All Line Rail Rover Holiday

[mrcheek]

OK, so after years of spending my holiday travelling on south west rail rovers, I have decided to broaden my horizons this year, and buy myself a two week All Line Rail Rover. FIRST CLASS~!

I have planned most of my itinerary, but obviously if I'm spending £860 on this, then I want to avoid having to travel on poor quality trains as much as possible. So, can anybody tell me what sort of trains are used on the following routes, and do they have first class sections:

1. Arriva services from Cardiff Central to Fishguard Harbour
2. Arriva services from Chester to Holyhead
3. South Eastern services from London Victoria to Margate
4. Northern Rail services along the Cumbria coast
5. Northern Rail services from Settle to Carlisle
6. Trans Pennine Express services in general, but especially Crewe to Hull
7. GNER services from Kings Cross to Edinburgh (I know they have first class sections, but are these HSTs?)
8. One services from London Liverpool Street to Norwich. and One services to Great Yarmouth.

Plus any other general advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Tom]

1. Don't think any of them do from past experience....
2. Likewise - best off going with Virgin.
3. They will do but it is small and useless.
4&5. Northern generally don't have FC.
6. Yes, they do.
7. Yes, HSTs can be found in the HTML timetable on www.gner.co.uk (as a rough guide, any service beyond Edinburgh towards Inverness or Aberdeen).
8. To Norwich yes, not sure about Great Yarmouth (think not as it's normally DMUs).

 

[andel]

1. Arriva services from Cardiff Central to Fishguard Harbour
### Normally 158, sometimes 175 - no FC
2. Arriva services from Chester to Holyhead
### 158 or more often 175, no FC
3. South Eastern services from London Victoria to Margate
### 465/375 mebbe - FC poss
4. Northern Rail services along the Cumbria coast
### 156/158, rarely pacer - no FC to my knowledge
5. Northern Rail services from Settle to Carlisle
### 158 or 156, mebbe pacer or even a 150 - no FC
6. Trans Pennine Express services in general, but especially Crewe to Hull
### Hull is becoming 170 based, Crewe sees no TPX I think, so change at Stockport. FC Available
7. GNER services from Kings Cross to Edinburgh (I know they have first class sections, but are these HSTs?)
### Luck of the draw on HSTs or 91s, both rateable traction. FC Available
8. One services from London Liverpool Street to Norwich. and One services to Great Yarmouth.
### LST -> Norwich, FC avail on cl90+mk3s. Norwich to G Yarmouth - often 156, no fc, sometimes 153 - no fc again. Saturday drags have mk3s plus 47, 90 and fc. See one website for details

Plus any other general advice would be greatly appreciated!!

See edits by ###

 

[Tom]

Forgot to mention - while in FC on GNER, try to take use of the free wi-fi. You'll generally find it's the intercity operators who offer you the free nibbles while on board as well.

 

[rail-britain]

Kings Cross - Edinburgh
I find the GNER First Class service very basic
All you get is complimentary drinks
I'd rather pay the slight extra, travel by VT, and get the variety of food as well!
I've noticed prices on their Primo Menu services has also increased slighty (although there are a few exceptions!)

If you are travelling London to Edinburgh, then consider VT
Since you hold a First Class ticket you will get all your food and drinks for "free"
Even better if you travel on the services with Primo Menu
However, I recommend you make reservations, especially from London
There is also a solitary London - Edinburgh each week day, but it does not operate a Primo Menu, so it might be better to use on of the Glasgow services and change at Carlisle (remembering you may need to visit the shop for your freebies on the Voyager!)

Then compare GNER and just see what you "don't" get!

 

[mrcheek]

Kings Cross - Edinburgh
I find the GNER First Class service very basic
All you get is complimentary drinks
I'd rather pay the slight extra, travel by VT, and get the variety of food as well!
I've noticed prices on their Primo Menu services has also increased slighty (although there are a few exceptions!)

If you are travelling London to Edinburgh, then consider VT
Since you hold a First Class ticket you will get all your food and drinks for "free"
Even better if you travel on the services with Primo Menu
However, I recommend you make reservations, especially from London
There is also a solitary London - Edinburgh each week day, but it does not operate a Primo Menu, so it might be better to use on of the Glasgow services and change at Carlisle (remembering you may need to visit the shop for your freebies on the Voyager!)

Then compare GNER and just see what you "don't" get!

Thanks for the advice, but I have an eating disorder, so I have to take my own food regardless of what train I am on!
so free drinks is really all I ask from any train company.

 

[Gizmogle]

Thanks for the advice, but I have an eating disorder, so I have to take my own food regardless of what train I am on!
so free drinks is really all I ask from any train company.

What eating disorder do you have if you don't mind me asking? I'm just curious.

Also, any chance of seeing a basic plan of where you're going on the uk trip?

 

[mrcheek]

What eating disorder do you have if you don't mind me asking? I'm just curious.

Also, any chance of seeing a basic plan of where you're going on the uk trip?

Basically, I dont eat cooked food. or anything that other people might expect from a normal diet.
All I can eat is bread, bread rolls, bagels, cereals, crisps, peanuts, chocolate bars, snack bars, and maybe the occasional yoghurt. so the food served for free on the train is unlikely to be covered (tho I did hear a rumour that FGW offered free peanuts!)

As I will be spending all my money on the ticket, I have no money left for accommodation. So, I am taking the unusual step of returning home to Weston-super-Mare at the end of every day. Not the most convenient place to use as a base, but still pretty good, as its just 20 minutes from Bristol, which is a good hub.
At the moment, my schedule will include each of these, not sure of the order:
Glasgow
Edinburgh
Penzance
Fishguard
Leeds to Settle to Carlisle
Carlisle, then back via the Cumbria Coast
Somewhere in Kent, probably Margate
Holyhead
Manchester to Hull to London
I wont be travelling weekends, as they will be rest days, so I have one day spare, where I will probably make whatever journey I didnt manage to do because delays screwed it up!

 

[Tom]

Try getting reservations on the sleepers, BTW.

 

[Gizmogle]

Mmmm, bagels! Can't beat a bagel with cream cheese and salmon

Sounds good You got a 14 day rover then?

Try getting reservations on the sleepers, BTW.

I did that and fat people and their feet stole our seats!

 

[voyagerdude220]

Hiya Gizmogle!

I apologise for repeating what others have said, but:

1-5: If any of these regional companies do offer FC, by the sounds of things, it will be a BIG waste of money/time.

4- S&C= Class 153 (peak time add-on)/ 156's/158's= No FC what so ever, even on 158's.

5- 153/6's. 142's SOMETIMES operate on it as well.

6- I LOVE TPE 185's!! But i'm afraid you'd get a TPE 170. If the full level of service is provided on them, just like 185's, you should get complimentary: Tea/Coffee/Hot Choc/Water etc
Choice of pastries/Eat Natural Bars etc

7- I'd say for GNER:

90% of Kings Cross to Edinburgh's (if it terminates there) are Class 91 + MK4's + DVT

For a definate HST, try to board Inverness/Aberdeen services, where possible.

As other people have said, the Pendolino Primo menu is fantastic, which includes a full 3-course meal, but I wouldn't travel on a Friday. (But the Thursday one I had before this, was fantastic)

I did in August, and slightly regretted the Primo bit, after really enjoying the all day snacks on the Birmingham-Euston. (Problem was greasy food, limited Friday menu, coupled with crap staff on that train)

GNER provide the alternative high-quality, but £30 for 3-courses restaurant service. (With priority given to FC customers)

8- Although i've never ventured onto any of their services, One have got a very good reputation for high-quality restaurant meals. (Services with this facility are highlighted in their timetable)

If you want any more info, just PM me with specifics etc and i'll do my best to help you
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Mmmm, bagels! Can't beat a bagel with cream cheese and salmon

Try Cream Cheese and a large quantity of Worcester sauce

 

[mrcheek]

Mmmm, bagels! Can't beat a bagel with cream cheese and salmon

Sounds good You got a 14 day rover then?


I did that and fat people and their feet stole our seats!

yep, 14 days it is, but Ill only travel on 10.

And with my eating disorder, I have to eat bagels as they are, with nothing on them!

 

[voyagerdude220]

yep, 14 days it is, but Ill only travel on 10.

And with my eating disorder, I have to eat bagels as they are, with nothing on them!

:cry:

 

[Gizmogle]

yep, 14 days it is, but Ill only travel on 10.

And with my eating disorder, I have to eat bagels as they are, with nothing on them!

Wow, I'd love to do a 14 day ALR! That'd be awesome!
I did a 7 day trip not so long ago, and it went so fast. We didn't keep returning to bases either. A couple of nights were spent at stations and one on the sleeper.

You could always make a crazy bagel out of the food that you can eat...?
Peanut and chocolate bagel?

 

[rail-britain]

As I will be spending all my money on the ticket, I have no money left for accommodation

With careful planning you can save on accomodation by travelling on sleepers...
Starting your ticket on a Sunday and ending on a Saturday will also help

example :
Weston to Paddington (FGW)
Paddington to Leeds (GNER)
Leeds to Edinburgh (VT) - if you don't like the Voyager, then bail at York and get back on a GNER!
Edinburgh to Inverness or Aberdeen (FSR) - you may need to bail depending on timing
Aberdeen or Inverness to Crewe (FSR - seating reservation required)
You can then sleep between Edinburgh and Crewe, after seeing the loco change at Edinburgh

If you've not been on a Pendelino to experience the tilt, I recommend the Preston to Glasgow leg
There are a few sections taken at full tilt, and three sections between Lockerbie and Carstairs all taken at 125mph on full tilt (the staff know where these are and sit down!)
You can always turn the food down, and stick to the drinks only (orange juice, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, wine, spirits)
As for your eating disorder, the on-board VT staff will work with you
If you want a plain bread alternative, they will provide it, if they have it

 

[Ascot]

Hull Trains do a very good first class.

 

[Jordy]

Yes they do, a very nice cooked breakfast in the morning, not sure about during the day, but the seats are comfortable and big, you also get a lot of free drinks and snacks...and theres an added bonus as i'm sure Ascot knows

 

[Ascot]

Yes they do, a very nice cooked breakfast in the morning, not sure about during the day, but the seats are comfortable and big, you also get a lot of free drinks and snacks...and theres an added bonus as i'm sure Ascot knows

Haha the true trolly dollys :razz:

 

[Zamracene749]

Hello mate, to find out which GNER services are HST worked use this link from their own website- http://www.gner.co.uk/GNER/Traintimes/JuneToDecember/.
Train power is listed at the top of the timetable diagrams.

Sadly doesn't distinguish between mtu or valenta power but heads out near the powercar in 1st is good fun anyway!

For many other hst/unit diagrams use
http://www.thejunction.org.uk/
click on diagrams then whichever route you are interested in.

The northern lines you have listed are beautiful journeys but being 2nd class only could probably be more economicaly done by flying easyjet bristol-newcastle then using a north country flexi rover and a couple of nights cheap accomodation. Just seems a shame to use an expensive first class all line rover to spend many hours in second!

 

[yorkie]

Why not go for some £15 travelodges?

I also recommend giving GrandCentral a try - guarantees a Valenta!

TPE is reasonable as hardly anyone goes FC (except during the peaks), and they also provide hot chocolate free (if you can have that?) as well as the standard tea and coffee.

I'm curious how you survive on such a diet though - do you have to take a lot of vitamin tablets etc? also do you have to do a lot of exercise as otherwise I'd imagine loads of chocolate bars etc could make you put on weight?

 

[class 313]

SET use 375s mainly to Margate which DO have FC.

 

[mrcheek]

Why not go for some £15 travelodges?

I also recommend giving GrandCentral a try - guarantees a Valenta!

TPE is reasonable as hardly anyone goes FC (except during the peaks), and they also provide hot chocolate free (if you can have that?) as well as the standard tea and coffee.

I'm curious how you survive on such a diet though - do you have to take a lot of vitamin tablets etc? also do you have to do a lot of exercise as otherwise I'd imagine loads of chocolate bars etc could make you put on weight?

i take a daily vitamin pill. plus i drink tons and tons of orange juice. so, lots of vitamin C, but Ill bet the citric acid has destroyed my inners by now. and yes, as a consequence of my diet, i am a little overweight, but not much more than that.

Travelodge at £15 a night is something of a bargain, but Im basically spending all the money I have on the ticket, so have nothing left to spare!

I used to love hot chocolate. but these days it just makes me sick. so coffee is more like it.

 

[djw1981]

Citric acid isn't that harmful at all. The worst effect it has is on your teeth!

 

[mrcheek]

OK, I did it. a 14 day All Line Rover, with 12 days of travelling, most if it in first class, and two rest days.

I have just made a calculation of my mileage, and estimate that I did a total of 6,868 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bighat]

I did that and fat people and their feet stole our seats!

The feet can be moved!

As for the other part of this remark, TOTALLY uncalled for!


*WALKS OFF MUMBLING ABOUT GLASSHOUSES AND STONES*