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Having a clear out....
Take me or leave me. I am, who I am. Love me or hate me - You only live once!
Having a clear out. Check out my Ebay - smcclt300688 or southwesttrains
Member since:28.12.2006
Reviews:23
Members who trust:6
Well, recently, myself and my partner Steve took a trip to Scotland, and travelled around using the trains. First Scotrail in particular. We stayed at a lovely hotel in Inverness where we stayed for a week.
Our journey there was quite uneventful, we used the National Express East Coast service, which was direct from London Kings Cross to Inverness. But- enough about that, I'm reviewing First Scotrail here.
Our plan was to stay in Inverness and then go out for the day using the local train services. We ended up travelling to Kyle Of Lochalsh, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aviemore and Perth. I'll tell you a bit more about this later on......
HOW EASY WAS IT TO BUY A TICKET?
Most of the principle FSR stations have either a Travel Center or Ticket Office where there is a full range of tickets, railcards and rover tickets available to purchase. Where there is an unmanned station or the office is simply closed, there is more often than not a Ticket Vending Machine available for use. This is where you can buy a limited range of tickets for travel on the same day only. The FSR policy is that you must buy a ticket before you board the train, otherwise you may have to pay a penalty fare.
This doesn't actually apply when you were unable to purchase a ticket before boarding the train, although FSR don't like to shout about that. If you are able to show that you couldn't buy a ticket before hand, then you can get a ticket from the Train manager on board.
VALUE FOR MONEY
As i was travelling around each day, I purchased a 7-day all-line rover ticket, allowing me full use of any train, to any destination, at any time, in England, Scotland or Wales. I used this to travel from my home station, Basildon, up to Inverness and then all subsequent journeys. I didnt need to purchase any other tickets during my time away, so to me this was very good value for money. But - I guess if I was buying individual tickets, some at peak times, I would have spent a fortune. I did look at the prices of the individual fares were a little steep, so on that basis FSR didnt do so well.
THE FREQUENCY OF THE TRAINS
FST run to a tight timetable, and unlike other operators they don't add in "Recovery time." This means that there is no hanging around at stations, thus delaying your journey. The train simply pulls into the station stop, allows the passengers off, waits for the boarding passengers to get on and then pulls away again. No waiting around for 5 minutes at every single station. The frequency of the trains isn't that great to be honest. Before now I have got on a train to somewhere, only to find that half way though the journey that I have to go back for one reason or another. I got off the train at the next calling point, only to realise that once I checked the timetable at that station that there is a 5 hour wait for the next train back to my departure point. Obviously I couldn't wait around in the freezing cold for the next train, so there was a lengthy and expensive trip back on the local bus service. FSR get a big thumbs down here for the frequency of their trains.
RELIABILITY OF THE TRAINS
FSR has to be, in my opinion the best operator when it comes to being reliable. Nothing fazes them, and they carry on providing the best service possible regardless of what else is happening. During my before mentioned trip, we were on a train from Perth to Inverness, some 2 hours, and during the day it had been snowing heavily, and combined with the gale force winds, the track was completely covered up by snow, around 3 or 4 inches about the level of the rail heads, but the service kept running to near normal timings and we all got to where we were going safely. If we have so much as an inch of snow in London everything seems to grind to a halt, but not FSR. A big well done to them I think.
COMFORT OF THE TRAINS
This is where FSR are doing a good job. There is a good mix of airline style and table seats in the coaches and comfortable ones at that. The seats are not too hard, nor too soft and are not so small that you feel like you are being crammed in like sardines. Personally I don't like to use the on board toilets, unless it is absolutely necessary, as i have had some really bad experiences in trains, plus I don't like small spaces and start to get panicky. But - on the odd occasion that i have used them, it;s not been too great. Things definitely need improving when it comes to the cleanliness of the toilets. The General state of the trains themselves is pretty good, I don't think I have been on an untidy or dirty FSR train to date. Another gripe of mine is when a train is too hot or too cold. The whole point of the trains being thermostatically controlled is that in theory it doesnt get too hot or cold. But it does happen. Before now it has been below freezing outside and the coaches are nearly as cold. The air conditioning and heating systems are not up to much. You either need to keep your coat on , or feel like your about to die of heat exhaustion.
FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED
Facilities for the disabled is something that I don't really notice to be honest. But - I do know that FSR are continually looking at ways to improve the accessibility of their stations. I know that the majority of stations and buildings are accessible in the way that door ways are perhaps widened and that ramps have been installed, as well as disabled toilets, lifts and lower ticket windows. Also ALL trains have portable ramps that can be used by the train conductor to eliminate the step down from the train to the platform edge. Talking of platform edges, I know that all platforms now have tactile edging and yellow lines are painted near to the end of each and every platform.
OTHER FACILITIES
This is another area where FSR let the travelling public down. I would estimate the only 8 in 10 stations have basic facilities, such as a help point, toilets or refreshments available. For some of the larger more used stations these facilities have been put in, as well as things like left luggage lockers and maybe a restaurant or at least vending machines. FSR are aiming to put help points and CCTV into all stations as soon as possible. I also know that there is a scheme in place to provide some sort of shelter from the elements at all platforms too. All FSR trains, platforms and all parts of the railway are also non-smoking areas. Although some people blatantly ignore these signs and carry on regardless.
ON BOARD CATERING FACILITIES
Nothing special here really, just your average buffet trolley. There is no buffet coach or hot food facility on board. Just an average, overpriced at seat catering trolley. The rage of food available for purchase is often limited in supply and limited in choice. A big let down really.
FSR STAFF
I met dozens of staff along the way, and they were nothing but pleasant, courteous and helpful. no problems here at all. They couldn't do enough to help you.
Stations/Places of interest
Inverness
This has to be my favourite FSR station. All the staff are really friendly and helpful, the facilities are really good and the location is just perfect. There is a cafe, a bar, left luggage area, a few shops, car hire and a hotel outside the station.
There is plenty to do in Inverness, including Jacobite tours of Loch Ness, ghostly walking tours of Inverness after dark and plenty of places to eat out, socialise and just simply have a good time.
A short walk from the station is the river Ness, I would recommend taking a walk along the banks, where after around 15 minutes you will find a bowling alley, a skating rink, a leisure center and a theatre.
Perth
* Perth is a busy large town, with plenty to see and do. If you do make it there then there is a fantastic buffet restaurant called City Buffet. Well worth that trip just to go there. The station is situated conveniently next to the bus station in the town centre.
Aviemore
There is loads to do in Aviemore. You could take a walk around, along the river, or over to the national park or even try out one of the many restaurants, including the fabulous Roo's leap, situated on the platform.
A short bus ride away are the spectacular Cairngormmountains and GlenmoreForest. Both of which are perfect for exploring. If you take the bus up to the top of the mountain, make sure you dress warm, this can feel like another world compared to Aviemore town. Often, the temperature here is below freezing, and snowing heavily. This is the place to be if you want to try out skiing or snow boarding or just want to chill out by the open fire with a warm drink and appreciate the spectacular views from the comfort of the lodge.
OVERALL SCORE
Ease of buying a ticket 9/10 Value for money 7/10 Frequency of the trains 6/10 Reliability of the trains 9/10 Comfort of the trains 8/10 Accessibility 8/10 Other Facilities 6/10 Personal safety 8/10 On board catering 4/10 FSR Staff 10/10
Total 75/100
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
No mention of Weekend First Upgrades available with Standard Class tickets on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays? Back in 2004 I travelled from Edinburgh to Dundee on a busy Scotrail train. The nine seats in First Class were all empty until I paid my £1.50 supplement to upgrade - got a reclining seat at a large table with window curtains, and two visits from the refreshment trolley with complementary coffee, mineral water and biscuits. There were people standing in the gangways in Standard Class unable to get a seat, whilst I had the whole of First Class to myself!
ged1967 02.06.2008 23:29
Very thorough review. Although when writing your review you really should only review points you have noted: Firstly, you cannot review and therfore rate disabled accessibility when you did not pay attention to disabled access and facilities. Secondly you reviewed on board toilet but whay was wrong with them? Just dirty isn't really enough. A good mystery shopper looks for soap. towels hot water cleanliness etc. Also proof read your review before submiting ti ensure spelling, grammar and capitalisation are correct.
As I said a good thorough review & I will rate very helpful.
Yes- I do know I have some "typos"
Jean-Anne 05.03.2008 00:26
Interesting and extensive Review, I used to travel monthly to Glasgow or Edinburgh from Elgin, which is between Aberdeen and Inverness. The timetables are not good, often you can just miss a train South, having to wait around an hour for the next one. Now I usually take the car saving up to an hour on the journey. Sunday travel is particularly lengthy and not at the best of times.
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Jan 11th, 2008
(Feb 7th, 2008)
exceptional by (9%):
very helpful by (88%):
helpful by (3%):
