Recent content by crj96

Thank you, the trainline app doesn't say "off-peak", it says "limited tickets available" so i wasn't sure. How do I book a seat when I've already bought the ticket? Can I contact CrossCountry directly eventhough the ticket was bought via Trainline? (sorry I'm new to all this) I thought half...

I've purchased an off-peak return from Bodmin Parkway to Blackpool North. Outbound, I'll be taking the quickest route (recommended by Trainline) which is: Outbound - Monday 21st October 09:46 Bodmin Parkway to Birmingham New Street (CrossCountry) 14:45 Birmingham New Street to Preston (Virgin)...

Ah, OK, thanks. I’m not concerned about whether I have a seat or not, I just really don’t want to feel overcrowded, but I guess it’s inevitible with CrossCountry. Hopefully it won’t be as busy in October as it was in Summer.

Thanks for the help. I’m travelling on Monday, and the only way to get a HST would be to get a GWR service to Plymouth and from there get the 12:25 CrossCountry HST to Birmingham New Street.

Never mind - that journey isn’t off peak

Scratch that - the 1225 from Plymouth isn’t off peak

That’s good news! I’m travelling off peak too so I’m thinking getting the HST is a much better option.

Thank you. I have an off peak return so presumably I can take any route as long as it starts and ends at the same stations? I can easily get the HST from Plymouth if this is the case

Are the CrossCountry HST’s generally less overcrowded? If so I can alter my journey to get on one of those instead

I’m supposed to be going from Bodmin Parkway to Birmingham New Street on CrossCountry on Monday and I’m seriously considering cancelling because I can’t bare the thought of being in a packed train for 4 hours. I agree, it should be far more luxurious and spacious than it currently is. At...

Yeah that's what I thought, especially considering the train used for that route is a voyager with only 4-5 carriages! Plus that's the longest leg of the journey at 4hr10min which is a very long time to be stuck in a cramped and overcrowded train.

Thanks. Luckily with an off-peak return if I miss my connection I should be able to get the next train anyway, regardless of the operator? I have 19 minutes in Birmingham New Street and 33 minutes in Preston so that should be alright!

Thanks so much for your help. I'm probably getting the 09:46 service from Bodmin which arrives at Birmingham at 13:56, so hopefully it won't be too busy? I'll be breaking the journey up on the way back and having a few hours in Birmingham, but on the outward trip I just want to get there ASAP...

Thanks for your input - I really appreciate it!

Why does XC run such short trains on such long journeys? For example the Penzance to Glasgow route is (I believe) run by a 4-5 carriage voyager - no wonder they're always overcrowded!