No unreserved seats on various Virgin Trains West Coast (VTWC) Pendolino services

[Pumbaa]

Other than 1R02-1R05 in the morning, I don't think I've ever seen peak services full and standing. Most of the severe crowding occurs in the shoulder peaks.

When I occasionally travel from New St, I now aim for the high peak trains as there are always more seats than those before and after!

 

[Tetchytyke]

Last time I went on Virgin Trains I stood from Euston as far as Preston, despite having seat reservations. They'd not downloaded. That was at 1230 on a Tuesday lunchtime. And on an 11-car, where they'd block booked the two unreserved coaches for a private party.

I did not arrive awesome.

 

[Bevan Price]

The poster who said earlier "I've never had a problem getting a seat" did have a point - has anyone had the reverse experience - of a genuinely full-and-standing Virgin train? Are they full even at peak times? I can't say myself as I never travel in the peak. Travelling off-peak I'm often rattling around a virtually empty train, which makes me wonder how "green" my journey really was.

Yes, been on numerous "full" 390s, especially in summer on various trips between Wigan to Carlisle or intermediate stations. And situation is worse if service is one worked by a 5 coach 221.

 

[Huntergreed]

The 10:49 from Carlisle to Euston is often full and standing south of Preston, I've even seen it full in first class!

 

[rmt4ever]

I think he's suggesting it should be abolished.

That's madness!!! The thought of travelling on a train long distance, say London to Scotland in economy doesn't bear thinking about !!!

 

[deltic]

Other than 1R02-1R05 in the morning, I don't think I've ever seen peak services full and standing. Most of the severe crowding occurs in the shoulder peaks.

When I occasionally travel from New St, I now aim for the high peak trains as there are always more seats than those before and after!

Travelling from Manchester to London in the evening peak I have stood till Macclesfield and Stoke on a few occasions, while travelling from Birmingham in the evening peak unless there is disruption or an event at the NEC always had a seat.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's madness!!! The thought of travelling on a train long distance, say London to Scotland in economy doesn't bear thinking about !!!

The previous Chiltern approach of providing a high standard of Standard throughout (they called it Club Class originally, but it was "legally" just Standard) does have some benefits.

 

[Starmill]

The ThFO 1857 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly is standard class only throuhgout - you still might not get a seat.

 

[causton]

The ThFO 1857 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly is standard class only throuhgout - you still might not get a seat.

I had someone wanting to go on that tomorrow (Friday) night... I've heard the stories... I insisted I made a reservation for them on the 1857 even though "I'm sure I'll find a seat somewhere on it"

 

[DarloRich]

So, because you don't travel at peak times and are always alright, this is a good policy? Is it? Really?

Please please please stop posting rubbish. Thank you.

sadly for "experts" like you I do travel at peak times several times a week into and out of Euston. Do you? I have a preferred unreserved seat at such times: the floor of the vestibule.

Please, please, please. Thank you.

 

[Bletchleyite]

sadly for "experts" like you I do travel at peak times several times a week into and out of Euston. Do you? I have a preferred unreserved seat at such times: the floor of the vestibule.

Which train do you typically use? By choosing carefully and arriving early (and sometimes judicious use of RTT) I have a near 100% record of a seat at least for most of the journey.

 

[DarloRich]

Which train do you typically use? By choosing carefully and arriving early (and sometimes judicious use of RTT) I have a near 100% record of a seat at least for most of the journey.

it could be any of the Virgin trains south from 0615 onwards depending on my ultimate destination. I would be very happy if Virgin ( or LM) would throw in an earlier fast train!

What is your experience?

 

[miami]

Trains after 1900 from Euston are usually full in my experience. Even if they aren't it's only because people sit in reserved seats. I always try to get either the 1840 or wait until after 8pm.

The major bunfight on the pendilino heading north is people after table seats, which have sockets and a modicum of leg room. Voyagers on the other hand are far superior, with both sockets and leg room at almost every seat.

I will agree about the stupid reservation signs when boarding at an intermediate station, no way to know f the seat is reserved or abandoned. They should revert to "available" 5 minutes after departure, you're even sitting in the seat (thus don't need a reservation), or you're not (this someone else can sit there without perching on tenterhooks for 10 minutes)

 

[All Line Rover]

A particularly good example of the random nature of VTWC's diagramming is that the 17:30 Euston to Glasgow (non-stop to Warrington) is 9 cars this evening.

As was, I understand, the first off-peak train from Manchester to London this morning - a Monday morning.

 

[Bletchleyite]

it could be any of the Virgin trains south from 0615 onwards depending on my ultimate destination. I would be very happy if Virgin ( or LM) would throw in an earlier fast train!

What is your experience?

South from where, sorry? MKC? Why not go from Bletchley?

The answer if you're going to London from MKC is that to be sure of a seat take a LM when the VTs are still stopping, e.g. the 0655ish BLY-LBZ-EUS.

 

[DarloRich]

South from where, sorry? MKC? Why not go from Bletchley?

The answer if you're going to London from MKC is that to be sure of a seat take a LM when the VTs are still stopping, e.g. the 0655ish BLY-LBZ-EUS.

Saves time - Plus I often get an early lift in meaning I often have to go into work first. If i don't need to go into work or don't have a lift I aim for the 0713 from Blethcley. Guaranteed a seat with little faffing about

 

[Bletchleyite]

Saves time - Plus I often get an early lift in meaning I often have to go into work first. If i don't need to go into work or don't have a lift I aim for the 0713 from Blethcley. Guaranteed a seat with little faffing about

Provided the 319s behave that one is indeed the best assurance of a seat. But yes, if you want to be certain of a seat from MKC avoid the VTs. The LM fasts are only 10 minutes slower, and I'd always rather a 40 minute journey with a seat than a 30 minute one without, personally.

Northbound in the evening, board any LM about 10 minutes before it goes and you'll be pretty safe, particularly if you walk to the front of a 12-car or go back on yourself on entering the platform.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

A particularly good example of the random nature of VTWC's diagramming is that the 17:30 Euston to Glasgow (non-stop to Warrington) is 9 cars this evening.

As was, I understand, the first off-peak train from Manchester to London this morning - a Monday morning.

Yes, the 09.40 was 390 040 - I was on it - in the unreserved carriage; everyone did manage to find a seat although the departure screens suggested that all the reservable carriages were completely booked up.

The 09.20, of course, went out as a virtually ecs movement as per usual...