money may not grow on trees...but there's no denying that the paper it's printed on comes from them!
money may not grow on trees...but there's no denying that the paper it's printed on comes from them!
Member since:11.04.2007
Reviews:58
Members who trust:7
Where to Start with Northern Trains...
An introduction... The original company was regional railways, who were very reliable and operated wonderful services. From here Northern Spirit took over and whilst not doing anything bad for the system, they really ran the trains and nothing more. After this there was arrivabuses, no trains, no, I was right the first time it was buses I think. As you have probably gathered they virtually always had problems resulting in buses. Northern Trains have made some improvements but really have not done all too much for it.
The route... Name a staion in northern england and the chances are that northern trains will operate a train to it. The routes are extremely extensive, but in many cases they make very little sense and take odd and long routes where better routes
could be used. Many services stop at stations that do dot require any trains at the time they stop whereas others do not stop at stations that require frequent services. My local station in Swinton Interchange in south Yorkshire.and despite its interchange status services are not frequent, all are local stopping, and many will not take you out of the county. They go as far north as Newcastle and Carslisle, and as far south as Sheffield and Crewe.
The staff... Staff are generally acceptable, but not much better than this. The majority of staff do not check tickets. Ticket office staff are often unfriendly and have seemingly never herd of a smile, or good customer service. Do not expect much from the staff as most simply aren't bothered. There are however, i should say, some acceptions who simply cannot do enough to help a customer. There is a conductor on the trains who used to work in the ticket office in Swinton station (in South Yorkshire) when it was just a little metal shed before a real ticket office and waiting room was built. He always helps everyone and is genuinely a very friendly guy. The other side to this is the guy who now often works the ticket office at Swinton station does not know how to smile, is rude and once practically verbally atacked me for paying with a £10 note despite me apologising in advance that I had no change for the £1.20 fare!!! I have not actually seen him the last few times I have caught the train so I almost hope he was fired for his attitude towards others, but i'm not sure if he was or not.
The trains... They get you from A to B, and back again if you're lucky. Most trains are utterly old and are falling to pieces. Generally comfort is unheard of. There is virtually no hope of finding a seat at peak times, families cannot sit at a table for four usually as these tend to be hogged by single travellers with noone monitoring this (admittedly, I often sit at a table seat on my own but will always offer to give it up to a family if a family boards the train). They really aren't environmentally friendyl and there is always black smoke. The majority of trains have ben refurbished within the past five years but are still not great. New trains are desperately required, and I believe that new trains are going to be introduced to the routes over the years to come in the form of light weight trams. This really isn't oing to be good enough in my opinion as much more is needed, and much more is needed now as apposed to soon. The trains are quite literally dying and should come with a health hazard warning.
The stations... Generally not bad, but lack of facilities and staffing. Do not reccomend using stations after dark as often there are groups of youths on platforms (mainly platforms over bridges that take longer to get to, just something I have noticed). I have only ever done this once and would never do it again. Do not travel on your own at night if avoidable. Some stations do have information screens and waiting rooms whilst some simply have a notice board. Most have telecom announcements which is helpful, but not enough. It is pretty much pot luck as to wether a station is good or not. My local station, Swinton interchange is admittedly very good and has won an award in the last few years for being the countries best mini interchange.
Punctuality (or rather a lack of it)... Northern trains rarely have trains arriving on times, however delays are often of two to five minutes so there is not much difference anyway. If timetables were alterd so that trains were due to arrive at each station two minutes later than scheduled, the majority of delays could be wiped out. On other accoasions there is the dreaded "delayed for 10 minutes, listen for further annoucements" (five minutes later) "delayed for 15 minutes listen for further announcements" (several announcements late) "ug eh cough cancelled". If you want to arrive at your destination on time it is a good idea to go for the train before the one that gets you there right on time to avoid being late.
Facilities... Virtually non existant, the ones that there are are disgusting and not reccomended for use. On board toilets should come with a health warning. No food or drink is available, even on long distance journeys.
Ending... A pretty rubbish train company that gets you from A to B, sometimes.
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