You apologized at one point for the lack of exciting scenery and thanked us for sticking with the video, but that’s not necessary. Everything is an adventure on your channel! And in perspective, we get highlights from an amazing train journey in under 25 minutes on this episode. 😉 You’re the one who takes the hit, with the worn seats and little legroom. Thank you for another great adventure!
Hi Steve. Would like to say a great big thank you for entertaining my wife. She, well, both of us really enjoy watching your adventures. But due to her health, she will no longer enjoy your adventures as she is close to ending this life adventure and moving on to the adventure that comes next. She spoke about your trips with excitement and dreams of following your footsteps for some of them. Thanks Steve. Keep up the great work and thank you for making my wife very happy while struggling through health issues.❤
My wife died of pancreatic cancer a few months back. I know what you're going through. There's no words that can be said other than look after your self and remember the time before she was ill which is hard to start with as those memories of her last days will at first stick strongly in the mind. That will change over time. You will be facing a strange new future. Stay strong and you'll be ok. My heart felt thoughts are with you.
@rosskesava thank you. It is now just over a year since she died and we are coping the best we can. It's funny how things happen. I just began watching Steve again and the you pop up with a message. I am sad to hear about your loss. All I can say is. It will get easier, not perfect, but easier. Thanks for reaching out. And you are correct. The last days do stick in the mind, difficult days for everyone, but the pictures around the house remember the good times. Take care.
Loved it. The journey took me through many of the places I visited in 1973 as a 21 year old hitch hiker, passed through Birmingham my birthplace, and then to Devon where I grew up as young child. It was really nice to come along with you, sparked many warm memories. We lived in a little village called Poughill in Devon, also lived in a rural location called Puddington Bottom. LOL. Then we left and emigrated to Australia in 1959, took a steam train to London and boarded our ship the SS Orion for a 6 week voyage to a new life. Now living in New Zealand and would love to come back to UK to see these places. Thank you so much Steve. Best wishes from NZ
@@AnthonyRooney-be2tx It was almost 6 weeks, we disembarked in Brisbane the last stop of the big cities and each of the others we stopped for at least a good day or two, and I believe we were held up in Melbourne for some reason, union strike maybe, also had to stop west of Fremantle to assist another ship SS Himalaya which had lost a propeller. It was a slow trip but I didn't care it was good fun.
Crossing the Tamar into Cornwall is always special for me being Cornish. I feel the Spirit of Cornwall entering my body even on the train as it enters Saltash. My spirits are also raised when I see the Cathedral at Truro, and arriving home into Penzance when I see St Michael's Mount. Best part of any journey westwards.
Absolutely love your videos Steve! If the scenery lags, you always make up the difference with your self-effacing sense of humour and friendly nature. Of course, seldom does the scenery lag!!
I used to travel from Kirkcaldy to Edinburgh every day on that train and was often sorely tempted just to stay on it and go down to Penzance - all the places in the south sounded so exotic. It was good to see but I am glad I flew down when I did eventually visit Cornwall!
Me too, as a homesick Englishman I wish I could have ridden it back to Yorkshire some days. Now I'm back here, I have a strong desire to ride the train back to Kirkcaldy
Travelling on the same train bdtween A and B, and It avoids you having to go through London and having to use 2 London terminal stations, and so not on the same train. People think that the Crosscountry train takes too long, but going through London takes even longer and it's a real drag.
Well done Steve. I liked this production, 40 stops; amazingly long and your patience was well displayed. I will see some more of your work later. Keep producing.
I love that you include details such as date of travel - living in Australia it's nice to get an idea of what the scenery looks like & the weather at certain times of the year. Thanks Steve
I went to a wedding (not far from Birmingham) on the previous Saturday and it was one of the hottest days of the year (32 degrees). We were sitting outside drinking at midnight! September in Britain can be lovely as the kids are back at school and travelling around is much easier.
@@geoffbuckley8637that’s what it’s like for us Christmas and New Years Eve in Australia. Nearly always warm and sunny, or even hot every year. I’ve never had a cold Christmas or New Years in my life 😊 and often it’s a stinking hot day.
Toilet humour, plus loads of informative chat throughout. Millions of people make TH-cam videos; nobody else's inspire me to travel like yours do. Brilliant as always. 👏
Don't forget those wet wipes permanently in your pocket , ready to clean train windows for better photos ? Cider & crisps = appx 200-300% mark up on a Tesco price. Any plans to visit NW Wales ? Gwynedd ?
Thanks for the video Steve. I often get this train from Edinburgh to Bristol and can confirm that Cross Country rail are the worst train operator in the UK, the trains are always so filthy and cramped!
.....these journeys are a wonderful reminder to me as a kid, travelling with my Mum to London. I cant remember swinging a cat in a train toilet though. 😂
I like it that we don't just get the view, but what it is. I'd do 1st class and never mind the price, but that's me. But getting proper eats if there's no proper buffet car is a good suggestion.
Strangely fascinating and engaging. All down to the way Steve literally takes us on a personal journey with his wonderful low key presentation skills and expert editing and production.
Just discovered your channel. Brilliant films, thanks for all the effort you put in. My 4 yr old son is currently obsessed with trains and all thing Scottish, so I'll running this by him in the morning.
Steve, I left the UK in 1982, but as a Scotsman with connections to Cornwall (just up the road from Penzance at Praa Sands) I have to say I loved this video. Thank you for all your efforts. Hope you succeed with your youtube endeavours. Somebody should snap you up and get you on the telly.
Dedication to keeping people on TH-cam entertained. I don't know why, but this route is on my bucket list of things to do. Whether I can cope with being on the train for 13 hours is another thing but, I'd give it a go. You're a brave man travelling Cross Country Rail as well. That deserves a crisp high five!
I remember being on that train route many years ago getting on at Burton & getting off at Plymouth as a scared 17 year old kid joining the navy. Some good memories there mate.
A tip if you plan a train journey this long (and expensive) again: An Interrail-Global-Pass will cost you 258 € for four days, which includes two travel-days within your home country. As ticket prices in the UK might be THIS expensive, to me it seems worth considering this option. On top you get a free yourney back home.
I know people who hate the voyager trains but at least they’re comfortable in standard class. One thing about doing the whole journey is you could fall asleep & not worry about missing your stop. Look forward to your trips every Saturday. 😊
I'd prefer many a trains standard class over the Voyager tbh. The times I have managed to get a seat, they have been ok, but I'd say your work a day sprinter train is more comfortable. Times where the train is packed, it impossible, unless you find a spot on an bit empty luggage rack, but usually I find my self playing sardines, next to a smelly toilet.
Amazing to see this! I commute during the week via train from Redruth to Penzance. It's only about a 25 minute journey. Once a week, I have to go a little earlier than normal and, when I do, a CrossCountry train typical turns up at the northbound platform with an LED display that reads: "Penzance To Aberdeen". I thought I was seeing things at first, as I couldn't quite believe that the service existed. Now I just tend to look at the people inside and think to myself, "You poor b*stards...."
My family and I love to sit together and watch your videos Steve. You have a real talent for producing these interesting videos and have given us so many tips and ideas for our own travels. Thank you from 3 big fans 😊
Steve, you’ve done it again. With your commentary and editing, you made the trip as interesting as the destination! Also seems like you used your time on board making plans for future videos…a bonus for all of us! Cheers and ATB!
13.5 hours is just the beginning of the trip for me!! I love train travel. I am an avid Amtrak traveler in the US. My favorite ride has been 48 glorious hours on Amtrak. And Amtrak is notorious for being late. But us “Amtrak-ers” take it all in stride and look at it as even more time to spend on the train! 😊
Just seeing this journey on 7/2/24. Thanks very much Steve. Knowing that you didn't have to go anywhere near London to change or anything, was brilliant! This alone may be worth going all the way to at least Berwick upon Tweed from say, Cambridge, just to do this route! And to be honest, we must count ourselves lucky that there is such a train that actually goes cross country without virtually any hassle, to a place like lovely Cornwall. Thanks again. 🙋🇨🇮🏴😃
I would love to make a trip like this one. I am retired and you could make a nice four day weekend. I am a retired school teacher so on the way back a stop in the maritime museum would be perfect. Thanks for the video. It gives me ideas of interesting things to do when I come to the UK.
As an American living in Japan and moving to Poland next week, I’m not sure how I found this video about traveling by train cross-country in the UK.. but I’m glad I did! Something to maybe eventually add to my own bucket list. Ta!
Cross country is the name of the train company. It is a sort of budget company in the same way as Ryan air is to air travel. There are other companies that do the route that Steve travelled but they are more expensive.
@@allano937 correct, although Cross Country is the only one doing the entirety of it. But you can piece together the entire trip with other operators with probably more comfortable rolling stock (I find Cross Country too cramped, good for just a few stops), but to use it without changes, they are the only ones.
Thank you for sharing the complete journey from Aberdeen to Penzanze. I have travelled on Cross Country between York & Plymouth- 6 hours long. I love the journey. I've not tried the on board WiFi but signal can be shockingly bad, so like you would definitely suggest downloading some movies, TV programmes, audio books, etc for the journey.
A 12 hour journey, wracked with travel sickness, from Paddington to St Austell, started my love affair with the combustion engine. I drove back in a Ford Fiesta formerly owned by a Bodmin pig farmer. Thank you for doing this so I never have to. And you are sitting backwards, too. It probably improves the filming, but I would last 30 seconds before needing the sick bag.
@@steve-marsh Now Laos has a railway linking China and Thailand Aberdeen to Singapore by rail is possible,might take a tad longer than 13 hours though.
When you got on the voyager, like an instinct the smell just wafted through my nose. I have no idea how they have such a "unique" smell. Well done on doing the trip for the rest of us!
The retention tanks on the 220s and 221s are where they are because of the need to fit in the tilt equipment. 220s never had tilt but the tanks went there anyway. After the first few years none of XCT's 221s tilted either, but the kit was 'permanently isolated' rather than spend (a lot of) money on removing it. AWC's smaller fleet of 221s still tilt (as they must do to keep time), but they've spent more on refurbs and keeping the smells in. MML's very similar 222s were designed non-tilt from the start and have tanks in a better space.
Well done you, stuck on a train for that long in just second class chairs is a feat on it's own.. I love the part of England around Plymouth and Penzance.. It indeed feels like a completely different experience of what England has to offer.. Defo an amazing part of the UK.. As usual a very enjoyable video Steve.. 💚
WOW Steve, 72,000 plus views! Great stuff and best travel reports: down to earth, informative, quality filming and humour. What’s not to like and looking forward to your next adventure.
Love this video Steve as I've had to make a similar trip from Glasgow to Plymouth. I have to say it's a shame you never got the chance to ride one of the last HST trains that cross country were running then on the Aberdeen- Penzance line. Oh and as a helpful tip for more train travel, there's an App called Seat Frog that can access some cheap first-class upgrades for a more comfy journey at a reasonable cost. it's how I managed to make my journey bearable. upgrades were like £35 for the whole journey and can be used on split tickets too.
Thanks so much for the tip! I need to get that downloaded right now! Even if it had only been for a short leg of the journey, it'd have been nice to experience first!
Think I would prefer your 14 hour sea journey from Aberdeen to Lerwick Steve,even with possible rough weather. At least you can get food. Usually a 5 car set for this journey, can you imagine the crush when it is a 220 and not a 221. Catering not even worth considering and first class complementary( insulting) offerings aren’t worth bothering with even if they arrive. You passed a now sadly departed HST sets, the comfort levels on those compared with the 220/221 sets is chalk and (mouldy) cheese. Now XC has withdrawn its 6 great faithful sets, the occasional 8/9 car sets will be reduced on the NE/SW routes to 4 or 5 cars from 7 carriages, more overcrowding. But what am I complaining about, XC only have a handful of services, and none in the late evening which stop at Chesterfield, so the only reliable? way is EMR to Derby and coming back on an evening service from the SW necessitates a 40 minutes wait at Derby to cover the last 23 miles home. You wanted to know what people thought of XC, how does C..P fit.
@@artfuldodger4850 I used to use this service between chesterfield and Leeds most weekends, back when the voyagers were brand new. They weren't great then. I always wondered how many people were going end to end, as that portion in the middle gets really overcrowded. At times I used to jump on the stopper services and change at sheffield, which came just after the XC service if the XC service was packed to the brim. It took longer, but it was worth it to maintain my sanity. Eventually Northern introduced a Nottingham to Leeds service stopping at chesterfield, so I just started getting that instead. It was a longer journey by about 20 minutes, but even on the dreadful Pacer unit they occasionally used, it was better than the perpetual toilet fluid stink on the voyager!
Hi Steve...Liverpool Kev here...Bless you for making such an effort for us to experience such a mammoth journey....I bought a feeble old persons Railcard ...almost precisely to the second that Lockdown scuppered using it..(no they refused any refund)...views from the big windows great...but modern trains are just so soulless?...When I was working in business a few years back it was such a relief to travel 1st class from Liverpool to Euston and back when I could afford it...Thanks Steve again.....I was so pleased your comfy hotel so close...as ever....Liverpool Kev
Thanks for taking us along on your journey. My ancestry is mostly from the UK, including Scotland, and this is probably the only chance I'll get to see the sights. Thanks again Steve!
Great vid, as always. I hope you do a video on Taunton - I was born in West Somerset, so have an affection for all things Somerset (and West Country), despite my Scottish descent and heritage. Went to university in Exeter in the 1960s. Anyway, Steve, your resilience in travelling the whole of that Cross Country route is amazing!
You definitely accomplished your goal of clipping all of this together to make an interesting video . Once again, Fantastic stuff keep up the great content !
Hi Steve. I travelled from Leeds to Glasgow on Cross Country train about 5 hours and I found them pretty good. You were very good traveling the length of the country, bet it looked fairly exiting stopping of at 40 stations, I would love to do that. Keep the videos coming Steve, they are an inspiration to me an 80 year old pensioner living on my own. It helps pass the time on. Cheers Steve.
Enjoyable and iam going to do the same trip , but I start off from stevenage and up to Aberdeen and then down the same route as you . Looking forward to it .
Thanks Steve for taking (enduring) this journey for us. Living near and working in Aberdeen it has always tempted me to get a ticket for this train. You passed my current house in Laurencekirk and my home town of York on the way. It looked like a pretty pleasant trip. The balloons at Bristol should definitely be on your bucket list, but remember you might need a head for heights 😂.
Loved it, loved it, loved it! You know I love train trips. Were I affluent enough, this would be one that I would go on. Long enough to have a good feeling for the country and no changes. I'm not much for walking. In case you haven't figured that out yet. I would love to see Leeds. From what I could see of it, it looked very beautiful. There are a lot of beautiful towns along the route. Can't wait to see you and Alicja in the hot air balloons. Say hi for me. Be well, stay safe, journey far, love from Texas.
It's an insane trip that has to be done. I did this in 2019 and paid a little over £200 for advanced first class. Don't ask the price of getting to London, the sleeper to Aberdeen, and getting back from Penzance to Fareham. I did have a cracking day in Aberdeen though, found a great pub, and stayed in a great hotel right opposite Aberdeen station.
@@Frenchwine15 you mean Roma St in Brisbane to Cairns? I did this trip in the opposite direction in 2020, and all in seat.....yikes! Actually doing a lovely journey in the cabin next month from Longreach- Brisbane (Roma St)- can't wait!
Avoiding going through London if you don't need to go to London is great. Long may Cross Country continue, even though I've never travelled on the Croes Country train.
Ahhh, Montrose. Visited there in late summer 1983. Was travelling on a merchant ship with a broken engine. Beautiful little town, amazing natural beach. Two young gentlemen showed me and my friend the sights of the town. Lovely people. I must visit again.
A long old journey that. I rarely use Crosscountry but i used to get those Voyagers between Brockenhurst and Bournemouth when they first came into service under Virgin Trains and those radio pods between the seats did used to work!
@@steve-marsh it was the usual radio stations but the first channel was Virgin Radio. As a young cool student I tended to select Radio 1. They probably don’t work anymore because it was installed before the advent of DAB. Or maybe Cross Country realise that now we all have music on our phones they don’t need to bother maintaining it anymore!
Great video Steve and I must say you are a brave man to spend 13 hours on a train. I would have probably lasted 3 hours max. Next challenge the longest flight lol. Thanks Steve
Great video and yes, it IS an achievement to spend 13 hours sitting in a train which goes from Scotland to Cornwall and to make such an interesting film. (A few years ago a father and his teenage son made the same journey and were asked by staff at Aberdeen station "Will you be taking medication at the other end?") My personal favourite is the section between Exeter and Newton Abbot, where the train runs right next to the sea - stunningly beautiful scenery.
Been a big fan of your videos for a long time. I have revisited this one, because my partner and I are doing Birmingham to Aberdeen on the cross country in two weeks. We are very lucky though as I was given two 1st class tickets as compensation for basically abandoning me at Newport last year. Will give you a wave as we go through Montrose :)
Its Saturday night here in Oz and bang on time a video from Steve, always makes my weekend and even better it was of a journey I hope to do soon. As always great filming and great scenery am looking forward to doing this even more now. As always all the best to you and yours and I am looking forward to the next video already, stay safe and well, cheers.
Nice one! I made an attempt at this back in April, but some issues on the track near Gloucester meant that the train was delayed so much that it needed to terminate in Plymouth. I did spend a memorable 30 mins on the platform there with Argyle supporters who had just seen their club win promotion 😂
I used to get the train from Exeter to Edinburgh and then the bus down to Galashiels where I was at the Scottish College of Textiles. It was like being on the Transiberian railway. For a change I drove my Mini up to Scotland and back. The journey wasn’t much better!
I have Scottish family members in the bridge of allen years ago.they used to put the car aswell as themselves on a sleeper train. Since covid I'm scared of confined spaces I like my car
Earlier in the year I did Aberdeen to Newquay in about 13hours. Last flight to Heathrow, and then first flight to Newquay next day. It was quite civilised with the hotel stay in the middle. One week later, FlyBE went bust, again. A real shame since their tickets were fairly decent. Writing this comment in Tonsberg, Norway. 8 days from now: Aberdeen to Germany via Esbjerg.
My experience on that train is limited to what I witnessed also with other passengers - that is - we were all doing segments. For viewers who are unaware - neither on-board staff, nor drivers, go further than a single region. It would be nice to know how many crewe changes took place en route. I think our friend Steve deserves a medal - my flight to South America is shorter!!!!!!
I'd love to see this as a race... Aberdeen to Penzance. One team flying from Aberdeen to Bristol/Newquay then buses the rest of the way vs the train direct. Also every Cross Country Train just looks.... Well used
Thanks a lot Steve. It's trip I have done my self and found it extremely tiring as I was not filming and had the equivalent of a broken ankle I was picked up by the guy I was visiting to pick up a guitar he had made for me. So I spent a few days in a wooden chalet opposite Saint Michael's mount in cold january and had a terrible journey home having to change trains at least three times.
Steve, I have just watched this train journey from another traveller and it was not a patch on yours. I find that your video style is spot on. I always watch your videos as they appear on TH-cam and you've never shown a bad one yet. Keep up the good work. John, a Leither, living in Edinburgh.
I see this was a video you made before feeling unwell Steve, I was never a lover of long train journeys myself, you always make them interesting and informative, never boring, I’m thinking Gregg’s should pay you a commission every time you promote their products though 😅 I have enjoyed the passing scenery although very fleeting, I just wish I had your stamina to endure such an undertaking of over 13hours journey in one go, but I thinks thats nothing compared to some of your journeys Steve. take care until next time 👍
Thanks Bernice! I have a couple more epic journeys from this wee trip to come :) I really fancied an M&S that morning, but Greggs was all that was open :D
Hi Steve, I've never really thought about it before, but it must be quite hard to make a video about a journey not only of that length, but also the great variation in the landscapes and uses that it traverses; and you've done well with your theme of tidal waters and the bridges that cross them, among others. I actually did an even longer version of this journey way back when I qualified for a young person's railcard - and, as I'll qualify for a senior one in nine months' time, you'll appreciate it wasn't yesterday... It was in fact when it started in Elgin at 0549, and so stopped at Keith, Huntly, Insch, Inverurie and Dyce before it even arrived at Aberdeen! It was operated by one of the then fairly new HSTs - the last of which were retired by Cross Country only very recently; and of course it was also in the days when we had proper buffet/griddle cars... Since that time I have generally avoided Cross Country trains as, being a bit bigger than you are, I find the Voyagers unfit for purpose - especially since the reduction in catering to just a trolley... I notice you tend to travel light and so I wonder if you even noticed the adequacy or otherwise of the luggage accommodation on the train? The overhead racks seem especially shallow given the possible over-reliance upon them, don't you think? And presumably, as you didn't mention it, there were no problems with the toilets? Only from what I can gather, even after all these years of use, it's not at all unusual for most of them to lock themselves out of use during longer journeys... And that busy section. Hmm. What are your thoughts? Regional express services from say, Sheffield to Bristol calling at fewer stops than the existing local services, and timed to run just behind the longer distance trains, in order it could run fast between Sheffield and Derby, Birmingham, Cheltenham & Bristol Parkway? It might not make a lot of difference to the overall timings, but it would certainly be more comfortable for the longer distance traveller! Personally, I'd suggest these would be decent trains to run on routes such as Glasgow - Aberdeen, or possibly even on a through Edinburgh - Wick service, that reverses at both Inverness and Thurso, once the Inter City 7 sets have had their day - preferably with a Lumo-style food pre-ordering service at Inverness or somewhere similar, as a full day just on sandwiches and cold pies isn't really that much fun. Perhaps they could even investigate the provision of drinks machines with a card payment facility, too? You reckon Taunton is an interesting place to visit? Really? I'd combine it with somewhere else if I were you: Bridgwater, perhaps, as the two of them do have a fair bit in common!
Careful now! I have worked in Bridgwater for 35 years. The pigeons fly upside down as they don't want to make a mess on our pristine town! And whereas Taunton was once the proud County Town, I am sad to say that it has lost much of its prestige over the last 15/20 years. @@bignosemac1
I've heard about the Elgin one! :) It is really tricky in unfamiliar territory filming as I tend to miss so much, maybe that's why the video was 'Scotland heavy' as I knew where sights would be! The busy section really was a challenge, but I was ready for it and even managed a wee nap there!
To be honest, there's Lindisfarne and Alnmouth in Northumberland, Durham, The Vale of White Horse to the north of York, the twisted spire in Chesterfield and really not very much else of note until you hit Bristol, other than what you did include, so you're were probably just as well sleeping that busy bit away!@@steve-marsh
I always enjoy the approach to New Street as the Birmingham skyline hones into view, complete with the currently being built 'HS Three-Quarters'. Then the section leaving New Street through all of the tunnels and a few miles next to the canal, then of course the drop down the Lickey Incline. @@paulharvey9149
I was really hoping that you were staying at the Longboat and I wasn't disappointed! The bar has a great, cosy feel and the breakfast is pretty good too. That journey just shows how much of this small island there's still to see. 👏
You had some lovely light crossing the river. I was envious looking out at my grey sky and clouds down south. There is something lovely to see a changing landscape outside your window.
Well done Steve! Hell of an achievement 😁 I'm considering doing something like that next year, but travelling by bus which comes after doing Edinburgh to London earlier in the year in two days 😁
I've always wondered whether you'd do this journey and now I have my answer! 😂 I'm guessing the 'early celebration' drink has something to do with a birthday milestone? 😏
10:32 Disclaimer: No cats were harmed in the making of this video. Lovely scenery, especially the shots at dusk. Thanks for enduring this for us, and glad to hear you're getting over that cold.
13 hours on an XC Voyager, in standard, facing backwards? That is an achievement! On a serious note, really engaging video - thanks for sharing the journey :) subscribed
I'm reluctant to travel facing forwards unless it's to avoid bright sunshine. Also, if perchance I allow myself to doze off, a sudden stop is only going to cause me pain if something or someone facing forwards is projected towards me.
I love a good train journey but I'm not sure I'd want to do 13.5 hours in one day - well done! Some great scenery and good to know it can be done. I got a Britrail pass on my visit to UK last year and I think I'd do it again
how many different train crews and drivers did you have? it's amazing to think that without people like you this train would be the only constant from Aberdeen to Penzance with no-one else being on at the start or finish.
Six drivers, based at Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and Plymouth, who all have to have detailed, current and signed for route knowledge for their section of the route. The train overnights in Edinburgh and 'shuttles' in the morning to Aberdeen and back with an Edinburgh driver. At Penzance it goes back to overnight at Plymouth with a Plymouth driver. The conductor and catering crew work a different pattern involving less changes, I think. It doesn't always operate the full length, Edinburgh or Dundee and Plymouth being the terminus stations.
@@gordonsinclair9947 interesting info thanks, as someone from Gloucester I'm always a bit bitter that they refuse to stop here citing the time penalty, but always think it's nonsense considering it impacts on hardly anyone on the train.
@@vinniesuperstar8923 Sentiment understood, but each Gloucester call costs at least 12min and XCT puts enough padding into its schedules already. Even post-Covid, a fair chunk of passengers are commuting or on business so fast journey times are still very important especially on the core sections like Birmingham-Bristol. If BR InterCity listened all those years ago when the council built Trier Way, today there'd be a station on the avoiding line with a 5min shuttle bus journey!
I've always been tempted to do this route but to do it justice like you did, I'd have to do Cupar to Aberdeen first, which feels slightly excessive. Plymouth does look good. I've never been that far south (in the UK) but I really want to see the bridges over the Tamar.
thanks for that.. I used to live for a time in Exeter so it was nice to see the coast dawlish Tynemouth ..... Have a safe journey back .. Regards Alan...Now living in Isla Margarita Venezuela... Best climate for my age....Sunny every day !
Thank you so much for that wonderful trip , I had promised myself to travel the UK by train , I did manage quiet a few trips before having to retire early in the West of Ireland , now I shall hop on board from my armchair , Thank you so much.
Superb! Great commentary with clarity and humour; non-intrusive muzak and lots of wonderful scenery. It reminded me of my journey to Penzance from Leeds 5 years ago. At Plymouth, I thought I hadn't locked my house up! Panic! Was about to purchase a ticket back home when I traced a neighbour, asked her to try my doors and thankfully found they were secure! Got to Penzance an hour late but relieved! If you visit Plymouth, visit the Gin 'factory' where the Mayflower explorers stayed on their last night in England. And try the Navy Gin too! Thanks!
I used to use this train a few years ago, travelling between Aberdeen (work) and Totnes (South Devon, home). It seemed to me that most people using the service were using it to travel a relatively short distance, probably as a commuter service, so at every station in the English Midlands and NE there were a lot of people getting off and on at each station. You’re right that it’s not the most comfortable of trains, with the carriages no doubt built for short-distance commuting. I used to find the journey quite tedious! I also remember one time travelling between St Andrews and Totnes I decided to fly from Edinburgh to Bristol, and I swear that the train I travelled on between Leuchars (St Andrews) and Inverkeithing (for Edinburgh airport) was the same Penzance train I picked up many hours later again in Bristol for the final leg of my journey to Totnes. Flying isn’t necessarily any quicker!
You apologized at one point for the lack of exciting scenery and thanked us for sticking with the video, but that’s not necessary. Everything is an adventure on your channel! And in perspective, we get highlights from an amazing train journey in under 25 minutes on this episode. 😉 You’re the one who takes the hit, with the worn seats and little legroom. Thank you for another great adventure!
Hey Gabriele I really appreciate that :)
Could not have agreed more .
@@steve-marshwe love that you think of us ❤ be assured we are happy to plod alongside you
Thanks so very much for the train trip Steve. Your a champ.👌
Great video Steve. l really enjoyed the journey with you. Thank you.
Hi Steve. Would like to say a great big thank you for entertaining my wife. She, well, both of us really enjoy watching your adventures. But due to her health, she will no longer enjoy your adventures as she is close to ending this life adventure and moving on to the adventure that comes next.
She spoke about your trips with excitement and dreams of following your footsteps for some of them.
Thanks Steve. Keep up the great work and thank you for making my wife very happy while struggling through health issues.❤
An absolute pleasure and thank you so much for posting the comment, thinking of you both!
@@steve-marsh ❤️
My wife died of pancreatic cancer a few months back. I know what you're going through. There's no words that can be said other than look after your self and remember the time before she was ill which is hard to start with as those memories of her last days will at first stick strongly in the mind. That will change over time. You will be facing a strange new future. Stay strong and you'll be ok. My heart felt thoughts are with you.
@rosskesava thank you. It is now just over a year since she died and we are coping the best we can.
It's funny how things happen. I just began watching Steve again and the you pop up with a message.
I am sad to hear about your loss. All I can say is. It will get easier, not perfect, but easier.
Thanks for reaching out. And you are correct. The last days do stick in the mind, difficult days for everyone, but the pictures around the house remember the good times.
Take care.
She asked me to write a book about care. I have started
I came across your videos completely unintentionally but I'm glad I did. Very informative. I am now living my life vicariously through your videos.
Me too. Now it's kinda addictive. Esp the ferry rides.
Loved it. The journey took me through many of the places I visited in 1973 as a 21 year old hitch hiker, passed through Birmingham my birthplace, and then to Devon where I grew up as young child. It was really nice to come along with you, sparked many warm memories. We lived in a little village called Poughill in Devon, also lived in a rural location called Puddington Bottom. LOL.
Then we left and emigrated to Australia in 1959, took a steam train to London and boarded our ship the SS Orion for a 6 week voyage to a new life. Now living in New Zealand and would love to come back to UK to see these places. Thank you so much Steve. Best wishes from NZ
Did your ship take 6 weeks to get to Australia?
@@AnthonyRooney-be2tx It was almost 6 weeks, we disembarked in Brisbane the last stop of the big cities and each of the others we stopped for at least a good day or two, and I believe we were held up in Melbourne for some reason, union strike maybe, also had to stop west of Fremantle to assist another ship SS Himalaya which had lost a propeller. It was a slow trip but I didn't care it was good fun.
Crossing the Tamar into Cornwall is always special for me being Cornish. I feel the Spirit of Cornwall entering my body even on the train as it enters Saltash. My spirits are also raised when I see the Cathedral at Truro, and arriving home into Penzance when I see St Michael's Mount. Best part of any journey westwards.
Absolutely love your videos Steve! If the scenery lags, you always make up the difference with your self-effacing sense of humour and friendly nature. Of course, seldom does the scenery lag!!
I remember as a young Merchant Seaman travelling from Euston to Stranraer on steam trains for 12 or 14 hours! Great vid. Steve. Cheers from Oz.
Cheers Jim!
I used to travel from Kirkcaldy to Edinburgh every day on that train and was often sorely tempted just to stay on it and go down to Penzance - all the places in the south sounded so exotic. It was good to see but I am glad I flew down when I did eventually visit Cornwall!
Some familiar views of Burntisland then 😛
Me too, as a homesick Englishman I wish I could have ridden it back to Yorkshire some days. Now I'm back here, I have a strong desire to ride the train back to Kirkcaldy
I find this amazing, how far the one train travels all day every day, never complains and just works, what a unit. love the vid, thanks for posting
Travelling on the same train bdtween A and B, and It avoids you having to go through London and having to use 2 London terminal stations, and so not on the same train.
People think that the Crosscountry train takes too long, but going through London takes even longer and it's a real drag.
Well done Steve. I liked this production, 40 stops; amazingly long and your patience was well displayed.
I will see some more of your work later.
Keep producing.
I love that you include details such as date of travel - living in Australia it's nice to get an idea of what the scenery looks like & the weather at certain times of the year. Thanks Steve
A pleasure Gillian :)
I went to a wedding (not far from Birmingham) on the previous Saturday and it was one of the hottest days of the year (32 degrees). We were sitting outside drinking at midnight! September in Britain can be lovely as the kids are back at school and travelling around is much easier.
@@geoffbuckley8637that’s what it’s like for us Christmas and New Years Eve in Australia. Nearly always warm and sunny, or even hot every year. I’ve never had a cold Christmas or New Years in my life 😊 and often it’s a stinking hot day.
Toilet humour, plus loads of informative chat throughout.
Millions of people make TH-cam videos; nobody else's inspire me to travel like yours do.
Brilliant as always. 👏
Well done Steve. A definite day expedition, I'm sure you slept well even after your naps on the train. Keep them coming matey, thanks. 😁👍
Cheers Matt, aye, I slept well that night, but another early morning (for next weeks' video) :)
Did you ever see the lighthouse at kings cross station. Above five guys
Don't forget those wet wipes permanently in your pocket , ready to clean train windows for better photos ?
Cider & crisps = appx 200-300% mark up on a Tesco price.
Any plans to visit NW Wales ?
Gwynedd ?
Window seater is a new app that uses GPS to give you information about what's nearby as you travel the route.
History, services etc
Love your new video! 😊 Dedicated follower from Sydney Aus👀
Thanks for the video Steve. I often get this train from Edinburgh to Bristol and can confirm that Cross Country rail are the worst train operator in the UK, the trains are always so filthy and cramped!
.....these journeys are a wonderful reminder to me as a kid, travelling with my Mum to London.
I cant remember swinging a cat in a train toilet though. 😂
You have the patience of a saint. 40 stops, that's just legendary.
I like it that we don't just get the view, but what it is. I'd do 1st class and never mind the price, but that's me. But getting proper eats if there's no proper buffet car is a good suggestion.
Strangely fascinating and engaging. All down to the way Steve literally takes us on a personal journey with his wonderful low key presentation skills and expert editing and production.
Just discovered your channel. Brilliant films, thanks for all the effort you put in. My 4 yr old son is currently obsessed with trains and all thing Scottish, so I'll running this by him in the morning.
Steve, I left the UK in 1982, but as a Scotsman with connections to Cornwall (just up the road from Penzance at Praa Sands) I have to say I loved this video. Thank you for all your efforts. Hope you succeed with your youtube endeavours. Somebody should snap you up and get you on the telly.
Dedication to keeping people on TH-cam entertained.
I don't know why, but this route is on my bucket list of things to do. Whether I can cope with being on the train for 13 hours is another thing but, I'd give it a go.
You're a brave man travelling Cross Country Rail as well. That deserves a crisp high five!
I remember being on that train route many years ago getting on at Burton & getting off at Plymouth as a scared 17 year old kid joining the navy. Some good memories there mate.
Oh that must be a terrifying journey! I went as a Sea Cadet and that was bad enough! :D
A tip if you plan a train journey this long (and expensive) again: An Interrail-Global-Pass will cost you 258 € for four days, which includes two travel-days within your home country. As ticket prices in the UK might be THIS expensive, to me it seems worth considering this option. On top you get a free yourney back home.
I know people who hate the voyager trains but at least they’re comfortable in standard class. One thing about doing the whole journey is you could fall asleep & not worry about missing your stop. Look forward to your trips every Saturday. 😊
Haha good point mate :D
If you are in a once a week service god help you if you miss your stop
Job done, Steve 👏
‘gotta admire your stamina .
And ow you get to do it all over again in reverse 😂. As always another interesting video mate. Stay safe Steve.
I'd prefer many a trains standard class over the Voyager tbh. The times I have managed to get a seat, they have been ok, but I'd say your work a day sprinter train is more comfortable. Times where the train is packed, it impossible, unless you find a spot on an bit empty luggage rack, but usually I find my self playing sardines, next to a smelly toilet.
Love your enthusiasm. Well done, Steve!
This is the 2nd video of yours I've watched. I enjoyed that. No frills, no advertising, just you and as it was.
Amazing to see this! I commute during the week via train from Redruth to Penzance. It's only about a 25 minute journey. Once a week, I have to go a little earlier than normal and, when I do, a CrossCountry train typical turns up at the northbound platform with an LED display that reads: "Penzance To Aberdeen". I thought I was seeing things at first, as I couldn't quite believe that the service existed. Now I just tend to look at the people inside and think to myself, "You poor b*stards...."
There's no direct train in the opposite direction, the northbound cross country services from Cornwall terminate at Edinburgh.
My family and I love to sit together and watch your videos Steve. You have a real talent for producing these interesting videos and have given us so many tips and ideas for our own travels. Thank you from 3 big fans 😊
Thank you so much all 3 of you! :) Really nice to receive a message like this and gives me plenty motivation for the long hours of editing :)
Steve, you’ve done it again. With your commentary and editing, you made the trip as interesting as the destination! Also seems like you used your time on board making plans for future videos…a bonus for all of us! Cheers and ATB!
Haha yes Erin, always making mental notes! (and then forgetting all about them!)
13.5 hours is just the beginning of the trip for me!! I love train travel. I am an avid Amtrak traveler in the US. My favorite ride has been 48 glorious hours on Amtrak. And Amtrak is notorious for being late. But us “Amtrak-ers” take it all in stride and look at it as even more time to spend on the train! 😊
Just seeing this journey on 7/2/24. Thanks very much Steve. Knowing that you didn't have to go anywhere near London to change or anything, was brilliant! This alone may be worth going all the way to at least Berwick upon Tweed from say, Cambridge, just to do this route! And to be honest, we must count ourselves lucky that there is such a train that actually goes cross country without virtually any hassle, to a place like lovely Cornwall. Thanks again. 🙋🇨🇮🏴😃
I would love to make a trip like this one. I am retired and you could make a nice four day weekend. I am a retired school teacher so on the way back a stop in the maritime museum would be perfect. Thanks for the video. It gives me ideas of interesting things to do when I come to the UK.
Man, your Island has lovely landscapes! It strikes me every time I see them. 🤩
A beautiful video! 🤗🙏
Thanks pal! I miss most of them though :D
As an American living in Japan and moving to Poland next week, I’m not sure how I found this video about traveling by train cross-country in the UK.. but I’m glad I did! Something to maybe eventually add to my own bucket list. Ta!
Good luck with the move! We plan many more videos in Poland :)
Cross country is the name of the train company. It is a sort of budget company in the same way as Ryan air is to air travel. There are other companies that do the route that Steve travelled but they are more expensive.
£200 budget? pmsl.....you can fly this very journey for a fraction of the cost and time...@@allano937
@@allano937 correct, although Cross Country is the only one doing the entirety of it. But you can piece together the entire trip with other operators with probably more comfortable rolling stock (I find Cross Country too cramped, good for just a few stops), but to use it without changes, they are the only ones.
Thank you for sharing the complete journey from Aberdeen to Penzanze. I have travelled on Cross Country between York & Plymouth- 6 hours long. I love the journey. I've not tried the on board WiFi but signal can be shockingly bad, so like you would definitely suggest downloading some movies, TV programmes, audio books, etc for the journey.
A 12 hour journey, wracked with travel sickness, from Paddington to St Austell, started my love affair with the combustion engine. I drove back in a Ford Fiesta formerly owned by a Bodmin pig farmer. Thank you for doing this so I never have to. And you are sitting backwards, too. It probably improves the filming, but I would last 30 seconds before needing the sick bag.
Alternative title: How far away can I get from Aberdeen by rail?
Understandable.
Hey I like that!
But you can take lner to kings x and then take Eurostar to de nord then regional to Marseille and so on
One rail journey
@@RTTheSkibidySigma
@@steve-marsh Now Laos has a railway linking China and Thailand Aberdeen to Singapore by rail is possible,might take a tad longer than 13 hours though.
Don't you meam Aberdoom?
Those "chimes" for the train announcments sounding the same as my front door bell had me keep jumping up to check 😀
Haha love it! :D
Haha same for me - checked my door twice during the video!
When you got on the voyager, like an instinct the smell just wafted through my nose. I have no idea how they have such a "unique" smell. Well done on doing the trip for the rest of us!
To be honest I didn't have the pleasure of the famous Voyager smell!
And that some genius decided to put the septic tanks right next to the engine. Considering engines get very very hot... Wasn't a very good idea.
The retention tanks on the 220s and 221s are where they are because of the need to fit in the tilt equipment. 220s never had tilt but the tanks went there anyway. After the first few years none of XCT's 221s tilted either, but the kit was 'permanently isolated' rather than spend (a lot of) money on removing it.
AWC's smaller fleet of 221s still tilt (as they must do to keep time), but they've spent more on refurbs and keeping the smells in. MML's very similar 222s were designed non-tilt from the start and have tanks in a better space.
It's a blend of poo and diesel.
I'm really enjoying your videos - great content, cheers!
Mate. What a legend. From a young age i used to love solo trips like this. Brought back the memories 😊
Another great video Steve 💥
These journeys just have to be done!
Remember - Only those who attempt the ridiculous, achieve the impossible!
Haha well said!
Well done you, stuck on a train for that long in just second class chairs is a feat on it's own.. I love the part of England around Plymouth and Penzance.. It indeed feels like a completely different experience of what England has to offer.. Defo an amazing part of the UK.. As usual a very enjoyable video Steve.. 💚
Cheers! Oh wish I'd had more time down there!
We down here feel the same about Scotland
I don't have to go anywhere I can just watch you much easier ❤❤❤ from nz
Just brilliant!
Cheers Andy!
WOW Steve, 72,000 plus views! Great stuff and best travel reports: down to earth, informative, quality filming and humour. What’s not to like and looking forward to your next adventure.
Wow, thanks!
Love this video Steve as I've had to make a similar trip from Glasgow to Plymouth. I have to say it's a shame you never got the chance to ride one of the last HST trains that cross country were running then on the Aberdeen- Penzance line. Oh and as a helpful tip for more train travel, there's an App called Seat Frog that can access some cheap first-class upgrades for a more comfy journey at a reasonable cost. it's how I managed to make my journey bearable. upgrades were like £35 for the whole journey and can be used on split tickets too.
Thanks so much for the tip! I need to get that downloaded right now! Even if it had only been for a short leg of the journey, it'd have been nice to experience first!
Good tip, thanks.
Think I would prefer your 14 hour sea journey from Aberdeen to Lerwick Steve,even with possible rough weather. At least you can get food. Usually a 5 car set for this journey, can you imagine the crush when it is a 220 and not a 221. Catering not even worth considering and first class complementary( insulting) offerings aren’t worth bothering with even if they arrive. You passed a now sadly departed HST sets, the comfort levels on those compared with the 220/221 sets is chalk and (mouldy) cheese. Now XC has withdrawn its 6 great faithful sets, the occasional 8/9 car sets will be reduced on the NE/SW routes to 4 or 5 cars from 7 carriages, more overcrowding. But what am I complaining about, XC only have a handful of services, and none in the late evening which stop at Chesterfield, so the only reliable? way is EMR to Derby and coming back on an evening service from the SW necessitates a 40 minutes wait at Derby to cover the last 23 miles home. You wanted to know what people thought of XC, how does C..P fit.
@@artfuldodger4850 I used to use this service between chesterfield and Leeds most weekends, back when the voyagers were brand new. They weren't great then. I always wondered how many people were going end to end, as that portion in the middle gets really overcrowded. At times I used to jump on the stopper services and change at sheffield, which came just after the XC service if the XC service was packed to the brim. It took longer, but it was worth it to maintain my sanity. Eventually Northern introduced a Nottingham to Leeds service stopping at chesterfield, so I just started getting that instead. It was a longer journey by about 20 minutes, but even on the dreadful Pacer unit they occasionally used, it was better than the perpetual toilet fluid stink on the voyager!
I had one decent ECML upgrade in the early days of SeatFrog but it's been unattractive ever since.
Always good start to a weekend with a video from Steve
Cheers! Have a good one :)
Hi Steve...Liverpool Kev here...Bless you for making such an effort for us to experience such a mammoth journey....I bought a feeble old persons Railcard ...almost precisely to the second that Lockdown scuppered using it..(no they refused any refund)...views from the big windows great...but modern trains are just so soulless?...When I was working in business a few years back it was such a relief to travel 1st class from Liverpool to Euston and back when I could afford it...Thanks Steve again.....I was so pleased your comfy hotel so close...as ever....Liverpool Kev
That seems a bit rude not refunding eh! Cheers Kev!
Thanks for taking us along on your journey. My ancestry is mostly from the UK, including Scotland, and this is probably the only chance I'll get to see the sights. Thanks again Steve!
Great vid, as always. I hope you do a video on Taunton - I was born in West Somerset, so have an affection for all things Somerset (and West Country), despite my Scottish descent and heritage. Went to university in Exeter in the 1960s. Anyway, Steve, your resilience in travelling the whole of that Cross Country route is amazing!
So many places! This trip certainly added a few lines to the wish-list!
You definitely accomplished your goal of clipping all of this together to make an interesting video . Once again, Fantastic stuff keep up the great content !
Cheers Adam! There were a lot of terrible useless clips to trawl through :D
Hi Steve. I travelled from Leeds to Glasgow on Cross Country train about 5 hours and I found them pretty good. You were very good traveling the length of the country, bet it looked fairly exiting stopping of at 40 stations, I would love to do that. Keep the videos coming Steve, they are an inspiration to me an 80 year old pensioner living on my own. It helps pass the time on. Cheers Steve.
Thanks pal! A pleasure!
Enjoyable and iam going to do the same trip , but I start off from stevenage and up to Aberdeen and then down the same route as you . Looking forward to it .
Have a great journey!
@steve-marsh Cheers Steve have a good Xmas and lots of journey ,s
Your such a great guy. Your videos have a familiar warmth about them even if your not into Travel videos. Great job my friend.
Thanks Steve for taking (enduring) this journey for us. Living near and working in Aberdeen it has always tempted me to get a ticket for this train. You passed my current house in Laurencekirk and my home town of York on the way. It looked like a pretty pleasant trip. The balloons at Bristol should definitely be on your bucket list, but remember you might need a head for heights 😂.
Cheers Ian! Oh good point, I'd probably spend the entire journey with my eyes closed :D
Loved it, loved it, loved it! You know I love train trips. Were I affluent enough, this would be one that I would go on. Long enough to have a good feeling for the country and no changes. I'm not much for walking. In case you haven't figured that out yet. I would love to see Leeds. From what I could see of it, it looked very beautiful. There are a lot of beautiful towns along the route. Can't wait to see you and Alicja in the hot air balloons. Say hi for me. Be well, stay safe, journey far, love from Texas.
Haha Alicja would be better in a balloon than me, I think I'd be on the floor of the basket with my eyes closed :D
I would be right down there with you. Change that I never would have gotten in the basket in the first place! Good job Alicja.
It's an insane trip that has to be done. I did this in 2019 and paid a little over £200 for advanced first class. Don't ask the price of getting to London, the sleeper to Aberdeen, and getting back from Penzance to Fareham. I did have a cracking day in Aberdeen though, found a great pub, and stayed in a great hotel right opposite Aberdeen station.
Oh nice!!!! Aye, it's the getting home again that's the difficult part!
That looks far more interesting than the long train journey I did back in 86 from Roma station to Cairns.
@@Frenchwine15 you mean Roma St in Brisbane to Cairns? I did this trip in the opposite direction in 2020, and all in seat.....yikes! Actually doing a lovely journey in the cabin next month from Longreach- Brisbane (Roma St)- can't wait!
Avoiding going through London if you don't need to go to London is great. Long may Cross Country continue, even though I've never travelled on the Croes Country train.
This is such a beautiful island we live on
Ahhh, Montrose. Visited there in late summer 1983. Was travelling on a merchant ship with a broken engine. Beautiful little town, amazing natural beach. Two young gentlemen showed me and my friend the sights of the town. Lovely people. I must visit again.
A long old journey that. I rarely use Crosscountry but i used to get those Voyagers between Brockenhurst and Bournemouth when they first came into service under Virgin Trains and those radio pods between the seats did used to work!
Ive done Brockenhurst to Dundee on one.
Was it just radio or a playlist?
@@steve-marsh it was the usual radio stations but the first channel was Virgin Radio. As a young cool student I tended to select Radio 1. They probably don’t work anymore because it was installed before the advent of DAB. Or maybe Cross Country realise that now we all have music on our phones they don’t need to bother maintaining it anymore!
@@thisweekmetaverse never took the train that far from Brock but I did once fall asleep and ended up in Weymouth!
Great video Steve and I must say you are a brave man to spend 13 hours on a train. I would have probably lasted 3 hours max. Next challenge the longest flight lol. Thanks Steve
I was surprised how the biggest challenge was mental - just THINKING about that number of hours on a train!
Great video and yes, it IS an achievement to spend 13 hours sitting in a train which goes from Scotland to Cornwall and to make such an interesting film. (A few years ago a father and his
teenage son made the same journey and were asked by staff at Aberdeen station "Will you be taking medication at the other end?") My personal favourite is the section between Exeter and
Newton Abbot, where the train runs right next to the sea - stunningly beautiful scenery.
You are spot on, that's a wonderful stretch of rails! Haha I could have done with a good massage that evening!
Been a big fan of your videos for a long time. I have revisited this one, because my partner and I are doing Birmingham to Aberdeen on the cross country in two weeks. We are very lucky though as I was given two 1st class tickets as compensation for basically abandoning me at Newport last year. Will give you a wave as we go through Montrose :)
Very remarkable video. What a record of outstanding landscapes mountains and rivers.
Its Saturday night here in Oz and bang on time a video from Steve, always makes my weekend and even better it was of a journey I hope to do soon. As always great filming and great scenery am looking forward to doing this even more now. As always all the best to you and yours and I am looking forward to the next video already, stay safe and well, cheers.
Thanks so much Simon! It was a real treat to get down to Cornwall, what a fantastic part of the UK, a couple more videos to come from this wee trip :)
Hear hear ,I'm in Oz too
@@noelbowerman1562 what part of Oz are you in mate?.
Tamworth NSW
Brisbane myself.
Nice one! I made an attempt at this back in April, but some issues on the track near Gloucester meant that the train was delayed so much that it needed to terminate in Plymouth. I did spend a memorable 30 mins on the platform there with Argyle supporters who had just seen their club win promotion 😂
Oh noooo! So near yet so far! Gid effort!
I used to get the train from Exeter to Edinburgh and then the bus down to Galashiels where I was at the Scottish College of Textiles. It was like being on the Transiberian railway. For a change I drove my Mini up to Scotland and back. The journey wasn’t much better!
Ohhh having to jump on a bus after that journey! Respect!
I have Scottish family members in the bridge of allen years ago.they used to put the car aswell as themselves on a sleeper train. Since covid I'm scared of confined spaces I like my car
What a wonderful advertisement for UK rail travel even in economy class.
What a beautiful look over your beautiful country. Thank you!
Earlier in the year I did Aberdeen to Newquay in about 13hours. Last flight to Heathrow, and then first flight to Newquay next day. It was quite civilised with the hotel stay in the middle. One week later, FlyBE went bust, again. A real shame since their tickets were fairly decent.
Writing this comment in Tonsberg, Norway. 8 days from now: Aberdeen to Germany via Esbjerg.
Hey some awesome trips in there - have a fantastic time!
Top logistics. In better times a mk1 compartment was in the consist with steam heat. That musty comfort.
My experience on that train is limited to what I witnessed also with other passengers - that is - we were all doing segments.
For viewers who are unaware - neither on-board staff, nor drivers, go further than a single region.
It would be nice to know how many crewe changes took place en route.
I think our friend Steve deserves a medal - my flight to South America is shorter!!!!!!
I'm still waiting for my XC medal!!! I believe 6 crew changes
"Crewe changes" - deliberate railway pun?
I'd love to see this as a race... Aberdeen to Penzance. One team flying from Aberdeen to Bristol/Newquay then buses the rest of the way vs the train direct. Also every Cross Country Train just looks.... Well used
Oh you're giving me ideas!!!
Ha! Most look well-used because they have too few coaches.
Thanks a lot Steve. It's trip I have done my self and found it extremely tiring as I was not filming and had the equivalent of a broken ankle I was picked up by the guy I was visiting to pick up a guitar he had made for me. So I spent a few days in a wooden chalet opposite Saint Michael's mount in cold january and had a terrible journey home having to change trains at least three times.
Steve, I have just watched this train journey from another traveller and it was not a patch on yours. I find that your video style is spot on. I always watch your videos as they appear on TH-cam
and you've never shown a bad one yet. Keep up the good work. John, a Leither, living in Edinburgh.
I see this was a video you made before feeling unwell Steve, I was never a lover of long train journeys myself, you always make them interesting and informative, never boring, I’m thinking Gregg’s should pay you a commission every time you promote their products though 😅 I have enjoyed the passing scenery although very fleeting, I just wish I had your stamina to endure such an undertaking of over 13hours journey in one go, but I thinks thats nothing compared to some of your journeys Steve. take care until next time 👍
Thanks Bernice! I have a couple more epic journeys from this wee trip to come :) I really fancied an M&S that morning, but Greggs was all that was open :D
Hi Steve, I've never really thought about it before, but it must be quite hard to make a video about a journey not only of that length, but also the great variation in the landscapes and uses that it traverses; and you've done well with your theme of tidal waters and the bridges that cross them, among others. I actually did an even longer version of this journey way back when I qualified for a young person's railcard - and, as I'll qualify for a senior one in nine months' time, you'll appreciate it wasn't yesterday... It was in fact when it started in Elgin at 0549, and so stopped at Keith, Huntly, Insch, Inverurie and Dyce before it even arrived at Aberdeen! It was operated by one of the then fairly new HSTs - the last of which were retired by Cross Country only very recently; and of course it was also in the days when we had proper buffet/griddle cars... Since that time I have generally avoided Cross Country trains as, being a bit bigger than you are, I find the Voyagers unfit for purpose - especially since the reduction in catering to just a trolley... I notice you tend to travel light and so I wonder if you even noticed the adequacy or otherwise of the luggage accommodation on the train? The overhead racks seem especially shallow given the possible over-reliance upon them, don't you think? And presumably, as you didn't mention it, there were no problems with the toilets? Only from what I can gather, even after all these years of use, it's not at all unusual for most of them to lock themselves out of use during longer journeys...
And that busy section. Hmm. What are your thoughts? Regional express services from say, Sheffield to Bristol calling at fewer stops than the existing local services, and timed to run just behind the longer distance trains, in order it could run fast between Sheffield and Derby, Birmingham, Cheltenham & Bristol Parkway? It might not make a lot of difference to the overall timings, but it would certainly be more comfortable for the longer distance traveller!
Personally, I'd suggest these would be decent trains to run on routes such as Glasgow - Aberdeen, or possibly even on a through Edinburgh - Wick service, that reverses at both Inverness and Thurso, once the Inter City 7 sets have had their day - preferably with a Lumo-style food pre-ordering service at Inverness or somewhere similar, as a full day just on sandwiches and cold pies isn't really that much fun. Perhaps they could even investigate the provision of drinks machines with a card payment facility, too?
You reckon Taunton is an interesting place to visit? Really? I'd combine it with somewhere else if I were you: Bridgwater, perhaps, as the two of them do have a fair bit in common!
Bridgwater and Taunton. Chalk and cheese. There's a reason the pigeons fly upside down over Bridgwater. It ain't worth shitting on.
Careful now! I have worked in Bridgwater for 35 years. The pigeons fly upside down as they don't want to make a mess on our pristine town! And whereas Taunton was once the proud County Town, I am sad to say that it has lost much of its prestige over the last 15/20 years. @@bignosemac1
I've heard about the Elgin one! :) It is really tricky in unfamiliar territory filming as I tend to miss so much, maybe that's why the video was 'Scotland heavy' as I knew where sights would be! The busy section really was a challenge, but I was ready for it and even managed a wee nap there!
To be honest, there's Lindisfarne and Alnmouth in Northumberland, Durham, The Vale of White Horse to the north of York, the twisted spire in Chesterfield and really not very much else of note until you hit Bristol, other than what you did include, so you're were probably just as well sleeping that busy bit away!@@steve-marsh
I always enjoy the approach to New Street as the Birmingham skyline hones into view, complete with the currently being built 'HS Three-Quarters'. Then the section leaving New Street through all of the tunnels and a few miles next to the canal, then of course the drop down the Lickey Incline.
@@paulharvey9149
I was really hoping that you were staying at the Longboat and I wasn't disappointed! The bar has a great, cosy feel and the breakfast is pretty good too.
That journey just shows how much of this small island there's still to see. 👏
So true! Although the bar was just closing when I arrived :( Cracking breakfast the next day though!
You had some lovely light crossing the river. I was envious looking out at my grey sky and clouds down south. There is something lovely to see a changing landscape outside your window.
That’s one of the best 25 minutes I’ve spent on TH-cam.
Really enjoyed this video. Thank you for making it.
Well done Steve! Hell of an achievement 😁 I'm considering doing something like that next year, but travelling by bus which comes after doing Edinburgh to London earlier in the year in two days 😁
Respect! :)
@@steve-marsh I'd be happy to share the links to my vlogs if you'd like to watch the capital to capital run
I've always wondered whether you'd do this journey and now I have my answer! 😂
I'm guessing the 'early celebration' drink has something to do with a birthday milestone? 😏
Glad to finally get aboard! Let's celebrate that rather than any big numbers you might be thinking of :D
@@steve-marsh Probably best as I'm always way off with my guesses anyway. 😂
10:32 Disclaimer: No cats were harmed in the making of this video.
Lovely scenery, especially the shots at dusk. Thanks for enduring this for us, and glad to hear you're getting over that cold.
Haha although every train should have a cat
I did this Journey on 18th June 2019. I'd travelled from Kent the day before. Being a railway worker myself. I enjoyed the journey.
Respect! :)
A triumph indeed Steve! Find your vlogs relaxing to watch, and I love being on ships so enjoy your ferry crossings ⛴️
After seeing other people who manged to do this length of the journey , I feel like I can try this journey.
Give it a go mate!
13 hours on an XC Voyager, in standard, facing backwards? That is an achievement!
On a serious note, really engaging video - thanks for sharing the journey :) subscribed
Haha the things I throw £200 at eh!
I'm reluctant to travel facing forwards unless it's to avoid bright sunshine. Also, if perchance I allow myself to doze off, a sudden stop is only going to cause me pain if something or someone facing forwards is projected towards me.
I love a good train journey but I'm not sure I'd want to do 13.5 hours in one day - well done! Some great scenery and good to know it can be done. I got a Britrail pass on my visit to UK last year and I think I'd do it again
I'm not sure I'd repeat, but it was a fun challenge all the same :)
All I can say is Loved It
Great video although I was disappointed with such a small Greggs haul. A carrier bagful at least for such an epic journey 😂
how many different train crews and drivers did you have? it's amazing to think that without people like you this train would be the only constant from Aberdeen to Penzance with no-one else being on at the start or finish.
Six drivers, based at Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and Plymouth, who all have to have detailed, current and signed for route knowledge for their section of the route. The train overnights in Edinburgh and 'shuttles' in the morning to Aberdeen and back with an Edinburgh driver. At Penzance it goes back to overnight at Plymouth with a Plymouth driver. The conductor and catering crew work a different pattern involving less changes, I think. It doesn't always operate the full length, Edinburgh or Dundee and Plymouth being the terminus stations.
@@gordonsinclair9947 interesting info thanks, as someone from Gloucester I'm always a bit bitter that they refuse to stop here citing the time penalty, but always think it's nonsense considering it impacts on hardly anyone on the train.
I met 3 train crews and they were all amazed I was doing the full route!
@@vinniesuperstar8923
Sentiment understood, but each Gloucester call costs at least 12min and XCT puts enough padding into its schedules already. Even post-Covid, a fair chunk of passengers are commuting or on business so fast journey times are still very important especially on the core sections like Birmingham-Bristol. If BR InterCity listened all those years ago when the council built Trier Way, today there'd be a station on the avoiding line with a 5min shuttle bus journey!
I've always been tempted to do this route but to do it justice like you did, I'd have to do Cupar to Aberdeen first, which feels slightly excessive. Plymouth does look good. I've never been that far south (in the UK) but I really want to see the bridges over the Tamar.
Oh I wish I'd crossed in daylight! Wonderful part of the world, but aye, starting in Cupar does make it a bit too much!
Plymouth isint much cop tbh the barbican and the market fine also the bridges but the rest 😮
thanks for that.. I used to live for a time in Exeter so it was nice to see the coast dawlish Tynemouth ..... Have a safe journey back .. Regards Alan...Now living in Isla Margarita Venezuela... Best climate for my age....Sunny every day !
Hello Steve mick from Hull really enjoyed this episode I really like what you do on your TH-cam channel keep them coming 😊😊
Cheers mate!
Thank you so much for that wonderful trip , I had promised myself to travel the UK by train , I did manage quiet a few trips before having to retire early in the West of Ireland , now I shall hop on board from my armchair , Thank you so much.
Your armchair is more comfortable I'm sure!
@@steve-marsh It sure is , Thanks again.
Musta been a grind that Steve! More than your always friendly demeanour would allow us to see!
Cheers mate, it was a 'one-off' for sure!
what an amazing video i got an immense amount of respect for people that do this. I love people doing long train journeys
10:00 👍You are professional and a good man.
22:46 The train is such a work horse. Amazing teams that maintain the trains. Well done.
From the NE of Scotland to the SW of England in one day!!! Good job your train wasnt late Steve.. you would have been sleeping on the beach!!
I was stressed about that! :D
Superb! Great commentary with clarity and humour; non-intrusive muzak and lots of wonderful scenery. It reminded me of my journey to Penzance from Leeds 5 years ago. At Plymouth, I thought I hadn't locked my house up! Panic! Was about to purchase a ticket back home when I traced a neighbour, asked her to try my doors and thankfully found they were secure! Got to Penzance an hour late but relieved! If you visit Plymouth, visit the Gin 'factory' where the Mayflower explorers stayed on their last night in England. And try the Navy Gin too! Thanks!
I used to use this train a few years ago, travelling between Aberdeen (work) and Totnes (South Devon, home). It seemed to me that most people using the service were using it to travel a relatively short distance, probably as a commuter service, so at every station in the English Midlands and NE there were a lot of people getting off and on at each station. You’re right that it’s not the most comfortable of trains, with the carriages no doubt built for short-distance commuting. I used to find the journey quite tedious! I also remember one time travelling between St Andrews and Totnes I decided to fly from Edinburgh to Bristol, and I swear that the train I travelled on between Leuchars (St Andrews) and Inverkeithing (for Edinburgh airport) was the same Penzance train I picked up many hours later again in Bristol for the final leg of my journey to Totnes. Flying isn’t necessarily any quicker!