Reply to: Euston to Paddington...

[Doggy Styles]

You are most knowledgeable on this subject
Do you do this journey yourself?

No I looked it up.

If you drive you'll be able to get out and about in the evenings.

[Churchill]

I'm afraid you'll find that's exceptionally slow and no quicker than sitting in the standing traffic. It don't think it will suit you coming from Swindon, but I always avoid the M6 on a Friday afternoon and drive straight up the M1 to Donnington and then across the A50 towards Stoke. That route probably doesn't suit you though travelling from Swindon.

Friday wasn't too bad - until Junction 19 - traffic was backed up from 21A south.

Took about an hour to get to the M62...

[Fred Bloggs]

It was OK til just after Stoke, so next week I may come off at Stoke and go up the A34 - its a nice run, I used to use it a lot to go between Stoke & Manchester.
Also next week may not so bad as it half term - perhaps

I'm afraid you'll find that's exceptionally slow and no quicker than sitting in the standing traffic. It don't think it will suit you coming from Swindon, but I always avoid the M6 on a Friday afternoon and drive straight up the M1 to Donnington and then across the A50 towards Stoke. That route probably doesn't suit you though travelling from Swindon.

[Pogle]

Biggest problem for you is the M6 coming north again on a Friday afternoon. Good luck, usually it's standing traffic from ~Stafford northwards.

It was OK til just after Stoke, so next week I may come off at Stoke and go up the A34 - its a nice run, I used to use it a lot to go between Stoke & Manchester.
Also next week may not so bad as it half term - perhaps

[Tarquin Farquhar]

I did that for a while, earlier, for the Heathrow Express. Taxi was OK, sometimes a bit of traffic but never really stuck. Very occasionally the taxi queue at Euston would be long, but you can see that and change to Underground if time is the biggest factor.

[Fred Bloggs]

Biggest problem for you is the M6 coming north again on a Friday afternoon. Good luck, usually it's standing traffic from ~Stafford northwards.

[Pogle]

On the bright side, when you get off the train at Cheltenham you're on the correct platform for the other train, and if you do miss the connection you're also on the platform with the buffet

Thanks for that Nick,

Have decide to drive now - women, fickle eh?!

[NickFitz]

Is that the one with 10 mins in between trains, and then a hour til the next one if you miss it?
I did look at other routes, but TBH I just couldn't handle the stress of meeting the connections! I know it sounds crazy - but them I am

I shall have a bit of an intensive google..

On the bright side, when you get off the train at Cheltenham you're on the correct platform for the other train, and if you do miss the connection you're also on the platform with the buffet

[Pogle]

You are most knowledgeable on this subject
Do you do this journey yourself?

[Doggy Styles]

Is that the one with 10 mins in between trains, and then a hour til the next one if you miss it?
I did look at other routes, but TBH I just couldn't handle the stress of meeting the connections! I know it sounds crazy - but them I am

I shall have a bit of an intensive google..

17 minutes between trains, and if you miss it there are two an hour.

[Pogle]

You can do it in 3.5 hours via Cheltenham.

Leave 07:06 Manchester Piccadilly
Change at Cheltenham Spa
Arrive Swindon (Wilts) 10:42
Total time 3h 36m

No London so no taxis or underground there. But you won't get your free ticket to Euston.

Is that the one with 10 mins in between trains, and then a hour til the next one if you miss it?
I did look at other routes, but TBH I just couldn't handle the stress of meeting the connections! I know it sounds crazy - but them I am

I shall have a bit of an intensive google..

[Doggy Styles]

You can do it in 3.5 hours via Cheltenham.

Leave 07:06 Manchester Piccadilly
Change at Cheltenham Spa
Arrive Swindon (Wilts) 10:42
Total time 3h 36m

No London so no taxis or underground there. But you won't get your free ticket to Euston.

[Pogle]

Me too. Since I've been on the poorly list, I've been too scared to use it. Not that I did much before. Then I didn't like it and could afford not to use it; now I'd have a panic attack if I tried.

As you are carrying stuff - cab it. It's going to take longer and be a lot more expensive though.

In all cases like this - think of your business. What is the major revenue earning asset? Doesn't it deserve protection and to be kept in optimum performing condition.

I like the way you think

[HairyArsedBloke]

OH and did I mention

I REALLY HATE THE TUBE

Actually its not that bad if you don't have loads of luggage, but I do and lugging it up and down all the bloody stairs, getting filthy dirty in the process, just pisses me off that's all.

Me too. Since I've been on the poorly list, I've been too scared to use it. Not that I did much before. Then I didn't like it and could afford not to use it; now I'd have a panic attack if I tried.

As you are carrying stuff - cab it. It's going to take longer and be a lot more expensive though.

In all cases like this - think of your business. What is the major revenue earning asset? Doesn't it deserve protection and to be kept in optimum performing condition.

[Pogle]

Why not just drive? Manchester to Swindon is only around 3 hours isn't it?

I got up at 4.30, started out at 5.30 and got to work at 9.30, so 4 hours, it took 4hs 15 coming back on Friday, leaving at 1, and no stops.
I encountered around 9 sets of roadworks on the journey
YES I can drive, I am just trying out the train this week, to see if I'm any less zombie like on a Monday
Also my return trip to London is free and I get breakfast on the train.