7 day Standard Class ALR

[trainfanatic]

Probably going to buy one from my local station tomorrow to commence next Monday.

Not a Photter or any other 'train enthusiast' - just like to take it easy for a week and perhaps return home most nights. I'd like to see some decent scenery so that must include a trip to Mallaig and also the West Country.

I had toyed with the idea of getting a range of Rangers/Rovers (EMT 3 in 7) - (HOE 3 in 7) and maybe (FOSW 3 in 7). The mucking about though with perhaps overlapping areas could result in taking wrong train/wrong line etc so finally decided on the ALR. I can afford it, so what the heck. Now I need somebody to make the argument for !st class.!!

Any other help would be welcome.

PS: Also want (if possible to avoid the Nottingham blockade.

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[island]

Do you intend to use Virgin or EC services a lot, especially at mealtimes?

Do you drink alcohol on trains?

 

[trainfanatic]

No, Yes and No.

 

[IanD]

If you have a railcard that gives a discount on the 1st class ticket (or if you're eligible for one and are going to get one) then go for it - you might get £150 worth of free food and drink over the week and appreciate the extra legroom.

Remember that Mallaig trains are Standard only so that would be a waste of first class for the best part of a day (unless you use the sleeper to/from Fort William). Personally, I'd do the Kyle/Mallaig round trip rather than an out and back Mallaig trip but Kyles is also Standard only.

Remember too that the Wigan blockade starts on Saturday for 2 weeks so WCML services are also disrupted somewhat.

 

[LexyBoy]

I would consider staying overnight at least for one or two nights. Going back home every day will mean you'll be covering the same lines a lot in a week and it'll be poor value for trips like the West Highland. For example, you could go down to the West Country or West Wales, stay over and back home the next day; same with a stay in Scotland. That way you can take the scenic routes and not have to worry as much about getting there and back in time.

Also, says trainfanatic:

Not a Photter or any other 'train enthusiast'

 

[RJ]

1st Class ALRs are a waste of money. I've done two of them before and whilst it is nice to be able to jump on any train and go wherever you like, you soon get bored with cheap stock biscuits, sandwiches you may or may not like, juice/miniatures you can buy in a shop for less than £2 and boil in the bag meals. Nicer food is often available at stations or in nearby pubs.

Where 1st Class is available, the rolling stock is usually adequately comfortable in Standard Class - seats are comfortable and plug sockets aren't so hard to come by these days. Once you come off the long distance IC services and travel on trains with basic or no FC accommodation, you'll feel like you're wasting the value of the ALR. If you really must travel in 1st, I'd suggest buying a SC ALR and upgrading before you board the longer distance services where the "real" differences are.