The budget first class way to go to the South West - London Waterloo to Exeter
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- Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
- Most people travel between London and Exeter using the Great Western main line to Paddington, but I'd been staying in South West London, quite close to Waterloo. So rather than travel across town to Paddington, I chose to use the competing South Western Railway service from Waterloo to Exeter.
Tickets on these trains (even in 1st Class) can be significantly cheaper than their Great Western rivals. But it takes longer and the rolling stock is now 30 years old. Is it worth doing? Join me to find out.
Departure: London Waterloo, England, UK
Destination: Exeter Central, England, UK
Cost: Advance 1st class return, with 1/3 senior railcard discount: £54.70 / €63,00
Date of Travel: August 2023
Operator: South Western Railway
Motive power: Class 159 3-car DMU. Built: British Rail Engineering Ltd, Derby (1992-1993). Modified: Babcock, Rosyth (1993)
Thank you to everyone that supports the channel by subscribing, liking, commenting or just watching these videos. I really appreciate it!
Sat in my garden watching this video and listening to a 159 slowing down as it approaches Crewkerne station
Lovely!
Good old Judith in the good old ticket office at Crewk, remember her?
@@JP_TaVeryMuch certainly do and I believe she is very happy in her new home in Australia
Glad you enjoyed riding the premier route between London and Exeter! Some of us choose this route every time because the trains are far nicer and it's usually cheaper! 😁
Haha! Yes, I'm a regular user too as my sister lives in SW London so it isn't even quicker going via Paddington anyway.
I do really need to do a comparison on the coach, but this time I couldn't resist the better deal on SWR. Maybe next time...
Thanks for watching 👍
I put one of my many suggestions in to what was the SWT management at the time suggesting that they advertise that our trains are half the price from Exeter to London especially an Annual Season Ticket. Typically they didn't listen.
I gave them an idea for traincrew diagrams which had space at the side and a table where the crew could right in actual departure times and reason for delays. This would have saved them chasing crews fir delay reports so they could claim from Network Fail. They never listen to front (railway)line experience.
Before the franchise was being tendered for I sent a picture that I designed on the computer for a hybrid diesel electric unit. This would have used the juice from Waterloo to Basing and carried on with diesel from Worting Junction. With the government chasing green ideals it just may have clinched the franchise for SWT at time.
They never listen...
As others have nentioned, really surprised that the trolley service hasnt returned! Far too long a journey without that!
SWR never reinstated it across their entire network :(
Yes. It is a disappointment. But as a regular rail traveller, I always have drinks with me as, well, even if advertised it sometimes doesn't happen. That's why places like the Sherborne cafe are so important on this line!
Thanks for watching.
I did this budget luxury First Class advance experience from Exeter to London earlier this year. We did the bring your own ironed white tablecloth on the train thing and enjoyed pasties and salads from the West Country in our fake LSWR restaurant car. One word of warning, on the afternoon train about a hundred schoolkids taking the train home from Yeovil and Salisbury will file through the first class coach to get off, rather shattering the illusion!
now THAT is a great idea!
thanks for watching and especially for the comment!
Always use this option as it’s a so much more pleasant journey - 159s more comfortable than IETs, more scenic route, Waterloo a nicer station than St P and, as you say, much cheaper - 1ST class being much less that STD on GW.
Yes. If you can escape the IET's awful std class seats for roughly the same price, then just sit back (or recline) and enjoy the views!
Thanks for watching and commenting
Thank you. Love hearing about my old route. Ex Salisbury driver, 20 years apart from a 3 year sojourn back at Bournemouth where I started with BR back in 1987.
The old red First class seats were more comfortable and the Std seats before the latest refurbishment were some of the most comfortable seats in the country.
Some of the 158s from up North that we swapped the 170s for used to have amazing, big, pink, First class seats like armchairs & a modern Pullman like lamp on the tables.
Back in 2000, Brian Souter offered to pay to redouble the missing track, introduce Meridian style units and up the line speed to 100mph. Typically the then Labour government, who also twice reneged on renationalisation, turned him down. It would have been an amazing service.
As for Engine noise, it's something that you get used to and I love the sound. Standing next to an exhaust pipe too when it's ticking over is like it's purring 😊
Sadly I had to retire a few years early due to bad IBS but I miss the job terribly and my railway family.
I hope a 159 will be preserved when their time is up unlike the 442s, the fastest 3rd rail trains in the world, scandously scrapped with not even the National Railway Museum interested. Same fate for virtually every slam door unit too after their years of stirling service.
Before I left, the mileage for each 159 unit was equivalent to the moon & back 3 times. It's most probably 5 times now. Along with the HSTs, some of the highest mileage trains in the country if not the world.
wow, thank you so much for all that extra information and your wonderful memories. I too hope that a 159 set will be preserved because they really have been such brilliant workhorses on lines such as this. They seem to be able to handle the start/stop, but can still turn in a 90mph cruising speed when needed.
and thank you for watching. I'm pleased I brought back fond memories for you 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels My pleasure Johny 😊
@kristinajendesen: I live at Romsey and I have travelled a lot down to Exeter from Salisbury on business in the 90’s and early 2000’s and it a great relief when the class 159’s were introduced 1993 after diesel era of Class 47, 50 and 33’s hauled Mk2 stock which had come unreliable, the 159’s were clean, comfortable and had air conditioning and most of all the timetable was re jigged to allow more trains and faster travel. It was a shame that SWT lost the franchise in 2017, SWR have been a shambles in comparison. It’s still nice to see that a lot of the 159’s are still in SWT livery!!
@@fenderac3049 Sorry, I have only just seen your reply. Yes, the breakdowns of the Class 50s especially were a nightmare for traincrews let alone the passengers. There are very long signal sections going West, some with several miles between signals.
Trying to find a phone in the days before mobile phones and Cab Secure Radio meant a bit of a trek if you were not near a signal or crossing phone. My older workmates said that sometimes they would have to trek across a field to the nearest farmhouse to use their phone.
My much-preferred route from Plymouth, even if it does mean changing at St David's. I was in Sherborne today and had the pleasure of sitting in my car at the level crossing as the Up service went past. What a lovely town - and now you've given me another excuse to visit again and see the station café.
Yes, the café was always a great place to get teas and hot toast, just before you hopped on the London train in the morning. judging by the people sat outside as I went past in the video, it is still a busy and welcoming little café
Thanks for watching!
Don't miss the castle and grounds. Francis Drake's old place, shd please you.
From Waterloo to Exeter St Davids by the hourly SWR service takes rather longer (3h23m) than some of the GWR services (2h11m - 3h20m), but it's quite a scenic route and to be honest, if you live in south or south west London, by the time you travelled the extra distance to Paddington, there's probably not much difference and certainly less hassle. You can also access the Exeter train service at Clapham Junction and Woking.
Or West London, now you can get to Clapham Junction on the Overground so easily.
Yes. That was one of the reasons I was on the journey as I was travelling from South West London.
Thanks for watching and for the further clarifications.
It's a similar argument with HS1 to destinations in Kent if you're coming via the SWR lines into Waterloo as I did from Epsom or Tolworth. Once you've taken into account the journey across London to St P, the overall journey time isn't much different if you walk 5 minutes to Waterloo East and catch a normal service from their to say Ramsgate or Folkestone. A lot less hassle (and sweaty unpleasantness in the summer) than faffing about getting the tube.
Plus it doesn't cost a premium fare.
Great account of the route. I always thought that the line should have been electrified at least as far as Salisbury. Singling sections of the line beyond there was very short-sighted and that needs to be rectified fully.
It's really surprising the single line working has not been redoubled. Crazy as we move through the 21st century this hasn't been done. I wonder how the journey time would be improved if this were rectified?
What double track would do is increase capacity, allowing more trains. But since one late up train would no longer delay the down service, as nice Mr. Hoover pointed out, the timetable would need less slack, speeding things up, and giving more possibility of a few trains that didn't stop everywhere. The trouble is, I don't think they're bothered about increasing the service.
Well, from a completely biased position of being a railfan - I think that re-doubling and a decent amount of electrification would be just the ticket... But I'm not in charge.
Thanks for watching!
Yes I did enjoy your video.I was a young train driver at Waterloo (mid 80's) and one of the senior drivers let me drive his class 50 hauled hauled train on this route -happy days !
Lovely story. Thank you so much for sharing it. My only attempt at driving is on the channel when i was given a diesel driving experience as a present. The loco we got was a Class 31. Really enjoyed the experience.
Thank you so much for watching and commenting. There's loads more of this kind of stuff on the channel, so do drop in to some others.
Thanks for this. I sometimes used to take this route around 1990 when the carriages still had individual compartments! Much preferred it to the Great Western route.
@@SirPrancelot1 and it is so much cheaper too!
Thanks for watching 👍
If you are travelling to the Exeter from Southwest London, it’s a no brainer, as you can catch the direct service at Clapham Junction, rather than the lengthy inconvenience of travelling to Paddington. True you can get to Exeter in less than three hours but you pay much more for very uncomfortable seats and the terrible ride quality of the 802 trainsets. How ironic that trains well over 30 years old, have a better ride quality than the latest Hitachi trains. There are some bargains tickets if you take the slow direct SW train to Reading and then GWR to Exeter, but the time is about the same - 3 hours 15 minutes.
I think it was on my first journey into Waterloo that the train stopped in Surbiton and it was only then that I realized that "The Good Life" was set in a real location.
haha yes indeed. Surbiton really does sound like a made up name doesn't it.
Thanks for watching and making me smile with the comment!
I recommend going in standard class in a 159 if you like to look out of the window. These carriages were originally built for the Regional Railways Alphaline services that were standard class only. As a result the seats line up properly with the windows in standard class but some of the seats in first class will give you a nice view of a blank wall. The 159 is indeed one of the best trains.
ah yes. I see what you mean. I certainly made sure I picked a seat with good window alignment in 1st class, but as you saw from the video I was blessed with a lot to choose from.
Thanks for watching and commenting. It is much appreciated.
Great video and summary of the line. Stil miss the Class 50 and rake of early Mk2 coaches that you used to get on the line in the late 1980s.
I never rode the line in the Class 50 days. It is said that it was the start/stop nature of the line that the old 50s didn't like. They were quite unreliable tbh on that service.
Thank you so much for watching and for the kind comment.
Class 47's often stood in for class 50's in those days!
@@TheMisterB2u makes sense. 47s were always more reliable
@@JohnnyHooverTravelsI remember my train being hauled by a class 33 plus a class 24 for steam heating, real Southern Region diesel locos (D65XX & D50XX).
@@Mounhas oh gosh yes. There were Class 33s on the line back in the day!
I once travelled on a GWR train and it was jampacked. This may take longer as a journey, I think it seems to be a more bearable journey
Yes. It is bearable in 1st class over that long distance. The std class is OK, but even so, this line can also get crowded, especially at the London end, so I'd advise getting a 1st class ticket if you can.
Thanks for watching!
Great video Johnny! I'm doing Basingstoke to Exeter Central in First class next month so this was very helpful. I paid just £13 for an advance single first class ticket with my Railcard!
Good price! Remember to bring your own drinks/snacks with you!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you, Johny, a very enjoyable video. Yes, that lack of catering is a grotesque flaw that the company needs to rectify. It's also worrying to think what the Dept for Transport will consider suitable replacement trains when the 159s are finally retired. In a sane universe the line would be electrified and made double track once again. We can but dream!
Yes it is a shame it doesn't quite feel like a proper intercity service. Double tracks and electrification would be great. Stick a FLIRT on there and the better acceleration would also cut journey times.
Thanks for watching and commenting
Fantastic units those 159s are, along with 158s. Very comfortable suspension. Just occasionally dodgy air con that's unreliable, but ride comfort better than most new DMUs
@@grahamhutton3129 Yes, i have been on them this summer when the aircon is on full power, but it just isn't good enough to get the temperature down because outside it is so hot! Apart from that, it is a neat way into London for me that costs the same as the coach operators!
Thanks for watching 👍
Seats are much more comfortable than the ironing boards on GWR's IETs.
They certainly are! Thank you so much for watching 👍
It's a beautiful journey, did it weekly from 2017 to 2019 after we moved near to Honiton. Worth mentioning that the Templecombe to Yeovil Jct section was initially singled, but it was such a disaster that it was switfly re-doubled (before the track had been lifted, I believe).
Given the lack of resilience today, one has to wonder how bad it was! Although to be fair the service was 2-hourly, not hourly, back then. It was the loop at Axminster (I believe) that was critical to hourly services being introduced.
@@mpellatt i just hope they can redouble the whole thing, but i might be waiting a long time for that.
Thanks so much for watching and sharing your memories 👍
@@mpellatt i just hope they can redouble the whole thing, but i might be waiting a long time for that.
Thanks so much for watching and sharing your memories 👍
Thanks for this video. I have just retired from SWR based at Woking . So fitting i watched this this morning.
Haha - crikey - I'm worried I didn't make any factual mistakes! Well you will have plenty more time to discover the world by train now you are retired... Oh, and some still spare to check out more of the videos on my channel!
Thanks very much for watching this one. It is very much appreciated.
The LSWR line west of Salisbury was very badly run down after being taken over by the Western region, inevitable after the rather bitter historical rivalry dating back to LSWR and GWR times. The line from Plymouth to Waterloo was comparable to the Paddington line in terms of speed, good to see the Okehampton line reopened,-Bere Alston to Tavistock next hopefully to start to repair some of the damage caused post 1964
Yes. Great to see Okehampton back. I went there recently on a round robin inc Barnstaple and Bideford so do look up that video if you've not seen it yet.
I used this line many times in the '50s travelling home to Crediton from school in Surrey. I'd catch the one o'clock, often the ACE, towed by wonderful Merchant Navy, Battle of Britain or West Country class locos, always saying hello to the driver before boarding. On arrival at Exeter Central we'd be greeted by a rich Devonian voice intoning my welcome home: 'The train now standing at platform 2 is the one o'clock from Waterloo'. Very happy memories.
what wonderful memories and thank you so much for sharing them. Ah the days back then when there was stock and locos that could compete with the GWR. Have a look at my Swanage Railway vid, where I get to ride behind a Battle of Britain loco.
Thanks for watching and adding that lovely comment
I did take a 159 from Clapham Junction Via Richmond due to tracks work last Sunday 'best seats by far 'would take it to St David's then go on from there to Plymouth and Penzance.
Sounds like a decent route. Thanks for watching
You would think that they could provide at least a trolley service for drinks and snacks for a journey such as this
SWR did provide a catering service on Portsmouth, Weymouth, and Exeter before Covid. However, the contract with the catering company was terminated during Covid
@@JackJackProductionsShortsyup I’ve complained to them multiple times about this. It seems that every time I travel on the train down to Weymouth, to visit my parents, there is engineering works lengthening the journey time to close to 4 hours. With no catering for a journey length like that is really poor. I’ve also had no toilets working between Weymouth and Bournemouth because no one filled up the water at Weymouth (no staff) and then just a single toilet working after Bournemouth when extra carriages were added. On a busy bank holiday Monday train too
Catering and toilets really does sound like where everybody in the comments is calling out SWR. I can manage without catering, but toilets are a necessity!
@@JohnnyHooverTravels yeah lack of staff is a huge issue. Weymouth was unstaffed so no one could fill up the water tanks on the train, so they had to close the toilets. Not good on a long distance train.
Another very enjoyable watch. Decent value for money. I enjoyed the historical info about Waterloo.
Thanks. Yes, I wanted to start one at Waterloo because there's so much to say about it. It really is a gem - I just wish they'd open up that view through to the trainshed. But that would be lost advertising revenue...
Thanks! I have a real fondness for this route as it goes through lovely countryside.
But as you say, it feels like you spend a really long time on the no-frills service, especially heading towards Waterloo with the single track sections creating even slower paths. I'd love to see the whole route re-doubled. Also, SWR urgently needs to reinstate the catering. After all, drinks, snacks and sandwiches are included within Great Western's first class ticket price.
Yes having a double track service would be great. I think that will come again, but we may have to wait a while!
Thanks for watching 👍
My daughter used this service many times from Exeter Uni to Salisbury then home to Portsmouth 2017-22. I loved tracking the train online.
Yes, train tracking software is great for the person doing the picking up at the station!
Thanks for watching 👍
I paid GWR £25 for Paddington to Plymouth with Senior Rail Card. 3 hours fantastic
Excellent deal. 👍
Great video and happy to have found your channel. My daughter often travels back on this line. I was interested by your pronunciation of Crewkerne, not heard that way before!
Thank you for finding me. Lots to see on here of trip reports take your fancy!
As for Crewkerne. I lived in Somerset for a while and that's how local people pronounced it to me.
Thanks again for watching
Thanks for that it surprises me being from this part of the world. But I used to live in Topsham but was always called Topem locally 😁
Small point: Yeovil Junction station is actually just in Dorset. Enjoyed your video.
Pedantic "small points" are most welcome on this channel. However, I think Yeovil Junction station was moved to Somerset by a county boundaries order in 1991.
Thank you for the kind words and for watching. Lots more on the channel for you to enjoy!
Yeah, another familiar route for me, goes through some lovely countryside. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for watching another!
Great to see the 'proper' route to Exeter getting some positive publicity. It's surprising the number of people who don't realise that you can go this way.
You are right there. A fair number of people in Exeter and further West do not consider it.
Thanks for watching 👍
Lovely route, superb video 👌
The class 158s and 159s are one of the best trains ever built. Certainly nothing has equalled them since!
Well I think I've been on better... however, I agree that they delivered their brief very well in the 1990s and are still pretty good given they are 30 years old.
Thanks for watching!
Such a lovely day for the journey - beautiful countryside and some very nicely kept stations. Ashamed to say I`ve galloped through Waterloo hundreds of times and never once noticed the stained glass you pointed out.
Thanks for more top grade entertainment :)
thank you. Very kind, as always. and you really must pause next time to look at the stained glass window with the carved counties names all around it - and as you saw, around there is also the best place to get a really good look at that wonderful clockface too.
This was a 3 hour 17 minute journey with no catering faculties on the train This shows what truly dreadful service UK rail passengers have to put up with. The UK has some of most expensive, overcrowded and unreliable train services in Europe and we are constantly told to use public transport and with this dreadful service why would you ?
There's catering on more British trains than you'd find overseas. Entire countries (Netherlands, Belgium etc) have no on-board catering at all.
No catering on SWR since covid im afraid.
I agree the lack of catering is not ideal. But the premise of this video is that this 1st Class experience (even without any perks) can compare with a standard class run from Paddington or with using National Express or Megabus. So yes, make sure you've bought a few things before you board, otherwise it will be quite disappointing...
Thanks so much for watching and commenting. I don't expect everybody to agree with me on everything and therefore your opinion is to be welcomed 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels i forgot to mention never use train line, they charge a booking fee. If you use national rail app or a toc app its cheaper.
You seem to get very angry at an absence of refreshments. Just get a coffee and/or bottle of something and a pasty or Baguette before you get on the train
I like watching your videos because they are full of interesting historical facts about beautiful old railway stations and beautiful landscapes shown through the train windows.
Thank you.
Thank you. Lovely of you to say. 👍
A delightful route, and a delightful video. A different world. I have fond memories of trips up to London from Crewkerne on loco hauled sets when i lived in South Somerset decades ago! Crewkerne station, of course, is miles from the town. It still has a real country feel. A Railway Children sort of station.
I do love those "out of the way" stations. There's quite a lot to be enjoyed still in eastern Europe.
Thanks for watching!
The station is situated in the village of Misterton and is a 20 minute walk into Crewkerne
A bit of poetic licence: it just felt like miles the first time had to walk from the station to the town.@@adrianbromfild8624
Great commentary very easy listening.
Greetings from Canberra Australia😊
Thank you so much. Greeting back to you from Devon, UK 👍
I used the same method at Clapham Junction when spotting in the late 70’s/early 80’s. Concentrate on the stuff going out of London.
Only did this journey once, but in reverse from Exeter to Waterloo. Back then it was locomotive hauled by a class 50
Yes. Only way to do it imho.
I remember the 50s working the service. They didn't like it did they? Too much stop/start is what I heard.
Of course the 50s are close to this channel as they used to be called Hoovers 😀
Thanks for watching 👍
Very pleasing video with excellent voiceover. Thank you. I am now a subscriber.
So pleased you have found the channel. There's lots more to watch, if you like this kind of thing.
Best wishes to you and thanks for watching this one! 👍
Use 1st class, especially from Waterloo to Guildford, it might only be around a 30min journey (approx) but well worth it. And use a toilet prior to getting on the train. Loo's can tend to be horrific to say the least.
(Waterloo to Guildford = Chav Central)
Edit: "Rush Hour" = hunt the seat sometimes. Trains can get a tad crowded.. and if the only spot available is near a loo..... don't do it. Not the best experience to have.
I shall remember that advice for future journeys! Although really awful toilets could make for "good telly" - haha
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Good to see your channel grow! Can say that was in subbed in another account since your 200 subs!
haha! Thanks! Yes, the numbers of subscribers and the views are steadily rising. Which is nice.
Thanks for sticking around. It's much appreciated.
I can remember a Cinema in Waterloo Station. looking from the platforms it was situated in the top right hand corner of the Station. I lived in West Ewell so Waterloo was the gateway and my favourite station in London.
Victoria also had a news theatre, which lasted a few more years than the Waterloo one. After newsreels ended it ran cartoons. I recently discovered that Leeds station also had one which was entered from the North Concourse of the station, but I believe the auditorium was actually within the hotel building. I have been told that Grand Central Terminal in New York also had one.
Pity that the L&SWR main line managed to miss two of the main towns in the area, Yeovil and Chard.
What a wonderful memory. Thank you so much for adding that comment and thanks for watching 👍
@@srfurley you have opened a rich vein of enquiry here. How very interesting. Thank you so much for adding the extra information. And thank you for watching 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels
The Waterloo one was a plain concrete box built over the road outside the wall of the station; only the entrance was within the station wall, next to the entrance to platform. The disused building remained in place for some years but was eventually demolished. The last time I looked, several years ago, an impression of some steps, probably an emergency exit, could still be seen against a wall. When first built it had an unusual arrangement with the projection room being above the auditorium and rear projecting onto the screen via a mirror system.
The Victoria News Theatre was much more ornate, and was within the station on the Brighton side. If you walk from the ticket office to the escalators up to the shops above, past the toilets, you will pass a short passage to a large locked gat which is a vehicle entrance to the station concourse. The cinema was between here and where the shops are now, and was demolished soon after closure to enable this new retail development. I don’t think any reface remains, but there are plenty of photographs. I went there twice, once as a child with mother when we saw some cartoons and a Laurel and Hardy film; I had never heard of them before, but I think it was just the next day that it was in the news that Stan Laurel had died, so it was probably on the actual day of his death that we went. The second time was on the closing day. After the show they allowed visits to the projection room but I was unable to go up because this was in the brief period when I had a car and had to go to collect mother from somewhere. Right until closure the place was still licensed for nitrate, and they showed an original nitrate print of a newsreel from the opening year, 1937 I think. They wouldn’t allow the public up to the box until the nitrate had been removed. The original projectors, I think they were Kalees, we’re still in use, with the original carbon arcs. The projectionist moved to another cinema but I remember reading a few years ago that he had died. The news theatres were equipped with a slide lantern which should be used to display train departures on a small screen alongside the main one.
I was not aware of the Leeds one until I discovered it a few years ago. I was walking along the North Concourse which is the passageway down a few steps or a ramp near the ticket office. It is 1930s style and has been restored and re-opened in recent years; I think it was originally the concourse of Leeds Wellington station. There are shops on either side and near the far end an exit to a car park on the left. The pedestrian exit onto the street Leeds to the right, past a large uplighter which looks like it would be at home on the London Underground. Near to this, on the right is the entrance to a shop which I think was unused when I saw it, but on the floor in this entranceway was a stone or concrete slab with the words “NEWS THEATRE” set into it in red. Presumably the space which was the auditorium still exists somewhere within the hotel, but I don’t know what it is used for, or if it is recognisable. On the right hand side of the concourse there is a small Sainsbury’s which still has part of an ornate plaster ceiling but I don’t know what this space was originally used for, possibly another part of the hotel.
I know very little about the Grand Central Terminal one. Somebody told me where it was, and I have seen one photograph so it did exist, but when I looked the area around where it was is now shops.
Great video and that's always my preferred route to Exeter, much cheaper and far more comfortable trains than those awful GWR 802s.
You are not the first to think that for sure! I'm ok with GWR if I can get something in 1st cheaply. But I _always_ check this route for options.
Thanks for watching and for the kind words 👍
May not seem so bad until you compare it with for instance LNER from York to King's Cross (similar distance) where you get complimentary at seat catering in first class and a quieter and smoother ride. The previous franchisees at least provided a fairly good trolley service from Axminster to Salisbury or sometimes to Waterloo.
Also the service punctuality is dire, mainly due to the restrictions of the single line working so late trains one way not only can but frequently do cause long delays the other way. This was exacerbated when they built Cranbrook station but to save money refused to provide a passing loop or upgrade the signalling so that now the stretch from Pinhoe to Honiton has three intermediate stations but can only handle one train in any direction.
The down journey generally follows the timetable but the last twice I've been up to London they have decided to catch up time by running fast from Basingstoke. Passengers for Andover Woking and Clapham junction have to change onto a slow train at Salisbury. I don't know any other part of the network that indulges in this practice so frequently. To make matters worse the information boards in the train cannot be reprogrammed so they will continue to show all the stops all the way to Waterloo despite having announced on leaving Yeovil that three of them would be missed out. PS I live at Honiton so don't have the option of the Paddington route.
I use the line a lot myself and have suffered all the things you describe too. Tbf it's not uncommon in South London for trains to miss stops to recover time, but it is still bloody annoying when you know its due to having a paltry single track "out west".
Oh, and I fully get your example, as my daughter lives in York, so I've often picked up an advance 1st on a number of trips and arrived with a meal inside me, a couple of teas/coffees, some cake and a couple of beers also inside. It is a shame the once glorious LSWR is not of the same ilk.
Even so, SWR is still an option against those awful IET std class seats out of Paddington!
Love those 159’s. Or at least as they were with comfortable seats in 2010!
Now retired in PICTON, Marlborough, South Island, NZ.
The seats are still comfortable. They are great trains for their day. However it would be nice if the line got so new stock that accelerated a bit quicker (and hence journey times fall) and the line was returned to being double tracked.
Thank you so much for watching this one, and greetings to you in Picton 👍
I rode this to Bath in November 2019, the first class was cheaper than a standard from Paddington even with a railcard.
Yes - definitely one to check when buying a ticket on these routes in the West Country.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Great photography, excellent video
@@davidmatthews7876 thanks David. And thank you for watching along 👍
One thing to mention for those considering using the standard class seats is no power points which can be a big nuisance. Worth taking a seat next to first class if you need a power up ae some train managers will let you leave your device on charge in first class so you just need to keep an eye on it.
That is a very good point indeed. I suppose, just like with the lack of catering, it isn't a major negative if you know about it and you are the kind of person that packs a power bank, which is ok for lots of devices. But my old work laptop would have struggled under heavy usage to hold out for 3.5 hrs!
Live in Exeter so a journey I’ve done many times in both directions. A fantastic route but I think it’s time the 158/159s were replaced. Not comfy for that length of journey in standard class, and yes they need to bring back the trolley service.
I did the journey in 2003 from Clapham down to Yeovil. Absolutely crammed train, and the guy beside me started smoking - it was disgusting but bafflingly still allowed on SWT at that point.
yes, I'd definitely vote for upgrading to 1st Class on that line - but std is OK
Thanks for watching!
South Western Railway do operate such incredible services to and from London Waterloo to Bournemouth, Portsmouth Harbour, Southampton, Poole. Weymouth, Exeter, Yeovil and Andover. And they are expected to introduce the new Alstom Class 701 Arterio trains that will be operating on the suburban services in and around Southwest London.
And to operate on London Waterloo-Reading and Windsor & Eton Riverside routes from later this year. And to transfer the remaining Class 707s to Southeastern.
Yes. I am planning to do more on their electric mainline trains in the coming months, so what out for that!
Thanks for watching another 👍
Watching from Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
You are very welcome. Regards from Exeter in Devon,UK
The 159s were always the most comfortable DMU used when I was living down south, not sure now Standard class has been refurbished. I used the Salisbury - Yeovil section on a fairly regular basis in the 2010s.
Std is ok, although I find certain airline seats have very tight legroom.
Thanks for watching!
I recently got the Waterloo service outbound and the Paddington service back. It was jarring how uncomfortable the GWR seats were. Had to pull some clothing out of my bag to use as a cushion!
Rode an IET yesterday and was seriously considering the same thing!
Thanks for watching 👍
Another fine video, Johnny! A route that I often travelled on, as although I lived along the route of the then Western Region of BR, the prices for travelling from Sherborne to London were considerably cheaper than travelling from Castle Cary to London, albeit with a longer journey time in part because of the singling of the line west of Salisbury; I was always under the impression that the line was singled by BR in the 80s, citing costs - this was when BR would have to get permission from the Government, to spend its own money - BR would argue that if you wanted a quicker journey to London, travel to Paddington
Yes, there were years when BR was struggling to do the right thing because of the funding envelope and also, I think, a tacit agreement that trains were really about the past. Hopefully things will now change.
I too was one of those who went past Castle Cary for Sherborne, for just the same reasons!
@@JohnnyHooverTravels I’m sure they will, Johnny. After all we are being made aware of the “green” credentials of rail travel, and also Network Rail a while back, invested in the passing loop at Axminster; I sure similar could be done at Crewkerne, as the old “down” platform is still very much in sun, and therefore a passing loop could be laid at the station.
@@RoddyJenkins we'll def have to wait for a change of govt as Sunak is definitely not a guy that likes to take the train and at the first sign of complaints he's rowing back on the green promises.
@@JohnnyHooverTravels Had to laugh a few weeks ago, when he was going on about how much the Government were investing in HS2, and I thought Yeah, but your party have been neglecting the railways since the 1950s…
Surbiton was also used in Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince at the start of the film. When Harry is in the train station and he sees Dumbledore, I believe they then stand on platform 1 or 4. Prior to Covid, the 3 coaches would sometimes continue to Bristol Temple Meads via Westbury, it’s a shame they haven’t bought it back as I think it was very popular with students.
I suppose the architecture of those old southern stations like surbiton is ideal to convey the image of a commuter station. I love it and would like to have the station in one of my videos properly.
Thanks for watching 👍
South Western Railway does have the best trains on their network including the Class 158 Sprinter Express and Class 159 Wessex Sprinter and the Class 444 and Class 450 Desiro that were built by Siemens.
Plus the Class 701 Arterios are expected to enter service later this year to replace the Class 455, Class 458 and Class 707 (which the Class 707s are to be transferred to Southeastern). And SWR will be keeping the Class 458 5-Car to be converted back to 4-Car to be used on the Portsmouth Direct line.
Thanks for all the extra information. Maybe I need to get out when the 701s enter service!
Thanks for watching another video 👍
Nice video thanks. Shame you can't even get a cup of coffee on the 3 hour trip but as you say if you can spare the time good savings over GWR.
Yes, I can live with it if I know in advance and can get something sorted before boarding.
Thank you so much for watching and for the kind words 👍
I'm glad there are still some bargain fares on SWR. In Stagecoach-SWT days, there were some cracking deals to destinations like Weymouth and Exeter. Even though Surbiton was a bus ride away and logic would say train from Surbiton to Woking then catch the Exeter service, I used to head into Waterloo to catch it at the start of its journey. Go to Sainsbury's or Tesco just outside the station on Waterloo Road and grab a meal deal or two, then plenty of time to board and grab a good seat early. By Woking the train is already busy. There are usually loads more passengers, many with luggage that board at Woking. It can be a bit of a bun fight getting a seat. It's always been my preferred way to Exeter. I didn't like GWRs refurbished HSTs. As for the IET 800 series, seriously, give me a 159 any day the 80Xs are terrible, even in 1st class. I also prefer the route. It may not be as fast, but it's very pleasurable. I'd rather have a slightly longer pleasant and comfortable journey over a shorter one where you hate every minute of it.
I concur with a lot of what you are saying. From where I usually stay with my sister I too could go Surbiton-Woking-Exeter and whilst I often do, I thought it was a much better story to start at Waterloo for this one. And, as you say, on certain services it can already be pretty full as it rolls into Woking.
the IETs have been a disappointment, especially in standard class.
Thank you so much for watching and commenting 👍
The cheapest fares mostly disappeared initially and, as feared when First Group was allowed to take on its "competitors" route we feared the worst but they have more raised.
Just one thing, I think the home of the British Army is at Aldershot not Andover.
Ah you may have a point. The Army's website does refer to Home Command at Aldershot and also that Aldershot is the "home of the British Army".
however, Andover is referred to as "Headquarters, Field Army" and other news entries on their own website refers to Andover as "Army Headquarters, Andover".
Pedantically then, if I used the term "home of the British Army", then I was indeed wrong as they self-describe that as being Aldershot. But at Andover there is a bloody great sign by the road that says "Army Headquarters" ...sighs...
Thanks for pointing that out and thanks for watching too 👍
First class on these 159s looks comfortable, I wish I could go in first class
Well maybe if you have to travel between London and Exeter you could get the chance, as it is sometimes cheaper to go first class on this line than it is to go standard class on the line out of Paddington!
Best wishes to you and thanks for watching 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels Oh cool
Just been watching this while I’m on my cruise and i really want to do London Waterloo now but no catering that maybe an issue
It isn't too much of a problem if you shop beforehand at Waterloo. There's a lot of places to buy some supplies before you depart.
Thanks for watching and enjoy your cruise!
Wonderful video. Was thinking about taking this route but didn't get round to it
Well maybe I've changed your mind now!
Thank for watching and for the kind words 👍
South Western Railway are converting the Class 458/5 5-Car to Class 485/4 4-Car that will operate on the Portsmouth Direct Line and the Class 701 Arterios to enter service later this year.
Thanks for that Andrew.
No worries. 😊
There are some standard classes that are so poor (looking at you, GWR) that I’m convinced they only exist to try and incentivise people to upgrade to first. Then at the opposite end of the spectrum you have trains like these, where standard class is so good that you don’t feel any need to upgrade! It’s just a shame that whenever I’m travelling up to London I am constrained by time so need to be on the fastest train (GWR); otherwise, I’d take this route much more often as it’s much more civilised.
I agree. This route has one other advantage nobody's mentioned. With a cheap ticket, or any sort of railcard, you can't leave Paddington between 3.00 and 7.00 pm. On this line there are no such restrictions, so despite the longer journey I can get home sooner. I caught the 1620 yesterday. Rammed all the way to Yeovil. I wished I'd upgraded to First!
A good point indeed. And that 1903 out of Paddington is (because its the first cheap one) often rammed too.
Special mention here for Fridays! @@JohnnyHooverTravels
Great videos Johnny. Suggestion: have you done, Exeter-Axminster, then First Bus to Weymouth £2, then GWR to Castle Cary and back to Exeter, something I had planned to do this summer. I did do Barnstaple, Ilfracombe open top to Minehead and on to Tainton and back to Exeter, great trip.
No I've not! But I'm a sucker for a round robin, so I will bear that in mind.
Thanks for watching and for the suggestion 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels 0925 or 1025 Exeter to Axminster, X53 1115 to Weymouth arr 1317. 1528 Gwr to Castle Cary, arr Exeter at 1815. Sounds a plan!
Really enjoyable video & useful information about affordability. Small point, I thought Clapham Junction was the busiest UK rail station rather than Waterloo?
Clapham Junction has more train movements, but Waterloo has the greatest number of passengers actually passing through its doors.
Thank you so much for watching and for the kind comment. Really appreciated 👍
I would use this service 50% of the time to get to Hayle Cornwall via Exeter. Sure: it took an hour longer but the route was very attractive and the train had comfortable oldish coaches and was loco hauled plus I’m pretty sure a trolley service somewhere on the route.
Sadly no locos any more and you won't be getting a trolley service. But it is still a lovely run and you can always bring your own supplies and grab a hot cuppa at Exeter when you change trains.
Thank you so much for watching 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravelsWell I’m going back 40 years or so, BR days, and can go further back to the steam days, and would take my own provisions these days, it’s just a nicer journey taking everything into account. 🙂
Enjoyed the video as ever…Been though Waterloo many times during my time in the army so stations like Aldershot and Andover are well known… not a great fan of DMU:electric multiple units and sadly the southern region has some of the most uncomfortable and basic seating of any UK railway company
Thank you for the kind comment. I think these 159s are OK, especially considering their age. But I would always try to get a 1st class ticket.
What a very interesting video, thank you very much, good commentary, clear and precise, I know you may be governed by time in your videos but perhaps a little more time spent at each of the stations, a couple of time you mentioned buildings but the train went past so quickly you didn't have time to see the buildings you were talking about
Thanks for the kind words and for the helpful feedback. As you imply in the question, it's all about the pacing of a video. There's obviously so much more i could show and talk about. I do like to spend more time than maybe others looking at and discussing the architecture of the railways and around it, but i have to respect the format and keep things moving along. However, i will think about your feedback, as no channel remains the same and i could move in that direction 😃
Thanks too for watching 👍
Thanks for this video - very enjoyable. I've travelled the route, but still learned quite a lot from your excellent commentary. I think the single track line is due to the loss of custom because so many branch lines were closed - Lyme, Chard, Sidmouth etc.. The passengers might have kept using the line if decent, fast, reliable bus links had been kept up, with through ticketing - but they weren't. Even today, with supposedly enlightened, passenger-friendly, efficient, enterprising and innovative companies running the buses and trains, it appears that 'bus managers don't talk to train managers', so there is no discussion of issues like reliable, comfortable, well-signed connections, with help available if things go wrong! Such a shame, and so many wasted opportunities.
I used to travel often from London to Honiton. There was a bus from Honiton to Sidmouth, operated by Stagecoach which at that time was also the operator of the trains. Often the bus could be seen leaving Honiton station five minutes early just as the train was coming into the station on time. This had the advantage that the bus driver didn't have the bother of selling tickets, and the disadvantage that the ostensible connection was not a lot of use to passengers.
This is just the kind of thing that puts everybody off public transport. What with climate change n all, we really do need to rethink mass transport.
Thanks for watching!
In many ways the line has been let down since Beeching. Services could have been improved if the government had been willing to invest more, such as introducing electrification and making the line double tracked throughout the route with reliable coordinated bus services for nearby towns. The lack of refreshment facilities on such a long journey ( 3hr plus) was undoubtedly a let-down by the operator but this seems to be a common problem and one not confined to South Western Railways.
Yes, all of those things would be great. And a great way to reduce fossil fuel use.
Thanks for watching 👍
Or even, not singling it in the first place. The LSWR did not build a single track mainline.
I have only been on a 159 once and that Cummins engine throbbing away beneath me I found most intrusive. I only went from Salisbury to Basingstoke and that was enough! I know the 800's have engines beneath, but if you are familiar with their layout you can seat yourself in an unpowered car. If it's not too crowded that is!!
I think that's a fair comment. I agree with the 800s if you are smart you can avoid the engines (and they are def quieter). But I stick with my premise that this is still an option if you want a cheaper ticket that effectively competes with coaches as well as the GWR.
Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment 👍
Unfortunately the on board catering was cut due to low demand. Its a shame but for the price i'd say it works pretty well without it!
Yes. I can live without it. I just plan ahead a bit. Still, it would be nice if it was as good as LNER!
Thanks for watching 👍
Low demand because of high prices perhaps?
Am I right in saying the difference between 158 and 159 is basically 158 are two carriage, 159 are three carriages? 158 being the work horse of the Inverness depot. Fantastic route and journey you took through areas I have no knowledge of at all and I think Devon looks the nicest of the counties! Really nice stations too.. Another great video :) thanks
There are some 3-car 158s on GWR and Northern, some sets were built as 3 cars (8 on Northern and 1 GWR) and others were made by splitting a 2 car set and joining onto others (GWR). However GWR have now reverted many of these hybrid sets back to 2 car.
All 159s started life as 158s, but Network SouthEast demanded some improvements (2+1 first class seating and retention toilets) before accepting them, hence the new class number. All 159s are also 400HP engines, whereas only *some* 158s are.
@thebestspork the 159s have now lost their 400hp engines, they've been downgraded to the same 350hp as 158s
Thanks to you both for the clarifications. Time constraints meant I didn't go into the 158/159 differences in the video.
I actually think the standard class interior was much nicer back when it was South West Trains with the red seats.
Yes. You have a point there. On balance though, I'm not a fan of red seats, so we'll have to disagree.
Thank you so much for watching
@@JohnnyHooverTravels In general across the fleet I prefer the current blue seats. Was only on the 158/159s I preferred the red ones.
@@gabrielstevens3884 fair enough 👍
It’s interesting to see Woking, as I’d first of Woking a few years ago during the Mr Gay U.K. contest and the guy representing the town in the contest was really handsome
Woking is famous for H G Wells of War of the Worlds, The Time Machine plus many others.
Well given he was representing the whole of Woking at Mr Gay UK, then I'd hope for the town's sake he was a bit of a looker. Be a sad reflection if he wasn't 😉
Thanks for watching 👍
Very familiar with this route. Travelled it about 30 times back in the 50s behind Bullied Pacifics. Only once did the journey from Paddington many years ago and certainly wont do it again until Grotty Western Railways upgrade their trains to a decent standard.
Ah yes, bit of a heyday when the Bullied pacifics were there. Slightly before my time. Btw have a look at my Swanage Railway vid for quite a lot of Battle of Britain class action!
Thanks for watching 👍
Was best of course in the days of Class 50s and Mk 2 stock, with micro buffets! 😁 Actually the service now is better in terms of frequency than since the 1960s, and the 159s are probably more comfortable than an IET, even if SWR's management may be woeful
I can’t say that old stock was better. Nostalgic, maybe, but dog eared and uncomfortable by the time it was replaced by these clean, crisp, air conditioned laps of relative luxury in the 90s. They’ve aged quite well so far.
I've done this trip quite a bit over the years and on the GWR. As first class goes, its not that great. No catering at all. Yes the seats are more comfy. Standard class seats are ok but not great and also quite awkward. These coaches are always stuffy with no air con or have heating on when not needed. They also have no power points. I have also had similar priced 1st class return tickets on GWR.
Yeah. The premise of the video is that you should not ignore the SWR offering if you are looking at this route (London-SouthWest).
But I cannot disagree with some of the drawbacks you mention of the 159s. It is definitely not a case of "always pick this one". It is def. depending on the available tickets.
@@JohnnyHooverTravels i live on an SWR route4 and they are pretty awful. I do like that route, love the countryside from Yeovil heading towards Exeter. Its just sometimes its unbearable, well standard class. These units need a refit or upgrade. You do however, sometimes get bargains, so like you say definately worth considering over GWR.
Then again, both companies have the same franchise....The First Group
So there are two Gilllingham in UK and both has railway stations.
How do you see the differences when booking ticket, because the station signs said only Gillingham and nor Gillingham -Dorset
The one in Kent is pronounced "Jillingham". The one in Dorset has a "hard G".
@@webrarian thanks
It not easy with the British pronouncing
Take the cities of Reading and Leicester?
So what would you do if the destination was ‘Whitchurch’…. Near Cardiff, Shropshire or Hampshire!
@@Kulla1berg Until I heard Johnny say "Crewkerne" today I thought it was pronounced as it was spelt. Jedburgh in Scotland is pronounced like Edinburgh. But the road named after Jedburgh in Plymouth is pronounced to rhyme with Hamburg. I thought Burntisland in Scotland was Burntis-land, until someone told me it was Burnt-island. So never worry about getting it wrong because we do ourselves.
@@simonpilk WHT is in Glamorgan, WCH is in Hampshire, and WTC is in Shropshire, "officially", it seems. There's an old story that the announcers for the Atlantic Coast Express at Waterloo used to pronounce Wadebridge as "Woddybridge" in case it was confused with Weybridge.
You forgot to mention the cathedral of Salisbury, word renowned and admired even by the Russians.
To be honest, I found the real cost saving is because railcard discounts apply on the entire route (while it is not available on the mainline beyond Newbury). If I really want to save money, I would just use Megabus - it will not take much longer anyway.
I'd forgotten just how world-renowned Salisbury's cathedral spire is 🤣
wrt to Megabus - the only tickets I've seen London/Exeter is via Bristol with a journey time of around 6 hours... and I aint doing that at any price!
Granted there are direct National Express coaches which take around 4h45m to complete the journey - but you're looking at £15.70 so it isn't super cheap. Mind you - I should do the trip, if only to show a comparison to this one
Thanks for watching and commenting. 👍
Another excellent video Johnny. I haven't been on that route since about 2015, but once out of Greater London it passes through some lovely countryside. The only downside for me being that the trains stop just about everywhere west of Salisbury. You may know this already, but back in South West Trains days , the 0920 from Waterloo had a Plymouth portion. It left Waterloo as a 9 car train (3 x Class 159s), the rear 3 being detached at Salisbury. On arrival at Exeter St Davids the front 3 were detached leaving what was the centre 3 to reverse and continue to Plymouth calling at most stations including Ivybridge.
Thank you for that information. No, I did not know about the continuation to Plymouth as recently as when 159s have been operating.
Thanks too for watching 👍
5:40 Or TVam and Lego as the building game called it.
Hmm yes, I see what they mean. I do like it though, even from this essentially "back side" view. The stepped view overlooking the river is more impressive tbh.
My sister used to work in that TVam building many years ago...
Thanks for watching and for the comment 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels My daddy might have had a little sthg sthg to do with midwifing this monolith into life.
P.S. Thanks for the Met bldg info. Never knew but then I had friends at the IMO nearby so that took my attention even on my journey up Lunnon just now.
You can't beat a 158 or 159 for comfort.
Weeell... I think there's better, but they really are a well made train considering how long they've been plying their trade.
Thanks for watching 👍
Class 450 and Class 444 also do have comfortable seats as well.
@@Andrewjg_89 I'm looking forward to riding a 444 down to Southampton some time fairly soon. I'll report back!
like
Thank you 👍
There I thought Clapham Junction was UKs Busiest Station it did have a sign saying so ?? Great Video though as Usual
Clapham junction is busiest for number of trains passing through, but Waterloo has the highest passenger numbers
@@sidesplitter9497 aha makes sense why most ppl class waterloo as busiest mate
I’ve been on this.
what did you think of it?
btw thanks for watching too 👍
Why did it stop at clapham but it didn’t show as a calling point
So that people only wanting to go between Waterloo and Clapham Junction take one of the suburban services instead
@@rayan974k Clapham Jct is pickup only.
Thanks for watching 👍
Pl give fare comparisons ie from waterloo and from paddington..
It very much depends upon the day/week you are travelling and what advance notice you have when you book a ticket. I was booking at fairly short notice so a coach was only £10 each way cheaper (and it can take 6hrs) than this 1st class seat on SWR.
The GWR routes vary. I've got std class tickets for as low as £25 each way and 1st class for £50 each way - but those prices can often be a good deal more... and the std class seats on GWR are notoriously uncomfortable!
so my advic e is to always check the Waterloo-Exeter route when travelling to/from the West Country as there's a good chance it may well be cheaper.
thanks for watching 👍
It’s hard to listen through your into music 😢
@@Secretname951 fair point. I have retired the intro music in later videos.
I hope you enjoyed the rest 👍
U left Ireland they're hidden gems still here like England busy stations not for me much >^
I was only in Ireland for a few days. I live in England. But don't worry. I will be returning!
why dont swr take on class 170's rather than the 159's
I suppose the answer is because they have the facility at Salisbury and trained fitters/engineers that have a lot of experience on the 159s. In the past, having had a bad time on EMR 170s, I would have disagreed... but... I've had good experiences with ScotRail 170s, so I think it is just the poor condition of the EMR ones that coloured my view.
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍
SWT used to have 170s but they were swapped for 158s from transpennine to make all the diesel stock the same
reply?!
LOL Least said about Honiton - the better - and you said nothing. LOL
Ah yes. Your theory may be correct. Sorry Honiton.
Thanks for watching!