Matt's All line rover trip report

[Techniquest]

I have to confess to wondering about that too, now the question is out there. It's been a brilliant read across the 2 weeks, I've rather enjoyed it. Until the industry sorts it's life out though, I certainly wouldn't do a First Class ALR. I would like to, it would be a more leisurely way of getting around, but for now it doesn't feel worth it. To be fair, most of the food would be of no interest to me, as I'm a fussy vegan!

 

[m4tt]

I have to confess to wondering about that too, now the question is out there. It's been a brilliant read across the 2 weeks, I've rather enjoyed it. Until the industry sorts it's life out though, I certainly wouldn't do a First Class ALR. I would like to, it would be a more leisurely way of getting around, but for now it doesn't feel worth it. To be fair, most of the food would be of no interest to me, as I'm a fussy vegan!

I have to admit I may have missed out quite a few times where we left people on the platform due to overcrowding! Especially on the WCML north of Preston trains were wildly overcrowded and shows how much a second service is required from Preston to either Glasgow or Edinburgh. Being left behind would ruin my day for sure

 

[m4tt]

Total miles travelled - 7,850

Average per day - 560

Most miles travelled in 1 day - 798

 

[gcmozart]

Thanks for your daily updates Matt - I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them & has strengthened my resolve to do an ALR someday

 

[DelayRepay]

Until the industry sorts it's life out though, I certainly wouldn't do a First Class ALR. I would like to, it would be a more leisurely way of getting around, but for now it doesn't feel worth it.

Yeah - I've never done one, but it's something I really want to do. I've been putting it off because of the post-covid limited service, disruption and now strikes. I've enjoyed @m4tt's thread because it gives a good idea of what to expect.

I'm toying with the idea of booking a week off in October, but am worried I'll end up picking a week that's full of strikes.

I have to admit I may have missed out quite a few times where we left people on the platform due to overcrowding! Especially on the WCML north of Preston trains were wildly overcrowded and shows how much a second service is required from Preston to either Glasgow or Edinburgh. Being left behind would ruin my day for sure

I guess this is another advantage of a first class ALR rather than standard. Less crowded and probably less likely to get left behind.

 

[furgus2]

Matt, I have enjoyed reading about your travels and experiences over the past two weeks so, thank you for going making the effort to keep us informed. I do think that having an ALR, especially a 1st class one, is a great way to spend 7 or (better value) 14 days. Yes, it can be tiring, it can be frustrating if plans go wrong but for the sense of freedom it gives, it takes some beating.

I did a 14 day one back in May when the only disruptions were loads of Scotrail cancelations and Sunday issues with Avanti. It was clear back then there were going to be disputes in the summer which is why I did it back then.

Anyway, thanks again and I hope you enjoy all your future trips.

 

[D6130]

I am planning to do a one week first class ALR in early September, accompanying a retired French railwayman friend on his several year mission to visit as many as possible of the British heritage railways. He will be using a BritRail pass and I have purchased a three year senior railcard to give me a decent discount, as my retired staff facilities are only valid for standard class travel. We are delaying the purchase of our passes until the last minute in case further strikes are announced for September, but the plan is to visit the Mid-Hants, Bodmin & Wenford, Swindon Museum, Churnet Valley and Lakeside & Haverthwaite lines....plus doing the two dining services (Paddington-Plymouth and Cardiff-Chester). If it comes off, I'll post a report on here.

 

[Techniquest]

I think you'll like Steam in Swindon, I haven't been since the mid 2000s but I remember enjoying it a lot. I haven't done the others on your list, but it sounds like you'll have a great adventure all being well.

 

[m4tt]

43 003 and 43 125 sit at Plat 17 awaiting departure on 1A79 to Aberdeen (17th August)

 

[m4tt]

68 025 'Superb' passes Lancaster on a rare test run to Glasgow Central (9th August)

 

[m4tt]

803 003 sits at Edinburgh Waverley awaiting a service to London Kings Cross (17th August)

 

[m4tt]

68 021 and 68 027 sit at Scarbados awaiting further duties (15th August)

 

[m4tt]

I'll be posting some more over the coming days as selecting and editing over 5,000 photos takes it's time. Let me know what ones you like/dislike and why as it is always helpful to have a second opinion to help you improve

 

[xotGD]

I'll be posting some more over the coming days as selecting and editing over 5,000 photos takes it's time. Let me know what ones you like/dislike and why as it is always helpful to have a second opinion to help you improve

Superb at Lancaster is, well, Superb!

To be picky, I think I would have cropped out the folded wheelchair ramp and luggage trolleys on the right and whatever that is on the extreme left.

 

[Hadders]

I've nejoyed reading your reports over the last couple of weeks.

One thing I have noticed from my numerous changes at Scottish stations is people stand on both sides of the escalator.

I was at Glasgow Central a few weeks ago and noticed that the signs said to stand on the left of the escalator. I don't know if it's changed recently but I certainly don't remember it being stand on the left a few years back (perhaps some locals can advise?)

It's as though Scotland just do it to be different to England.

 

[D6130]

It's as though Scotland just do it to be different to England.

This!

 

[Techniquest]

5,000 photos? Good grief was your camera always on? Seriously though, good luck with that! I have a few hundred from the last few weeks to sort out, I'm hoping to do so tomorrow now I've cleared this month's primary cycling goals

I'm finding it hard to pick a photo I like the most there, they're all rather well done with a good bit of framing of the subject but also taking in a more overall view. Rather important to do that ready for when years pass by and you forget what was taken where and when!

I'd have to use some bias and go for the scene in Edinburgh, it looks good and I'm biased because of the HST! It also helps there's two 158s in there, again I'm being a bit biased here. They're all good photos, no question of it.

 

[m4tt]

5,000 photos? Good grief was your camera always on? Seriously though, good luck with that! I have a few hundred from the last few weeks to sort out, I'm hoping to do so tomorrow now I've cleared this month's primary cycling goals

I've commited most of today to it and thanfully only a few more to do! The bit I am least looking forward to is identifying units and logging them. Glad you are enjoying the photos

 

[railfan99]

What a terrific ongoing trip report. A1 photos: the ones at Kings Cross and Scarborough great.

I am in Melbourne, Oz and fairly soon should commence a Eurailpass in the UK (before venturing to Europe). My major difference is I'll also be covering various new heritage (tourist) railways like WSR at Bishops Lydeard.

Given your occasional problems with access to platforms, I'm worried many barrier staff (and conductors/'guards') won't know Eurailpasses have been valid in the UK since 2019, so I will be armed with printed confirmation.

A friend in UK recently and who similarly had a Eurailpass enjoyed the travel and said the catering was generally excellent, and his trains didn't run late so much.

I'm surprised you don't want to travel on say West Country branch lines. I did, years ago, and some are terrific like Looe and Gunnislake.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Keeping up with the thread has definitely made me keen to do another 1st ALR, but I'll wait until the strikes and uncertainty settle down first.

 

[BrianW]

Keeping up with the thread has definitely made me keen to do another 1st ALR, but I'll wait until the strikes and uncertainty settle down first.

Feeling the same Andy. I found Covid put a big cant go out into my head and was really looking forward to getting out and about again . Finding however that while wanting to support the strikers and blaming the authorities there are just too many uncertainties. It was nuisance enough when falling fall of a freight train 'in the way' on single track Far North Line and having to 'retreat' throwing out my planned Spirit of Scotland 4 days. I still managed Oban*, Kyle, Wemyss Bay* in addition to time in Perth (+Travelodge) and Stirling*. Went another time for Thurso* and Wick, Mallaig and Aberdeen ! Wish I had Matt's fortitude and forebearance. Thank you Matt for your encouragements. (* good)

 

[Snapper37]

I guess I’m not alone in being inspired by this thread, checking the costs for the 1st ALR and starting working out the moves. Now how many different loco hauled services can you do in one day. 57 sleepers into Padd, quick trip to Banbury to pick up the inbound Chiltern 68, back to padd, then gwr to Newport to pick up the TFW 67….

 

[Techniquest]

I guess I’m not alone in being inspired by this thread, checking the costs for the 1st ALR and starting working out the moves. Now how many different loco hauled services can you do in one day. 57 sleepers into Padd, quick trip to Banbury to pick up the inbound Chiltern 68, back to padd, then gwr to Newport to pick up the TFW 67….

Surely a better move would be to start on a 67 on TfW to Cardiff, jump on an IET to London, hop over to Marylebone for a 68 to Birmingham, get some 91 action in after travelling over to say Doncaster and end the day in London with the sleeper. Ideally on the Fort William one to end with a 92 and wake up with a 66+73 on the front!

 

[Snapper37]

Surely a better move would be to start on a 67 on TfW to Cardiff, jump on an IET to London, hop over to Marylebone for a 68 to Birmingham, get some 91 action in after travelling over to say Doncaster and end the day in London with the sleeper. Ideally on the Fort William one to end with a 92 and wake up with a 66+73 on the front!

And there we have day 2

 

[m4tt]

Hi everyone,

I thought I would do a summary of my trip one week on to give my overall thoughts on stock/routes. I have to admit I do really miss being out all day every day exploring. I turn 16 in October so may try a week in standard during October half term with a 16/17 railcard, utilising the caledonian sleeper to go much further. Mock exams the week after may put a stop on that plan however.

Favourite stock in terms of ride quality would have to be the 390s. I may be a little biased considering they are the trains I see most often but the ride was smooth mainly due to the tilting mechanism which you can really see at certain locations along the line.

Worst stock in terms of ride quality would be LNER's 80x series. On numerous occasions my food/drink would spill or slide across the table meaning i would have to ask for napkins to hold everything in place. I found this strange as I did not experience this on either TPE's or GWR's 80x services. I do wonder if it was partly due to the tables but the ride in general was very rough.

I found the best seats to be on TPE's stock on all of the Nova sets. The 397s and mk5 coaches both have the same leather seats with a generous recline. They felt well-padded and I would not mind a long journey on one. A notable mention would be the refurbished 390 seats with a large leather headrest.

The worst seats I travelled in would be LNER's 80x mainly due to the headrests. Only one or two of the headrests were actually stuck in place with all the others hanging low or missing completely. It was nice that when you lean forward that the headrest would drop to your shoulders.

Best catering would go to Avanti. The breakfast was much better than LNER, the only real competition, and came with toast which was a nice touch over the competitor. It annoys me how LNER mess about with 3 different menu's, something that means you may get a full cooked salmon dish at selected times or the offer of a cold sandwich. Avanti offered hot food all day with just one menu with a very nice toastie, a noodle dish as well as an afternoon tea. If we are talking explictily about the food I would have chosen TFW but the fact you have to pay and the limited services they run take away from the experience.

I will try to upload some interior photos as well to show you the seats/ambiance. Any questions or queries let me know.

 

[m4tt]

here are some interior shots

 

[Techniquest]

Looking at the Avanti seats pre and post refurbishment, the new ones don't look too comfortable! I haven't tried them myself yet, but I did like the old ones First on that 397 does look good, it must be said, and I've not yet tried it but if the price is right, I'll be there!

Regarding your proposed trip in October, I think it's both a good idea and a bad idea. Good because it'll ease pressure going into the mock exams, in theory you'll then go into the week of mock exams more relaxed. Bad idea though because even though they're just mock exams, I would be using the time to get into the right mindset and prepare for them. I did nothing of the sort when I did GCSEs over 20 years ago, and if I had then I'd have done better than Cs and Ds. All easy to say with hindsight and knowing what came after secondary school!

Might I recommend postponing your next ALR until next year? I know it's an absolute age away yet, but there's a number of positives to waiting for it:

1) More time to save up for it, even with a railcard it won't be cheap!

2) Doing one so soon after your last ALR has the possibility of not having the same 'magic' to it. One's first ALR is always special, and to repeat it again only a few months or less later probably won't feel the same. Especially as your first one was in First Class, to then do another week of ALR action in Standard is going to feel incredibly different!

3) As productive as doing one in October will no doubt be, don't forget the daylight hours will be hugely reduced, so less to see out of the window!

4) On the same sort of note, the weather will be significantly different too, especially in terms of temperature. Unless of course we get a heatwave which is not too likely, possible of course!

5) My final thought on this is that if you were to choose to do your next one after the real exams, it would be quite the way to celebrate the achievement of finishing them all. It's a tense time leading up to and going through exams season, both for the student and for the parents, so having a way to release all that tension and celebrate the conquering of that time could be worth its weight in gold

Obviously, it's up to you at the end of the day, the above list is just some thoughts to consider first.

 

[m4tt]

Looking at the Avanti seats pre and post refurbishment, the new ones don't look too comfortable! I haven't tried them myself yet, but I did like the old ones First on that 397 does look good, it must be said, and I've not yet tried it but if the price is right, I'll be there!

Regarding your proposed trip in October, I think it's both a good idea and a bad idea. Good because it'll ease pressure going into the mock exams, in theory you'll then go into the week of mock exams more relaxed. Bad idea though because even though they're just mock exams, I would be using the time to get into the right mindset and prepare for them. I did nothing of the sort when I did GCSEs over 20 years ago, and if I had then I'd have done better than Cs and Ds. All easy to say with hindsight and knowing what came after secondary school!

Might I recommend postponing your next ALR until next year? I know it's an absolute age away yet, but there's a number of positives to waiting for it:

1) More time to save up for it, even with a railcard it won't be cheap!

2) Doing one so soon after your last ALR has the possibility of not having the same 'magic' to it. One's first ALR is always special, and to repeat it again only a few months or less later probably won't feel the same. Especially as your first one was in First Class, to then do another week of ALR action in Standard is going to feel incredibly different!

3) As productive as doing one in October will no doubt be, don't forget the daylight hours will be hugely reduced, so less to see out of the window!

4) On the same sort of note, the weather will be significantly different too, especially in terms of temperature. Unless of course we get a heatwave which is not too likely, possible of course!

5) My final thought on this is that if you were to choose to do your next one after the real exams, it would be quite the way to celebrate the achievement of finishing them all. It's a tense time leading up to and going through exams season, both for the student and for the parents, so having a way to release all that tension and celebrate the conquering of that time could be worth its weight in gold

Obviously, it's up to you at the end of the day, the above list is just some thoughts to consider first.

You raise a good point and I think I will have to agree with you. I will probably try and balance revision and some trips to see some RHTT action. Sadly the only one which passes the local is at 2am but being so close to London opens up GBRF's 73s on their tour of South London.

My previous mocks went very well but you are right about getting complacent. I'm glad you enjoyed this report and it would be great to hear about your next trip

 

[Kite159]

The first class seats in the 397/Mk5s must be different to the standard class seats which are one of the worst on the network, give me a 700 ironing board or a 376 seat over a 397.

 

[DelayRepay]

I thought I would do a summary of my trip one week on to give my overall thoughts on stock/routes. I have to admit I do really miss being out all day every day exploring. I turn 16 in October so may try a week in standard during October half term with a 16/17 railcard, utilising the caledonian sleeper to go much further. Mock exams the week after may put a stop on that plan however.

Just a word of caution, I'm not sure if those railcards are accepted on the sleeper or Scotrail services. Whether they would accept an ALR that had been discounted with a 16/17 railcard, I am not sure.

You could always take the books* with you. If it's not too busy a train might be a good place to study!

*I am too old to know whether GCSE students still study from books. I guess you could do it all on an iPad these days.