Can anyone make my Horsforth to Birmingham trip more interesting?

[stuartmoss]

I'm leaving Horsforth today at 12:35 or 13:05 for Birmingham where I'm working tomorrow and Wednesday, I just wondered if anyone could suggest a way to make this journey more interesting from either a route or rolling stock perspective. I don't know if I can bare a cramped Cross Country Voyager on a hot day for a 2 hour journey that I find slightly boring anyway.

I'm not paying for the ticket so if it costs a little more to go via somewhere then that should be fine. I return Thursday afternoon / evening.

All helpful suggestions appreciated!

 

[Bantamzen]

I'm leaving Horsforth today at 12:35 or 13:05 for Birmingham where I'm working tomorrow and Wednesday, I just wondered if anyone could suggest a way to make this journey more interesting from either a route or rolling stock perspective. I don't know if I can bare a cramped Cross Country Voyager on a hot day for a 2 hour journey that I find slightly boring anyway.

I'm not paying for the ticket so if it costs a little more to go via somewhere then that should be fine. I return Thursday afternoon / evening.

All helpful suggestions appreciated!

What about going via Manchester if you are not paying? At least it breaks up the journey a wee bit & gives a varity of stock to travel on? Not sure how much more it will cost mind, but willl probably take around 45-60 minutes longer than directly allowing for the change @ Manchester.

 

[stuartmoss]

Thanks mate, I'm running late as usual. Looking like the 14:11 Leeds to Brum If I go via Manc it's still a Voyager and as I'm already late, I think i'll stick with the boring....

 

[bb21]

Not much variation in terms of stock on the direct-ish route I'm afraid - 220s, 221s, 222s, 170s, and possibly some Sprinters. If you are really lucky you can do Notts - Leicester on an HST.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

...I don't know if I can bare [some words missing here?] a cramped Cross Country Voyager on a hot day for a 2 hour journey that I find slightly boring anyway.

If you are going to bare something it might at least make the journey a bit cooler for you and possibly more interesting for the other passengers.

OK, it's not all that helpful a suggestion.

 

[FQ]

I guess you could use these timings.

14:35 Horsforth-Leeds 14:48 (Northern something or other)
15:05 Leeds-Nottingham 17:00 (Northern 158)
17:32 Nottingham-Leicester 17:59 (East Midlands HST)
18:18 Leicester-Birmingham New Street 19:13. (Cross Country 170)

 

[stuartmoss]

I ended up going Horsforth to Leeds & Leeds to Sheffield with Northern. Then Sheffield to Derby with EMT, and the last bit with Cross Country. I was at Leeds for the 15:11 Cross Country and it was only 4 coaches, 1 first class empty, 3 standard class rammed and standing room only. Bugger that I thought!!!