Here is day 2 of my trip report - let me know if you have any questions
Saturday 6th August -
I set out on the 08:10 LNWR service into London Euston composed of 2x 350s (350 407 + 350 401) once again having first class to myself for the entirety of the journey. My original plan was to change at Watford Junction for the 08:37 Avanti West Coast service to Birmingham New St but Avanti had different ideas. They need to stop promising to run services they cannot provide with sometimes 5 hour gaps in services to certain destinations. Instead I stuck on to London Euston where a frantic pace was required to make the 09:02 EMR service to Sheffield, my original destination. The train was very busy in standard class due to football fans, making me feel thankful I was travelling in 1st. This was not helped by the service only having 5 coaches. Breakfast on board was a sausage bap or a selection of pastries from the trolley. The sausage bap was very good and served with your choice of sauce.
EMR still haven’t brought back their 1st class lounges since the pandemic, not even at St Pancras which is a letdown. I had fond memories of waiting for my train at Sheffield talking to the member of staff working there who also happened to be a rail enthusiast.
Before long we arrived in Sheffield, where I awaited my onward connection to Leeds. I had hoped to see XC’s 43 184 in its new intercity livery however the service being over 30 minutes late meant it pulled in the same time we left. The 11:21 XC service was formed of 4 coaches which I find to be a disgrace considering it’s operating a 12 hour intercity journey connecting many major cities in England and Scotland. Despite having a first class ticket and a reservation I barely managed to board, let alone get a seat in first class. A 40 minute stand was not the most pleasant way to get to Leeds.
My main objective today was to see the TPE 68 diversions via Hebden Bridge, however a short notice cancellation led to the eastbound service being cancelled. In the end I decided to attempt this next week and hope I don’t face the same fate.
I boarded the 12:15 TPE service to Liverpool Lime Street operated by 802 209 with the plan originally to alight at Manchester Victoria for a local service to Hebden Bridge. The 68 cancellation through a spanner in the works and in the end stayed on to Lea Green for the return service 10 minutes later operated by 802 217. This took me to York via the Calder Valley line, providing some stunning views out of the window. I would highly recommend this journey. However, my high spirits were dampened by the guard writing the date in big letters on the ticket for no apparent reason to me. So now I have to walk around with it for the next 2 weeks. I think she thought it was for one journey within the 14 days maybe? That would explain the reason to write the date to stop me using it another day.
Upon arrival at York I visited the 1st class lounge again. It was practically empty but was greeted upon arrival and told to help myself to refreshments. I only stayed for a short while as I awaited the 16:20 TPE service back to Leeds formed by a pairing of 185s (185118 + 185113). I managed to photograph 68 024 heading the 17:00 service to Manchester Victoria so I did not completely fail my objective today.
My next train was the 17:08 Cross Country service for York, again, formed of 220 014 + 220 029. I always assume that God is blessing me when I'm sent a XC service with more than 4 coaches. At York I alighted and got on the 17:58 LNER service for London Kings Cross (801 227). Sadly this service held true to complaints I have heard all too frequently about the 80x series. All the headrests have slumped and no longer stay risen so only suitable if you are less than 5 foot. The one opposite me has fallen off completely!. The train is incredibly jolty to the point my hot chocolate has gone all over the table as I write this. It was flat on the table as well. The seats aren’t bad but I found that TPE’s 802’s trump the Azumas in every category, except maybe catering. Transpennie do have a kitchen they don’t want to utilise so maybe in the coming decades we might see actual food (If they can find any staff to cook it!). Overall, I am disappointed at the offering and I would have to say the 225s are better. They may be old but I didn’t have to worry about my drink spilling on my lap.
In conclusion, today did not really go to plan but it was still enjoyable and I hope you look forward to what I do in the coming days.
Saturday 6th August -
I set out on the 08:10 LNWR service into London Euston composed of 2x 350s (350 407 + 350 401) once again having first class to myself for the entirety of the journey. My original plan was to change at Watford Junction for the 08:37 Avanti West Coast service to Birmingham New St but Avanti had different ideas. They need to stop promising to run services they cannot provide with sometimes 5 hour gaps in services to certain destinations. Instead I stuck on to London Euston where a frantic pace was required to make the 09:02 EMR service to Sheffield, my original destination. The train was very busy in standard class due to football fans, making me feel thankful I was travelling in 1st. This was not helped by the service only having 5 coaches. Breakfast on board was a sausage bap or a selection of pastries from the trolley. The sausage bap was very good and served with your choice of sauce.
EMR still haven’t brought back their 1st class lounges since the pandemic, not even at St Pancras which is a letdown. I had fond memories of waiting for my train at Sheffield talking to the member of staff working there who also happened to be a rail enthusiast.
Before long we arrived in Sheffield, where I awaited my onward connection to Leeds. I had hoped to see XC’s 43 184 in its new intercity livery however the service being over 30 minutes late meant it pulled in the same time we left. The 11:21 XC service was formed of 4 coaches which I find to be a disgrace considering it’s operating a 12 hour intercity journey connecting many major cities in England and Scotland. Despite having a first class ticket and a reservation I barely managed to board, let alone get a seat in first class. A 40 minute stand was not the most pleasant way to get to Leeds.
My main objective today was to see the TPE 68 diversions via Hebden Bridge, however a short notice cancellation led to the eastbound service being cancelled. In the end I decided to attempt this next week and hope I don’t face the same fate.
I boarded the 12:15 TPE service to Liverpool Lime Street operated by 802 209 with the plan originally to alight at Manchester Victoria for a local service to Hebden Bridge. The 68 cancellation through a spanner in the works and in the end stayed on to Lea Green for the return service 10 minutes later operated by 802 217. This took me to York via the Calder Valley line, providing some stunning views out of the window. I would highly recommend this journey. However, my high spirits were dampened by the guard writing the date in big letters on the ticket for no apparent reason to me. So now I have to walk around with it for the next 2 weeks. I think she thought it was for one journey within the 14 days maybe? That would explain the reason to write the date to stop me using it another day.
Upon arrival at York I visited the 1st class lounge again. It was practically empty but was greeted upon arrival and told to help myself to refreshments. I only stayed for a short while as I awaited the 16:20 TPE service back to Leeds formed by a pairing of 185s (185118 + 185113). I managed to photograph 68 024 heading the 17:00 service to Manchester Victoria so I did not completely fail my objective today.
My next train was the 17:08 Cross Country service for York, again, formed of 220 014 + 220 029. I always assume that God is blessing me when I'm sent a XC service with more than 4 coaches. At York I alighted and got on the 17:58 LNER service for London Kings Cross (801 227). Sadly this service held true to complaints I have heard all too frequently about the 80x series. All the headrests have slumped and no longer stay risen so only suitable if you are less than 5 foot. The one opposite me has fallen off completely!. The train is incredibly jolty to the point my hot chocolate has gone all over the table as I write this. It was flat on the table as well. The seats aren’t bad but I found that TPE’s 802’s trump the Azumas in every category, except maybe catering. Transpennie do have a kitchen they don’t want to utilise so maybe in the coming decades we might see actual food (If they can find any staff to cook it!). Overall, I am disappointed at the offering and I would have to say the 225s are better. They may be old but I didn’t have to worry about my drink spilling on my lap.
In conclusion, today did not really go to plan but it was still enjoyable and I hope you look forward to what I do in the coming days.
With the LNER IET, were you sat over the bogie? I don't normally get rough riding on IETs whenever I'm on one, regardless of operator, so that's the only likely cause I can think of.