XC, how busy?

[beeza1]

Travelling from New Street to Sheffield today, is there any way of checking how busy the service will be before leaving for the station, I'm flexible with my departure time as long as I get to Sheffield no later than 16:30.

 

[yorkie]

Travelling from New Street to Sheffield today, is there any way of checking how busy the service will be before leaving for the station, I'm flexible with my departure time as long as I get to Sheffield no later than 16:30.

The 1203 is 8 car. The 1328 is 5 car via Doncaster. So those would be best.

I would strongly advise against a 4 car via Leeds, as these would likely be very busy.

Obviously when going to Sheffield it makes no difference to you if you get a train via Doncaster or via Leeds, but as a general principle, via Doncaster trains are typically quieter.

Also the further North the train terminates, the more likely it is to be busy, in general, though it would also vary by time of day.

Have you already booked a ticket?

 

[beeza1]

Thanks for the reply,
I've already got my ticket, the return portion, having travelled down last Saturday on an 8 carriage service.
The 13:28 looks like my best bet so will try for that one.
Would normally have travelled back tomorrow morning but unfortunately I've got to get back today.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Hopefully you got on ok given the reduced EMR service between Derby and Sheffield today.

 

[beeza1]

Hopefully you got on ok given the reduced EMR service between Derby and Sheffield today.

Thanks for the reply.
I would have been travelling with XC tbh, but due to all the earlier cancellations and delays I abandoned plans for this evening and will travel back tomorrow morning.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Thanks for the reply.
I would have been travelling with XC tbh, but due to all the earlier cancellations and delays I abandoned plans for this evening and will travel back tomorrow morning.

Probably a wise move, been quite challenging on the Midland Main Line today.

 

[beeza1]

Came back yesterday morning on the 09:03 XC Edinburgh service from New Street, I thought going early it would be fairly quiet, big mistake, I hadn't realised there would be Aston Villa supporters travelling to Nottingham on that service, as there is usually a direct service to Nottingham, not on a Sunday morning apparently.
The train was absolutely rammed as far as Derby when I eventually got a seat, people were even having to stand in the toilets, without a doubt the worst train journey I've ever had. In my humble opinion the train was dangerously overcrowded. I seem to recall TPExpress used to open up first class when the train was so busy, doesn't that happen anymore?
No problems whatsoever with the football fans apart from one individual who refused to move out of his seat when asked by the reservation holder.
Once again I completed a journey without having my ticket checked once, the barriers were open at New Street, ticket not checked on my journey back to West Yorkshire either.

 

[VT 390]

Came back yesterday morning on the 09:03 XC Edinburgh service from New Street, I thought going early it would be fairly quiet, big mistake, I hadn't realised there would be Aston Villa supporters travelling to Nottingham on that service, as there is usually a direct service to Nottingham, not on a Sunday morning apparently.
The train was absolutely rammed as far as Derby when I eventually got a seat, people were even having to stand in the toilets, without a doubt the worst train journey I've ever had. In my humble opinion the train was dangerously overcrowded. I seem to recall TPExpress used to open up first class when the train was so busy, doesn't that happen anymore?
No problems whatsoever with the football fans apart from one individual who refused to move out of his seat when asked by the reservation holder.
Once again I completed a journey without having my ticket checked once, the barriers were open at New Street, ticket not checked on my journey back to West Yorkshire either.

In my experience using Cross Country Sunday mornings have some of the busiest services.
I have found, if possible, its best to wait until mid to late afternoon/evenings before using Cross Country services on Sundays where I have usually found it much quieter.