FIRST CLASS, Sheffield to London St Pancras International with East Midlands Trains

[@Paul_Lucas]

Here’s another train trip for you guys. I know a lot of you like them! Another one to come before new year, and I’ve plans to keep making them through 2018! 👍🏻

[@ethanolicful]

Loving the trip videos on trains! Please can you do a First Class travel on Cross-country from Aberdeen to Penzance? :)

[@Paul_Lucas]

Ruinously expensive and would take three whole days off work to film sadly.

[@Shardie886Games]

Paul's Trip Reports What's the song used at the start?

[@rickkirkham4539]

Hi Paul great videos I luv trains im from Australia fill free to say hello all the very best for Christmas and New Year

[@callumdavenport4873]

Wingin’ It! Paul Lucas nice to see you in my hometown of Sheffield it’s a brilliant place should do a trip from Doncaster Sheffield airport one day

[@gfgfgf466]

I don't mind a fairly long announcement at the very start/end of the journey and a brief one in the middle. I think she had it about right. Very pleasant sounding lady.

[@TheFlatCapFromWN5]

Not like Northern, in that they're very short and inaudible (because they're either too quite or ridiculously loud).

[@MaxsTrainspotting]

In yhe swr 455s the guards speak quietly because if they speak loudly then it might do some earrape

[@arfanachyar1926]

I miss Sheffield terribly and I also miss England's train services.

[@julianwong6780]

Love your train reports, especially because of your detailed description of what you can see while you're on the train.

[@Whenitraveltheworld]

I'm always impressed with your train reports, keep up the awesome work Paul.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Cheers James! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@librab103]

England is such a small but very beautiful and scenic country. I love the train system there. You would think so many trains companies would be able to stay in business but they find away. Always great to have options. Just wish they had that here in the US.

[@Paul_Lucas]

The train companies here are almost all government franchises. That’s how they stay in business. East Midlands Trains here have a contract from the government to run on this route and certain others. It’s a very tight contract with all the major elements, even the timetable and minimum calling patterns, specified by the government. They don’t get a choice in which trains they use (they’re leased, never owned), and franchises generally last for 8-15 years until they are re-let. It’s very difficult therefore for a franchise to fail, although Virgin East Coast have done just that in the last few weeks thanks to overbidding. Even if they do fail, the government steps in to run the service anyway with the same trains and staff. There is also no choice on the vast majority of routes. East Midlands Trains are the only train company running directly between Sheffield and London.

[@RWL2012]

@@Paul_Lucas while *most* trains are leased, a minority are owned outright by the TOCs. GWR own(ed) a small portion of their HST vehicles and even own a few of their Pacers, ATW owned the Mark 2 coaches they used before the Mark 3s, and Arriva own the DVTs but have let TfW borrow them for the year they're using them.

[@phonicallychallenged2906]

I've gotten many first class upgrades for just a pound more on EMT, one of the best value trains.

[@DaveSuperThomas]

First Class Off-Peak and Advance Purchase tickets on the Midland Main Line have historically always been very cheap, in terms of pence-per-mile travelled, with the added advantage that you have access to the First Class customer lounges at both ends of your journey!

[@sebcamargo5754]

How did you do that?

[@johnnyboy3949]

How do you get an upgrade? Is it on one of these bidding sites?

[@crcowden7]

Thank you for being our eyes and ears. I'm amazed you can put out so many videos while still working a full time job.

[@biggerbertis989]

Very nice people serving food on the service that's what I like about trains

[@wdh47211]

Thanks for posting....happy Christmas

[@kronkite1530]

I used to regularly - say once or twice a month - take this journey. Years back it was Midland Mainline and the early morning 1st Class service was superb. Table cloths, napkins, silver cutlery and a really good FREE breakfast. Then regular requests if we wanted a complimentary drink. On the evening leg regular offers of free drinks and snacks. Then Virgin took over (😞😩😞). Their 1st Class (sic) was less good than the rival’s second. Dirtier, less legroom (by far) and no silver service breakfast. You might be lucky to get a complimentary coffee or water but after that I seem to remember having to pay for any snack. But it was cheaper? You ask. Not that I recall. Dreaded the days when told my route was handled by Virgin and would never use their flights.

[@TheCheekyChilterner]

I think long train announcements are absolutely helpful. I think they provide passengers with relevant information, which again can be very helpful. 👍👍

[@TheWatanna]

I went on East Midlands, backwards and forwards from Nottingham to Northampton after my Daughter had her baby quite a few times. I always travelled first class. I got my tea whenever I wanted, but, I was never able to have a meal as there was never anyone to cook it and they could have cared less about it.. I am so impressed that you got a meal Paul.

[@swfc13]

Sheffield’s my home town! You’ll have to pop in for a brew next time you’re around ☕️

[@cgtravers]

Paul, we love your work. We love the places you take us! Thank you for your diligence...

[@LoadmasterB707]

Hello Paul. I have been following you for about eight weeks. I like your videos, but above all your sincerity in the comments. I like trains, because in my veins runs railway blood and aviation, because it has been, is and will be my life. I observe that diesel locomotives are very noisy. In particular, in this video you could hear a lot in first class, and that is not comfortable. Please continue like this, being sincere, because youtubers there are many, good, sincere and serious, there are few. My best wishes.-

[@MKTTransportVideos]

I really appreciate the way Paul takes the time to answer comments personally. Some creators just completely ignore them!

[@DaveSuperThomas]

Class 222 Meridian trains are not locomotive-hauled. They are Diesel-Electric Multiple Units, with a 650hp Cummins engine under each carriage. Which might explain the high background noise levels, especially on the steep climbs to the gable summits at Kibworth, Desborough and Sharnbrook, for which the Midland Main Line has long been notorious.

[@DLS95]

I was only in Sheffield at the start of November, lovely station. Was there as part of a joint project between Sheffield Hallam University's and Waterford Institute of Technology's (Ireland) Architecture departments. Used the Trans-Pennine service from Manchester Airport through the Hope Valley! The scenery really is something else! Beautiful line.

[@o2bnov0307]

Thanks for another great trip around England.

[@marcusyounger3672]

As someone living in Australia with a British background I just love seeing your videos. It is my plan to visit one day and take the journeys you post. Love it, keep up the good work. ps: Any videos around Cumbria? Look forward to seeing more....

[@tomwillis2722]

Always love the train trip reports, Paul! Keep up the good work and merry Christmas to you.

[@paulsouthall3096]

i love looking at the train manager's/guard's facial expression when i tell them im deaf!!

[@pgchase4578043026]

Your trips always make me hungry.

[@DaveSuperThomas]

Between 1997-2007, when MIdland Mainline operated this franchise, you didn't go thirsty as a passenger because unlimited free hot drinks were available - served to your seat in First Class, or collected from the Buffet Car if you were a Standard ticket holder!

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

@@DaveSuperThomas F

[@theresenydahl9531]

Thank you, love your train trips!✌✌✌

[@gram1972]

Love to watch those videos.., can’t wait ! Happy that you have started posting extra videos mid week.

[@Paul_Lucas]

The extra videos are just to get rid of reports shot on the old iPhone. I’ll be back to one a week in January, shot on a new camera and edited using Adobe Premiere and After Effects.

[@ajmsmith4]

Connected via Sheffield yesterday to get from Birmingham to Rotherham, thought it was a very nice station although not so fun when you only have 2 minutes to change!

[@davidallinson7810]

Hi nice to see Sheffield station again not been there for years,and i love St Pancras !

[@andrewbogg5004]

I'm just up the line in Barnsley and used this service quite regularly. Always liked EMT. Cheers for the video

[@SimonIngram]

The announcement wasn't too bad, it is useful information. It would depend how often the announcements occur as to whether the are annoying or not. I often travel first West (sometimes East) coast with Virgin trains, I have to say East Midlands look a bit better on the face of it here..

[@roberts6035]

I don't mind a long announcement. What I hate is that some announcements at stations or trains are from a very poor sound quality. I like the train stations in England where they keep the old 19th century features as much as possible. Thanks Paul for this train report.

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

You've got me into trains 🚆 and planes ✈....😊..I already like automobiles! 😃 Lovely choice of background music 🎵🎶🎹....and to still be able to hear the engines and see the train platforms! 👌

[@biggerbertis989]

Hello anton I watch ur other videos as a bus driver

[@localcrew]

I'm a Yank but my late mother was from Harrogate, Yorkshire. The countryside looks lovely from the train windows. I'd love to make it across the pond one day. We'll see. Concrete sleepers. They last longer than wooden ones. Puts sawmill operators out of business though! Great vid. Thanks for posting.

[@camerong751]

You did an amazing job of making Sheffield station look a lot nicer than it is. That being said it looks a lot better nowadays without Pacer trains stopping! Great video.

[@jenniferl.6981]

Awwww I miss Sheffield so much! Thanks for the video!

[@ollistravels8848]

Another great trip report! I'd love to travel East Midlands sometime. Travelled with many other TOCS but never EM. Great job anyway Paul!

[@McRocket]

Great video, IMO...very thorough.

[@CJWRacing]

Exactly the same train I used to get to London every other week or so (from the home of the Crooked Spire).

[@DaveSuperThomas]

Bring back Midland Mainline, with their free unlimited tea and coffee in Standard Class and white and red wine in First Class!

[@SebAstia452]

East Midlands trains are my favourite company. Love this video so much thanks Paul keep the good work up.👍😄😄😄

[@clarky2356]

I used to go to Sheffield from at Pancras on the class 43 hst alway love to ride the hst for the sound of the screaming engines

[@samstrains3283]

Here's a good one: the 10:00 London Kings Cross - Aberdeen service and the 08:20 Aberdeen - Penzance service (the longest train journey)

[@jackvisser]

Great Video as always TY ( Merry Christmas to you and Your Family)

[@andrewmoffitt2012]

My first long distance train journey was the outbound leg of this trip from London to Leicester with EMT. Good memories from my trip to the UK.

[@Mr3213215]

Long announcements is most interesting thing in the channels like yours. It's an authentic English language. And I watch these videos only because I study English. Even though my parents worked on the railroad. Anyway, thanks a lot. Have a nice day.

[@tobyraistrick9251]

Good video as always Paul, I'll look forward to the next one!

[@haddockman30]

3 coaches for first class? That is rather optimistic. I bet peasant class was rammed.

[@MKTTransportVideos]

Yeah it's odd. It means the 7-car 222s have effectively the same standard class capacity as the 4 and 5 car ones. I think it's a hangover from the fact that they were originally built as 9-car sets.

[@TheFlatCapFromWN5]

To be fair, it's not that expensive for first class tickets with EMT though. I've just booked mine for the same journey for £18.50. Personally, I think that's quite reasonable.

[@ericjamieson]

I suspect they get a lot of first class travelers on peak hour trains due to business travel. 222s aren't designed to be easily split up and reformed so it makes more sense just to run the first class carriages mostly empty on off-peak trains. SomeTOCs will "de-rate" a few first class carriages and allow standard class passengers in if there are only a few first class pax and standard class is over-sold.

[@mrhornby8896]

MKT Aviation & Rail Videos since when were they supposed to be 9cars I never knew

[@DaveSuperThomas]

@@TheFlatCapFromWN5 - Rolling stock on the Midland Main Line - whether HST's or Meridians - has always conveyed a generous supply of First Class accommodation. In order to fill these wide, comfortable, reclining seats the Train Operating Companies which have bought the franchise for this route have offered very cheap First Class Advance and Off-Peak fares … especially if you have a Railcard which offers a 34% discount off the list price!

[@airaction2257]

Nice report Paul, when you showed the Chili with rice it made me hungry so now i'm off to the kitchen : ) See you next sunday mate have a good week : )

[@ELPaso1990TX]

Enjoyed your Meridian journey Paul. I think East Midlands 222 Meridians have a far better layout than the class 220-221 Voyagers. Despite having pretty much the same body shell, 222s are not so cramped and seats are much better padded in both first and standard. They are more spacious and airy inside and not as claustrophobic and cluttered as the Voyagers. Pity CrossCountry trains could not adopt a similar layout in its Voyagers but I guess space is limited with only 4 and 5 coach trains and having larger vestibule areas and accessible toilets in all coaches. The only option is to re-engineer the Voyager sets so they can have longer formations and restrict the amount of accessible toilets so they are only in accessible coaches and not all coaches. That would free up more space and allow a more spacious cabin with better seats as the 222s have.

[@davetoday2]

Always love your videos there're the best. Keep up the great work Paul

[@michaelmacdonell2942]

The long announcements are with us, either because of demand from Passenger Focus Groups, Letters of Complaint, or as a result of situations that a bit of Common Sense, on the passenger's part, may have prevented. There is an industry-wide standard, but each company, and each route, may well have its own way of doing it. Hope that helps, Paul. Thanks for another grand video!

[@Lynxfan2]

Please can you do another trip with Virgin Trains East Coast? This time, could you go from London Kings Cross to Doncaster, Leeds or York on either a morning breakfast train or an evening train with evening meal?

[@60frederick]

I am looking forward to your next report! Thank you very much for sharing your interesting videos with us.

[@antoniomiguel3789]

STEADY HAND; WELL DONE. GREAT VICEOS. MANY THANKS FOR SHARING, AND INFORMING. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

[@stanmarsh14]

Greetings from Long Eaton (Station just before East Mids Parkway on some of the Derby / Sheffield > London services)..... Sheffield Tap at the station, although a bit expensive, is a cracking place, and even has it's own mini brewery in the back room.

[@md-uc4jb]

I love watching your videos Really good awesome guy Keep up the good the word

[@jimmenycricket4598]

In your trip report Sheffield to St Pancras you asked if other people were annoyed by lengthy guard's announcements. The answer is a resounding yes! Even more so now on trains with automatic announcements when the guards also make announcements (these are management instructions)

[@philcordingley417]

Hi Paul. I’m a guard at Northern and most of the announcements are now compulsory such as safety information posters and security announcements, these need to be made a minimum of every 30 minutes. I like to keep them as short and snappy as possible to prevent them becoming to long winded but so long as the essential info is there such as “Welcome aboard this service to so-and-so calling at x, y & z, safety information posters are located each vestibule, please keep items of luggage in sight at all times and do not leave anything in the vestibule areas or blocking any aisles or doorways, CCTV is in operation throughout the train, if any body sees anything suspicious please report to any member of staff or to the BTP on 61016 immediately”. It sounds long winded but I can rattle it off in no time! I’m enjoying the videos as I love travelling all, over the world by air and rail. Keep up the good work.

[@blissful351]

Train travel could become even more interesting if they follow through opening some of the lines that Dr Beeching closed as announced recently

[@asishdas5179]

Excellent experience ! As if I , myself , was travelling by this train .

[@lukerodda9419]

You're right the Midland Mainline Is very charming!

[@stanmarsh14]

Ratcliffe Power Station, just before here, you pass my home station of Long Eaton / Trent Lock. As for Derby.... Plat 6 where you came in to, just to the left, is where new platforms are being installed, as part of a major rebuild of Derby Stations track layout, with the main part being done between July - October 2018, so beware of going on any services through Derby on that date.... I suspect Geoff Marshall from All The Stations will end up covering the Derby works.

[@helikopterpilot7970]

If you are in Scandinavian one time, I would recommend fly with Widerøe up to Norway. Good service and amazing scenery.

[@DanielsUKT]

Very nice trip report the snacks the meal and the staff seemed very Freindly these 222 trains look better than the other voyager trains

[@ph89787]

Hey Paul. Love from Australia.

[@AnDZM87]

I love your video, it reminds me when I went to UK and did this railtrip extactly like this one.😁

[@jameswhite8612]

You should do a trip report on hull trains

[@ECML125]

Long announcements are good. They give everyone all the information that is needed and as long as they are easily hearable and the guard / Train Manager are chirpy or just generally happy then what is there to complain about?

[@mrbpdx]

Very impressive video, When I traveled on British rail in 1998 it was impressive and the service was great. I cannot wait to return and try again. One issue though, maybe it is just me and I am still occasionally eating canned chili, but chili and rice? I even looked at the menu and that is a new one on me. If I ever come over there and it is still available I will have to try it. Great video, can’t wait for the next one.

[@ganapatihegde1024]

Very professionally made vlog! Great content. Greetings w Plano, Texas,United States.

[@jpbdude4223]

I went on a Norwich service and it had a guard that sounded *JUST* like the WoooooooOoooooo guy from southern

[@anthonyphillips9787]

Ahh Sheffield, done this route a lot. Shame I missed you!

[@petermc7098]

Hello There, great review, decent angles/ perspectives and looks like you had a lovely experience overall! Cheers Peter Mc :)

[@briancarson9309]

I dont mind the longer announcements. Although the intro music could be a little more entertaining - like the sound they make on the French network - a rather catchy tune. Thank you for your review - very interesting.

[@paulspindler5849]

Here’s an idea for a trip, AV121 to Bogota leaving Friday night from London 787; Arrive Sat Morning, Avianca to Medellin, trip on the Medellín Metro, flight Medellín to Manizales on easyfly J41, Flight to Bogota on ATR72, overnight in Bogota, trip on the Bogota railway 1 train per day or a flight down to Pasto on either ATR 42 or A318 return to Bogota and then back to London Sunday night. Either directly on the 787, Iberia A346, Air France A343, Lufthansa A343 or some other options, Just 1 day off work, and relatively cheep if you do it in Feb.

[@theawesomness]

hey! nice video! i really enjoy watching your videos. I LOVE trains and planes and think that this channel well be a nice feature for me to watch! I think you deserve more subs. Awesome video and awesome channel, subbed! :D continue with the good work and have a good day

[@tommorrison961]

Fantastic as always

[@nigelkthomas9501]

All the waffling on about safety posters annoys me! Who bothers to get out of their seat to check them out? If there’s ever a problem we’ll look at them. I once did a rail replacement coach service from Manchester Victoria to Leeds all stations via Halifax. Just before I left Man Vic I made a train style announcement using the mic (🎤). At the end I couldn’t resist saying; “I would like to draw your attention to the safety posters...” practically everyone on board cracked up at that! 😆😆😆😆😆

[@Bad_Karma1968]

Paul just another vlog I missed ! Looked like a lot of fun !

[@m1ckpen]

Another great video Paul! To answer your question regarding Ratcliffe on Soar power station, I think we saw it from a different perspective in the Southend - Manchester, STOBART AIR video. Thought I saw you a couple of times on the Southern train service to MK from East Croydon.?? Keep up the good work, much appreciated.

[@MrKashmire123]

Keep the train vids chugging along! (apologies for the dreadful pun!) Done that route down to London twice (and back once) and EMT know how to do an excellent job. Lovely scenery, best seats on any train I've sat on and with the Meridians, it has a relaxing feel to it!

[@Paul_Lucas]

Thanks - prefer a HST myself but you got to take what you get given!

[@DaveSuperThomas]

The Class 222 Meridians are okay as long as you don't mind the constant noise and vibration from the 650hp Cummins Diesel engine which is slung underneath each carriage, and will be doing its full 1800rpm on the steep climbs to the gable summits at Sharnbrook, Desborough and Kibworth.

[@quarryfield]

Excellent video, really enjoyed it.

[@freebeacher]

Very enjoyable thank you.

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

Paul Lucas, you took 222006 with 7 Carriages working the East Midlands Trains service to London St Pancras starting at Sheffield and this is the Express first class calling at: Chesterfield, Derby, Leicester and goes straight to London but with 5 coaches stops at Chesterfield, Derby, Long Eaton, East Midlands Parkway, Loughborough, Leicester and then London St Pancras so this is a stopping service.

[@mymeg99]

Hi Paul .. There is a tale about the Chesterfield Church Spire ... My Grandad told me, that if a bride walks down the isle a virgin, then the spire will staighten. Not sure what to say about that tale really 😵 - Enjoying you posts

[@dave6695]

Enjoyed the video. I was hoping to see this train arrive in Leicester as I have relatives who live there.

[@mimik5856]

Did you see inside the bar on the platform at Sheffield Station, has the most beautiful original interior

[@milotv120]

good thumbnail! well done. another successful video

[@Pulsarnix]

I've been on "The Carbon Cutter" it was the first class 222 I went on and they're still favourite trains, much better than the 220/221 Voyager units

[@SIKELL1]

Just a quick question. Could you provide details on what your journey would/did cost? Ie how much the trip was and how much meals etc were if extra......On your flights too if possible...Not going to hold you to an exact price but just a rough idea. Love the channel

[@markchallinor5528]

another great video paul

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

The 50 mile stretch from Bedford to St. Pancras is known to regulars as “The Bedpan Line”.

[@peteramor1234]

Great video as always Paul. I particularly liked the variety of shots around Sheffield station, really gives a good feel for the place. My only question would be whether you were hoping for an HST... I know I prefer the ride compared to the meridians

[@bigbazzaRUFC]

Ive travelled on exactly the same train, stopped at exactly the same stops, to and from exactly the same station once lol

[@Gusrikh1]

Very interesting.

[@paulwhitear4983]

Another great report Paul.

[@alstokesveteranfilmmaker913]

Long ago in my days as a freelance / self employed person (C. early 1980s) First Class train travel was part of the employment deal for anyone who lived more than sixty miles from an ITV regional TV company. Oh deep joy, but the only things to said about First Class train travel was, and probably still is, more leg room, no screaming kids (but that isn't always true - a better class of screaming kid and drunks), food someone's taken care to cook and hilarity with ticket inspectors. The hilarity being I had long hair and sometimes ticket inspectors would target those of whom they deemed of the lower orders even if it meant sprinting the full length of the train if one was spotted climbing aboard a First Class carriage. Having silenced the entire coach with the words "Can I see your ticket - SIR" the ticket inspector, unable to find the dire words 'Standard Class' upon the ticket, would inspect every word on it in case it magically turned into a 'wrong kind of ticket' whilst muttering darkly about fare dodgers. Grudgingly satisfied you have the correct ticket for the journey he would then attempt to make his escape only to be thwarted by the aforementioned long-haired weirdo who invited him, "Well you may as well stay and inspect everyone's ticket now you're here," then look at the 'suits' for the tell-tale guilty grimace of him man traveling incorrectly. Those were the 'couldn't give a stuff' days of BR. Their night sleeper trains were worth the effort though as the stewards all had the air of long ago P&O staff. Gone also are the days of immaculately turned out Guards, rose bud in their button hole, who would recognize one in Standard Class and offer an upgrade to First (fee 4-quid) because "... it's quieter in there. sir." Now retired the the only chance I get to travel First Class is by accident, due to a Senior Railcard. With 30% off the ticket price it sometimes means part of the journey includes First Class travel - I have no idea how or why. My view of First Class travel is if it's there because an employer provides it then use it but what First doesn't do is get you to the destination any faster than those in Standard, none of you can get off until the doors open anyway and I morally object to staff being trained to fawn and grovel to folk who pay more for the same journey. Up the workers!

[@marekprokes1292]

Airplane or train, doesn't matter to me. Been subscribed for a few months now and you always make my Sunday a little better Paul. :) If you ever come to Prague, CZE, let me buy you a pint ;) cheers mate and Merry Christmas!

[@DJSaM2K10]

I do the commute from Sheffield to Leicester everyday for uni on standard class and it's absolutely ridiculously packed at peak times, sometimes having to stand up for the entire journey yet they have 3 carriages for first class...

[@NewcastleFlyer]

You should do CrossCountry in First Class some day...

[@WilliamStevens007]

I wouldn't bother with First class with CrossCountry. Terrible.

[@WilliamStevens007]

It's not special, No leather seats, Them horrible Voyager trains, I couldn't get connected to the free wifi and no breakfast baps. Apart from the 3 rows of seats you wouldn't think its first class. Now GWR and East Coast mainline make a huge effort for first class. They (crosscountry) are looking very dirty and tired too.

[@kinkywrighter]

agree

[@westy6214]

@Billy Stephens, GWR 1st class is nice, but also is horrible! (Unless you don't book a pullman service). You only get free junk food from London - Penzance once, but that still happens on all trains unless a pullman resturant is on. XC Do make an effort now, they updated their menu and stuff

[@adelaangell9819]

Have to agree, came back from Plymouth to Derby, really underwhelmed.

[@quarryfield]

Great video, thank you.

[@mrtequilashooter]

Definitely better than the blue air flight you had.

[@13soxs]

Another little jem Paul, how about a St Pancras to Bordeaux trip & Southampton/Bergerac in your fav aircraft with Flybe...