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Has anyone ever done Aberdeen to Penzance straight through?
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Johnny_w
Member
I've thought about it many many times. Then looked at the cost!
If I was doing that First class would a must though - for legroom as much as
anything else!
Best of luck!
JW
If I was doing that First class would a must though - for legroom as much as
anything else!
Best of luck!
JW
telstarbox
Established Member
IanXC on this forum did - http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=52127
Thanks, really appreciate it!
And thanks for the link telstarbox, will be sure to give it a read!
In 2008, when it was worth doing (not now!) I did Glasgow to Penzance throughout (Cornish guard out of Glasgow, Scottish guard out of Plymouth!), then Penzance to Aberdeen on the Penzance to Dundee HST, followed by a EC HST from Dundee to Aberdeen.
We went in 1st on the way there, as it was a weekend and a Valenta was on the front. On the way back we went Standard but had some 'dining', which involved Max bringing a pizza from Pizza Express on board at York.
In fact I did something like that twice, so may have the occasions mixed up slightly.
Scenery is best in Cornwall, along with most of the parts along the coast. The middle bit is not good for scenery.
No way would I do that on a Voyager, but you can get most, if not all, of the journey on HSTs anyway, if you time it right.
You could also combine it with buses from/to Lands End/John O'Groats for the 'ultimate' journey
We went in 1st on the way there, as it was a weekend and a Valenta was on the front. On the way back we went Standard but had some 'dining', which involved Max bringing a pizza from Pizza Express on board at York.
In fact I did something like that twice, so may have the occasions mixed up slightly.
Scenery is best in Cornwall, along with most of the parts along the coast. The middle bit is not good for scenery.
No way would I do that on a Voyager, but you can get most, if not all, of the journey on HSTs anyway, if you time it right.
You could also combine it with buses from/to Lands End/John O'Groats for the 'ultimate' journey
crispy1978
Member
Never done it but would love to!!
crispy1978
Member
Me too........just need to find the time and the money
I'd love to do a 7 day ALR but the wife already looks at me funny for my interest in trains!! But if I were a singleton, that would be an idea holiday!!!
notadriver
Established Member
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I have and in 1st class. Telephone / Internet in a Voyager is lousy.
Me too........just need to find the time and the money
Free train travel is a great perk to have
SteamPower
Member
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Me too........just need to find the time and the money
Free train travel is a great perk to have
And rubbing it in the faces of those that don't have it isn't great.
12CSVT
Established Member
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- 2,612
Even better if they reverted to the types of traction / rolling stock used pre - 1989.
ie, Mk2s, class 50 Penzance to Birmingham, AC electric to Carstairs, class 26 Carstairs to Edinburgh (yes it did happen sometimes), then endure 'spoon' haulage Edinburgh - Aberdeen.
IanD
Established Member
If you're raising money for charity "rough it" in standard and add the saving to the coffers, you might raise more money if people don't think you're riding in the lap of luxury.
I don't think standard is anywhere like the third world conditions that some people on this forum would have you believe - it's occasionally rammed and sometimes you can smell the toilets. If you're getting on at Aberdeen then you'll have no problem claiming your reserved seat which you can then usually stay in all the way to Penzance.
I don't think standard is anywhere like the third world conditions that some people on this forum would have you believe - it's occasionally rammed and sometimes you can smell the toilets. If you're getting on at Aberdeen then you'll have no problem claiming your reserved seat which you can then usually stay in all the way to Penzance.
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I wasn't, I was only messing around
harry42
Member
Make friends with the conductor/trolley person
Make friends with the conductor/trolley person
Except there could be 6 Train Managers and 4 Hosts during the journey!
AndyLandy
Established Member
OK, you people are crazy!
I once did Newcastle-Southampton with CrossCountry. 6h10 on a Voyager. By about Oxford, I was climbing the walls! I don't think I'd survive 13h22 on a single train. You guys must have the patience of saints!
I once did Newcastle-Southampton with CrossCountry. 6h10 on a Voyager. By about Oxford, I was climbing the walls! I don't think I'd survive 13h22 on a single train. You guys must have the patience of saints!
IanD
Established Member
Don't see what's so difficult about it and why it seems to be considered a feat of endurance. You're sitting down for a few hours, looking out of the window at constantly changing scenery and doing whatever else you want to do during the trip. And in this case it's all for free. I should be so lucky.
People take longer flights all the time in similar conditions.
People take longer flights all the time in similar conditions.
Eagle
Established Member
And it's only about half an hour longer than the next-longest regular service, Euston to Fort William (usually takes 12h50) but no one regards that as an endurance feat.
In fact when the sleepers went via the ECML on recent weekends the southbound Fort Bill was booked to take 14h.
In fact when the sleepers went via the ECML on recent weekends the southbound Fort Bill was booked to take 14h.
Can now say I've done this, and it wasn't half as bad as I thought it was going to be. £20 weekend upgrade to 1st class was worth it, just for the nicer seats, legroom and fact it wasn't rammed like standard. As it was the weekend, you only get tea/coffee, water, crisps and biscuits, but planned in advance and went to the Co-op beforehand.
I've done the line before, so know that the scenery is good along most of the route, but still a good day out.
I've done the line before, so know that the scenery is good along most of the route, but still a good day out.
Buttsy
Established Member
Matthew Engel did Penzance - Aberdeen in his book 11 Minutes Late.
Eagle
Established Member
Bear in mind that before 2007 Penzance to Aberdeen services went via the WCML so were about an hour shorter than they are today.
Temple Meads
Established Member
To be honest you'd have to pay me to do this, I'd rather gouge my own eyes out than spend 13 hours on a Voyager.
If it's not for charity or for doing the longest direct UK journey, then go via London.
If it's not for charity or for doing the longest direct UK journey, then go via London.
Karl
On Moderation
A thoroughly enjoyable and riveting read. I've just finished reading the whole thread.
Thanks for the link and thanks IanXC for the journey!
ATW Alex 101
Established Member
Voyagers are fine, book well in advance, get a reservation at a table bobs your uncle.
Temple Meads
Established Member
That would certainly improve matters, but it doesn't stop the various rattles and squeaks, or the toilet smell.
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