I have to say that it was Paul Merton on TV which set me off into thinking about going on this route, previously I had only been as far as Ravenglass on one of those 1970s Merrymaker day trips.
I live in Leicester, and Monday afternoon caught the Cross Country 170 to Birmingham New St, a station which up above the platforms was unrecogniseable to the one I remember from the 80s.
Time was on my side, and as I was travelling First class with Virgin Trains I went into the lounge, it was OK but nothing to get excited about.
My train left New St about 5-15pm, the journy to Preston was default, with only one drinks service to wash down my Tuna salad. Fare was about £30 with railcard.
Monday night at the nearby preston central Premier inn for £42 plus £8.99 for all you can eat brekkie the next morning.
I was going on the 1004hrs to Barrow, 37402 leading 4 coaches which I think are Mk2. My research wasn't what it should have been and I didn't know it was Push and Pull also that the doors had bars on them, fare £3.95 with railcard
No door hanging but plenty of sound vibes in the front coach, similarly on the 1140hrs from Barrow to Carlisle with 37425 and my fare was £11.95. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey with plenty to see and plenty of coastal scenery. The train was on time throughout, arriving Carlisle about 1427hrs.
Southbound it was to be the 1515 from Carlisle to New St, again standard Pendolino fare with 2 drinks services, the Glasgow crew alight at Wolverhampton and are replaced by local staff, the fare again was around £30.
I caught the 1822 Birmingham to Stansted 170 to Leicester, it was a good trip and one that I hope to repeat later in the summer.
In conclusion, after the panoramic views from the Preston/Barrow/Carlisle windows the Pendolino is like looking out of a letterbox, I definitely prefer the Virgin East Coast staff/service and stock to the Virgin WC set up.
I live in Leicester, and Monday afternoon caught the Cross Country 170 to Birmingham New St, a station which up above the platforms was unrecogniseable to the one I remember from the 80s.
Time was on my side, and as I was travelling First class with Virgin Trains I went into the lounge, it was OK but nothing to get excited about.
My train left New St about 5-15pm, the journy to Preston was default, with only one drinks service to wash down my Tuna salad. Fare was about £30 with railcard.
Monday night at the nearby preston central Premier inn for £42 plus £8.99 for all you can eat brekkie the next morning.
I was going on the 1004hrs to Barrow, 37402 leading 4 coaches which I think are Mk2. My research wasn't what it should have been and I didn't know it was Push and Pull also that the doors had bars on them, fare £3.95 with railcard
No door hanging but plenty of sound vibes in the front coach, similarly on the 1140hrs from Barrow to Carlisle with 37425 and my fare was £11.95. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey with plenty to see and plenty of coastal scenery. The train was on time throughout, arriving Carlisle about 1427hrs.
Southbound it was to be the 1515 from Carlisle to New St, again standard Pendolino fare with 2 drinks services, the Glasgow crew alight at Wolverhampton and are replaced by local staff, the fare again was around £30.
I caught the 1822 Birmingham to Stansted 170 to Leicester, it was a good trip and one that I hope to repeat later in the summer.
In conclusion, after the panoramic views from the Preston/Barrow/Carlisle windows the Pendolino is like looking out of a letterbox, I definitely prefer the Virgin East Coast staff/service and stock to the Virgin WC set up.
