8 HOURS on Britain's WORST High Speed Train - The Highland Chieftain from Inverness to London

[@OMtheRails]

Alright, because I've had several comments about this... The map used in my intros are not to be taken as gospel - they merely just show the origin and destination city. The full route map, which follows the East Coast, is shown from 04:57. Hope that clarifies 😁

[@TechToby7]

What do you use to make the maps?

[@ktipuss]

No two-dimensial maps are ever perfect; you need a globe to show a perfect map and a 2D video can't do that. For example, Mercator's Projection shows areas getting larger than they really are the closer they get to the North and South Poles.

[@nathanbrammer8471]

Its funny how many smart a##es there are in your average YT comments section, none of which are able to put together and edit their own YT videos.

[@camotech1314]

Thanks mate 😁

[@camotech1314]

​@@nathanbrammer8471 KZbin police never stops 🚨

[@walterfillingham]

I live in Inverness, a lot of people who live in and around Inverness use LNER first class to go to Edinburgh for the day, as you get your breakfast on the way down along with constant snacks, teas, coffees and cold drinks. Enjoy a few hours in Edinburgh, then head home on the return LNER service back to Inverness getting your dinner. snacks, hot and cold drinks on the way back. I have noticed this is extremely popular. The comfort is dreadful, however the service provided in first class along with the food, drinks and snacks is superb and makes a nice day out. ScotRail by comparison is dreadful, where you will be lucky to get a cup of coffee and nothing else (it’s still hit and miss catering being available with ScotRail). Plus ScotRail use dirty old trains, which seem to be getting really grubby and poorly maintained.

[@danielcrud9345]

I've never really had an issue with comfort, then again, I use first class for my journeys nowadays

[@science1explained]

The ICE International is going from shining bright to really shining in terms of quality!

[@walterfillingham]

@@danielcrud9345 standard is dreadful, the seating is awful, the internal lighting like sitting in an office.

[@paparobbo62]

Absolute drivel. I frequently travel Scotrail (the 2nd best performing in the short period since being nationalised) and importantly have never found ANY train as you described. They are clean nearly always punctual (hence the rating) and have never experienced a break down.

[@r.markclayton4821]

Stirling please, not Sterling [GBP] currency!

[@OMtheRails]

Yes that was a typo mistake, as you'll see from the originally uploaded subtitles to the video which have the correct spelling. Happens to us all!

[@ToilerOnTheSea]

Or the Furniture Retail outlet nearby?

[@colinmathie2710]

I had to correct someone regarding this just the other day.

[@taxi134-y1q]

​@@colinmathie2710 Gosh!

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I travel from the midlands to Inverness on average 4 times a year. Prior to the introduction of the godawful Azuma trains I always made the journey in first class, at considerable cost I might add. I made one return trip by Azuma and decided there and then my patronage of LNER services had ended. I now use either the Caledonian Sleeper or fly.

[@jameshatfield1194]

I made the trip on HST leaving Kings Cross at 1200 and it was wonderful in First class good food and wonderful scenery

[@robertmcross1]

What a beautiful scenic ride ! Certainly makes me want to try it out. Your commentary is great, thanks for sharing with this new subscriber 😊

[@grahamfrear9270]

I have never had any problems with LNER.first class service. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💯

[@Matthew-p2h]

He's referring to the noise, vibrations, and bad seats of the train carriages.

[@heritagetrainsandtrams2870]

great video! everything so clearly explained (you have a great skill there) and video edited down to a perfect length - thankyou

[@houseclearance7509]

I took the Clansman in 1980 from Inverness to London. It used the WCML instead. It was the only non stop service between Coventry and Euston

[@jonelson1983]

I did this journey this year, travelling 1st, and it was great. No complaints at all.

[@paultidd9332]

I have done journey back in the HST days and under ‘East Coast’, which was the Government brand operator of the time. I saved up my then East Coast points and did the journey, as you, north to south, first class - even staying in the same hotel! It was lovely with a fully cooked menu, those were the days!

[@physiocrat7143]

Bad ride quality = track bashing 26 metre vehicles, 17 metre bogie centres and 80 cm wheels is asking for trouble. Apparently Network Rail is concerned about the damage thse trains are doing They need to make a one way trip to Newport

[@anthonycrompton6922]

Or CF Booth at Rotherham

[@NolanChance-ux6sd]

10:48 that’s why the HSTS are better than the 80x, they actually are good in diesel mode plus having 2 power cars on each end is around 4,500 horsepower for the train which is very good! Plus the mk3 interiors are far better than the 80x

[@felixthecleaner8843]

great vid - really liked it - thanks!

[@stepheng7586]

I much prefer a 1st class Scotrail HST carriage compared to the Azumas. The only downside to the Scotrail 1st class HST is the near absence of catering services.

[@swordseye2]

I know that they must've hired a couple from Aberdeen because I applied for the job

[@MrScootmcg]

And they break down....a lot.

[@aaronwilkinson8963]

I did some work at Neville hill train depot in leeds where these Azumas get maintained. They were grounded for a while because they found cracks in the plates that connects the carnage to the bogie that holds the wheels. It's a matter of time for a serious accident

[@Phil-oj5nr]

I am six foot six. Would I have trouble on the Chieftan? On our last trip to UK (2014) we did over 140 train trips using a mix of BritRail Pass and Senior Rail Pass. I have not calculated how much we saved, but probably in the region of £800.00 each. Many people I met couldn’t believe we were using public transport! I can honestly say that most of the trains were punctual, no more than 5 mins late the one exception was Bodmin Parkway to Truro, a local lady advised us “…this train is always late!” As we were on holiday the 25 mins late made no difference. The HST’s were very good, they still had Travelling Chef etc on First Great Western. The 159s and SWT were spot on. The best train for luggage security was the Scotrail 170’. The rack is in the centre of the car. On all other trains ‘er inside had me check our gear at every station stop! We did Shrewsbury to Llanelli and Swansea on the Mid Wales Line, but sadly missed the Settle and Carlisle. Too many other highlights to mention, you will have realised I am an unrepentant railway enthusiast! Your video was very good, I’ll try to see your other work. PICTON, South Island, New Zealand.

[@frglee]

Memories of travelling to Inverness (changing for an onward service to Lairg on the Far North Line) on British Rail from London Euston in the early 1970s. As I recall, comfortable spacious coaches and seats, a luxury dining car open to all passengers, decent and affordable hot meals and everything on time. One part of the trip, sadly impossible nowadays, was that I was able to transport my motorcycle in the guards van!

[@rhodriwilliams7962]

I recently travelled from Edinburgh to London First Class with LNER. While I do understand people feeling uncomfortable with the seats, I particularly enjoyed the journey and found those seats really comfortable. I also found the journey incredibly smooth. Now it may be the case that these are more uncomfortable than the IC 125 and IC 225, what I will say it is a much better upgrade to the 197s and 221s in my area. I for once, look forward to travel on the 805s with Avanti when they are in full operation on the North Wales Coast. I will say this, for my journey (with a railcard), I paid £89.50 single from Edinburgh to KGX 1st class. The copious amount of food and drink that was provided to me was probably worth lunch and supper in both cities, which was equal the price difference between standard and first, as I skipped both lunch and supper between both destinations. Additionally, the 1st class lounge did wonders to wait for the Underground peak times to finish in London, as well as serve as a buffer time when I was travelling to EDB from Glasgow. Otherwise, great video, and I may be looking to do a similar journey in the future!

[@Matthew-p2h]

Take a TGV train in Europe and see the difference.

[@westietech6275]

I did 2.5 hours on an Azuma yesterday and my ass was killing. Kings Cross to Donny. Went on a 225 a few days before and it was bang on.

The Azumas are ten steps backward in comparison with the 225s & 125s.

[@dappergent9422]

Thanks for the upload. The scenery and journey look spectacular. One thing about 'First Class' Train travel is it's not what it used to be. Got to Japan, the UK has a lot to learn from them in terms of first class, especially when you see their trains. Sadly, the golden age of UK Train travel is over.

[@lawrencewild2523]

Beats what we call first class here in the States.When you can get it, where you can get it.

[@ejc7129]

Great video 😎👍🏽⭐️ Back in the 1980’s there were 2 services to London. This one to Kings Cross operated by a HST (Highland chieftain) plus a later departure (10:30am from Inverness) “The Clansman” to London Euston via the WCML, Wolverhampton, Birmingham & Coventry. Up until the mid 1980’s the up and down Clansman used to completely avoid calling at Glasgow or Edinburgh with the loco swap from Class 87 Electric to Class 47 Diesel (and vice versa) taking place at Mossend freight yard (Motherwell)…those were the great days 😎👍🏽

[@dvidclapperton]

@@ejc7129 There also used to be Glasgow Queen Street to London Kings Cross via Edinburgh Waverley back in the day before it changed to Glasgow Central to London Kings Croes via Edinburgh Waverley in the 1990's. So there were several trains per day that went through Falkirk to/from London Kings.Cross

[@lovefive5733]

A fantastic video, Thank you for uploading this, keep well 😊😊

[@johnkeepin7527]

On the topic of the relatively rough ride of the 80x stock, compared with the old Mk3 & Mk4s, there is an interesting article about this in the October 2024 issue of Modern Railways. “Who cares about ride comfort”, by Roger Ford. A lot of detail about the historic development of the Mk4 bogies, modern standards, design by committee etc. Well worth a read. How tolerant 80x s are with the state of maintenance of the permanent way I don’t know yet, but wait and see. The old Mk3s were pretty good at ironing out the odd rough patch, as it were. Top quality maintenance helps a lot, and it’s occasionally noticeable on a through service across from one railway to another. I can remember one like that a long time back, through Poland, Germany, to Brussel Midi. The best ride, on a pretty curvy route, was from Hamburg to Köln Hbf, notwithstanding the fact that DB allow a relatively high amount of cant deficiency. Just that DB track maintenance was spot on.

[@Richardo-e6t]

Fascinated by the similarities between rail fans around the world🎉

[@camotech1314]

The views are the best thing on this train.

[@Mokataly]

Nice as person That Enjoy Trains a lot but don't get the Chance to take them a lot I enjoy these videos Keep it Up :)

[@nssportstv7231]

This is definitely on my to do list when it comes to rail Travel

[@gordonjohnston8321]

They've removed all the headrests in first now. They never worked well, but if you put the headrest where you wanted it, pulled the flap off the velcro, tightened it and stuck it back on the velcro agian they would stay where they were. I assume they were detachable in the first place to make rebranding the service easier. I wonder if they'll bring something new in in the future.

[@herschell64]

I got one of the headrests when they were removing them, had no idea what I was going to with it but I gave it to my dad and he's found use for it putting it on the back of one of his chairs

[@TarrelScot]

That's interesting to know. Haven't use the service for a few months, but I always take off the headrest otherwise it's unbelievable uncomfortable!

[@jamiemanson5478]

Yeah they’re re designing the headrests to a more ergonomical design. Believe they’ll be getting put back on seats sometime between now and the new year

[@moneycash-wg7wp]

Map seems to show WCML but I assume you went down the ECML?

[@OMtheRails]

See pinned comment

[@Anonymoususer_8823]

The Azumas are very nice. Been on the Class 800 and Class 801. And also been on Hull Trains Class 802 and Lumo Class 803. Also LNER are to order 10 new Class 897 Civity Tri-mode trains to replace the Class 91 Mk4 Intercity 225 stocks from 2026 or 2027.

[@markknee4421]

I'm not a train snob, I pretty much only ever use suburban services from Kent into London. Thus, my expectations are pretty low. An available intact seat is pretty much the limit! I travelled from Inverness to Kings Cross in First on the Chieftain about 3 years ago. I don't remember it being uncomfortable, but I do remember having excellent service, and wifi worked just fine, as far as I recall.

[@machendave]

I do so hope that they have sorted out the abysmal ticketing Bransons lot had. I booked First class from London KX to Inverness and paid for a reserved seat. The reservation was for second class. That was the one and only time I travelled on Virgin.

[@alexf7377]

I think the 7:55 departure is the classic Inverness to London, and we're glad to have it, particularly as the price is good value, compared to much shorter journeys. 2nd class is okay, (still better than a plane!) you can reserve a seat. Make a nice picnic lunch to avoid mundane at best onboard catering. Arrives before 5pm, so plenty of time to meet up, dine and go to theatre/concert/etc etc.

[@OMtheRails]

Yes the service I took was on Sunday which has a slightly late departure and a 12ish minute journey extension - even then the arrival isn't too bad (provided it's on time!)

[@fredburley9512]

Great video. That's one of the best UK journeys I have seen and I think I might do it myself one day. Not a bad looking train either. Don't know if you have done this one. Recently I took a Transport For Wales journey from Birmingham New Street to Barmouth in Wales and that includes some nice views as you pass through the unspoilt Welsh Valleys towards the Cardigan Bay area. You can either turn south to Aberystwyth or north all the way to Pwelli on the LLeyn Peninsula. Happy travelling. 👍

[@OMtheRails]

Thank you for your nice comments! Yes that is on the list to do at some point, ideally before the new stock comes in!

[@maimadha]

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

[@dvidclapperton]

Bad seats don't make them bad trains.

[@andrewyoung749]

@@dvidclapperton yes they do, obviously.

[@dvidclapperton]

@@andrewyoung749 They only need to change the seats of the clsss 801's to the type per the old class 43's to make the journey a lot better. But they do need to change the seats, and not just on the Inverness to London Kings Cross train. All the Hitachi long distance express trains in fact.

[@joemercedeschannel196]

Great video mate. Still think the GWR IET's are way worse than LNER for me. The internal ambience is awful in them.

[@denbaker7358]

8 hours on a train I'm definitely falling asleep with all that rocking

[@andrewduhamel4508]

High speed rail, thats surely tongue in cheek when talking about the UK railways, after all it isnt the TGV which I often use.

[@Bungle2010]

How is it not high speed? It is by the accepted definition.

[@geoffcoglan7056]

In 2021 when I travelled from York to Inverness and return the train left York at Lunchtime and arrived at 8pm. The return left at 7am arriving York just after lunch. I was in standard and for the fare was ok. The return journey was very busy with the first post COVID pop festival in Glasgow. Good bacon rolls at the buffet though.

[@Andrew-xg5ge]

Regarding the bicycle storage space (9.41). I would struggle to lift a bike up on to the hooks inside this confined space in the cupboard. The Class 745 and 755 Stadler trains on Greater Anglia are much more bicycle friendly!

[@roderickjoyce6716]

I struggled to get my XL size bikes in the storage space on the Azumas, the similar TransPennine trains and CrossCountry's appalling Voyager sets. I now use luggage straps to hang the front wheel from the hook but there is no room for another bike. The DVTs on the 225s are brilliant, they are more less the same as the Sheffield stands used for in-street bike parking. The Pendolinos have a roomy compartment in one of there driving cars as well.

[@ChangesOneTim]

It's the same on the Vomiters, a sort of 'do minimum' option as though the train operator is sticking two fingers up at cyclists. Utter crap.

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

You need to work on your pronunciation of Scottish place names .

[@BobTheBorracho]

Yes, it does make the video more authoritative if they actually find out how to prononunce the places correctly, especially on a travel channel. And his pronuncation of the word chieftain needs work as well.

[@ZL54JK8]

I was going to post a similar comment. Kyle of Lock-alsh is a name that is often problematic for non-native Scots. Apart from the place names, I must say I hadn't heard of the Highland Chief-TAIN before.

[@BobTheBorracho]

@@ZL54JK8 Culloden was the one that got me - it's not as if there were any really famous battle there that holds a dear place in history for the Scots, so i can understand how it got mispronounced.

[@ZL54JK8]

@@BobTheBorracho Yes, right on the back of the Moa Ray Firth!

[@UnbelievableEricthegiraffe]

cheef" + "tuhn" Not cheefTAIN

[@ianblack6963]

They are are good trains, been on them loads

[@thebear307]

Great video, however one slight mistake in your spelling, Stirling is the correct spelling and not Sterling as you stated.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@DeltaJazzUK]

You're right about standard class seats - awful, like sitting on an ironing board.

[@dvidclapperton]

They should install more comfortable seats in standard clase.

[@DcnD-JMJ]

Agreed, take a cushion if you have to travel any distance on these awful seats

[@Anonymoususer_8823]

I don’t mind LNER and I have been on some of LNER Azuma trains to Leeds, Edinburgh Waverley, Newcastle, York and Doncaster. And I also have been on Lumo as well which their trains are also very nice.

[@jitterbug_junior]

Azumas. The fastest park benches in the UK

[@squaresphere2864]

😂🤣 Accurate assessment!

[@camotech1314]

"The fastest electrified benches" 🤣🤣🤣

[@LordGreemsby]

As you were travelling first class, I thought you might have made more of an effort with your attire, i.e., highland tweeds rather than grey track suit bottoms. Apart from that a very informative travelogue.

[@richardmarshall4322]

I rode an LNER one from Peterborough to King Cross last year, it was my first time on one. Very poor. Cheap and nasty interior, crappy seats, not a patch on the HST or loco hauled Mk 2 aircons.

[@dclark988]

Did the 1200 off KGX once and it was the only way to travel . A HST. Unfortunately never did ruem north of haymarket to Aberdeen or Inverness.

[@colinriley123]

Have you tried Cardiff to Penzance first class on GWR? No refreshments, let alone a first class host, for the entire journey. In contrast LNER London to Inverness is one of the best rail journeys in the UK.

[@sodorflubbs5000]

I use the LNER Azuma trains to go down to England. I travel in first and I think they’re great.

[@Matthew-p2h]

You must have a stronger buttocks and back then me.

[@swordseye2]

I live in Aberdeen and have one booked for comic con. However, I went for a sleeper for travelling down again in December to be bridesmaid for my mum.

[@roddyscott9498]

Hey Man Nice Video. I was expecting more from a 1st Class ticket. Looks more like a premium economy 😀 I always thought there was only 7 Scottish cities…then I find out Dunfermline is the 8th. Must be a new entry.

[@mariadelmarjimenezarroyo]

Excellent video

[@realman6ft6]

Don’t forget to search for tickets to/from Finsbury Park to get those off peak tickets again.

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Much as I love rail travel and prefer it to air, I’ll not be hurrying to travel Kings X to Inverness, and certainly not on an Azuma. The positioning of those table supports is bonkers - I’d sooner just have a drop-down table.

[@RobertBlack-m8u]

Looking at some of your footage either passengers are terribly dirty and messy or the clean staff are useless or LNER are making cutbacks because the carpets on that drain were disgusting. The seats not worn out and yes, they are very uncomfortable only marginally more comfortable than Thameslink is 700s. I intend to go to Scotland very soon but I will be using other methods of rail travel to get up there. Great video thanks for sharing.. 👍

[@DeanPark]

Thanks for putting this video together. I suffered an Azuma standard class seat from Edinburgh to york one day…NEVER AGAIN! Awful. However I’ve done a few trips down the east coast from Scotland to London on the Azuma. All first class to save my back side! I much preferred the HST and 225 trains. These new Azuma’s are plastic rubbish in comparison and a major step backward in rail travel in the UK. They’ve taken the joy out of intercity travel. Oh, one small point..it’s ‘Stirling’ not Sterling….thats a furniture store up in Scotland, not a city 😂

[@josephrailfan3349]

I went on LNER Azuma Class 800 from York to London Kings Cross on The Highland chieftain in August 2024. On 15th August on Thursday. And it was great trip on that day. But the hold up at Peterborough was bit crazy. As there was a congestion and traffic jam. To many trains there.

[@jameseadie7145]

I used to work this route first as GNER, followed National Express, East Coast, and finally, Virgin. I can travel from St Pancras to Osnabruck quicker and than this journey.

[@paulroach2538]

Was on the train when you was doing your video ' it is hard work went all the way to King's Cross 'done it 3 time in standard ' spectacular scenery.

[@OMtheRails]

Yes the only reason this journey is still bearable - a brilliant way to see Britain by rail

[@paulroach2538]

Take the sleeper up ' and day train back .

[@saintuk70]

Nice video.... only oddity, the slightly wonky pronunciations and a whopper of a spelling mistake. Stirling isn't Sterling, tho' not that far away from Stirling is a link to "sterling" and silver that was found in the Ochils. Chieftain is cheef'tonne, Moray is sounded like Murray (as the in the mints). It's a lovely journey across Scotland, have done this trip too many times to count.

[@l3v1ckUK]

As if they ever use cards these days. If the reservation system fails on trains with electronic reservations, they always just put out tannoys saying seating is unreserved.

[@herschell64]

I'm not planning to do this journey but a similar journey in Aberdeen to Kings Cross the next time I holiday in London

[@OMtheRails]

Enjoy, even the route from Aberdeen is amazingly scenic!

[@trucker9462]

Worst seats ever. The old trains were brilliant especially when Branson redesigned them they were so comfortable.

[@Bungle2010]

Er when did he do that? 🤔

[@pauldonaldson6067]

I've seen those plaques loads of times while passing through Inverness station but never realised they had originally been on the Orton viaduct (which is not far away from where I grew up). I wonder why they were moved to Inverness and not to either of the nearer stations at Elgin or Keith. It's a shame that the Highland Chieftain just appears to use the standard Azuma trains, I'm fairly sure that the on the older trains the Azumas replaced, the Highland Chieftain (and also the Flying Scotsman) was an actual dedicated train with a slightly different interior.

[@markwringe2826]

No, the Highland Chieftain was a standard HST before the Azumas, nothing different about them.

[@pauldonaldson6067]

@@markwringe2826 could it have been the Flying Scotsman? I can definitely remember going on a GNER train back in the day (maybe around 20 years ago) from Kings Cross up to Scotland that was a named service and the interior of the train being slightly nicer than the usual GNER trains.

[@transponderings]

It might have been more obvious that the hotel was so close to the station if it had kept its former name - the Station Hotel. I hadn’t noticed the name change until now, but apparently it happened 24 years ago!

[@imsbvs]

Wife and I travelled Aberdeen - London in May 2022, about 7 hours, we used advance tickets & railcards to make this a very reasonably priced journey even for 1st class travel. We wanted two seats facing around a table but these trains only have one such per cariage and ended up having to share a table with strangers. I endorse the comments about poor ride quality, there were times the train seemed to crash over the track and gave me the impression of a derailment (thankfully not). At Kings Cross we crossed the road and took a Javelin home, another 90 minutes, these ride better because HS1 track is of a better quality and 140mph is fairly comfortable (that makes it a longer journey than your's was!!). I later found a split fare option would have been even cheaper, Aberdeen to Montrose and Montrose to London.

[@gaz-3711]

Last time I used the train it was with GNER, there has just not been the value since

[@daanwolters3751]

What do you mean, a lack of power for the electric trains? How is that even possible, given that lines use 25kV? Usually one power station is enough to power 30km of high speed line. Even if you let a high speed train run every 5 minutes.

[@sIightIybored]

and yet...that is what is happening.

[@iangraham871]

I'm not sure why you have emphasised the WORST in the title - you don't seem to have found much at fault?? The Class 800 Hitachis are a massive backward step in comfort compared to the IC125 and 225. I assume they were cheap! We are encumbered with them on GWR's Cotswold and Malvern Line, and they are awful - worse quality than a suburban commuter train might be expected to be. In fact, the comfort is worse than a 158 DM. Others have already mentioned the pathetic "High Speed" efforts of the UK train network, but the food offering looks pretty poor compared to other countries. I recently rode on Amtrak's "California Zephyr" from San Francisco to Chicago, and if you choose the sleeper option (it is 52 hours), you are in First Class and you get complimentary huge breakfast, two course lunches and amazing three course dinners in a dining car. It was wonderful! Anyway, i generally enjoyed my first ride with you. I shall investigate more of your content.

[@ChangesOneTim]

Thanks to the chaotic structure of Britain's rail industry and the decision that civil servants will lead the IEP procurement, they were never going to be "cheap". The no-frills off-the-shelf Hitachi train designed for outer-suburban commuter routes already had a British version in SarfEastern's Javelins, so DfT took the path of least resistance and ordered a stretched variant of it without being too bothered whether or not it suited InterCity travel.

[@lawrencecody4085]

I admire your stamina putting up with one of those plastic looking , uncomfortable trains .all the Hitachi trains seem to have no concern for comfort, but for only looking good, and to cram as many seats as possible into the space.. I have done this journey many times, over different sections of the route. but this would have been on a class 158,or HST.. where comfort is much better.. I love travelling by train, but what puts me off is the lack of comfort, will it actually turn up, and if it does, will it be on time..I feel its a shame new trains seem to do the job they have been designed for, but when it comes to passenger comfort, it gets about 2/10 for me..and those FC seats don`t look very good, no wonder you had a bit of backache by the end of the journey..

[@michaelj3282]

Thanks for the particular attention to the North East, I think the Northerly approach is the best I know, Durham is wonderful too, and Northumberland? Shhhh, don't tell anyone.

[@happyslappy5203]

566 miles/911km, 8 hours, 18 minutes = "High Speed Train"??😳 Try a true "HS train": TGV Paris - Bordeaux (560 km) travel time *2hr 10min* city center to city center. If you book your seat in advance it can be cheap: Tuesday 1st October Paris 9:04am - Bordeaux 11:14am. 45 euros.

[@Mounhas]

Says it all.

[@rmHawk765]

Keep in mind that this is a 19th century route upgraded to 125mph/200km/h (and soon will be upgraded again to 140mph/225km/h). That's quite a feat and yet most mainlines in the UK are in the same scenario. Also the UK has some of the best average train speeds in Europe.

[@andrewyoung749]

@@rmHawk765 dont let facts get in the way of the relentless 'run down Britain' brigade lol. these are no doubt people who believe all uk trains are late whilst db (1 extra min allowed until declared late/still more late trains) is the peak of punctuality. as you say the uk has one of the fastest average speed railways on earth. France looks great until you include the 80 percent of the network that isn't the hs lines and ger is a disaster etc etc etc

[@dsds3968]

I don't have an issue with the seats on the Hitachi trains.

[@JackJackProductions]

More reasons why flying between London and the Scottish Highlands is better. It's faster, and thanks to easyJet, cheaper

[@j3xk72r9]

Looks like the Azumas are no better than the GWR trains. Truly dreadful trains, how did we get stuck with trains like this?

[@physiocrat7143]

The Department for Transport got involved. Civil Servants

[@OMtheRails]

DfT penny pinching sadly, which is a shame as later models are nowhere near as bad.

[@physiocrat7143]

@@OMtheRails There is nothing penny pinching about these trains - at almost £3 million a vehicle, they cost big bucks. For comparison, a mark 1 vehicle cost £5000 in the 1950s, and you can allow a factor of 50 for inflation. If you think that is an unfair comparison, then use the mark 3 stock, which would have cost about £500,000 apiece in the end of the 1980s - lightweight steel bodies with air-conditioning and separate power cars. The efficient steel construction system was abandoned when the mark 4 was introduced, with a resulting increase in mass. The intention was to continue with the mark 3 construction system, and that became the International Train, of which only a prototype was built, plus thousands of vehicles in China when Britain Rail Engineering Ltd sold an entire factory to build the design under licence. A mark 3 vehicle was dismantled and surveyed around 2010 in a joint exercise by Porterbrook Leasing who owned most of them, and IMeche. At that time they were known to be good until at least 2035 ie they had another 25 years of potential service. The main weakness was corrosion at certain points, mainly associated with the toilet areas and around the vehicle ends, and these needed to be monitored and attended to as required. There was also a need to fit retention toilets and reinstate internal door handles. Unfortunately the civil servants at the DfT stuck their noses in, were in love with Hitachi, decided to go for the absurdity expensive, overweight and inefficient bi-mode and a 26 metre vehicle, and we got the dreadful 800 series. 26 metres is too long for Britain as there is a 4.5 meters overhang at each end. Reduce the wheel diameter to 80 cm and you get a rough riding track basher. You also get a vehicle which is difficult to get on and off,; goodness knows how many trips and falls these trains are responsible for. The story doesn't even exist end there. Once the decision to replace the mark 3 feet was made, maintenance was reduced and corrosion allowed to set in, and by 2018 renovation would have been expensive. For from penny pinching, money has been splashed up the wall to get these trains inflicted on the hapless public.

[@physiocrat7143]

@@OMtheRails YT lost my carefully composed comment. I am not going to spend another half hour. In short, everything about these trains was the result of a series of bad decisions by the Civil Servants at the Department for Transport. The Mark 3 fleet was known to be good until 2035 - 2050, based on a tear-down survey of a vehicle in 2010. These trains should not exist. A £2.7 million apiece, there is nothing penny pinching about them. That is three times what they ought to cost.

[@ericnairn2321]

Where the hell is Sterling is that not a currency . You need to edit your vlog otherwise very good

[@OMtheRails]

Yes it was a typo - this was written correctly in the originally uploaded subtitles. Happens to everyone!

[@tonys1636]

The East Coast Mainline and Scotrail do not have the smoothest track in the country so don't put all the lumpy ride onto the Azuma. Diversions over weekends and speed restrictions for and after reballasting are almost constant over sections. Last year's very dry weather combined with this year's very wet have worsened the maintenance load. Network Rail is having a struggle to keep up and keep lines open and safe.

[@physiocrat7143]

The trains are bad for the track That is why it has got rough. Small wheels, 26 metre cars with bogies at 17 metres centres is asking for a bad ride quality and damage to the track.

[@conradharcourt8263]

Bizarre that Dickie Pickle's Spinsters bought such rubbish kit! Hopefully LNER will be able to improve them during refurbishment at some time soon.

[@steve3291]

The seats in standard class on the IC225 to Leeds on LNER are better than the first class seats on the Azuma.

[@behramcooper3691]

I couldn't find Speedometer in Google Playstore. Are you u as ING iPhone or Android?

[@cobalt8619]

Thanks for giving commentary! I hate watching these travel videos where people only show text on the screen and dont talk.

[@campbell9091]

I, on the other hand, prefer them. Each to their own.

[@anthonywarrener1881]

First class on the Azuma is very poor. The cushions are too shallow - compare with any SNCF TGV ! The ride is also poor, and frankly no match for the Inter City 125s or the later Class 91s and Mark IV stick. A huge disappointment, and no improvement whatsoever.

[@spsmith45]

The main improvement is leg room in standard class. Overall, yes a disappointing train with poor seating and functional ambiance built to a price. I find the ride quality similar to a 225 and that’s largely due to track bed, imo.

[@nixcails]

The French invest in things the British don't they sent the country to hell in a handcart. Then they blame Europe, Foreigners, anything but their own workshy and lazy attitudes. (And when I say Britain I mostly point the 👉🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿)

[@jackmellor5536]

I actually like the LNER Azumas, especially in first class. The service is very good.

[@TarrelScot]

The first class service on this route is great (I use it a few times a year). But the comfort of the seats and general suspension of the train is appalling. I notice (hope?) there's an error on the LNER menu page that you link to. It shows the Highland Chieftain service as running with the "Dish" menu Mon-Fri, which is the middle of the three menu offerings. I'm sure when I've used it it has run with the "Dine" menu, which offers a "Full LNER" breakfast. This is one of the highlights of the trip; climbing out of Inverness up into the Cairngorms while tucking in to a full breakfast. If they've dropped it to just a bacon roll, then that's a classic example of "shrinkflation!"

[@ktipuss]

8:23 The highest point on the U.K. rail system is at 1484 feet (462m)? That surprised me; I thought it would be much higher than that. On the Blue Mountains Line in New South Wales, the climb can be fairly deceptive, si when tourists get off at the tourist hot-spot of Katoomba, they are surprised that the sign shows it is 3336 feet (1017m) above sea level, and it's not the highest station on that line (Blackheath is, at 1065m).

[@gftyhify]

I’ve never ridden first class on the Azumas but I did once ride in standard class. While the seats aren’t the best I found them to be manageable for a short journey at least. I was only on the train from Newcastle to Edinburgh I might not say the same if I was on the train for the entire journey. To be honest I don’t think I’ll ever do the Highland Chieftain as I don’t think I could manage a train journey of that length even with comfier seats

[@prof.hectorholbrook4692]

The Chieftain used to be very good with PROPER (non-microwave) Restaurant Cars - even using HST's.

[@mrdeathgaming1457]

in the early 1980's it took 12 hours, be thankful it only took 8

[@jabberwockytdi8901]

With the Azumas in general you can see that the design is more based on Japanese regional trains than proper high speed designs.

[@kamikakushi_]

It IS regional trains. Hitachi qualify this EMU to be used as inter-city rail. Kinda like Japan's limited express trains.

[@GMDLgnd]

If this was the intercity 225 I would say it's 500% worth the price

[@OMtheRails]

100%!

[@ciupakaza8420]

Wait in Uk is 8 hours to trave in part of the country to another? In Romania that will take 22h for 700km

[@hexagon7895]

This particular service covers 580 miles, 60 chains which is 934.6 kilometres. The southbound service is scheduled at 7 hours and 52 (northbound is 13 mins longer). I believe Romania does have some 160km/h running? But most mainlines are 100-120km/h with a few key ones upgraded to 140km/h? In this case maximum speeds are up to 161km/h (100mph) over the first 301.9km from Inverness down to Edinburgh, then up to 201km/h (125mph) maximum over the remaining 632.7km to London, the latter distance being scheduled at 4hrs 17 mins for an average running speed of 147.72km/h (91.79mph).

[@robinjones6999]

Just used the sleeper service 4 days ago and it was pretty shite - well the overflowing toilets were!! The seats were the worst Ive ever experienced. Good value tho at 55gdp

[@craig6439]

Always wanted to do this journey

[@jackmellor5536]

Dunfermline also used to be Scotland's capital

[@SloaneEsq]

Which current long distance, high speed, bi mode Intercity train stock would you prefer? Personally a saggy old 90s Mark 4 interior would be far worse and give me back ache.

[@dw620]

Surprised you didn't mention the regular 1st class single fare, in passing (£331.10). Ouch.... : )

[@benbrist]

"to the British capital London" - you're going to anger a few folk here as you've passed through Edinburgh 🤣

[@Sir_David_Beatty]

Growing up is realizing Scotland will never be fully independent.

[@ThePeteW]

​@@Sir_David_BeattyI've never heard of Britain having a capital. The UK does. But not Britain.