose I could have worded it differently but I simply want to TRY and get a good seat, as I know it's unreserved seating. Will definitely be heading to the far end of the platform, I know a lot of people like to jump on at the first available doors so this sounds like a good idea to get a decent seat. Thanks for the info and suggestions.

 

[Bletchleyite]

My personal opinion is that the end sections in Standard are better (more legroom and nicer seats) than the old first class, but your opinion may vary

 

[DarloRich]

Thanks, that's very useful information! I'll definitely head to the far end of the train sets!

as an addition: the former first class seats in the 350 vary by train. Some are still nice, some are really uncomfortable in a way the cattle class seats aren't

 

[gordonthemoron]

Check real time trains in advance to see what the train stock is

 

[boiledbeans2]

what is a "seating hack"?

The LNWR Crewe > Euston train starts from Crewe so walk as far along the platform as you can and get on there. [...]

Personally, I would choose the buffer end. The buffer (rear) end is busier at Crewe. However, along the journey to Euston, the front end of the trains becomes busier than the rear, due to short platforms where only the front carriages open the doors, as well as people hoping to make a quick exit when the train arrives at Euston.

 

[E B]

If you get a 730 formation the former first class is the best place to sit on these. There are also extra legroom priority seats in Standard at the ends and near the doors but all bar one pair of these seats (I forget where it is now, I think in the second coach from one end but I can't remember which end) isn't window aligned. I can't remember if there are any lone single seats.

There is one in the declassified first class section I believe, correct me if I am wrong

 

[Kite159]

Personally, I would choose the buffer end. The buffer (rear) end is busier at Crewe. However, along the journey to Euston, the front end of the trains becomes busier than the rear, due to short platforms where only the front carriages open the doors, as well as people hoping to make a quick exit when the train arrives at Euston.

I disagree, the rear coaches at the buffers will be the busiest part of the train from Crewe and will likely remain busy to London.

Whereas boarding at the front will be quieter from Crewe and get busy along the way due to some stations having the entrances at the London end.

Probably the best place will be towards the centre of the train, either at the rear of coach 4 or front of coach 5 using the extra legroom table seat.

 

[richardderby]

The former first class is lovely and there are tables and chargers for phones etc. The Wi-Fi is usually good too. Recommend and the fares are very good value, use them a lot to Derby and Sheffield via Tamworth..

 

[speedy1]

One singular seat on its own?! Good space to hang a suit? Not too busy? My friend, I think you are looking for Avanti First Class !

I'd expect it to be busy, just to set expectations.

(Especially if your train breaks down, they refuse to arrange acceptance on Avanti, and 100 people have to stand from Milton Keynes to Stafford/Crewe on the next hourly service 40 minutes later...)

Have you seen Avanti Super Fares? Only standard class, but £25 each way if you book in advance and can commit only to a 5 hour time window. Miles better than the LNWR + Northern combo

 

[Bletchleyite]

There is one in the declassified first class section I believe, correct me if I am wrong

There are a few in there, yes.

 

[LYuen]

LNWR still has a few 350/2 sets with 3+2 seats, which is better to be avoided. This will be shown on Real Time Trains as 3502xx.
Since LNWR runs 8 (or sometimes 12) car sets for the service, most of the time it will be 350/2 pairing with 350/1, /3 or /4, so at least half of the train with be the more comfortable 2+2 seats. Choose the carriage wisely. It will be very unfortunately if it is double 350/2.

 

[Kite159]

LNWR still has a few 350/2 sets with 3+2 seats, which is better to be avoided. This will be shown on Real Time Trains as 3502xx.
Since LNWR runs 8 (or sometimes 12) car sets for the service, most of the time it will be 350/2 pairing with 350/1, /3 or /4, so at least half of the train with be the more comfortable 2+2 seats. Choose the carriage wisely. It will be very unfortunately if it is double 350/2.

Or even unfortunate to get a triple 350/2 like I had earlier in the year!

 

[DannyMich2018]

We had a day trip from Nuneaton to Crewe today, 09.54 off Nuneaton was 8 car 350, absolutely rammed, got a seat after Tamworth though, could have easily been 12 coaches so busy, lots of Fulham fans going Everton, plus loads of Everton fans too, quite a lot of Cov fans changed at Stafford as they were away at Stoke today, return busy too, it's hard to believe only a few year's ago most services were only 4 coaches on this route so busy, not just at weekends!