Heathrow wows, Euston moans and Rugby looks pretty
Doing it for the Tier Points
- And once again, welcome to the Tier Point Enrichment Centre
- What can you do with about three hours and a bit of sleep? (Coach, Heathrow Airport and Lounge)
- Finnair AY1332 London Heathrow to Helsinki (Business Class/A350)
- Planes, Trains, Boats and Trams – Into Helsinki and slightly beyond
- Crowne Plaza Helsinki
- A Morning walk around Helsinki
- Back to Vantaa, Finnair Non-Schengen Lounge
- Finnair AY1337 Helsinki to London Heathrow (Business Class/A350)
- Heathrow wows, Euston moans, and Rugby looks pretty
- 320 Tier Points, Done
With the aircraft docking at the far end of Heathrow Terminal 3 (where the double-deckers usually dock), it was going to be a fair old walk from the aircraft to the immigration area.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden A380.
A 10-minute walk was required, adding to the step count. I approached the immigration area and followed the signs. Knowing my passport is less than an optimal state, I headed for the manual clearance queue.
Ah down the ramp.
No need for me to visit flight connections
Towards immigration – no one stopping today.
Choose your own adventure when it comes to UK Immigration.
Getting closer.
There was some delay in this queue, as a family was having issues clearing immigration. Eventually, another agent came over to take over, and allow the queue to continue moving.
I was queried where I came in from. With the agent satisfied, I was let on my way and headed down to baggage claim.
Let us get through this luggage hot mess.
Nothing to Declare: UK Border edition
With no luggage to pick up, I headed through Customs and into the public area – completing the journey in 31 minutes or so.
From plane exit to going land side.
That’s the smoothest journey I’ve had through this airport this year. Although I had feedback some people were waiting one and half hours to get through on the same day. Consistency is something that Heathrow needs.
I made haste to the train station and tapped in to head down to the platform level
Heading to the platform, there was a 4-minute wait for an Elizabeth Line service to London Paddington.
Everything is truly coming up Millhouse here. The Transit gods are seemingly on my side.
I made my way down the platform as the train arrived. I went to my usual coach of choice (Coach 2), for the ride into town.
Sadly, the Elizabeth Line currently is split into three different bits at this time, so there is no direct connection yet between Heathrow and central London – for me, it would not matter – I would be going around the centre.
This Elizabeth line train was a true all-station stopper, including stopping at Hanwell and Acton Main Line – rare stops for me. What was impressive was that a fair few people were waiting for a train at each of the stations.
It’s almost as if you build a service, people will use it.
Funny that.
Getting off at Paddington, I decided to try to bypass the tube for a quick ride to Euston Mainline station. That was a bad idea, with about 30 people waiting for a taxi and three available taxis.
I headed back down and down to the tube. This time, I chose to take a circle line to Edgware road, changing there for an onward service to Euston, as I had my eye on the 18:05 to Birmingham.
At least the Circle line was running – an improvement on the previous trip – even if I had to change at Edgware Road.
Popping out at Euston Square station, I walked the familiar route to Euston station. With a lot of work happening for HS2, there are some changes – mainly where the taxi rank is located.
By the time I had reached the station, the 18:05 local to Birmingham had long left. I, therefore, took the opportunity to get some water from Marks and Sparks, as well as try and plan an updated route. In theory, I could get to rugby, change there, and then jump a train at rugby to Birmingham.
In theory, it’s just under 2 hours, and thus quicker than the “direct” slow train to Birmingham.
I was in the mood for a fast connection, so I went for that.
Entering the station, I did feel a hand go for my pocket. It seems the light finger brigade was out.
With a quick slap on the attempted pickpocket’s hand and a feeble sorry, I was safely away from those people who went off to find another target.
From there, it was a matter of waiting in the Euston sweat-box. There was also a chance to watch the great platform rushes that Euston is famous for.
This was on a Sunday, I should add.
Sadly, trains were running late – including the train I was waiting for. The 15-minute connection at Rugby was dropping by the minute.
Eventually, the train to Crewe was called, and for what seemed like most of the station, I went with the flow.
And yes, people were running for the train. Even on a Sunday.
I should have caught this on video.
I found a seat on the 5th car of the train, which I hoped would be close to the exit of Rugby station with a quick connection if needed.
The train left Euston station around 13 minutes late, with the connection at Rugby now cut down to two minutes. Nonetheless, I decided to press on. The worst comes to worst, I would be sitting in the evening light in Rugby.
The trains used were the Class 350/2 trains. From a nerdy perspective, these are the “inferior” Class 350 trains, as they have 3-2 seating installed on them, with no power outlets – the equivalent of sending a commuter train out mainline service.
They are also due to be returned to the lessor soon once the new trains arrive.
This has an impact – being a commuter configuration, it features a tighter 2-3 seating in some sections off the trains and no power outlets. London Northwestern does like to make life difficult for its customers some days – so much so, that a family ran out of power on their phone and lent them a power bank so they could make some emergency calls.
Sigh.
No matter. The train had a limited stopping pattern, with it stopping only at Milton Keynes Central and Rugby (for my purposes).
As such, the train operated on the ‘fast” lines that are normally reserved for the Pendolinos, as these units can reach 110mph.
Bahn.
Passing Wembley Yard.
Passing Milton Keynes, I checked on the train I would be meeting. It left Northampton on time but had met with a delay at Long Buckby. Long enough that the connection was not going to be that stressful.
The part where the West Coast Main Line and the M1 race – and the Watford Gap services.
The chance of meeting this connecting train was more positive by the second.
Arriving at Rugby station, people on the train had the same idea as me – jumping off the train, running down the ramp, turning, climbing the stairs and up to platform 1 for the connecting train.
I had plenty of time to watch the train we had come in on depart, as well as the fast Avanti West Coast train to Liverpool, go past.
Off that train goes
Avanti, my son!
Eventually, the Northampton to Birmingham train arrived. And it was busy.
One of the ex-Transpennine Express trains.
No matter. I found a seat and sat back for the journey to Birmingham, with it stopping at the majority of local stops towards Birmingham.
Again, it was an 8-carriage train, with most of the seats taken. I guess people do want to travel, no matter what train companies say.
Whilst I was on the train, I ordered a “Too Good to Go’ bag from Wasabi at New Street station – well, that would be dinner later.
Arriving at New Street station, the train was a few minutes late (not that I was objecting). I headed up the escalator and through the ticket barrier.
With that done, I went over to Wasabi to pick up my Sushi and then out of the station to the bus stop, where I had a bit of a wait for a bus.
Disappointing Sushi is… yeah.
Yes, I could have got an Uber, Ola or a cab home, but I could not be bothered. I took my time.
Eventually, a bus arrived for the short ride home.
At 21:10, I made it to the front door – the end of a good adventure.
And a lot of tier points.
Finally: 320 Tier Points – Done.
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Fantastic read and brings back memroies of London and the Midlands from long ago.
With 4 trips, you get 320 TP so far
– but are the costs not adding up for them with all the buses and rail add ons?