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Sheffield to Tamworth

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newbie babs

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I have to make this journey again on Friday 11th November after 1.30pm

I have done this twice already this year to Derby and then Tamworth, not something I look forward to doing.

Is there another route that would guarantee me and my daughter would not have to stand, both trains going to Tamworth are normally packed and I wondered if I went another route I might not have to stand.

I have to be at Tamworth about 4pm as I have to come back half an hour later after dropping my daughter off.

I don`t like Tamworth station so I try not to stay on it for long (creepy and cold)
 
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mikeg

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The only permitted map between Sheffield and Tamworth is map CE:

Routeing Guide maps

As you can see, it is necessary to pass through Derby.

Unless there's another route that is more direct or fewer than three miles longer than the direct route...
 
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SS4

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Not really (if you're doing a day return split at Derby) since the main XC route to BHM (and beyond) is along that route.

Couldn't you get seat reservations to avoid having to stand? Your only real alternative is to get to the Trent Valley line and catch the hourly service which itself is well loaded (and buy tickets as appropriate as this would not be a valid route)
 

newbie babs

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booked seats last time, guy would not get up and the guard was stuck in 1st class as it was really like sardines so that did not work. I had my daughter asking me not to make a fuss.

I would rather it take longer and not take a direct route so I get to sit down than to stand up like sardines
 

MidnightFlyer

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I would rather it take longer and not take a direct route so I get to sit down than to stand up like sardines

And I suspect more expensive.

Sheffield-Manchester (even worse for overcrowding)-Crewe-Tamworth? That would take an age though.

Sheffield-Nottingham-Tamworth? Would take slightly less than the above.
 

SS4

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EMT to Derby and an XC ex-Notts to Tamworth?

The ex-Nottingham trains shouldn't be as full as the ex-Scotland ones.
 

newbie babs

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I might do the Sheffield- Nottingham, the on to Tamworth I don`t mind the cost, the sardines feeling I can`t do. Do I change at Derby

Thanks MattE2010 I think I might try that. Have to look at the times now.
 

mikeg

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No need to change at Derby, the trains from Nottingham to Tamworth run direct.
 

MidnightFlyer

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Yep, twice an hour direct for both Sheffield-Nottingham and Nottingham-Tamworth.
 

MidnightFlyer

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Will say get the (slightly slower) Northern hourly Sheffield-Nottingham train if you can, the EMT one WILL be wedged. From Nottingham, take either train, they both start there and should be quiet-ish off-peak. One will be for Cardiff Central, and one will be for Birmingham New St.
 

button_boxer

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SS4's idea is a good one - get one of the London-bound trains from Sheffield to Derby (these start from Sheffield so you're pretty much guaranteed a seat if you turn up a few minutes early). Change at Derby onto one of the Cross Country services towards Cardiff or Birmingham (the ones that start from Nottingham) as they are generally less packed than the Newcastle-Reading or Edinburgh-Plymouth ones.

The xx:27 from Sheffield gets to Derby at xx:59 and the connection to Tamworth leaves Derby at 6 minutes past the next hour, or the xx:35 (or 47) from Sheffield gets to Derby at about 14-16 minutes past, with a connection at 36 past.

Returning it'd be the one around 36 or 39 past the hour from Tamworth arriving Derby at 5 past, then the 11 past (XC) or 18 past (EMT) to Sheffield. See what the 11 past looks like and if it's packed just get the 18.

How old is your daughter? If she's under 16 then you can do the whole trip for £18.40, as a Derbyshire Wayfarer (£10.50) covers Sheffield to Burton on Trent and return for one adult plus one child, to which you'd add a Burton to Tamworth day return for you (£5.30) and single for your daughter (£2.60). If she's over 16 then a group Derbyshire Wayfarer (£18.90) plus Burton to Tamworth return (£5.30) and single (£5.20) totals £29.40. This restricts you to trains that stop at Burton in both directions, which the Nottingham trains do.
 

tony_mac

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If the trains from Nottingham aren't too busy then maybe go in 1st straight to Derby and change there for a quieter train?
 

newbie babs

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button_boxer

thanks for the advice, she is over 16 and there is only me returning the same day.

We have been on the London bound train the last two times, the one I booked the seat on. As it was so busy the guard did not come down and me and my daughter we squeezed next to the toilet door, and then on the other train to Derby it happened again.

Hopefully going to Nottingham it will be better.
 

yorkie

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We have been on the London bound train the last two times, the one I booked the seat on. As it was so busy the guard did not come down and me and my daughter we squeezed next to the toilet door, and then on the other train to Derby it happened again.
On which services did this occur? It's most unusual for a Sheffield-London train to be full & standing from Sheffield! What stock was operating the services in question?
 

newbie babs

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it was the 13.27 to London and it was like sardines, my booked seat was sat in and the guard was in 1st class and would not come down the train as it was too busy. May or June this year can`t remember the date.
We got off at Derby
 

yorkie

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it was the 13.27 to London and it was like sardines, my booked seat was sat in and the guard was in 1st class and would not come down the train as it was too busy. May or June this year can't remember the date.
We got off at Derby
What day of the week was this, and what stock was it? Was it only a 5-car Meridian? as I've never known a train at that time from Sheffield to be like sardines.
 

Minilad

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Off peak you will be fine on the Nottingham - Tamworth section. But some off the peak trains can get fullish.
I have just checked and I am rostered for a Manchester job that day so you won't have the added trauma of me driving to contend with !!
 

newbie babs

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Hi Yorkie

it was a Friday, no idea about anything else. I think most people were surprised at how full it was.
 
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