CrossCountry HST First Class train review (and how I saved TONS of money!)

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Thanks for joining me on this trip! This is a classic High Speed Train, or HST journey between Newcastle and Bristol, with CrossCountry. The Class 43 HST is far superior to travel on than the regular 220/221 Voyager trains, and can generally be found on the following weekday departures:
0606 from Edinburgh (the train I took in this video)
0610 from Leeds
1153 from Plymouth
1225 from Plymouth
1527 from Plymouth
1642 from Birmingham New Street
Split ticketing is totally legal and allowed for expressly under the National Rail Conditions of Travel, which say: "...you may use a combination of two or more Tickets to make a journey provided that the train services you use call at the station(s) where you change from one Ticket to another." It used to be the case that enthusiasts like me would have to work out where to split tickets manually with lots of trial and error. Now, Trainpal will do it for you, and ensure every ticket it sells you is totally valid and legal for your trip.
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Make sure you have your notifications set! 🛎
_____________________________________
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#paulstripreports #vlog #review #flying #travel #aviation #avgeek #trains
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[@Paul_Lucas]

Book cheap TRAIN and COACH tickets on the Trainpal app. Download: www.mytrainpal.com/web-pages/campaign-winginit Follow me on Twitter: @paul_winginit ¦ twitter.com/paul_winginit Follow me on Instagram: paul_winginit ¦ instagram.com/paul_winginit My website: www.winginit.me

[@dirkusmaximus9268]

Wingin’ It! Paul Lucas is it only UK ? Or more ?

[@genxeratl]

Have you considered booking, or helping book, train trips for others? Would really like that opportunity when I'm ready to see the UK (and possibly other places) by rail - I think it would be great.

[@ServiusTheBear]

I always enjoy your train videos. I enjoy the plane ones to. But the trains get number one spot for this bear :p

[@19brandon66]

I always enjoy your train videos. Great job! Greetings from Newcastle, OK USA.

[@JoshDoesTravel]

@@dirkusmaximus9268 TrainPal works in the UK, Italy, and Germany

[@marciaanderton7170]

I enjoy the narration and history background. Others do not do that. Glad to see your back!

[@stephenvincent4706]

Much prefer these train reviews. They are more interesting and your knowledge, both historic and contemporary, is a bonus. I still dream of getting to the UK and travelling on many of your reviewed trips. One day... maybe. 🙏

[@side-fish]

I actually kinda agree. They're also longer.

[@faithlesshound5621]

Videos of Japan Rail don't say, "The station was opened in 1859," or, "Here we see the emblem of Emperor Meiji, whose court used this waiting room."

[@d1ckinajew433]

Uk is a lovely place, if you know where to go. Otherwise in some places, especially West London, it’s a shithole. But southern and the inland areas are often the nicest

[@fuzzyhead878]

The HST is like the 747 of British trains, even if it is obsolete (and it’s a big “if”), you just can’t say no to it. Absolutely timeless.

[@geoffreyhansen8543]

Like the Australian XPT :)

[@fuzzyhead878]

Geoffrey Hansen Yes sir!

[@l3v1ckUK]

The XPT is based directly on the HST.

[@fuzzyhead878]

l3v1ckUK I know, thats why I agreed with the above statement.

[@CJBindahouse]

Could be electric tho, electric trains are always better

[@steve-marsh]

Paul, your videos have long been an inspiration, and you are the reason I started my own KZbin channel. Thanks for yet another immensely interesting and engaging video - your train ones tend to be my favourites as your passion and knowledge shine through. Nice discount tips too! TrainPal downloaded!

[@Paul_Lucas]

Thank you Steve!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Really enjoyed your film. Always found travel by train to be the most pleasant.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Thank you! I do love a good railway - I’m already subscribed to your channel 😊

[@fuzzyhead878]

I am a railfan and I approve this message!

[@Sam-bz1hr]

Unfortunately that perticular Costa at York station is currently closed , and I don't think it will be opening again anytime soon, great video Paul as always!!

[@AW92UK]

Awesome video Paul, one of your best yet! Especially enjoyed the extended bit on Newcastle Central, my home station. Being an semi frequent user of LNER I'm in complete agreement with you over the old vs new. Give me a Class 91/43 hauled train over an Azuma etc any day of the week, especially in first class.

[@BRI535D]

Whenever I do the Birmingham New Street to Bristol Temple Meads trip I always pre check the diagrams and use the HST sets.The voyager experience even in 1st class is woefully inferior to the extremely pleasant ride and airier ambience of the HST.

[@trevorhoughton5182]

Likewise travel planning - always check the diagrams and use those HST’s on a journey to the north of England 👍

[@BRI535D]

@Rowan Bartlett I came across a diagram list on Rail uk forum earlier this year.To get an up to date diagram schedule you are best to scroll through the long distance XC sets at Birmingham New street on Realtime Trains but exclude the Manchester/ Bournemouth route and you will see which ones use the HST sets.

[@harveyjames9600]

How do u check the diagram?

[@tomcole7688]

Great job Paul, your passion for trains and the beautiful architecture of the 19th century really shows!

[@cameronsilverman8510]

I love this combination of trip review, history, and exploration! Really helps me feel like I am somewhere more than Florida right now!

[@Steve68858]

Good to see the old toon again. Haven’t been back for many years as I live in Australia now but used the train services in Newcastle a lot in my youth. Great video Paul

[@drdoolittle5724]

Nice little trip to take, thanks for letting us join you and top-tip pricing!

[@oliverbutterfield9844]

Being a Bristol native who went to uni in Durham, this brought back a lot of memories! Thanks for all the station details, super interesting :)

[@twobins2060]

Your train reviews are always worth watching. Nice to get places pointed out and a historical perspective. Always good to get a nod to Thunderbirds for those of us who are old enough to remember it first time round in the 60s.

[@joannegray5138]

Great to see you getting out and about, Paul. I live in Northumberland, so it was nice to see Newcastle Central.Station, which I haven't been to since before Lockdown. Stay safe and well xx

[@bobmurphy1690]

A simply brilliant video about HST. Reminds me of the golden age of rail travel. Hope you are dealing with and staying healthy during the pandemic. Cheers Bob

[@_Dr.J_]

In love with the format of your videos!! Informative yet entertaining!

[@Paul_Lucas]

Thank you!

[@lukewarriner6688]

Its nice to see someone putting a good light on the North East at the moment!

[@neilbowers6956]

Don't worry, normal folk don't believe all the rubbish the mainstream media print. People in the NE are superb! The NE is also a beautiful part of the country.

[@belltopcone]

@@neilbowers6956 yes, wonderful part of our country, thumbs up from down south.

[@neilbowers6956]

@@belltopcone I'm from East Anglia... but it is still classed as down south.

[@NigelDraycott]

Who wants a Paul and Geoff crossover episode 👍

[@MurraySteel3.14]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@zgsproductions4808]

Definitely that would be incredible!!!

[@CurvedGD]

🤚

[@johnnyboy3949]

God yesss!!!!

[@jsishere869]

Yessssssssssss

[@BlackWolf.]

Craking video Paul. As a train manager in Norway im enjoying your train reviews. Hope you one day come to Norway and try the most senic route of them all. The Bergen Railway 😉. That Tornado replica you saw at York was probably preparing its journy to Åndalsnes in Norway where it was used in the making of the latest Tom Cruise movie Mission Impossibille 7. They used the loconotive and a set of Norwegians coches foiled in the Orient express colors. Working up and down in the Romsdalen valley, a part of Raumabana, the line between Dombås and Åndalsnes. In a very senic part of Romsdalen Valley.

[@AndyGrowsFood]

paul vindal loved our trip on the Bergen railway earlier this year 😀

[@darenmerchant9981]

Really enjoy your videos and the very informative narration.

[@daveu88sanderson8]

Hi Paul A great review with lots of historical information. I was pleased to see my home town of Darlington in your review. Keep up the great reviews. DS

[@Ash-928]

The updated headlights and modern liveries have really made the HST look like a train built in the 2000s, Kenneth Grange's cab design has hardly aged and the Mk3 coaches simple clean design still look elegant, it's hard to believe they were built over 40 years ago!

[@rmyerscmi]

One of my dream vacation’s is to do an “industrial revolution” history tour of Britain. Looks like a trip down this rail line with some extra day stops would be a good way to go! Lots of history to see along this route.

[@brianglas7768]

Sounds fun to me to. It would be great to travel with a tour group in a restored coach from the late 1800s / early 1900s. Everyone wearing period clothing.

[@ianburnett1980]

Great video, Paul. As others have said, the voice-over makes it a better video. The commentary also shows the amount of effort and research you put in to your productions. Keep safe.

[@thelugoffgamecock792]

Great to see you back in "the game" brother. My wife and I enjoy your channel immensely Paul.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Thank you!

[@Discoretrox]

Love stations like Newcastle, York and Darlington - iconic.

[@adventureswithphil2560]

Thanks Paul. This has me excited for my trip from Edinburgh to Bristol Temple Meads in November. Well done.

[@XtreamBrands]

What a great way to wake up to a Wingin’ It! Video. You have such great taste in showing us the scenery, the soundtrack and the content...I am looking forward to traveling your great country in the future when things open up again. In the meantime I am grateful for your journeys and can travel alongside you virtually. Cheers

[@KTBFFHCFC1905]

Yeah my beautiful little city Durham let’s go. Sorry I’m excited a lot of people outside the northeast don’t seem to know about us. Awesome vid as always keep up the awesome work.

[@dmndave]

Thanks for this. I was supposed to be travelling from London Paddington to Swansea this month on GWR. Covid has prevented me from flying back to see Mum but this is a nice reminder of how relaxing train travel can be.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Hope you get to see her soon Dave!

[@dmndave]

@@Paul_Lucas Thanks Paul, she's 86 so every visit counts these days. my first trip out of Denver will be to her house.

[@douglasker9770]

I cannot imagine how these rail services will survive given how astonishing vacant the coaches were. Fondly remember an absolutely superb train ride from London to Edinburgh on an Intercity 125 many years ago. The ride and service was five star.

[@DJTrainBrain]

I've travelled on that service from London to York and back, on several international trips from the Netherlands. The last time was in first class. I totally agree, that was a great service!

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

Love these train videos Paul.

[@madwomandriver]

I did smile Paul, I live five minutes drive from Westerleigh Road Junction and you can hear the trains from the house at night when all is quiet. Bristol Parkway is my nearest big station xx.

[@darrendowling3893]

I'm very happy to see you're doing out filming content and getting sponsorships. I had a fear your channel would take a big hit during COVID, but glad to see you're still creating content.

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Howdy, awesome trip report as always Paul!😸😸

[@neilrmartin1984]

Very enjoyable and nicely narrated. Better than Michael Portillo

[@trainman864]

I think Michael Portillo's program is more about random travel than about the trains themselves. I guess that's OK for a wider audience, but not so good for train enthusiasts .... :(

[@neilrmartin1984]

@@trainman864 Agreed. Paul does very well at combining both audiences. He's one of very few flight reviewers that I'm aware of who takes an interest in what's happening outside of the window as well as on board

[@ianforfun1]

Enjoyable video and loved the split fare thing! Never heard of it before but will give it a look! Cheers and happy travelling.

[@denisgavagan2848]

Cracking effort as always Paul!

[@petermc7098]

Hello Paul, great video and fantastic commentary throughout. Great video footage and it was fantastic to hear your perspective on this and it's good to hear that the First Class on a HST is still there in some form. Cheers Peter :) p.s. keep it up! p.p.p.s It looks like a very scenic and decent route throughout.

[@roadweary5252]

Good to see you well, Paul!

[@heathertruskinger6214]

Such a lovely peaceful journey ❤️ Thanks 😊

[@johnburke5384]

A truly excellent video Paul really well put together, thank you, and very informative.....

[@theglobalpeasant]

Enjoyed seeing all the history along the line!

[@alycidon12]

Paul.. super vid mate have travelled this line many times, and its always a pleasure to see that wonderful scenery on the journey. Keep up the brilliant work. Best regards IAN

[@DayOwlify]

Greetings from North Carolina. This was very detailed and interesting. I hope we get to see your return trip.

[@MrGreatplum]

A fantastic video, thank you Paul. Excellent research and facts! I still can’t get over the lack of people on the trains!

[@60frederick]

Thank you, Paul, for sharing your interesting train video with us.

[@kristy77a]

Soothing, very pleasant, thanks. The train reviews are a tonic.

[@Transportman211]

Brilliant video Paul now this is now making me going to get train pal app and never again I will have to worry pay expensive fares.

[@NickVennlig]

Great report Paul. If I can, I'd recommend the Copenhagen - Hamburg journey (especially in the summer time), where the train itself boards a ferry to cross the straight between Rødbyhavn, DK and Puttgarden, DE. Super great views both on and off the train. Best ride of my life for sure.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Afraid that train no longer takes the ferry! A shame! :-(

[@Bad_Karma1968]

Great vlog Paul ! Glad to see you are still making vlogs and doing well

[@nickbeer2658]

Loved this video Paul. I still can't get used to the idea of HSTs without slam doors!

[@Paul_Lucas]

Yes, it was a shock to see them! It’s been a while since I was on a HST and they don’t half look ugly!

[@DJTrainBrain]

Still, a bit of me died when seeing those new doors... :-(

[@isaactimmins8959]

@@DJTrainBrain Theres still slam door HSTs on the midland mainline between Sheffield & london, these mods are a blessing & a curse though,

[@jackspeight273]

Very enjoyable content as always. I always enjoy your domestic videos. However I'm slightly ashamed you know more about my local area (york through to leeds) more than me! Cheers

[@ceebee6465]

Thanks Paul, you made it all sound very interesting

[@rninrvr]

Paul, thank you very much for this train ride video in Great Britain. I have been subscribed to your channel for some time now and have always enjoyed the flights. Hope you are planning to post more videos of your train travels in Covid 19 restricted England.

[@kepc9083]

Thanks for another very pleasant and interesting trip! Lovely scenery, too. I like the concept of the Trainpal app. When I next visit Britain, I’ll give it a try. Thank you! Enjoy the upcoming week. 🍂🍁🚂

[@jamessmith6402]

Thanks Paul that was an absolutely brilliant video very interesting and entertaining 👍😀

[@kiwinobby1474]

Brilliant review again. . .as always mate. Always look forward to your vids Paul. Us salaried folks are ok . . I do so Hope you are doing ok in these strange & trying times. . .

[@villaboys8]

Great vid as always. Brings back great memories of when I was at uni in Newcastle in the mid 1990’s when the franchise first started. Travelled the route numerous times to Birmingham when heading home to Worcester. Totally agree about Durham and the view. I would add Worcester from the train is a great view when crossing the river Severn and you sight the cathedral up above overlooking it.

[@jadedavis822]

I loved this very informative and I adore the train thanks for tag along!

[@dannypaulread1023]

It is so strange to see Birmimgham New Street so quiet. Brilliant video as usuall and I am looking forward to the next one.

[@quasarsavage]

nice and green in the uk, nice, def need the water here in California. Great video

[@ryse.yt1]

ive been on a super voyager 221 cross country and it was a really nice ride, ive got to say i do love a good hst

[@coyotelong4349]

Excellent video! Newcastle is awesome and that old train station is a beaut

[@MinusMOD98]

Another trivia fact on the Costa at York station is that, apparently the only Costa with a blue color scheme. This was done ito reflect the brand identity of Northern Rail..

[@beagle7622]

I had a cup of coffee there on my last trip to the UK. I had just dropped my rental car off. I have had better coffee

[@faithlesshound5621]

Costa or Starbucks? Costa pays tax in the UK. British Starbucks apparently makes a lot of money for its American shareholders, but has never paid tax because they pay massive royalties to Dutch Starbucks (for the recipe and use of the name) and always make a "loss." Or go to Cafe Nero.

[@brianglas7768]

Thanks. Always enjoy your train videos Paul.

[@grumpyoldman47]

Regarding the comment about the War Memorial on Derby station. The actual MR WW1 War Memorial is Grade ll* listed, was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and stands outside the station; it is similar in style to the Cenotaph in Whitehall ; there is also the MR's South African War Memorial on Platform 1, located at the central point, beneath the footbridge. The one you show is just one of a number which can be found along the back wall of platform 1, and originally were located within the various shops of Derby Loco Works and other railway facilities (the one you show is from St Mary's Goods Depot); although perhaps not the best place to locate a War Memorial, to a degree it's a case of finding a space to mount it so that it's saved for posterity If there was ever a competition to determine which British railway station had most War Memorials, Derby would probably win it At about 15mins 30secs, the Loco Works clock tower is visible on the screen's left; unfortunately, the Round House isn't seen (probably hidden by the blue class 156 DMU when your train stops)

[@alexn643]

Very well put together Paul, regards Alex.

[@glennkennedy441]

Loven these train reviews.....keep em comin'

[@ironmantrains]

I once went on a Virgin EC HST to Edinburgh and we went into Newcastle the other way, in order to reverse as the First Class was at the wrong end of the train.

[@chriswilkes236]

Really terrific concentration on the historical aspects of the journey, which I very much enjoyed. Trainpal, but do you get on and off the train, or do you just stay on with multiple tickets?

[@g.a.8884]

Hello. I thank you for your videos, for your comments. Very nice and interesting and useful. Happy journey to you! Good luck! 👏☀️😘

[@thechristoff78]

Makes me so homesick! Thank you.

[@rezaalan3991]

Classic Train + Scenic Route

[@luksvo8468]

The old English train stations are awesome! Never seen something like that before

[@ttba_1878]

Amazing to think that pre March that train would have been pretty full. Looks like you had it to yourself.

[@paulm2910]

Nice video! Will you be doing a video on the trip you did on via rail from Halifax to Montreal ?

[@Paul_Lucas]

Yes, coming soon!

[@jmm1628]

Bet non of yous knew Scotrail actually operate to Newcastle too, taking up 2/3 daily slots on the Tyne valley line, extending the Glasgow to Carlisle service using the refurbished 156, although the train crew changes to Northern, the train set and route is a scotrail service taking around 4 hours end to end

[@assortedvideosofstuff]

JMM They don’t. Northern run the services using (sometimes) ScotRail stock.

[@jmm1628]

@@assortedvideosofstuff no, it’s everyday, always the 19:58 from Metrocentre to Newcastle, it’s branded as a Scotrail service, Scotrail stock just northern staff, use it quite a lot when I get out of work

[@assortedvideosofstuff]

@@jmm1628 I can assure you that it’s a Northern service. ScotRail do not operate trains beyond Carlisle. The timetabling system can’t show a change of operator mid-route, so trains to Newcastle via Dumfries show as ScotRail while trains to Glasgow via Dumfries show as Northern.

[@jmm1628]

@@assortedvideosofstuff it’s a daily occurance using Scot rail stock, I can promise you now, it’s the refurbed ones w plugs, USBs and the iron board horrible seats, it’s a Scotrail stock train, I’m not sure when it leaves Newcastle which is my only problem, seen it sit in bay platforms 9 and 10 during the day but there’s 1 Scotrail stock train a day

[@assortedvideosofstuff]

@@jmm1628 dude, I work for ScotRail. I know it’s a ScotRail train, but it’s a Northern service.

[@rollingtroll]

What a pleasant video this was :). Really makes me miss the UK.

[@seany84uk]

I hope lots of these 125s get preserved.

[@colanitower]

If you want to see redevelopment of old main railway stations done properly, visit Rotterdam Centraal (fully rebuilt) and Amsterdam Centraal (renovated) in the Netherlands.

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

10:50 Gotta love a Jago Hazzard video as "next" :D (the one about the Moorgate Disaster, if I'm not terribly mistaken)

[@danielangelov5070]

Nice video Paul

[@nivardofloresperez1169]

Fantastic trains, beautiful stations, awesome trip, thanks for narrating the journey so we don't waste time reading to a lot of text, and therefore we don't miss any views of the video.

[@belltopcone]

watched the Tornado coming through Crowthorne Station in Berkshire a few years ago, fantastic.

[@jimholder6656]

A wonderful trip and a great production!

[@donstravelsandrants.]

Great stuff Paul. Loved all the information.

[@stevecooksley]

We are going to really miss loco-hauled trains when they are finally gone.

[@isaactimmins8959]

@@michael-paulsprake6228 also the scotrail & GWR short HST sets too,

[@jwcw29]

One of your best videos, very informative.

[@danielheathcote5625]

Interesting video -thanks for the heads up re the train pal app - downloading it now!

[@luketucker1243]

Already know it's going to be a great video

[@transportationuk7656]

Just a reminder. 2:41 The Class 158 is part of the Express Sprinter family. Class 150s and the Class 950(Network Rail) are known as Sprinters, Class 153s, 155s & 156s are known as Super Sprinters and the Class 158 & 159s are known as Express Sprinters. I hope this helps you and anyone wanting to know history of the Sprinter Family of DMUs.

[@hyperfocal2002]

Interesting to compare UK rail services with the regional Amtrak train I often take in the US. Definitely nicer, but find it odd that you can open the door yourself. My rail service has conductors at each door, often placing stools to help people out of the cars. On the other hand, the train cars are generally 50 years old, though well maintained.

[@ala0284]

Most UK rail services are on newer EMU or DMU units, doors are self opening generally or button-operated. And all trains are built to platform height, which is standardised across the country

[@Paul_Lucas]

Platform height in Britain is definitely not standardised!

[@JHevV]

0:54 - Is that notice board on the right levitating?!

[@waleedarif6740]

Oh my Word. I never knew that there were even any plans to put sliding doors on the Class 43s. Wow I'm in shock.

[@Pulsarnix]

These HSTs are so much better than the voyager units, I can't understand why they aren't used on the route of Britain's longest train (Aberdeen to Penzance)

[@isaactimmins8959]

probably down to pathing. I think they occasionally are but the Voyagers are more reliable as these refurbed HSTs are prone to door faults,

[@Paul_Lucas]

Amongst other reasons, it's because HSTs are stabled in Edinburgh, Leeds and Plymouth and it wouldn't be possible or economical to move one up to Aberdeen so early.

[@iantownsend6708]

Actually the unit used for the Aberdeen - Penzance service runs up empty to Dundee from Edinburgh every morning before forming a commuter service to Aberdeen and then the Lon distance service. It’s possibly got more to do with timings and platform lengths north of Edinburgh and west of Plymouth.

[@Paul_Lucas]

@@iantownsend6708 No, it’s because the HSTs are stabled at Edinburgh and cannot be stabled further north. It’s not economical to move a set so early because it has a late finish the previous day. Also, once it gets to Penzance it would need to move back to Laira which is also uneconomical to do given such a late finish. XC’s HST diagrams are fixed to the set and this would have a huge knock on effect. Spoiler: I used to work for XC a few years ago!

[@iantownsend6708]

@@Paul_Lucas The set for the Aberdeen actually goes to Dundee later than a HST when it’s booked to run on the Dundee - Plymouth on Fridays in normal times. 5V54 runs in front of 5A01. At Penzance it could run as the late night service to Plymouth for maintenance at Laira and another PNZ terminating Voyager service could stable at Long Rock in it’s place.

[@thetelephoneprankster4254]

Excellent! Another train video 😎

[@drycell183]

Thanks for another wonderful video.