Who actively prefers the "slow" train?

[nitten_travell]

I occasionally find myself travelling to/from Didcot Parkway with work. After a recent contretemps with a guard over the validity of a ticket (https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-but-what-are-they.267743/page-3#post-6774228) on the fast train from Paddington, and motivated by disruption west of Didcot Parkway causing delays and cancellations to the fast services, I took the slow train from Paddington to Didcot Parkway which stops at a variety of stations. And... the train was virtually empty. This was at 16:11 on a Tuesday just gone at Paddington.

For my return journey the "fast" platform at Didcot Parkway was heaving with people wanting to board. The "slow" train, already at platform and departing a few mins later, only had one other passenger in the carriage I chose, and he actually turned out to be the guard. Some others came and went over the course of the journey but on both occasions I had a full table to myself. The journey time for the "fast" train is ~40mins, for the "slow" is about 1h10 mins. So 30 mins difference.. but in my view very much a price worth paying for a seat and a bit of peace. I've resolved only to take the slow train to/from Didcot Parkway in the future.

However, it seems I am obviously very much the minority! I recall being at Oxford a while back and again seeing the platform rammed with people for the Paddington service, while the Marylebone service, at platform, had very few passengers. So I suppose my question is, given a choice does (or would) anyone here actively choose the fast service with its risk of crowding and standing and noise, or do people prefer the slow train where that's an option?

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I certainly prefer the classic South Eastern services than the Javelin. Far more interesting than a ride on HS1 and with more comfortable seats.

I did Chiltern not too long ago from Marylebone to Birmingham. I thought that...went on a bit.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I tend to take the stopper from Bletchley to Euston, particularly if it's the one that starts there. More chance of a seat, and northbound even if you don't get a seat on boarding a lot get off at Harrow and Watford.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I did Chiltern not too long ago from Marylebone to Birmingham. I thought that...went on a bit.

The WCML is considerably more scenic than the Chiltern line. The only bit of the Chiltern that sticks in my mind is going through High Wycombe where you're elevated above the town.

I do quite like the Aylesbury line, though, it's fairly interesting in places and it being a Tube line adds a bit of a quirk to it.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

The WCML is considerably more scenic than the Chiltern line. The only bit of the Chiltern that sticks in my mind is going through High Wycombe where you're elevated above the town.

I do quite like the Aylesbury line, though, it's fairly interesting in places and it being a Tube line adds a bit of a quirk to it.

Yes the section through High Wycombe and Saunderton was truly wonderful. The entrance into London is interesting, but The rest of it was a bit...

I travelled the route thinking it would be a pre-COVID express. I didn't realise they had got rid of the express trains. I don't think I'd be in a hurry to do Chiltern to Birmingham again. In fact, I don't think I'll be in a hurry to go to Birmingham again!

 

[xotGD]

Catching a Northern service from Leeds to Sheffield is usually a more relaxing experience than the faster Cross Country service.

 

[nitten_travell]

Yes the section through High Wycombe and Saunderton was truly wonderful. The entrance into London is interesting, but The rest of it was a bit...

I travelled the route thinking it would be a pre-COVID express. I didn't realise they had got rid of the express trains. I don't think I'd be in a hurry to do Chiltern to Birmingham again. In fact, I don't think I'll be in a hurry to go to Birmingham again!

I've just looked up, almost double the travel time... but if you got a nice seat, and knew it would plod along...
In the course of looking up I found that Chiltern has to adjust the timetable in the autumn because of leaf fall. Nothing says "I live in a nice part of the world" like the trains having to change times because where you live is too leafy. In fact, nothing says "I live in a nice part of the world" like the local golf club having its own railway station (Denham Golf Club)!

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Travelling between Guildford and Waterloo, I always much prefer catching a New Line stopper via Cobham (not so much via Epsom as it's an awfully long-winded route which drags), as opposed to the fast ex Portsmouth via Woking.

It's half an hour longer but a much more pleasant experience - better chance of a decent seat and usually virtually empty until at least Surbiton.

And in the other direction, arriving back at Guildford, it beats the scrum of trying to exit the station with a thousand other passengers through the narrow footbridge and subway when the Portsmouth train pulls in.

 

[BongoStar]

I take the slow train when coming back from Paddington after work. Largely because it allows me to have a meaningful nap and times well with my onward bus connection.

I tend to find that taking the fast train doesn't allow proper nap on train or station.

 

[RJ]

I like taking the slow Thameslink service from Horley to East Croydon and beyond, it’s often very quiet in declassified First and more pleasant than the busy fast trains or circulating via Gatwick.

Also Manchester to Leeds, I much prefer the lovely route via Todmorden on a 195 to the Transpennine route.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Gotthard.

 

[65477]

Certainly the slow train if there is a price difference - think Heathrow/Gatwick Express. Most of the so called Stansted Expresses these days are stopping trains with no price difference. Most of my travel these days is in East Anglia and I cannot think of any service where the choice is available. I am willing to catch the Elizabeth line at Shenfield to ensure a seat through central London.

 

[Farigiraf]

Generally on lines I am less familiar with I prefer taking the slower train to A: guarantee a good seat and B: understand my route/location better without having to check my phone (e.g. on the WCML I'd know that I'm somewhere between Atherstone and Nuneaton instead of somewhere between Warrington BQ and Euston). Can't stand some of the egregiously slow GA/GN stoppers that take 40 mins longer than the fast/semifast and provide little to no view though.

 

[12LDA28C]

I travelled the route thinking it would be a pre-COVID express. I didn't realise they had got rid of the express trains. I don't think I'd be in a hurry to do Chiltern to Birmingham again. In fact, I don't think I'll be in a hurry to go to Birmingham again!

Surely you had an idea of the duration of the journey and arrival time at destination before you boarded the train? What kind of train did you travel on? You'll find that the 68-hauled services are reasonably limited-stop and also feature nice comfy Mk3s.

 

[renegademaster]

I took LNWR Euston to Birmigham. The scenery of the WCML tends to loose its magic when your on a crush loaded train coming back from london in the evening

 

[12LDA28C]

I've just looked up, almost double the travel time... but if you got a nice seat, and knew it would plod along...
In the course of looking up I found that Chiltern has to adjust the timetable in the autumn because of leaf fall. Nothing says "I live in a nice part of the world" like the trains having to change times because where you live is too leafy. In fact, nothing says "I live in a nice part of the world" like the local golf club having its own railway station (Denham Golf Club)!

This is due to a 40mph TSR which is imposed on the LUL section for the duration of leaf-fall season, which has been the case for many years.

 

[yorksrob]

I certainly prefer the classic South Eastern services than the Javelin. Far more interesting than a ride on HS1 and with more comfortable seats.

I did Chiltern not too long ago from Marylebone to Birmingham. I thought that...went on a bit.

Same here. Nicer rolling stock, better scenery and more chance of a window seat.

 

[renegademaster]

Same here. Nicer rolling stock, better scenery and more chance of a window seat.

Chiltern and LNWR both compete as "cheap but slow" Birmingham shuttles. Chiltern doesnt mean enduring Euston , which is a big plus

 

[yorksrob]

Chiltern and LNWR both compete as "cheap but slow" Birmingham shuttles. Chiltern doesnt mean enduring Euston , which is a big plus

Yes, I love the reasonable walk-on fares of LNWR as well. Their trains operating out of Crewe are very comfortable also.

 

[Falcon1200]

I took the slow train from Paddington to Didcot Parkway which stops at a variety of stations. And... the train was virtually empty.

I also took the Paddington/Didcot stopper last week, en route to Oxford, because I was not in any hurry and enjoy spending time on Didcot station, my first trainspotting location (from 1972) after my home station of Oxford. While reasonably busy there was no problem getting a 4-seat bay to myself, whereas the Oxford fast trains are often extremely busy.

 

[nitten_travell]

I also took the Paddington/Didcot stopper last week, en route to Oxford, because I was not in any hurry and enjoy spending time on Didcot station, my first trainspotting location (from 1972) after my home station of Oxford. While reasonably busy there was no problem getting a 4-seat bay to myself, whereas the Oxford fast trains are often extremely busy.

I suppose for me it's a small piece of a much longer overall journey. But even if I lived in the area I still think I'd sacrifice 30 mins of speed for some comfort. But, I did not grow up and do not live in the south east of England so my life is a different pace..

 

[Grumpy Git]

Yes, I love the reasonable walk-on fares of LNWR as well. Their trains operating out of Crewe are very comfortable also.

Their £40-odd off-peak Liverpool-Euston return (with Railcard) INCLUDING a zones 1-6 travelcard are fantastic value.

 

[mickey]

However, it seems I am obviously very much the minority! I recall being at Oxford a while back and again seeing the platform rammed with people for the Paddington service, while the Marylebone service, at platform, had very few passengers.

This is a bit of a red herring though: the Marylebone train fills up significantly at Oxford Parkway (with its enormous P&R facility) and Bicester Village, while Oxford itself tends to see most people taking the faster intercity route. By Wycombe it tends to be very busy, and if something‘s on at Wembley it’ll be incredibly uncomfortable.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Not the exact same trip, but Glasgow Queen Street to Falkirk Grahamston always seems to be a more leisurely and less crowded journey than the "fast train" from Glasgow Queen Street across to Falkirk High. And an added bonus is that Falkirk Grahamston station is next to the town centre and not located at the top of a steep hill.

 

[Mr. SW]

At various times travelling through London, I have taken one of the Surface Lines rather than cramming myself onto the Piccadilly Line. OK, I had to change at places like Edgware Road, Hammersmith and Acton Town, but riding in a nice, large, airy, high-level, open carriage was worth the trundle through Ravenscourt Park and Stamford Brook. Then came S-Stock. Nice. Now with air-con. Breezy.

 

[Royston Vasey]

I used to take the semi-slow Oxfords mentioned when I lived in those parts, one of the few with off peak return validity in the evening peak, when it was a HST. I always got the feeling that it was a cosy regulars' train of people who always got that train in the same coach and were on nodding terms. The train manager would announce things like "as usual we'll be held for a few minutes here" like he knew all the passengers already knew!

These days I can often change at Hitchin or Stevenage on the way to London for an earlier arrival and never do, the stoppers are quieter and barely any slower, and by that point I'm settled in.

More than slow trains I often choose slow routes.

But when it comes to a route to Manchester, I'll always choose EMR over Avanti, to Birmingham, always XC or Chiltern over Avanti, anywhere west of London I'll take SWR and change over GWR. A few weeks ago I did Cambridge (villages) to Heathrow via Ipswich and Stratford, leaving rather earlier than necessary, and enjoyed it immensely.

My next trip to Glasgow will be via Settle and Carlisle rather than the same old East Coast.

I'm not a track or unit basher by any means, but if I can go a different and more interesting way I always will!

 

[Ken H]

Settle-Leeds I sometimes change at Skipton onto an electric. Less crowded, and I like leccy trains. There is something about the effortless speed between Shipley & Leeds. Few funny looks off the guards, mind.

 

[A S Leib]

As nice as parts of the TransPennine and Calder Valley lines can be, I prefer going via Carlisle for Newcastle – Manchester / Liverpool; better scenery and often cheaper. (I've also gone via Carlisle to get from Newcastle to Hull, but that was during the last Northern £10 newspaper deal.)

Edit: I don't think Carlisle – Preston / Wigan via Penrith can be described as a slow route, but going via Barrow's impractical for day trips (six hours from Newcastle to Manchester that way).

 

[Bikeman78]

However, it seems I am obviously very much the minority! I recall being at Oxford a while back and again seeing the platform rammed with people for the Paddington service, while the Marylebone service, at platform, had very few passengers. So I suppose my question is, given a choice does (or would) anyone here actively choose the fast service with its risk of crowding and standing and noise, or do people prefer the slow train where that's an option?

I have done the same in the Netherlands. Double decker Intercity from Haarlem towards Leiden and Dordrecht turned up full and standing. I wasn't in a rush so I boarded the Sprinter which started there and had four seats to myself. It took a few minutes longer to Leiden.

 

[Magdalia]

Going between the Fens and the London area, I rarely use the fast Kings Cross services. They are for people in a hurry, and I don't want to be one of them or travel with them!

Most morning journeys are on the Thameslink trains, which are much less crowded, more convenient and mostly no slower for the onward journeys that I'm making. I also use the Liverpool Street line, more in the evening than the morning, where I pick the 10 car trains for the extra space.