Stephen55a1960
Member
This trip report - first ever - two parts. Part 1 covers LDS-BHM-GLC-KMK.
I spent Easter at KMK (Kilmarnock). I wanted to get some WCML mileage in (hence the BHM-GLC leg and return). Also, I wanted to travel on a Pendolino. I like them; but I'm aware, from previous comments on these forums, some people do not.
As a passenger with a disability In a wheelchair, rail travel can be daunting. Most TOCS are very good (TPE and Scotrail are excellent in my experience). Some are not so good (VWC at Euston particularly falls into this category).
Tickets were purchased in advance from Virgin "over the phone". It was cheaper, doing it in stages. They were very helpful; and when booking was completed; sent me an email detailing the type of assistance required at each station.
Note: to anyone with a disability who may be reading this. Make sure you keep this document with you, at all times. It should help you, make a stress free journey.
Back to the trains! First off 0811 LDS-BHM 1O84. This the 0644 dep from NCL-PLY. It was terminated at BHM for Good Friday only. It was a Voyager 221 set. Didn't get the lead unit number as I had to make my way down to Coach F (Quiet Coach) at the opposite end of the train. At LDS, Northern Rail staff put you on to the train. They are actually very good here.
It was a nondescript ride, calling at Wakefield, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby; and Burton before an on time arrival at BHM. The only incident of note was the unsmiling woman with the Catering Trolley. I think I got, the impression that, she would have liked GF off?
1O84 arrived at BHM at 1024. Network Rail staff get you on and off trains at BHM . They were very efficient.
Oh my goodness me, New Street is in need of drastic refurbishment. A tatty soulless and very cold place to while away 56 minutes.
Being Good Friday, It was apparent, that lots of people were wanting to board the 11:20 to GLC. The platform soon filled up.
Whilst waiting, an unidentified Class 67 passed behind me with a Tesco container train. I have no idea where it was from or going to? An odd sight on a Good Friday. It was checked at signals North of the station. Judging by the sharp application of brakes, I 'm not sure the driver was expecting this?
1S55 EUS-GLC came into view. It was a Pendolino (390026 since you ask). Network Rail staff put me on the train in coach B (standard Class). It was very comfortable.
Again, for anyone with a wheelchair, worth noting that Network Rail use different size ramps, according to type of train (Pendolino,Voyager etc).
1S55 departed about 4 minutes late at 1124. Time to bag some mileage methinks. Called at WVH-CRE-WBQ-WGN-PRE-LAN-OXN-CAR before arriving at GLC 18 seconds early.
There was some fast running between WVH-CRE and some very fast running between Lancaster and Carlisle. The train visibly tilted. A passenger volunteered to to get a cup of tea from "The Shop". It didn't get spilt!
A couple of gripes here? One, it's a pity that they didn't have a trolley service on this train. Luckily, someone offered to get me something. Secondly, the quality of PA announcements was absolutely shocking. They were virtually inaudible where I was. It seemed like the TM was actually in a box in Euston!
The scenery between LAN and CAR is absolutely stunning. Well worth it on a good day.
Leaving Carlisle, I noticed that there was an office marked "Tile Cleaner". I didn't know Network Rail had such a position!
I have done the LDS-KMK route via CAR before. It's quite a long journey. This time It was straight up the WCML.
Good progress was made until MTH; and we seemed to be, checked for most of the way into GLC.
As I said, arrival into GLC was 18 seconds early (at 125).
Network Rail staff met me at the right time. Transfer was completed to the next connecting service.
Up next at 1542, 1A16 GLC-KMK formed of a 156 unit. I must admit, I really don't like these at all! Noisy and not very smooth running. Needs must and all that.
The train called at BRR-DNL-STT and KLM. That's Barrhead,Dunlop,Stewarton and Kilmaurs, to you and I. All of them are unstaffed.
A right time arrival of 1621 was achieved at KMK.
Second part of my travels to follow!
I spent Easter at KMK (Kilmarnock). I wanted to get some WCML mileage in (hence the BHM-GLC leg and return). Also, I wanted to travel on a Pendolino. I like them; but I'm aware, from previous comments on these forums, some people do not.
As a passenger with a disability In a wheelchair, rail travel can be daunting. Most TOCS are very good (TPE and Scotrail are excellent in my experience). Some are not so good (VWC at Euston particularly falls into this category).
Tickets were purchased in advance from Virgin "over the phone". It was cheaper, doing it in stages. They were very helpful; and when booking was completed; sent me an email detailing the type of assistance required at each station.
Note: to anyone with a disability who may be reading this. Make sure you keep this document with you, at all times. It should help you, make a stress free journey.
Back to the trains! First off 0811 LDS-BHM 1O84. This the 0644 dep from NCL-PLY. It was terminated at BHM for Good Friday only. It was a Voyager 221 set. Didn't get the lead unit number as I had to make my way down to Coach F (Quiet Coach) at the opposite end of the train. At LDS, Northern Rail staff put you on to the train. They are actually very good here.
It was a nondescript ride, calling at Wakefield, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby; and Burton before an on time arrival at BHM. The only incident of note was the unsmiling woman with the Catering Trolley. I think I got, the impression that, she would have liked GF off?
1O84 arrived at BHM at 1024. Network Rail staff get you on and off trains at BHM . They were very efficient.
Oh my goodness me, New Street is in need of drastic refurbishment. A tatty soulless and very cold place to while away 56 minutes.
Being Good Friday, It was apparent, that lots of people were wanting to board the 11:20 to GLC. The platform soon filled up.
Whilst waiting, an unidentified Class 67 passed behind me with a Tesco container train. I have no idea where it was from or going to? An odd sight on a Good Friday. It was checked at signals North of the station. Judging by the sharp application of brakes, I 'm not sure the driver was expecting this?
1S55 EUS-GLC came into view. It was a Pendolino (390026 since you ask). Network Rail staff put me on the train in coach B (standard Class). It was very comfortable.
Again, for anyone with a wheelchair, worth noting that Network Rail use different size ramps, according to type of train (Pendolino,Voyager etc).
1S55 departed about 4 minutes late at 1124. Time to bag some mileage methinks. Called at WVH-CRE-WBQ-WGN-PRE-LAN-OXN-CAR before arriving at GLC 18 seconds early.
There was some fast running between WVH-CRE and some very fast running between Lancaster and Carlisle. The train visibly tilted. A passenger volunteered to to get a cup of tea from "The Shop". It didn't get spilt!
A couple of gripes here? One, it's a pity that they didn't have a trolley service on this train. Luckily, someone offered to get me something. Secondly, the quality of PA announcements was absolutely shocking. They were virtually inaudible where I was. It seemed like the TM was actually in a box in Euston!
The scenery between LAN and CAR is absolutely stunning. Well worth it on a good day.
Leaving Carlisle, I noticed that there was an office marked "Tile Cleaner". I didn't know Network Rail had such a position!
I have done the LDS-KMK route via CAR before. It's quite a long journey. This time It was straight up the WCML.
Good progress was made until MTH; and we seemed to be, checked for most of the way into GLC.
As I said, arrival into GLC was 18 seconds early (at 125).
Network Rail staff met me at the right time. Transfer was completed to the next connecting service.
Up next at 1542, 1A16 GLC-KMK formed of a 156 unit. I must admit, I really don't like these at all! Noisy and not very smooth running. Needs must and all that.
The train called at BRR-DNL-STT and KLM. That's Barrhead,Dunlop,Stewarton and Kilmaurs, to you and I. All of them are unstaffed.
A right time arrival of 1621 was achieved at KMK.
Second part of my travels to follow!