Atleast its better than in the Netherlands… really bad here… and the toilets are most of the time -5 ot of 10… lots of garbage in there… and the graffiti… 😢
It's a little known fact, but those who travel in Scum Class get to the destination as fast as those who travel in Scrounger Class (their fares are usually paid by someone else).
@@hamishmctibble6072 if you are comfortable, time flies by a lot faster, though ;) And honestly, it depends on the type of trip I make, for short hops, I don't really care, for longer trips, or when I have some work to do, I do like the extra comfort and quiet first often gives. It's like food. I don't mind a good chippy every now and then, and I'll gladly eat a sandwich if I'm hungry, but when I want to celebrate, I'll go to a proper restaurant and spoil myself a bit. Nothing wrong with people willing to spend the money for a little extra service. If it wouldn't make the operators money, they'd have stopped it a long time ago.
I think TransPennine Express has one of the most striking liveries on British rails, I love the look of that train. That said, it's about the only positive thing I can think of when talking about TPE. They're unreliable, often more expensive on shared routes, etc. I am giving them points for communicating properly about the disturbance and the reason for the slow-running, it's relatively easy to do a decent job when everything goes well, it's when things go south that proper service can shine.
Would it make sense for Network rail to have 1 x shared 1st class lounge at stations ( where demand is sufficient ) shared by all 1st class train providers. For each ticket logged, the operating company gets a small bill per passenger that used it ?
Not all stations are operated by Network Rail, only main stations such as Glasgow Central, Manchester Picc, All London Terminus Stations - Birmingham NS to name a few are run by NR.
Good Video. As somebody who lived in Huddersfield for a while, I can tell you it's actually quite logical to have your Lounge there. Essentially, 90%+ of the E-W Transpennine services between Newcastle/Middlesborugh/Hull and Liverpool run via Leeds and Huddersfield which makes the Leeds-Manchester stretch one of the busiest in the country apparently (I can tell you the trains are standing room only bar a brief window between about 10-4). Huddersfield is also basically a glorified commuter town (something like 20% of the population communute to Leeds if you believe local media) and while Huddersfield itself ranks as relatively poor statistically, this is actually skewed by the council boundaries taking in Kirklees and the money so to speak being in the picture perfect villages between Huddersfield and Sheffield (a large number of which get classed as something other than Huddersfield even though any leisure activity or shopping likely occurs in Huddersfield). So with commuters that are not as poor as statistics would suggest, a glorious station managed by TP and lower rental costs than a proper station, that is likely why its there.
Huddersfield in 2022 had 3m passengers a year and Carlisle 1.7m, and Trans Pennine Express manage Huddersfield station where Avanti manage Carlisle, so a lounge being at Huddersfield and not Carlisle makes sense. I think Glasgow Queen Street had 6m pax a year in 2022, so Huddersfield isn’t so random. Beautiful grade I station too. I think with lounges especially - this is a good advert for why we need to go back to being British Rail. One entity who own and manage everything. Either that or rail operators come to some sort of agreement on sharing first class facilities at stations they themselves don’t manage.
The politicians get backhanders for handing out the contracts to private rail companies, with which they buy their big houses and fancy cars, so it's unlikely that 'British Rail' will be coming back ever.
Compensation repay,doesn't really cut it for the stress one endures, when your train is cxd and your stuck 200 miles from home.plus,in my case I need to be near a toilet as I've just had radio therapy treatment for prostate so a bus doesn't really do me any favours!
I'm just waiting for someone to copy the format down south - GWR vs. LHR Express vs. East Midlands vs Grand Central etc. I see someone has already done a LNER vs. Scotrail first class comparison video. Imitation is the sincerest form of flatttery!
Mid 2000's The owner travels daily from Blackburn, but indeed quality brew. Think us rail staff have helped pay his holidays and mortgage over the years lol
Thanks for your videos Scott. From what I've seen in all of them, the only conclusion I can make is that lounges are overrated. IKEA chairs and pre-packed snacks that probably have a 15p cost price - yawn. Complimentary stuff on board is another matter, but the most important thing for me that I'd pay extra for is the comfort and space of the seat, and the cleanliness of the loos, although the latter should be standard really, but hey ho welcome to Britain.
Yes agree the benefit is a guaranteed more comfortable spacious seat with some degree of privacy. Although given the limited capacity on all trains there is a case of taking out 1st class and giving that spa e to standard so more people get seats. It's what happening in the south east already.
@@wizardofthenorth8352Difficult one for the TOCs. On mainline routes (away from the busy commuter lines) they would worry about losing high revenue pax. I expect you've noticed how EMR has reduced F class accommodation but not withdrawn it completely.
Yet another interesting film. Have enjoyed this review of 1st class of the 5 operators. £43 1st off peak equals 45p per mile which compared with xcountry off peak is 75p a mile (bhm to Stockport). It just shows how much each operator tries to extract as much money as possible - not dissimilar to train companies in 1920s and 1930s. Just before they were nationalised. Only LNER and maybe AVANTI offer anything close to a 1st class product. The reality though most people would rather travel by car (business or pleasure). So sad.
Rail fares now all controlled by our DfT. All rail operators (open access firms excepted) have been operating on a management fee basis since March or April 2020 so revenue handed to the gov't. Railway press can tell you more.
Nationalised British Rail operated so-called 'market pricing' in the 1970s and 1980s which had the same effect. It was notorious that on the stopping line between Woking and Waterloo, if you lived within driving range of several stations which are only a few miles apart, you could save a lot of money by having a season ticket from a less prestigious station rather than somewhere wealthy like Weybridge.
Could you compare the 2nd class experience between the different train lines on the same routes ? That would be more relevant to most of your followers.
If budget is on your side I recommend Sleeper Edinburgh-London & then depending on your end destination a short walk to St Pancras for a HS1 train otherwise flying/Lumo should be considered with Lumo/LNER terminating at Kings Cross your southeastern connection should just be across the road,
You are right with the "keep dreaming" text overlay, when you said complementary refreshments etc . Every time I've travelled TPE 1st, M/Bro to MCR airport I've had to pay for a coffee from the trolley.. Truly disappointing 1st class service to be honest (And truly awful company in terms of delays and cancellations!)
Surely TPE get a 5 point bonus for actually running a train (on time or not)? The Huddersfield lounge isn't for the passengers, it's for the station cats... Tongue out of cheek now, a good, honest review.
That hotel behind you at Carlisle is,or was, called the Lakes Court and it manages to combine high prices with a 10 hr check out.TPE is really a regional English operation which has expanded into Scotland in recent years.Previously they only covered northern England and a little bit of the north Midlands using the sardine can 185's.At least their trains are bigger now but sadly there's still 185's around.
The 185's aren't that bad, I can't comment on first class but standard class is better than commuting in London, and the new AT300 stock. The only issue I could see with them was speed on electrified lines, and a lack of capacity prior to the introduction of the new NOVA stock.
This was a very interesting video. I had my first journey on a Transpennine Class 397 back in June, albeit only between Wigan North Western and Preston, and I too also noticed that it had a rather rough ride. I have to wonder if it's a problem specifically with their Class 397s. If you consider travelling with them again, you should try booking a journey on one of their Class 802 services to compare it against the 397 (it seems the 802s are used on their ECML routes whereas the 397s stick to the WCML routes).
It was Hitachi 800 train same as most other operators are using can't see why ride quality would be any different and the delay wasn't TPE's fault , most delays are due to rail network . One delay will have knock on effect all day to other operators as UK network is over saturated with traffic , it becomes chaotic once trains are off their pathed times ' one reason we needed the original HS2 , but gone now they cancelled it Great video as always though
It seems to me that your extra £30 to travel first class bought you a little bit of extra space in a carriage with poor suspension, a cup of coffee and a small slice of cake. At that price I hope the coffee and cake were the best you had ever tasted. Are there any worse ways to blow £30?
Agreed. You basically pay for a slightly larger seat, free coffee, and usually a quieter and less congested carriage (but not always!). When standard class is very busy with standing passengers all the way down the coach, going 1st can be worth it if the price is not crazy.
First class on the continent is mostly cheaper, but won't get you an extra snack. Then again, many countries' railways are basically just commuter railways, and it's a surprise they have 1st class at all. Most don't even have catering. The extra legroom can be nice for the larger people among us (like me), I don't mind a short hop in Standard, but for longer journeys, being able to stretch your legs a bit makes a huge difference.
Got so called first class today from Huddersfield first class lounge closed no at seat service and had to get off at york due to signal problems then put in packed LNER train stood all way to Darlington
I searched for videos of first class lounge in Huddersfield. It's just a waiting room with glass walls, with a few seats, and without either food or toilet. And the trains go there don't offer food or drink in first class, so it's just standard class with possibly more comfy seats.
It has been an interesting look this series & i hope you cover the last remaining 1st class next year 😉 (the Jacobite steam train) Personally I preferred TPEs 1st class over the offerings of CrossCountry although on the pricy side first class on some operators bagging a seatfrog upgrade is a plus for me.
TPE disappointing? Well that is the least shocking revelation I've heard in a while. The fact that it wasn't cancelled the night before is a result though....
The trains are far too short! We must revert to loco-hauled trains for long-distance travel, so that extra coaches can be added to reflect demand. To make things worse, there is no catering except a trolley service. The railways obviously expect passengers to starve. How can one survive a journey from Manchester to Glasgow without sustenance?
I enjoy your videos I visit Manchester at least once a month and would never use TPE if it was free . I would have more chance of winning the lottery than my TPE train back to Glasgow going the entire distance. .Manchester- Carlisle- Cancelled bus My preferred option is now Machester - Wigan Wallgate - 5 min Walk. - Wigan Northwestern - Pint in the Hotel - Glasgow. And same going only in reverse Cheaper and reliable .TPE could not run a ######## in a Brewery
I travelled with them from Manchester airport to York. An expensive first class ticket. Very poor service. Train reduced from 6 cars to 3, no perks for first class and tickets never even checked. Very poor
I'm intrigued at the variety of views people have of the ride quality of the 800 series trains. Some people, especially those on the GWR versions think that they are appalling (as did Scott on the TPE version), whilst others find them to be OK - especially those on the ECML (LNER, Lumo etc). They are basically the same train, so is the track quality that different? Scott had no complaints about the ride quality of the Pendolino he used between Glasgow and Carlisle.
Probably slightly varying specifications on them. I presume LNER and the other ones with good reviews specced better shock absorbers or something to smooth out the ride.
These are foreign-designed, tuppence a bucket , soulless, joyless imitations of trains. Your expression sat there said it all. I applaud your dedication Sir. The ‘train manager’ announcing the reason for the delay clearly didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. It’s as though the pride has gone from being a railwayman. What a sorry old mess.
The extremely bumpy ride is mainly caused by the type of train that TPE operated, called the Class 397 which is a fairly new train built by CAF a Spanish manufacturer. All of their trains they make such as the Class 195 at Northern, the Class 196 at West Midlands trains and the Class 197 operated by Transport for Wales are very rough riding in my actual experience. They also build the Mark 5/5a coaching stock which is operated by Caledonian Sleepers and the other stock operated by TPE for the very short future. The coaching stock is notorious for their bad riding and the sleepers especially for being loaded with all sorts of faults with the water and shower systems, simply look elsewhere on RUclips and the evidence is there. There have been some unfortunate nicknames used for this builders’ initials of CAF such as ‘Call A Fitter’ or the very unfortunate ‘Cheap as F…’ which sadly do reflect matters all too often. There is now on the railway in the UK very few decent types of trains left and the more comfortable ones are being retired and take out of service for these newer, poorer quality ones. All part of the managed decline of the system sadly.
The interaction between the suspension and the condition of the track is a complex issue, and some are better than others. I might be a bit biased given my experience of the old Mk3 stock, but in the main they were more suitable than anything else.@@derektaylor2941
Transpennine, now run by DfT OLR Holdings Limited (DOHL) who also run LNER - Northern Rail & London & South Eastern Railway all are wholly owned subsidiarys
I feel it's a kind of a bad idea when they share non confirmed information that could rattle some people up: "I hope it's not too serious and we are able to pass through". The voice didn't seem too secure, so if you want to explain and calm your passengers, you need to convey that in your voice and your message. Good video! I really hope I bump into you one time at a coach or train station!
Unfortunately it's a catch 22 as I'd be more annoyed to not know why I'm being delayed I know I've had to resort to poking the twitter team of a TOC as the guard remains silent,
The original "Transpennine" service was an 9 coach multiple diesel unit train operated by British Rail and was introduced in the 1960s, linking Hull in the East with Liverpool in the West.
They were six-coach sets, motor composite at each end, two motor seconds, non-driving, with compartments, corridor first, and buffet. The Newcastle to Liverpool trains usually had ten coaches, typically one BG, one FK, one RB, and the rest second class. There were full restaurant facilities on these trains until the early seventies. Latterly there was only what BR called a micro-buffet, no better than a trolley service.
@@BalwinderSingh-w9m Which service? One possible reason was that until 1965, all towns had an early closing day, usually Wednesday or Thursday. A few smaller towns kept this for a few more years.
A lot of the new trains seems to be built very poorly. Azuma, class 195/331 to name but a few. It can only be cost cutting. As this is the only direct train from Manchester I would take National Express instead.
I think TPE have it a bit rough with their franchise - it's effectively a local, regional and long distance operator. It's hugely overcrowded on local/regional services at peak times and doesn't feel adequate for the longer distances.
All looked very austere in that 1st Class carriage. Tbf.., Carlisle isn't really the kind of place that I would ever expect a 1st Class lounge. Nor would I ever consider a 1st Class fare on such a short journey. Really, for me to travel 1st Class, I'd need to see a substantial meal, proper 1st Class service, dancing girls, and no more of these pre-packed nibblies. That's a real lowest common denominator.
Yeah, never really consider Trans Pennine for first class as I live in Leeds - use them to go to Manchester for cricket or football, or maybe to the North East for cricket. The journeys are relatively short, so snacks and drinks? Bring yer own. The trains are modern and clean, so standard class is fine. First class would only be on a service you know will be rammed and you don't want to stand.
I was delayed here on that TPE train, also my mum makes of TPE Motherwell announcement, I had a broken down freight train at Carlisle to cause my 2 hour delay
Worse first class out there, I was on for 2hrs 30 mins got one coffee and a lemon drizzle cake, when you look on the TP first class menu online it says what options you have never got offered anything like that,
The overall impression from the five journeys is that even the "First Class" services are significantly below those you get with economy class in most other developed countries, at least the many that I've been in and travelled in. Why do Brits accept such poor services and conditions, while people in other countries pay less and get a better experience? The rail services in particular have a deservedly terrible reputation. The UK cannot even afford a short stretch of a high-speed train in part of England, whereas France, Germany, Japan, and even less developed countries have high-speed links all across their territories, and timetables that are punctual, clean, and not broken.
The state of Britain's rail system indicated by the fact that you preface your remarks by telling us "the cheapest Standard Class fare is...." Unlike more organised systems in more civilised countries where there is a fare, no matter what time of day or night, for a particular journey between A and B. No faffing about looking for ticket prices on random websites. Rail travel is a shambles in Britain, Scott. Thanks for enduring it on our behalf!😉
You'd be even more disappointed if you took the service via Dumfries and Kilmarnock which takes nearly three times the time to get to Glasgow from Carlisle, though it's a pretty run in places. And while the class 156 DMUs used are serviceable enough, they are hardly luxurious, with no first class seating.
In "the good old days," you had the Thames-Clyde Express, and there were other trains from Leeds as well. Even the trains starting from Carlisle used to be formed of Mark 1 stock. Are Class 156 units really suitable for a journey of 115 miles?
I dont think I would bother traveling first class with them for such a short journey anyway , same with most operators first class seems to be a token gesture for what you get for your money.
Had Scott been familiar with TPE's Northern England services, his expectations would have been lower to begin with. Just getting to your destination counts as a win. PS - I'm not sure it's fair to score lounges, whether in Huddersfield or not. The vast majority of first class passengers never use them anyway, because they turn up close to the train departure time and certainly don't hang around at the other end. It's not like going by air, where Kym Illman can demonstarte how a nice lounge helps while away the inevitable hanging round airports.
Frankly I wouldn't consider Carlisle a large city station like Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, and London... Not every station should have first class lounges... I wouldn't consider Carlisle more worthy of a first class lounge than Northampton, Leicester, and Nottingham...
Can anyone in the comments please advise me where I'd go to look for the best value travel from Carlisle to Newquay in May. I know booking in advance on the train, split ticketing, two together Railcard, but am I missing anything? Would Flying be a good option? Sorry to ask on here but I'm trying to plan a surprise for my husbands birthday.
Those trains are bumpy. We caught one on our return from Glasgow to Liverpool. On the outward journey, we connected onto Avanti of which the journey was a lot more smoother.
New series idea: Take a bicycle with you and try out the offers. The Highland Explorer carriage on Scotrail at 05:20 from Oban must be fun! compare that with the broom cupboard on the LNER Azumas.
You were lucky to stand outside Carlisle station on a quiet day. It is normally chock a block with cars and coaches. Carlisle my local station for watching trains.
I do not know why Huddersfield has a first clas lounge, but I do know it has a pair of residents cat, Felix and Bolt. That would make it first class for me.
It is a bit, and not everyone will be travelling to and/or from termini. Then again, the price differential between 1st and standard class seems rather excessive for most of these services.
Aren't these units built by CAF in Spain, the same company who operate the Northern services CAF built unit around near Manchester where there new DMU's and EMU's all rattle and bang and the ride quality is shocking. If you buy cheap products what do do expect. Good report as always sir👍
That wasn't very impressive at all and the announcement (exscuse) went on forever. Scott, as a Forest supporter thank you for the bus. I do have a relative at Huddersfield University (quite a few coincidences for me( but no idea about the lounge. This has been 'an eye opener" of a series. 👍
It was /100. If you remove the areas where someone fails of course they will do well. Maybe he should just judge the seat size and give them full marks?
![DDG & G Herbo - Nosey [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/I9Ra0Zc2NlQ/mqdefault.jpg)
What a informative and honest on-board staff announcer. Best looking trains by far, in my humble opinion.
This isn’t first class. This is just being overcharged.
Welcome to Britain 😢
I'd have a bucket load of drinks, biscuits,cake,fruit etc to make it worth the extra money.
Atleast its better than in the Netherlands… really bad here… and the toilets are most of the time -5 ot of 10… lots of garbage in there… and the graffiti… 😢
It's a little known fact, but those who travel in Scum Class get to the destination as fast as those who travel in Scrounger Class (their fares are usually paid by someone else).
@@hamishmctibble6072 if you are comfortable, time flies by a lot faster, though ;) And honestly, it depends on the type of trip I make, for short hops, I don't really care, for longer trips, or when I have some work to do, I do like the extra comfort and quiet first often gives.
It's like food. I don't mind a good chippy every now and then, and I'll gladly eat a sandwich if I'm hungry, but when I want to celebrate, I'll go to a proper restaurant and spoil myself a bit. Nothing wrong with people willing to spend the money for a little extra service. If it wouldn't make the operators money, they'd have stopped it a long time ago.
Oh my gosh. A TransPennine express train. A real one. At a station. In service. You don't see that very often.
Lockerbie passengers have had a long running battle with Transpennine Express over recent years for a reliable train service to Edinburgh.
I think TransPennine Express has one of the most striking liveries on British rails, I love the look of that train. That said, it's about the only positive thing I can think of when talking about TPE. They're unreliable, often more expensive on shared routes, etc.
I am giving them points for communicating properly about the disturbance and the reason for the slow-running, it's relatively easy to do a decent job when everything goes well, it's when things go south that proper service can shine.
and it reached its destination!
Would it make sense for Network rail to have 1 x shared 1st class lounge at stations ( where demand is sufficient ) shared by all 1st class train providers.
For each ticket logged, the operating company gets a small bill per passenger that used it ?
That would be just way too easy for the most disjointed railway network in Europe 😂
Much better idea.
Indeed that is how airlines do things in certain cases (here I refer to international services).
That’s far too easy 😂
Not all stations are operated by Network Rail, only main stations such as Glasgow Central, Manchester Picc, All London Terminus Stations - Birmingham NS to name a few are run by NR.
Good Video.
As somebody who lived in Huddersfield for a while, I can tell you it's actually quite logical to have your Lounge there.
Essentially, 90%+ of the E-W Transpennine services between Newcastle/Middlesborugh/Hull and Liverpool run via Leeds and Huddersfield which makes the Leeds-Manchester stretch one of the busiest in the country apparently (I can tell you the trains are standing room only bar a brief window between about 10-4).
Huddersfield is also basically a glorified commuter town (something like 20% of the population communute to Leeds if you believe local media) and while Huddersfield itself ranks as relatively poor statistically, this is actually skewed by the council boundaries taking in Kirklees and the money so to speak being in the picture perfect villages between Huddersfield and Sheffield (a large number of which get classed as something other than Huddersfield even though any leisure activity or shopping likely occurs in Huddersfield).
So with commuters that are not as poor as statistics would suggest, a glorious station managed by TP and lower rental costs than a proper station, that is likely why its there.
Good analysis
Huddersfield in 2022 had 3m passengers a year and Carlisle 1.7m, and Trans Pennine Express manage Huddersfield station where Avanti manage Carlisle, so a lounge being at Huddersfield and not Carlisle makes sense. I think Glasgow Queen Street had 6m pax a year in 2022, so Huddersfield isn’t so random. Beautiful grade I station too.
I think with lounges especially - this is a good advert for why we need to go back to being British Rail. One entity who own and manage everything. Either that or rail operators come to some sort of agreement on sharing first class facilities at stations they themselves don’t manage.
The politicians get backhanders for handing out the contracts to private rail companies, with which they buy their big houses and fancy cars, so it's unlikely that 'British Rail' will be coming back ever.
Would love to see a video explaining how compensation for late and cancelled services works, for both trains and planes.
Compensation repay,doesn't really cut it for the stress one endures, when your train is cxd and your stuck 200 miles from home.plus,in my case I need to be near a toilet as I've just had radio therapy treatment for prostate so a bus doesn't really do me any favours!
Fantastic wrapping up of the services! Really interesting to watch and typical of you to come up with such an awesome idea :)
I'm just waiting for someone to copy the format down south - GWR vs. LHR Express vs. East Midlands vs Grand Central etc. I see someone has already done a LNER vs. Scotrail first class comparison video. Imitation is the sincerest form of flatttery!
The coffee truck has been there since mid 90s always a good independent brew
Mid 2000's
The owner travels daily from Blackburn, but indeed quality brew. Think us rail staff have helped pay his holidays and mortgage over the years lol
Thanks Scott been interesting comparing the First Class with different operators
Thanks for your videos Scott. From what I've seen in all of them, the only conclusion I can make is that lounges are overrated. IKEA chairs and pre-packed snacks that probably have a 15p cost price - yawn. Complimentary stuff on board is another matter, but the most important thing for me that I'd pay extra for is the comfort and space of the seat, and the cleanliness of the loos, although the latter should be standard really, but hey ho welcome to Britain.
Yes agree the benefit is a guaranteed more comfortable spacious seat with some degree of privacy. Although given the limited capacity on all trains there is a case of taking out 1st class and giving that spa e to standard so more people get seats. It's what happening in the south east already.
@@wizardofthenorth8352 Oh absolutely. First class nowadays is what standard class used to be. Minus hot meals, perhaps.
@@wizardofthenorth8352Difficult one for the TOCs. On mainline routes (away from the busy commuter lines) they would worry about losing high revenue pax. I expect you've noticed how EMR has reduced F class accommodation but not withdrawn it completely.
Yet another interesting film. Have enjoyed this review of 1st class of the 5 operators.
£43 1st off peak equals 45p per mile which compared with xcountry off peak is 75p a mile (bhm to Stockport). It just shows how much each operator tries to extract as much money as possible - not dissimilar to train companies in 1920s and 1930s. Just before they were nationalised. Only LNER and maybe AVANTI offer anything close to a 1st class product. The reality though most people would rather travel by car (business or pleasure). So sad.
Rail fares now all controlled by our DfT. All rail operators (open access firms excepted) have been operating on a management fee basis since March or April 2020 so revenue handed to the gov't. Railway press can tell you more.
For the same journey time, I paid £20 first class on LNER and got 3x better service and seats
Nationalised British Rail operated so-called 'market pricing' in the 1970s and 1980s which had the same effect. It was notorious that on the stopping line between Woking and Waterloo, if you lived within driving range of several stations which are only a few miles apart, you could save a lot of money by having a season ticket from a less prestigious station rather than somewhere wealthy like Weybridge.
Could you compare the 2nd class experience between the different train lines on the same routes ? That would be more relevant to most of your followers.
Loved all of this series of videos Scott .I'm catching up on all your videos currently 😊😊😊😊
Really enjoyed these. I've got to figure out the best way to Edinburgh from Kent in the next two weeks lol. Thank you for sharing
If budget is on your side I recommend Sleeper Edinburgh-London & then depending on your end destination a short walk to St Pancras for a HS1 train otherwise flying/Lumo should be considered with Lumo/LNER terminating at Kings Cross your southeastern connection should just be across the road,
You are right with the "keep dreaming" text overlay, when you said complementary refreshments etc .
Every time I've travelled TPE 1st, M/Bro to MCR airport I've had to pay for a coffee from the trolley..
Truly disappointing 1st class service to be honest
(And truly awful company in terms of delays and cancellations!)
TPE - it's a wonder the service wasn't cancelled at short notice.
Surely TPE get a 5 point bonus for actually running a train (on time or not)?
The Huddersfield lounge isn't for the passengers, it's for the station cats...
Tongue out of cheek now, a good, honest review.
At 3.37, you can just make out platform 2, where I would catch the train to Whitehaven( home).
Nice journey, Scott. I hope you bring your wife on one of your trips soon.
These are hilarious - keep up the great work tom
That hotel behind you at Carlisle is,or was, called the Lakes Court and it manages to combine high prices with a 10 hr check out.TPE is really a regional English operation which has expanded into Scotland in recent years.Previously they only covered northern England and a little bit of the north Midlands using the sardine can 185's.At least their trains are bigger now but sadly there's still 185's around.
The 185's aren't that bad, I can't comment on first class but standard class is better than commuting in London, and the new AT300 stock. The only issue I could see with them was speed on electrified lines, and a lack of capacity prior to the introduction of the new NOVA stock.
Sadly , train travel is becoming something we have to endure rather than enjoy 😞
This was a very interesting video. I had my first journey on a Transpennine Class 397 back in June, albeit only between Wigan North Western and Preston, and I too also noticed that it had a rather rough ride. I have to wonder if it's a problem specifically with their Class 397s. If you consider travelling with them again, you should try booking a journey on one of their Class 802 services to compare it against the 397 (it seems the 802s are used on their ECML routes whereas the 397s stick to the WCML routes).
Excellent video .
It was Hitachi 800 train same as most other operators are using can't see why ride quality would be any different and the delay wasn't TPE's fault , most delays are due to rail network . One delay will have knock on effect all day to other operators as UK network is over saturated with traffic , it becomes chaotic once trains are off their pathed times ' one reason we needed the original HS2 , but gone now they cancelled it
Great video as always though
It seems to me that your extra £30 to travel first class bought you a little bit of extra space in a carriage with poor suspension, a cup of coffee and a small slice of cake. At that price I hope the coffee and cake were the best you had ever tasted. Are there any worse ways to blow £30?
Agreed. You basically pay for a slightly larger seat, free coffee, and usually a quieter and less congested carriage (but not always!). When standard class is very busy with standing passengers all the way down the coach, going 1st can be worth it if the price is not crazy.
First class on the continent is mostly cheaper, but won't get you an extra snack. Then again, many countries' railways are basically just commuter railways, and it's a surprise they have 1st class at all. Most don't even have catering.
The extra legroom can be nice for the larger people among us (like me), I don't mind a short hop in Standard, but for longer journeys, being able to stretch your legs a bit makes a huge difference.
I had a martini in Harry's Bar in Venice for less than Scott paid for his coffee and cake.
Thanks
Thanks very much. Greatly appreciated and thanks fir your support.
Got so called first class today from Huddersfield first class lounge closed no at seat service and had to get off at york due to signal problems then put in packed LNER train stood all way to Darlington
I searched for videos of first class lounge in Huddersfield. It's just a waiting room with glass walls, with a few seats, and without either food or toilet.
And the trains go there don't offer food or drink in first class, so it's just standard class with possibly more comfy seats.
Great vid as always Scott 👍🏻
It has been an interesting look this series & i hope you cover the last remaining 1st class next year 😉 (the Jacobite steam train)
Personally I preferred TPEs 1st class over the offerings of CrossCountry although on the pricy side first class on some operators bagging a seatfrog upgrade is a plus for me.
TPE disappointing? Well that is the least shocking revelation I've heard in a while. The fact that it wasn't cancelled the night before is a result though....
The trains are far too short! We must revert to loco-hauled trains for long-distance travel, so that extra coaches can be added to reflect demand. To make things worse, there is no catering except a trolley service. The railways obviously expect passengers to starve. How can one survive a journey from Manchester to Glasgow without sustenance?
I enjoy your videos
I visit Manchester at least once a month and would never use TPE if it was free . I would have more chance of winning the lottery than my TPE train back to Glasgow going the entire distance. .Manchester- Carlisle- Cancelled bus
My preferred option is now Machester - Wigan Wallgate - 5 min Walk. - Wigan Northwestern - Pint in the Hotel - Glasgow.
And same going only in reverse
Cheaper and reliable .TPE could not run a ######## in a Brewery
Scot, My Name Is Charlie.
Great series.
I travelled with them from Manchester airport to York. An expensive first class ticket. Very poor service. Train reduced from 6 cars to 3, no perks for first class and tickets never even checked. Very poor
I'm intrigued at the variety of views people have of the ride quality of the 800 series trains. Some people, especially those on the GWR versions think that they are appalling (as did Scott on the TPE version), whilst others find them to be OK - especially those on the ECML (LNER, Lumo etc). They are basically the same train, so is the track quality that different? Scott had no complaints about the ride quality of the Pendolino he used between Glasgow and Carlisle.
Probably slightly varying specifications on them. I presume LNER and the other ones with good reviews specced better shock absorbers or something to smooth out the ride.
Looking forward to seeing them on the WCML. First one is painted in Avanti colours now so hopefully shouldn't be too long now.
These are foreign-designed, tuppence a bucket , soulless, joyless imitations of trains. Your expression sat there said it all. I applaud your dedication Sir. The ‘train manager’ announcing the reason for the delay clearly didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. It’s as though the pride has gone from being a railwayman. What a sorry old mess.
The extremely bumpy ride is mainly caused by the type of train that TPE operated, called the Class 397 which is a fairly new train built by CAF a Spanish manufacturer. All of their trains they make such as the Class 195 at Northern, the Class 196 at West Midlands trains and the Class 197 operated by Transport for Wales are very rough riding in my actual experience. They also build the Mark 5/5a coaching stock which is operated by Caledonian Sleepers and the other stock operated by TPE for the very short future. The coaching stock is notorious for their bad riding and the sleepers especially for being loaded with all sorts of faults with the water and shower systems, simply look elsewhere on RUclips and the evidence is there. There have been some unfortunate nicknames used for this builders’ initials of CAF such as ‘Call A Fitter’ or the very unfortunate ‘Cheap as F…’ which sadly do reflect matters all too often. There is now on the railway in the UK very few decent types of trains left and the more comfortable ones are being retired and take out of service for these newer, poorer quality ones. All part of the managed decline of the system sadly.
The interaction between the suspension and the condition of the track is a complex issue, and some are better than others. I might be a bit biased given my experience of the old Mk3 stock, but in the main they were more suitable than anything else.@@derektaylor2941
Transpennine, now run by DfT OLR Holdings Limited (DOHL) who also run LNER - Northern Rail & London & South Eastern Railway all are wholly owned subsidiarys
Love your in hind sight comments!
I feel it's a kind of a bad idea when they share non confirmed information that could rattle some people up: "I hope it's not too serious and we are able to pass through". The voice didn't seem too secure, so if you want to explain and calm your passengers, you need to convey that in your voice and your message.
Good video! I really hope I bump into you one time at a coach or train station!
Unfortunately it's a catch 22 as I'd be more annoyed to not know why I'm being delayed I know I've had to resort to poking the twitter team of a TOC as the guard remains silent,
His announcement was fine, sounded like a human being rather than a robot.
Great video Scott
TPX operate huddersfield and it's one of their best served stations
can you post the final table please
There’s a separate post on the “Community” tab.
I’ve used TP FC once and hopefully never again!
As a Huddersfield resident I have to say our lounge is nice but why ots the only one I don't know
Did I miss what the free food and alcoholic beverages were like?
The original "Transpennine" service was an 9 coach multiple diesel unit train operated by British Rail and was introduced in the 1960s, linking Hull in the East with Liverpool in the West.
It actually started in Beverley.
They were six-coach sets, motor composite at each end, two motor seconds, non-driving, with compartments, corridor first, and buffet. The Newcastle to Liverpool trains usually had ten coaches, typically one BG, one FK, one RB, and the rest second class. There were full restaurant facilities on these trains until the early seventies. Latterly there was only what BR called a micro-buffet, no better than a trolley service.
What was the reason this service never ran on Wednesday’s? Does anyone remember.
@@BalwinderSingh-w9m Which service? One possible reason was that until 1965, all towns had an early closing day, usually Wednesday or Thursday. A few smaller towns kept this for a few more years.
A lot of the new trains seems to be built very poorly. Azuma, class 195/331 to name but a few. It can only be cost cutting. As this is the only direct train from Manchester I would take National Express instead.
I think TPE have it a bit rough with their franchise - it's effectively a local, regional and long distance operator. It's hugely overcrowded on local/regional services at peak times and doesn't feel adequate for the longer distances.
All looked very austere in that 1st Class carriage. Tbf.., Carlisle isn't really the kind of place that I would ever expect a 1st Class lounge. Nor would I ever consider a 1st Class fare on such a short journey. Really, for me to travel 1st Class, I'd need to see a substantial meal, proper 1st Class service, dancing girls, and no more of these pre-packed nibblies. That's a real lowest common denominator.
Yeah, never really consider Trans Pennine for first class as I live in Leeds - use them to go to Manchester for cricket or football, or maybe to the North East for cricket. The journeys are relatively short, so snacks and drinks? Bring yer own. The trains are modern and clean, so standard class is fine. First class would only be on a service you know will be rammed and you don't want to stand.
I was delayed here on that TPE train, also my mum makes of TPE Motherwell announcement, I had a broken down freight train at Carlisle to cause my 2 hour delay
Worse first class out there, I was on for 2hrs 30 mins got one coffee and a lemon drizzle cake, when you look on the TP first class menu online it says what options you have never got offered anything like that,
The overall impression from the five journeys is that even the "First Class" services are significantly below those you get with economy class in most other developed countries, at least the many that I've been in and travelled in. Why do Brits accept such poor services and conditions, while people in other countries pay less and get a better experience? The rail services in particular have a deservedly terrible reputation. The UK cannot even afford a short stretch of a high-speed train in part of England, whereas France, Germany, Japan, and even less developed countries have high-speed links all across their territories, and timetables that are punctual, clean, and not broken.
Meanwhile, back in the real world............
If they dont have their own lounges, they should pay other operators so customers can use theirs.
Scott how was the complementary drinks and snacks on the journey?
I found Trans to be a clunky service and nothing beats LNER first class.
i love a good train video
The state of Britain's rail system indicated by the fact that you preface your remarks by telling us "the cheapest Standard Class fare is...." Unlike more organised systems in more civilised countries where there is a fare, no matter what time of day or night, for a particular journey between A and B. No faffing about looking for ticket prices on random websites. Rail travel is a shambles in Britain, Scott. Thanks for enduring it on our behalf!😉
I think all them tpe expresses ride that badly. Awful design similar to the caledonian sleeper mk5s.
TransPennine Fail as we used to call them...
Do they give a toss about your score?? No
You must make your videos longer please scott
Should have saved the Xtra money 💰 for a haircut Scott, just saying. Keep up the good work
You'd be even more disappointed if you took the service via Dumfries and Kilmarnock which takes nearly three times the time to get to Glasgow from Carlisle, though it's a pretty run in places. And while the class 156 DMUs used are serviceable enough, they are hardly luxurious, with no first class seating.
In "the good old days," you had the Thames-Clyde Express, and there were other trains from Leeds as well. Even the trains starting from Carlisle used to be formed of Mark 1 stock. Are Class 156 units really suitable for a journey of 115 miles?
I dont think I would bother traveling first class with them for such a short journey anyway , same with most operators first class seems to be a token gesture for what you get for your money.
Had Scott been familiar with TPE's Northern England services, his expectations would have been lower to begin with. Just getting to your destination counts as a win. PS - I'm not sure it's fair to score lounges, whether in Huddersfield or not. The vast majority of first class passengers never use them anyway, because they turn up close to the train departure time and certainly don't hang around at the other end. It's not like going by air, where Kym Illman can demonstarte how a nice lounge helps while away the inevitable hanging round airports.
If there's an Avanti West Coast, you would assume there would be an Avanti East Coast right? wrong
Mon the dons 🔴⚪️🔴
Does anyone have a first-class lounge at Carlisle? I've never seen one. And there's a Wetherspoons just round the corner, so who needs one?
Frankly I wouldn't consider Carlisle a large city station like Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, and London... Not every station should have first class lounges... I wouldn't consider Carlisle more worthy of a first class lounge than Northampton, Leicester, and Nottingham...
That didn’t even look like First Class
sorry will go onto web site
Can anyone in the comments please advise me where I'd go to look for the best value travel from Carlisle to Newquay in May. I know booking in advance on the train, split ticketing, two together Railcard, but am I missing anything? Would Flying be a good option? Sorry to ask on here but I'm trying to plan a surprise for my husbands birthday.
ehhhhh scott hear now, nothing wrong wi being a dons dan! :D
Those trains are bumpy. We caught one on our return from Glasgow to Liverpool. On the outward journey, we connected onto Avanti of which the journey was a lot more smoother.
New series idea: Take a bicycle with you and try out the offers. The Highland Explorer carriage on Scotrail at 05:20 from Oban must be fun! compare that with the broom cupboard on the LNER Azumas.
Not doing a lumo video??
You were lucky to stand outside Carlisle station on a quiet day. It is normally chock a block with cars and coaches. Carlisle my local station for watching trains.
Where was the free foot massage?
I do not know why Huddersfield has a first clas lounge, but I do know it has a pair of residents cat, Felix and Bolt. That would make it first class for me.
@Scott A 40% weighting for lounge access seems abit excessive.
It is a bit, and not everyone will be travelling to and/or from termini. Then again, the price differential between 1st and standard class seems rather excessive for most of these services.
Think Carlisle were playing Forest Academy in the EFL trophy that day. 👍
arent you doing t rest of the TOCs?
I think that's the lot for Scotland?
Aren't these units built by CAF in Spain, the same company who operate the Northern services CAF built unit around near Manchester where there new DMU's and EMU's all rattle and bang and the ride quality is shocking. If you buy cheap products what do do expect. Good report as always sir👍
Bloody Huddersfield!!!!!! 😳
That wasn't very impressive at all and the announcement (exscuse) went on forever.
Scott, as a Forest supporter thank you for the bus.
I do have a relative at
Huddersfield University (quite a few coincidences for me( but no idea about the lounge.
This has been 'an eye opener" of a series. 👍
Very poor for 1st class.
53/60 is a rather good score for such a derogatory review. Did you choose not to show the catering on this train?
It was /100. If you remove the areas where someone fails of course they will do well. Maybe he should just judge the seat size and give them full marks?
Huddersfield has a station cat... maybe thats why it has a lounge?
those 800 class trains are cheap and nasty
It's a pretty pathetic offering, isn't it? TransPennine should be ashamed but, of course, they won't care at all.
Like everything else these days overpriced
Sloppy profiteering operation
Hopefully you don’t all end up getting electrocuted eh😮
Absolutely no need for all that rubbish from the conductor.
Why on earth should people be able to sit in a 'First Class Lounge' at any station? Do they think they are better than other passengers?
Because they are paying for a premium experience. Although operating a lounge at every major station will increase the cost of the ticket.
They have them at airports too you know 😂
Helpful if you need to work.
Can the Scottish passengers understand the ripe English accent of the announcer?
Yes can you walk
Yup, the TPE staff are all easy to understand. Nobody on the Glasgow route has a particularly strong accent.