Intercity Fridays Only to/from Euston

[Bertie the bus]

It's not going to do much to help with overcrowding as Avanti tickets won't be valid and it will be full of enthusiasts!

My guess is there will be about 6 enthusiasts. When you consider InterCity have cancelled virtually all of their £129 electric hauled charters due to low bookings, somehow I can't see enthusiasts queueing up to book on these for the bargain price of £150 return with 1 hour in London.

 

[MP393]

you could be forgiven for being confused

Traveller's Tips & FAQs - Inter City

inter-city.co.uk

Is the return journey included in the price?

All Intercity trips are return and this is included in the cost. We never offer a one-way service.

That’s all well and good but you can’t book it as a return. You can only book it per trip, either the southbound or the northbound.

 

[Bald Rick]

My guess is there will be about 6 enthusiasts. When you consider InterCity have cancelled virtually all of their £129 electric hauled charters due to low bookings, somehow I can't see enthusiasts queueing up to book on these for the bargain price of £150 return with 1 hour in London.

I can see it being used for £75 one way.

 

[Trackman]

I can see it being used for £75 one way.

It is definitely £75 one way.

 

[Bald Rick]

It is definitely £75 one way.

I know - hence I can see the spotterati out using it in one direction.

 

[Trackman]

I know - hence I can see the spotterati out using it in one direction.

I'm not saying it's misleading.. because the FB 'flyers' tell the truth like omitting 'It's one way only' or even 'Return'

My guess is there will be about 6 enthusiasts. When you consider InterCity have cancelled virtually all of their £129 electric hauled charters due to low bookings, somehow I can't see enthusiasts queueing up to book on these for the bargain price of £150 return with 1 hour in London.

It's not going to be rammed is it- But who knows. We'll wait and see.
The 1 hour does it for me, or even vice versa say Crewe or Manchester and that's if it's on time.

 

[nedchester]

I can’t see the train being popular with either enthusiasts or the “normal” public.

The return fare from Euston to Manchester is £98.10, cheaper with a railcard.

The charter is £75 and you still have to pay to return to London after your weekend in Manchester. Oh and the journey time is much slower northbound.

There’s no doubt why this charter is being put on. It’ll be a collusion between Hosking and Shapps to prove to the unions that they can run extra trains with “agency workers”.

 

[Bald Rick]

There’s no doubt why this charter is being put on. It’ll be a collusion between Hosking and Shapps to prove to the unions that they can run extra trains with “agency workers”.

Word on the street is that Andy Burnham was pushing for this. Not sure of the veracity of that.

 

[Trackman]

Gen is (take with a pinch of salt if need be) it will be 90 001 with a DVT on Friday.

 

[Bald Rick]

Gen is (take with a pinch of salt if need be) it will be 90 001 with a DVT on Friday.

well it had to be with a DVT! And a 110mph path does rather limit the traction options.

 

[Trackman]

well it had to be with a DVT! And a 110mph path does rather limit the traction options.

Well people might had been hoping for a top and tail

 

[87015]

Word on the street is that Andy Burnham was pushing for this. Not sure of the veracity of that.

Presumably the opposite street to the rest of LSL and their freeloaders?

 

[XCTurbostar]

Paths are in for:
26th August

Realtime Trains | 1Z41 1742 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly | 26/08/2022

Real-time train running information for 1Z41 1742 departure from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly on 26/08/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

2nd September

Realtime Trains | 1Z41 1742 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly | 02/09/2022

Real-time train running information for 1Z41 1742 departure from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly on 02/09/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

9th September

Realtime Trains | 1Z41 1742 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly | 09/09/2022

Real-time train running information for 1Z41 1742 departure from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly on 09/09/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

These are all running in the same path.

 

[Iskra]

I can’t see the train being popular with either enthusiasts or the “normal” public.

The return fare from Euston to Manchester is £98.10, cheaper with a railcard.

The charter is £75 and you still have to pay to return to London after your weekend in Manchester. Oh and the journey time is much slower northbound.

There’s no doubt why this charter is being put on. It’ll be a collusion between Hosking and Shapps to prove to the unions that they can run extra trains with “agency workers”.

But it’s first class, in comfortable carriages and you’re comparing it to the standard fare, which seems a little underhand as a comparison.

I think what will hold custom back for this is the lack of advertising channels that LSL operate to reach the general public who may be interested. Enthusiasts will find out about it as they read forums, but it isn’t going to appear on any timetables, and will just say charter train, special ticket holders only at Euston. Unless there is a massive advertising campaign at Euston, I can’t see how customers will be aware of it. An option for cash on the day is good if there is an Avanti meltdown that day, however.

I do hope it does okay though, I just can’t really see it.

As an example, despite previously seeing this service on these forums and being mildly interested in travelling on it, I unconsciously booked a 1st advance with another operator earlier today at around £55 between London and West Yorkshire, choosing the cheapest 1st class fare presented on the booking engine, travelling at a very similar time to the LSL service. I am kicking myself a little, as I would have been prepared to go via Manchester for Electric locomotive hauled, but even then LNER still offer that too…

 

[12C]

I think what will hold custom back for this is the lack of advertising channels that LSL operate to reach the general public who may be interested. Enthusiasts will find out about it as they read forums, but it isn’t going to appear on any timetables, and will just say charter train, special ticket holders only at Euston. Unless there is a massive advertising campaign at Euston, I can’t see how customers will be aware of it. An option for cash on the day is good if there is an Avanti meltdown that day, however.

This is what I was thinking, it’s hard to understand what market they’re going for. If it’s trying to pick up Friday evening commuters (which certainly looks like the aim considering the timings of it, and the fact it’s only going to Manchester on the return) then as you say I don’t think any normal passengers will know if it’s existence. I’ve not heard any mention of it outside rail enthusiast forums/Facebook pages. Even if there was an advertising campaign at Euston, the vast majority of passengers heading for Birmingham and Manchester will have already booked and paid for their tickets so I can’t imagine many would be wanting to part with more money even if things were going wrong.

Likewise I can’t see it being a massive hit with enthusiasts being £150 return from Crewe with very little time in London, albeit in first class. I for example paid £155 recently for a full day trip down to Paignton on the Midland Pullman in first class, with snack boxes and tea/coffee included, which seems much better value.

 

[Starmill]

I would have thought that selling tickets for it on the platform at London Euston was part of the idea. I.e. Anyone who is experiencing disruption can just pay a flat £75 and get on.

 

[12C]

I would have thought that selling tickets for it on the platform at London Euston was part of the idea. I.e. Anyone who is experiencing disruption can just pay a flat £75 and get on.

This may be the idea, but In the event of disruption I wonder whether the general public having most likely already paid for an expensive peak time ticket will be willing to hand over another wad of cash to, as they will see it, ‘the railway’ just to get them home. I know I wouldn’t, if I’d already paid for a ticket I’d be making sure Avanti got me home by whatever means. Maybe some desperate individuals might but I somehow can’t see a whole train load.

Time will tell, it’ll be interesting to hear what the loadings are like if anyone is planning on trying it out.

 

[Howardh]

I'm very interested in this - try to avoid late Friday afternoon travel from London but this looks ideal for a jolly day out. The disappointing aspect is it only leaves from Crewe outbound and not Piccadilly, but I expect that's more to get the unit down to London in the first place, and it leaves little time (an hour?) to spend in London, just a chance for a couple in the Tap.

Edit; a second disappointment is not being able to book a seat, but I assume once every seat is sold there will be no more to avoid standing!

So for a birthday treat, and avoiding the TOC that no-one dare mention their name (!) possibly Bolton/Manchester/Crewe/London outbound using Northern and LNW, and the IC train back.

 

[philthetube]

will this journey appear on journey planners?

 

[Bertie the bus]

will this journey appear on journey planners?

No. It is billed as a charter though it clearly isn't intended to be a standard charter. Charters do not appear on journey planners.

 

[Howardh]

will this journey appear on journey planners?

They aren't on NRE's site, if they were they would fill the train within minutes I bet!! Fri Sept 2, no tickets available via Avanti!

Noted that when I go to NRE to search London/Manchester, under the "operator preference" box there's no "London Northwestern" option, I undertand you would need to change operators at Crewe and there's no third operator option..these days with the nightmare that is Avanti those options should be available.

 

[XAM2175]

Noted that when I go to NRE to search London/Manchester, under the "operator preference" box there's no "London Northwestern" option, I undertand you would need to change operators at Crewe and there's no third operator option..these days with the nightmare that is Avanti those options should be available.

Try it with "West Midlands Trains" instead, as it's the parent company behind both LNRW and WMR. Silly of them not to have a fix in for it.

 

[MP393]

Part fares will be available on board the train, those being £50 from all West Midlands stations - Manchester, £25 Crewe - Manchester & £10 Wilmslow - Manchester.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Part fares will be available on board the train, those being £50 from all West Midlands stations - Manchester, £25 Crewe - Manchester & £10 Wilmslow - Manchester.

Not sure if we're comparing exactly the same class of travel, but a walk-up Anytime Day Single from Crewe -> Manchester is £22-00 (First Class) or from Wilmslow to Manchester it's £9.80 (First Class).

 

[XCTurbostar]

90001 and 82139 on todays workings - 5Z40 > 1Z40 > 1Z41 > 5Z41

 

[Iskra]

Would be interested if anyone has info on today’s loadings please

 

[Howardh]

Try it with "West Midlands Trains" instead, as it's the parent company behind both LNRW and WMR. Silly of them not to have a fix in for it.

Thanks for that, I will!

 

[Birmingham]

Part fares will be available on board the train, those being £50 from all West Midlands stations - Manchester, £25 Crewe - Manchester & £10 Wilmslow - Manchester.

Does anyone know the fare from London to Birmingham please?

 

[midland1]

Got a photo of the up working at Cathiron

 

[James H]

It's hit the national press:

Heritage railway takes on Avanti with first class west coast service

Locomotive Intercity promises cheaper tickets and comfier seats on its Friday service between London and Manchester

www.theguardian.com

Hosking said: “We approached Network Rail and bid for Avanti’s 17.27 Friday slot from Euston, which it had vacated and we were given the slot for the next four weeks.”

The offer is aimed squarely at commuters fed up with Avanti, and “not just trainspotters”, he said, describing Avanti’s problems as “intractable and probably insoluble”.

If it is a success, the firm will look to bid for more of Avanti’s routes, starting with a Monday morning service from Manchester to Euston, said Hosking.