Yorkshire is a big county. And I had a need to get around to five different destinations in three parts of it – West, East and North – in a single day. By car would have been the only choice for most, despite the inevitable traffic congestion and trying to find somewhere to park each time. But what about rail? Given the awful reputation rail travel now enjoys in this part of the world, that would seem brave to many. But I decided to give it a try.
First, an early start from Scarborough to Leeds by TransPennine. Bang on time but still, three years after it was promised, no new train or that all important coffee and croissant. True a trolley came on board at York, but it only reached me as we rolled into Leeds. So, no use after a 75-mile, 80-minute journey. Should do better. Next it was on to Skipton. Most services are electric, but I was just in time for the 10.49 Class 158 diesel to Carlisle, which has fewer intermediate stops to Skipton, so is nine minutes quicker.
Clearly from the branding a refugee from Scotland, the unit was reasonably clean and, for a train that is 30 years old, in fairly good condition. But it was uncomfortably well filled with passengers, many with back-packs of some sort inte…
