1313 MKC to Edinburgh on Friday

Bletchleyite · 9 Oct 2019

Just booked onto this train - and there were only 2 reservable seats left (both "no view" ones). This seems strange given that it's midday...is there something specific on that would make this train very busy? If so as I've gone for a walk-up I might avoid it and go via Manchester on the 1250 instead?

It's an 11 car Pendolino and I'm going as far as Lancaster.

RailUK Forums

47271 · 9 Oct 2019

I can't think of any reason for it being so busy, but if it is an 11 car then Coach U will lose a lot of people at MK at any time of day, mainly Network Rail staff as far as I can see, you should get sat down there.

Or if you've got a First Class ticket head for G. I've been on that train a couple of times and they've been making announcements apologising for the overcrowding - meanwhile I've had a table of four all to myself in that coach, which must be up there as the most underused accommodation on the network.

Are you sure that it'll be an 11?

Bletchleyite · 9 Oct 2019

47271 said:
Are you sure that it'll be an 11?

Yes, I used the seat selector which only offered a choice of 2 seats, both of them "no view" aisle seats, one forward and one back facing. I took the forward facing one as I might as well have a reservation but was surprised there wasn't more choice at that sort of time. It did show a coach F and U, just with no seats available (F) and not selectable (U) so was definitely an 11-car.

On the way home (assuming I take the planned train) I have coach A seat 45A (best Standard seat) so am happier there

voyagerdude220 · 9 Oct 2019

It's been booked to be an 11-car Pendolino on Fridays over the last few months (before then used to be 2x221) and even as an 11-car over Summer it was reported as being severely overcrowded a couple of times, usually north of Birmingham.

There's no guarantee it'll be an 11 car, occasionally a 9 car substituted for it.

Bletchleyite · 9 Oct 2019

voyagerdude220 said:
It's been booked to be an 11-car Pendolino on Fridays over the last few months (before then used to be 2x221) and even as an 11-car over Summer it was reported as being severely overcrowded a couple of times, usually north of Birmingham.

There's no guarantee it'll be an 11 car, occasionally a 9 car substituted for it.

Why so busy I wonder? Ideally timed for a half day Friday weekend away from Brum?

Might go via Manchester instead if it's going to be heaving.

6Gman · 9 Oct 2019

Bletchleyite said:
Why so busy I wonder? Ideally timed for a half day Friday weekend away from Brum?

Might go via Manchester instead if it's going to be heaving.

1415 off New Street, 1509 ex Crewe, 1550ish Preston - going to be busy on a Friday I would say.

voyagerdude220 · 9 Oct 2019

Bletchleyite said:
Why so busy I wonder? Ideally timed for a half day Friday weekend away from Brum?

Might go via Manchester instead if it's going to be heaving.

I've never been on this train myself, so I don't know if it's still as busy now we're heading away from summer.

As 6Gman says though, it's not surprising a train on a Friday afternoon is at risk of being busy going through popular towns and cities on the run up to the weekend.

Tetchytyke · 9 Oct 2019

Maybe avoid it. The 1230 EUS-GLC is often hideous too IME.

Play about with itineraries too, the 1341 Chester beats that train to Crewe, there might be more seats free north of Crewe?

Triumph · 9 Oct 2019

9S70 is booked an 11 car on a Friday, due it being a very busy service (VW121 diagram off 1F11/1A20) It comes off Wembley Depot and is also a very reliable 11 car working. Infact the last time it was worked by a 9 car was on 19th July.

Bletchleyite · 9 Oct 2019

I just had a play with some fake bookings and it looks like it is quiet as far as New St and then gets progressively busier afterwards (at least in terms of the number of seats that show as available on the seat map for reservation as well as the presence of Advances). Might well be worth a look in coach C or F to see if I can get a better seat, or if not sit in one of the seats not reserved until Preston and either sit in the vestibule or bail to a Northern or TPE for the last bit if it gets hideous then.

Starmill · 9 Oct 2019

During the Edinburgh Festivals it was absolutely hideous. I would be quite surprised if it were so bad from London or Milton Keynes however. Or in October.

NoOnesFool · 10 Oct 2019

Bletchleyite said:
Just booked onto this train - and there were only 2 reservable seats left (both "no view" ones). This seems strange given that it's midday...is there something specific on that would make this train very busy? If so as I've gone for a walk-up I might avoid it and go via Manchester on the 1250 instead?

It's an 11 car Pendolino and I'm going as far as Lancaster.

Are you travelling on an Advance ticket or an Off-Peak/Anytime? If it's an Off-Peak/Anytime ticket, you may be able to move to a vacant seat that meets your preferences, assuming the train isn't too full.

Bletchleyite · 10 Oct 2019

NoOnesFool said:
Are you travelling on an Advance ticket or an Off-Peak/Anytime? If it's an Off-Peak/Anytime ticket, you may be able to move to a vacant seat that meets your preferences, assuming the train isn't too full.

Yes, I'm on a walk-up, the question was more relating to my chances of finding such a seat.

Albaman · 10 Oct 2019

Triumph said:
9S70 is booked an 11 car on a Friday, due it being a very busy service (VW121 diagram off 1F11/1A20) It comes off Wembley Depot and is also a very reliable 11 car working. Infact the last time it was worked by a 9 car was on 19th July.

Is there a website where these diagrams can be viewed by the public ?

Bletchleyite · 10 Oct 2019

Albaman said:
Is there a website where these diagrams can be viewed by the public ?

If you only want to know one, use the VT site to do a booking most of the way through and use the seat selector which will show you a nice picture of what it's booked for. Then cancel the booking from the basket.

Albaman · 10 Oct 2019

Bletchleyite said:
If you only want to know one, use the VT site to do a booking most of the way through and use the seat selector which will show you a nice picture of what it's booked for. Then cancel the booking from the basket.

Thanks for your very prompt reply. I did not have a specific train in mind but rollng stock/locomotive diagrams have always fascinated me and, after ScotRail, Virgin West Coast is the TOC I use most often. My main concern though is avoiding Voyagers!

Bletchleyite · 10 Oct 2019

Albaman said:
Thanks for your very prompt reply. I did not have a specific train in mind but rollng stock/locomotive diagrams have always fascinated me and, after ScotRail, Virgin West Coast is the TOC I use most often. My main concern though is avoiding Voyagers!

RTT will help you with that - because of their different performance characteristics what it says on there is generally accurate for VTWC services. Won't tell you 9 vs 11 or 5 vs 10 but will tell you if it's a Pendolino or a Voyager.

1313 MKC to Edinburgh on Friday

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