Hi all
Forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere, or it's a stupid question. If it's either I will delete the post no problem.
A serious question (eventually) but possibly a bit of a rant (sorry)
A recent (October) trip from Darlington to Exeter, and while we where there Exeter to Bristol the train provided was a 4 set Class 220 ( Cross Country Voyager). And I hate these things. I could not afford 1st class but ended up paying over £150 each for a cramped 6 hour journey, which to be fair when I do it next time I am just going to take the car. (more comfortable, and cheaper).
The train was fully packed all the way and thankfully I reserved seats, however when we decided to do a return trip from Exeter to Bristol, I paid £40 Each for the privilege of having to stand by the toilet. we where packed in like sardines.. it was awful.
A week before this trip, I had booked 1st class seats to Manchester from Darlington, this was on a 4 car Transpenine Express (3 car 185), so this was one 1st class and two standard class. and again all the way to Manchester the two Standard class coaches, people where squashed in like sardines some where sat in the vestibule area, others just came in and sat in 1st class (without the right ticket, it was so busy the guard just allowed them to stay).
I have just been looking at JohnW1's Excellent photo's on here. and there are 47's with around 9 - 10 coaches on.
Why are these train lengths so small these days, is it cost or is it just that's the way it is now? Wiki article on the 220 says these where intended to replace the 47's and the HST's however I have recently done Darlington to London a couple of times on the HST's and 91's standard class, and they where lovely and comfy with adequate room to sit for a couple of hours, and a decent amount of coaches.
Kind Regards
Forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere, or it's a stupid question. If it's either I will delete the post no problem.
A serious question (eventually) but possibly a bit of a rant (sorry)
A recent (October) trip from Darlington to Exeter, and while we where there Exeter to Bristol the train provided was a 4 set Class 220 ( Cross Country Voyager). And I hate these things. I could not afford 1st class but ended up paying over £150 each for a cramped 6 hour journey, which to be fair when I do it next time I am just going to take the car. (more comfortable, and cheaper).
The train was fully packed all the way and thankfully I reserved seats, however when we decided to do a return trip from Exeter to Bristol, I paid £40 Each for the privilege of having to stand by the toilet. we where packed in like sardines.. it was awful.
A week before this trip, I had booked 1st class seats to Manchester from Darlington, this was on a 4 car Transpenine Express (3 car 185), so this was one 1st class and two standard class. and again all the way to Manchester the two Standard class coaches, people where squashed in like sardines some where sat in the vestibule area, others just came in and sat in 1st class (without the right ticket, it was so busy the guard just allowed them to stay).
I have just been looking at JohnW1's Excellent photo's on here. and there are 47's with around 9 - 10 coaches on.
Why are these train lengths so small these days, is it cost or is it just that's the way it is now? Wiki article on the 220 says these where intended to replace the 47's and the HST's however I have recently done Darlington to London a couple of times on the HST's and 91's standard class, and they where lovely and comfy with adequate room to sit for a couple of hours, and a decent amount of coaches.
Kind Regards