LNER Highland Chieftain 1st Class - Kings Cross to Inverness

[@nojyukunin]

😄I'm Japanese and I took this train going in the opposite direction from Edinburgh-York to Kings x by Azuma class 801 this early summer...that was amazing journey with many beautiful scenery and kind and fun British people!

[@LILC63]

Sitting on a train for 8 hours sounds like my worst nightmare! I live in Doncaster so it’s only a 1 hour 40 journey to King’s Cross.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi mate, thanks for watching appreciated.

[@tomburke5311]

Thanks for this - I’ve only just spotted it. I did a couple of trips on the Highland Chieftain in Virgin East Coast days, and just from York to Inverness and back. Great trips, both of them. On the second the train failed - both power cars - so we were stuck blocking the ECML for an hour. Eventually the rear power car was revived but there was no communication with the front one, so it could only be driven from the working power car and back to York we went. At York an inbound terminating HST was hijacked for the journey north, and we finally got to Inverness at about 11:30! However, in 1st Class the staff were being very generous with the drinks. We had some trouble making our way over the river to the Premier Inn….

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi, thanks for watching - appreciated. It a really lovely trip to make! Staff in 1st class are very generous with drinks especially on the later services.

[@sachiro3]

Kon' nichiwa ! Thank you very much for a video of a wonderful British LNER’s train window scenic views. From Tokyo

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi, thank you for watching - your comment is very much appreciated.

[@nicholasbrown6697]

I travelled the Highland Chieftain (1st class) in 2008 in the days of the HST. Full restaurant on board - 2 meals if you wanted it. magic journey.

[@peteredwards338]

Haven't been to King's Cross for over 20 years, hardly recognise the place, thanks for posting.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

No problem, thanks for watching.

[@TheUncleGrant]

Thank you so much, It brings back memories of my journey in 2019. Although I stopped off at Falkirk and Glasgow before heading north to Inverness. The Scottish countryside is pretty amazing. I was impressed with how the Stations in Scotland were so well cared for. I hope you had time for walk around Inverness. 😊

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi mate, thanks for watching - very much appreciated. Pleased you enjoyed the video. Yeah i had a bit of time in Inverness, such a beautiful part of the country.

[@barbaralcharles]

8 hours in a semi-comfortable seat is not for everyone. I am so glad you took this journey though as you have convinced me to take the sleeper next time I visit the Highlands. Your scenery photography was excellent. Stunning bridges, amazing viaducts, the unparalleled countryside, and we even got a view of a White Horse. Great job.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi, thanks for the comment - I always try and get all scenery in as I can. The next time I travel between the two - I’ll be using the sleeper service too!?

[@wizardofthenorth8352]

Excellent film. Good balance of scenery, historical facts and train facilities and comfort. Good incentive to do more travelling in UK. Thank you.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Thanks mate - doing there trips has certainly opened my eyes to what the UK has to offer, we live in an amazing land and if you ever get the opportunity I’d certainly recommend it.

[@colinriley123]

I enjoyed the video. Have done this journey recently and you did it justice. Has to be the best journey in Britain, and LNER is the best TOC. I remember being in Edinburgh nearly 50 years ago waiting for the sleeper to Bristol. In those days England did post season tours to Europe. Managed to find a pub to watch an England game and was dismayed to find the locals cheering the opposition. I must have been very innocent then.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi mate, thanks for watching - appreciated. It is a wonderful trip to make with such varying scenery.

[@matthewbull7]

Great video, my first time here have now subscribed will play catch-up lol and look forward to new content. Love the comments and footage especially coming into Newcastle love that view

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi, thanks for watching and thank you for subscribing. Hopefully you’ll enjoy the rest and I have more upcoming.

[@matthewbull7]

@@TheGeordieTravels That's good to hear I look forward to those

[@iangill8984]

Interesting video, I will subscribe. As someone who has travelled on trains since the late sixties I can be as nostalgic as I like. Make that shudder with memories of shoddy trains and service. I used to travel to Leeds from Middlesbrough to go to University and often that could be three different, uncomfortable DMU's. Now there is a comfortable service operated by Transpennine Express from Manchester to Teesside.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi there, thanks for subbing. I can only imagine what the trains were like in the sixties but TPE offer a great ride these day.

[@iangill8984]

@@TheGeordieTravels The problem is that nostalgia isn't what it used to be, there is a lot of 'it was better in the old days' but the old days must be well before my lifetime.

[@AwesomeKazuaki]

I like what clouds flow, but it chases clouds!! I wanted to dance when saw those!! btw HS2 will come!! SCMaglev??

[@miahaskurti4539]

LNERs Highland Chieftain One Service To Inverness. Used To Be Operated By Class 43 HSTs. Now 800 Azumas

[@TIMBOWERMAN]

I hope so, I am looking forward to traveling on "Highland Chieftain" during Summer 2022 to take advantage of the daylight in First Class with proper coffee cups and a proper service of lunch and dinner.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Get it booked as soon as, it’s a wonderful trip to make!?

[@worigami]

Enjoyed this, interesting to find out a little more about the places en route. With family near Inverness I join this train at York. I've done this for a good few years, since it was Virgin, GNER and LNER. Only last week I made that return trip and felt the service isn't quite what it used to be. I've managed to get some 1st class deals in the past but for this trip I booked standard and then managed to upgrade the return to 1st using the Seatfrog app. I probably wouldn't do that again, I don't feel 1st class is worth the extra expense, especially now food is considered complimentary. The positives: The staff and their communication couldn't be faulted. We had a track issue and were held for over an hour at Kingussie. We were kept informed and fortunately the delay crept over the hour mark and not under so I got back the full fare for that outward journey. The delay repay invite was by email that day, a simple click to acknowledge the claim and it was in bank within a couple of days. The price for a one-way advance ticket was £29.80 so not great for my refund 🙂 but an absolute bargain for that length of journey. The leg room and space in standard class on the Azuma is great, better than first class on some other train operators. The negatives: The seats in standard class are really uncomfortable, into my 6th hour and my back was aching, something I've never suffered from before. The 1st class seats are better with a little more padding and the recline helps, no issues there. Table legs in 1st class could be better positioned, if that's possible, as they seem to obstruct unless you have space to stretch around them. I didn't find the leg room in 1st class any better than standard. The food and drink service has been run down. My return journey was shown as the "dish menu" but ended up as the "deli menu". They didn't have a full stock and some items had run out by Perth. On previous trips they were much more attentive and free with the food and drink. For the 6 hour trip to York I had the breakfast option of a microwaved ciabatta and a bottle of water and then much later on a wrap, a bag of crisps and a can of their ale. The only thing that was on offer in between was tea and coffee. In view of that I wish I'd brought my own food and drink and stuck with my standard class seat for the way back. I have made the trip through Cross Country from Sheffield to Edinburgh and then taking the Scotrail to Inverness. Scotrail first class was simply half a carriage with some slightly bigger seats so it would be interesting to see if that's changed over the last few years.

[@smoothmicra]

I remember driving to Inverness from Leeds to run the Loch Ness marathon, I did it two years on the bounce. Beautiful scenery, a lovely drive, but give yourself plenty of time to savour the surroundings. A truly lovely part of the country, but if I felt the need to revisit, 1st class LNER looks pretty sweet. 😉

[@TheGeordieTravels]

It is a beautiful part of the world, given the opportunity id recommend it and a bit of searching you can get some really good priced. 😀

[@chriswilkes4350]

Thank you for a great video.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Thank you for watching, very much appreciated.

[@tapemaj]

Amazed with your knowledge mate !! Absolutely amazed … Impressed and Subscribed .. Well done . Good wishes from London SW17 Hopefully on an 8 hour journey in first class next time - Hot food ought to be served ! Post pandemic 😷

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Thanks for your comment and thanks for subscribing - appreciated-

[@herschell64]

I love the 800's and first class, only downside is I miss the leather seats they used have though I still find the seats comfy, that's one thing Scotrail does better with first class, I have favourite seats in LNER first class, coach K 17 going south and K 16 north is my tip as there both at a four seater table which is what I prefer as a solo traveller

[@jamessmith6402]

Absolutely excellent video 👍 thanks

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Thank you 🙏 very much for watching - 100% appreciated.

[@shuheisuzuki2180]

Hello!こんにちは！ Great video! I like the Scotland,English trains and Scenery.

[@airzulu2733]

It's a japanese built train my friend

[@WorldWide_Dom]

Very good video, must say I couldn't fault them when I went from Inverness to Edinburgh.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi mate, thanks for watching - I have never really had a bad experience on LNER either.

[@Confusedadult87]

Kilburn white horse! You can sometimes see the ECML from up there.

[@andybishop-tf4qb]

Great informative video..I'm thinking of doing this journey as part of my UK triangle tour to John o'groats , lands end by Cross country train then back home to Margate..what railcard did you use?..I'm a 53yr old and unsure which one I qualify for, if any!..lol..

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi Andy, thanks for watching appreciated. I'm ex Royal Navy, served in the 90's so I use a Veteran's Railcard, it does save a lot of money if you can get one. If you do it, enjoy it, its an awesome route with loads on offer - city views to the highlands.

[@truebrit3578]

Interesting thought, the sleeper, which often gets praise or the day journey and see the scenery? Excellent video, thanks

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Appreciated as always, as much as I liked the sleeper the day ride I find was more appealing.

[@stephenblanchard8973]

...we travelled to Edinburgh 1st class back in April...not overly impressed with LNER service either going or the return...which was actually worse...had better service in McDonald's...and coming back on the Friday had too go three coaches to find a working toilet...LNER customer services couldn't have given a monkeys when I complained.. !

[@patricialockhart2135]

Ah, I didn't know that about the crossing at Newark. I've travelled the whole route by LNER but in stages, the Edinburgh to London part but I had a trip to Inverness earlier this summer and took that train to Inverness. First class is much preferable. I've done standard class, never again, it's so uncomfortable on the Azumas. Anyway, another great video.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi, thanks again for your comment - the crossing at Newark, you have to quick - if you blink you’ll miss it. 1st class is always preferable especially as the trains are now becoming much busier.

[@patricialockhart2135]

@@TheGeordieTravels I meant I didn't know it was the last crossing like that in the UK. Everytime I'm on that route thats diamond is a highlight lol.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

@@patricialockhart2135 accept my sincere apologies, I misread your initial comment.

[@moshihus]

Canny Lad!.....Spot on!

[@chrisbutton486]

I did this route from king cross to Inverness on the way to Wick and train was class intercity 125 about 4year ago and I stayed in primer Inn hotel right next to the railway and you can watch train from my bedroom window in the hotel and these new Train run diesel also electric and class intercity 125 was last train in service to Inverness of slam door bit you missed them these was my favourite train

[@TheGeordieTravels]

I would have liked to have done this trip on the old 125’s - so much nostalgia travelling on them and much better than today 800’s. I loved the slam doors

[@Andrewjg_89]

LNER are keeping the Class 91 Mk4+DVTs until 2023.

[@kevinblakey9249]

The White Horse of Kilburn!

[@phillysteel1090]

Very good Video i love the East Coast Route have you done Inverness to London King's Cross yet

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Cheers mate, appreciated. I have not done the reverse journey as yet but I will do.

[@stephenwood2216]

Travelled for over 30yrs between North West and my family home in New Hartley 2 views Durham Cathedral and crossing the Tyne Great journey further up too Love the video PS was it a canny bag if Tudor crisps Enjoy the journeys 👍

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi mate - thanks for watching, appreciated. Those 2 views and the coast line up to Edinburgh certainly make the journey. And, yes they were a can y bag of Tudor - even paid for them out of my wages. 😂😂

[@jacquelineb4375]

Your video was nice thank you. I have to say though that in some other countries this would be standard class train travel.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Thank you and totally agree - I am looking forward to venturing into Europe to sample them!?

[@slim56100]

If I see another train video with a guided tour of the seat! And toilets!, I think I’ll poke my eyes out. I think by now I can work out how the f***ing seat works myself with no trouble at all, I know how to sit, recline and hang my coat up, have able to do it for a long time now without instructions. As for knowing how to go to the toilet……. WOW !!

[@grahamlavers8128]

I travelled on the Highland Chieftain a few years ago, but that was on LNER`s HST, lovely journey, 1st class as well, not sure about an Azuma on that distance as we have them on my region ( GWR ) don`t like them at all, so uncomfortable.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi mate, thank you for watching - appreciated, it’s a lovely route. You’re absolutely right, I much prefer the HST’s too and the 1st class is by far more comfortable. LNER only use them between Leeds / York to Kings Cross now and they are being phased out.

[@lewis8407]

Great video as usual mate, very entertaining. Quick question, will you be on the inaugural East Coast Trains service using the 803s when their comapany launches, it'd be a great video, and id love to get a picture with you if you wouldnt mind!

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi, thanks very kind - I’m not sure, I’d like to but all depends on the day as I work full time and if I can get the day off. As for the picture I’m sure we can sort something out in the future.

[@maimadha]

If LNER kept the HSTs operating on the Highland Chieftain that would be so much better

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Thanks for watching - appreciated. Agree with that.

[@JC-il6ps]

Very good video 👍. Modern day on train catering in the UK really is pitiful isn't it. I know the offerings are sometimes somewhat scaled back at the minute due to covid, but even before the pandemic things were pretty poor imo.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi, thanks - appreciated.

[@CarolgTX]

Nice video! Was the food included in the price of the ticket?

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Thank you - very much appreciated. Yes, all food and drink is included with the price of the ticket. LNER may even have more on the menu by now.

[@chrissmoss6217]

You really should do this again when "proper" catering resumes. I would hope that for an 8 journey you would get a decent lunch and evening meal! Despite the decent price, I wouldn't attempt this journey for just a ham salad sandwich, Pipers crisps and a slice of cake. Lots of alcoholic beverages softens the blow though!

[@TheGeordieTravels]

I’m hoping I will but in the winter ❄️ time and the other way around - hopefully LNER will offer a warm breakfast to accompany the snowy conditions.

[@danielstripreports]

@@TheGeordieTravels They’re due to bring back more first class catering in the autumn, they were meant to in the summer but was “delayed”

[@afinecity1830]

First class food is best thought of as a snack. Drinks are usually more generous but it is not happy hour. By all means book first class for the extra space and legroom but never do it for the food. You are best advised to stock up at pret before boarding if you are doing a journey of 2 hours or more. Ignore the marketing hype about first class food... the reality is very different.

[@chrissmoss6217]

@@afinecity1830 When Virgin had the west coast mainline, the catering was quite good. If you travelled in the morning you got a full breakfast, which although not a "gut buster" was adequate. After ten it was hot bacon or sausage baguette and at lunch you got a sandwich with crisps, fruit and cake plus the cold drinks (you got two) was accompanied with either a bag of nuts or pretzels. Never had the evening meal though. Also there was three cups of tea or coffee offered which made five drinks in a two hour ten minute journey. I doubt Avanti are this good!!

[@kiwitrains]

Where does the set change from electric power to diesel 👍👍🇦🇺

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi, the set changes power between Stirling and Gleneagles.

[@kiwitrains]

@@TheGeordieTravels thanks

[@airzulu2733]

Back to the catering side of LNER 1st Class what would you expect hot meal or full English breakfast ect . Is this included in the ticket . The price you paid for your trip was excellent value. Its a must do trip . Enjoyed watching your trip .

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi there - thanks for the comment. LNER are re-introducing their full English breakfast in the coming weeks and yes, this will be included in your ticket price - you’ll also get numerous refreshments and almost unlimited coffee, soft drinks In the afternoon also included are snacks and alcoholic drinks, these are included in your ticket price too.

[@andrewpreston4127]

To be honest, it's quite a while since I've travelled by rail over a distance. Last time was about 2012, journey by Cross Country from Bristol to Birmingham. I felt like a piece of meat, so crowded..., it must have been Cattle Class. That said, there's very little about this LNER 1st Class that would encourage me to pay the extra for 1st Class. It all comes across as basic, and rather austere. If I was travelling 1st Class, I'd quite like to feel somewhat pampered. And the food,..., a pre-packed sandwich, and a bag of Piper crisps. 'Sake. I just think rail passengers are treated like dirt in this country. All those years of Tory austerity.

[@ernestparker3648]

Great video, I don't like the window blind arrangements, if the person in the seat in front wants it down but you want it up to look out of the window, could cause arguments.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi, thanks - yeah I have thought about that too but luckily it hasn’t happened yet.

[@2011pendolino]

We’re you originally in Seat 20 in coach L?

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Yup, that was me!!?

[@miahaskurti4539]

Can You Do LNER Routes Like. London Kings Cross To Aberdeen London Kings Cross To Sunderland London Kings Cross To Bradford And London Kings Cross To Harrogate

[@steamisbest]

Love your videos but find them very hard to read with white text on a light background. Can I suggest that you use the font that others use where there is a black outline around the white text, it makes it much easier on the eyes.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi, thanks - yeah no problem I can change things up.

[@Thursdaym2]

It's the same on many rail videos, I have same problem.

[@GrahamGeorge1]

The First Class Seats on the Azuma are awful compared to the previous rolling stock. The Standard Class Seats are a disgrace, whoever designed them should be made to sit on them all day as a punishment!

[@TheGeordieTravels]

😂😂 Completely agree, the old stock are by far better.

[@osakasenri7352]

Ich hätte den ICE aus deutscher Produktion der japanischen Class 800 vorgezogen.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Vielen Dank fürs Zuschauen - geschätzt. Ich stimme zu, die ICE sind viel schöner

[@tomwaller6893]

Railways across Scotland, the inter-city ones anyway, seem to be getting good revues of late on KZbin. But, of course, the failed Virgin East coast mainline is in Scottish public ownership now, privatisation having failed. Scottish independence will bring forward many more improvements as transport is a reserved power of devolution held 543 English MPs to just 57 Scottish in London.

[@andyc3088]

It's the UK government that has ownership of LNER

[@scubasmog]

A stunning and almost seamless segue to your obviously preferred subject. Kudos. Shame about your lack of knowledge.

[@madtrainspottermacrae6744]

Was it on time

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Yes, on time for both departure at Kings Cross and arrival in Inverness.

[@simondavey7787]

Thank you for an excellent trip report. Did you succeed in finding a pub in which to watch the England game?

[@TheGeordieTravels]

You’re welcome, your comment is much appreciated. Yes I did, luckily the station at Inverness is in the centre so there were plenty of pubs to choose from.

[@campbellsavage7030]

The video was a good choice, but I was sorry you did not video anything from the opposite window. As you approach Newtonmore you have a grand view of the Cairngorms - NOT what you described at 21 minutes into the video. The Cairngorms are on the East Side of the railway.

[@christophermarkwart1267]

Good video, but please do a commentary next time as the captions disappear too quickly for me! I want to do this journey in first class but will expect a couple of meals for eight hours, not a ham salad sandwich!!!

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi mate, thanks for watching - appreacited. I have started to do commantary on my newer videos. The day i did this journey was about 2 months after the lockdown had ended, operators were just starting to get things back on track with their first class service. LNER now do full hot meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but enjoy it as it's a wonderful trip to make.

[@davidroberts569]

Don’t won’t to sound pedantic but… scotch whisky doesn’t have an “e” in it!

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Haha, yeah I know mate - blaming autocorrect and not my lacking of quality control!?

[@brianharley6452]

Barging for 63 pound

[@TheGeordieTravels]

It was, considering all food and drink are included 😁😁

[@brianharley6452]

@@TheGeordieTravels might have to try that lol can’t beat a night out in Inverness but sadly as a Scot living in England now it’s a tad hard for that these days lol

[@kiwitrains]

👍👍🇦🇺

[@johnjardine1595]

Your spelling !! It is whisky in Scotland - without the " e " !!

[@TheGeordieTravels]

C’st la vi

[@Thursdaym2]

Enjoyable but no such thing as free booze😥

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Chees mate - free as in trying to get as much as you can, on the later trains they’re normally a bit more generous 😂

[@teviblekhman1628]

8:28 boo toilet time .

[@tonybennett9964]

Please spell WHISKY properly no E in Scotland

[@TheGeordieTravels]

SorrEy, I noticed after upload - it was autocorrects fault.

[@spike770059]

To many ads has ruined your video sorry

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Hi, thanks for watching anyway - unfortunately I don’t have any control of the ads.

[@alanpatey620]

Bland, uninformative and tedious to watch.

[@TheGeordieTravels]

Well evidently I can’t please everyone! That said, over 32k views and only a couple of negative comments you’re clearly part of a very small minority!? I’ll not lose any sleep over your comment. Best wishes

[@alanpatey620]

@@TheGeordieTravels Aye, part of the small majority who live here in the Highlands putting up with English bores.