Virgin loco-hauled service

[bengolding]

Can somebody please post an updated diagram of the Mon-Fri Virgin loco-hauled service on the London-West Midlands route?

I'm sure I read recently that the 1330 BHM-EUS was on the diagram (returning as the 1543 EUS-BHM and 1730 BHM-EUS). I had a First Anytime ticket from COV to EUS yesterday and deliberately waited for the 1350 service, which turned out to be a Pendolino, which pales in comparison to the First Class seats on the old VTs.

 

[Geezertronic]

Can somebody please post an updated diagram of the Mon-Fri Virgin loco-hauled service on the London-West Midlands route?

I'm sure I read recently that the 1330 BHM-EUS was on the diagram (returning as the 1543 EUS-BHM and 1730 BHM-EUS). I had a First Anytime ticket from COV to EUS yesterday and deliberately waited for the 1350 service, which turned out to be a Pendolino, which pales in comparison to the First Class seats on the old VTs.

It's usually the 11:43 service from London Euston arriving in New Street at 13:08 (but don't bet on it ). I would have thought that makes it the 13:30 departure from Birmingham New Street?

 

[37401]

*there was text here but its gone now for many different reasons*

 

[Mojo]

i have got a photo of all the times e-mail me and i will send them to you
e-mail: crazydudeian@hotmail.co.uk

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the purpose of a web forum to share information amongst others rather than arranging for private communication (unless the information you want to share is private or could land someone in trouble).

I'm pretty sure the diagrams are: -
0743 EUS - BHM
0930 BHM - EUS
1143 EUS - BHM
1330 BHM - EUS
1543 EUS - BHM
1730 BHM – EUS

 

[Geezertronic]

I work just by Birmingham International and usually watch it come in during my lunchtime stroll although it was 20 minutes late on Friday which also delayed the following Pendolino. Not today though, blooming weather

Also I wouldn't post your email address in a public forum, usually the Spam search engines will pick up your email address and you'll get lots of unwanted messages

 

[37401]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the purpose of a web forum to share information amongst others rather than arranging for private communication (unless the information you want to share is private or could land someone in trouble).

I'm pretty sure the diagrams are: -
0743 EUS - BHM
0930 BHM - EUS
1143 EUS - BHM
1330 BHM - EUS
1543 EUS - BHM
1730 BHM – EUS

aye very true, sorry

 

[bengolding]

Thanks for the responses. I'm in BHM on Weds so may aim for the 17:30. Does that still offer the full First Class service, i.e. the evening hot 'meal'?

 

[Mojo]

Thanks for the responses. I'm in BHM on Weds so may aim for the 17:30. Does that still offer the full First Class service, i.e. the evening hot 'meal'?

The posters mention that the normal level of catering will be provided in both first and standard, but both WiFi & power sockets are unavailable.

 

[Mojo]

I was on the platform for a short while this afternoon for the 1730 departure, but didn't have time to hang around to see it leave. It was being dealt with by a 90 in First Scotrail livery!

 

[bengolding]

I was on the 17:30 tonight. The TM announced it as the "Virgin Mark 3 service to London Euston"! There were 5 Standard carriages at the rear (with the rearmost Standard Class carriage being a declassified First Class coach - very odd), and 4 First Class carriages incl the buffet car. The First Class seats were a delight compared to the Pendolino.

The TM mentioned that all services to/from Birmingham operated by this train are completely non-reservable, i.e. the only way to travel to/from London is with walk-on tickets only. I don't understand why Virgin can't open them up and place paper reservationns on the seats as they did before.

How long is this train expected to run for?

 

[Ilove165's]

One would guess until the Pendo comes back, dunno how long though

 

[37401]

How long is this train expected to run for?

12 more weeks

 

[37402]

I don't understand why Virgin can't open them up and place paper reservationns on the seats as they did before.

Presumably because the reservation system is set up for Pendo operated trains and for the short amount of time the LHCS is running, it is not worth modifying it. Also allows Virgin to earn more money out of the desperate people doing the Skoda day in day out...

 

[Geezertronic]

I'll be hanging around Birmingham International at 12:53pm today to see it arrive late as usual

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....I don't understand why Virgin can't open them up and place paper reservationns on the seats as they did before....

I imagine that, as Virgin don't have paper reservation slips for Pendelino/Voyager reservations, they have got rid of the printers and paper inserts, thus making paper reservations on the mk3s impossible or expensive. I'd imagine the TM wouldn't want the hassle of getting those with reservations to there seats without the slips either.

 

[northernbored]

How about having a system to sell AP fares on these train where the passenger gets a reservation coupon (possibly even with make believe seat number) for that train? Therefore they are not garaunteed a seat but can get AP Fares.

 

[bengolding]

London Midland do just that. Some of their Birmingham to Euston via Northampton trains are non-reservable but they still still AP fares. The reservation coupon simply states the time of the train and has ** where the seat no should be.

I reemmber using the 19:00 service from New St to Euston prior to VHF. This was a loco-hauled service, and reservations were allowed on that train. Shouldn't be too difficult for Virgin to do it again if they can be bothered to.