London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street with Chiltern Railways

[@richardnei]

Nice video! London Marylebone station is definitely a station I rarely hear people mention. I always think about the larger ones that serve the London area.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yeh I think it only really works if you’re coming from Birmingham/Warwickshire but it’s quite a nice relaxed arrival/departure experience for me.

[@anianoenrique2115]

I'm always happy to see a new video from you. Keep them coming !

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hey thanks Aniano, really appreciate your support and yes, lots more to come and plenty more trips planned. Cheers.

[@mercilessmage7300]

Birmingham Moor Street is certainly very evocative and a lovely termini.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It’s nice isn’t it - like stepping back in time!

[@TravelSignal]

Moor St is lovely. Though last time I was there, the through platforms still had the plastic canopies. Can I also remember an old steam loco parked on one of the old disused platforms?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes that’s right there was an old steam engine in one of the bay platforms I’m pretty sure. Maybe someone can add some more info on that but it was definitely there for a while 👍

[@srfurley]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Yes, it was in what is now platform 5, which is not connected to the main line. It was removed some years ago, I think for restoration, but I'm not sure where.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@srfurley interesting, I wonder if it’ll ever come back?

[@kevinellis8869]

Hi Mark, re-watching again. Couldn't agree more about Moor St, shades of years gone by. From memory Chiltern took on the locos and stock from Wrexham & Shropshire. Being a Wrexham lad originally it was good to see the service start up to replace what we lost in the late 60s but it was always going to be a challenge. I think the route was Wolverhampton HL ( I've got photos) - Tame Bridge Parkway- Leamington/Banbury. Looking forward to more videos as always.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Kevin, yep from what I remember Wrexham &Shropshire were always going to struggle because Virgin objected to them stopping anywhere large enough to pick up a decent amount of passengers (or something like that anyway)! Shame really and these days I will always use Chiltern if I can because it’s such a pleasant ride with lovely stations at either end. Cheers 👍

[@StephanieLittle-tk3em]

Moor Street to Marylebone is my favourite way to get to London! That's the route Hannah and I used every weekend to commute back and forth and I'm sure she occasionally managed to get that service that 'unofficially' stopped in the Midlands from Wolverhampton. I think Chiltern still have a couple of their stock of train as they're so much nicer - massive seats and really comfortable. So much nicer than Avanti to get to London, it's just a more civilised route!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Steph, yep but of an old video this but Shrewsbury to Marylebone would still be my choice, even with the walk between New St and Moor St. Like you said, it seems a much more civilised way to do it and you can get some decent advance fares too (as I’m sure you know). Good to see you commenting on here and cheers for the sub 😊

[@alexn643]

Excellent video. I haven't been on the Chiltern route to London beforez but it does look good, as does Moror Street.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It makes a nice change to New Street and Euston (if you’re not in a rush)!

[@ellrbrown]

Steam trains still run to Birmingham Moor Street from Vintage Trains out of Tyseley. The Shakespeare Express in the summer months and Polar Express in the winter months. That steam locomotive from platform 5 taken to Tyseley years ago. It's not coming back. It was dismantled last time I saw it at the Tyseley Locomotive Works many years ago.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate. Moor St is the perfect backdrop for steam. I’d love to be there when the specials are running. Will have to keep an eye out 👍

[@third7715]

Always my preferred route when travelling from Birmingham to London. Takes an extra 20 or so minutes but generally more reliable and a much more pleasant experience and journey down. I always find the carriages a lot more open and light than the Avanti ones. You can get some very cheap tickets booking in advance with them as well.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Third77! Yes the carriages are really open aren't they - never really thought that much about it compared to Avanti! Totally agree though it's a much more relaxing experience - I was on the Euston service the other day and it was absolutely rammed!

[@nilelg5]

B'ham Moor Street reminds me of the station from the film Brief Encounter

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It’s certainly an evocative place - especially at night. Actually, the station from Brief Encounter is a bit further north and was in one of my recent videos: the Cumbrian Coast line 👍

[@richardturnbull6333]

Another's Corker of a video m8... loving yr channel my friend 😀🙏👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I always try and take this route out of London. Having said that, I’m doing Euston to Crewe this week just for a change!

[@georginagriffiths5967]

we gunner go to marleybone in june-then from marleybone to london bridge railway station-was wonderin is there a bus service from marleybone to london bridge railway station

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

No idea Georgina. Transport for London website probably your best bet for info 👍

[@MercenaryPen]

technically back in steam days the main Birmingham station on this line was Birmingham Snow Hill- which was a much more impressive station before it was modernised and downsized under BR

[@kevinaske1794]

Class 68 were took off due to maintenance work so I was told however they run on Saturday's

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Kevin, cheers for the comment. I was down there last Monday and there was one on platform em three I think? But it didn’t threaten to move so yeh can’t say it did anything much really while I was there. I ended up on the usual 168 to Moor St!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Sorry Mark, I just got around to watching this, been a tad busy y'know :-) Another great video! I've never actually taken a train from Marylebone, I'll have to put that right soon! Take Care, cheers for now!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I do know! Hope it’s going well. Yes the Marylebone route is one of my favourites out of the capital when a) you’re not in a rush and b) it’s loco-hauled. Cheers for now!

[@mercilessmage7300]

Would you consider reviewing the Oxford Flyer service? Marylebone is a lot quieter than its nearest neighbours such as Paddington and Euston and as such has a much more laid back feel. Thanks for the review Mark.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Verum, thanks for the comment. Yes I don’t know much about the Oxford Flyer tbh but I’ll add it to the list. Cheers for the idea 😊👍

[@dirkupnmoor]

Very good trip report. I once saw a film about the Great Central in our German TV production series of "Eisenbahn-Romantik". - The problem with charging sockets is just the same as in trains on the continent. Some vehicles are equipped with USB connectors, while others provide 230 V AC. Most often, I have got some USB cable with me, but not an AC adaptor, I don't like to carry so many items around with me. Best regards, Dirk

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Dirk, thanks as always for the interesting comments 😊 Actually, I should mention (maybe I will in a future video) an issue with usb sockets I found on Transport for Wales trains whereby it makes my phone unresponsive or just does strange things like I couldn’t unlock it! Not sure if it’s current related but I googled it and others had had the same problem. So maybe conventional power sockets are not so bad in some cases and probably more reliable/less likely to damage your phone. All the best, Mark.

[@dirkupnmoor]

@@LetsMakeaTrip You're right. If you use your familiar AC adapter it does not set up a connection with the data wires of the USB cable.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@dirkupnmoor I’m not an electrical expert but yes, I steer well clear of them if I can 👍

[@peterwhitaker4038]

why do people need to plug things in on a Train journey? just look out of the window and enjoy it!

[@catb7059]

Great informative, interesting video 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hey thanks CB and thanks for your support. My preferred route out of London really, although if money is no object I think I’d go for the Avanti West Coast, First Class direct to Shrewsbury (even with it going from Euston). If only Wrexham & Shropshire still existed!

[@seankemplay6861]

A great service, not as quick as Avanti west coast but more refined and comfortable, Moor Street is 15 minutes walk onto New Street so onwards connections are a breeze -

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Sean, thanks for the comment. Yes totally agree and not just on the train but Marylebone is much less crowded than the terrible Euston and arriving at Moor Street, well it’s just fantastic how they’ve brought that station back to life. Depending on your onward route, you don’t even have to walk to New St. last time I was there I changed at Smethwick GB then onto Wolves 👍

[@improperrunner]

A good way of getting a cheap on the day ticket is getting a Super off peak Train from Birmingham to Aylesbury for £29.20. (At least I think you can do it) You can go into Marylebone from Birmingham, as not all Trains pass through Aylesbury, as the train from Marylebone does go through the stipulated Banbury. It's an open ticket for a Month as well. Obviously you have to travel off peak as well

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

That is not bad for an on the day price. I’d definitely use that if needed cheers. It would normally be off peak by the time I got to Birmingham too 👍

[@derisleybrittain]

Excellent 😊👍❤😃

[@johnroberts2331]

As far as I'm aware there are now 3 class 68s/82dvt on the Moor St route since the timetable change in May. I love travelling Chiltern. I rarely go to Euston these days. Marylebone is one of favourite London Terminals. You should try the London Marylebone to Oxford as well.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hey John, thanks for the comment and the up-to-date info on this. I feel the need to get back down there on it again now and yes, maybe have a look at the Oxford route too. Totally agree with Marylebone and it doesn’t feel like a capital city terminus to me. There’s no denying that London has some fantastic stations such as St Pancras and even Kings Cross now, but when comparing it with Euston - well it’s like comparing Birmingham New St with Moor St isn’t it! All the best, Mark.

[@johnroberts2331]

Thank you for the reply Mark. Much appreciated. Its 3 68 trips mon to fri I think. Yes the Oxford route is well worth a trip. They've done a lot of work at Oxford station. Aylesbury is nice for a visit as well! Marylebone is a beautiful station I agree. As a disabled I much prefer Marylebone. Euston just doesn't come close. Plus the normal turbostar 168s are comfortable n plenty of tables plus better access for me compared to LNWR/WMR. Have a great weekend!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

And you mate! Lots of planning/cancellations/postponements/vouchers and refunds for me to sift through this weekend as per normal haha!

[@mach7056]

I used this service a couple of weeks ago from Leamington to London. Sadly both the outward & return journeys were extremely overcrowded with passengers having to stand. The return journey only has 2 coaches!!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Two coaches! They had class68’s on that route pre-covid. Looks like they (like some other tocs) are being a bit slow to react to the recent increases in passenger numbers 🤔

[@PedroSantos-ul3jv]

How much was the ticket for this train ride?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Pedro, you can pick these up for less than £10 in advance fairly easily.

[@nigelrichards3522]

Love children railways. Hate their dmu’s. I find them too uncomfortable for this long a journey. Loco hauled stocked is the complete opposite. I’ve changed my departure time before now so as to take a mk3 journey home.

[@michaelwinston713]

A ‘diktat’ about social distancing is for all people to be safe. Problem?