Milton Keynes to Havant - advice appreciated

[whole diary]

[Brucey]

This is a journey I will be making every month or so for the next year.  Having never travelled on the West Coast Main Line, I'm clueless as to which services and rolling stock are best.

The options I appear to have are:

1. MKC^▸ (Milton Keynes Central) to Euston with Virgin.  Tube to Waterloo then SWT^▸ (South West Trains) to Havant.  About 3 hours and costs ^33ish when split at London.

2. London Midland to Euston then as option 1.  Cheaper on some occasions but much slower.

3. Southern to Clapham Junction, then change to either SWT or SN to Havant.  Cuts out London which I would prefer, but considerably slower due to being a stopping service.

What would everyone recommend?  I'm tempted with option 1 due to travelling on Virgin, but I was wondering what differences in service would I expect between a Pendo, Super Voyager or the Pretendalino?

Also, is it worth upgrading to 1st on Virgin?  I see this is available for ^10 extra at the weekend, but seems quite expensive for a thirty minute journey.

I also need an "Olympic friendly" option for next August.  The idea of being squashed into a tube train with Olympic spectators carrying tonnes of luggage doesn't fill me with any enthusiasm!!

[JayMac]

I think this is one that you'll be best to find out for yourself Brucey!

You've identified multitude options - all have their positive and negatives.

My one bit of advice is to not bother with Weekend First on such a short journey - it's unlikely that you'll get any 'added value' except maybe the off chance of a cup of coffee and some snacks. Oh, and 30 mins in slightly nicer accomodation!

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Pretendolino has been retired from service now that Virgin have two brand spanking new Class 390s in service.

[Rhydgaled]

I think this is one that you'll be best to find out for yourself Brucey!

You've identified multitude options - all have their positive and negatives.

My one bit of advice is to not bother with Weekend First on such a short journey - it's unlikely that you'll get any 'added value' except maybe the off chance of a cup of coffee and some snacks. Oh, and 30 mins in slightly nicer accomodation!

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Pretendolino has been retired from service now that Virgin have two brand spanking new Class 390s in service.

Two 390s? I thought they were only allowed one of the new 11-car sets (and even then it has to be run as 9-car when in public service) until the start of the new franchise?

[JayMac]

You are right Rhydgaled. Just one new 390 in passenger service, as a nine car unit. The second is still undergoing trials.

My apologies.

[paul7575]

If the cost of fares is significant, I believe 'LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) only' fares from Milton Keynes have completely different offpeak restrictions to Virgin's, and if you pick the right trains the times are fairly reasonable, with a couple per hour running on the fast lines for much of the route.

Also, I suggest you get an update on Virgin's pick up and set down restrictions at MK^▸ (Milton Keynes) - some obvious looking trains may not be available to you anyway.

Paul

[Brucey]

Thanks for the replies.

I phoned Virgin Trains (or The Train Line or someone claiming to be Virgin Trains) who said the only real benefits in first are free wifi, more space, soft drinks and snacks.  She expanded by saying that snacks are typically biscuits or crisps.  Certainly not worth ^10 for a thirty minute journey.  Apparently power sockets are also available at tables in standard on the Pendos.

Unfortunately, LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) only fares are CDR^▸ (Off Peak Day Return [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day')) only at ^9.25 to London, which works out more expensive.