East Coast Didn’t Impress
It had been a long time, since I travelled all the way up from London to Edinburgh in one go. Once a few years ago in the days of GNER, I did a trip from Peterborough to Edinburgh and back in a day. That must have been after I had been diagnosed as a coeliac, and I can remember discussing my meals with the on-board chef.
As it was I didn’t get any breakfast on the way up, as they had nothing that was gluten-free. So I might as well have saved money and travelled in Standard Class. Compare this with Virgin Trains, who now serve an excellent gluten-free breakfast.
I also had a seat with a table that rattled a lot and shook tea everywhere. I just think it needed the tightening of a couple of screws.
I think that next time, I go to Edinburgh, I’ll combine it with an intermediate stop like Liverpool or Newcastle or perhaps take the soft option and fly.
Mainly because I was getting distinctly hungry by the time I finished my journey.
I could have taken a packed lunch or bought sandwiches in Marks and Spencer in Kings Cross, but that really nullifies the advantage of First Class. Obviously with a shorter journey to say Leeds, York or Newcastle, this lack of food is less of a problem, as I can eat well at both ends of the trip.
As I Can in Edinburgh, but surely one of the reasons to take long distance trains, is to enjoy the travel and the views and hopefully some well-served food.
Over The Border Into Scotland
Compared to some railway journeys in the UK and Europe, the East Coast Main Line doesn’t have the best of views and give many photo opportunities. Perhaps crossing the Tweed into Scotland is one of the few.
I was on the western side of the train and in many ways the other side is best for the views, which include the cathedrals at Peterborough and Durham, the bridges of Newcastle and the sea once you’ve passed Newcastle.
Speeding Past The Hitchin Flyover
The Hitchin Flyover, is compared to HS2, a fairly miniscule piece of railway infrastructure.
According to this article, it will cost £47 million and save 30,000 minutes a year in train schedules.
I have this feeling, that engineers know of similar schemes, that would benefit UK railways all over the country. But most of them aren’t very sexy for politicians.
Over The Digswell Viaduct
As the train went over the Digswell Viaduct just north of Welwyn Garden City, I took a couple of pictures of the view. I usually do.
Over The Digswell Viaduct
But none in my opinion, are anywhere near as good, as this one, with the shadow of the viaduct on the valley floor below.
I would love to claim, I planned it all and actually booked a train north on a fine day, at the right time to get the shadow.
But it was all of course, down to luck.
I do bet though, that it’s not the first time, this picture has been taken. Perhaps with an iconic Stirling Single or a Gresley A4 Pacific blowing plumes of steam into the sky.
Kings Cross In The Morning
I started my trip to Edinburgh at Kings Cross by getting the 09:00 to the city.
Kings Cross In The Morning
I took this picture from the lift, that took me from the overbridge to the my train on Platform 1.
A guy with me, said he had been one of the engineers, who worked on the cleaning of the roof. He said, they got enough pigeon muck to power the country for several months.
Off To Scotland
I’m off to Edinburgh today by train to see an old friend. Then it’s over to Glasgow and on Saturday down to Bolton to see Ipswich play.
I’ll be having a good breakfast at Leon in Kings Cross, as it would appear that gluten-free food on East Coast is a bit thin. I may be wrong, but we will see!
Buying Tickets To Scotland
Next weekend, I’m going to Edinburgh and Glasgow and then down to Bolton to see Ipswich play.
All journeys were booked on-line in First Class and purchased using my Senior Railcard. It cost me £64.31 for the trip up using East Coast on Thursday and £57.45 for the split journey down using Virgin.
The journey down is probably cheaper, as it is effectively a typical Premium Economy journey in First Class on Saturday.
As I can now collect tickets from my local station at Dalston Junction, I was able to collect the tickets, whilst taking a constitutional walk to the pub in the evening.
Would people use the trains more, if it were easier to pick up tickets?
The East Coast Main Line’s Lightweight Catenary
I tried to get a good picture of the overhead wiring or catenary as the train went north to Newark. This was the best I got.
The East Coast Main Line’s Lightweight Catenary
Compare this picture with some I took last week of the electrification at Eccles. As the lines at Eccles are not designed for 200 kph, you can understand, why the East Coast Main Line‘s electrification is not very robust and frequently gets dragged down.
Travelling In Style
I travelled up to Newark for Lincoln in First Class in one of East Coast’s Inter City 225 trains.
I’ve head a rumour that in a few years time, we’ll be seeing these units working from Liverpool Street to Norwich and Ipswich.
Yet again East Anglia will get a hand me down, but what a high class one!
They are so much roomier and more comfortable than the Pendelinos used by Virgin on the West Coast Main Line.
I doubt though, the lines to Norwich will allow these trains to reach there full speed of 200 kph.
The Anonymous Widower 