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

spenderdave

On SWR all the station toilets are open and not seen any closed on trains - though the one on tonight's train was flashing 'out of order'. For information, Reading to Waterloo trains much busier than last week but still enough room for 1m distancing. Waterloo very quiet. Surprised that the Bakerloo tube train I caught there had no more than six passengers per carriage - but some of the other tube trains were quite busy.

thepurplepixie

I picked GS up from the station yesterday, trains seem very empty.  He says toilets on the train were open but didn't know about station.

es5595

I travelled from Euston with Avanti today, 1403 departure. It was very quiet. Everyone was wearing masks apart from whilst eating/drinking, and there was significant social distancing. 

At Euston there was only the WHSmith and Sainsbury’s open, so if it’s a long journey make sure to bring food/drink with you. Annoyingly, all the water points are closed too.

You say you’re going to Birmingham with Avanti, if you look, several trains go onto Crewe, Edinburgh etc, these are probably the ones you want to avoid, as the Euston to Birmingham is a shorter route so has less demand = greater social distancing. 

Floss

Check the train company takes reservations - Avanti do but LNWR & WMR do not, their journeys are cheaper but longer.

martindow

Some companies are offering advice on quiet and busy times.  This is an example

https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/travel-tools/journey-planning/social-distancing-future-trains

It could be worth checking the web sites of rail companies you are thinking of using.

yorkie2

If you are making a specific journey, the best thing to do is post your journey requirements in the dedicated fare advice section on Railforums

Catering is available on some trains (e.g. Avanti, XC); some offer reservations and some even mandate reservations but not all companies offer an allocated seat. It varies widely. But people on that forum (including myself) can give advice tailored to your needs.

SilasMarner

As I am the O.P.I thought I'd gve an update as a matter of courtesy. 4 journeys. Lancs to Birmingham (Avanti) and on to Cheltenham. (XC). Return. Saturday/Monday. A mix of first and second class.  Quiet, very few passengers on Saturday. One other passenger in my 1st class carriage Birmingham to Cheltenham on Saturday. Slightly busier on Monday. On Saturday some stations were deserted. All trains bang on time.  What passengers there were, showed courtesy. Travel nivarna really.  

FBL1993

I used Greater Anglia a few days ago and the experience was very smooth. Obviously the service was considerably quieter than normal - felt like a Sunday morning train - but other than everything was fine. Anglia have recently upgraded their trains so was quite a bit nicer than when I used to go up to university in Norwich 7/8 years ago. The only downside is wearing the mask constantly, it does do my head in a little bit. But what can you do? Overall the experience was fine and didn't feel I was treated like a pariah at all..

spenderdave

If you have a serious issue with face masks you can claim exemption:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own
Despite a well reported incident in the papers a couple of weeks ago most train companies are fully aware of the exemptions and you will not be challenged.

martindow

Another anecdote from yesterday Reading to Paddington off peak.  The were very few passengers on the train going up at around 11 o'clock.  I think there were more people waiting at Paddington with spray bottles to clean the train than passengers getting off.  Returning I had to get a slow Crossrail train around 5pm because of off peak limitations.  Even at that time the train was fairly quiet with passengers reasonably spaced out.

I used an Santander bike to go from Paddington to Piccadilly which was lovely with cycle lanes nearly all the way - down Westbourne Terrace, though Hyde Park and the Mall with traffic lights for the bike lanes.  I don't know why I haven't done it before.