This is not so much a report, but really a tale of my day out. I try to get out on the Network as often as I can. Today began a few a months ago, I had a job lined up in Birmingham, so decided to travel via Bristol (as you do
) but then I cancelled it, as I had already embarked upon a new vocation. Still, decided regardless to take the day off, as Id already spent the best part of £50 on it.
First thing this morning, had to run to catch the train. Annoyingly, the Southern guards seem to like setting off a good 60secs early from all stations, which caused me much frustration later in the day. Anyway, 0843 from Hemel Hempstead on 350113 and turned out to be fairly uneventful. Anyone know why the PIS gets halfway through the station list, gives up and just puts before carrying on again in 20 secs? Seems farcical! Anyway, pulled into Shepherds Bush half an hour later, and jumped out. The timetable seems very stupid, as during rush hour the Southern service to Croydon arrives at exactly the same time as an Up LO service, causing mayhem at the barriers. Jumped on the Tube to Paddington with plenty of time.
Id never really been to Paddington before. Id seen loads of pictures, as it seems a popular place to get snaps, so spent the best part of half an hour nosing around the place. I personally appreciated seeing 8 platforms full of HST in one shot! (discounting the HEx in the middle of course). Had 43091 and 43145 take me on the 1030 off Paddington to Bristol. It was my first time in refurbed FC, and I wasnt impressed. I found I sat on as opposed to in the seats, slid about and were actually rather uncomfortable.
A small bone to pick with those who think that a journey on HST is the best way to travel; I really disagree. The noise is terrible, the grills in the doors do little good for sound insulation, and whilst the ride was good, the overall ambience was far worse than that of, say, a Voyager.
Foodwise, the menu was poor value for money with the Select Travelling Chef, although the overall level of service from FC host was good.
Arrived into Bristol on time, and found the LHCS Weymouth set. Dithered around until the 1230 to Glasgow rocked up, provided by 221120. FC packed, hostess did her best to sort out reservations and was very approachable. By splitting my ticket at Cheltenham, Brum and Derby, I found it to be quite good value. The seats were comfy, good service and the sandwiches and pizza were nice.
However, I met someone who I fear gives us train-buffs a bad name. Load and bolshy, he berated the TM and hostess, loudly proclaiming that he new the headcode, because of course all Scotland services are Sierras. The TM didnt seem to mind, but the hostess looked very unnerved, especially when he started demanding connection times from stations, that he quoted in their 3 letter format, and demanding to know what HST sets were out on the XC network today.
In Brum, I transferred to Standard, as there were no good value fares available in First, and found it alright. I do enjoy travelling by Voyagers, and the reconfiguration of tables etc seems to have slightly eased the overcrowding. Overall, the sets look brighter and cleaner too, including the 220 I nosed around in at Bristol. However, due to inevitable XC delays, we were 5 mins late into Derby, and then after a busy loading around 10 late leaving, so after departure and movement back into FC, I consulted the TM, who was it has be said, very cheerful and happy to help. Whilst I had a ticket to Sheffield, with a 12 min connection onto the Up 1527 service to StPancras, we arrived at Chesterfield 11 mins late. I decided not to risk out, so jumped ship and sat in the Sun on P2 for 25mins.
An eventful 25mins, namely a Northern 158 running late who couldnt get its doors closed, eventually sorted by the Driver giving them a good kick. Boarded 222005, and was taken aback.
I had never travelled EMT FC, and found it to be superb. The main reason was the seats. I have never experienced more comfortable seats, and being an honourary member of the 6 club, they were very much taken to. The layout, and service was great, the ride smooth and underfloor noise I have always found to be more insulated than the Voyagers. Still, I dislike some features of the Meridian interior, such as the reading lights hidden behind the polka dotted glass, the numerous lines cut into the panels and reservation screens, and the window grooves. In this respect, I still prefer the Voyager panelling and environment. The seats I think had been re-upholstered, and gave a very austere feel. For only £11, it was a bargain, and was possibly the nicest rail journey I have ever had.
Jumped off at Leicester to join an XC service to New Street. 170114 did the honours, and I was stuck in an airline seat. Legs hurt by Coleshill, but it emptied there slightly, so could stretch out. It was a mistake giving the Stansted/Nottingham/Cardiff routes to XC; they would be better with LM and so share a common fleet, releasing 3 car 170s to work these services. Passengers using this service regularly seem to get a raw deal; XC obviously regard them as inferior to their mainline services, and noticed that none of them seemed to be running to time. Indeed coming into Brum, we got pathed behind 2 late running services through Water Orton, resulting in our late arrival into Brum.
Photted around New St, mainly interior pics for travellingfirstclass.com, then jumped on the 1810 provided by 390046. Id always liked VT FC, but I felt refreshed today after sampling three other TOCs FC offerings. The ambience of VT is the worst, its too busy, too airline like and too efficiency driven. I felt processed, rather than being served. Also, they dont hand out papers, they just leave them at the end of the carriage, which is in contrast to all three other TOCs. The stirfry was quite frankly pathetic, the strawberries and cream was the most inhumane substance I have ever encountered and to top it off, the wine was frankly ****e. Now, its still a very good offering, and still comfortable etc. But it was not worth the full AP £45ish. Even my discount didnt avoid me feeling ripped off slightly. I can cope with SC fine, so have made a note not to bother with FC again unless Im off to Glasgow.
Arrived into Watford 7 mins late; a LM service had obviously been pathed in front of us. We slowed for it leaving MK, then slowed again through Berkhamsted and crawled into Watford. My train left the platform opposite at 1923. As I crossed the platform, the clock read 1922 and 10 secs. And the bloody 350 pulled out. Southern service, and I refer to my earlier comment of them liking to shut up shop early. Never mind I thought. But then, LM did what it does best and ****s their entire operation up. Cancels the next train, the following 1941 service is delayed by 15mins due to a problem at Harrow, arrives wrong line and gets me into Hemel again at 2005. Hardly a good end to an otherwise brilliant day, but there we go.
Main points that Ive brought away from today:
- The GWML via Bath is boring, dull and very unscenic.
- EMT FC on AP offers very good value for money
- XC are still making an attempt
- Virgin, well, theyre still good, but they need to focus on humanising their staff to let their PASSENGERS feel like theyre welcome, and not an irritation.
Hope youve enjoyed reading the essay! Comments welcome.
First thing this morning, had to run to catch the train. Annoyingly, the Southern guards seem to like setting off a good 60secs early from all stations, which caused me much frustration later in the day. Anyway, 0843 from Hemel Hempstead on 350113 and turned out to be fairly uneventful. Anyone know why the PIS gets halfway through the station list, gives up and just puts before carrying on again in 20 secs? Seems farcical! Anyway, pulled into Shepherds Bush half an hour later, and jumped out. The timetable seems very stupid, as during rush hour the Southern service to Croydon arrives at exactly the same time as an Up LO service, causing mayhem at the barriers. Jumped on the Tube to Paddington with plenty of time.
Id never really been to Paddington before. Id seen loads of pictures, as it seems a popular place to get snaps, so spent the best part of half an hour nosing around the place. I personally appreciated seeing 8 platforms full of HST in one shot! (discounting the HEx in the middle of course). Had 43091 and 43145 take me on the 1030 off Paddington to Bristol. It was my first time in refurbed FC, and I wasnt impressed. I found I sat on as opposed to in the seats, slid about and were actually rather uncomfortable.
A small bone to pick with those who think that a journey on HST is the best way to travel; I really disagree. The noise is terrible, the grills in the doors do little good for sound insulation, and whilst the ride was good, the overall ambience was far worse than that of, say, a Voyager.
Foodwise, the menu was poor value for money with the Select Travelling Chef, although the overall level of service from FC host was good.
Arrived into Bristol on time, and found the LHCS Weymouth set. Dithered around until the 1230 to Glasgow rocked up, provided by 221120. FC packed, hostess did her best to sort out reservations and was very approachable. By splitting my ticket at Cheltenham, Brum and Derby, I found it to be quite good value. The seats were comfy, good service and the sandwiches and pizza were nice.
However, I met someone who I fear gives us train-buffs a bad name. Load and bolshy, he berated the TM and hostess, loudly proclaiming that he new the headcode, because of course all Scotland services are Sierras. The TM didnt seem to mind, but the hostess looked very unnerved, especially when he started demanding connection times from stations, that he quoted in their 3 letter format, and demanding to know what HST sets were out on the XC network today.
In Brum, I transferred to Standard, as there were no good value fares available in First, and found it alright. I do enjoy travelling by Voyagers, and the reconfiguration of tables etc seems to have slightly eased the overcrowding. Overall, the sets look brighter and cleaner too, including the 220 I nosed around in at Bristol. However, due to inevitable XC delays, we were 5 mins late into Derby, and then after a busy loading around 10 late leaving, so after departure and movement back into FC, I consulted the TM, who was it has be said, very cheerful and happy to help. Whilst I had a ticket to Sheffield, with a 12 min connection onto the Up 1527 service to StPancras, we arrived at Chesterfield 11 mins late. I decided not to risk out, so jumped ship and sat in the Sun on P2 for 25mins.
An eventful 25mins, namely a Northern 158 running late who couldnt get its doors closed, eventually sorted by the Driver giving them a good kick. Boarded 222005, and was taken aback.
I had never travelled EMT FC, and found it to be superb. The main reason was the seats. I have never experienced more comfortable seats, and being an honourary member of the 6 club, they were very much taken to. The layout, and service was great, the ride smooth and underfloor noise I have always found to be more insulated than the Voyagers. Still, I dislike some features of the Meridian interior, such as the reading lights hidden behind the polka dotted glass, the numerous lines cut into the panels and reservation screens, and the window grooves. In this respect, I still prefer the Voyager panelling and environment. The seats I think had been re-upholstered, and gave a very austere feel. For only £11, it was a bargain, and was possibly the nicest rail journey I have ever had.
Jumped off at Leicester to join an XC service to New Street. 170114 did the honours, and I was stuck in an airline seat. Legs hurt by Coleshill, but it emptied there slightly, so could stretch out. It was a mistake giving the Stansted/Nottingham/Cardiff routes to XC; they would be better with LM and so share a common fleet, releasing 3 car 170s to work these services. Passengers using this service regularly seem to get a raw deal; XC obviously regard them as inferior to their mainline services, and noticed that none of them seemed to be running to time. Indeed coming into Brum, we got pathed behind 2 late running services through Water Orton, resulting in our late arrival into Brum.
Photted around New St, mainly interior pics for travellingfirstclass.com, then jumped on the 1810 provided by 390046. Id always liked VT FC, but I felt refreshed today after sampling three other TOCs FC offerings. The ambience of VT is the worst, its too busy, too airline like and too efficiency driven. I felt processed, rather than being served. Also, they dont hand out papers, they just leave them at the end of the carriage, which is in contrast to all three other TOCs. The stirfry was quite frankly pathetic, the strawberries and cream was the most inhumane substance I have ever encountered and to top it off, the wine was frankly ****e. Now, its still a very good offering, and still comfortable etc. But it was not worth the full AP £45ish. Even my discount didnt avoid me feeling ripped off slightly. I can cope with SC fine, so have made a note not to bother with FC again unless Im off to Glasgow.
Arrived into Watford 7 mins late; a LM service had obviously been pathed in front of us. We slowed for it leaving MK, then slowed again through Berkhamsted and crawled into Watford. My train left the platform opposite at 1923. As I crossed the platform, the clock read 1922 and 10 secs. And the bloody 350 pulled out. Southern service, and I refer to my earlier comment of them liking to shut up shop early. Never mind I thought. But then, LM did what it does best and ****s their entire operation up. Cancels the next train, the following 1941 service is delayed by 15mins due to a problem at Harrow, arrives wrong line and gets me into Hemel again at 2005. Hardly a good end to an otherwise brilliant day, but there we go.
Main points that Ive brought away from today:
- The GWML via Bath is boring, dull and very unscenic.
- EMT FC on AP offers very good value for money
- XC are still making an attempt
- Virgin, well, theyre still good, but they need to focus on humanising their staff to let their PASSENGERS feel like theyre welcome, and not an irritation.
Hope youve enjoyed reading the essay! Comments welcome.
