The Anonymous Widower

Is Meadowhall An Ideal Journey Break On A Train?

yesterday I went up to seeIpswich play in Barnsley. It wasn’t a good match, as the wind made a lot of things difficult and it probably had a part in some of the goals. Since the Nottingham Forest match on the 14th December, which was ruined by wind, I think there has only been one match, where conditions were conducive to good football. I know it’s only a game, but it does illustrate how bad the weather has been, these last couple of months.

As I said because of ticketing issues with East Midlands Trains, I went up to Barnsley changing at Sheffield, but came back via Meadowhall and Doncaster on Est Coast.

I walked quickly down the hill from Oakwell to the station and within a couple of minutes I was on a fast Class 158 train to Meadowhall. I nearly missed the stop, as the weather was so bad, you couldn’t make out the station names, but as it was the first stop from Barnsley, I was pretty sure it was Meadowhall.

It was an easy walk into the shopping centre and you enter by Marks and Spencer, where I just purchased some socks, but I could of course have bought a gluten-free meal. As it was I went further into the centre and had supper at Carluccio’s, which although it was full, was queueless.

The other thing I needed to buy, was a book and Waterstones was hard by the passage to the station.  i also picked up another copy of The Times, as a friend has a letter in the paper and they wanted me to send them a copy.

I suspect that if you’re going to Manchester Airport by train, then to break the journey at Meadowhall might be better than paying airport prices for your last minute purchases, that we always need.

My choice of route was further vindicated, when I got on an East Coast train from Doncaster to London.  The Inter City 225 was so much more comfortable and smoother in Standard, than the dreaded Class 222 of East Midland Trains in First.  I also had two chances to purchase a cup of tea from a trolley, whereas East Midlands there was no at-seat service and they expect you to walk to the bar.

I’ve got to go to Leicester in a couple of weeks and I’ll do anything to avoid going on one of those Class 222s.

February 9, 2014 - Posted by AnonW | Sport, Transport/Travel | Barnsley, Football, Lumo, Trains