TT-ONR-NRN: Rail Days

[cactustwirly]

Sounds like a good day, I'm hoping to get some 171 action in the new year.
170 & 171s are ok, but not as good as 158s

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Sounds like a good day, I'm hoping to get some 171 action in the new year.
170 & 171s are ok, but not as good as 158s

Sounds good

 

[Kite159]

You prefer that awful 3+2 seating in a Southern 455 to the 2+2 seating in a SWR 455?

Beware I believe the Ascot - Guildford services now carry FC now the 456s have gone from that line

I do like the FC on a 171, especially on the Ashford services where it is declassified, gives an area of peace away from the droning engines

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

You prefer that awful 3+2 seating in a Southern 455 to the 2+2 seating in a SWR 455?

Beware I believe the Ascot - Guildford services now carry FC now the 456s have gone from that line

I do like the FC on a 171, especially on the Ashford services where it is declassified, gives an area of peace away from the droning engines

The guards on both the outward and return Ascot line trains told me it was declassified still. I believe it will be until the timetable change.

It was very peaceful yes, there were separating doors and no one else was in there (the 171)

I like the traction drone though!

It’s not the 3x2 seating, it’s just the SN 455s seem a lot cleaner and more modern and less metallic.

 

[185143]

I get what you mean about the GTR 455s, putting safety firmly to one side, I much prefer to travel on them over SWR 455s. No idea why though!

Mostly uncovered shacks for me there, and that seems like a really cheap ticket-though I've just remembered you're under 16 which would explain it!

The pedant in me wants to correct your signature-you weren't in First Class on a declassified train...

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I get what you mean about the GTR 455s, putting safety firmly to one side, I much prefer to travel on them over SWR 455s. No idea why though!

Mostly uncovered shacks for me there, and that seems like a really cheap ticket-though I've just remembered you're under 16 which would explain it!

The pedant in me wants to correct your signature-you weren't in First Class on a declassified train...

I am indeed under 16, for you that day trip would cost you £22.20.

What does my signature have to do with anything?

EDIT: Oh, I see. Well I was sitting in first, soooo

 

[87electric]

I am indeed under 16, for you that day trip would cost you £22.20.

What does my signature have to do with anything?

EDIT: Oh, I see. Well I was sitting in first, soooo

Will you cough up first class prices when you turn 16?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Will you cough up first class prices when you turn 16?

Yes I will. I will also get a 16-25 railcard.

 

[FQ]

Remember that a 16-25 won't get you discounts on 1st class walk up fares.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Remember that a 16-25 won't get you discounts on 1st class walk up fares.

I know. Advances are good enough for me.

 

[87electric]

I’ll be bringing my competitive side to this trip, I’ll be taking the Glasgow Subway Outer Circle from Partick to Partick, @TheAdelante will take the Inner Circle - we’ll see who completes it first!

^Moving the Subway to Day One to allow more trains on Day Two using the rover!

I think you should post a photo of you and "TheAdelante" at the end of the Subway race.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I think you should post a photo of you and "TheAdelante" at the end of the Subway race.

Erm ok, why?

 

[TheAdelante]

I think you should post a photo of you and "TheAdelante" at the end of the Subway race.

Hi,

I'm up for that as long as I'm not having a bad hair day! I was going to post a selfie of us in first class on the pendolino we took the other day on my trip planning thread but my hair was all wrong, I decided not to post it.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I think you should post a photo of you and "TheAdelante" at the end of the Subway race.

Seriously, why do you want me to do that? Bit of a weird request!

 

[Fred43123]

Looks like you had an interesting trip on Southern! I still haven't been to Uckfield yet!

Just an idea if you want to log your rail journeys, use Railmiles, IMO I find it easier to keep my journeys on there!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Looks like you had an interesting trip on Southern! I still haven't been to Uckfield yet!

Just an idea if you want to log your rail journeys, use Railmiles, IMO I find it easier to keep my journeys on there!

Thank you for the tip. I don’t log mileage though, just the units

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Not a 450 in sight

Today I was expecting a boring day doing nothing as I was bored of GWR. Ryan planned to revise today and I didn’t want to go to London in my own after last time....

However my sister arranged to meet her friend in Bracknell this morning - so I thought I’d take the opportunity to bag a lift in order to win some Juniper and Desiro City units. I started at Martins Heron and as you can imagine I was delighted to see “10 coaches” on the board. Good - no 450. Pleased to see that they got the logo colour right this time!



458517 and 458530 took me to Virginia Water where I transferred onto 458502. As I was getting on some freakaloid (about mid fifties I’d say) purposely closed the doors on me!



707025 was my third ever 707 and first since the franchise change. This returned me to Virginia Water.

458524 appeared around the corner and took me back to Staines, I then crossed the platform over to 458531 and 458534 enroute to Windsor and Eton Riverside.

707001 and 707007 were on London duties from Windsor, I had three minutes to connect which proved to be enough. Once again I went to Staines on this pair.

707026 materialised and took me back to Virginia Water taking my list of total 707s that I’ve done to six. Then the trains that returned were also the trains which I started with (so sadly duds now) 458517 and 458530 took me back to Martins Heron.

10 Winners. So IMO a good day!

Oh before I forget, these are my plans for the next journeys.

Tomorrow: Simply a first class return to Guildford (with Ryan). Nothing more, so I likely won’t post much - although I will explain to anyone who doesn’t know what you can expect when travelling first with SWR - or LNW who have the same first class product.

Edit: I’m sorry as of 1430 - 24/12/2017 this has been postponed.


One week Wednesday: Glasgow trip (with Ryan). Involves SWR, SN, VT (1st) and SR. This goes over two days. I don’t know about TheAdelante but I will likely post one report for each day on the evening of the day I’m writing about.


Early January: Cherwell Valley Ranger (on my own) but not like I’ve done before. There will not be a Turbo in sight (possibly ditto for the HSTs). The main purpose of this trip will be nonstop bashing of 800s and 387s.


Mid-February: Ryan and I are currently looking at taking Virgin Trains East Coast to Newcastle in first to make the most of the IC225s before their replacement. This is not yet definite and may be withdrawn.


Also in Mid-February - I intend to go First Class somewhere with CrossCountry. (on my own again this time) I’ve done first numerous times with them but want to review it properly.

That’s all I’ve got planned until February.

Z

 

[DanNCL]

Not a 450 in sight

Today I was expecting a boring day doing nothing as I was bored of GWR. Ryan planned to revise today and I didn’t want to go to London in my own after last time....

However my sister arranged to meet her friend in Bracknell this morning - so I thought I’d take the opportunity to bag a lift in order to win some Juniper and Desiro City units. I started at Martins Heron and as you can imagine I was delighted to see “10 coaches” on the board. Good - no 450. Pleased to see that they got the logo colour right this time!

View attachment 40772

458517 and 458530 took me to Virginia Water where I transferred onto 458502. As I was getting on some freakaloid (about mid fifties I’d say) purposely closed the doors on me!

View attachment 40773

707025 was my third ever 707 and first since the franchise change. This returned me to Virginia Water.

458524 appeared around the corner and took me back to Staines, I then crossed the platform over to 458531 and 458534 enroute to Windsor and Eton Riverside.

707001 and 707007 were on London duties from Windsor, I had three minutes to connect which proved to be enough. Once again I went to Staines on this pair.

707026 materialised and took me back to Virginia Water taking my list of total 707s that I’ve done to six. Then the trains that returned were also the trains which I started with (so sadly duds now) 458517 and 458530 took me back to Martins Heron.

10 Winners. So IMO a good day!

Oh before I forget, these are my plans for the next journeys.

Tomorrow: Simply a first class return to Guildford (with Ryan). Nothing more, so I likely won’t post much - although I will explain to anyone who doesn’t know what you can expect when travelling first with SWR - or LNW who have the same first class product.

One week Wednesday: Glasgow trip (with Ryan). Involves SWR, SN, VT (1st) and SR. This goes over two days. I don’t know about TheAdelante but I will likely post one report for each day on the evening of the day I’m writing about.

Early January: Cherwell Valley Ranger (on my own) but not like I’ve done before. There will not be a Turbo in sight (possibly ditto for the HSTs). The main purpose of this trip will be nonstop bashing of 800s and 387s.

Mid-February: Ryan and I are currently looking at taking Virgin Trains East Coast to Newcastle in first to make the most of the IC225s before their replacement. This is not yet definite and may be withdrawn.

Also in Mid-February - I intend to go First Class somewhere with CrossCountry. (On my own) I’ve done first numerous times with them but want to review it properly.

That’s all I’ve got planned until February.

Z

That's all?? That actually sounds like quite a lot to me! It's certainly a lot more than I've got planned in that time!

That sounds like you've had another great day, and it was another good read.

I think you might be a bit disappointed with XC first though; when I did it between Birmingham and Newcastle the only refreshments offered were a half-size can of Coke!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

That's all?? That actually sounds like quite a lot to me! It's certainly a lot more than I've got planned in that time!

That sounds like you've had another great day, and it was another good read.

I think you might be a bit disappointed with XC first though; when I did it between Birmingham and Newcastle the only refreshments offered were a half-size can of Coke!

Thank you, glad you thought so

It’s alright, I’ve done more trips in First class with CrossCountry than I can count so I know what to expect

I travel on weekdays if I’m going with them, I usually get served Kettle Chips alongside a Cream Tea or Savoury Wrap, followed by a slice of Fruit Cake. The FC Hosts are trained to offer two Cokes on weekdays because of the tiny size. In the mornings they always hand out Hot Bacon, Sausage and Egg Muffins with a Yoghurt and Granola pot.

I’m sorry to hear you had an unpleasant experience, I feel guilty now when that’s all you got on such a long journey when the meal I described to you just now is what I always get when travelling just between Reading and Basingstoke for £7 return !

The service is surprisingly better on Voyagers perhaps you were on an HST? Either that or it was a weekend.

 

[DanNCL]

Thank you, glad you thought so

It’s alright, I’ve done more trips in First class with CrossCountry than I can count so I know what to expect

I travel on weekdays if I’m going with them, I usually get served Kettle Chips alongside a Cream Tea or Savoury Wrap, followed by a slice of Fruit Cake. The FC Hosts are trained to offer two Cokes on weekdays because of the tiny size. In the mornings they always hand out Hot Bacon, Sausage and Egg Muffins with a Yoghurt and Granola pot.

I’m sorry to hear you had an unpleasant experience, I feel guilty now when that’s all you got on such a long journey when the meal I described to you just now is what I always get when travelling just between Reading and Basingstoke for £7 return !

The service is surprisingly better on Voyagers perhaps you were on an HST? Either that or it was a weekend.

It was a weekend; that might be why, though having paid something like £70 for an off peak ticket (I had to make the journey at the very last minute) and then the upgrade price, I was quite disappointed with what I got.

I actually like first on GC (well at least I do on the HSTs; not so keen on the 180s!). Whilst they don't offer a free meal, I've always found the service to be very good; when I went down to London with them I can't count how many times I was offered biscuits and tea! I was quite disappointed with the VTEC offer on the way back from London though; I asked for some apple juice when the train was somewhere near Peterborough; they finally served it at Northallerton!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

It was a weekend; that might be why, though having paid something like £70 for an off peak ticket (I had to make the journey at the very last minute) and then the upgrade price, I was quite disappointed with what I got.

I actually like first on GC (well at least I do on the HSTs; not so keen on the 180s!). Whilst they don't offer a free meal, I've always found the service to be very good; when I went down to London with them I can't count how many times I was offered biscuits and tea! I was quite disappointed with the VTEC offer on the way back from London though; I asked for some apple juice when the train was somewhere near Peterborough; they finally served it at Northallerton!

Really? Hmm...you found Grand Central was better than VTEC? It’s a bit random that you brought up GC haha but actually I’m glad you did because I’m thinking of booking a trip in first to Leeds or Newcastle for February, most likely the latter.

As I love Virgin I was going to book with them but as my brother likes 180s so much I suppose if it’s good service I could be nice and consider booking with Grand Central for the way home? If Newcastle have a McDonalds or Taco Bell or something like that and I picked up something from there then I suppose I’d be happy just to have coffee and biscuits on the way back home (if the drinks come regularly that is - as it’s quite a long distance).

 

[DanNCL]

Really? Hmm...you found Grand Central was better than VTEC? Hmm - it’s a bit random that you brought up GC haha but actually I’m glad you did because I’m thinking of booking a trip in first to Leeds or Newcastle for February, most likely the latter.

As I love Virgin I was going to book with them but as my brother likes 180s so much I suppose if it’s good service I could be nice and consider booking with Grand Central for the way home? If Newcastle have a McDonalds or Taco Bell or something like that and I picked up something from there then I suppose I’d be happy just to have coffee and biscuits on the way back home (if the drinks come regularly that is - as it’s quite a long distance).

From my experience, the refreshments are served more frequently on the way south than on the way north; on the way north you don't usually get served after Eaglescliffe (which is still about 45 minutes from Sunderland). There isn't a Taco Bell in Newcastle, but there are several McDonalds. Also although not ideal for a large meal, Greggs is a good place to get a sandwich, sausage roll or pasty, and there is literally one on almost every street in Newcastle (not even exaggerating!). There is a Burger King in both Newcastle and Sunderland stations, and Sunderland station is convenient for connecting onto the metro (you can stay on the same platform)

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

That sounds good, thanks.

I’ve just been told that you’ve already given TheAdelante the low down on everything, so thanks for that too.

 

[DanNCL]

That sounds good, thanks.

I’ve just been told that you’ve already given TheAdelante the low down on everything, so thanks for that too.

That's right
I'm looking forward to finding out which option you go with

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

That's right
I'm looking forward to finding out which option you go with

Thanks - we’ll tell you as soon as we’ve decided!

I don’t suppose anyone knows when BA are having a sale as I’d quite like to go to Europe for a short break perhaps? Eurostar don’t go to many places so flying would be the way to go. I’m hoping BA will have a sale soon so we can fly somewhere for a good price!

Does anyone know how to get cheap flights?

 

[DanNCL]

Thanks - we’ll tell you as soon as we’ve decided!

I don’t suppose anyone knows when BA are having a sale as I’d quite like to go to Europe for a short break perhaps? Eurostar don’t go to many places so flying would be the way to go. I’m hoping BA will have a sale soon so we can fly somewhere for a good price!

Does anyone know how to get cheap flights?

BA are never cheap (at least not in my experience), I only ever use them if someone else is paying . BA have gone downhill recently; free refreshments on short haul economy replaced with an overpriced M&S offer. Short haul business class with BA also isn't what it used to be.
Ryanair are usually pretty cheap; I managed to find a £22 return from Newcastle to Dublin the other day! Easyjet are also worth checking for good fares

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

BA are never cheap (at least not in my experience), I only ever use them if someone else is paying . BA have gone downhill recently; free refreshments on short haul economy replaced with an overpriced M&S offer. Short haul business class with BA also isn't what it used to be.
Ryanair are usually pretty cheap; I managed to find a £22 return from Newcastle to Dublin the other day! Easyjet are also worth checking for good fares

RYANAIR?!!! Good god, no! I could never fly with them! Awful, awful airline! Not that I’m a snob but I can’t stand them.

-

I love M&S food, so that sounds pretty good to me! If BA are too expensive I could consider Flybe or Vueling, maybe even EasyJet I suppose. Thank you for the advice, and I hope you enjoy Dublin but good luck to you flying with Ryanair! You’ll have to tell me how it goes!

 

[DanNCL]

RYANAIR?!!! Good god, no! I could never fly with them! Awful, awful airline! Not that I’m a snob but I can’t stand them.

-

I love M&S food, so that sounds pretty good to me! If BA are too expensive I could consider Flybe or Vueling, maybe even EasyJet I suppose. Thank you for the advice, and I hope you enjoy Dublin but good luck to you flying with Ryanair! You’ll have to tell me how it goes!

What's wrong with Ryanair? They get you from A to B; they might not be luxury but they are cheap and they get you there.

I've not yet booked it, but will do soon. I'm expecting to go for a day trip (I know, I'm mad!) at some point either at the end of January or the beginning of February. The price seems to be the same for most days around that period

The M&S food is well overpriced on BA, and often they don't stock enough to serve the whole plane, so if you're sat in the middle of the plane then there may not be anything left when the trolley gets to you. If you do use BA, you would be better off getting your food from M&S before getting to the airport, and then buying any drinks for on the plane from Boots (they seem the be the only store that don't increase their prices in airports).

 

[TheAdelante]

What's wrong with Ryanair? They get you from A to B; they might not be luxury but they are cheap and they get you there.

I've not yet booked it, but will do soon. I'm expecting to go for a day trip (I know, I'm mad!) at some point either at the end of January or the beginning of February. The price seems to be the same for most days around that period

The M&S food is well overpriced on BA, and often they don't stock enough to serve the whole plane, so if you're sat in the middle of the plane then there may not be anything left when the trolley gets to you. If you do use BA, you would be better off getting your food from M&S before getting to the airport, and then buying any drinks for on the plane from Boots (they seem the be the only store that don't increase their prices in airports).

Nothing is wrong with Ryanair unless you are a snob.

You plan to do exactly what we did when we went to Copenhagen

We did it in a day! (Arrived at 10am, left on the 11pm flight) And we went to Boots before hand

The £1 chicken sandwiches are very nice and black peppery!

 

[DanNCL]

Nothing is wrong with Ryanair unless you are a snob.

You plan to do exactly what we did when we went to Copenhagen

We did it in a day! (Arrived at 10am, left on the 11pm flight) And we went to Boots before hand

The £1 chicken sandwiches are very nice and black peppery!

Which airline did you use? Ryanair?