UK Train Travel
Discussion
You all know what's coming. I can't find a thread (although I get there is few).
I've had the pleasure of travelling hundreds of miles in the UK and Europe in the last three months.
EVERY UK trip has been delayed or left me with Usain Bolt powers to transfer. The last being a simple 3 stops to meet friends. 30 mins late but I can claim compensation on my £3.90 fare.
It's stressful, expensive, and almost every time filled with someone thick as mince.
Been through France, Germany, and Switzerland and it is flawless. Every single time. It's a pleasure.
"Let the train take the strain" my arse.
It's utter dog dirt in the UK. Rant over (yes 2/10 for a rant but I left all my f
ks in Leeds)
I've had the pleasure of travelling hundreds of miles in the UK and Europe in the last three months.
EVERY UK trip has been delayed or left me with Usain Bolt powers to transfer. The last being a simple 3 stops to meet friends. 30 mins late but I can claim compensation on my £3.90 fare.
It's stressful, expensive, and almost every time filled with someone thick as mince.
Been through France, Germany, and Switzerland and it is flawless. Every single time. It's a pleasure.
"Let the train take the strain" my arse.
It's utter dog dirt in the UK. Rant over (yes 2/10 for a rant but I left all my f
ks in Leeds)ChocolateFrog said:
And £3.90 into a large city centre sounds significantly cheaper than parking for a couple of hours so not sure how cheap you want it to be.
If I get the bus to either of my two nearest cities it costs £2 and they’re very reliable. A single on the train would be £4.20-£6.30. The train is quicker, if it turns up. These days I tend to just use the bus, far too many cancellations, strikes, excuses, can’t be arsed with it.ChocolateFrog said:
Northern?
Enough do get cancelled (there's an overtime ban and not enough staff to run a full service otherwise) but it's rare that the ones that run are actually more than 15 mins late, maybe 2 or 3 times a year that happens for me and I'm on them more than most.
Yes Northern mostly although also includes Cumbria/North West.Enough do get cancelled (there's an overtime ban and not enough staff to run a full service otherwise) but it's rare that the ones that run are actually more than 15 mins late, maybe 2 or 3 times a year that happens for me and I'm on them more than most.
The £3.90 is irrelevant. I chuckled as if you could be arsed to claim.
I'd be interested to know if those who have trams if that is the same?
Trans Pennine Express - the best definition of an oxymoron.
Trains for me are a mode of last resort. Either I’m jinxed but 9/10 I take the train, delays always happen, usually on the return journey.
When I used to take trips from Newcastle to London for meetings delays were usually blamed on something or other happening near Biggleswade - the rail version of the Bermuda Triangle.
I now advise people, if they want their train to be on time, never get on the same train I’m getting on.
Trains for me are a mode of last resort. Either I’m jinxed but 9/10 I take the train, delays always happen, usually on the return journey.
When I used to take trips from Newcastle to London for meetings delays were usually blamed on something or other happening near Biggleswade - the rail version of the Bermuda Triangle.
I now advise people, if they want their train to be on time, never get on the same train I’m getting on.
williamp said:
Im doing derby to Plymouth next Tuesday. 4.5 hours. Its not something to look forward to...
I regularly travel London- Plymouth and would always much rather take the train. Get stuck at one of the usual “pinch points” on the A303 or sit back with a coffee and enjoy the view - in particular west of Newton Abbot…
Haven't been on a train in the UK for about 5 years, but have bought my wife tickets on line to travel to Birmingham.
Am always "amused" that there are so many different price options. Its cheaper to buy 2 tickets, one on misery rail to Liverpool Central and one from Liverpool Lime Street, or Maybe go to Liverpool Park way. But always 2 tickets. Pick the right train, book in advance and you save £££.
Same when I had a contract in Hemel Hemstead.
The miseryrail trains didn't start early enough to catch the first train from.liverpool, so drive to Runcorn. Advance tickets to Rugby and another advance from Rugby, and if busy, have to move seats. Saved £££s by splitting my ticker.
On the way home I found it was cheaper to get a 1st class advance than a 2nd class advance. Weird.
Only time I've had a delay on a UK train is when the points froze and Merseyrails whole network stopped. I was late for Jury service, but so was the judge.
In April I went to Eindhoven. Got a train from Amsterdam Airport. Same price if you rock up at the station. No need to buy in advance. Trains seem.to run on time
Am always "amused" that there are so many different price options. Its cheaper to buy 2 tickets, one on misery rail to Liverpool Central and one from Liverpool Lime Street, or Maybe go to Liverpool Park way. But always 2 tickets. Pick the right train, book in advance and you save £££.
Same when I had a contract in Hemel Hemstead.
The miseryrail trains didn't start early enough to catch the first train from.liverpool, so drive to Runcorn. Advance tickets to Rugby and another advance from Rugby, and if busy, have to move seats. Saved £££s by splitting my ticker.
On the way home I found it was cheaper to get a 1st class advance than a 2nd class advance. Weird.
Only time I've had a delay on a UK train is when the points froze and Merseyrails whole network stopped. I was late for Jury service, but so was the judge.
In April I went to Eindhoven. Got a train from Amsterdam Airport. Same price if you rock up at the station. No need to buy in advance. Trains seem.to run on time
MonkeyBusiness said:
ChocolateFrog said:
Northern?
Enough do get cancelled (there's an overtime ban and not enough staff to run a full service otherwise) but it's rare that the ones that run are actually more than 15 mins late, maybe 2 or 3 times a year that happens for me and I'm on them more than most.
Yes Northern mostly although also includes Cumbria/North West.Enough do get cancelled (there's an overtime ban and not enough staff to run a full service otherwise) but it's rare that the ones that run are actually more than 15 mins late, maybe 2 or 3 times a year that happens for me and I'm on them more than most.
The £3.90 is irrelevant. I chuckled as if you could be arsed to claim.
I'd be interested to know if those who have trams if that is the same?
MonkeyBusiness said:
You all know what's coming. I can't find a thread (although I get there is few).
I've had the pleasure of travelling hundreds of miles in the UK and Europe in the last three months.
EVERY UK trip has been delayed or left me with Usain Bolt powers to transfer. The last being a simple 3 stops to meet friends. 30 mins late but I can claim compensation on my £3.90 fare.
It's stressful, expensive, and almost every time filled with someone thick as mince.
Been through France, Germany, and Switzerland and it is flawless. Every single time. It's a pleasure.
"Let the train take the strain" my arse.
It's utter dog dirt in the UK. Rant over (yes 2/10 for a rant but I left all my fks in Leeds)
We spent 2 months on an interrail adventure just over a year ago.I've had the pleasure of travelling hundreds of miles in the UK and Europe in the last three months.
EVERY UK trip has been delayed or left me with Usain Bolt powers to transfer. The last being a simple 3 stops to meet friends. 30 mins late but I can claim compensation on my £3.90 fare.
It's stressful, expensive, and almost every time filled with someone thick as mince.
Been through France, Germany, and Switzerland and it is flawless. Every single time. It's a pleasure.
"Let the train take the strain" my arse.
It's utter dog dirt in the UK. Rant over (yes 2/10 for a rant but I left all my f
ks in Leeds)The once revered German system is struggling. A local told us it was full of delays now, and seats regularly double booked. If you had no problems there, you were lucky!
In the past, we used to train up to Heathrow/Gatwick for hols flights as they are always waaaaaaay cheaper than Bristol ones.....Either trained up that day or a day b4 and stayed at a local hotel over night. But the last few years, no way. The cost, way over £100 1 way. So we drive up and park with relatives and then Nat Express/Local train to final short leg.
The last time I travelled from Newton Abbot to Sheffield I looked in disbelief as I waited at the platform to see four carriages appear round the corner (this is the Penzance to Edinburgh train as well). A cock up with scheduling meant the train was packed to the gunnels and seats were double booked.
By way of comparison, the local chugger from Paignton to Exmouth has four carriages.
I had to stand all the way to Bristol as someone was in my seat with the same reservation. The carriages were so packed the poor sod who had guzzled a large can of Monster in front of me couldn't get to the toilet.
It was incredibly hot and, over the tannoy, they were encouraging us to complain to the train operator. I did, and got a £10 discount voucher.
I've been periodically using the same train service over the last twenty years. It has, steadily, got markedly worse but the last time was the worst by a country mile and, given the price of the ticket. laughably poor.
The next time I had to do the same journey I hired a car.
By way of comparison, the local chugger from Paignton to Exmouth has four carriages.
I had to stand all the way to Bristol as someone was in my seat with the same reservation. The carriages were so packed the poor sod who had guzzled a large can of Monster in front of me couldn't get to the toilet.
It was incredibly hot and, over the tannoy, they were encouraging us to complain to the train operator. I did, and got a £10 discount voucher.
I've been periodically using the same train service over the last twenty years. It has, steadily, got markedly worse but the last time was the worst by a country mile and, given the price of the ticket. laughably poor.
The next time I had to do the same journey I hired a car.
BigMon said:
The last time I travelled from Newton Abbot to Sheffield I looked in disbelief as I waited at the platform to see four carriages appear round the corner (this is the Penzance to Edinburgh train as well). A cock up with scheduling meant the train was packed to the gunnels and seats were double booked.
By way of comparison, the local chugger from Paignton to Exmouth has four carriages.
I had to stand all the way to Bristol as someone was in my seat with the same reservation. The carriages were so packed the poor sod who had guzzled a large can of Monster in front of me couldn't get to the toilet.
It was incredibly hot and, over the tannoy, they were encouraging us to complain to the train operator. I did, and got a £10 discount voucher.
I've been periodically using the same train service over the last twenty years. It has, steadily, got markedly worse but the last time was the worst by a country mile and, given the price of the ticket. laughably poor.
The next time I had to do the same journey I hired a car.
I think you'll find that 4 carriages is quite common on that route.By way of comparison, the local chugger from Paignton to Exmouth has four carriages.
I had to stand all the way to Bristol as someone was in my seat with the same reservation. The carriages were so packed the poor sod who had guzzled a large can of Monster in front of me couldn't get to the toilet.
It was incredibly hot and, over the tannoy, they were encouraging us to complain to the train operator. I did, and got a £10 discount voucher.
I've been periodically using the same train service over the last twenty years. It has, steadily, got markedly worse but the last time was the worst by a country mile and, given the price of the ticket. laughably poor.
The next time I had to do the same journey I hired a car.
The last time I looked at getting a train to meet some friends the train option was expensive, required a change of trains, and I knew I'd most likely be standing for the journey.
In the end driving, staying in a hotel, and driving home the next morning, was a cheaper option. And that's just with one person travelling.
In the end driving, staying in a hotel, and driving home the next morning, was a cheaper option. And that's just with one person travelling.
BigMon said:
The last time I travelled from Newton Abbot to Sheffield I looked in disbelief as I waited at the platform to see four carriages appear round the corner (this is the Penzance to Edinburgh train as well). A cock up with scheduling meant the train was packed to the gunnels and seats were double booked.
By way of comparison, the local chugger from Paignton to Exmouth has four carriages.
I had to stand all the way to Bristol as someone was in my seat with the same reservation. The carriages were so packed the poor sod who had guzzled a large can of Monster in front of me couldn't get to the toilet.
It was incredibly hot and, over the tannoy, they were encouraging us to complain to the train operator. I did, and got a £10 discount voucher.
I've been periodically using the same train service over the last twenty years. It has, steadily, got markedly worse but the last time was the worst by a country mile and, given the price of the ticket. laughably poor.
The next time I had to do the same journey I hired a car.
Ah that reminds me of the time Southwest trains or whatever they’re called this week put a short train on as the last one out of Waterloo heading towards Southampton on the evening of a couple of simultaneous stadium gigs. Genius. Obviously the train became dangerously overcrowded very quickly, the conductor or driver I’m not sure tried to get some more carriages but to no avail so the police attended and removed people. We saw the writing on the wall so bailed early and got an Uber before surge pricing went mental which cost around £300 if memory serves. I wrote a complaint and they paid up within days which was nice. What sort of incompetents run the show though, surely you’d put extra capacity on when you know you’re going to be busy not reduce it?By way of comparison, the local chugger from Paignton to Exmouth has four carriages.
I had to stand all the way to Bristol as someone was in my seat with the same reservation. The carriages were so packed the poor sod who had guzzled a large can of Monster in front of me couldn't get to the toilet.
It was incredibly hot and, over the tannoy, they were encouraging us to complain to the train operator. I did, and got a £10 discount voucher.
I've been periodically using the same train service over the last twenty years. It has, steadily, got markedly worse but the last time was the worst by a country mile and, given the price of the ticket. laughably poor.
The next time I had to do the same journey I hired a car.
mikeiow said:
We spent 2 months on an interrail adventure just over a year ago.
The once revered German system is struggling. A local told us it was full of delays now, and seats regularly double booked. If you had no problems there, you were lucky!
Can confirm Germans will complain about the same things we do when it comes to rail. I believe it’s a running national joke about trains being on time. The once revered German system is struggling. A local told us it was full of delays now, and seats regularly double booked. If you had no problems there, you were lucky!
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