Milton Keynes to Grimsby Sunday - Dining en route

[DeeGee]

I'm making this journey on Sunday, it's between two stations I regularly travel between, but via a route I've not used before. As I'm travelling over tea-time, I'm keen to find somewhere to eat.

Departing MKC at 16:37, the tickets I have mean that I must travel via Tamworth and on a train stopping at Derby. I might not have very long to put together a picnic before travelling, and I don't fancy waiting until the 19:37 train to set off, as I don't get home then until after midnight.

I know MKC, and I have been to Sheffield a few times. I don't know Tamworth and the only time I've ever been to Derby was a few years ago to leave the building for a cigarette while changing trains en route to somewhere else.

Will there be any food-buying opportunities to be had during the 20 mins I am at Tamworth? Is there any mileage to be had in getting off the train at Derby to hunt for something to eat, or do I wait for Burger King at Sheffield (which is not the greatest option, and if I'm some time in Sheffield I'd rather just visit the Tap).

Or will it be trolley time on Crosscountry - I'm on that for an hour? There's nothing to be had on either London Midland or Transpennine, though.

Any suggestions, I don't mind breaking my journey for an hour and setting off an hour later - I'm happy to arrive at Grimsby around 11pm, just rather not 12.

 

[gordonthemoron]

I don't recall there being much in the way of shops close to Tamworth or Derby stations

 

[DeeGee]

I don't recall there being much in the way of shops close to Tamworth or Derby stations

I have the vaguest of vague recollections of somewhere very narrow in the wall of the station, just outside the entrance of Tamworth (or it might have been Northampton). Nothing more than a kiosk, though.

Are there any buffets of the Pumpkin ilk on either? I've got a BITE card if those are still of any use.

 

[dave87016]

There was a kiosk just outside Tamworth station but sadly that's gone now and a cafe express ( same as Warrington Bank Quay) is on the station concourse but I think it closes around 6-7pm

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Burger King Sheffield is what I have to do.
I traveled via and to Derby alot. The station is like 15mins from the town centre, and since the Eagle Centre became Westfields the price of meals has skyrocketed. There's a station Pumpkin and nothing else.

The trip would be easier had the Nottingham to Milton trains not been cut.
Tamworth has a castle, never been to it's station, but the football stadium is poor quality so I doubt there's many food outlets.

 

[Kite159]

From what I can remember about Tamworth is that the station is a good 10+ minute walk from the station and didn't really feature any "grab & go" places.

Only thing I would suggest is to try and grab something around Milton Keynes if at all possible

 

[Ianno87]

Yep. Absolutely nothing at Tamworth (except maybe a vending machine), and nowhere you could realistically reach in 20 minutes.

 

[Ash Bridge]

If you have a seat reserved on the XC train and £8 to spare why not pre-order one of their served at your seat hot meals?

 

[blue87]

If I remember right there's a Domino's Pizza or similar place just over road from Tamworth station, may be worth Googling their number and phone to order so u can pick it up when u get there.

 

[Bevan Price]

Tamworth, Derby & Sheffield stations are all longish walks from the main shopping areas, and especially on Sundays, there will not be a lot open at the time you are travelling. If your ticket permits, Doncaster might be a better place to break your journey - closer to the shopping area - but you will need a "local" from that area to say what food outlets are available on a Sunday evening.

If it were me, I would probably use something like sausage rolls or pies bought on the Saturday - most of these will keep in good condition for a couple of days, even without a fridge.

 

[DeeGee]

If you have a seat reserved on the XC train and £8 to spare why not pre-order one of their served at your seat hot meals?

That would do it, probably. Is it any good? Is an hour long enough? I presume they'll microwave it on departing Tamworth and then bring it round?

What happens in the unlikely event that there's a reservation problem and I can't sit down, the train's rammed to the gunwhales and they can't get through or it's cancelled? Do I get a refund?

Alternatively, departure from Bletchley (the actual origin of my ticket) 15 mins earlier gives me an opportunity to change at Northampton and I can give myself a 17 minute change at Northampton. I've not been there since it was redeveloped, is there likely to be anything "on-station" that I could grab?

 

[Ash Bridge]

That would do it, probably. Is it any good? Is an hour long enough? I presume they'll microwave it on departing Tamworth and then bring it round?

What happens in the unlikely event that there's a reservation problem and I can't sit down, the train's rammed to the gunwhales and they can't get through or it's cancelled? Do I get a refund?

Alternatively, departure from Bletchley (the actual origin of my ticket) 15 mins earlier gives me an opportunity to change at Northampton and I can give myself a 17 minute change at Northampton. I've not been there since it was redeveloped, is there likely to be anything "on-station" that I could grab?

The beauty of it is, you don't have to pay up front, only when the attendant serves it to you, the quality is pretty good having previously tried the roast chicken, salmon and the full English breakfast which I think is available all day currently, sorry I can't provide a link but if you go to The XC Trains website and click on food & drink you will find the full menu and ordering form, they will serve it at the exact time you request, it's worked perfectly everytime for me so far, couple of pics below,

 

[Bletchleyite]

Alternatively, departure from Bletchley (the actual origin of my ticket) 15 mins earlier gives me an opportunity to change at Northampton and I can give myself a 17 minute change at Northampton. I've not been there since it was redeveloped, is there likely to be anything "on-station" that I could grab?

Don't know about NMP, but if departing earlier is an option do so and pop out at MKC to M&S Simply Food, left out of the station then on your left.

 

[DeeGee]

Don't know about NMP, but if departing earlier is an option do so and pop out at MKC to M&S Simply Food, left out of the station then on your left.

I have a feeling that Simply Food might yet prove to be my saviour. Although I'm tempted by these cooked Crosscountry meals.

When I was thinking of MKC, I was thinking about Subway and the Convenience Store on the side of the square. Never turned left out of there...

 

[DarloRich]

I do all these journeys on a regular basis. There is nowt at Tamworth but there is a Dominos nearby. Derby is a bit isolated from the town but there are some fish shops and take aways over the road. There isn't much near Northampton either. I wouldn't rely on getting anything of XC either at that time of a Sunday

Stock up at M&S at MKC
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The trip would be easier had the Nottingham to Milton trains not been cut.

Nottingham - Milton trains??????????

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

My older brother used it for work around about 15 years ago.
I think it ran via Leicester and Coventry. But they were cut soon afterwards.
Don't know if it was Central or Cross Country.

 

[30907]

My older brother used it for work around about 15 years ago.
I think it ran via Leicester and Coventry. But they were cut soon afterwards.
Don't know if it was Central or Cross Country.

There was an hourly (CT) Nottingham-Coventry prior to the present service pattern, but I can't see how it would have gone through to MKC

 

[DarloRich]

My older brother used it for work around about 15 years ago.
I think it ran via Leicester and Coventry. But they were cut soon afterwards.
Don't know if it was Central or Cross Country.

i dont think it came through to MK

 

[Ianno87]

i dont think it came through to MK

I did once see something written somewhere (can't remember where) about one journey extending to or from Northampton. But I'm still not sure if it was actually true, and never seen a timetable with it in.

 

[LowLevel]

There were a couple of Central DMU workings from Northampton in the morning, the destination varied, sometimes Shrewsbury, sometimes east towards Leicester and beyond.

 

[Techniquest]

Find a supermarket and stock up on sensibly priced supplies in advance of the journey. Failing that, wait until Sheffield and, depending on your connection time, grab a pint then dash into BK afterwards. If you're anything like me, you'll find BK more filling and longer lasting than anything for the same money in M&S Simply Food.

Have a good journey either way!