Euston - Birmingham NS stock

[Harbornite]

No....

A constructive answer...

What was it then?

 

[swt class 450]

Amusing to see someone suggesting London Midland as an alternative. Two hours on a Voyager seems infinitely preferable to 3-4 hours on a 350/2.

The Chiltern LHCS is the most comfortable offering between Birmingham and London by far. It's not nostalgia so much as just comfortable seating and smoothness. But Pendolinos and Voyagers definitely deliver an intercity journey experience for me. I find Voyager seating more comfortable than the Pendolinos mainly because I don't have to awkwardly rest my arm on the window ledge.

I have travelled on 350s (including 350/2s) between London Euston and Birmingham New Street many times and it is really not that bad. They are very nice trains. I would definitely say it is a thousand times better than travelling on a 220/221/390 even though it takes longer.

 

[nuneatonmark]

I have travelled on 350s (including 350/2s) between London Euston and Birmingham New Street many times and it is really not that bad. They are very nice trains. I would definitely say it is a thousand times better than travelling on a 220/221/390 even though it takes longer.

A THOUSAND times better? Really? I travel on 350s, Pendos and Voyagers all the time and also traveled 1000s miles on Mk2 and Mk3 too. I remember the 1805 from Euston to Manchester in the 90s which rattled and shuddered up to Nuneaton, whereas the Pendos and Voyagers glide smoothly around the bends. I think they are comfortable and fast, as for the 350s they are an outer suburban train trying to act like an inter-city, they do a passable job, that's about it.

 

[38Cto15E]

I was at Crewe recently and the station announcer said " the next train on Platform ? is a Virgin Trains 'Super Voyager'
Where does the 'Super' come in?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I was at Crewe recently and the station announcer said " the next train on Platform ? is a Virgin Trains 'Super Voyager'
Where does the 'Super' come in?

Voyager = non-tilt (Class 220). Super Voyager = tilt (Class 221), though XC have disabled it on theirs.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

A THOUSAND times better? Really? I travel on 350s, Pendos and Voyagers all the time and also traveled 1000s miles on Mk2 and Mk3 too. I remember the 1805 from Euston to Manchester in the 90s which rattled and shuddered up to Nuneaton, whereas the Pendos and Voyagers glide smoothly around the bends. I think they are comfortable and fast, as for the 350s they are an outer suburban train trying to act like an inter-city, they do a passable job, that's about it.

The Class 444 is (pending the arrival of the 80x and Stadler IC FLIRT, all of which I think I will really like) my favourite UK train, and is basically a 350 with a slightly narrower and 3m longer body and doors in a different place.

I don't like 350/2s as the seats are too narrow, but I too would choose 350/1, /3 or /4 over Pendolino or Voyager, though the longer journey times using LM tend to mean I will put up with VT. And I don't *hate* Pendolinos and Voyagers, I just like a better view out and a more comfortable seat.

 

[Hadders]

A THOUSAND times better? Really? I travel on 350s, Pendos and Voyagers all the time and also traveled 1000s miles on Mk2 and Mk3 too. I remember the 1805 from Euston to Manchester in the 90s which rattled and shuddered up to Nuneaton, whereas the Pendos and Voyagers glide smoothly around the bends. I think they are comfortable and fast, as for the 350s they are an outer suburban train trying to act like an inter-city, they do a passable job, that's about it.

If you think a 350's bad then it's a good job 700s don't operate on your line!

 

[Tetchytyke]

I have travelled on 350s (including 350/2s) between London Euston and Birmingham New Street many times and it is really not that bad.

You've got more tolerance than me, my backside was always numb every night sitting on a 350/2 from Euston to Apsley. The idea of sitting on one of those things for two and a half hours gives me the cold sweats.

 

[Starmill]

Bring back a rake of Mk II or Mk III coaches hauled by a Class 81-87 or 90. Sorry Mr Branson but those of us who remember the good times cannot accept this plastic rubbish as an improvement.

Do let us know when you make it to Shrewsbury!

 

[Wolfie]

Bring back a rake of Mk II or Mk III coaches hauled by a Class 81-87 or 90. Sorry Mr Branson but those of us who remember the good times cannot accept this plastic rubbish as an improvement.

Talk about memory being made golden by the passing years. The WCML, at least by the mid-1980s, was an absolute nightmare when serviced by these trains. Slow, dirty, unreliable....

Mk2 seats were awful even when new and I hate IC70 seats with a passion (which puts me somewhat off Chiltern LHCS served journeys too).....

I will settle for Pendolini and Voyagers thanks even if they aren't perfect...

 

[Harbornite]

Do let us know when you make it to Shrewsbury!

Easy, just swap the leccy for a 47
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Talk about memory being made golden by the passing years. The WCML, at least by the mid-1980s, was an absolute nightmare when serviced by these trains. Slow, dirty, unreliable....

Mk2 seats were awful even when new and I hate IC70 seats with a passion (which puts me somewhat off Chiltern LHCS served journeys too).....

I will settle for Pendolini and Voyagers thanks even if they aren't perfect...

It was good for trainspotters and no one else. Things were still bad in the 1990s as intercity 250 had been axed and there was even talk of rerouting all intercity services to Scotland via the ECML.

 

[6Gman]

Some of us can remember pre-air con Mk IIs on the WCML. The noise was awful (hunting?).

I use Voyagers, Pendolini, Desiros (Desiri?) a lot. They're fine.

Drawbacks?

Seat pitch; poor window alignment; and on the 350/2s the seats are too narrow.

But perfectly acceptable in their roles.

 

[Bletchleyite]

(which puts me somewhat off Chiltern LHCS served journeys too)

Seat pitch is good but they are mostly a cheap and nasty refresh with cheap and nasty LED lighting which creates a cheap and nasty atmosphere.

OTOH, there is an ex-ATW coach in the Banbury commuter set, which is a very well-done refurb job with new seats, definitely recommended.

 

[dk1]

Always quite happy to get a Voyager on this route for a change. Nice big windows, more plug sockets & they keep time with the engine fading to a gentle purr at speed.

 

[mmh]

I recall going on a voyager and sitting in coach D , is that an ex first class coach or something? I usually travel along so not a big fan of a table of 4 (ok when its quiet but i find it awkward facing someone )

Coach D used to be a "convertible" first/standard class coach, usually standard
but first class on some peak journeys when antimacassars would be added.

That appears to have stopped now as the last couple of times I've been on
one I've noticed the strange "First or Standard Class, See Electronic Displays for coach letter" stickers on the vestibule doors have been changed to normal
"Standard Class" ones.

I always thought I'd be a bit miffed if I'd bought a first class ticket and ended up in a 2+2 carriage rather than 2+1. I'm guessing the extra demand at peak times is covered with more double units and/or splitting en-route?

 

[chris89]

I like both stock what VTWC use as rather have faster journey times and so on myself. Saying that on 24th on a Voyager from Wolves to Euston anyway (But 1st so yay for cheap tickets) but a Pendo on way back on the 26th.

B'Ham Newstreet with a Voyager is strange, but have done it a few times and been alright (Although was a ex Shrews Service joining onto one at Newstreet though)

Although myself, im glad that 390's are being used on the Euston - Edinburgh services via B'ham/ Wolves due to the extra space available although i can't stand that in standard only tables have plugs for your use.

I couldn't imagine doing Newstreet to Euston by a 350 that would kill me, as those are only really comfy on short journeys for me at least.

Yes the 221s and 390s arn't perfect (But what is?), the seats + windows thing isn't a big issue for me, but a lot of them are looking tired for both units and need refurbishment inside and out now.

 

[PermitToTravel]

The order of my preferences is 350/3 > 390 > 350/1 > shipping container > flatbed > 350/2

 

[Ianno87]

The order of my preferences is 350/3 > 390 > 350/1 > shipping container > flatbed > 350/2

On a train that is no more than 50% loaded, I prefer a 350/2 over a 350/1 or 350/3 any day. The bays of 6 are pretty spacious if you're only sharing with 1-2 others.

 

[Alex 2901]

Having done Coventry to London on a 350/1, I can honestly say, that even with my dislike towards Pendelinos and VT Super Voyagers*, I would have taken the earlier Voyager I had to Coventry in a heartbeat!

Personal preference:

68+Mk3PD
168/0
168/2
168/1
Pendelino (390/1)
Doubled Super Voyager
Pendelino (390/0)
87+Mk3
319
350/3
350/2
350/1

Not a fan of the 350's in general, and I only really remember the 87+Mk3 vaguely from when I was really young (less than 5, I think), don't particularly like most WCML stock because of the tilt function (starts to make me feel sick)