NXEC Reservations

[me123]

A few quick questions about reservations on NXEC services:

1. Can all seats be reserved, or do they leave some unreserved?
2. If so, where on the train can I find these unreserved seats?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pumbaa]

A few quick questions about reservations on NXEC services:

1. Can all seats be reserved, or do they leave some unreserved?
2. If so, where on the train can I find these unreserved seats?

Thanks in advance.

Coaches G and H are usually unreserved. I think that changes for certain key services. H is the coach with about 20 seats in with the cafe/bar. G the next one up towards Scotland. Middle of the train really is it goes B-C-D-E-F-G-H-J-K-L (I think)! Or if the cafe/bar is the G, then E is reserved usually.

 

[LilLoaf]

If you are looking for unreserved seats then head to the cafe/ bar coach its always unreserved. Sometimes coach C, is unreserved but only on less busy services. There are always seats available in coach B becuase nobody can be bothered to walk to top end of the train at the Cross.

All 1st class coaches are usually reserved but you may find the odd seat available as they have to leave "some" unreserved. But not a whole coach not for 1st class anyway.

 

[me123]

Thanks people; I'll probably go southbound on an NXEC service because it's much quieter at Glasgow and I'll be able to find unreserved seats with greater ease I think

 

[Pumbaa]

If you are looking for unreserved seats then head to the cafe/ bar coach its always unreserved. Sometimes coach C, is unreserved but only on less busy services. There are always seats available in coach B becuase nobody can be bothered to walk to top end of the train at the Cross.

All 1st class coaches are usually reserved but you may find the odd seat available as they have to leave "some" unreserved. But not a whole coach not for 1st class anyway.

C is the second coach to be reserved full up, with E being the first. B is the Quiet Coach, and usually well-reserved.

 

[me123]

Another quick question; do Virgin always leave Coach B unreserved? If not, where would I find unreserved seats on a Pendolino? Thanks again.

 

[Pumbaa]

Another quick question; do Virgin always leave Coach B unreserved? If not, where would I find unreserved seats on a Pendolino? Thanks again.

Yup they do for all off-peak services. They only start booking into B on Peak services when the other carriages are full ie the tables are usually all taken in B, as they are in high demand, but that's it.

Unreserved seats usually easiest to find in B and E. E is an unpowered trailer, and in my experience smoother. When going northwards, B is the better option as less people bother walking up the train that far. Southwards the opposite is true (E), although on packed services it ends up the most crowded carriage as everyone walks down hoping to find space, don't and then stay there.

A is the Quiet Coach, and as it's so small, usually well booked out. Coaches are booked C>D>E>(B). HTH.

 

[me123]

Thanks again; would 14:30/15:30 EUS-GLC on a Saturday be "peak" services then? ie, will I get a seat in Coach B if I'm there early enough?

 

[djw1981]

I wouldn't think it would be peak. And you should do.

Why not just stay til Sunday - cheaper Advance fares (but don;t make the mistake I did and get the last service - bus from Carlisle and not a 57 drag over the GSW!)

 

[MCR247]

BTW If you go in Coach A (quiet coach) there is kind of a table for two. It like airline seats and are classed as airline seats but are like a half table

 

[Techniquest]

VXC always had coach B on the Voyagers for the unreserved coach, never knew they did it on the Pendolinos.

I believe AXC also continue the tradition of not reserving coach B on the Voyagers (221126's coach B on Saturday was totally unreserved from a quick look-round), although I've yet to confirm that.

If you're going for the 1530 off EUS, getting there around 1515 should suffice as they don't tend to let people onto the platforms until around 10 minutes beforehand.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

and not a 57 drag over the GSW!)

I heard this was happening last Sunday, is it again any other time this year?

 

[me123]

Thanks again everyone; I'm booked now. I'll probably hike up to Coach B on the Virgin and just hope for a seat. (I usually leave the quiet coach for grumpy old businessmen in Marks and Spencer suits who can't quite afford First Class ) And I'm on an OPR because the Advance tickets weren't much cheaper and this gives me some flexibility.

BTW, techniquest, the only reason I know they leave Coach B unreserved is that I once couldn't get a reservation and boarded on Coach B to find not a single reserved seat. I have to say that a few people weren't happy about that arrangement, but it is fair for "turn-up-and-go" travelers.

 

[Techniquest]

It is fair to walk-up passengers, yes. Always handy to know that, I'll bear it in mind for the next time I can't get a seat in coach A.

 

[Pumbaa]

Thanks again everyone; I'm booked now. I'll probably hike up to Coach B on the Virgin and just hope for a seat. (I usually leave the quiet coach for grumpy old businessmen in Marks and Spencer suits who can't quite afford First Class ) And I'm on an OPR because the Advance tickets weren't much cheaper and this gives me some flexibility.

BTW, techniquest, the only reason I know they leave Coach B unreserved is that I once couldn't get a reservation and boarded on Coach B to find not a single reserved seat. I have to say that a few people weren't happy about that arrangement, but it is fair for "turn-up-and-go" travelers.

EUS opens barriers at 15 mins prior. Coach B in Super Voyagers is always unreserved, asin the days of XC only Supers had coach B. Therefore if a normal Voyager turned up... You get the gist!

No Saturday service is classed as Peak by Virgin. Basically their Peak services are the ones that serve Breakfast/Dinner in FC. Enjoy me123!

 

[djw1981]

The reason why AXC / XC coach B is unreserved is IIRC because coach B is the one not in the 4 car voyagers. Hence if a set swap happens no reservations are lost.

 

[MCR247]

Like XC (or CT) dont reserve in Coach B. I always wondered why CT 2car units were Coaches A & C. But I realised that it was because if they were A&B they might lose reservations.
i.e For Liverpool - Norwich it could of been a 3car 170 or a 2car 158/170 and so if they reserved coach A & C no reservations would be lost!

 

[clagmonster]

It's the same with TPE 170s having coach C instead of coach B, and the 2-car 158s before them. I suppose it's quite sensible really. However, as it is highly unlikely a 170 will cover for a 185, reservations are provided in the centre car (coach B)

 

[andylloyd]

Plenty of un-reserved seats today on the 0830 NXEC NCL-YRK and then on the 1356 NXEC YRK-NCL. I was expecting the latter to be rammed but it was not the case

 

[me123]

Same on the 0750 GLC-KGX (1030 ex NCL)