It was good you travelled standard class. I, and most you tubers tend to prioritise first class, but that’s not most people’s experience. You gave us the invite to share experiences; well yesterday I travelled from Naples to Genova with Trenitalia. We were late, and on the train pre recorded messages told us how to claim delay repay in English. Today I filled in the form on line. It was a doddle compared to GWR’s, especially as the journey involved two service , no need to upload pictures of tickets, and there was an instant result with the compensation amount , and it was backed up by email. They say travel broaden’s the mind; I don’t think GWR execs get out enough.
@@colinriley123 i wonder whether the GWR all have company cars 🤷♂️ You Italian experience of refunds sounds so much better. So it CAN be done! Nice to hear from you 👍
@@ampersand. that's the first defence of the voyager I've heard in the comments although "it won't look as bad in the dark" isn't really a recommendation 🤣 Thanks for watching at & Towers 👍
If you haven't already, try Avanti West Coast's 805s. I caught one from Crewe to Euston fairly recently and found the seating and ambience pretty good. They tend to work North Wales services along the West Coast Main Line. Great video here .
@@JohnnyHooverTravels I rode one from Crewe on a weekday at 09-42 . The stopping pattern was very unusual. Non-stop through Stafford but calling at Lichfield, Tamworth and Rugby ? Other than the ridiculous lighting I actually enjoyed it. I fell asleep between departure from Rugby and passing through Bletchley it might have been.
That Voyager did look grim being honest and suprise that the seats on LumO are falling apart already! However it been a great video and suprised on the outcome
@@Sim0nTrains thanks Simon. Just a bit of fun really, and very much a personal view only. Except for the voyager's cleanliness... i think we can all agree that was dreadful!
A good day out. I think you were fortunate to get a double Voyager in terms of seating, my fairly regular trips between Derby and Birmingham/Leeds tend to be a bit hit and miss, they need extra capacity in this area. Totally agree the 158s have been built to last and Northern have done a good refurb. York Tap - good selection of ale but can get busy at times. I recall a large group of 20-30 year olds putting their luggage around three tables and them proceeding to stand around it all creating all sorts of movement problems i.e. getting to the bar. But perhaps I'm becoming a grumpy old g*t. Keep up the good work.
Once got on a lumo from kings cross to Edinburgh. We got kicked off at Newcastle and told there was only one lner service we could use to continue to Edinburgh. It was packed!
@@frankcorr6566 yep. I was in a southbound lumo a while back. Kicked off at NCL and we too were only offered one TPE train as a replacement. It was shortly after Covid and i decided not to get on a sardines train...
@@PeteG143 thanks! York station is lovely. Loved the Pats game. Or at least, I loved watching them get stuffed by the Jags! A 96yrd punt return was a great play to see in Wembley 😁
Voyagers are grim. They are the original seats from Virgin that have never been replaced. They need a complete rip-out and re-design. A couple of less seats in each carriage for luggage racks or a complete re-design of the overhead storage. I don't think they'll ever do anything about the "scent" though!
The smell is due to the location of the toilets and hot pipework under the carriages AFAIR. They are for a total refit, fingers very much crossed it irons out all the internal maintenance snags and that the seats will be comfy
@@DanLoudShirts well at least it's not as bad as the early days when the loo tanks used to overflow! I actually think the seats are their only saving grace. Many of them are still more comfortable than the ones on the 80x trains, even though they've had a hard life. I suspect the refit will put in the same seats as are on the refitted Pendolinos. Thanks so much for watching and commenting 👍
Superb mini comparison, cheers! Pretty similar to my own limited experience of each. (TBH, it's those square concrete thrones with giant leg posts in LNER first class that reeeaaaalllly grind my gears!)
A gent for giving your seat as you did. Agree standards on some trains need to be looked at, the seats are truly terrible on many Hitachis. Great adventure
Indeed. Suspect the standard class seats to which you refer are installed on the GWR and LNER Hitachi units. The seats in question were specified by the DfT according to railway press.
@@russellb1212 Yes. Just back home after a std class run with GWR, and many of their seats have now failed. My seat has no passing left! Thanks for watching 👍
Brilliant video!! Might be taking a few of these companies with travelling between London and Durham in the new year. I've never had a good journey with crosscountry. York is such a beautiful station. Hope all.is well, take care
@@peterdnreynolds777 I'm doing ok Peter. Thanks for asking. Hope all is well with you too. Well there is a bit of choice now between London and Durham...
Thanks for the video. It would be interesting to hear what you would make of the 225s - Mk4s and class 91s. Perhaps a score for window alignment. The design of the ceiling on the Voyagers actually reduces the space above the luggage racks!
@@rolandharmer6402 i love the 225s! But then again. Who doesn't! I did do a first class review here... Let's ride the 225 | From Wakefield to London King's Cross ruclips.net/video/iX0Voi17-Po/видео.html Thanks so much for watching this one 👍
Interesting comparison Johnny. I have been hit with the XC reservations thing so many times. It’s not helped by the staff often not turning it on until the train is well into its journey. It’s a complete PIA. Even more so than the Azuma seats.
@@PaulGodfrey Yes it is hateful. I recently found out that if you are in an unreserved seat the train manager can mark it "taken". But you have to ask them and you have to find them first to ask! As you say a PIA 👍
XC get a hard time for their Voyager trains but IMO most of the criticisms directed towards the operator are well-deserved. Not too long ago, XC thought they were being clever by offering a seat reservation system based on an SMS message to my phone. Except the "reservation" did not sync with the train's onboard system, so as far as anyone else was concerned, my seat was unreserved! That's an awkward conversation to have.
@@FlyingPhysicist yeah, "instant" seat reservations is a daft idea. You sometimes get the weasel words "available, but may be reserved during the course of the journey". At least give me a QR coffee at the seat so i can block it out on the system when I'm sat in it! As for the filthy seat backs. That's just slack and reflects a lack of care towards your passengers. Thanks so much for watching 👍
Crumbs Johnny, this video means you've done all the current East Coast Main Line operators, I recommend a day in Cumbria along the Cumbrian Coast Line, preferably with Lou and Izzy, as some of the stations are literally a couple of yards from the beach!
@@Battismore-Blue yeah i love his stuff and i love the TPE blue trains. I know you can't see it when you are inside, but when the train pulls up it makes me feel good 🤷♂️ Thanks so much for watching 👍
I have not had the pleasure of travelling on a Lumo train yet but I have seen plenty elsewhere on my travels, I like the unfussy livery. I agree that the dirt on that Cross Country train was not on, and they are a real pain with seat bookings.
@@IanYoung1975 others have said they like the unfussy lumo livery. Obviously it's all down to personal taste. So I'm happy people disagree. But i think we can all agree the filth in the XC is unacceptable! Thanks for watching 👍
Another very interesting video, rather different from your usual ones! But then DIVERSITY is the hallmark of everything you produce. (I see that I am not the first person to comment about 'Mondrian'. You learn something new every day!)
@@Fan652w thanks so much Roger, that's very kind. I just thought that seen as i have the rover and was staying in York, it would be a bit of fun! Pleased you enjoyed the change. Best wishes to you 👍
Very nice video. Lots of info. Enjoyed it a lot. With lighting, in Japan the levels of lighting are much brighter than in the UK. Perhaps Hitachi uses the same levels in both places. Have to say I was a bit confused by the different train companies. I'm out of date. Anyway, lots to like here. Thank you.
@@clivelangham435 oh well. At least you got a bit of a "heads up" on some of the UK train operating companies. Maybe you are right about the lighting. It might come as standard on all Hitachi A train variants? Thanks so much for watching 👍
Glad the pub at York is alright now, was there after a work trip last year, more fruit flies than punters and the draught selection left a lot to be desired.
Unless you are travelling on the outside I'm not sure that external appearance has any effect on the comfort and efficiency of the service. Time to call the ironing board seats travelling by hard class and not standard class.. Let's hope that the new seats by FISA for the Voyagers also have the angle of recline sorted. Not so on the Greater Anglia Stadlers
@@tomcarr1358 Yes i appreciate that you can't see the outside when you are inside. But the livery and look of the train is important to me because i like the sense of occasion that the train brings as it pulls into the station. And the livery helps to deliver that... just my personal view, i understand. Yes, let's hope the refurbished seats that go in the XCs are better. The GWR hard class seats are all in need of repairs right now. Most of the seat cushions (such as they were) have now completely failed... maybe they will be replaced in the 80x trains sooner than planned 🤷♂️
@@andywillis2650 Yes, it's a great pub. Run by Thornbridge brewery. There's a number of other "Taps". Including ones at Sheffield and Euston. And it was lovely to see my daughter ❤️ Thanks so much for watching 👍
The reason the Voyager was still busy, is that an 8 car Voyager only has as many seats as a 5 car IET. They really are atrocious in terms of capacity, and need to be replaced by something more appropriate
double booking of seats- I had a similar issue coming up on an LNER to Newcastle. I had booked my seats via the app and got on the train to find two people had also booked the same seat via trainline. Trainline are often the problem. I made a complaint to LNER as they guarantee a seat and after some arguments about the train being full they refunded me some of our ticket cost
@@jamescarter6684 Nice to know that you got some recompense from LNER. In the case on the video it wasn't quite the same, but the result turned out the same for my fellow travellers. Thanks so much for watching 👍
I don't think the LNER or TPE seats are that bad. My wife and I have had a few trips to London & Edinburgh (from NCL) on LNER and to Liverpool & Manchester with TPE and didn't have any problem with the seats. The fact booking is easy with LNER, even reservations of exact seats I think would edge it for me .. LNER top. Yes, XCcountry bottom
@@brianmorrison9168 there's also the problem of which exact seat you get, as they deteriorate markedly. So it is a bit of a pot luck in that sense. On the older GWR IETs much of the padding has fallen out of the seat cushions now... Thanks so much for watching 👍
If I'm going Edinburgh to Newcastle, I'll usually go for TPE based solely on price. The cheaper ticket usually means I can upgrade to first for very little and still cost about the same as LNER. Lumo is fine, but I always feel so many airline style seats make it feel claustrophobic. Hope you had a lovely dinner 😊
Lumo are effectively the Ryanair of train operating companies. Cheap and cheerful, very no frills and if that is what you want then fine. LNER for me all the way but the seats and ride lose points. I don’t mind a Voyager at all, seats and ride quality are good in my opinion and I hope their refurbishment doesn’t involve more ironing board seats!
@@77smp thanks we had a lovely dinner! And you are right, we often just pick on price especially if you can flex in an upgrade. Also a good point about the claustrophobic feel of the lumo cabin 👍
Great video, thanks Johnny. I think you nailed it in your scoring. I’d add in the frequency of LNER as a plus, especially to your point about disruption. The CC Voyagers are frankly a disgrace now. Shabby on the outside and within. The body profile just reduces space and they are really not fit for long distance travel. Not sure Mr Branson had it right. I used to do the Devon - York run to visit a client, and would actively avoid CC, instead choosing GWR and LNER via London. A much better journey. See you on Salisbury Plain next year?
@@chrismoore4423 cheers Chris. Yes, i often do Devon to Yorkshire via London by train. It helps to avoid XC's crippling prices as well as their crappy trains! Yep. Think i will be in Salisbury Plain. Mark at let's make a trip wants to go along, so I'll let him do the filming next time!
I'd love a window into your proces: how you pick the trains; if you have goals (like riding ALL the trains) or just do it spontaneously; how you know when to use special tickets like those rovers; do you spend your winter evenings poring over timetables?? I'm sure I can think of more questions if you want them!
@@phronsiekeys Hans that's a start! I have a list on my computer of routes i fancy... often recommended in the comments here. No, i have no goal of riding all the train, all the routes or going to all the stations. If i know I'm staying somewhere in the uk i will check the rail rover guide to see if there's any useful rovers. That then might dictate the routes i do. I even spend summer evenings pouring over timetables and maps! The hardest thing is just deciding where to go in the first place. I've got two Interrail tickets in bought in sales and i just can't decide where to go next! But i will! Hope that answers a bit!
Great film. Never been impressed with Cross Country - miss the old days of HST's and, before that, many a trip on Virgin Cross Country behind a 47. Voyagers don't cut the proverbial mustard for me.
Totally agree. Couldn’t beat 8 or so mark 2 coaches hauled by a class 47 Virgin train in late 1990s. How Virgin got away with thinking a 4 coach DmU was suitable for long distance leisure travel amazes me. Plus why are they still using diesels when so much of network is electrified?😂
@@andrewlong6438 There are stretches of the network that aren't electrified and won't be for many years. They should be, but won't. No question they are poor inadequate units, but diesel is here to stay on the network for a while.
@@peterskegness3204 ah we all love an old loco hauled service. One of the pleasures of travelling into Europe to still enjoy that! Thanks for watching 👍
Another good video - thanks. I agree that the Cross Country Voyagers seem to be getting very tatty. Fortunately the East Midlands Meridians seem to be a bit better maintained; but there again, they work much simpler diagrams than Cross Country's trains. Have you tried TPE's Nova 2 trains? I had a very enjoyable ride from Manchester to Glasgow on one. Based on the CAF Civity platform, the same as the Northern Trains' 195 & 331 trains, but with better interiors and therefore more suitable for long-distance journeys. A question, if I may: was that a 1 day Ranger ticket you had, or a '4 days in 8' Rover? I've been looking for the 1-day Ranger but I can't find any links to it, only the Rover.
@@tomburke5311 Yes I've had a ride on the Nova2, but i haven't yet done a video on the channel. Wrt to the rover, it was the 4in 8 rover. When I'm looking for rovers i use www.railrover.org/index.html Thanks so much for watching 👍
For me it's lner, then lumo then trans pennie, then the hateful voyager. We did a Newcastle to Newton Abbot on the way to Torquay. Then returne obviously. It was horrendous 😢
@@garymcgregor7048 Yes, like many others, i do the trip between the north east and Devon via London to avoid the dreaded voyagers... and it can be quicker too! Thanks so much for watching 👍
@@GabrielsReviews I suspect you are right. But they clearly state that they are part of that rover ticket's eligibility, so they should offer something. I don't suppose they really care...
@@JohnnyHooverTravelsLumo run about a 400 mile trip with very little in the way of intermediate stops. NLC - MPT is the shortest in duration and distance they offer (10-15 minutes I think ). They prioritise seat reservations for those doing longer trips .I think A & E have a small number of unreserved seating.
I like Lumo's clean and unfussy livery, so I think you undermarked them with only 2 for exterior. But as long as the livery (and especially the windows) is clean and doesn't have an embarrassing advert picture on it, I don't really care what the outside looks like because once I'm aboard I'm not looking at it!
@@broadsword6650 Yes i appreciate that sentiment. For me, the arrival of the train gives the sense of adventure and promise. Hence, for me, the livery is important in creating that feeling. But yes, you rarely see it when inside (except when reflected in windows as you pass by). Thanks for watching 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels While marks in the other categories are fairly objective judgements of cleanliness or quality, the livery category seems to be more a subjective matter of taste. If you instead have marks on the cleanliness/condition of the exterior - especially the windows - would that be more pertinent? Seems hard to deduct 3 marks from Lumo just because you aren't a fan of blue paint! 😄
It was good you travelled standard class. I, and most you tubers tend to prioritise first class, but that’s not most people’s experience. You gave us the invite to share experiences; well yesterday I travelled from Naples to Genova with Trenitalia. We were late, and on the train pre recorded messages told us how to claim delay repay in English. Today I filled in the form on line. It was a doddle compared to GWR’s, especially as the journey involved two service , no need to upload pictures of tickets, and there was an instant result with the compensation amount , and it was backed up by email. They say travel broaden’s the mind; I don’t think GWR execs get out enough.
@@colinriley123 i wonder whether the GWR all have company cars 🤷♂️
You Italian experience of refunds sounds so much better. So it CAN be done!
Nice to hear from you 👍
That was really interesting, thanks for posting. And such a bright sunny day too - maybe that grubby train doesn`t look so bad when it`s gloomy...
@@ampersand. that's the first defence of the voyager I've heard in the comments although "it won't look as bad in the dark" isn't really a recommendation 🤣
Thanks for watching at & Towers 👍
If you haven't already, try Avanti West Coast's 805s. I caught one from Crewe to Euston fairly recently and found the seating and ambience pretty good. They tend to work North Wales services along the West Coast Main Line. Great video here .
@@kieronwillans4038 i do plan to give the 805s a go some time soon. Thanks for the reminder 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels I rode one from Crewe on a weekday at 09-42 . The stopping pattern was very unusual. Non-stop through Stafford but calling at Lichfield, Tamworth and Rugby ? Other than the ridiculous lighting I actually enjoyed it. I fell asleep between departure from Rugby and passing through Bletchley it might have been.
That Voyager did look grim being honest and suprise that the seats on LumO are falling apart already! However it been a great video and suprised on the outcome
@@Sim0nTrains thanks Simon. Just a bit of fun really, and very much a personal view only. Except for the voyager's cleanliness... i think we can all agree that was dreadful!
A good day out.
I think you were fortunate to get a double Voyager in terms of seating, my fairly regular trips between Derby and Birmingham/Leeds tend to be a bit hit and miss, they need extra capacity in this area.
Totally agree the 158s have been built to last and Northern have done a good refurb.
York Tap - good selection of ale but can get busy at times. I recall a large group of 20-30 year olds putting their luggage around three tables and them proceeding to stand around it all creating all sorts of movement problems i.e. getting to the bar. But perhaps I'm becoming a grumpy old g*t.
Keep up the good work.
Once got on a lumo from kings cross to Edinburgh. We got kicked off at Newcastle and told there was only one lner service we could use to continue to Edinburgh. It was packed!
@@frankcorr6566 yep. I was in a southbound lumo a while back. Kicked off at NCL and we too were only offered one TPE train as a replacement. It was shortly after Covid and i decided not to get on a sardines train...
Thank you - especially loved the views in York station and the moment to collect your thoughts at the end. 🍻 Enjoy the Patriots game this weekend.
@@PeteG143 thanks! York station is lovely. Loved the Pats game. Or at least, I loved watching them get stuffed by the Jags! A 96yrd punt return was a great play to see in Wembley 😁
Voyagers are grim. They are the original seats from Virgin that have never been replaced. They need a complete rip-out and re-design. A couple of less seats in each carriage for luggage racks or a complete re-design of the overhead storage. I don't think they'll ever do anything about the "scent" though!
The smell is due to the location of the toilets and hot pipework under the carriages AFAIR. They are for a total refit, fingers very much crossed it irons out all the internal maintenance snags and that the seats will be comfy
Scent can't be fixed as the exhaust runs next to the bog tanks
Good thing that a complete refurb of all the Voyagers is about to start!
@@Danse_Macabre_125 👍🏻 yup, I didn't make that clear enough. The smell is more than likely here to stay.
@@DanLoudShirts well at least it's not as bad as the early days when the loo tanks used to overflow!
I actually think the seats are their only saving grace. Many of them are still more comfortable than the ones on the 80x trains, even though they've had a hard life.
I suspect the refit will put in the same seats as are on the refitted Pendolinos.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting 👍
Ooo that Voyager was grim. Completely unacceptable. Great video though!
@@Timstravels01 Yes. Grim was the word...
Best wishes to you 👍
Superb mini comparison, cheers! Pretty similar to my own limited experience of each. (TBH, it's those square concrete thrones with giant leg posts in LNER first class that reeeaaaalllly grind my gears!)
@@horsehollerer actually you are right. Next time, i could compare the first classes!
Thanks for coming along on this one 👍
A gent for giving your seat as you did. Agree standards on some trains need to be looked at, the seats are truly terrible on many Hitachis. Great adventure
Indeed. Suspect the standard class seats to which you refer are installed on the GWR and LNER Hitachi units. The seats in question were specified by the DfT according to railway press.
@@russellb1212 Yes. Just back home after a std class run with GWR, and many of their seats have now failed. My seat has no passing left!
Thanks for watching 👍
Brilliant video!! Might be taking a few of these companies with travelling between London and Durham in the new year.
I've never had a good journey with crosscountry.
York is such a beautiful station.
Hope all.is well, take care
@@peterdnreynolds777 I'm doing ok Peter. Thanks for asking. Hope all is well with you too. Well there is a bit of choice now between London and Durham...
Thanks for the video. It would be interesting to hear what you would make of the 225s - Mk4s and class 91s. Perhaps a score for window alignment. The design of the ceiling on the Voyagers actually reduces the space above the luggage racks!
@@rolandharmer6402 i love the 225s! But then again. Who doesn't! I did do a first class review here...
Let's ride the 225 | From Wakefield to London King's Cross
ruclips.net/video/iX0Voi17-Po/видео.html
Thanks so much for watching this one 👍
A brilliant video, Cross-country are refurbishing their voyager fleet next year I believe. Thank you for uploading this video 😊😊😊
@@lovefive5733 you are very welcome. Thank you so much for watching 👍
Interesting comparison Johnny. I have been hit with the XC reservations thing so many times. It’s not helped by the staff often not turning it on until the train is well into its journey. It’s a complete PIA. Even more so than the Azuma seats.
@@PaulGodfrey Yes it is hateful. I recently found out that if you are in an unreserved seat the train manager can mark it "taken". But you have to ask them and you have to find them first to ask! As you say a PIA 👍
XC get a hard time for their Voyager trains but IMO most of the criticisms directed towards the operator are well-deserved.
Not too long ago, XC thought they were being clever by offering a seat reservation system based on an SMS message to my phone. Except the "reservation" did not sync with the train's onboard system, so as far as anyone else was concerned, my seat was unreserved! That's an awkward conversation to have.
@@FlyingPhysicist yeah, "instant" seat reservations is a daft idea. You sometimes get the weasel words "available, but may be reserved during the course of the journey". At least give me a QR coffee at the seat so i can block it out on the system when I'm sat in it!
As for the filthy seat backs. That's just slack and reflects a lack of care towards your passengers.
Thanks so much for watching 👍
Crumbs Johnny, this video means you've done all the current East Coast Main Line operators, I recommend a day in Cumbria along the Cumbrian Coast Line, preferably with Lou and Izzy, as some of the stations are literally a couple of yards from the beach!
@@Northerner_Transport_Hub I'm seeing Lou in a couple of weeks, so I'll mention the idea to her 👍
My Son and I have sat on that same seat in the York Tap on many occasions a lovely place
@@philipridgway2783 Yes it's a grand pub. Cheers to you 🍺
Interesting though that the quietest of all at high speeds was the Cross Country as it's a diesel.
@@telemachus53 maybe no quieter than the 80x trains. But definitely a smoother ride once you get over about 110-115mph.
Thanks for watching along 👍
Mondrian , you live and learn also you can`t beat anything Blue
@@Battismore-Blue yeah i love his stuff and i love the TPE blue trains. I know you can't see it when you are inside, but when the train pulls up it makes me feel good 🤷♂️
Thanks so much for watching 👍
I have not had the pleasure of travelling on a Lumo train yet but I have seen plenty elsewhere on my travels, I like the unfussy livery. I agree that the dirt on that Cross Country train was not on, and they are a real pain with seat bookings.
@@IanYoung1975 others have said they like the unfussy lumo livery. Obviously it's all down to personal taste. So I'm happy people disagree.
But i think we can all agree the filth in the XC is unacceptable!
Thanks for watching 👍
Another very interesting video, rather different from your usual ones! But then DIVERSITY is the hallmark of everything you produce. (I see that I am not the first person to comment about 'Mondrian'. You learn something new every day!)
@@Fan652w thanks so much Roger, that's very kind. I just thought that seen as i have the rover and was staying in York, it would be a bit of fun!
Pleased you enjoyed the change. Best wishes to you 👍
Very nice video. Lots of info. Enjoyed it a lot. With lighting, in Japan the levels of lighting are much brighter than in the UK. Perhaps Hitachi uses the same levels in both places. Have to say I was a bit confused by the different train companies. I'm out of date. Anyway, lots to like here. Thank you.
@@clivelangham435 oh well. At least you got a bit of a "heads up" on some of the UK train operating companies. Maybe you are right about the lighting. It might come as standard on all Hitachi A train variants?
Thanks so much for watching 👍
Glad the pub at York is alright now, was there after a work trip last year, more fruit flies than punters and the draught selection left a lot to be desired.
@@wozzablog never knew it got bad for a while. It has always been great when I've been there 🤞
Thanks so much for watching 👍
Very interested and very Beautiful ❤
@@trailwayt9H337 thanks. And thank you for watching 👍
Every cross country train I’ve been on has has double booked seats
@@rhysrail Yes it is a recurring issue
Thanks for watching 👍
Great Video Johnny
@@paulgibsonphotography thanks Paul 👍
Unless you are travelling on the outside I'm not sure that external appearance has any effect on the comfort and efficiency of the service. Time to call the ironing board seats travelling by hard class and not standard class.. Let's hope that the new seats by FISA for the Voyagers also have the angle of recline sorted. Not so on the Greater Anglia Stadlers
@@tomcarr1358 Yes i appreciate that you can't see the outside when you are inside. But the livery and look of the train is important to me because i like the sense of occasion that the train brings as it pulls into the station. And the livery helps to deliver that... just my personal view, i understand.
Yes, let's hope the refurbished seats that go in the XCs are better.
The GWR hard class seats are all in need of repairs right now. Most of the seat cushions (such as they were) have now completely failed... maybe they will be replaced in the 80x trains sooner than planned 🤷♂️
Nice one Johnny. Loved the look of that pub, hope you enjoyed your time with your daughter ?
@@andywillis2650 Yes, it's a great pub. Run by Thornbridge brewery. There's a number of other "Taps". Including ones at Sheffield and Euston. And it was lovely to see my daughter ❤️
Thanks so much for watching 👍
The TPE seats are grim, in their old or new trains. Used to do regular Manchester- Newcastle on the train on a return day trip 😢
@@colinseeney471 ah well. At least you are now saying it in the past tense!
Thanks for watching 👍
The reason the Voyager was still busy, is that an 8 car Voyager only has as many seats as a 5 car IET. They really are atrocious in terms of capacity, and need to be replaced by something more appropriate
@@mattevans4377 ah, interesting. Thanks for that and thanks for watching 👍
double booking of seats- I had a similar issue coming up on an LNER to Newcastle. I had booked my seats via the app and got on the train to find two people had also booked the same seat via trainline. Trainline are often the problem. I made a complaint to LNER as they guarantee a seat and after some arguments about the train being full they refunded me some of our ticket cost
@@jamescarter6684 Nice to know that you got some recompense from LNER. In the case on the video it wasn't quite the same, but the result turned out the same for my fellow travellers.
Thanks so much for watching 👍
I don't think the LNER or TPE seats are that bad. My wife and I have had a few trips to London & Edinburgh (from NCL) on LNER and to Liverpool & Manchester with TPE and didn't have any problem with the seats. The fact booking is easy with LNER, even reservations of exact seats I think would edge it for me .. LNER top.
Yes, XCcountry bottom
@@brianmorrison9168 there's also the problem of which exact seat you get, as they deteriorate markedly. So it is a bit of a pot luck in that sense. On the older GWR IETs much of the padding has fallen out of the seat cushions now...
Thanks so much for watching 👍
If I'm going Edinburgh to Newcastle, I'll usually go for TPE based solely on price. The cheaper ticket usually means I can upgrade to first for very little and still cost about the same as LNER. Lumo is fine, but I always feel so many airline style seats make it feel claustrophobic.
Hope you had a lovely dinner 😊
Lumo are effectively the Ryanair of train operating companies. Cheap and cheerful, very no frills and if that is what you want then fine. LNER for me all the way but the seats and ride lose points. I don’t mind a Voyager at all, seats and ride quality are good in my opinion and I hope their refurbishment doesn’t involve more ironing board seats!
@@77smp thanks we had a lovely dinner! And you are right, we often just pick on price especially if you can flex in an upgrade. Also a good point about the claustrophobic feel of the lumo cabin 👍
Great video, thanks Johnny. I think you nailed it in your scoring. I’d add in the frequency of LNER as a plus, especially to your point about disruption. The CC Voyagers are frankly a disgrace now. Shabby on the outside and within. The body profile just reduces space and they are really not fit for long distance travel. Not sure Mr Branson had it right.
I used to do the Devon - York run to visit a client, and would actively avoid CC, instead choosing GWR and LNER via London. A much better journey.
See you on Salisbury Plain next year?
@@chrismoore4423 cheers Chris. Yes, i often do Devon to Yorkshire via London by train. It helps to avoid XC's crippling prices as well as their crappy trains!
Yep. Think i will be in Salisbury Plain. Mark at let's make a trip wants to go along, so I'll let him do the filming next time!
Ingenious young man. 😂
@@garymcgregor7048 thanks, you're welcome. And thanks too for watching 👍
Great video 👍
@@k1eranjames thanks! And thanks for watching 👍
I'd love a window into your proces: how you pick the trains; if you have goals (like riding ALL the trains) or just do it spontaneously; how you know when to use special tickets like those rovers; do you spend your winter evenings poring over timetables?? I'm sure I can think of more questions if you want them!
@@phronsiekeys Hans that's a start!
I have a list on my computer of routes i fancy... often recommended in the comments here.
No, i have no goal of riding all the train, all the routes or going to all the stations.
If i know I'm staying somewhere in the uk i will check the rail rover guide to see if there's any useful rovers. That then might dictate the routes i do.
I even spend summer evenings pouring over timetables and maps! The hardest thing is just deciding where to go in the first place. I've got two Interrail tickets in bought in sales and i just can't decide where to go next! But i will!
Hope that answers a bit!
Great film. Never been impressed with Cross Country - miss the old days of HST's and, before that, many a trip on Virgin Cross Country behind a 47. Voyagers don't cut the proverbial mustard for me.
Voyagers should only ever have been a regional express imho (if they absolutely had to be put in to service), never really suited to true Intercity.
Totally agree. Couldn’t beat 8 or so mark 2 coaches hauled by a class 47 Virgin train in late 1990s. How Virgin got away with thinking a 4 coach DmU was suitable for long distance leisure travel amazes me. Plus why are they still using diesels when so much of network is electrified?😂
@@andrewlong6438 There are stretches of the network that aren't electrified and won't be for many years. They should be, but won't. No question they are poor inadequate units, but diesel is here to stay on the network for a while.
@@peterskegness3204 ah we all love an old loco hauled service. One of the pleasures of travelling into Europe to still enjoy that!
Thanks for watching 👍
Another good video - thanks. I agree that the Cross Country Voyagers seem to be getting very tatty. Fortunately the East Midlands Meridians seem to be a bit better maintained; but there again, they work much simpler diagrams than Cross Country's trains. Have you tried TPE's Nova 2 trains? I had a very enjoyable ride from Manchester to Glasgow on one. Based on the CAF Civity platform, the same as the Northern Trains' 195 & 331 trains, but with better interiors and therefore more suitable for long-distance journeys.
A question, if I may: was that a 1 day Ranger ticket you had, or a '4 days in 8' Rover? I've been looking for the 1-day Ranger but I can't find any links to it, only the Rover.
@@tomburke5311 Yes I've had a ride on the Nova2, but i haven't yet done a video on the channel.
Wrt to the rover, it was the 4in 8 rover. When I'm looking for rovers i use www.railrover.org/index.html
Thanks so much for watching 👍
For me it's lner, then lumo then trans pennie, then the hateful voyager. We did a Newcastle to Newton Abbot on the way to Torquay. Then returne obviously. It was horrendous 😢
@@garymcgregor7048 Yes, like many others, i do the trip between the north east and Devon via London to avoid the dreaded voyagers... and it can be quicker too!
Thanks so much for watching 👍
Great JH
@@kevincollis4768 thanks Kevin. And thanks too for watching 👍
Thanks Johnny an interesting review. Out of interest, what app do you use for indicating speed?
@@rwm2986 i use "Speedometer" on the iphone. I like the font it uses 🤷♂️
Thanks so much for watching 👍
17:02 That's wrong. In fact you can't book a seat on that short journey .
@@GabrielsReviews I suspect you are right. But they clearly state that they are part of that rover ticket's eligibility, so they should offer something. I don't suppose they really care...
@@JohnnyHooverTravelsLumo run about a 400 mile trip with very little in the way of intermediate stops. NLC - MPT is the shortest in duration and distance they offer (10-15 minutes I think ). They prioritise seat reservations for those doing longer trips .I think A & E have a small number of unreserved seating.
I like Lumo's clean and unfussy livery, so I think you undermarked them with only 2 for exterior. But as long as the livery (and especially the windows) is clean and doesn't have an embarrassing advert picture on it, I don't really care what the outside looks like because once I'm aboard I'm not looking at it!
@@broadsword6650 Yes i appreciate that sentiment. For me, the arrival of the train gives the sense of adventure and promise. Hence, for me, the livery is important in creating that feeling. But yes, you rarely see it when inside (except when reflected in windows as you pass by).
Thanks for watching 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels While marks in the other categories are fairly objective judgements of cleanliness or quality, the livery category seems to be more a subjective matter of taste. If you instead have marks on the cleanliness/condition of the exterior - especially the windows - would that be more pertinent? Seems hard to deduct 3 marks from Lumo just because you aren't a fan of blue paint! 😄