Really? Why not?
They can, however the rear coach needs to be locked out of use. The next working of the train linked up thread is calling at Long Eaton.
That makes sense, I did notice the next one called there!
Short platforms and lack of selective door opening, unlike their Meridian cousins.
Very interesting, didnt know that! Yes I see it called there, but it makes sense the rear coach was locked out of use. It's a very luxurious journey to Birmingham in Voyager first class (with a standard ticket!)
According to Realtime Trains, First Class has been declassified for this journey. There will be some lucky passengers getting a nice surprise today.
It is doing so on the way back. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:P12013/2025-02-13/detailed
Nottingham gets a train to Bournemouth via Derby/Birmingham/Oxford/Reading/Southampton every day, so Voyagers are cleared for the route and are therefore an option for Birmingham locals if needed.
The "guard" on the train has to be a Train Manager rather than a Senior Conductor too. Train Managers are competent on VOY and S/C are competent on class 170s. Subtle difference.
There was a somewhat regular diagram a few years ago as XC were short of 170s
They were indeed, certainly between Birmingham and Derby, and not that many years ago. Only the front three coaches were available for use if the service called at Wilnecote and/or Willington.
That's jogged my memory. About 8 years ago, I caught a 5 coach 221 from Willington to Derby. It would have been around the evening Peak.
Yeah its certainly very rare for it to happen, in 10 years living in Nottingham I hadn't heard of or seen it happen until this week!
I'm sure I'll be using it in the future- its great for lots of connections!
