Reading- XC

[NSE]

Hello all, booked my train tickets back from Reading Fest today, I'm travelling up to Birmingham on a XC Voyager, and I have tried to get one on the Newcastle route on the basis that I believe it starts at Reading so my chance of getting my seat should be fine. However its Bank Holiday so could anyone confirm if the 12:41 is starting at Reading?

Cheers in advance.

 

[150222]

Yes it does but it will be diverted via solihull.

 

[NSE]

Ooooh ok, my ticket is for New Street, I have roughly an hour and a half until my Euston train, so a diversion is not a problem (welcomed infact) but, does this mean I have to get off at Snow Hill and walk, or can it still get to New Street after going through Solihull?

 

[Anvil1984]

Reading/Southampton - Newcastle goes through Solihull anyway and have done so for at least 2 / 3 years, the Bournemouth - Manchesters are the ones that go through Birmingham Int / Coventry. According to XC website the only disruption on that route is

08.15 Sun to 04.30 Mon
Train will divert via Solihull and not call at
Coventry and Birmingham Intl. Services
from Birmingham New St to Bournemouth
will depart Birmingham New St slightly
earlier. Rail replacement road transport will
operate between Leamington Spa, Coventry
& Birmingham Intl. Trains services will
operate between Birmingham New St and
Birmingham Intl/Coventry on a diversionary
route

 

[NSE]

Oh ok, I thought it all went via Kenilworth. How does it go via Solihull and to New Street then?

 

[IanXC]

Oh ok, I thought it all went via Kenilworth. How does it go via Solihull and to New Street then?

Via the Camp Hill line.

 

[leedstraindude]

The 1241 starts from Southampton Central.

 

[LexyBoy]

Hello all, booked my train tickets back from Reading Fest today, I'm travelling up to Birmingham on a XC Voyager, and I have tried to get one on the Newcastle route on the basis that I believe it starts at Reading so my chance of getting my seat should be fine. However its Bank Holiday so could anyone confirm if the 12:41 is starting at Reading?

Cheers in advance.

Optimist much?

The Voyagers used are much too short for the routes they do under normal circumstances; during the Festival they are absolutely rammed. I think XC usually try and double up some services (maybe someone from XC will know what's planned), but IME it's not usually enough and there will be queues waiting to get on the next train. If you have an Advance ticket though I'd think your chances of getting on that train (and a seat) are better.

Anyway, I'm curious as to why you're going via Birmingham to then head back towards London - surely it would be better to go via London? Apologies if I've grasped the wrong end of the stick!

 

[NSE]

Optimist much?

The Voyagers used are much too short for the routes they do under normal circumstances; during the Festival they are absolutely rammed. I think XC usually try and double up some services (maybe someone from XC will know what's planned), but IME it's not usually enough and there will be queues waiting to get on the next train. If you have an Advance ticket though I'd think your chances of getting on that train (and a seat) are better.

Anyway, I'm curious as to why you're going via Birmingham to then head back towards London - surely it would be better to go via London? Apologies if I've grasped the wrong end of the stick!

Well I know XC are rubbish, I've joined Virgin services half way on their route, and always got my seat, but no chance with XC. I figured that if the voyager started at Reading my chances are slightly improved.
As for travelling via Birmingham, the ticket back to my home station was £5 more expensive than travelling via Birmingham. It also allowed to me to stick some First Class in, Virgin is normally fairly cheap, so I figured after a weekend of partying I needed some time to relax