Trains from Watford

DevilsAdvocate1

Hi,

My son is going to a summer school in Watford. Unfortunately, its at the same time as our family holiday, so I won't be able to collect him.

He will have lots of stuff to carry (material needed for the summer school), so I'd prefer to get him on a direct route home. However, there doesn't seem to be any trains direct from Watford to Newcastle.

Are there any northern areas that he could get a train from Watford to? I'm thinking Leeds / Bradford / York even Sheffield. My parents are willing to pick him up, but Watford is a bit too far for them to drive. So I'm trying to find a bit of a compromise.

Any help massively appreciated.

martindow

He could travel with a single change at Birmingham.

He is going to have to deal with his luggage at Newcastle and Watford so going from one platform to another at New Street should not be too difficult.

[Deleted User]

Here's a map of the virgin network, that should take him from Watford up north: http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/assets/pdf/maps/network-map.pdf

I'd agree with DA - Changing at Birmingham New Street would be best. He'll have 18 minutes to change trains

WestonDave

The only other option I can suggest (which would be pricey) would be a taxi from the school to Peterborough which is on the direct route to Newcastle. (That's the first stop out of London for most trains to Newcastle - unfortunately Stevenage or Welwyn Garden City aren't stops for trains going that far north)

DevilsAdvocate1

The summer school will drop him off at the station and the my dad could pick him up the other end, so not so much of a problem with luggage at those points. He is 17 and although he uses buses, hasn't been on a train before.

I went via Peterborough when I had to travel to and from Coventry last year. I went through Birmingham on the way there but it so big I'd worry that he'd get lost. He's very creative but not the most sensible.

Thanks. Will look into these. I seem to have spent all weekend looking!

wallbash

Very pricey Taxi .
Another way, not recommended is picking up the Train from Stevenage , to Doncaster and changing .

But my vote is still Changing at Birmingham New Street

wallbash

but it so big I'd worry that he'd get lost.

Smart phone and an app?

Derwent

The easiest route from Newcastle is to get a train from Carlisle on the Glasgow to Euston west coast mainline which stops at Watford Junction. Not much chance of getting lost in Carlisle station either as it's comparatively small, plus no more than an hour's drive for your parents.

DevilsAdvocate1

wallbash wrote: »

Smart phone and an app?

I won't be in the country though :-( We already had our summer holiday booked and paid for. The flights are non transferable.

DevilsAdvocate1

Derwent wrote: »

The easiest route from Newcastle is to get a train from Carlisle on the Glasgow to Euston west coast mainline which stops at Watford Junction. Not much chance of getting lost in Carlisle station either as it's comparatively small, plus no more than an hour's drive for your parents.

Wow, thanks for this. Will definitely look into it.

Cornucopia

Watford Junction is not a regular stop on the long-distance West Coast Mainline. There are one or two odd trains at odd times. Presumably your son will be traveling at "after school" time - 4:30pm-6:30pm?

I would be a little dubious about the change at Birmingham NS, as this is a very large, very busy station.