Scootoir

Well darn, I wonder if the new operator will do the same.

northie

I always choose the quiet carriage as I can't stand hearing everyone's love life, business deals and "I'm on the train " conversations .
fantastic

Scootoir

I'm with you there Northie.

PalenQ

On the contrary when I used to ride first class trains a lot it was fun for me a foreigner, to eave drop on phone conversations and those of fellow passengers like the white-collar business types mainly in that class (I had a pass so it was not so expensive, then) - like the memorable one of some high-powered suits who said about negotiating with Japanese and Americans:

"You deal with the Japanese and they nod yes but never tell you what they are thinking but Americans tell you everything about what they're thinking.

annhig

i like a quiet carriage when I'm working but when I'm travelling I like the opportunity to talk to my fellow travellers.

Sometimes nothing happens, but other times you can have a nice chat.

northie

I don't mind chatting - it's the "eaves dropping " on phone calls I hate . I told a girl once on a train that the whole carriage didn't want to hear about her travel insurance and she said "I have to hang up some old bag just told me off"". At least she finished her call LOL

PalenQ

I must say that IME some folks on phones talk very loud and that is rather rude - like the whole car can hear them.

Scootoir

Update and a question. I checked today and the LNER website does not yet allow me to purchase train tickets however trainline.com appears to. I'll wait till we hit 12 weeks out as LNER also suggests prices maybe cheaper. The surprise was that buying 2 one-way fares (Stevenage to York, York to London) is way more expensive than round trip to London so we plan to travel from St Albans to London in the morning, have lunch at St Pancras then walk over to King's Cross for the train to York. Does anyone have a recommendation for lunch? I must eat gluten-free which makes grabbing a sandwich impossible. https://stpancras.com/eat-and-drink

"St Pancras got Paris. King’s Cross got Harry Potter. Safe to say there's life in that old rivalry yet." Londonist.com

janisj

St Pancras is an utter restaurant row. Two floors plus the hotel. Probably 25+ sit down places from casual to quite posh. You won't have any problem finding something.

Scootoir

Great, thanks Janisj, I remember shops but only one restaurant.

dotheboyshall

The Trainline is an agent, it doesn't run any trains. If LNER who do run the trains aren't offering tickets then it's safe to assume the timetable - and hence what tickets will be on sale - hasn't been fixed yet.

Besides trainline costs more and you lose the free wifi you get with LNER

Scootoir

Thanks Dotheboyshall for the tip about WiFi. I like the idea of being able to select specific seats which it looks like I can do if I reserve directly with LNER.

RM67

I live in the south east and do this some of the time to avoid London in the rush hour. You will be able to reserve seats and if this is with LNER, they also have an app that allows you to bid for upgrades on the day. I did this for Edinburgh to Stevenage about a fortnight ago.

PalenQ

Always if possible IMO book directly with the rail franchise though by all reports National Rail Enquiries - Official source for UK train times and timetables matches fares and is easy to use and apparently books right with the rail franchise involved - yet some say you may find cheaper fares or specials on the franchise's site.

Scootoir

Good info. Our travel day to York is Friday Dec. 21; we expect crowded trains and stations so want to allow plenty of time between trains.