Coast to coast north south north by train

Posted on 26th May 202426th May 2024 by insightndes

This journey, starting in the far north of Scotland, visiting Oxfordshire (twice), London, West Sussex, Poole, Surrey, Cheshire , Liverpool and Inverness.

Change to the Caledonian Sleeper at Inverness.

No dishwasher working on the train, hence the disposable cup.

The only issue on the cycle to Paddington was a close pass from a speeding motorcyclist. Why are they allowed in the bus lanes and why can’t they ride better?

After chatting to the man on the train doing the food trolley he said he would give me a free tea, if he got time before Didcot. Very kind.

First train issue- train to Paddington delayed so caught a different train.

Cycle across London in glorious sunshine, taking in Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, London Eye…

I came across a new menace in London, motorised skateboards exclusively ridden by idiots. These are not legally allowed to be used on pavements, roads or cycle paths. What happens if collide with an illegal vehicle, with no insurance and no sense?

After a stay in London I trained on from south London via London Bridge to Sussex.

The trip included cycling on the wonderful cuckoo trail. Lots of birdsong but no cuckoos heard,

A stop in Poole then back on the train.

Oops, accidentally got on first class at Didcot- on a crowded train

Change at Reading, on to Ash.

Fun at Ash, delayed train from Guildford due to something being thrown on the line.

A stay in Surrey for the weekend.

Another cycle across London.

Things started going pear shaped at Liverpool from where I was trying to travel to Inverness.

Liverpool station

Caught an earlier train , which I was only able to do due to having arrived early at Liverpool.

The train got stopped, so my connection at Haymarket started looking unsafe,

Despite warning the conductor and his best efforts we missed the connection to Inverness. ScotRail refused to hold their train. Splitting up British Rail was not a good idea.

Shoved on a train to Perth.

I did not expect to be going through Kilcardy

After a late taxi ride from Perth to Inverness I eventually got to bed.

Travel

Frosty Elgin-Inverness-Far north

Posted on 2nd Dec 2023 by insightndes

A beautiful frosty day.

At Elgin station there was no sign of the 1236 train to Inverness on the displays and confusingly the ScotRail app showed the train already at Forres. It turns out that the train shuttles back and forth between Elgin and Inverness.

The Inverness train arriving at Elgin from Inverness .

The frosty journey continues from Inverness

Travel

Far North to Didcot via Inverness, Aberdeen and London

Posted on 27th Nov 202327th Nov 2023 by insightndes

A beautiful day in the far north of Scotland as I set off.

Arrived in Inverness in the dark- took the train to Aberdeen to catch the sleeper service there as no cabins available on the service from Aberdeen.

Each time I come to London the traffic flows a bit better and the air tastes better. ULEZ doing its job.

Environment, Travel

Kings Cross to the Far North

Posted on 29th Jul 2023 by insightndes

Stayed at the Hub by Premier Inn at Kings Cross. Small but perfectly fine.

The room has a Brompton drawer.

First time of traveling from London to the Far North on daytime trains, starting at Kings Cross.

A long day on the train. Scheduled times, 4:42 Kings Cross to Edinburgh, 3:35 Edinburgh to Inverness and the final leg 3:51. Distances 631km, 181 km and 130km. Trains getting slower as I travel north.

Travel

The far north to London in July

Posted on 22nd Jul 202322nd Jul 2023 by insightndes

A sunny but cool day for the trip on the far north line.

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Train arriving

And then on to the Caledonian Sleeper at Inverness.

All very civilised, dinner (overpriced) and breakfast in the buffet car.

This is a very effective way to get to London, set off at 1632 from Thurso, arrive in 0800, 30 minutes earlier than expected. There were meant to be delays due to engineering works.

After leaving Euston station I encountered action by people dressed in orange tabards, who I believe were Just Stop Oil protestors. This did not affect me for two reasons. I was cycling and I was heading in the opposite direction to the blocked carriage way. Traffic stationary on the other side of the road. A minute later I spotted a single police car trying to make its way through the traffic. Then another few minutes on half a dozen police vans with sirens blaring. The vans were struggling to get through the stationary traffic so they crossed over to my side of the carriage way. All very exciting. Why did they not travel from the opposite direction in the first place ?

Travel

Caledonian Sleeper

Posted on 3rd Jun 20233rd Jun 2023 by insightndes

Go to sleep in the Scottish Highlands and wake up in the deep south of England. What better way to travel? Efficient, traveling while you sleep. Enjoyable, far more fun than sitting in soulless airports. But it is pricey.

The options are, sleeping in a recliner – cheap but not cheerful, a room to yourself or with a friend with a friend, or for a bit more with a en-suite shower/toilet. If you really push the boat out you can have a double bed.

The sleeper service uses the rail track infrastructure which is underused at night, which must be a good idea.

Travel

The Far North Line

Posted on 1st Jun 20231st Jun 2023 by insightndes

This is a super beautiful route in the daylight, especially on a sunny day. But also super slow and super cheap. A bit miserable in the dark and the toilets never appear to be totally clean.