ryan125hst
Established Member
Most of the posts about Northern Rail on here have been negative, but I've got a positive experience of travelling with them that I thought I would share with you all.
On Wednesday (16/4), I travelled from Retford to Meadowhall with my mates to watch "Captain America: The Winter Solider". The train we used to get there, the 09:02 (ex Lincoln) was on time. It was a Class 144, so the better of the Pacers, and had the better seats that the 144's have. Our tickets were checked, we got a seat and the train was clean (I don't recall thinking that it was dirty anyway). This isn't the main reason why I am writing this, however.
On our return journey on the 15:33 from Meadowhall, the train was 10 minutes late, although this was probably due to having to pass through Doncaster, crossing over the East Coast Main Line from Scunthorpe on the way, and also Rotherham Central, which has a section of single track I believe. We were in the front carriage to start with, but after a reversal at Sheffield, we were in the rear carriage, and I saw the guard board (they have a crew change at Sheffield). It is this part of the journey that I would like to praise.
The guard made an announcement after leaving Sheffield. It was hard to hear as it was a busy train with a few people having to stand and the PA wasn't the loudest, but he announced that the train was slightly late running, listed all the stations the train would be calling at to Lincoln and alerted passengers to the safety information. Despite the fact the train was busy, he managed to check tickets, and he did these in a friendly way- I heard him ask some people on the opposite side of the train if the weather had been nice when leaving Retford that morning.
He continued making announcements regularly- I think he announced something about a pass at Kiverton Park (SYTPE pass possibly?) and continued checking tickets. Shortly before Retford, we moved to the rear of the train ready to leave. He announced Retford Low Level (why do Northern like to refer to it as Low Level? It isn't a separate station!) and then released the doors. Many people thanked him as they alighted, myself included, and he thanked us as well.
I remember his name- should I post it here or do you think that it isn't a good idea to do so?
It made me wonder why we give Northern Rail such a hard time. Granted, their trains are old and they are a bit short of stock, but I think they aren't doing a bad job overall. I've travelled between Retford and Sheffield about 7 times within the last 12 months, and the only bad experience was being in a packed 142 full of people who were drunk after a long day at the University of Liverpool's open day, not Northern's fault. The only other problems I've had was being in a full and standing train on a Saturday morning, again not really their fault, and coming back from Sheffield on a 153 which, as I posted a thread about, I thought Pacers are better as it was very loud, had a table missing and didn't look like it had had a proper refurbishment ever!
Going back to the positives though, the trains are generally on time for one thing. Also, the toilets seem to work as as when ever I have been stood or sat near one, I've seen people going into use them. Some TOC's struggle to do this (London Midland comes to mind!). The guards seem to be good at checking tickets as well, which is an achievement given the short distance between stops on the Sheffield to Lincoln line. As well as this, their stations generally look good now as well with new signs, waiting rooms ect. I believe Worksop station (where two of my mates boarded) has recently had a ticket office refurbishment.
Can this thread be used for members to share their positive experiences of travelling with Northern Rail? No moaning about them please as there are enough threads that have done that. I don't believe they are as bad as some people say they are. I have been impressed with them considering the difficulties they have to put up with.
Ryan
On Wednesday (16/4), I travelled from Retford to Meadowhall with my mates to watch "Captain America: The Winter Solider". The train we used to get there, the 09:02 (ex Lincoln) was on time. It was a Class 144, so the better of the Pacers, and had the better seats that the 144's have. Our tickets were checked, we got a seat and the train was clean (I don't recall thinking that it was dirty anyway). This isn't the main reason why I am writing this, however.
On our return journey on the 15:33 from Meadowhall, the train was 10 minutes late, although this was probably due to having to pass through Doncaster, crossing over the East Coast Main Line from Scunthorpe on the way, and also Rotherham Central, which has a section of single track I believe. We were in the front carriage to start with, but after a reversal at Sheffield, we were in the rear carriage, and I saw the guard board (they have a crew change at Sheffield). It is this part of the journey that I would like to praise.
The guard made an announcement after leaving Sheffield. It was hard to hear as it was a busy train with a few people having to stand and the PA wasn't the loudest, but he announced that the train was slightly late running, listed all the stations the train would be calling at to Lincoln and alerted passengers to the safety information. Despite the fact the train was busy, he managed to check tickets, and he did these in a friendly way- I heard him ask some people on the opposite side of the train if the weather had been nice when leaving Retford that morning.
He continued making announcements regularly- I think he announced something about a pass at Kiverton Park (SYTPE pass possibly?) and continued checking tickets. Shortly before Retford, we moved to the rear of the train ready to leave. He announced Retford Low Level (why do Northern like to refer to it as Low Level? It isn't a separate station!) and then released the doors. Many people thanked him as they alighted, myself included, and he thanked us as well.
I remember his name- should I post it here or do you think that it isn't a good idea to do so?
It made me wonder why we give Northern Rail such a hard time. Granted, their trains are old and they are a bit short of stock, but I think they aren't doing a bad job overall. I've travelled between Retford and Sheffield about 7 times within the last 12 months, and the only bad experience was being in a packed 142 full of people who were drunk after a long day at the University of Liverpool's open day, not Northern's fault. The only other problems I've had was being in a full and standing train on a Saturday morning, again not really their fault, and coming back from Sheffield on a 153 which, as I posted a thread about, I thought Pacers are better as it was very loud, had a table missing and didn't look like it had had a proper refurbishment ever!
Going back to the positives though, the trains are generally on time for one thing. Also, the toilets seem to work as as when ever I have been stood or sat near one, I've seen people going into use them. Some TOC's struggle to do this (London Midland comes to mind!). The guards seem to be good at checking tickets as well, which is an achievement given the short distance between stops on the Sheffield to Lincoln line. As well as this, their stations generally look good now as well with new signs, waiting rooms ect. I believe Worksop station (where two of my mates boarded) has recently had a ticket office refurbishment.
Can this thread be used for members to share their positive experiences of travelling with Northern Rail? No moaning about them please as there are enough threads that have done that. I don't believe they are as bad as some people say they are. I have been impressed with them considering the difficulties they have to put up with.
Ryan