Lancelot82
New Member
- Joined
- 3 Nov 2009
- Messages
- 2
Been to the UK several times but my first day of travelling by rail yesterday, aside from using the Heathrow Express for several years.
I used the First Capital Connect service from Cambridge to Kings Cross yesterday morning. At peak time, Standard was already full and as a result many decided to sit in First Class. No ticket inspection for the journey, and speaking to another regular First Class commuter it is uncommon allowing Standard customers to always sit in First as a result. Not very impressed with this after paying for a full fare Fist Class ticket.
Yesterday evening, I had to go up to Manchester. The one way fares by air were equivalent to rail, so I bought a First Class single at Euston to Manchester Piccadilly. Great airline-style service on board. My only experience of Virgin was their Upper Class product on the transatlantic flight. I was impressed with the sub 2 hour journey time too, although the fare I paid was shockingly high, and on explaining this to the guard he said that this was because the Anytime fares were paid by companies and I was the exception! Overall, a far better service than that which I receive on the Acela Express.
I finally travelled on an awful Northern train to Alderley Edge with no First Class but a lot of drunks. The guard hid at the back of the train.
I used the First Capital Connect service from Cambridge to Kings Cross yesterday morning. At peak time, Standard was already full and as a result many decided to sit in First Class. No ticket inspection for the journey, and speaking to another regular First Class commuter it is uncommon allowing Standard customers to always sit in First as a result. Not very impressed with this after paying for a full fare Fist Class ticket.
Yesterday evening, I had to go up to Manchester. The one way fares by air were equivalent to rail, so I bought a First Class single at Euston to Manchester Piccadilly. Great airline-style service on board. My only experience of Virgin was their Upper Class product on the transatlantic flight. I was impressed with the sub 2 hour journey time too, although the fare I paid was shockingly high, and on explaining this to the guard he said that this was because the Anytime fares were paid by companies and I was the exception! Overall, a far better service than that which I receive on the Acela Express.
I finally travelled on an awful Northern train to Alderley Edge with no First Class but a lot of drunks. The guard hid at the back of the train.