London To Hastings

[mralexn]

Durin the summer, i am planning a ALR trip,
I would like to know the best way to get from London to Hastings,

I see there are 2 TOCs to Choose from,
Southeastern
Southern

Could anyone tell me what one is better? also as a TOC / what traction they have, and if they offer first class / what you get? as i will be on a 1st class ALR

Also what Route would be the best to take? i dont mind fastest, but more interesting and scenic

Any help would be much appreciated, Thank you

I DONT KNOW HOW TO MOVE THIS, BUT I HAVE POSTED IT IN THE WRONG THREAD

 

[Eagle]

Southeastern (from Charing Cross) take the direct route via Sevenoaks and Tonbridge (which has lots of interesting tunnels, I recall). Typically a 375.

Southern (from Victoria) take the long way round via Haywards Heath, Lewes, and a reversal at Eastbourne. Direct service will probably be a 377. If you decide to change anywhere you might be able to use a 313 or even a 442, and you'll probably get a 171 for the second leg.

Alternatively you could take SE via HS1 to Ashford, then a Southern 171 south to Hastings.


First class in the Southern region isn't likely to have much in the way of free stuff, you'll get a bit more room but that's it.

 

[ainsworth74]

First class in the Southern region isn't likely to have much in the way of free stuff, you'll get a bit more room but that's it.

Sometimes not even that! There are some Southeastern units in which first class has the same seating layout as standard class.

 

[RJ]

Durin the summer, i am planning a ALR trip,
I would like to know the best way to get from London to Hastings,

I see there are 2 TOCs to Choose from,
Southeastern
Southern

Could anyone tell me what one is better? also as a TOC / what traction they have, and if they offer first class / what you get? as i will be on a 1st class ALR

Also what Route would be the best to take? i dont mind fastest, but more interesting and scenic

Any help would be much appreciated, Thank you

I DONT KNOW HOW TO MOVE THIS, BUT I HAVE POSTED IT IN THE WRONG THREAD

When I had free travel on every line in that corner of the country, I really liked taking the Marshlink service as well as the Southeastern High Speed so naturally I recommend going via Ashford International.

In the majority of, if not within all units in that neck of the woods, First Class is distinguished only by an antimacassar. No special seats or service at all.

 

[ushawk]

Southern via Eastbourne takes forever and i really dont recommend it - would always be a 377

SE isnt that bad really and is the quickest direct way, but if your on an ALR wanting to cover lines, do what others have suggested by going via Ashford (will have to time it correctly as the Marshlink is hourly) - traction would vary to Ashford, then 171 to Hastings.

With 1st Class, on Southern, apparently when there is a trolley service (which there is on the route via Eastbourne as far as Lewes) you get a free drink. You get nothing on SE and on the Marshlink, the 1st class i believe is declassified now due to the high volume of pax.

 

[34D]

With 1st Class, on Southern, apparently when there is a trolley service (which there is on the route via Eastbourne as far as Lewes) you get a free drink. You get nothing on SE and on the Marshlink, the 1st class i believe is declassified now due to the high volume of pax.

This thread http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=46090 suggests it may have been, however please check before assuming.

Do note finally that this route is currently buses, due to tunnel work.

 

[paul1609]

Southern via Eastbourne takes forever and i really dont recommend it - would always be a 377

SE isnt that bad really and is the quickest direct way, but if your on an ALR wanting to cover lines, do what others have suggested by going via Ashford (will have to time it correctly as the Marshlink is hourly) - traction would vary to Ashford, then 171 to Hastings.

With 1st Class, on Southern, apparently when there is a trolley service (which there is on the route via Eastbourne as far as Lewes) you get a free drink. You get nothing on SE and on the Marshlink, the 1st class i believe is declassified now due to the high volume of pax.

In the down direction its actually quicker by a couple of minutes from St Pancras via HS1 and the Marshlink than from London Bridge. (not during the current closure!).

Its a free coffee, tea or small mineral water where catering facilities are available; http://www.southernrailway.com/tickets-and-fares/ticket-types/first-class-travel/

1st Class on Marshlink is not generally declassified and the trains are not generally overcrowded unless there is an event in Brighton. I commute from Appledore (Kent) down to Portsmouth on a weekly basis and sometimes pay the extra for first class (Southerns off-peak first returns are good value) for the use of the sockets and the extra room.
The trains are generally only near capacity between Lewes and Polegate and Bexhill to St Leonard warrior Square in the peaks.
Some Summer saturdays they can be busy with holiday makers between Ashford International and Rye for the holiday camps and caravan parks at Camber Sands.




--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Not true, 442s can run London Bridge/Victoria to Eastbourne...

And of course they must be cleared for all the routes they used to work with SWT :P

Apparently they are no longer cleared for the SWT routes because of the Portsmouth and Basingstoke resignalling schemes.
However I can't imagine that it would take much to clear them in the unlikely event that somebody wanted them to run there.

 

[yorksrob]

I wouldn't discount the route via Haywards Heath. You get the drama of the Brighton main line (if you've not already done it) including Ouse Viaduct, lovely views of the South Downs between Lewes and Polegate, a very scenic trip along the coast around Pevensey - St Leonards and if you're lucky, a peak at some Thumpers outside St Leonards shed.

That said, the main route via Tonbridge passes through some very picturesque countryside, which is quite pleasant and the Marshlink is also very beatiful and distinctive, particularly across the Romney Marsh

 

[MCR247]

Sometimes not even that! There are some Southeastern units in which first class has the same seating layout as standard class.

I've been on SE 375 first class where you don't even get full tables - but in Standard you did!

 

[87015]

I've been on SE 375 first class where you don't even get full tables - but in Standard you did!

Don't forget that connex planned to get rid of FC to increase seated passenger numbers - which is why there is no real difference between the classes - but GoVia refused to gamble on the perceived revenue hit when it took over the franchises.

 

[lookingforit35]

I've been on SE 375 first class where you don't even get full tables - but in Standard you did!

I'm no apologist for SE, but I have used 375s most days since they were introduced and have to question this. Unless you mean the few airline style seats in 1st which of course wouldn't have a full table, but these are always in a bay where table seats are also provided.

Not that it makes their 1st Class offering any good I hasten to add. It is of course a total waste of money!!

 

[yorksrob]

I don't know much about these modern trains, but I have noticed that some of them seem to have small triangular tables in the bays with high backed harder seats. I don't know if these are a different type of electrostar or just different furniture..

 

[Bungle73]

Just to add, there is no FC on the HS services.

Edit: 600 posts. Yay!

 

[johnnycache]

The other consideration is that Southern can be a lot cheaper

There are Advance tickets from £5 one way with discounts for online purchase and daysave tickets

I should declare a personal interest - i work for Southern

 

[ushawk]

The OP is doing an ALR so they wouldnt need to buy an extra ticket, but i do agree that the advances are good value.

 

[district]

I'm sorry to disagree with others but the Marshlink is permanently declassified on all 2 car services between Ashford International and Hastings. There are no first class icons on the timetable at all. The first class branding remains in case units get taken for the Uckfield line.

 

[34D]

I'm sorry to disagree with others but the Marshlink is permanently declassified on all 2 car services between Ashford International and Hastings. There are no first class icons on the timetable at all. The first class branding remains in case units get taken for the Uckfield line.

Can you or anyone give a link to anywhere official where Southern have advised that passengers with standard class tickets can travel in First?

There was an incident a few years back (can't remember the TOC, but I seem to think a successful prosecution resulted) where a class 158 with first class worked a service booked standard only and the guard reported someone sat in first.

I have (somewhere) letters from a couple of TOCs (FCC being one) confirming that if a train with first works a standard only train then passengers may sit in first.

 

[island]

Probably best to move this to general discussion as it's not really a ticketing question.

 

[ushawk]

If you try booking a journey on the Marshlink using the Southern website it doesnt show 1st class as an option.