Trip for Settle-Carlisle, Glasgow Subway, Tyne & Wear Metro

[boiledbeans2]

I'm planning a trip and I have some questions about it (in bold below).

I'm getting a Guildford - Glasgow off-peak ticket for £110 (with railcard), so I'm trying to maximise its use.

Northbound journey
I will leave on a weekday and get the following trains:
1003 KGX - 1216 LDS <-- This is to ride the Class 91s
(or 1033 KGX - 1248 LDS)
1318 LDS - 1602 CAR <-- This is for the Settle-Carlisle line
1648 CAR - 1800 GLC

So I was looking at the timetables and was surprised that the Settle-Carlisle is 1tp2h. From RTT, they are 2-car Class 158s. I was expecting a beefier service considering this is a famed route.
1) Will this train be crowded?
2) Which side of the train should I sit for the best views?


Glasgow subway
This trip is specifically to ride the Glasgow Subway and Tyne & Wear Metro as I understand the trains will be replaced in the next year or so.

From reading SPT's website, I see the Glasgow Subway is a flat fare system.
3) So with a single trip ticket, I could ride the subway once clockwise, once anti-clockwise, before exiting at a random station (including the origin), is this right? Are there time limits?
4) Will the ticket barriers swallow the single trip ticket on exit?
5) Where are some good places to take photos of the trains? From looking at platform photos on Wikipedia, Govan is the only station with side platforms and no pillars between tracks, is this right? This means I can take photos of the train on the opposite platform and be able to see the undercarriage.

6) Are there some interesting stations I should visit and take photos of? I would prefer older/non-modernised stations.
7) According to post 35 of www.railforums.co.uk/threads/glasgow-subway-new-driverless-trains.210196/page-2 there may be driving cabs in the middle of the train? Something like the hybrid 3-car GWR Class 158s?

Glasgow - Edinburgh
I will be staying in Glasgow (because the hotels are cheaper!) so I will be doing some Glasgow - Edinburgh day trips.
According to Wikipedia, there are 5 Glasgow - Edinburgh routes.
8) Which is the most scenic/interesting of the 5? I may do 2 day trips, so could try 2 options.
9) I see Scotrail are having strikes on Sundays. Will the trains be busy on Sunday?

I'd like to ride some older trains which may be replaced in the near future, especially the Class 156s as I have never been on it before. I don't care about the newer Class 380/385 as they will still be around 20 years later.
10) According to Wikipedia, Class 156s are used on the Shotts line from Glasgow to Edinburgh, is this right? Are there some specific diagrams or can I just turn up at random?

I'd like to visit the Forth bridges as well. My plan is to take the train heading north over the Forth Bridge, get off at North Queensferry, head south and walk the full length of the Forth Road Bridge, and the get back on the train at Dalmeny.

Tyne & Wear Metro
After Glasgow, I will travel down to Newcastle (possibly on Sunday 1900 GLC - 2148 NEW XC service. Not sure if the Scotrail strikes will cause this service to be overloaded).
On the Tyne & Wear Metro, I plan to get the Metro Day ticket for 3 zones.
11) Similar to the Glasgow Subway questions, where are some good places to take photos of the trains?
12) Are there some interesting stations I should visit (e.g. with interesting layouts like Piccadilly Circus Bakerloo Line)? I read that Sunderland is interesting because both NR and metro trains use the same platforms.


Southbound journey
On the way back, I will stop at York for a few hours to visit the National Rail Museum. According to the website, there are lockers at the museum, so I will shove my suitcase there while I visit the museum. After the museum, I will aim for the Class 91s again to head south (on a weekday):
1845 LDS - 2059 KGX
(or 1945 LDS - 2200 KGX)

This is my plan so far. And finally,
13) Any good advice, tips or experiences to share? Note: it will be my first time on the Glasgow Subway/T&W Metro/NRM/using the trains to get to Scotland

Thanks for reading my long post and getting to this sentence!

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

In regards to the Tyne and Wear Metro, Whitley Bay is a nice station with mosaics. You can travel on the Shields Ferry with some Metro tickets, I suggest from South, to North, cafe break at the Sambouca (or some name like that) and back. Look out for Monkwearmouth just before Sunderland (Wilko had a cafe a few years ago that was ace, visit if still there).
The Whitley Bay to Jesmond Line has lots of greenery.

 

[bramling]

I'm planning a trip and I have some questions about it (in bold below).

I'm getting a Guildford - Glasgow off-peak ticket for £110 (with railcard), so I'm trying to maximise its use.

Northbound journey
I will leave on a weekday and get the following trains:
1003 KGX - 1216 LDS <-- This is to ride the Class 91s
(or 1033 KGX - 1248 LDS)
1318 LDS - 1602 CAR <-- This is for the Settle-Carlisle line
1648 CAR - 1800 GLC

So I was looking at the timetables and was surprised that the Settle-Carlisle is 1tp2h. From RTT, they are 2-car Class 158s. I was expecting a beefier service considering this is a famed route.
1) Will this train be crowded?
2) Which side of the train should I sit for the best views?


Glasgow subway
This trip is specifically to ride the Glasgow Subway and Tyne & Wear Metro as I understand the trains will be replaced in the next year or so.

From reading SPT's website, I see the Glasgow Subway is a flat fare system.
3) So with a single trip ticket, I could ride the subway once clockwise, once anti-clockwise, before exiting at a random station (including the origin), is this right? Are there time limits?
4) Will the ticket barriers swallow the single trip ticket on exit?
5) Where are some good places to take photos of the trains? From looking at platform photos on Wikipedia, Govan is the only station with side platforms and no pillars between tracks, is this right? This means I can take photos of the train on the opposite platform and be able to see the undercarriage.

6) Are there some interesting stations I should visit and take photos of? I would prefer older/non-modernised stations.
7) According to post 35 of www.railforums.co.uk/threads/glasgow-subway-new-driverless-trains.210196/page-2 there may be driving cabs in the middle of the train? Something like the hybrid 3-car GWR Class 158s?

Glasgow - Edinburgh
I will be staying in Glasgow (because the hotels are cheaper!) so I will be doing some Glasgow - Edinburgh day trips.
According to Wikipedia, there are 5 Glasgow - Edinburgh routes.
8) Which is the most scenic/interesting of the 5? I may do 2 day trips, so could try 2 options.
9) I see Scotrail are having strikes on Sundays. Will the trains be busy on Sunday?

I'd like to ride some older trains which may be replaced in the near future, especially the Class 156s as I have never been on it before. I don't care about the newer Class 380/385 as they will still be around 20 years later.
10) According to Wikipedia, Class 156s are used on the Shotts line from Glasgow to Edinburgh, is this right? Are there some specific diagrams or can I just turn up at random?

I'd like to visit the Forth bridges as well. My plan is to take the train heading north over the Forth Bridge, get off at North Queensferry, head south and walk the full length of the Forth Road Bridge, and the get back on the train at Dalmeny.

Tyne & Wear Metro
After Glasgow, I will travel down to Newcastle (possibly on Sunday 1900 GLC - 2148 NEW XC service. Not sure if the Scotrail strikes will cause this service to be overloaded).
On the Tyne & Wear Metro, I plan to get the Metro Day ticket for 3 zones.
11) Similar to the Glasgow Subway questions, where are some good places to take photos of the trains?
12) Are there some interesting stations I should visit (e.g. with interesting layouts like Piccadilly Circus Bakerloo Line)? I read that Sunderland is interesting because both NR and metro trains use the same platforms.


Southbound journey
On the way back, I will stop at York for a few hours to visit the National Rail Museum. According to the website, there are lockers at the museum, so I will shove my suitcase there while I visit the museum. After the museum, I will aim for the Class 91s again to head south (on a weekday):
1845 LDS - 2059 KGX
(or 1945 LDS - 2200 KGX)

This is my plan so far. And finally,
13) Any good advice, tips or experiences to share? Note: it will be my first time on the Glasgow Subway/T&W Metro/NRM/using the trains to get to Scotland

Thanks for reading my long post and getting to this sentence!

Regarding Tyne & Wear, the most unspoiled ex BR stations are Tynemouth, Cullercoats, Whitley Bay, Monkseaton, West Monkseaton, Benton, Longbenton, South Gosforth and West Jesmond, all of which retain elements of their past.

Alternatively, Monument, Gateshead, Jesmond, Manors, Four Lane Ends, Regent Centre and Heworth are largely in original 1980s condition, Monument in particular being the last of the “Tube” stations in that state.

Beyond that they’re all much of a muchness, and pretty much every station ranges from quite busy to very busy, even at off-peak times. If wanting photos without people then patience will be required.

Be aware that photography is technically prohibited on this system, though you’re unlikely to have issues - staffing levels are very low, and CCTV is not constantly viewed. Also be aware some of the stations are in quite rough areas, and locals aren’t as used to people taking photos as some other systems in the UK, so a certain amount of awareness is required. Gateshead to Pelaw, Pelaw to South Hylton and Byker to Meadowwell seem to be the rougher parts.

 

[Huntergreed]

This trip is specifically to ride the Glasgow Subway and Tyne & Wear Metro as I understand the trains will be replaced in the next year or so.

From reading SPT's website, I see the Glasgow Subway is a flat fare system.
3) So with a single trip ticket, I could ride the subway once clockwise, once anti-clockwise, before exiting at a random station (including the origin), is this right? Are there time limits? [/B]

This is correct. A “single” ticket will allow you travel from any station to any other station. I don’t believe there are time limits, but another Forum member can confirm this
I’m sure!

4) Will the ticket barriers swallow the single trip ticket on exit?

No, simply “press” your ticket against the reader, there’s no slot to insert it, unlike a national Rail ticket barrier.

5) Where are some good places to take photos of the trains? From looking at platform photos on Wikipedia, Govan is the only station with side platforms and no pillars between tracks, is this right? This means I can take photos of the train on the opposite platform and be able to see the undercarriage.

I believe this is correct. The stations are:

St Enoch - Side Platforms (Opposed, Some Pillars)

Buchanan St - Side Platforms (Adjacent, Glass Partition)

Cowcaddens - Island

St George’s Cross - Island

Kelvinbridge - Island

Hillhead - Side Platforms (Adjacent, Glass P)

Kelvinhall - Island

Partick - Side Platforms (Opposite, Some Pillars)

Govan - Side Platforms (Opposite, No Pillars)

Ibrox - Side Platforms (Adjacent, Glass Partition)

Cessnock - Island

Kinning Park - Island

Shields Road - Island

West Street - Island

Bridge Street - Island

6) Are there some interesting stations I should visit and take photos of? I would prefer older/non-modernised stations.

Are you referring to subway or national rail stations? Some beautiful stations in the Glasgow area (get a daytripper! Visit the likes of Wemyss Bay, a stunning station with a ferry across to Rothesay!

I will be staying in Glasgow (because the hotels are cheaper!) so I will be doing some Glasgow - Edinburgh day trips.
According to Wikipedia, there are 5 Glasgow - Edinburgh routes.
8) Which is the most scenic/interesting of the 5? I may do 2 day trips, so could try 2 options.

There are indeed 5 (These being:

Queen St to Edinburgh via Falkirk High (the main, express route, served by 385’s)
Queen St to Edinburgh via Cumbernauld (slower route, also served by 385’s)
Queen St (Low Level) to Edinburgh via Bathgate (slower route again, served by 334’s)
Central - Edinburgh via Shotts (Slower route, this time out of Glasgow Central, served by 385’s and 380’s)
Central - Edinburgh via Carstairs (The least common route, served by 385’s and 380’s (Scotrail) as well as Crosscountry 221’s and LNER Azuma’s (well, one per day!))

It’s entirely down to you! If you’re doing 2 day trips, I would go there and back a different route each time; allowing you to experience 4 of the 5. The one via Bathgate is my least favourite (I just don’t find it very interesting, it’s very slow, lots of starting and stopping, and I’m not too keen on the 334’s for a journey of over an hour)

9) I see Scotrail are having strikes on Sundays. Will the trains be busy on Sunday?

Quite possibly, but I wouldn’t say they’re wildly busier than usual! Just depends what demand is like on the day.

I'd like to ride some older trains which may be replaced in the near future, especially the Class 156s as I have never been on it before. I don't care about the newer Class 380/385 as they will still be around 20 years later.
10) According to Wikipedia, Class 156s are used on the Shotts line from Glasgow to Edinburgh, is this right? Are there some specific diagrams or can I just turn up at random?

This is not correct. 156’s do not serve this route anymore. It’s almost exclusively 380’s and 385’s. VERY rarely you’ll get a 158 turn up on this route, but certainly I’ve only had this once recently (it’s strange to get a 158 out of central at all these days in all honesty!)

As a resident Scot, that’s about all I can help with I’m afraid, but I’m sure other members can fill in the rest (and double check I’ve not forgotten/misremembered something!)

 

[D6130]

1318 LDS - 1602 CAR <-- This is for the Settle-Carlisle line

This train could be quite busy, although not usually as busy as the morning departures from Leeds, especially when the 'Staycation Express' is running between Skipton and Carlisle. The best views will be on the right hand side in the direction of travel, except between Blea Moor Tunnel and Garsdale, where you have the wonderful view on the left hand side looking down Dentdale, just before Dent station itself. I would advise taking a RHS facing airline window seat, if you can, but temporarily moving across to the other side after entering Blea Moor Tunnel.

 

[XAM2175]

I'd like to ride some older trains which may be replaced in the near future, especially the Class 156s as I have never been on it before. I don't care about the newer Class 380/385 as they will still be around 20 years later.
10) According to Wikipedia, Class 156s are used on the Shotts line from Glasgow to Edinburgh, is this right? Are there some specific diagrams or can I just turn up at random?

If you have a specific desire for a ride on a 156, you should consider the West Highland Line from Queen Street (even if you only go as far as Dumbarton, to enable a speedy return), or services to Barrhead, East Kilbride, or Kilmarnock from Central.

This is not correct. 156’s do not serve this route anymore. It’s almost exclusively 380’s and 385’s. VERY rarely you’ll get a 158 turn up on this route, but certainly I’ve only had this once recently (it’s strange to get a 158 out of central at all these days in all honesty!)

There is at least one Shotts line service on a weekday actually pathed and booked for a 158 - 2Y87, 2227 from EDB - that I know about by having stumbled onto it last week when I missed the express

 

[scotrail158713]

9) I see Scotrail are having strikes on Sundays. Will the trains be busy on Sunday?

Apologies if I have misunderstood your post, but if you are going between Edinburgh and Glasgow on a Sunday be aware that the route via Bathgate is the only Scotrail one running. And also note that any Sunday services are much reduced compared to usual.

 

[Kite159]

The 334s between Glasgow & Edinburgh on strike Sundays can be extremely busy to some accounts so not worth doing unless you really have to.

If in Glasgow on a Sunday, might be worth doing the subway that day.

For the XC service, just make sure you get a seat reservation, it might be busy from Glasgow.

 

[boiledbeans2]

In regards to the Tyne and Wear Metro, Whitley Bay is a nice station with mosaics. You can travel on the Shields Ferry with some Metro tickets, I suggest from South, to North, cafe break at the Sambouca (or some name like that) and back. Look out for Monkwearmouth just before Sunderland (Wilko had a cafe a few years ago that was ace, visit if still there).
The Whitley Bay to Jesmond Line has lots of greenery.

Thanks for your reply! Yeah I am planning to hop on the ferry as well. What do I take notice of at Monkwearmouth? I googled Monkwearmouth and it's an area in Sunderland?

 

[boiledbeans2]

Regarding Tyne & Wear, the most unspoiled ex BR stations are Tynemouth, Cullercoats, Whitley Bay, Monkseaton, West Monkseaton, Benton, Longbenton, South Gosforth and West Jesmond, all of which retain elements of their past.

Alternatively, Monument, Gateshead, Jesmond, Manors, Four Lane Ends, Regent Centre and Heworth are largely in original 1980s condition, Monument in particular being the last of the “Tube” stations in that state.

Beyond that they’re all much of a muchness, and pretty much every station ranges from quite busy to very busy, even at off-peak times. If wanting photos without people then patience will be required.

Be aware that photography is technically prohibited on this system, though you’re unlikely to have issues - staffing levels are very low, and CCTV is not constantly viewed. Also be aware some of the stations are in quite rough areas, and locals aren’t as used to people taking photos as some other systems in the UK, so a certain amount of awareness is required. Gateshead to Pelaw, Pelaw to South Hylton and Byker to Meadowwell seem to be the rougher parts.

Thanks for the suggested stations! So it seems in general, the Yellow Line stations are good, while I should avoid be more careful on the Green Line Sunderland-area stations.

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Thanks for your reply! Yeah I am planning to hop on the ferry as well. What do I take notice of at Monkwearmouth? I googled Monkwearmouth and it's an area in Sunderland?

It's just an old station north of Sunderland which I believe is a museum now, the trains don't stop at Monkwearmouth.
In Sunderland there is a Winter Gardens, it's a great place to visit too. South Shields has a Roman Fort, but I never saw it, my sister said it was good.
Oh, at Jarrow station there is a metal Jarrow March thing on a wall to look out for.

 

[boiledbeans2]

No, simply “press” your ticket against the reader, there’s no slot to insert it, unlike a national Rail ticket barrier.

On Wikipedia, I see a photo of a single trip ticket:

File:NewGlasgowSubwayTicket.jpg - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

So it's a contactless ticket?

Are you referring to subway or national rail stations? Some beautiful stations in the Glasgow area (get a daytripper! Visit the likes of Wemyss Bay, a stunning station with a ferry across to Rothesay!

Thanks for the detailed platform layout of the Glasgow subway! I was referring to if there are any interesting or "original-looking" Glasgow subway stations. Probably will have no time to visit the outskirts on this trip.

There are indeed 5 (These being:

Queen St to Edinburgh via Falkirk High (the main, express route, served by 385’s)
Queen St to Edinburgh via Cumbernauld (slower route, also served by 385’s)
Queen St (Low Level) to Edinburgh via Bathgate (slower route again, served by 334’s)
Central - Edinburgh via Shotts (Slower route, this time out of Glasgow Central, served by 385’s and 380’s)
Central - Edinburgh via Carstairs (The least common route, served by 385’s and 380’s (Scotrail) as well as Crosscountry 221’s and LNER Azuma’s (well, one per day!))

It’s entirely down to you! If you’re doing 2 day trips, I would go there and back a different route each time; allowing you to experience 4 of the 5. The one via Bathgate is my least favourite (I just don’t find it very interesting, it’s very slow, lots of starting and stopping, and I’m not too keen on the 334’s for a journey of over an hour)

I thought about that as well, 4 possible routes from 2 day trips. But on the return trip, it may be dark, so maybe I'll just get the fastest route (Falkirk) on the return.

I haven't been on a Class 334 before, so will have to do the Bathgate route at least once. I assume it will be similar to the SWR 458s?

 

[boiledbeans2]

This train could be quite busy, although not usually as busy as the morning departures from Leeds, especially when the 'Staycation Express' is running between Skipton and Carlisle. The best views will be on the right hand side in the direction of travel, except between Blea Moor Tunnel and Garsdale, where you have the wonderful view on the left hand side looking down Dentdale, just before Dent station itself. I would advise taking a RHS facing airline window seat, if you can, but temporarily moving across to the other side after entering Blea Moor Tunnel.

I may have trouble identifying Blea Moor Tunnel as this is my first time on the route.

From Wikipedia, Blea Moor Tunnel should be the first tunnel after leaving Ribbleshead? So I swap to the LHS in the tunnel, then at Garsdale, I go back to my original RHS seat?

 

[boiledbeans2]

The 334s between Glasgow & Edinburgh on strike Sundays can be extremely busy to some accounts so not worth doing unless you really have to.

If in Glasgow on a Sunday, might be worth doing the subway that day.

For the XC service, just make sure you get a seat reservation, it might be busy from Glasgow.

Apologies if I have misunderstood your post, but if you are going between Edinburgh and Glasgow on a Sunday be aware that the route via Bathgate is the only Scotrail one running. And also note that any Sunday services are much reduced compared to usual.

Thanks for the advice. So I should avoid doing the Edinburgh day trip on the Sunday. As you mentioned, I could use that day to ride the Glasgow Subway. Or possibly visit the Riverside Museum as well since it seems to be the 'London Transport Museum' of Scotland.

For the XC reservation. I could arrive at Glasgow Central station 15mins before departure and get a reservation from the ticket office, right?

 

[boiledbeans2]

If you have a specific desire for a ride on a 156, you should consider the West Highland Line from Queen Street (even if you only go as far as Dumbarton, to enable a speedy return), or services to Barrhead, East Kilbride, or Kilmarnock from Central.

I've realised an alternative way to ride the Class 156s.

In Newcastle, I will have the Metro Day ticket for 3 zones, so I could get Northern trains between Newcastle and Sunderland. From RTT, these trains seems to be a mix of Class 156s and 158s. So here's another question:

Is there an obvious way to know if it will be a Class 156? E.g. if the destination is Battersby, it will be 156?
The alternative is I whip out my phone and check RTT while on the platform waiting for the train.

 

[boiledbeans2]

It's just an old station north of Sunderland which I believe is a museum now, the trains don't stop at Monkwearmouth.
In Sunderland there is a Winter Gardens, it's a great place to visit too. South Shields has a Roman Fort, but I never saw it, my sister said it was good.
Oh, at Jarrow station there is a metal Jarrow March thing on a wall to look out for.

Great! Just checked Wikipedia - Monkwearmouth Station Museum - yep now a museum. Will try to spot it while on the train, as well as the Jarrow thing!

 

[urpert]

It's just an old station north of Sunderland which I believe is a museum now, the trains don't stop at Monkwearmouth.
In Sunderland there is a Winter Gardens, it's a great place to visit too. South Shields has a Roman Fort, but I never saw it, my sister said it was good.
Oh, at Jarrow station there is a metal Jarrow March thing on a wall to look out for.

If you’re into Roman things get off at Wallsend where the platform signs are in English and Latin and there’s an excellent museum on the site of Segedunum fort.

 

[D6130]

From Wikipedia, Blea Moor Tunnel should be the first tunnel after leaving Ribbleshead? So I swap to the LHS in the tunnel, then at Garsdale, I go back to my original RHS seat?

Correct....and you will have good views of Ribblehead Viaduct - curving to the right - both before arriving at the station and after departing.

 

[30907]

This train could be quite busy, although not usually as busy as the morning departures from Leeds, especially when the 'Staycation Express' is running between Skipton and Carlisle. The best views will be on the right hand side in the direction of travel, except between Blea Moor Tunnel and Garsdale, where you have the wonderful view on the left hand side looking down Dentdale, just before Dent station itself. I would advise taking a RHS facing airline window seat, if you can, but temporarily moving across to the other side after entering Blea Moor Tunnel.

The 1318 is 3 cars today and has been for most of the last week, so shouldn't be that full beyond Skipton

 

[bramling]

The 1318 is 3 cars today and has been for most of the last week, so shouldn't be that full beyond Skipton

I’ve always found the S&C trains to be packed leaving Leeds, but do empty out by the time they leave Skipton. However this can be thrown in their air if there’s a coach party on - does this still happen post Covid?!

 

[route101]

The Shotts and Carstairs routes are the most scenic. There is 158s on the Shotts route but only a few services in the evening.

 

[boiledbeans2]

Thanks all for your replies! Good to know that the Leeds - Carlisle train is now a 3-car!

 

[ChrisC]

Carlisle to Glasgow via Dumfries and Kilmarnock would be a good route to do on a 156. Unfortunately seems to be currently quite a reduced timetable.

 

[D6130]

Carlisle to Glasgow via Dumfries and Kilmarnock would be a good route to do on a 156. Unfortunately seems to be currently quite a reduced timetable.

If you don't mind spending a little extra money on a day return Carlisle-Dumfries, on arrival at Carlisle from Leeds you could take a spin on a ScotRail 156 from Carlisle at 16 22, Dumfries arrive 17 00, depart 17 07, Carlisle arrive 17 43....then catch the 17 52 Avanti Pendolino to Glasgow Central, arriving 19 16.

Alternatively, if you fancy doing the whole (moderately scenic after Dumfries) Glasgow & South Western main line in a 156, you could fester in Carlisle for a while (a pint and a bite to eat?) and then catch the 17 57 to Glasgow Central via Dumfries, arriving in Glasgow at 20 37. (This will be the same unit which worked the 16 22 to Dumfries and 17 07 return). You could do this option on your ticket, without any extra expenditure.

 

[Ken H]

Correct....and you will have good views of Ribblehead Viaduct - curving to the right - both before arriving at the station and after departing.

LHS over Ribblehead viaduct gives stunning views down Chapel-le-Dale and towards the lune Valley. I would change sides at Ribblehead stn. You deffo need RHS for Garsdale- K-Stephen for the views across Mallerstangdale.
Look on streetmap.co.uk for OS maps of the route so you can identify stuff.
If you fancy some pan up stuff you can always get a local electric to Skipton and change there. Nothing can overtake between Leeds and Skipton.

 

[Adam0984]

The 1318 Leeds to Carlisle is booked a 3 car 158 but can throw a 2 car every so often. It'll be busy between Leeds and Skipton so you could get the 1256 stopper at Skipton (or Keighley) which will be a 4 car booked a 331

 

[D6130]

Nothing can overtake between Leeds and Skipton.

Pedant alert: That's not strictly true as trains in both directions can overtake at Kirkstall Loops. However, that's only likely to happen in an emergency situation, such as a train failure. In dire emergency, a down train can overtake another at Shipley by putting the first train round the triangle....but that's an extremely rare occurrence.

 

[Adam0984]

Pedant alert: That's not strictly true as trains in both directions can overtake at Kirkstall Loops. However, that's only likely to happen in an emergency situation, such as a train failure. In dire emergency, a down train can overtake another at Shipley by putting the first train round the triangle....but that's an extremely rare occurrence.

And upto Armley Jcn where its 4 track

 

[DanNCL]

The attitude towards photography on the Metro isn't as strict as it used to be. So long as you're not causing a nuisance, most staff will turn a blind eye to it. You will likely get a few odd looks from other passengers if taking photos on Metro, but it's rare for a member of the public to harass you about it.

I would personally avoid photography at the following stations, as they're in rough areas:
Fawdon, Wansbeck Road, Gateshead Stadium, Pelaw, Hebburn, Jarrow, Tyne Dock, Millfield, Pallion, Byker, Percy Main and Meadow Well. The rest of them should be alright, some of them (like Felling and Shiremoor) whilst not in great areas, I wouldn't consider them to be "rough" either.

Is there an obvious way to know if it will be a Class 156? E.g. if the destination is Battersby, it will be 156?

Most diagrams can be either a 156 or a 158, differing on a daily basis. The only workings guaranteed to be a 156 are those to/from Dumfries, as 158s aren't cleared on that route. In addition to the Northern 156s, there are two services a day in each direction between Newcastle and Carlisle which use ScotRail 156s - these are the 06:20 and 17:23 departures from Newcastle, and the 08:20 and 18:40 departures from Carlisle. The 08:20 from Carlisle and 17:23 from Newcastle will be the same unit. The other two services will be different units, making it 3 different ScotRail units that visit Newcastle each day.

Great! Just checked Wikipedia - Monkwearmouth Station Museum - yep now a museum. Will try to spot it while on the train, as well as the Jarrow thing!

Unfortunately the Monkwearmouth Station Museum closed a few years ago. The building is now in private use, but not open to the public as far as I'm aware.

 

[boiledbeans2]

Thanks for all your replies! I did the trip and am now back at home.

Here are my experiences on the northbound journey:

I did the 1003 KGX - 1216 LDS as planned. It was a Class 91 and the journey was perfect.
The air-conditioning failed in Coach C though. (By coincidence, on my return journey on another Mk4 set, the air-conditioning didn't work in Coach C too).



I did the 1318 LDS - 1602 CAR too. Luckily, while onboard that train, I read this message, which was posted on the same day of my trip:

If you don't mind spending a little extra money on a day return Carlisle-Dumfries, on arrival at Carlisle from Leeds you could take a spin on a ScotRail 156 from Carlisle at 16 22, Dumfries arrive 17 00, depart 17 07, Carlisle arrive 17 43....then catch the 17 52 Avanti Pendolino to Glasgow Central, arriving 19 16.

Alternatively, if you fancy doing the whole (moderately scenic after Dumfries) Glasgow & South Western main line in a 156, you could fester in Carlisle for a while (a pint and a bite to eat?) and then catch the 17 57 to Glasgow Central via Dumfries, arriving in Glasgow at 20 37. (This will be the same unit which worked the 16 22 to Dumfries and 17 07 return). You could do this option on your ticket, without any extra expenditure.

So I immediately changed my plans and waited for the 1757 to Glasgow. With only 2-cars, and an infrequent service on the Dumfries to Glasgow section, it was a good surprise that the train was relatively quiet.

It was my first time on a Class 156 and there was some good high-speed Sprinter thrash. My first impression was that the engines sounded exactly like the Class 153s. I checked Wikipedia, and they do in fact have the same engines (I checked the Class 150 and they share the same engines too, but the Class 150s sound different and quieter. Better sound insulation?)



Anyway, back to the 1318 LDS - 1602 CAR. It wasn't a pleasant ride at all... It was a 3-car Class 158. Half the front coach was reserved from Skipton to Carlisle. That was probably my first hint of the situation to come.

From Leeds to Skipton, the seats were about 40% full. At Skipton a big crowd boarded the train, way more than the number of reserved seats. At that point the seats were 80% full. At Settle, another crowd boarded the train, and the seats were 99% full. I had a RHS window seat but there was no way I could move over to an empty LHS seat along the journey for the views as suggested by the posts above.

The journey wasn't pleasant. Seated in front of me was a family who had "trouble" with their tickets. So the guard was standing and talking next to me for a considerable amount of time during the scenic Settle-Carlisle section. In addition, the trolley lady was making her way very slowly up the train, playing tour guide to the passengers with the reserved seats. So it created a group of over-enthusiastic passengers who were standing up, swapping seats (e.g. from LHS to RHS), talking and trying to see the sights.

And since the train was full, by probability, you would get passengers who aren't feeling quite well... There were people seated in front of me coughing, people seated behind me coughing... Overall, a lot of coughs throughout the journey.

And the worst thing was that the weather was terrible. Based on the timestamp, the attached photo should be taken somewhere between Ribblehead & Dent on the RHS. The first half of the route has a higher elevation? I think we were in the clouds, couldn't see anything. It rained during certain sections of the route as well.

Someday soon, I will have to ride the line again. When would be a good date/time to ride? I did the trip above on 18 Aug, a Wednesday. I was expecting it to be quieter mid-week but it seems not the case.

Anyway, that's all for today. Will post my other experiences on another day!