And yet another one bites the dust... do I smell or something????
And yet another one bites the dust... do I smell or something????
Member since:14.10.2003
Reviews:32
Members who trust:26
I frequently travel between London and Leicester, since my other half lives there, and I have found that Midland Mainline offer the most consistent, reliable service there and back. In a world where trains seem to be getting worse and worse, Midland Mainline, in my opinion at least, are a breath of fresh air. Or rather, a lungful of diesel fumes.
I wanna travel North. Where do I get my ticket? --------------------------------------------------------------------- Tickets for Midland Mainline trains are available direct from the station, over the phone, or from resellers like your local uni travel shop. By far the easiest, and cheapest, way though is to order direct from the Midland Mainline website. Taking my journey from London to Leicester as an example, tickets range in price from around £15 for your super-dooper saver ticket (not its real name!) to £125 for the all singing, all dancing First Inclusive ticket (now that is its real name!). For a lot of the cheaper tickets you have to book a few days in advance, and availability is limited. Since I generally know well in advance when I'm travelling, its not really a problem but last minute travellers
may get stung. The website is pretty comprehensive, listing times and fares accordingly. The website also features various promo offers, including at one point First Class tickets for £25! Not too shabby. They'll post your ticks to you for free, or recorded delivery is a shade under a fiver. You can also collect your tickets from the station. Incidentally, the website offers a free seat reservation with every ticket, and this is STRONGLY recommended.
Right. Got my tickets, where's the bloody train? ----------------------------------------------------------------- Midland Mainline's main terminus down "sarf" is London St Pancras. Its currently undergoing major development works, and as such is a total maze to navigate Bring a compass! You'll need it. Once you're in, the station features a variety of retail outlets, including a Bar, WHSmiths, and a pasty shop! All very expensive, naturally.
So many trains. Which One?! ------------------------------------------------- Midland Mainline runs very frequent services - train to Leicester depart at a rate of 2 every 30 minutes. You are offered a choice of High Speed Train or Meridian Trains, with the former being faster and the latter more modern and comfortable. Your ticket, unless its a full open, is only valid on the train booked.
Slumming it. -------------------- Perhaps the title is a little OTT, since Standard class on board the train is in my opinion better than the service offered in First on a lot of other operators. Standard class seats are arranged in groups of 2 or 4, with the 4 having a big old table to rest your Stella on. Leg space is limited, as is butt space. However, the seats are reasonably comfortable. Midland Mainline is unique in that it offers free Tea and Coffee to all its passengers. Admittedly the quality is not up to much cop but... its free! Bring on the caffeine. One of the standard class coaches is designated a "Quiet Coach" where Nokia's are banned.
MM's Bar ------------------- In between Standard and First Coaches, you have the cunningly titled MM's Bar, which serves hot and cold drinks and snacks. All stupidly priced. Handily though you can buy a cut priced voucher at the station, saving you a smidge of cash.
Living Like a King. --------------------------------- Now, where Midland Mainline excels is in the service offered to First Class Passengers. Seats are roomy - even for my ample backside, and all have a table. You are provided with a free newspaper, a free snack, proper Tea and Coffee, and, depending on the time of day, free wine! Yes that’s right, they will give you a couple of free glasses of wine.. that retails in the bar for £4.95 a glass! Very refreshing. (glug). First Class Passengers can also take advantage of an exclusive menu of food, served at your table. Fancied having Brekka at 125MPH? You can now. First Class Passengers can also take advantage of the First Class Lounge at most stations, offering more free stuff, comfy seats, a guy willing to take your bags to the train... and CNN. Snore.
Yes. But do they run on time? ------------------------------------------------ To be honest, I have never dealt with a delay on Midland Main line that has lasted more than 5 minutes, and only witnessed a cancelled train once. Thats in 5 years of using them. In contrast, their main competitor in the midlands (Central Trains) is consistently late, slow and unreliable.
But I don’t wanna go to Leicester! ----------------------------------------------------- Don’t worry! Midland Mainline services most of the Midlands, and up North. They’ll take you to Derby, Sheffield, Leeds, Nottingham and a whole load of little towns that are dotted about. Bear in mind though that some of these may be serviced infrequently, and by the slower, older Turbostar trains.
Negatives? -------------------- Well. I do have a few beef's with this company. Refunds on tickets are rarer than a panda in the dessert - it’s very, very tough. Also, you have to sign up to the website to get your tickets - which means junk mail. I even got a bloody birthday card! Now that’s a company that cares... Not. I also feel that they don't cater for diabled people very well - only the Meridian trains have space for a wheel chair - not a chance on the faster High Speed Trains!
Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now arriving at the end of my review. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As far as trains to the North go, Midland main line offer a fast, comfortable service that can be reasonably priced if you book far enough in advance. First Class accommodation is superb, with Standard pretty acceptable. Wholeheartedly recommended. Unless you wanna walk!
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A pretty comprehensive review. MML certainly made off-peak First Class rail travel affordable and it's a shame that their London-Manchester service didn't become permanent. As often as not, if you asked politely at a quiet time, they'd even let you into the First Class lounge at St. Pancras on a deep-discount ticket. MML also did a good loyalty card scheme offering 15% off food and drink prices at Eminems Bar. If you lived in Loughborough or Market Harborough and travelled First Class you might not have got so many freebies - the trolley service seemed to stop at Leicester! Did anyone else use the £3 MM's Bar Vouchers, which seemed to be kept secret even from the MML employees who staffed the buffet? "I've worked on MML for years and I've never sold one/seen one" was the usual comment!
voyagerdude220 25.08.2006 18:01
I've not actually travelled on MML before.. FC on MML doesn't sound as good as on Virgin's Pendolino trains to/from London though.. You get free drinks (alchohol from 11a.m) snacks (incl lovely bagels) etc etc. Great review though. Ian
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Dec 23rd, 2004
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