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JayMac
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« on: September 21, 2011, 16:51:00 » |
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I've just discovered this website: http://www.1s76.com/A fascinating history of the InterCity Cross Country services that used to run between the south-east and the north. Some surprising locations that used to get at least 1 InterCity train a day. Eastbourne, Lewes, Dumfries, Annan..... Oh and take a look at this buffet menu from 1986: http://andygibbs.zenfolio.com/p853553453/e21cc9d92#h21cc9d92Sausage, Mash and Beans. 155p. Yes please!  |
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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Worcester_Passenger
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« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2011, 17:28:01 » |
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I travelled on the CrossCountry service to/from Brighton quite a few times - but also did a few trips on the one to Dover. In those days (1989) I had a customer in Chatham. I lived in Redditch and could park the car at Leamington Spa and get the southbound train at 08:43, into Chatham at 11:25. Do a day's work and catch the return train at 18:24, due into Leamington at 21:07.
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JayMac
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« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2011, 17:37:35 » |
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Unfortunately I'm not quite old enough to have done any of the InterCity Cross Country services to the south coast. Never even experienced the services operated by Virgin.
However, I did get to Brighton from Reading with Arriva CrossCountry (not really the same though is it? On a Vomiter....) in that brief period after they won the franchise between Nov 07-Dec 08 when they were still running the token services to/from the south coast.
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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bobm
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« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2011, 18:34:07 » |
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I like the reference to "Cigarettes available at normal retail prices" - that really dates it. Although a non smoker if you were really stuck for a seat you could usually find one in the smoking compartments/coaches. |
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LiskeardRich
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« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2011, 19:18:53 » |
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I like the reference to "Cigarettes available at normal retail prices" - that really dates it. Although a non smoker if you were really stuck for a seat you could usually find one in the smoking compartments/coaches.
Coach B on the HSTs▸ if i remember correctly. I was only a small child when it was banned, but whenever i traveled with my nan i recall her always wanting coach B so she could have a Fag on the longer journeys! |
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All posts are my own personal believes, opinions and understandings!
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Btline
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« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2011, 22:00:33 » |
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Cup of tea 38p. That price would be appropriate for today! It's hot water and a tea bag.
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inspector_blakey
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« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2011, 22:32:35 » |
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Plus the overheads involved in getting it to the customer and serving it, of course.
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devon_metro
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« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2011, 22:44:01 » |
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Cup of tea 38p. That price would be appropriate for today! It's hot water and a tea bag.
Are you not providing milk and sugar then? Remind me not to buy a cup of tea off you  |
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Btline
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« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2011, 23:19:20 » |
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Sugar? No no no!
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bobm
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« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2011, 23:25:51 » |
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No sign of Earl Grey tea ....
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caliwag
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« Reply #10 on: September 22, 2011, 04:50:59 » |
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Picked up a XC▸ at Cheltenham in 1977 to discover one of the last turns of a Gresley buffet in the set. (they were withdrawn that year). I assume it was a Bristol to Newcastle...peak hauled.
Seem to recall a brief chat with the 'cheery' attendent, whilst buying a can of beer...'wow, how old is this coach then?' 'forty two mate'...'how much is the beer?' 'I just told you, forty two'.
Seems that was the answer to both questions. I got the feeling he was rather fed-up with the 'age of the train' question.
Grand run to York though!
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eightf48544
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« Reply #11 on: September 22, 2011, 08:29:25 » |
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The South Coast Cross Countrys were great favourites on Chris Green's Network South East days. We used to catch the first Dover to Bromley South from Slough around 08:30 to start our day.
I've also done Lewes to Milton Keynes on the Eastbourne.
Of course in later years it was the 50's to Salisbury with a CC return from Basingstoke via Oxford.
Not on a Network day anyone remember the Deltic on the Ramsgate on summer Saturdays in Virgin days?. Did Bromley South Reading just for cost of Slough Reading add on to my season ticket. Clocked 106 at West Drayton.
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Andrew1939 from West Oxon
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« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2011, 08:57:14 » |
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Those rambling XC▸ trains to all sorts of different S.E. destinations were one of the contributory factors to the poor punctuality of a a few years ago of trains in the the Thames Valley area. The trains had to cross so many other paths that one delay caused numerous knock on delays as used to be evidenced at Oxford Station with northbound trains being frequently late at Oxford.
Cutting out all these different routes to just Reading and Bournemouth has significantly reduced that problem but at the cost of reducing the number of direct train options for rail users.
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smokey
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« Reply #13 on: September 22, 2011, 10:24:29 » |
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Even better than XC▸ services to from Places no longer served,
Who can recall a day out on BR▸ 's wonderful
MERRYMAKER
Services
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grahame
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« Reply #14 on: September 22, 2011, 10:38:19 » |
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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