What's it like out there on long distance trains.

SilasMarner

Good Morning, Trying to work out how to travel "down south" to see the family. I wonder if anyone can tell me of their experiences on the trains at present. Specifically Avanti and Cross country. Is it a credible way to travel given the restrictions or is it miserable? I'm an OAP going with my Mrs. Not concerned about the virus but am anxious about being treated like a pariah for wanting to travel on a train and being bossed about. Any real life experiences out there? Thanks.

surreysaver

I believe the government dropped its 'guidance' of only using public transport for 'essential journeys' on Friday.  Not sure about long distance trains, but commuter services south of London have been running around with one or two people per carriage off-peak.  Not sure about rush hour, I believe they're a bit busier, but nothing like a pre-covid rush hour.
The only trains I'm aware of of being packed, are trains to south coast resorts on hot days.

jonnygee2

I've been on a few journeys and it's pretty normal now, just fewer passengers which is better.

yorkie2

surreysaver said:

I believe the government dropped its 'guidance' of only using public transport for 'essential journeys' on Friday.  Not sure about long distance trains, but commuter services south of London have been running around with one or two people per carriage off-peak.  Not sure about rush hour, I believe they're a bit busier, but nothing like a pre-covid rush hour.
The only trains I'm aware of of being packed, are trains to south coast resorts on hot days.

Government stopped that being part of the guidance weeks ago but still asked people to "consider" walking or cycling first, if not possible driving, and only PT as a last resort

The guidance is now to walk or cycle if possible; if not to use PT or driving. So PT now comes before driving, which is nice  to see.

Train companies have all stopped trying to deter people from travelling except Transport for Wales because - and I quote "we are a Welsh company".

SilasMarner said:

Good Morning, Trying to work out how to travel "down south" to see the family. I wonder if anyone can tell me of their experiences on the trains at present. Specifically Avanti and Cross country. Is it a credible way to travel given the restrictions or is it miserable? I'm an OAP going with my Mrs. Not concerned about the virus but am anxious about being treated like a pariah for wanting to travel on a train and being bossed about. Any real life experiences out there? Thanks.

If you can say what sort of times you are looking to travel, and what day of the week, and what the journey is, we can advise.

XC trains can vary between being booked for 8 coaches or 4 coaches. There is some info on Railforums regarding which times they are but we can look them up for you.

spenderdave

On the local trains round here it is as others say, no problems but trains nearly empty. You will of course be expected to wear a mask but nobody enforcing it and outside London adherence is patchy. First trip up to central London later this week and the tube, might be interesting.

SilasMarner

Thanks for your replies. That's cheered me up because it looks like verything should be as normal but with less folk about.
 yorkie2 said
"If you can say what sort of times you are looking to travel, and what day of the week, and what the journey is, we can advise.XC trains can vary between being booked for 8 coaches or 4 coaches. There is some info on Railforums regarding which times they are but we can look them up for you".
On XC :-Travelling Saturday lunchtime on XC Brum to Cheltenham Return Mid Monday. XC say seats are reserved but not allocated so presumably we will be told where to sit. On Avanti into Brum - seats are reserved. I wonder if you can send a link to relevant rail forums  please? Cheers.

lisyloo

Are you able to drive?
i get GWR.
one time a drunk tattooed gentleman sat right behind me with arms all over my seat. I made a comment about distancing but quickly decided just to move as I assessed he wasn’t someone to be reasoned with. It was inconvenient as I had spread my stuff out but I just quickly moved.
one journey I had 5 people try to sit close. I asked them to move and in one case use the window seat. I starting to get a little upset as I’ve lost someone to COViD. I was ready to go into first class and burst into tears if necessary.

so I would say if you can easily drive then do so.
if you have to get the train then get on the furthest, least busy carriage you can but expect some people not to wear masks and be prepared to move if necessary. No enforcement on GWR.

KeithP

SilasMarner said:

I wonder if you can send a link to relevant rail forums  please? Cheers.

https://www.railforums.co.uk

SilasMarner

KeithP said:

SilasMarner said:

I wonder if you can send a link to relevant rail forums  please? Cheers.

https://www.railforums.co.uk

Thanks for that.
lisyloo said:

Are you able to drive?
i get GWR.
one time a drunk tattooed gentleman sat right behind me with arms all over my seat. I made a comment about distancing but quickly decided just to move as I assessed he wasn’t someone to be reasoned with. It was inconvenient as I had spread my stuff out but I just quickly moved.
one journey I had 5 people try to sit close. I asked them to move and in one case use the window seat. I starting to get a little upset as I’ve lost someone to COViD. I was ready to go into first class and burst into tears if necessary.

so I would say if you can easily drive then do so.
if you have to get the train then get on the furthest, least busy carriage you can but expect some people not to wear masks and be prepared to move if necessary. No enforcement on GWR.

I'm sorry to hear of your difficulties. Thank you for your thoughts and advice.

MoneySeeker1

There is the question of access to toilets and refreshments still to answer.

AFAIK - refreshments are not available on trains at the moment? I am guessing this might include station cafes too???

Also I wonder whether they have gone and locked toilets on trains and/or at stations whilst Lockdown is still on?

lisyloo

There are toilets on the GWR trains I travel on.
not tried at the station