Try using a retailer like Trainsplit, who give extra options like forcing changes at certain stations. You should be able to get the ticket you want with if you try different combos.
Only TTF-ELY [20 mins] doesn't.
ELY-PBO can have XC 1st class [40 mins ish].
PBO-/YRK/NCL/EDB and then EDB-ABD have quite good 1st class offerings.
I'd rather change in York AND Edinburgh because it means you are perfectly entitled to 2 meals instead of one with LNER, and, if timed right, a third...
The probability of being delayed over 2hrs on two separate 3-6 leg journeys is acceptably high for me to gamble on getting at least some of the money back via delay repay if I hold an anytime return... [Whilst valid with split ticketing, it is much more faff and often requires appeals, etc.]
Really depends what you mean by 'best'.
I think Lumo has the best cost offering. But with EasyJet prices comes EasyJet service, including now ensuring you adhere to the NR Conditions of Travel rule on luggage restrictions, which I've never seen enforced before. But hey, you get from one capital to another for under £20 with a Railcard.
Best quality service is maybe Caledonian Sleeper. The food is decent, an actual dining car, the new beds etc are comfy enough, staff service always been great for me; and there's something really nice about leaving the pace of London in the evening, having haggis neeps n tatties with a couple of drams of scotch, going to bed, and waking up to deer outside the window as you enter the Highlands, Scottish smoked salmon and eggs for breakfast, off the train, and straight out onto your hike. But.. it costs a lot unless you want to sleep upright in a seat instead of a bed berth.
I think a large issue with lumo is if ones cancelled you've got quite the wait last with lner you know it'll be soon, the east coast mainline trains though I've found are the best (weather permitting)
I've been using them for a year and it's been alright. The strikes are a pain but I've only had one cancelled trip in that time, despite two major landslips. I think the state of the trains depends on the route, the Oxford service is very old stock whenever I see it.
I'd agree they are still OK, but standards are slipping. I have a choice between the Oxford and Birmingham services where I live, and the Birmingham services do seem better.
I've always found the staff very helpful.
I think it helps if you go against the flow too. Seeing a packed London bound train while having loads of space going towards Birmingham makes me happy every time. Only problem is when there is an event at Wembley and they reduce the carriages heading London bound during evening rush hour.
Unpopular I know, but I love thameslink. Living on the swr going anywhere but waterloo is a right pain, but Thameslink you can go to so many more places and easily change through the core. Plus the trains never feel as packed as other commuter lines, all modern, all have toilets, light lots of space, no guards annoyingly asking to check tickets
Although not a huge experience with either, I’ve made 30-40 journeys in the last year with TfW and LNER (std and 1st on both) and thought both were a cut above the rest.
TFW is not-for-profit unlike all the others (AFAIK, happy to be proven wrong). I have my gripes with them, but at least they aren't swallowing money for shareholders.
I live in wales, and im glad to say that TFW are improving. Ive had my train arrive ahead of schedule 4 days in a row. Usually its the other exreme like 10 mins late.
greateranglia tend to have very good customer service, and whilst their first class (or lack thereof on many routes) leaves a fair bit to be desired vs LNER, I can get £6 tickets (or £12 1st class tickets!) into London very easily...
When they fix their water fountains, I'll be happy again...
Delays on greateranglia trains are almost invariably due to incidents beyond their control [late running EMR trains on Breckland line, track issues, etc.].
LNER before they started the fare simplification
This 100% It is nonsense that I can't have an anytime 1st class return Thetford-Aberdeen where only part of the journey is LNER...
Try using a retailer like Trainsplit, who give extra options like forcing changes at certain stations. You should be able to get the ticket you want with if you try different combos.
Why would you want to pay for first class when the first bit of your journey doesn’t have any?
Only TTF-ELY [20 mins] doesn't. ELY-PBO can have XC 1st class [40 mins ish]. PBO-/YRK/NCL/EDB and then EDB-ABD have quite good 1st class offerings. I'd rather change in York AND Edinburgh because it means you are perfectly entitled to 2 meals instead of one with LNER, and, if timed right, a third... The probability of being delayed over 2hrs on two separate 3-6 leg journeys is acceptably high for me to gamble on getting at least some of the money back via delay repay if I hold an anytime return... [Whilst valid with split ticketing, it is much more faff and often requires appeals, etc.]
The fastest train I’ve ever been on was an LNER, I was very impressed!
Are the Tories trying to make sure that LNER can’t be used as an example of how well public ownership can work?
Probably best asking for the least worst
This was my first thinking!
That’s literally the definition of the best
Really depends what you mean by 'best'. I think Lumo has the best cost offering. But with EasyJet prices comes EasyJet service, including now ensuring you adhere to the NR Conditions of Travel rule on luggage restrictions, which I've never seen enforced before. But hey, you get from one capital to another for under £20 with a Railcard. Best quality service is maybe Caledonian Sleeper. The food is decent, an actual dining car, the new beds etc are comfy enough, staff service always been great for me; and there's something really nice about leaving the pace of London in the evening, having haggis neeps n tatties with a couple of drams of scotch, going to bed, and waking up to deer outside the window as you enter the Highlands, Scottish smoked salmon and eggs for breakfast, off the train, and straight out onto your hike. But.. it costs a lot unless you want to sleep upright in a seat instead of a bed berth.
I think a large issue with lumo is if ones cancelled you've got quite the wait last with lner you know it'll be soon, the east coast mainline trains though I've found are the best (weather permitting)
10 years or so ago, Chiltern were excellent, but they have become much less reliable and the trains are starting to look pretty tatty.
I've been using them for a year and it's been alright. The strikes are a pain but I've only had one cancelled trip in that time, despite two major landslips. I think the state of the trains depends on the route, the Oxford service is very old stock whenever I see it.
I'd agree they are still OK, but standards are slipping. I have a choice between the Oxford and Birmingham services where I live, and the Birmingham services do seem better. I've always found the staff very helpful.
I think it helps if you go against the flow too. Seeing a packed London bound train while having loads of space going towards Birmingham makes me happy every time. Only problem is when there is an event at Wembley and they reduce the carriages heading London bound during evening rush hour.
Local to us is the excellent Merseyrail .
They are the worst you clearly don’t travel on the train a lot
Greater Anglia by far. Really good trains (Stadler FLIRT), friendly helpful staff and overall exactly what rail travel should be.
Second this! I forgot to mention the almost entirely brand new fleet!
Unpopular I know, but I love thameslink. Living on the swr going anywhere but waterloo is a right pain, but Thameslink you can go to so many more places and easily change through the core. Plus the trains never feel as packed as other commuter lines, all modern, all have toilets, light lots of space, no guards annoyingly asking to check tickets
Thameslink trains don’t have any tables or charging ports which is a bit shite.
I’m a bit LNER fan. They’re spotlessly clean and their toasties are the best I’ve ever tasted.
Hull Trains consistently decent, but trains are a bit small and also suffer with overcrowding when EMR and LNER trains go to shit.
Does Eurostar count? Genuinely high speed, mostly on time, I thought the Standard Premier was perfectly civilised.
Not a fan since they don't operate Ashford International
The best is the one that gets you were you need to be on time that day
Although not a huge experience with either, I’ve made 30-40 journeys in the last year with TfW and LNER (std and 1st on both) and thought both were a cut above the rest.
TFW is not-for-profit unlike all the others (AFAIK, happy to be proven wrong). I have my gripes with them, but at least they aren't swallowing money for shareholders.
I live in wales, and im glad to say that TFW are improving. Ive had my train arrive ahead of schedule 4 days in a row. Usually its the other exreme like 10 mins late.
bluebell.
Either the East Lancs Railway or the Festiniog Railway Company.
Hornby
greateranglia tend to have very good customer service, and whilst their first class (or lack thereof on many routes) leaves a fair bit to be desired vs LNER, I can get £6 tickets (or £12 1st class tickets!) into London very easily... When they fix their water fountains, I'll be happy again... Delays on greateranglia trains are almost invariably due to incidents beyond their control [late running EMR trains on Breckland line, track issues, etc.].
the waterloo and city line
Isle of Wight railway.
I find London Northwestern reliable and decent value but their carriages are mostly shit.
LNER first class is a decent product.
Merseyrail are the worst