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Great Western Coffee Shop > Journey by Journey > Cross Country services > 'New' destinations for Cross Country services*
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Author Topic: 'New' destinations for Cross Country services*  (Read 4323 times)
IndustryInsider
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« on: August 07, 2018, 21:28:51 »
* Temporarily at least!

During the Derby blockade the Southampton/Reading to Newcastle hourly axis of XC▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) is altered so the trains are extended further afield.  Destinations such as Edinburgh and Glasgow are available several times a day with a Dundee, Aberdeen and Leeds services thrown in for good measure.

So, you can now go direct from Oxford to Aberdeen, Reading to Dundee, Southampton to Inverkeithing, or even escape the humdrum life of Aberdeen for a glamorous weekend break in Guildford (though you'd have to change on the way back for that one!).

Many of these destinations have at one point in time been served by direct trains, and it's nice to see them back - if only for a couple of months.  Some might say Cross Country was made for such a mix of direct services rather than frequent direct links to a more limited number of destinations.
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JayMac
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« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2018, 21:44:03 »
What's happened is the services to and from Reading/Guildford/South Coast have taken the paths north of Birmingham that are usually used by services on the SW/NE corridor.

That was the easiest solution for XC▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) to maintain as many services across their network as possible. It does mean a change at Brum for those who'd usually travel on the SW/NE corridor
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« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2018, 21:51:29 »
Quote from: IndustryInsider on August 07, 2018, 21:28:51
... escape the humdrum life of Aberdeen for a glamorous weekend break in Guildford  ...

Nicey but pricey! (though I suppose 28p per minute isn't all that bad!)



£183.50 - Anytime single, any permitted route
£184.60 - Advanced single, this train only
£189.50 - Anytime single via Banbury

An excellent piece of logic which I'm sure our fares guru can explain!
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rogerw
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« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2018, 22:06:26 »
Typical Cross Country fares
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ellendune
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« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2018, 22:09:56 »
Quote from: rogerw on August 07, 2018, 22:06:26
Typical Cross Country fares

Look a lot better per mile than Swindon Paddington
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2018, 08:03:32 »
Quote from: grahame on August 07, 2018, 21:51:29
Quote from: IndustryInsider on August 07, 2018, 21:28:51
... escape the humdrum life of Aberdeen for a glamorous weekend break in Guildford  ...

Nicey but pricey! (though I suppose 28p per minute isn't all that bad!)



£183.50 - Anytime single, any permitted route
£184.60 - Advanced single, this train only
£189.50 - Anytime single via Banbury

An excellent piece of logic which I'm sure our fares guru can explain!



I wouldn't fancy paying 28p per minute - although I guess, these fares aren't that far short.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2018, 08:54:18 »
I assume the Any Permitted Route includes via London on LNER» (London North Eastern Railway - about)?....
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Richard Fairhurst
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« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2018, 10:47:13 »
A pleasant surprise the other week when I had a meeting in Burton-on-Trent and could get direct trains there and back from Oxford. Especially so because the loadings were significantly less than usual for CrossCountry, so I could actually get a table and do some work, never mind a seat.
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