question about northern rail

[strangerthongs]

posting here for traffic

have booked train tickets from Glasgow to Leeds, changing at carlisle. First class all the way however I'm a bit confused about Northern rail which I've never travelled before.

I have an allocated seat to Carlisle (transpennine) but Northern doesn't give me an allocated seat. My email says I can sit anywhere except first class, but my account on the trainline says I can sit anywhere including first class. Also the trainline says I don't have an allocated seat because I booked 2 months in advance.

Can anyone tell me if Northern Rail has a first class carriage and if so, what carriage is it likely to be?

I need the extra leg room and comfort for disability reasons, plus its a long journey to be on a cramped and crowded carriage.

PS I got return train tickets for £46 first class so now I'm wondering if it is indeed first class....

I've travelled on northern train service a lot though admittedly not Leeds to Carlisle. I honestly don't think I've ever seen a first class carriage.

There is a northern fail (not a spelling error) fb group who would be able to confirm if you don't get an answer here. But I suspect there's no seat reservations available and no first class.

Northern Rail trains don't even have heating never mind First Class . Plenty leg room though and rarely cramped IME

If there's first class you can use it on any train. (I'm a very frequent train traveller Scotland - England)

Northern doesn’t do seat reservations and doesn’t have first class. Some of the trains are okay, some are like buses inside. I would contact them and ask what train stock runs on that route, it’s likely to be the semi okay trains I think.

They run Sprinters on that route I believe. So at least it's not a Pacer! 😁.

what are the trains like late morning in terms of number of carriages, seat availability and spacing? I definitely need some extra space. Not travelling alone though which is why I haven't booked assistance but might try to get the disabled seating area.

Ok, I've just asked on the fb group for you.

And apparantly its normally ok but sometimes a large group might be on the train so you're best off getting there early. So not overly helpful, sorry.

Certainly the seats near the doors do say that they're priority seats and if someone needs them then people should give them up for someone in need.

Carlisle to Leeds can be incredibly busy depending on the time of day you travel.

If you’re travelling in rush hour (and I would say on that line between 7am and 9am and then 3pm and 6pm) I would book assistance and ask for help in getting the seating space you need.

They are usually Pacer trains on that line.

Parts of Carlisle to Leeds that should have said

They are usually Pacer trains on that line.

Pacers aren't usually used on the SettleCarlisle line which I presume you'd be using for Carlisle>Leeds. They're be Sprinters which are far superior to Pacers, but still pretty basic with no reserved seating nor first class. And yes, they'll be just 2 or 3 carriages, so whilst usually OK, sometimes can be full. Train travel using Northern is pretty grim.

Pacers aren't usually used on the SettleCarlisle line which I presume you'd be using for Carlisle>Leeds

They may not be supposed to be, but they are . They seem to consign the older stock to that line.

Yet another (hopefully!) nail in Northern’s coffin.

Usually a class 156 on the line so definitely no first class or reserved seating on them I am afraid. It's always a 2 carriage train and depending on the day/any large groups e.t.c it can be a very busy line. The leg room isn't amazing either tbh

However it's a very scenic line and if the weather is decent-ish then you get some nice views.

The line I use for work also isn't supposed to have Pacers on. Got upgraded to Sprinters last May. But I'd say I still a pacer a couple of times a week.

I agree re. Pacers. I was on a train last week that had three class 156 carriages, and one Pacer carriage at the rear .

thanks everyone. I asked northern on twitter who confirmed no first class so I'm not too happy that I paid first class and didn't get it. My train is at about half 10 going and about half 12 coming back - would that be relatively quiet?

Really stressing now - I had hoped for a quiet train.

so I'm not too happy that I paid first class and didn't get it

Was £46 return from Carlisle to Leeds? That’s probably not far off standard price to be honest. There’s a lot of differentiation between prices at times even just 30 minutes apart.

You’re travelling outside rush hour which is a plus, but it’s the only route for a lot of rural places so potential to be steady in terms of usage. And of course the potential for tourists

If you are going from Carlisle to Leeds then you are going on one of the most picturesque train journeys in the UK, and the only reason ever to thank Michael Portillo was that he saved the line from closure. Enjoy the view whichever class you are in.

First class?! Northern Rail?!

Oh my sweet summer child