Best Long distance TOC

chuxn2005 · Post by **chuxn2005** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 5:13 pm

Who do you think is the best long distance TOC

PABLOM · Post by **PABLOM** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 5:16 pm

do first great western not count as a long distance toc?

mattvince · Post by **mattvince** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 5:40 pm

Moderator Please!

rikfarish · Post by **rikfarish** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 8:36 pm

ScotRail seems to be missing from the list.

I personally think the Fort William to London Euston sleeper is the best long distance journey you take.

stuartpalmer · Post by **stuartpalmer** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 8:59 pm

rikfarish wrote:ScotRail seems to be missing from the list.

I personally think the Fort William to London Euston sleeper is the best long distance journey you take.

Hear, hear. Aviemore to Euston in my case, but the sentiment's the same. Friendly and attentive staff, good food and total privacy.

chuxn2005 · Post by **chuxn2005** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 9:54 pm

Yes extreamly sorry forgot fgw and didnt no how to delete from forum....i wouldnt say scot rail are long distance operator's because they don't constantly operate long distance.

Then you could also include Central trains For there Liverpool to Norwich and/or wessex for their hastings to swansea service

. i think that there are only 4 and midland mainline are the best because they dont get any serious delays and provide a good service

CHUNX

southcoasttrains · Post by **southcoasttrains** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 11:16 pm

chuxn2005 wrote:Yes extreamly sorry forgot fgw and didnt no how to delete from forum....i wouldnt say scot rail are long distance operator's because they don't constantly operate long distance.

Glasgow Queen Street - Thurso?
Edinburgh - Inverness?

I'd consider them as long journeys.

Newcastle - Stranraer???

mattvince · Post by **mattvince** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 12:30 am

Plenty of operators running fairly long-distance services:
- Central Trains: Liverpool-Norwich and Nottingham-Cardiff
- Arriva Trains Wales: to Holyhead, Manchester and Penzance
- Trans-Pennine Express: Newcastle-Liverpool
- Wessex Trains: Cardiff-Brighton
- South West Trains: Waterloo-Exeter/Paignton/Plymouth

If the question is: which is the best of the former Intercity TOCs: that would be more specific - but also includes Gatwick Express and the London-Norwich expresses of 'ONE'!

kirkheath · Post by **kirkheath** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:13 pm

What about the 'Railway Touring Company' With 'The Great Briton' service: Penzance-Inverness-Wick. on the 200th annerversairy of Isambard kingdom Brunel.

chuxn2005 · Post by **chuxn2005** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 4:02 pm

True there are a lot of companies that operate long distance services but only four TOC'S that only operate long distance....okay maybe there is 1 a day that isnt long distance (Midland Mainline leeds to derby, GNER london to peterborough).

hey just go with me on this one

JonPotter · Post by **JonPotter** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 4:49 pm

GNER every time. First class on a Virgin train is rubbish

skipperdipper · Post by **skipperdipper** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 4:59 pm

I use Virgin regularly now, well sort of! Manily travel between Liverpool-Runcorn/Crewe/Birmingham and Birmingham-Oxford. I think its very good although the Voyagers are overcrowed and generally awful. Like the Pendolinos though!

Rob

baggy6233 · Post by **baggy6233** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 5:49 pm

I linke both Virgin and MML, but I've chosen MML as it runs through my local station.

mattvince · Post by **mattvince** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 6:23 pm

Actually - there are two Virgin operations - West Coast and Cross-Country. Both are legally distinct from each other (two seperate franchises) with seperate operations (traincrew, fleet) and planning departments - however they share a common marketing section. So there are in fact five true long-distance TOCs. ScotRail sleepers are a seperate business unit within ScotRail - that probably counts as a sixth.

And we've forgotten something: Eurostar! I'd count Waterloo International to Avignon as fairly long-distance...

nwallace · Post by **nwallace** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 7:17 pm

How do you want to define long distance though.

Edinburgh to Kyle is long distance though you need train changes

As would be Dumfries to Kyle (Probably the longest in track mileage)

You can't travel much further in Scotland on a train than that!

GNER are just a piffling little operator, Dunbar to Aberdeen PAH