Is it worth going FIRST CLASS with Grand Central?
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- Опубликовано: 9 ноя 2023
- Is it worth going FIRST CLASS with Grand Central? (31/10/23). I rode with Grand Central from Sunderland to York in first class on board a class 180 Adelante train. It sure was a ride full of giggles!
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Sunderland has a beach.... didn't knew that! But a really enjoyable video. Great Video G
Yeah me neither haha thanks cyber!
Bit late with my comment this time apologies great trip on the 180, glad you enjoyed them crisps and water looked like you two had a great time and ending up in York one of my favourite trainspotting places over the years cheers G and Lucy 👍
It's ALWAYS worth going first class!
I was once a commuter and realised that a first-class season ticket was barely more than second-class. I always got a seat, and usually a reclining one. And then I realised that when travelling at weekends going up North to Leeds and Crewe, that paying a £5 or £10 supplement got me into an empty carriage (AND I got free coffee). On the Leeds train, there were, from memory, three empty first class carriages.
I did something similar on a fast catamaran ferry to Jersey. For a £10 supplement I had the entire cabin to myself with two staff looking after me with free cake and coffee.
You should always find a way to get into first class!
Amazing!!
@@GLovesTrainshi
I absolutely agree with this - from Chester on SailRail, after coming in on a tiny and packed TfW train from Manchester Piccadilly platform 13, I can’t wait very long for the connecting TfW train to Holyhead for the check-in to the ferry to Dublin, so I’ve simply hopped onto the Avanti train with my huge suitcase at Chester, into an empty first class carriage - I’ve never been challenged about it - the check-in at Holyhead is usually 30 mins on Irish Ferries and Stena to Dublin so I’m naturally very anxious when travelling in case I miss this time slot, especially if there has been any delays leaving Manchester
The 180s Are Brilliant 👍
I really liked this Vlog G. Adding the watermarks for your socials is a nice touch. Shame that unit was a bit rough and due a refurb. Great to see Lucy also. Your Vlogs together, either on here or Lucy’s channel, are always such good fun, you are great together 😀
Aww thanks Si 😀
Sunderland has two beaches, the Roker Beach which you were probably on and the Seaburn Beach just a little north of Roker Beach. I think Grand Central excell in cheap fares and do very little for it, certainly not maintaining their trains is one. I never have any luck with Wifi onboard trains. Maybe I not savvy enough with the technology, but I get connected but rarely get the internet. When I do the trains always seems to be going through tunnels and I lose it. Best sticking to 5G, works for me. Smelly toilets bain of the British railway traveller. Sometimes on the Class 700s (Thameslink Trains) the smell gets into the aircon, ugh! A ride full of giggles, nowt wrong with that, adds to the great entertainment you provide. Excellent vlog G, Ray
Haha lovely 😂. I use the WiFi for my music thats about it 😂 thanks Ray!
a few years ago I used to commute on the Bradford branch of GC (between Brighouse and Wakefield Kirkgate) and even standard class is comfortable and high-quality, a lot better than the old class 150 rattletraps they used to run as peak-time expresses between Leeds, Wakey and Sheffield
in my experience GC are generally very reliable, except when something goes tits up on the East Coast Main Line, then the delays become extreme
one thing that always amused me was that they had two different automated announcers, a woman with a pleasant voice and a slight Mackem accent, and a gruff Yorkshireman
Those trains are definitely worth a try at some point! I enjoyed the editing including onboard announcements into the ride too!
You definitely have to try out LNER! Both the Intercity 225's and the Azuma's! :)
I want to ride those!!
Nice to see my home city's station, including progress on the new south entrance (which is looking fantastic, and much better than the old 1960s offering.
For now, Sunderland station is the only one where light rail (Tyne and Wear Metro) and heavy rail (Northern, Grand Central, LNER, etc) use the same platforms. Some may say Rotherham Central is the same, but it isn't because the tram platforms are further down the track and are a lot lower for the class 399 TramTrains, whereas the Metro-Cammell class 599 (or some say 994) Metrocars, as well as the new Stadler class 555s due to replace them, are the same boarding height as standard heavy rail vehicles. At Sunderland, Metros use platforms 2 (southbound for South Hylton) and 3 (northbound for Newcastle Airport) usually, although I have seen them use platform 1 for northbound services at least once when there was an issue with signals from platform 4 preventing the 142 from departing. Northern services use platform 1 for southbound and platform 4 for northbound services, although 6-car formations straddle 1/2 and 3/4. And LNER and GC both run longer trains so both straddle 1/2 for southbound or 3/4 for northbound services.
However, I believe the plan for after the south entrance is complete, they'll give it a new north entrance, then refurbish the platforms so the metro uses the old island to the west of the current one (which has been disused for at least 30 years) and the heavy rail uses the eastern island which is currently in use. Although I could be completely wrong about how they use it.
I don't mind the class 180s (and they are the same family as the 175s, built about the same time but for more long distance use), although their seats are too small (I have to heavily slouch to fit, as if I sat upright, the sides of the headrest dig into my shoulders, and my head is completely above it), and my nesting partner says they're too noisy (I've not ridden them that often, but she rode one all the way from Kings Cross to Sunderland more recently).
Interesting to see an EMR liveried 180 now with GC branding, as I rarely see photos of them online. I'll have to make an effort to go see GC services when I go north in December. I also haven't seen the 221 now with some GC wraps too.
However, I much preferred the HSTs that GC had until the end of 2016 I think? I was on the final HST service from Eaglescliffe to Sunderland on new years eve.
I absolutely love the run from Sunderland down to Hartlepool, one of the prettiest bits of line I've been on regularly. But still nothing compared to lines like the Cambrian Coast or Cumbrian Coast.
I have been on Grand Central and their service is amazing and the Class 180 Adelantes are so quick, smooth and the seats are so comfortable.
Agreed!
I do like Grand Central a lot. 😄
@@GLovesTrainsI’d love to see you doing a series of videos on Irish Rail’s trains in my native Ireland - the DART commuter trains in Dublin are amazing, as are the LUAS trains - but the trains from Dublin Hueston to Galway, Westport & Ballina via Athlone are really good (most of the place names are announced in Irish Gaelic as well as in English) - the scenic routes are from Dublin Connolly to Rosslare and there is a section where the train passes through the Main Street (I think it’s Wexford town) - the other really good routes are Dublin Hueston to Cork, with connections at Mallow & Limerick Junction to Limerick & Tralee - we Irish would love to see you visiting us from here in the U.K. and you would certainly be assured of a “Cead Mile Failte” a warm Irish welcome 🇮🇪☘️🇬🇧❤️🥰😍😘😘
When I travel to the UK I always go first class - usually from London to Hull. Worth paying the bit extra for the time spend on the train.
I do like the watermarks for Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook that you have added on this video looks really nice!
Thanks!
The 175s & 180s were both ordered by First at the same time, 175 for First North Western, 180s for First Great Western, hence the family resembelance.
I remember 180s working Paddington-Oxford-Worcester-Hereford services, about 20 years ago.
The bolley was great for pointing things out ! Great video as always 👍
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing G
Great video G. Well done and keep up the good work
I’m so glad you and Lucy got to do that journey, it was so cool! I those views of the ocean. Such an awesome video! 😎
Thanks!!
That train has seen better days - boy the insides are rough
First Class on the Grand Central train looks amazing even tho that one was an ex EMR one brilliant work from both you & Lucy keep up the awesome vlog i really enjoyed this one
Thanks Michael!
Awesome Video G Loves Trains 😄😄
Hello G and Lucy,fantastic vlog, that’s a good day you two had, cheers from Australia
Cheers!
Definitely a very good price for the journey that you took, think I have only been on GC twice now. One from Sunderland to York and the other from Bradford Interchange to Wakey Kirkgate and they're not bad the 180s
Reliability might be an issue but other than that, they're not bad
Excellent vlog, G! It's good that trains get reused by other operators, but that unit seemed long overdue for a refurb. At least you and Lucy had fun though!
Haha for sure! Thanks barrowc!
@@GLovesTrains hi
Hi G, that train definitely needs a refurb, you got the short straw with the seats, a broken table and no recline stick, I would have demanded a refund 😉. Would like to see the beaches during summer but stunning views anyway. Once again informative and entertaining. Looking forward to next one, stay safe.
It was like a summers day 😂
Excellent video, G! Looks like you both had a good time. I reckon once that unit is refurbished, it’ll be great. But for £1 extra, it’s all good
Thanks! Will have to see if it gets refurbished
Travelled First Class from Edinburgh to Preston and back with Avanti a few years back - very, very nice. Big difference getting on an LNER Azuma at Edinburgh for onward travel to Inverness in Standard! Also, thanks G for pointing out a dreadful mistake I made about who stops where... Old age plays tricks on the memory😂
Haha! Gotcha now 😀
@@GLovesTrains I am never gonna live that down... 😆😆
Luxury (with my trying to do a northern accent of course). Liked the loo with the being in the wood look. Great fun vid.
Haha thanks! Yeah toilet posters are always fun
Another nice vlog! Almost 15 years ago I have been in York. It's a nice town over there. The National Railway Museum for example is well worth a visit.
Thank you so much for doing this trip from Sunderland. I was supposed to travel in this same train in early May of this year when I was visiting from New Zealand but my train was cancelled at the last minute and then had to make a quick trip to Leeds to catch a train to Kings Cross.
Shame to hear that!
Yes it was because I was so looking forward to it.
Thanks for the video G and Lucy, beautiful train 🚆 could do with a few repairs lol, great value for the money!!😎🚆🚆🚆🚆❤
Haha thanks, it sure was!
You can upgrade to first class for the bargain price of £1, but there is a catch, you get a broken seat table and broken recliner 😂
Glad you enjoyed the ride
Haha! Was entertaining tho
Excellent value - £9 first class for some 70 miles of train travel. Glad you liked the seaside, Sunderland does have some great beaches even if the city is much maligned these days.
My old stomping grounds many, many years ago. It was great growing up by the seaside although it is a bit run down these days.
Oh and the artist LS Lowry loved the Sunderland beaches and has painted seascapes from the views at Roker and Seaburn. He used to stay at the Seaburn Hotel and walk to Roker daily.
Enjoyed my time there!
Lovely video
Not very often someone is visiting Sunderland but for was it once a huge shipyard city but what I could se in you video have everything disappeared
Very enjoyable video keep up the good work 👍👍✅✅
Thanks!
Great vlog G. First Class? The Class 180 looked like it was on it’s last legs but still got to York 4 minutes early lol. I enjoyed watching as always G.
Haha yeah bonus 😂 thanks!
Brilliant video G, nice to see you and Lucy had a ride on good old 180 110, the Adelante that was shortened to 4 coaches when she was with EMR. That unit kept arriving when the train it was working was initially advertised on realtime trains as a 5 coach train and got very packed as well lol. The first class section on that really is in need of a refurb but at least you got somewhere on this lol. Also chilli flavoured crisps are nothing to me lol.
Haha! There was a kick to them! Thanks Reuben 😀
Lovely vlog, thanks, my first clue about the out of order toilet was the strips of black and yellow tape across the door! Blessed day x
I musta missed those 😂
Hi G, thanks for a great video. Disappointing condtion on the train but you enjoyed it nevertheless it seems. Good value for 1st even if it was a bit run down.
Thanks, was great value
I’d love to see either TfW or Avanti doing direct loco-hauled trains (including first class) from Manchester Victoria to Holyhead, calling at Deansgate Castlefield, to make it easier to connect from Metrolink - and if they really must use Manchester Piccadilly, please don’t use Platform 13 - I’d also love to see more ferry operators having foot passenger only ferries from Liverpool to Dublin, better still using smaller vessels from Salford Quays, along the Manchester Ship Canal, onto the Mersey and after crossing the Irish Sea, sailing further up the Liffey at high tide up to Dublin’s Custom House or O’ Connell Bridge - Irish Ferries already have a ferry service from Dover to Calais, so what’s the difference - I don’t mind an 8 hour ferry crossing time from Liverpool to Dublin and anyway, why don’t they get those ferries that allow train carriages to drive onto ferries, as they do in the Nordic countries and Italy - the area around Dublin Port has a lot of railway tracks that are only used for freight, so why not extend these for use to passenger traffic, like they have done with the Phoenix Park Tunnel on Irish Rail via Liffey Junction from the Port near Cabra & Glasnevin (this line comes out just beyond Dublin Hueston, bypassing Dublin Connolly)
Two minor points - there is no D in Sunnerlan...... thats how the locals pronounce it and two - ooooooo get you First Class on Grand Central..... sounds like the title of an episode of Poirot lol - I well remember that scene where David Suchet shouted Squashy Boobies in Murder on the Orient Express and reviewers puzzled as to how it fitted the plot lol
I've recently discovered your channel and enjoying it already! I love your raw style. Keep up the good work :) 😊🏳️⚧️
Thanks a lot! 🏳️⚧️
@@GLovesTrainsOne of the things that I’ve noticed in my 21 years living here in the U.K. is that in a country that gave us the railways since the Victorian era, the U.K. railways are so neglected compared to our European counterparts, even after WW2 - the Beeching cuts in the 1960’s have not helped this situation and yet, despite our country having similar issues with our railways, the Irish government is now investing heavily in Irish railways - it’s a great pity that HS2 has failed, especially for the North of England and here in Manchester desperately could have done with the money wasted on HS2 - moves to electrify the North Wales line is a step in the right direction, even though the high speed rail tunnel under the Irish Sea from Holyhead to Dublin has been shelved (yet again)
Fantastic video Well Done for getting a Grand Central that wasn't cancelled. That 180 is a ex Hull Trains then it went to East Midlands Railway. I prefer the ex Hull Trains ones as very similar to Class 175s in terms for seats
Thanks Jack!
I thought that was a cheap fare from Sunderland to “The Cross”! I might use GC next time I go to Newcastle. Changing at Sunderland wouldn’t be difficult.
Good video!
Go back to Grange-over-Sands! I LOVE IT THERE. there are bears in Yewbarrow woods!
I remember my 2 hours there.. more the smell tbh 😂
@@GLovesTrains oh I see, so you won't be going back then I gather
Great value that G, last time i went to York first class it cost me £706!
It cost woooot
@@GLovesTrains £706 first class return, Plymouth to York. Luckily the return train was delayed by an hour and a half so I got a full refund!
Grand Central Class 180
Entertaining as ever ☺️ Thought the forest themed bog a bit weird! 😉
😂😂
Might be worth trying out their refurbished units one of these day (maybe when the odds of a non-refurbished one are very low). Look ok, if beaten up. Seeing York welcome you with rain is nice, it does the same to me, like to welcome me even if I'm just 20 mins down the line.
Grand Central is one of the nicer looking train companies, I need to get my but on one of these days.
Question-mark umbrella! Obviously a Seventh Doctor fan too then? (And, über-fan that I am, recognised it from the red tip when you were pointing it at the station building/entrance…)
Haha GLovesDW!
Awesome G & Lucy. Yeah, First Class is usually Expensive. How much was it for you both. Also, before the year's out, can you & Lucy, please do a Steam Railtour to end off the year.
Some great sea views , but looks a bit chilly for a swim !
Great video,i like these trains but its just a pity they are so unreliable,great value ticket 8.90
Great vlog, yes Sunderland station is really hard to find and very underwhelming. Still, i guess you stay dry waiting for the train. Would be an even better bargain if the boiler was working so you could have a brew
Great video and loved the Doctor Who umbrella. 👍
Thanks!
When I used to travel by train I always travelled first class as it was just a little bit more. That was a very posh loo with the poster's on the wall, I thought that you were in the new forest 🤣.
And I thought that the bag of crisps were going to go everywhere 😂👍
😂😂😂
I think the platforms are technically split for Metro and Heavy rail services at Sunnderland.
Doesn't matter how cheap it is, when some days there's less than a 50/50 chance of your service even showing up. And then having to purchase another ticked with a more reliable provider....
Any plans to ride the Tyne and Wear Metro?
Wow, that Class 180 is looking a little rough around the edges. Does Grand Central give you free food other than crisps and drinks in 1st?
Crisps and drink it was
We normally catch Grand Central between Yorkshire and London Kings Cross because the price comparison between them and LNER is eye watering
One of the main problems is seat reservations, if you book to go forward you usually end up going backwards, and if you book going backwards you will end up going backwards.
LNER is still the best as you can pick and choose where you want to sit, Grand Central are cheap and cheerful, some of their stock is not upto standards.
if you get a chance train a 385 unit edinbrough glasgow they amazing quick off the line .
I'll try!
at the moment scotrail has no peak fairs till march so can go on anytime ie rush hour still same prices . great videos @@GLovesTrains
Totally worth it for £1 extra given the better seats and free snacks.
Excellent vlog G glad you enjoyed your first class ride on the 180 even though it looks ready for scrap
Haha! I enjoyed it 😀
Never knew Sunderland was by the sea, you learn something everyday hey 😂
Aye same haha
You had a fair walk from the beach to the station
A bargain price, only £1extra for first class.
Regards from Whitley Bay (about 15 miles up the coast from Sunderland)
Ah wasn't too far away 😂
I saw the sea.
long walk from the beach to the station
Wasn't too long
@@GLovesTrains feels like it ive drove from the beach to the station lol
It looked really bog standard definitely would avoid grand central but anyways I don’t normally travel eastwards from derby I either go north the way of Sheffield and Leeds and if I want to go to London which I do regularly as an arsenal season ticket holder I always use the west coast mainline and head to Euston as it’s much closer to the emirates than St Pancras.
Why was the train purple and silver the grand Central is black and orange
I wasn't aware Grand Central had taken the former EMR sets, I thought they had been withdrawn lol. That's a proper bargain though
And you finished your rmtrup in York, do you have any plans to do a video in the National Railway Museum one day?
I've done lil clips in there before
@@GLovesTrains ohhh if you do go back do you think you could include Queen Adelaide's royal carriage. I think she was one of the first royals to have their own rail carriage. I am in Adelaide, Australia. Queen Adelaide was the Queen before Victoria, but her niece is so much more famous than her and Adelaide is the forgotten Queen.
It looks like you got the short straw there G , a broken table and a missing knob on your seat
A missing knob always a shame 😂
I’m surprised first hasn’t been declassified on Grand Central trains. It’s a dreadful soft and hard product these days.
Hopefully the leased 221s will give a bit of a *familiar* and better experience to some, but then again I haven’t ridden them yet
If there were no Hot Drinks, you should have been offered a £10 refund ticket...!!
so you play with a knob lol
Great video
Just a bit confused why a man would be called lucy with respect
Bit confused why I would be in love with a man... with respect...
Don't you know that otherwise Lucy has had life's totally acceptable tune-up?
Ps. Don't take this wrong G, it's just that I have hidden an acrostic to gently troll the previous contributor... See if you can spot it! And we are all together and unbreakable! Love, Bob.
You could have gotten the South Hylton branch under the belt which is owned by Network Rail but exclusively used by Tyne and Wear Metro 🚇. Hartlepool has 3 platforms;1:has been out of use for years but will shortly reopen as the south bound platform,2:is currently the main one,3:is only used on a Sunday for the Darlington local .