Simple Statistics
Since finishing the trip, the first question from most people is, “How many miles did you travel?”
So, here are some facts;
Total mileage 2676 Source: Network Rail
Trains caught 28
Conversations 79
There were more people but these reflected those from which I made notes due to the contribution.
Gender Split 41% Men
59% Women
Age Ranges 20s 15%
30s 28%
40s 20%
50s 15%
60+ 22%
Train Companies Used
CrossCountry Trains
Very friendly staff, punctual but crowded. There were occasions, including the time the BBC staff were with me that people had no option but to stand or pay to upgrade to first class. It seems the trains are configured as a set number of coaches and, therefore, there is no flexibility.
One argument I have heard from rail people relates to the length of platforms. On one occasion, not this company, a train of five coaches stopped at a station only long enough to accommodate four. By a simple process of announcing to passengers the nature of the limitation, anyone wanting to alight moved along the train before it arrived.
Great Western Railway (GWR)
For train aficionados GWR is one of the great names, it stirs the juices of any trainspotter (me). The ride from Reading to Penzance was a true joy. Whilst the train was very comfortable it had the major advantage of travelling through some astonishingly beautiful country. As someone who loves Devon anyway, the route along the coast through Dawlish to Totnes, with the sea only a few feet away is mesmeric.
The local trains run by GWR are basic and functional, as were most run by the various companies. Presumably they know there is a guaranteed clientele and extra comfort is an unnecessary cost. It was noticeable that on local trains few staff pass through the carriages.
London Midland
This is my local company and, so, my first short journey from Longbridge to Birmingham New Street was with it. Again, at peak hours this service is highly overcrowded despite there being a train every ten minutes. It appears that whilst some trains are six coaches, by putting two units together, there isn’t enough rolling stock for this to be the case every time.
London Midland puts in a temporary timetable in the autumn because the weather changes. It seems they really mean, if we abandon our commitments we cannot be judged as inefficient by the regulators.
Arriva Trains West
This company took me to and from Colwyn Bay. Again, functional and busy in the evening but travelling near the sea. The eleven year old in me also loves to be beside the seaside. The trains were on time and got me there.
Scotrail
Scotrail is probably the train company which receives the most criticism from passengers and the media. I caught four trains with them and, in fairness, all were on time, clean and pleasant. Of course, taking us through the Scottish Highlands will distract even the most critical customer. I had never been to Inverness before this trip and the scenery is breath taking. Phones do not work well, which is a blessing because you have to put it down and watch this rugged world pass by all too quickly. Anything surviving in this environment, people, animals or plants must be hardy.
Virgin Trains
Everything is efficient. The staff, of which there are many, are diligent and visible. It is comfortable and quick. The trains look impressive and powerful. And yet, it all feels a little forced and regimented.
I would readily use Virgin Trains at any time, so this is not critical but lighten up guys.
East Midlands Trains
There was only one journey on East Midlands. The staff were very friendly and the train was on time. Sounds good to me.
One observation relates to Ely Cathedral, which dominates the skyline from the train. It appears from the distance to be magnificent. It is one of many places to which I intend to return.
Greater Anglia
Again, I only took one journey with Greater Anglia. The particular train I caught was not the one intended. This one was delayed, so getting off the train from Peterborough, I was able to board one which should have left twenty minutes previously.
The Train Manager (conductor/guard) tried very hard to help and communicate. The number of stops to be taken changed as he made calls to his bosses. Were we stopping in Colchester? How would travellers find connecting trains? At what time would we get anywhere?
The guy was really trying to get the optimum outcome for us but in doing so, created mixed expectations and some frustrations for my fellow passengers.
Southeastern
Crowded, but it was out of London early evening on a Friday. However, this is the norm any day and for long periods, apparently. Everyone just accepts that this is how it has to be, in the same way anyone using the London Underground knows it will be manic. Ultimately, you get to your destination, albeit hot and uncomfortable. My new style of living certainly helped, as I was more phlegmatic despite hauling a bag around.
Southern
A journey lasting seven minutes is not enough to make any judgement. There was nothing wrong.
South West Trains
Nice people but avoid if you can.
Punctuality
There was a real concern for me that lateness and cancellations could easily thwart my ambitious travel schedule.
Great news there were no cancellations, although as I hadn’t booked a specific ticket to travel across South Wales I wasn’t aware that, as earlier mentioned, the Severn Tunnel was closed and, therefore, Haverfordwest was not an option in the timescale.
On the first day the final train from Reading to Penzance was seventeen minutes late. This was caused by signalling issue rather than a failure of GWR. It made no difference other than make my first beer marginally later than hoped. I compensated.
The Chester to Colwyn Bay service was 6 minutes late.
The Taunton to Cheltenham train on the final day was eight minutes late which would have seen the connection missed to Worcester. However, as the second train was a slower service, it was held on a side track until ours passed through. It then followed a few moments later and on the same platform for an easy link.
As I described earlier these are the sorts of potential difficulties which could cause me angst. The new me was relaxed and not just because as I had a Rover ticket and could go anywhere; plans could be thrown up in the air and off to somewhere else. The Trainline app was beyond invaluable, times, stops and connections at a click. I will also admit at this point my ticket was First Class which on longer rides allowed me to guarantee a seat, it was a quieter spot to make notes and blog, to chill and most importantly it has guaranteed Wi-Fi. Most of my conversations were in Standard Class (note customers are never Second Class in our egalitarian society, customers are merely standard, nothing exceptional and people who will accept a certain standard because they do not have the clout to change it. I did observe many people standing or sitting on the floor) or I walked up and down the train, randomly interrupting daydreaming.
Route
The towns and cities visited are documented but it is also worth noting the counties through which the route passed;
West Midlands
Warwickshire
Oxfordshire
Berkshire
Hampshire
Wiltshire
Somerset
Devon
Cornwall
Gloucestershire
Worcestershire
Staffordshire
Cheshire
Conwy
Lancashire
Cumbria
Roxburghshire
Selkirkshire
Peeblesshire
Midlothian
West Lothian
East Lothian
Stirlingshire
Perthshire
Aberdeenshire
Banffshire
Nairnshire
Moray
Kincardineshire
Angus (Forfarshire)
Berwickshire
Northumberland
Durham
Yorkshire
Nottinghamshire
Lincolnshire
Cambridgeshire
Norfolk
Suffolk
Essex
Greater London (is that really a county?)
Kent
Surrey
This is a remarkable list to look at not because of its length but for the magical and historical names, and the romantic connections and images that fly from it. Banffshire and Nairnshire must be concoctions of William Wallace and Macbeth. Re-reading this list almost makes me tired again but as I picture the shorelines and mountains, the magnificence of some of the architecture and the vivid colours of autumn, it makes me want to begin again.
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