Economy Class & Beyond

Advanced Purchase Rail Tickets in the United Kingdom: How late can you leave it before travel?

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When I was travelling back from Chicago, I was in a position where I needed to get home (as 1) BA couldn't find a stand for the aircraft I was on and 2) I had missed the coach I wanted to take home). Now, there are many ways to travel, but one of the ways of cutting costs are Advance Purchase Rail Tickets - the idea is very much like airplane tickets (you choose a train that … [Read more...]

Gatwick Express to resume operations from 3rd April

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It seems that traffic is picking up enough that Gatwick Express - the operator of the direct train between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport is set to return from the 3rd of April.   Gatwick Express service passing Clapham Junction - Image, Economy Class and Beyond Services were first suspended on 30 March 2020 as the pandemic took hold and passenger numbers at the … [Read more...]

Ouigo Vitesse Classique prepares to start operations

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SNCF's Ouigo operation is expanding, with its Vitesse Classique operation getting ready to start operations on the 11th of April. What can you expect? Corail coaches and broken nose trains. Starting 11th April - Image Ouigo/SNCF. Some of you know might know Ouigo, which currently operates high-speed trains in France, is akin to a low-cost operation. The Vitesse … [Read more...]

TRAIN CHECK: The joy of CrossCountry Trains and their sometimes hourly service (and oh. Football supporters too)

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Once again, I had the "joy" of CrossCountry Trains again a few weekends ago and unsurprisingly, on a shoot to Manchester to work with a model for some photos for the holidays and beyond. I've skipped driving long distances since my accident, but there are times where I thought "I should have driven". This was one of these times. Booking As is common for me at the … [Read more...]

Avanti West Coast to implement massive cuts next week

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Avanti West Coast (the rail operator which plies services from London Euston) is making massive cuts temporarily to its timetable. The train company is putting the revised timetable in between 7 January and 25 February,  due to staff shortages that they are experiencing.  In summary, the train company plans to operate the following: Hourly Service … [Read more...]

Rail fares in England to rise by 3.8% from March

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Words that always make me grimace are "Rail Fare" and "rises". Well, the Department of Transport (who are bringing you Zero Air Passenger Duty on flights), are allowing fare rises - capping rises at 3.8% CrossCountry Voyager, Avanti Pendolino and a Transpennine Express Desiro at Manchester Piccadilly - expect the fares on these to jump - Image, Economy Class and … [Read more...]

HS2 announces the winner of its rolling stock tender….

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Whilst still controversial, and sliced and diced, HS2 Limited has announced the winner of who will build rolling stock for its new line operating out of London Euston And it’s a consortium of Alston and Hitachi Rail who will be building the new trains. The Hitachi-Alstom High Speed) 50/50 joint venture has signed contracts with High Speed Two to design, build, … [Read more...]

Eurostar trials facial recognition for contactless travel

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As we continue to move away from paper tickets and such, contactless travel is the current buzzword. iProov and Eurostar have launched a trial to Provide Contactless Travel at London St Pancras International The new service "SmartCheck" went live on 6th December. The SmartCheck service enables passengers to complete secure ticket verification and UK exit check on … [Read more...]

TRAIN CHECK: CrossCountry Trains Birmingham to Manchester – Is there enough capacity in the system?

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Time for a transport check to see how mad things are in the world, as I turn my eye to CrossCountry Trains on a Trip to Manchester. And how in some cases, if building it, they will come - but at what price passenger comfort? Booking I took the 10:57 from Birmingham New Street to Manchester Piccadilly. I booked this the day before, with split-ticketing enabled (saving … [Read more...]