(27 Nov 2014, 9:16 am)Scott wrote I found East Coast rather sloppey with jerky uncomfortable trains, heaters on during the summer, and even a tarin stopping short at Edinburgh, with no info as to replacement bus services. Open ticket did allow the use of a ScotRail service to complete the journey.

Cross Country seemed to provide a better service, but I rarely used them. Northern Rail do very well with the older rolling stock. A return journey on Virgin West Coast wen't very well. Got into Carlilse 5 minutes early, with a very smooth ride. 

I'm surprised about that mind Scott. It's usually people complaining that the air conditioning is on during the winter, not heating in the summer. I'm doing long distance on East Coast every other week, and it's very rare I've had a problem. It tends to be caused by trespassing or line faults when it is.

Cross Country on the other hand. I've absolutely no desire to use a train that smells worse than a public toilet. When I do Glasgow, I always do East Coast to Edinburgh, and then ScotRail to Glasgow. Never direct via Cross Country.

I've rarely used Virgin, but did have a spell last year where I had to for a few weeks running. Not a massive fan of the Pendolinos. They always feel a bit cramped, and I don't find the standard seating comfortable. The trains are always clean inside and out though, unlike Cross Country.