Inverness to Glasgow : Class 43 (with a change) or Class 170 (direct)

[Willie Bee]

Which option would folk here recommend, for a journey from Inverness to Glasgow Queens Street

It seems the choices are ..

(12;48) Class 43 HST to Perth, then change to another train for Glasgow

(14;50) Class 170 direct to Glasgow

thank you

 

[3RDGEN]

If you go for the change then Stirling is easier than Perth, should be the same platform at Stirling if your planning on catching the Aberdeen - Glasgow service that follows the Inverness - Edinburgh train from Perth to Stirling.

 

[Willie Bee]

If you go for the change then Stirling is easier than Perth, should be the same platform at Stirling if your planning on catching the Aberdeen - Glasgow service that follows the Inverness - Edinburgh train from Perth to Stirling.

Thank you

Tickets are not available for my journey date, but looking at earlier dates (it would be a Monday lunchtime) how do I get the forum's site to let me book via Stirling

I've tried options, then adding Stirling, but it still only shows a change at Perth.

On the ScotRail website, I could book INV-STG and STG-GLQ as two separate singles, but not unsurprisingly, this would be more expensive than the one 'through ticket' Looking on the forum's site, the difference between two singles and the full journey ticket is even higher.

 

[hexagon789]

Thank you

Tickets are not available for my journey date, but looking at earlier dates (it would be a Monday lunchtime) how do I get the forum's site to let me book via Stirling

I've tried options, then adding Stirling, but it still only shows a change at Perth.

On the ScotRail website, I could book INV-STG and STG-GLQ as two separate singles, but not unsurprisingly, this would be more expensive than the one 'through ticket' Looking on the forum's site, the difference between two singles and the full journey ticket is even higher.

The 1450 is normally an HST, it and its corresponding 1007 outward from Glasgow QS are currently 170 because of the temporary timetable, and the subsequent alterations to diagrams, but will go back to HST from tomorrow.

 

[Willie Bee]

The 1450 is normally an HST, it and its corresponding 1007 outward from Glasgow QS are currently 170 because of the temporary timetable, and the subsequent alterations to diagrams, but will go back to HST from tomorrow.

That's good news.

I was surprised at the possibility of a short train running this important route.

I remember seeing a YT video and the normal HST train to Inverness had been replaced with a 2 carriage train, with the result there were more passengers than seats .. not really ideal .. and if that happened to my wife, my life would be hell .. for quite a while

 

[hexagon789]

That's good news.

I was surprised at the possibility of a short train running this important route.

I remember seeing a YT video and the normal HST train to Inverness had been replaced with a 2 carriage train, with the result there were more passengers than seats .. not really ideal .. and if that happened to my wife, my life would be hell .. for quite a while

It can happen for a variety of reasons, most recently a 158 stood in for an HST due to a bridge strike blocking the Aberdeen to Inverness line.

There are a few 170 and one 170+158 working each way on the Highland Main Line routes (Glasgow/Edinburgh-Perth-Inverness) when the full timetable operates. There are a lower proportion, but still a handful on the Glasgow and Edinburgh to Aberdeen routes.

From Glasgow only the 1007 and 1507 are booked HST of the 5 services, though 4 of the opposing workings from Inverness are booked HST.

 

[3RDGEN]

Thank you

Tickets are not available for my journey date, but looking at earlier dates (it would be a Monday lunchtime) how do I get the forum's site to let me book via Stirling

I've tried options, then adding Stirling, but it still only shows a change at Perth.

On the ScotRail website, I could book INV-STG and STG-GLQ as two separate singles, but not unsurprisingly, this would be more expensive than the one 'through ticket' Looking on the forum's site, the difference between two singles and the full journey ticket is even higher.

On the LNER booking site if you make your journey search at the top right of the results screen is a "Filters" button, next to "Direct Trains Only" option, in there select the "Route Options" pulldown which allows you to then enter "Change At" locations. Prices appear to remain the same for Perth or Stirling, not sure if this option is available on other booking sites.

Changing at Perth is not a big issues as the foot bridges all have ramps or there is the new footbridge at the south end of the station with lifts but Stirling is off the train wait ten minutes and get on the Glasgow one, if all goes to timetable. Stirling also gives more trains for Glasgow if your late from Inverness and miss the connection. If the 14:50 is an HST then that's probably your best direct option but as above there's no guarantees, there's also the ScotRail £15 1st Class upgrade to consider if seats are available and your tickets are valid for that upgrade.

 

[Willie Bee]

On the LNER booking site if you make your journey search at the top right of the results screen is a "Filters" button, next to "Direct Trains Only" option, in there select the "Route Options" pulldown which allows you to then enter "Change At" locations. Prices appear to remain the same for Perth or Stirling, not sure if this option is available on other booking sites.

Changing at Perth is not a big issues as the foot bridges all have ramps or there is the new footbridge at the south end of the station with lifts but Stirling is off the train wait ten minutes and get on the Glasgow one, if all goes to timetable. Stirling also gives more trains for Glasgow if your late from Inverness and miss the connection. If the 14:50 is an HST then that's probably your best direct option but as above there's no guarantees, there's also the ScotRail £15 1st Class upgrade to consider if seats are available and your tickets are valid for that upgrade.

Many thanks .. I never knew about that option on the LNER website.

My wife and I don't want to leave Inverness too late in the day, as it will get dark early, as we'll be traveling early January

We are travelling north (originally from Newcastle) via Edinburgh and Aberdeen for the East Coast scenery, so our journey south will be our only chance to see the Highland scenery

 

[Willie Bee]

If you go for the change then Stirling is easier than Perth, should be the same platform at Stirling if your planning on catching the Aberdeen - Glasgow service that follows the Inverness - Edinburgh train from Perth to Stirling.

Looking at times, it seems there would be 9 minutes to wait at Stirling, until the Aberdeen to Glasgow train arrives (asuming everything is running on time) or 17 minutes to wait, for the Alloa to Glasgow train.

I am not sure whether you can book seats on these trains, so which would folk recommend for more chance of getting a seat (well, two seats really, as my wife might want a seat too)

I assume whatever I pick, if the Inverness train arrives late, we would be able to get on a later train

 

[hexagon789]

Looking at times, it seems there would be 9 minutes to wait at Stirling, until the Aberdeen to Glasgow train arrives (asuming everything is running on time) or 17 minutes to wait, for the Alloa to Glasgow train.

I am not sure whether you can book seats on these trains, so which would folk recommend for more chance of getting a seat (well, two seats really, as my wife might want a seat too)

I assume whatever I pick, if the Inverness train arrives late, we would be able to get on a later train

If you don't want to take the 1450 direct to Glasgow, which has been an HST these past two days since the temporary timetable ended, then you can book seats on the Aberdeen to Glasgow services, but not the Alloas.

Alloa/Glasgow is purely a local commuter EMU service.

 

[Willie Bee]

If you don't want to take the 1450 direct to Glasgow, which has been an HST these past two days since the temporary timetable ended, then you can book seats on the Aberdeen to Glasgow services, but not the Alloas.

I would love to take the direct train, but as we'll be travelling in January, it'll be dark quite early (dusk 15:50 on 6th Jan) and we would like to see a fair bit of the scenery on our journey south.

If my wife knew there was a direct train, with a shorter journey time and it would be cheaper too she would think I am mad .. I'll not tell her

 

[hexagon789]

I would love to take the direct train, but as we'll be travelling in January, it'll be dark quite early (dusk 15:50 on 6th Jan) and we would like to see a fair bit of the scenery on our journey south.

If my wife knew there was a direct train, with a shorter journey time and it would be cheaper too she would think I am mad .. I'll not tell her

The 0841 departure from Inverness (the previous Glasgow HST working) is too early I take it?

 

[Willie Bee]

The 0841 departure from Inverness (the previous Glasgow HST working) is too early I take it?

I think so.

We are only having 2 nights in Inverness and arrive late on the Saturday, so a few extra hours on the Monday morning will be good

 

[ainsworth74]

Tickets are not available for my journey date, but looking at earlier dates (it would be a Monday lunchtime) how do I get the forum's site to let me book via Stirling

If you go to the Forum site and press the cog symbol (next to where you set the journey type as "Single", "Return", or "Open Return") that will bring up the advanced options screen. Scroll down to "Route Options" and type in Stirling in the "Travel Via" box, then change the button from "Pass, stop or change at" to "Change at" and that will force a change at Stirling.

You can even specify additional change time if you wish (the default is 0 so it will use the usual minimum interchange times) which can be useful if it gives a tight connection you're not comfortable with or to force a slightly more wacky itinerary. But for your purposes leaving it set to 0 is likely to be fine.

 

[Willie Bee]

If you go to the Forum site and press the cog symbol (next to where you set the journey type as "Single", "Return", or "Open Return") that will bring up the advanced options screen. Scroll down to "Route Options" and type in Stirling in the "Travel Via" box, then change the button from "Pass, stop or change at" to "Change at" and that will force a change at Stirling.

You can even specify additional change time if you wish (the default is 0 so it will use the usual minimum interchange times) which can be useful if it gives a tight connection you're not comfortable with or to force a slightly more wacky itinerary. But for your purposes leaving it set to 0 is likely to be fine.

Thanks

I have used that 'MORE OPTIONS' button before, usually for GLQ - NCL, with a longer transfer time at Edinburgh, but for some reason it didn't work this time.

I see now, if you leave the default 'pass, stop or change' option on, then it doesn't work (as I expected anyway) but when you actually select CHANGE it does.

So as my wife would probably say .. it was all my fault really

 

[hexagon789]

I think so.

We are only having 2 nights in Inverness and arrive late on the Saturday, so a few extra hours on the Monday morning will be good

I understand.

In that case, then yes, it's really only the 1248 to Edinburgh and change at Perth or Stirling (Stirling is usually easier) option, if you must have an HST.

 

[ScotTrains]

I travelled from Inverness to Glasgow back in Feb this year but went via Aberdeen. I think it was the 1056 departure from Inverness, changing at Aberdeen to catch the 1346 HST.

It was a very pleasant journey, especially going down the East coast. It was a slightly longer journey than the direct service, but for some reason it was also significantly cheaper!

May be worth considering if you don't mind missing out the Highland mainline this time.

 

[Willie Bee]

I travelled from Inverness to Glasgow back in Feb this year but went via Aberdeen. I think it was the 1056 departure from Inverness, changing at Aberdeen to catch the 1346 HST.

It was a very pleasant journey, especially going down the East coast. It was a slightly longer journey than the direct service, but for some reason it was also significantly cheaper!

May be worth considering if you don't mind missing out the Highland mainline this time.

We are actually travellimg up to Inverness from Newcastle via Edinburgh and Aberdeen .. we booked the seats at the weekend .. NCL-EDB with TPE (£10.30) and EDB-ABD with LNER (£17.50) .. I'm just waiting for cheaper tickets for the last leg of the journey. Those prices are very good indeed, for my wife and I (with railcard discount)

 

[ScotTrains]

We are actually travellimg up to Inverness from Newcastle via Edinburgh and Aberdeen .. we booked the seats at the weekend .. NCL-EDB with TPE (£10.30) and EDB-ABD with LNER (£17.50) .. I'm just waiting for cheaper tickets for the last leg of the journey. Those prices are very good indeed, for my wife and I (with railcard discount)

We paid £8.90 each for our Inverness to Glasgow (via Aberdeen) Scotrail advance ticket. Sometimes they even have their £5 (£3.30 with Railcard) advance tickets available.

Scotrail catering is currently awful (often non existent) so you may want to be prepared with food and drink. We didn't bother upgrading to 1st when we found there was no trolley onboard. The HST was pretty quiet at that time of year anyway.

 

[Willie Bee]

We paid £8.90 each for our Inverness to Glasgow (via Aberdeen) Scotrail advance ticket. Sometimes they even have their £5 (£3.30 with Railcard) advance tickets available.

they are certainly great prices

We'll be getting the train from Inverness which leaves at 12:48 and following some great advice on this forum, we'll change at Stirling. There are two trains we could catch, one I believe from Aberdeen and a slightly later one from Alloa. Based on ticket prices for an earlier date (see image) we can arrive in Glasgow 14 minutes later and save nearly £20 .. that seems the one for me

That £20 could buy a fair number of 'Empire biscuits' or 'Tunnocks teacakes' and some Irn Bru too

 

[Willie Bee]

OP here again.

I collected my tickets today as I was near Newcastle Station

I booked (via the forum's website) INV - GLQ, via Stirling (6th Jan 2025) and paid £13.90 each (2 adults, with senior railcards)

This was for ..

the 12:48 departure from Inverness, arriving in Stirling at 15:39
the 15:56 departure from Stirling, arriving in GLasgaw at 16:33

At the time of booking (see previous post) there was a slightly earlier train from Stirling, but that was almost £20 more (for the both of us)

On my paper tickets, although it does show the full journey (INV - GLQ) it only gives extra details of the INV - STG journey, with seat references etc. No mention of which train the second leg of the journey is on.

Could I use it for any Stirling to Glasgow train ?

The price, for the earlier train (departure 15:47) which was previously about £20 extra, would now be only £9 extra

thank you