THE BEST WAY TO GET TO BIRMINGHAM? London Marylebone- Birmingham moor street with Chiltern

Hello and welcome back to another trip report, today I’m travelling from London Marylebone - Birmingham moor street, in Standard class on chiltern railways
Date of travel: 28/10/21
TOC: Chiltern railway
Rolling stock: class 68 hauling mk3 coaches
Class of travel: standard class
Origin: London Marylebone
Destination: Birmingham moor street
Length of journey: 1hr 49m
If you have any questions about the video feel free to ask.
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[@JohnTaylor-bf6ll]

When I go to west midlands, I always take Chiltern Line, and as I live a little bit into west London, you can pick it up at Wembley stadium, West or south ruislip.

[@maimadha]

Great video

[@TheArkamedBat]

Best way to go to Birmingham, Oxford, etc. Comfortable seats (not as bad as the 802s), rarely (if ever) overcrowded (unlike LNWR) and super cheap (with a railcard is usually for London to Birmingham less than £5)

[@danielstripreports]

Will be trying out Chiltern to Oxford some time soon, All ways seemed like a good service!

[@Aidankiwi]

Marylebone is the only main line London Terminus that does not have any electrified track access. @8.45 In actual fact none of the three main central city stations in Birmingham (New St, Moor Street and Snow Hill ) are termini. All have through platforms and services.

[@KempSimon]

In the days when I had a Gold Railcard which allowed First Class upgrades (when travelling outside the morning and evening rush hours) out and back for a fiver, I occasionally used it to access the "Business Zone" on Chiltern Railways locomotive-hauled trains between London and Banbury. In those happy days - now long gone - you got complimentary, unlimited tea or coffee served at-seat. The conductors didn't like my GBP 5 supplement tickets but they had no choice other than to accept them, so I saved myself at least GBP 15 every time I used one. No wonder they were phased out at the start of 2015! Why didn't you give the "Business Zone" a try during your journey?

[@Listenerandlearner870]

When I went to Birm Moor St it was a DMU both ways and we came back via Aylesbury. It was fine but check the timetable for a particular day. There is often a replacement bus for part of the journey. The Pendolinos to New St are also good as are the Desiros, so all services are good apart from when there is engineering work on the line.

[@danielstripreports]

All are good, but Avanti is overrated

[@KempSimon]

@@danielstripreports - Avanti West Coast's new Advance Purchase single-leg "Superfares" between London Euston and Birmingham/Manchester/Liverpool are an interesting product!

[@tomgilbertsom2882]

The loco-hauled trains are called 'Silver Service' in the timetable and run every other hour to and from London and Birmingham. This was pre covid and may have changed since.

[@danielstripreports]

Oh ok thanks for the info Tom.

[@stevehales2937]

How do you know which services are loco hauled as opposed to their turbo’s? Great video btw!

[@danielstripreports]

Hi Steve thanks for the kind comment, not really sure but I got in touch with their Twitter and they said there’s no way of finding out, but most services between London and Birmingham are loco hauled.

[@tomgilbertsom2882]

@@danielstripreports The loco-hauled trains are called 'Silver Service' in the timetable and run every other hour to and from London and Birmingham. This was pre covid and may have changed since.

[@sarahahmad9325]

I’m thinking of going to London in 2-3 weeks. Looking to use the chiltren railway from brum. Will be my first time going by train. What time would u say the trains will be less busy/crowded and roughly where are the table seats located in the trains would it be around the middle

[@danielstripreports]

@@sarahahmad9325 usually the least busiest times at 9:00- 16:00 on weekdays and between 8:30- 18:00 ish. All of the seating on this specific train are tsble seats but if you go via New Street and new street it's far busier and costs more. Hope you enjoy your visit to London.

[@sarahahmad9325]

@@danielstripreports thank you. That really helped me out definitely less nervous now. I’m actually planning to go via the moor street one and end up at the London Marylebone station. Hopefully works out a lot cheaper and less crowded. What app do u recommend to book ticket. I’ve looked at omio, I think it was 30 for 2

[@acquiesce100]

How come you got your ticket so cheap? I boked my return trip through the trainline and its cost me £54

[@danielstripreports]

Booked far in advance and used a 16/17 Railcard plus a 3% off voucher with trainpal

[@acquiesce100]

@@danielstripreports Ah thanks. Mine was a booking last night for tomorrow "off peak" with no railcard and no discounts. Not bad then i guess. i was just wondering if you bought them from the kiosk at the station. Is it a decent trip and does it go quite quick? I'm supposed to be on the 8.25 in the morning.

[@danielstripreports]

I would rather travel with Avanti west coast as it brings you right into the middle of Birmingham compared to a ten min walk from moor street or longer from Snow hill. If you're lucky you'll travel on a MK3 which are lovely, but travelled with Chiltern a few days ago on a clubman and wasn't great.

[@acquiesce100]

@@danielstripreports Thanks. I'm actually going to London Marlybone from Birmingham. 2hrs fills me with dred. Ha

[@acquiesce100]

@@danielstripreports Just got back from my trip. It was actually a pleasant journey from Birmingham to marylebone. train was on time and got there a few mins early. It went very fast.