My trip on Grand Central trains in January

[mrwatford]

Hi, im new on here today and will be traveling with this company on the 8.11 to sunderland from kings cross , im asking if anyone can tell me a bit about them and are they as good as say virgin and the former east coast line , I travel a lot on trains as a watch Watford play all around the country and Saturday will be my first time on grand central

Thanks

 

[Jonfun]

I'd say they're *better* than Virgin, based on my recent travels with the team in red. But it all depends on how you define better. Better as in more comfy seats, better as in more frequent trains, more seats?

 

[yorksrob]

There's a good chance that you'll get one of their HST's, which to my mind are more comfortable than a Pendolino or Voyager. They also do a reasonably priced cup of tea on board, which sets them above most IC operators (though I haven't been to a Virgin Trains buffet for a bit).

 

[185143]

There's a good chance that you'll get one of their HST's, which to my mind are more comfortable than a Pendolino or Voyager. They also do a reasonably priced cup of tea on board, which sets them above most IC operators (though I haven't been to a Virgin Trains buffet for a bit).

soft drinks and snacks are a tad overpriced IMHO.

 

[yorksrob]

soft drinks and snacks are a tad overpriced IMHO.

Maybe. But the sausage baguette is a decent size.

 

[Kite159]

That train is normally a HST on Saturdays, if so the coach at the London end of the set is sometimes a declassified first class coach (could be at the other end), with rather nice 2+1 seating

 

[Bungle965]

Being on Grand Central only once before i can not give an well rounded opinion, not to mention that i did the other route to the one that you will be using (London Kings Cross to Bradford Interchange). But never the less I will share with you my experience of it. The staff on board seem to be friendly and happy to help, if you are in first like i was they serve you refreshments in proper cups, not plastic ones which is good. And the wifi was acceptable. Although there was a few down points to my journey none of them are applicable to your journey as you will be travelling in a HST vice a Class 180 which i was in.
Hope it helps.
Sam

 

[backontrack]

180s are good too, nice comfy units, so you should be fine either way. I think the tables on the HST services have chess boards on them - playing pieces available from the conductor/trolley, so if not alone quite fun.

 

[mrwatford]

Many thanks for the replys and much appreciated, im just hoping the table I asked for I get as its 4 hrs and be nice to relax as there are four of us traveling
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I have now made the journey for first time using grand central London kings cross direct to sunderland, first thing I noticed is that every seat has a large table so could all sit and chat and have a beer lol made a great day, leg room was huge and toiulets large clean, staff very nice and although I never used the on board shop it looked good enough.

I did notice they seemed to be old trains but clean enough and in was happy, so great day a 1-0 win and I would travel with them again
im a happy hornet

 

[FQ]

Glad you enjoyed it. Judging by what you said, you got a tram (HST).

 

[backontrack]

That's good news. You can also get them to York, Thirsk, Northallerton, Eaglescliffe, Hartlepool and Sunderland, and Grand Central also run trains to Halifax, Doncaster, Bradford, Wakefield, Pontefract, Mirfield and Brighouse, although I think those tend to be Class 180s (still good though).

 

[yorksrob]

Indeed. The only downside I've noticed with them, certainly on the Bradford route, is that they have a tendency to reserve all of the seats, so not always much opportunity to move if you get stuck next to a pillar. Not a huge issue in the grand scheme of things though.

 

[Jk300]

Hi, I will be travelling from Hartlepool (HST) with grand central to London Kings Cross in first class I would just like to know is the food and drink they serve on board first class free of charge or will I have to pay for them?

 

[Bungle965]

Hi, I will be travelling from Hartlepool (HST) with grand central to London Kings Cross in first class I would just like to know is the food and drink they serve on board first class free of charge or will I have to pay for them?

https://www.grandcentralrail.com/customer-service/first-class/
You get free tea and coffee, as well as biscuits, the rest you have to pay for.
Sam

 

[Jk300]

https://www.grandcentralrail.com/customer-service/first-class/
You get free tea and coffee, as well as biscuits, the rest you have to pay for.
Sam

Thank you