Anyone commute to London from Wellingborough or Kettering?

[ian_uk1975]

Currently commute from Northampton station, but thinking about buying a house closer to Kettering, so would be taking an East Midlands train from Kettering. Just wondering how busy that service is during the morning and evening peaks? Not sure if it originates at Kettering, or further up?

[manic47]

I travel down from Wellingborough a bit.
Morning trains are usually heaving unless you get one before 7:15, coming back after 4:30 or so is always packed. Parking here is extortionate too....

[ian_uk1975]

manic47 said:

I travel down from Wellingborough a bit.
Morning trains are usually heaving unless you get one before 7:15, coming back after 4:30 or so is always packed. Parking here is extortionate too....

Thanks for that... is it standing room only, or is it always still possible to find a seat? Kettering is before Wellingborough, so it might not be quite so busy there?

[AcC8braman]

Hi,

I tend to stand at the door, or if a newer train, grab a pull down seat.

There is usually seats available from Kettering though.

[Tyre Tread]

Justin Baker and The Burg, where are you?

[Fat Albert]

I live in Thrapston and normally drive to Huntingdon to get a train in, much, much cheaper and you always get a seat in the morning and usually at night too

I couldn't believe it the other day, they charged me £101 return from Kettering into St Pancras and my return from St Pancras to Paris was £95!! go figure!

Peak return from Huntingdon is about £48 and it takes about the same time, or slightly less

[ratboiler]

I live in Radwell just North of Bedford, and checked out the train prices, and bought a Kia Ceed and drive to Woking each day which is around 80 miles each way, but its cheaper, more reliable, and I can leave when I want to, current car has 153k miles on it and is still running fine, oh and 2 motorway crashes in 7 years, minor ones.

[Liszt]

I commute from Wellingborough and compared to Northampton it is a joy!
Similar parking prices but much more space.
Trains are proper Intercity not the London Midland cattle wagons. The trains are no where as crammed as the LM ones. I occaisionally upgrade to First for £17 but you get to enjoy a free breakfast on way in or a glass of wine on way back. And only 3 seats wide in First.

I moved from Northampton to Finedon and the commute is so much easier. St Pancras is much nicer than Euston too.

[ian_uk1975]

Liszt said:

I commute from Wellingborough and compared to Northampton it is a joy!
Similar parking prices but much more space.
Trains are proper Intercity not the London Midland cattle wagons. The trains are no where as crammed as the LM ones. I occaisionally upgrade to First for £17 but you get to enjoy a free breakfast on way in or a glass of wine on way back. And only 3 seats wide in First.

I moved from Northampton to Finedon and the commute is so much easier. St Pancras is much nicer than Euston too.

Unfortunately, things may change drastically with the electrification of the Midland mainline... there's a possibility it could end up with the same 'cattle wagons' as London Midland (ie. Desiro 350/2).

[Jem0911]

I drive from Pipewell (east of Corby) to Luton daily
Best is 45mins worst (so far) 4 hours.
I take the East Mids train into to town once a week.
25mins from Luton to St Pancras, a great service.

[paulc]

I've been commuting from Kettering to London since 99.

East Midlands Trains whilst expensive (as is the car parking!) have probably the best intercity trains in the country. Not as flash as Virgin but the seats/carriages are bigger and they still use the old 125 trains.

In general they run to time and you can 99% of the time get a seat at Kettering. Avoid trains which stop at Bedford and you'll get a seat on the way home as well.

[The_Burg]

Tyre Tread said:

Justin Baker and The Burg, where are you?

On a train....

Kettering is the last station you can almost always get a seat.
Wellingborough it's normally full.
Depending where you locate Market Harborough is the best option, though way more expensive. Non stop service well under an hour. (Stolen from the old Kettering service where we only have stoppers these days). All far more pricey then Northampton service. Around £820 including parking from Kettering, though i do know of a special parking price 30 seconds up the road. PM me if you need one.