I have never been on a Pendolino, so since I am off work this week, I thought I would see what the prices were and if not too bad I would have a go.  I managed to get a First Class single from Euston to Carlisle for £52.

I decided to go from Newcastle to London via ECML, then from London to Carlisle on the WCML and then back to from Newcastle using the Tyne Valley.

I caught VTEC down to Kings Cross with 82224 on the front with 91111 providing the power at the back.  Train was busy but got a double seat to myself all the way down - result.

Had a bit of a play on the Underground for an hour or so - I do love the Victoria 2009 stock trains, the acceleration they have and the speed they come into the stations, makes our Metro system look so old and dated with the rolling stock we have up here and also had a play on the S Stock of the Circle Line.

I got to Euston in time to catch my booked train - the 1130 11 coach Pendolino service to Carlisle, and I have to say I was well impressed.  The speed they go round the curves and then when you feel the train tilt, I have to say I am hooked.  Unsure what the seats are like in standard class, but I found them pretty comfy in First, bearing in mind I was sitting for just over 3 hours. The food was spot on as well and I could not fault the 2 sets of on board crew.  We left Euston at 1130 and we called at Warrington Bank Quay (1314), Wigan North Western (1325), Preston (1338), Lancaster (1354), Oxenholme Lake District (1408), Penrith North Lakes (1433) and then into Carlisle for 1449, arriving 3 minutes late at 1452.

The wifi worked perfectly throughout the journey as well.

We had a crew change at Preston and what I did notice was that the Train Guard up to Preston did all the announcements herself, yet when we left Preston the announcements were automated - clearly the second train guard was not keen on speaking.

Then.....as we pulled into Carlisle I noticed a Northern Rail train standing in on Platform 5 and it was mine, the 1528 to Middlesboro - its was 142018. Now coming off a Pendolino onto a 142 all I can say is lets just gloss over this part of my day and I arrived back into Newcastle around 1650.

Luckily for me, I decided to go down the ECML and up the WCML rather than the other way as with the gas leak in Durham and the trains getting delayed, I think I would have still being travelling yet!!

I found it quite funny that 390153 is named Mission Accomplished as I had a mission today and I did accomplish it.

Have to say had a good day out and I enjoyed it, and I do think I will do it again, but maybe all the way to Glasgow when the line reopens north of Carlisle.

A couple of pics of 91111 and 390153 below.