Manchester - Penzance (and back)

[Cork]

Hello all,
I’m planning a trip to Manchester (arriving in Manchester Airport at 09:15 on Saturday 2nd) on the first weekend in August. I want to head to Penzance (Saturday) and return the following day. I’ll have a two day first class Britrail pass so things will be flexible.

From the planner the main options are via Birmingham New Street with Cross Country and a tight connection in New Street. However since I first checked this out RMT have announced industrial action on Cross Country and the trains are flagged on the National Rail planner accordingly.

Looking at other routes what seems to be available is Avanti to Euston (10:48) and GWR from Paddington and onwards to Penzance with circa 1hr to change stations in London.

My questions are:
1. Is the RMT action likely to be disruptive (probably requires a crystal ball to answer) ?
2. Is the Avanti/GWR option practical in terms of changing stations ?
3. Is there a better option ?
4. What are the first class products like - looking at other threads Cross Country seem to have a poor offering and I’d like to get value for money ( aka free food ).
5. With the Britrail pass does it cover arrival at the destination on the following day eg on Day 2 leave at 19:00 and arrive at 00:43 ?
6. Is there anything else I should know ?

Thanks.

 

[aar0]

If you’re after some first class, would it make sense to go TfW Premier to Newport, and catch the GWR Penzance service from there?

No idea if they line up on a Saturday.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

I'd go via London and take advantage of the first class facilities. 1hr is more than enough to change stations - short walk to Euston Square - Circle / H & C to Paddington. If you go via Newport it is a slow stopping service to Taunton or Exeter (with no XC) before you can pick up a Penzance service.

 

[30907]

Check what Avanti/XC/GW actually offer at weekends.

If you are prepared to pay for it, then the TfW meal has always been excellent (not offered on Sundays AFAIK). It's a pleasant route to take as well.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

That weekend is a bad one out of Manchester, while a bridge near Stockport is replaced.
Manchester-London is 2 trains an hour at xx10 and xx48, avoiding Stockport and travelling via Crewe.
Similarly Cross-Country (XC) trains run via Crewe, at xx03 to Bristol TM, and xx25 to Bournemouth.
Manchester-Newport-Cardiff trains are running from Manchester at xx32 (avoiding Stockport).
No problems with the airport line.

Rail Engineering works: Greek Street Bridge Replacement | National Rail

Major bridge replacement work at Stockport from Saturday 2 to Friday 22 August. See details of routes affected by planned rail engineering works, including when they take effect, alternative timetables, advice for alternative travel, including info about engineering work and why it is necessary.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

 

[Tazi Hupefi]

I'd consider, assuming no issues with travel time.

Manchester-Reading on XC
Reading to Penzance on GWR

(CrossCountry is pretty comfortable in 1st, and hot food and drink is available if you ask).

Or

Manchester to Newport/Cardiff on TfW (first class service)
Then over to Penzance on GWR

Or

Manchester-London on Avanti (pick a departure with the breakfast menu)
Then London-Penzance on GWR

You could also take:

09:43 Manchester to Sheffield with EMR (standard only, but very nice views across the Peak District), arrives 10:34

then the 10:56 direct from Sheffield to Penzance with XC.

 

[duffield]

If you're not bothered about the time penalty, via London will get you proper 1st class on both legs. An hour to cross London is about twice what you need, leaving time for an (expensive) drink at Paddington (or Euston on the way back). 1st class seating is fine on Cross Country but catering is basic at best and often non-existent. Cross country can also get so full at times (e.g. Saturday!) that standard class spills into 1st and even if it doesn't you may not be able to get to the toilet. Cross country is a disaster area on Sundays, with frequent cancellations recently affecting the Manchester route.

Personally I totally avoid Cross Country if at all possibly, but particularly at weekends (even in 1st).

Edit: And of course there's the unpredictable effect of the current RMT action on Cross Country services to add on top of this.

 

[Cork]

Thanks everyone for the great advice and help. It's much appreciated.

There are a few options /routes mentioned which will be worth looking at on another occasion (probably a good idea to visit this forum before booking flights but this was a case of snapping up a cheap fare and then shoehorning in the trains).

I've more or less decided to go via London - the overall murmurings online seem to agree that Cross Country are to be avoided. The engineering work mentioned above and the RMT action seem to be an ideal recipe for a bit of a mess and it makes sense to try and avoid it.

Hopefully I won't be back on asking for the delay repay calculations for a rail pass

 

[Bevan Price]

As you are arriving at Manchester Airport, there is no need to go into Manchester Piccadilly. Just catch one of the hourly local services to Crewe, and catch an Avanti service to London from Crewe.