Quote:
Originally Posted by Pesmo
Jeemac, I was hoping to use it for a journey to aviemore next year to visit the strathspey railway. It appears to be good value if booked well in advance. I would be travelling on my own. Would you recommend 1st or 2nd class ? Is there much difference in the comfort/food etc ?
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Hi Pesmo, Yes, if you are travelling from London or the South East it couldn't be better, as arrival in Aviemore at 8.30am is usually just over the footbridge from the Strathspey Aviemore Platform!
You always get a much better price online if you can book in advance, and they often have special offers - it would probably be worth your while signing up to their Advance newsletter
http://www.scotrail.co.uk/advance/index.html to keep up to date with those
.
All the cabins are the same size - but as LesG says, 1st class you're sure to get one to yourself - 2nd class they pull out an additional upper bunk. To be honest the cabins are more functional than sumptuous, but if like me you can crash out easily, it's a good way to travel the length of the country.
Depending what your budget is, you can also travel on 'seated sleeper' seats (which is probably the only example of 3rd class still in existence!
) These are actually not
too bad - they recline a bit, and there are only three in each row (a double and a single) so you get reasonable elbow room.
Food - there's a common kitchen which serves meals in a lounge for 1st class, and through a hatch for the plebs in steerage!!! Generally they stock a remarkably wide choice of grub, which they will microwave for you, and they make PROPER tea with boiling water for £1
Prices are not cheap, but neither are they a rip-off. Alternatively, you can stock up at the M&S at Euston!
One tip though, bring plenty of drinking water - the train often gets quite stuffy - no doubt one of the better informed members will explain why the heating/ air-co never quite works properly!
10th August 2009, 10:08
