Aylesbury-based Chiltern Railways has brought back a modicum of civilisation to the nation's rail lines with their Mainline service. Chiltern is a relatively small operator that runs trains mainly between London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street, with some running as far north as Kidderminster and side lines going to Aylesbury and even Oxford.
Both terminating stations are elegant, small affairs that provide comfort before you even step off the platform. Heading to London? Arrive at Moor Street early and have a cup of joe or a glass of wine at the art deco inspired centenary lounge, and then have a walk around to take in the Edwardian splendour of the station. Once you find your train you'll notice that Chiltern uses commuter class style carriages, however they have many upgrades over the other operators. Fast train operators tend to provide the illusion of comfort, but fall short with cramped cabins, overbooked journeys, and hellish toilets.
On all of the trains I've traveled on with Chiltern, the interiors are fairly clean, and the squared carriage shape means large windows to enjoy the scenic route through the West Midlands countryside, Warwick, Stratford, and further south along the M40. The seats seem wider and more comfortable than other trains, and their configuration has more table seats than you'll often see on other lines. To top it off, there are outlets at each seat and two at each table, and Chiltern even provides free wifi with a simple registration. Ticket prices are generally cheaper than other operators out of London, with the best prices through the National Rail website. Off-peak return tickets to London from Brum can be had for £10-15, reserved only a few days in advance.
If you want to relive the days when train journeys provided some level of pleasure, and their limited route is not of too much concern, I highly recommend using Chiltern when traveling to London or Birmingham. read more