Oxford to Stirling - via Glasgow or Edinburgh?

[route:oxford]

Travelling to Stirling tomorrow 21/12 via Birmingham & WCML.

Given the problems with Scotrail over recent weeks, I can't decide which way will be the more reliable routing to get to Stirling...

Recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[yorkie]

I didn't understand the title, so I edited it to what I think you are trying to do, please let me know if this is correct? Ta

You are more likely to get a seat to Glasgow. The majority of people on trains north of Carlisle are going to Edinburgh (Source: WCML RUS), yet there is more capacity on the Glasgow Pendolinos.

There are more trains from Glasgow Queen St to Stirling, than from Edinburgh. It also looks like the majority of trains from Edinburgh to Stirling were cancelled, while the majority from Glasgow did run, earlier today. This may (or may not!) be the case tomorrow.

 

[rail-britain]

Snow has been heavier in the east of Scotland
I would therefore recommend travelling via Glasgow

At least you have options when travelling via Glasgow
Glasgow - Croy - Stirling
If the above route is closed, then Glasgow - Falkirk Grahamston (change) - Stirling may be possible

 

[route:oxford]

Cheers guys.

Will start heading north a bit later.

 

[me123]

I'd agree with the above. Glasgow is your best bet. I would also suggest (depending on when you arrive) taking the 398 bus to Queen Street rather than trying to push your way through the crowds getting their last minute shopping on Buchanan Street! It's free if you show the driver your rail ticket, and is particularly useful if you've got a lot of bags.

Glasgow also has the benefits of 3tph to Stirling compared to Edinburgh's 2tph. They're also Turbostars, so they're more comfortable and have more seats, so you're more likely to get somewhere to sit, and to put your bags.

(And, if you've got time, you can pop down to George Square for a wee go on the ice rink!).

 

[Mcr Warrior]

At least you have options when travelling via Glasgow
Glasgow - Croy - Stirling
If the above route is closed, then Glasgow - Falkirk Grahamston (change) - Stirling may be possible

:roll: It's a possibility, although most trains from Glasgow to Falkirk Grahamston pass through Cumbernauld, which has been particularly affected by snow-related issues in the past few weeks, and at Falkirk Grahamston, to get to Stirling, you will probably then have to get a train that has come from Edinburgh (!)

 

[rail-britain]

:roll: It's a possibility, although most trains from Glasgow to Falkirk Grahamston pass through Cumbernauld, which has been particularly affected by snow-related issues in the past few weeks, and at Falkirk Grahamston, to get to Stirling, you will probably then have to get a train that has come from Edinburgh (!)

I appreciate that, but with the unpredicitable nature, it could result in Croy being closed and Cumbernauld remaining open

However, you could end up at Falkirk Grahamston only to find no Edinburgh - Stirling service running
At least the bus station is not that far away in order to complete the final leg to Stirling

 

[route:oxford]

Well, that was fun! But I did get back to Stirling.

Oxford to birmingham
Birmingham to Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton to manchester
Picadilly
Manchester picadilly to manchester oxford road (walk)
Manchester oxford road to Warrington central
Warrington central to Warrington bank quay (walk)
Warrington bank quay to glasgow central.
Glasgow central to glasgow queen street (walk)
Glasgow queen street to Stirling.