In January 2014 I did that journey on the then London Midland; for the first time in my life I bought a First Class ticket, and was distinctly underwhelmed by the experience! At least I got a seat, as the train was very full. For the return I used what was then Virgin (now Avanti) as the timings worked better, and that was a delightful experience! But LNER doesn't look much better than London Midland was.
Essentially London Midland was the same thing as what we have now, except that the operations have been split into two (West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway). Yeah, I wouldn't really buy a First Class ticket on LNWR unless I got a bargain or I needed a seat in a train I know will be full. All it gives you is a "better" seat... but there's barely a difference.
Just realised that I didn't comment on this video, sorry Been I've been a bit busy! Another good video can honestly say I would even consider using a stopper, I'd just use Avanti. But anyway, well done mate and can't wait for the next one! 🙏🏻😃
@@UKTransport232 This was filmed on GoPro Hero+, some videos were filmed on Honor 9 Lite. From now though I'm filming with my new GoPro Hero9 Black, but I haven't released a video filmed with the new camera yet.
@@trainlagged Not sure about your question of why it wasn't done in one go but I suspect the fact that they needed the units to be in and out asap so they only did half a job etc. From what I have seen online, all of the 350/4's (the ex-TPE stock) have had the full works (aka the interior and exterior done). While the 350/3's has had their exteriors done but not their interior. 350/1's has had the interior done to the age of the seats (2004-05 silverlink days). The 350/2's aren't having anything done due to being replaced when the 730's come into service. I suspect the 350/1 and 350/3 will have their remaining interior/exteriors sorted once covid is sorted perhaps?
Great video! I have travelled with LNWR before between Tamworth and Atherstone in May this year, but the trains I got were London Midland seats and not refurbished (The seats were rock hard and a bit uncomfortable). Luckily, I was only travelling one stop down the line to Atherstone so it wasn't so bad. You were lucky and got a refurbished unit (Which looks very comfortable) and I would travel with LNWR again.
Thanks! The refurbishment doesn't change that much in terms of comfort, but some trains have slightly different seats in standard class: the 350/2 subclass have less comfortable seats configured as 3+2, maybe you got that? But yes, I'm a fan on LNWR, they're a great value for money in my opinion.
@@trainlagged Yeah I did get a 350/2 and on the return journey aswell. I looked at my footage that I got on that day and it also had 3+2 seating I remember travelling with my family on the 3 seats. But I think the 350/2s are being replaced by Class 730s so maybe thats why LNWR didn't refurbish them and kept the seats how they were. But Porterbrook say that thery're going to convert the 350/2s into battery units to run on non-electrified routes (Which would be very interesting to see in the future!). Also I do agree on you about the value for money. Thanks again
Great review! I’ve only taken LNWR once from Birmingham when me and some of my family missed the at the time “virgin” train. It was the longest journey ever 😵💫 Here’s a sub for ya :)
Sounds like London Northwestern Railway is probably cheaper than using Avanti West Coast. What about doing London Euston to Birmingham New Street, Northampton, Liverpool Lime Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Tamworth and Warrington Bank Quay.
It is the majority of the time, yes, for Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Tamworth has a limited AWC service so you're better off with LNWR. Liverpool requires a change with LNWR, whereas AWC go direct from London. Finally, Warrington isn't served by LNWR. I have a plan to do an Avanti video on the WCML, so you can compare! :)
Euston is not a Good London terminus Station in my opinion. It gets so crowded at some times. But I really like LNWR, its a Good alternative to the costly AWC.
It’s wierd to think these have pretty much operated on the whole of the WCML! The 350 ran by LNWR between London to Birmingham and Crewe all the way to the Ex TPE ones between Manchester to Edinburgh and Glasgow
How did you get that single Fare (!?) price ,even back in 2021 (!?) talking now in July 2024 I have only found £9.20 single or 18.40 return, ie: 1 month in advance ! Any 'feedback' gratefully received.
In January 2014 I did that journey on the then London Midland; for the first time in my life I bought a First Class ticket, and was distinctly underwhelmed by the experience! At least I got a seat, as the train was very full. For the return I used what was then Virgin (now Avanti) as the timings worked better, and that was a delightful experience! But LNER doesn't look much better than London Midland was.
Essentially London Midland was the same thing as what we have now, except that the operations have been split into two (West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway).
Yeah, I wouldn't really buy a First Class ticket on LNWR unless I got a bargain or I needed a seat in a train I know will be full. All it gives you is a "better" seat... but there's barely a difference.
I haven't been on a 350 but I've seen them, and I'll also go for a ride on them in the 6 weeks holiday
Just realised that I didn't comment on this video, sorry Been I've been a bit busy! Another good video can honestly say I would even consider using a stopper, I'd just use Avanti. But anyway, well done mate and can't wait for the next one! 🙏🏻😃
Cheers, that means a lot! Keep your eyes peeled for the next one 👀
@@trainlagged tomorrow? 🙏🏻
Love how they refurbished the exterior of one of the units but not the interior but on the other unit it was the opposite!
Yeah, I found that quite strange! I wonder why the job wasn't fully completed in one go...🤷♂️
@@trainlagged Nice video btw. Also what camera do you use?
@@UKTransport232 This was filmed on GoPro Hero+, some videos were filmed on Honor 9 Lite.
From now though I'm filming with my new GoPro Hero9 Black, but I haven't released a video filmed with the new camera yet.
@@trainlagged ah okay thanks
@@trainlagged Not sure about your question of why it wasn't done in one go but I suspect the fact that they needed the units to be in and out asap so they only did half a job etc.
From what I have seen online, all of the 350/4's (the ex-TPE stock) have had the full works (aka the interior and exterior done). While the 350/3's has had their exteriors done but not their interior. 350/1's has had the interior done to the age of the seats (2004-05 silverlink days). The 350/2's aren't having anything done due to being replaced when the 730's come into service.
I suspect the 350/1 and 350/3 will have their remaining interior/exteriors sorted once covid is sorted perhaps?
Great video! I have travelled with LNWR before between Tamworth and Atherstone in May this year, but the trains I got were London Midland seats and not refurbished (The seats were rock hard and a bit uncomfortable). Luckily, I was only travelling one stop down the line to Atherstone so it wasn't so bad. You were lucky and got a refurbished unit (Which looks very comfortable) and I would travel with LNWR again.
Thanks! The refurbishment doesn't change that much in terms of comfort, but some trains have slightly different seats in standard class: the 350/2 subclass have less comfortable seats configured as 3+2, maybe you got that? But yes, I'm a fan on LNWR, they're a great value for money in my opinion.
@@trainlagged Yeah I did get a 350/2 and on the return journey aswell. I looked at my footage that I got on that day and it also had 3+2 seating I remember travelling with my family on the 3 seats. But I think the 350/2s are being replaced by Class 730s so maybe thats why LNWR didn't refurbish them and kept the seats how they were. But Porterbrook say that thery're going to convert the 350/2s into battery units to run on non-electrified routes (Which would be very interesting to see in the future!). Also I do agree on you about the value for money. Thanks again
@@cooltrain-ce9ze that's interesting! I wonder how the conversion will go, but it sounds promising - these are solid units!
11:14 you have to press a lever for the soap to come out
I have been to Crewe station and it was very good station
It's nice, I had a 30 min connection to my next train and didn't have time to get bored.
Great review! I’ve only taken LNWR once from Birmingham when me and some of my family missed the at the time “virgin” train. It was the longest journey ever 😵💫
Here’s a sub for ya :)
Ah yeah that’s a pretty long journey indeed! Often more crowded also…😬
Euston station also serves North Wales!
Indeed, about six times a day.
Great video mate.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed.
14:01 Class 730.
Sounds like London Northwestern Railway is probably cheaper than using Avanti West Coast. What about doing London Euston to Birmingham New Street, Northampton, Liverpool Lime Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Tamworth and Warrington Bank Quay.
It is the majority of the time, yes, for Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Tamworth has a limited AWC service so you're better off with LNWR. Liverpool requires a change with LNWR, whereas AWC go direct from London. Finally, Warrington isn't served by LNWR. I have a plan to do an Avanti video on the WCML, so you can compare! :)
@@trainlagged Ah I see. Thanks for the info. :)
Nice video.Greetings from Italy.
Grazie mille!
Euston is not a Good London terminus Station in my opinion. It gets so crowded at some times. But I really like LNWR, its a Good alternative to the costly AWC.
There's certainly nicer stations, King's Cross for example!
It’s wierd to think these have pretty much operated on the whole of the WCML! The 350 ran by LNWR between London to Birmingham and Crewe all the way to the Ex TPE ones between Manchester to Edinburgh and Glasgow
Indeed!
I have been on this train once but in 2nd class but soon I am going on it in first class
Awesome, enjoy !
How did you get that single Fare (!?) price ,even back in 2021 (!?) talking now in July 2024 I have only found £9.20 single or 18.40 return, ie: 1 month in advance ! Any 'feedback' gratefully received.
It was in the video.
Tbh it’s better just to sit an extra half and hour on the 350 then take Avanti for the price
Absolutely agree, I go with whatever is cheapest, could be either
@@trainlagged £5 for a London Marylebone to Birmingham is not bad for what Avanti offers and the slowest routes are nice as you get to see more
They’re disgusting aren’t they