North of England to Edinburgh.

[lrbvoyager]

Hi there! I normally travel from Carlisle to Edinburgh in first class with Avanti. I find the staff great and the seats comfortable. I can travel from either Carlisle or Newcastle and was wondering what everyone’s preferred operator would be. Either Avanti from CAR-EDI, TPE from CAR-EDI or LNER from NCL-EDI. Which first class is the best and why?

 

[styles]

I would rank them something like:

1. LNER on ECML - great views, great service
2. TPE on WCML - nice views, ok service, great value for money.
3. Avanti on WCML - nice views, ok service and their 1st class can be good when it works, less value for money but they do have Club Avanti.
4. Lumo on ECML - great views, budget service, cheap.

Somewhere in the mix is XC but in all honesty I just don't like the rolling stock any more.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

What's TPE's first class offering like over on the ECML between Newcastle and Edinburgh? Something like 5 trains per weekday?

 

[A S Leib]

What's TPE's first class offering like over on the ECML between Newcastle and Edinburgh? Something like 5 trains per weekday?

I think it's snacks and drinks; 5tpd now plus two extra between Berwick and Edinburgh, increasing to every two hours from December.

 

[Haywain]

4. Lumo on ECML - great views, budget service, cheap.

The first class is non-existent though.

 

[Porty]

L

I would rank them something like:

1. LNER on ECML - great views, great service
2. TPE on WCML - nice views, ok service, great value for money.
3. Avanti on WCML - nice views, ok service and their 1st class can be good when it works, less value for money but they do have Club Avanti.
4. Lumo on ECML - great views, budget service, cheap.

Somewhere in the mix is XC but in all honesty I just don't like the rolling stock any more.

I would rank them something like:

1. LNER on ECML - great views, great service
2. TPE on WCML - nice views, ok service, great value for money.
3. Avanti on WCML - nice views, ok service and their 1st class can be good when it works, less value for money but they do have Club Avanti.
4. Lumo on ECML - great views, budget service, cheap.

Somewhere in the mix is XC but in all honesty I just don't like the rolling stock any more.

Plus LNER lounges at Newcastle and Waverley. None for Avanti nor TPE.

 

[lrbvoyager]

L



Plus LNER lounges at Newcastle and Waverley. None for Avanti nor TPE.

I find the ride quality on LNER horrific! So if I miss out on a lounge for the sake of a smooth ride I think it’s worth it.

 

[lrbvoyager]

Overall I personally would rank it
1st- Avanti because of how comfy the seat is and the food offering. Staff are also great.
2nd- TPE(WCML) because of the value for money, seat is also really good and 397 ride quality is better than you’d think!
3rd- LNER food is good but seats are very uncomfortable and the 80x train type is by far worse compared to a 390 or 397

 

[styles]

The first class is non-existent though.

I missed the bit where they specified first class

That said, my rankings still apply, except I'd have to slot XC in before Lumo, for the reason you've given.

 

[lrbvoyager]

I missed the bit where they specified first class

That said, my rankings still apply, except I'd have to slot XC in before Lumo, for the reason you've given.

Doesn’t just have to be first class! I’m intrested to see what lumos WCML offering is like.

 

[styles]

Doesn’t just have to be first class! I’m intrested to see what lumos WCML offering is like.

Yes, until a few months ago I lived in such a position that the direct Stirling-London service would've been ideal.

Taken Lumo on ECML plenty and find it does the job when on a budget.

In fact I was considering a client in MK recently and I would take the Stirling-MK service if it arrived/departed at a suitable time to work the '****' model (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the office).

 

[Willie Bee]

I've recently travelled from Carlisle to Manchester, Manchester to Newcastle and Leeds to Newcastle on TPE in first class and their service on these has been excellent. Their ECML menu service only started the week I travelled home from Manchester. (Feb)

I'm travelling to Edinburgh soon from Newcastle and was asking a TPE staff member about food on this route .. nothing yet, but hopefully coming soon .. maybe in 2026