(15 Jan 2014, 9:35 am)andreos1 wrote I generally head up the night before and stay overnight (meeting timings etc) and get the direct East Coast 18.25ish out of Durham 1st class for no more than £30. Usually £25-£28.
Only a few quid more than standard but you get free food, drink, wifi and a few more reward dpoints.
Coming back, the 16.52 CrossStinky is around the £15 mark.
The sadist in me has always been tempted to get the 158 Scotrail/Northern Rail Newcastle - Glasgow via the world train, but never been brave enough!
They actually use 156s and I've done this journey several times (one way) when I used to be in the Sea Cadets. Always caught the 1709 departure from Newcastle to Troon. It was a fantastic run, and I didn't mind the Sprinters. It had a 20 minute stop at Carlisle though.