Besides, the journey is quite bearable providing you bring along a decent book and some provisions.
I did Crewe-Rugby on one of those services this week.
The conductor invited people to use the buffet at Stafford during the 5-minute wait there, ("We leave at xxxx, doors close 30 seconds before departure"...).
Alighting at Rugby for the first time in years, I was surprised to find there were no staffed refreshment facilities of any kind - just vending machines.
That's very unusual for a major station, when at most other big stations you can't move for coffee and snack outlets.
Hardy folk these LM passengers.