Hilarious video in many ways, it did make me laugh. I stopped traveling to Skegness by train more than five years ago after many repeated experiences of being forced like cattle onto one or two set class 156’s or 158’s in the peak season and having to pay more than £35 for the privilege. Traveling from Nottingham to Skegness in the peak season for me became a train from Nottingham to Lincoln and then the bus onwards to Skeggy, still much cheaper but taking slightly longer. This year I thought I'd try the train once again, attempting to travel on a Monday afternoon. I arrived more than 40 minutes in advance of departure, queued up along the edge of platform one and then a 3 car class 170 turned up, yes really, a 3 car class 170 to take passengers to Skegness in the month of August! The inevitable happened and I was told after queuing for 40 minutes that the three car unit was full and I had the option to travel on a replacement bus parked outside. £36 for travel by train is insulting enough but by bus? It's like something out of a french farce film of yesteryear. Of course on the return to Nottingham late on the Monday evening when only a handful of passengers required the train, along comes a 5 car unit made up of 156’s and 158’s, you couldn't make it up! This was reassurance that I didn't really require, confirming that no, nothing had changed in those five years, despite the fluffed up videos suggesting to the contrary. I don't particularly blame EMR for the farce of the poacher line, it's the line that nobody really wants. I have friends who work on the line and take my hat off to the staff for all they do. Such a high number of people who travel to Skegness by train these days are inconsiderate, self entitled and selfish types carrying a hundred and one suitcases and twenty children a piece. That's a sign of the times, and can't be blamed on EMR or any TOC, it's just very very sad. As a result, I know the staff have to face such terrible attitudes from so many of the public who travel this route and I know I couldn't handle it. All that aside, I tried to ignore the endless security staff with cameras, transport police escorting intoxicated passengers off the train and the types of people aforementioned. But I failed in even getting on the train in the first place which was with hindsight probably a blessing in disguise. Instead I was one of only three passengers who took the coach and despite taking considerably longer to reach Skegness and an an inferior mode of transport, no refund was offered, just the usual suggestion to fill in a compensation form. Once again, hats off to the staff, I personally couldn't deal with some of the types of disgusting behavior from members of some of the public that use this line. I'd like so say I am talking about the minority and I sincerely hope so. The fact that the British transport police knowingly let intoxicated passengers onto the trains just to get them off the station says it all really. But despite all this the service remains unrealistic and why …. Because just as five years ago, EMR try to operate this route on 3 or 4 car units!!! For real!!! To put things in comparison, thirty years ago when I traveled this route in the height of summer, a pair of class twenties pulled a rake of many MK 2 coaches sufficient enough to seat the number of passengers required. We just can't do it, it's embarrassing, we know the railway is broken in this country and the farce of routes like this highlight a good example of why. A nice experiment but sad to see that despite flowery videos nothing has really changed, unless you have the option to book in advance ( which I and many others are unable to do due to other commitments) and even then it's a gamble. The only time this route has ever operated to some level of success was a few years back when the reduced set HSTs were used and the of course they were retired. Oh dear, we are often so backwards as a country and I fear this route will never sort itself out, there are just too many people trying to use a route with a completely inadequate amount of rolling stock utilised, despite whatever TOC has control of the route. Once again hats off to all the staff, it can't be easy working this route, I hope things improve for you in the future. Ash.
Even though I agree that Lincoln needs a better connection to Skegness, this wouldn't be the way. To get to Peterborough, you need to go via Sleaford. To get to Skegness, you need to go via Sleaford. This can't be changed without building millions of pounds of new rails, which simply isn't viable for EMR. Because of this, having a changeover at Sleaford makes more sense overall. If anything, the answer should be with Stagecoach increasing the number of 56 busses and National Express creating a route to Peterborough.
🤬🤬The service to skegness this year is ridiculous should put on extra carriages instead you have to pre booked your place so you could end up with a complete stranger next to you have they forgotten about coronavirus I'll go by bus and get a bus or taxi back to town this year🤬🤬
You really should be ashamed. Just because you’ve got rid of most of the Rollin Stock that could’ve covered this without a problem. Hang your heads in shame.
Hilarious video in many ways, it did make me laugh.
I stopped traveling to Skegness by train more than five years ago after many repeated experiences of being forced like cattle onto one or two set class 156’s or 158’s in the peak season and having to pay more than £35 for the privilege.
Traveling from Nottingham to Skegness in the peak season for me became a train from Nottingham to Lincoln and then the bus onwards to Skeggy, still much cheaper but taking slightly longer.
This year I thought I'd try the train once again, attempting to travel on a Monday afternoon. I arrived more than 40 minutes in advance of departure, queued up along the edge of platform one and then a 3 car class 170 turned up, yes really, a 3 car class 170 to take passengers to Skegness in the month of August!
The inevitable happened and I was told after queuing for 40 minutes that the three car unit was full and I had the option to travel on a replacement bus parked outside. £36 for travel by train is insulting enough but by bus? It's like something out of a french farce film of yesteryear.
Of course on the return to Nottingham late on the Monday evening when only a handful of passengers required the train, along comes a 5 car unit made up of 156’s and 158’s, you couldn't make it up!
This was reassurance that I didn't really require, confirming that no, nothing had changed in those five years, despite the fluffed up videos suggesting to the contrary.
I don't particularly blame EMR for the farce of the poacher line, it's the line that nobody really wants. I have friends who work on the line and take my hat off to the staff for all they do.
Such a high number of people who travel to Skegness by train these days are inconsiderate, self entitled and selfish types carrying a hundred and one suitcases and twenty children a piece. That's a sign of the times, and can't be blamed on EMR or any TOC, it's just very very sad. As a result, I know the staff have to face such terrible attitudes from so many of the public who travel this route and I know I couldn't handle it.
All that aside, I tried to ignore the endless security staff with cameras, transport police escorting intoxicated passengers off the train and the types of people aforementioned. But I failed in even getting on the train in the first place which was with hindsight probably a blessing in disguise. Instead I was one of only three passengers who took the coach and despite taking considerably longer to reach Skegness and an an inferior mode of transport, no refund was offered, just the usual suggestion to fill in a compensation form.
Once again, hats off to the staff, I personally couldn't deal with some of the types of disgusting behavior from members of some of the public that use this line. I'd like so say I am talking about the minority and I sincerely hope so. The fact that the British transport police knowingly let intoxicated passengers onto the trains just to get them off the station says it all really.
But despite all this the service remains unrealistic and why …. Because just as five years ago, EMR try to operate this route on 3 or 4 car units!!! For real!!! To put things in comparison, thirty years ago when I traveled this route in the height of summer, a pair of class twenties pulled a rake of many MK 2 coaches sufficient enough to seat the number of passengers required.
We just can't do it, it's embarrassing, we know the railway is broken in this country and the farce of routes like this highlight a good example of why.
A nice experiment but sad to see that despite flowery videos nothing has really changed, unless you have the option to book in advance ( which I and many others are unable to do due to other commitments) and even then it's a gamble.
The only time this route has ever operated to some level of success was a few years back when the reduced set HSTs were used and the of course they were retired.
Oh dear, we are often so backwards as a country and I fear this route will never sort itself out, there are just too many people trying to use a route with a completely inadequate amount of rolling stock utilised, despite whatever TOC has control of the route.
Once again hats off to all the staff, it can't be easy working this route, I hope things improve for you in the future.
Ash.
Congrats for 3K subs!
00:58 yes seaguls love chips / fries
00:31 yes 2p machines!
Maybe you should run a new service from Peterborough to Skegness via Lincoln.
Even though I agree that Lincoln needs a better connection to Skegness, this wouldn't be the way. To get to Peterborough, you need to go via Sleaford. To get to Skegness, you need to go via Sleaford. This can't be changed without building millions of pounds of new rails, which simply isn't viable for EMR. Because of this, having a changeover at Sleaford makes more sense overall. If anything, the answer should be with Stagecoach increasing the number of 56 busses and National Express creating a route to Peterborough.
True
I can’t get a hotel In Skegness, they are full of boat peoples.
🎉🎉could EMR CONSIDER PUTTING FREE WIFI ON BOSTON STATION AND SKEGNESS STATION THANKS IN ADVANCE 🎉🎉
Bonjour-perfect tarvel~ later- ;)
🤬🤬The service to skegness this year is ridiculous should put on extra carriages instead you have to pre booked your place so you could end up with a complete stranger next to you have they forgotten about coronavirus I'll go by bus and get a bus or taxi back to town this year🤬🤬
You really should be ashamed. Just because you’ve got rid of most of the Rollin Stock that could’ve covered this without a problem. Hang your heads in shame.
It's not their fault. The DfT forced them to, as far as I'm aware.
Is this to do with the 180 adelantes and corrosion?
shut up proberts