Last Saturday I did a mini bash just for the hell of it. Stamford-Peterborough-Kings Cross-Euston-Manchester-Leeds-Peterborough-Stamford, I had a 1st day return Stamford-Peterborough and the rest on 1st advances.
Bit of a dodgy start as the 8.01 at Stamford arrived on time but then sat there from 15mins due to a medical emergency, making me anxious about my 13 min connection at Peterborough, although for some reason this train is allowed 17mins when some do it in just 12. Got the guard to scrawl some stuff on my ticket just in case, but made the connection with a couple of minutes to spare. Lots of work going on at Peterborough with 3 new platforms under construction, the new island platform is coming along nicely.
Left Peterborough on the 08.31 to London. I always enjoy East Coast 1st, very pleasant, plenty of leg room and nice and peaceful. Got served a coffee and a croissant on the way down.
Arriving at Kings Cross I had plenty of time before my 10.20 to Manchester, so walked over to Euston and then hung out in the first class lounge. A few people in there especially around the computers, but the armchair area was empty.
Then on to the train to Manchester via Stoke. Only my second time on a Virgin train, the previous time there was a staff shortage and no at seat service, and I didn't bother to go down to the café bar to collect whatever was on offer. On this occasion there was service, so I got a coffee and a snack box. Not had one of these before, they really are comical. Reminds me of the "lucky bag" you could get when I was a kid, only in a cardboard box instead of a bag. I ate the biscuit with my coffee and left the rest.
At Manchester I looked for the lounge but it was closed for the weekend. Next up the 12.57 to Leeds, which was going on to Middlesborough. My first trip on TPE in any class. My impression of 1st class is that it is similar to that on the XC Birmingham Stansted service, only busier and a lot scruffier inside.
Getting a bit peckish by now so glad to get back to East Coast at Leeds for the 14.05 to take me to Peterborough. At seat service in operation, so I got some egg mayo sandwiches, crisps and cake and a coffee. As I said, I have only used Virgin twice but East Coast just seems so much better, not just the food, somehow the atmosphere just feels warmer and friendlier.
Back in Peterborough I have about half an hour to wait for the connection back to Stamford, I had toyed with saving a few quid and going 2nd on this leg, but in the end I was glad I got first as the 3 car train was rammed but first class was empty.
Overall the trip took about 8 hours. Very nice to be waited on for a change, as I am in full time work but also a full time carer for my disabled mum, so I normally have my work cut out. I had to arrange extra cover for this trip, but glad to have a day out, enjoyed it and will probably do it again on some other routes.
Bit of a dodgy start as the 8.01 at Stamford arrived on time but then sat there from 15mins due to a medical emergency, making me anxious about my 13 min connection at Peterborough, although for some reason this train is allowed 17mins when some do it in just 12. Got the guard to scrawl some stuff on my ticket just in case, but made the connection with a couple of minutes to spare. Lots of work going on at Peterborough with 3 new platforms under construction, the new island platform is coming along nicely.
Left Peterborough on the 08.31 to London. I always enjoy East Coast 1st, very pleasant, plenty of leg room and nice and peaceful. Got served a coffee and a croissant on the way down.
Arriving at Kings Cross I had plenty of time before my 10.20 to Manchester, so walked over to Euston and then hung out in the first class lounge. A few people in there especially around the computers, but the armchair area was empty.
Then on to the train to Manchester via Stoke. Only my second time on a Virgin train, the previous time there was a staff shortage and no at seat service, and I didn't bother to go down to the café bar to collect whatever was on offer. On this occasion there was service, so I got a coffee and a snack box. Not had one of these before, they really are comical. Reminds me of the "lucky bag" you could get when I was a kid, only in a cardboard box instead of a bag. I ate the biscuit with my coffee and left the rest.
At Manchester I looked for the lounge but it was closed for the weekend. Next up the 12.57 to Leeds, which was going on to Middlesborough. My first trip on TPE in any class. My impression of 1st class is that it is similar to that on the XC Birmingham Stansted service, only busier and a lot scruffier inside.
Getting a bit peckish by now so glad to get back to East Coast at Leeds for the 14.05 to take me to Peterborough. At seat service in operation, so I got some egg mayo sandwiches, crisps and cake and a coffee. As I said, I have only used Virgin twice but East Coast just seems so much better, not just the food, somehow the atmosphere just feels warmer and friendlier.
Back in Peterborough I have about half an hour to wait for the connection back to Stamford, I had toyed with saving a few quid and going 2nd on this leg, but in the end I was glad I got first as the 3 car train was rammed but first class was empty.
Overall the trip took about 8 hours. Very nice to be waited on for a change, as I am in full time work but also a full time carer for my disabled mum, so I normally have my work cut out. I had to arrange extra cover for this trip, but glad to have a day out, enjoyed it and will probably do it again on some other routes.