Well, this morning I did the 08:53 Derby to Skegness HST all the way.
Boarded at Derby and headed straight into 1st, had the coach to myself with the exception of a couple of other enthusiasts sat behind me, lovely relaxing journey to Nottingham.
We arrived into Nottingham and an entire council estate dived on, the rest of the journey from here on in wasn't an experience I enjoyed, from the smell of weed and Fosters larger to the screaming 10 year olds being chased up and down the train by their tracksuit wearing teenage parents, it was like a Jeremy Kyle Show day out!
Moving on, I had an hour in Skegness before deciding to catch a 156 back to Nottingham, I had planned to get the HST straight back but after three hours I needed a walk and a coffee.
Arriving back at the Skegness station I was greeted by the sight of 200+ people all with suitcases and a single 156 in the platform. Fortunately for me, being a lone traveller without luggage the EMT staff found a seat for me, can't fault the staff considering what they had to cope with.
All in all, I'll say it was an experience, I'm undecided weather I enjoyed it or not.
I'd imagine the class 222 isn't yet cleared to work to Skegness, but this is something EMT should be seriously looking at, single 156's really are not suitable, I counted 4 222's sat at Etches Park as I passed on my way home, I'd say at least 50 people had to be left behind at Skegness.