(09 Dec 2014, 7:22 pm)Dan First Class on a weekend isn't worth it - you definitely ought to find the time to do it on a weekday!

(09 Dec 2014, 7:22 pm)MarcTheA4 When I went down to London with East Coast in October, I had a Class 43 HST on the 08:38 from Durham, so that would be the 08:20ish from Newcastle. From what I've seen, it's always a HST.

One thing I would definitely look into, Adam, is using the Flying Scotsman service. You know the one that starts at Edinburgh at like 05:40, gets to Newcastle for bang on 07:00 and arrives into King's Cross for about 10:00? Get on that.

I imagine it'll be a worthwhile experience. I'd absolutely love to do that! (Hintedy hint hint!)

(09 Dec 2014, 7:26 pm)aureolin I love the Flying Scotsman service. I'll always aim to get that one, as it makes a massive amount of difference when it's non-stop.

(09 Dec 2014, 7:30 pm)MarcTheA4 Indeed. Never been on it, but it's just one of those things I aim to do, maybe when I've got some spare cash at Uni!

Just checked a few things, and a whole set can carry about 500 people, and I remember in All Aboard: East Coast Trains hearing the narrator say about 100 get on at Edinburgh and the same at Newcastle, before going non-stop to King's Cross. Should make a pretty nice journey.

@Adam, I imagine the Flying Scotsman service won't be a HST. What with a Class 91 + Mk4 Set being in a special livery for it, and apparently being allocated to it!

(09 Dec 2014, 7:50 pm)MarcTheA4 Patsy? Very cheery; always friendly. Has blonde/gold hair, always nice and short, (for a lady!) and normally says 'hiya!' when someone boards!

(09 Dec 2014, 7:55 pm)Adam Might have been. She fits your description apart from saying hello. Saying that though, she might have done, but I had my earphones in so wouldn't have heard. What she did do though was wait for me to board after she saw is running for the bus. Very nice gesture

I recall someone having a pic of her when driving. If I saw that then I should be able to decipher whether it was her or not.

(09 Dec 2014, 7:47 pm)Adam Must apologise in advance for the length of the post....


Of course, I dare say, the trains are busier on a weekend compared to weekdays (obviously excluding peak times). Like I said earlier, I'll have to look into the T&Cs to see when the expiry date is and if it's after the Easter holidays.


You're not going to give up with the hints are you haha (Something completely unrelated but I know it'll make you happy.... My driver on the X25 this morning may have been the one and only Pat Armstrong. What does she look like again?)

Anyway, yeah, I know the Flying Scotsman. 05:40 from EDB, non-stop to NCL leaving at 07:04 and then non-stop to KGX arriving at 09:40ish I think. Never used that particular service before but there's a first for everything. Suppose it gives me more time in the Capital I do get it. Only problem though is that it won't allow me to follow Andreos' suggestion of timing the trains so that I get a breakfast and a brunch/lunch out of it.


I suppose a non-stop service will make the journey seem a heck of a lot quicker. 2 and a half hours is still a large amount of time to keep yourself occupied for.


Spare cash whilst at uni?! What planet are you on It all goes on other stuff *cough* PARTYING *cough*.

Yeah, I've saw the 07:04 before when I went down to York for a uni open day and it was a Class 91. Shame really but never mind.

(09 Dec 2014, 8:02 pm)Dan Not the best photo of her, it must be said, but...
https://flic.kr/p/ny8D1U

(09 Dec 2014, 8:06 pm)marxistafozzski The wet stuff that has a percentage on it' bottle

(09 Dec 2014, 9:41 pm)Andreos1 @Adam
Weekends, think the 1st Class offer is tea, coffee, juice and sandwiches/cake.

The weekday is a little bit more (inc hot food) and alcohol too.

You could always go North.
The one to Aberdeen from Leeds (8.25 Durham, 8.40is Newcastle) is a HST and you get breakfast on leaving Newcastle. Sandwiches crossing the Forth.
Inverness is always a HST too.

(09 Dec 2014, 10:32 pm)Adam I didn't realise the offering in First Class was different on a weekend compared to weekdays. Very tempted to go during the week now.

I've been to Aberdeen before for a family wedding, albeit 14 years ago. Never been to Inverness though but it does seem a nice place.

I used the 08:41 when I went to Edinburgh with my Business Class last year. Happily, I was put in charge of the transport for the trip, so deliberately chose the 08:41 as I knew it was an HST with it continuing to Aberdeen

(10 Dec 2014, 10:32 pm)Jimmi Wow, I've had wrong orders in McDonalds but they haven't been that bad.

The Arnison Centre one was the worst I've been in for mistakes.

Also went into one on Blackpool Seafront and was served by a lass called Ocean.

(10 Dec 2014, 10:43 pm)Jimmi The last complaint I saw someone make in McDonalds was someone came up and said they wanted a cup of hot water (I imagine that they were putting one teabag in two cups to save money).

(10 Dec 2014, 10:56 pm)Jimmi Something that amuses me in places like McDonalds is when people ask for really unhealthy selections and then ask for Diet Coke... Like that's going to make all the difference.