The trains and Coventry station platform queue situation (7 Viewers)

Ricketts

Well-Known Member
Going to drive, but for those using the train and thinking of going to New Street, Birmingham International /NEC will give you the early seat that you are after.

900 bus goes there too. (Now called the X1)
 

BarryBoy

Member
Going to drive, but for those using the train and thinking of going to New Street, Birmingham International /NEC will give you the early seat that you are after.

900 bus goes there too. (Now called the X1)

Engineering works from New St - Coventry on Monday so bus replacement.

We got on at Tile Hill last year so can’t do it this


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Frank Sidebottom

Well-Known Member
I wasn't there last season for the Checkatrade, but am going on the 28th.

I was reminded on another thread of the chaos last year at Coventry station, but can someone actually detail what happened exactly.

Was it an every man for himself situation? Did some trains sail past even though you had a ticket for that particular train?

What happened for non football types who had booked on a train and needed to be in London at a particular time and what happened if someone had booked first class?

Surely trains can't just sail past if you have a ticket for a set train can they?

How did it all pan out? Would obviously love to avoid any kerfuffle and I do know there are engineering works in the opposite direction - Coventry to Birmingham, so people jumping on there might prove to be problematic too.

Cheers in advance.
It was a bit of a nightmare..... snaking queue outside the station. I arrived half an hour before my train and went to the barriers which as luck would have it opened when I got there so I just piled onto the platform.... I ended up standing in First Class whilst city fans swilled cans of Carling around me. Felt sorry for the 2 genuine 1st class customers.
You can (and my dad did) claim a full refund if you're unable to board your train and/or sit in your seat.
 

hill83

Well-Known Member
I went on sunday last time and no cov fan in sight. No hotel needed as cousin lives there

On way back me @hill83 anx that lad who shit humself all sat in first class despite no tickets. They didnt want hassle of moving footy fans i think

It’s all true
 

Otis

Well-Known Member
It was a bit of a nightmare..... snaking queue outside the station. I arrived half an hour before my train and went to the barriers which as luck would have it opened when I got there so I just piled onto the platform.... I ended up standing in First Class whilst city fans swilled cans of Carling around me. Felt sorry for the 2 genuine 1st class customers.
You can (and my dad did) claim a full refund if you're unable to board your train and/or sit in your seat.
Well I wouldn't be complaining too much if I caught the trains and then got a refund as well.
 

CJ_covblaze

Well-Known Member
How can they declassify it if you have paid to go first class? They would surely owe you a refund.

It happens quite a bit when it gets busy or there’s been disruption for a prolonged period.
 

Harry Krishner

Well-Known Member
It looks like the trains actually start in Cov which should make it all more manageable as the trains will be parked at the platform for 10 minutes or so before leaving - as opposed to pulling in for a couple of minutes. This should give people time to get onto their booked train. They could hold people in the foyer until their train actually arrives - but we all know how well this will work with several thousand tanked up can pissers..

No trains between Cov and New Street also means that Chiltern trains direct to Wembley from Moor St are difficult - this is a good option for anyone on the Kennilworth/Leamington side of town as a family day card on Chiltern is 25 quid per adult with kids at a quid each and I think that includes an underground pass too. I did that last year - 28 quid for me and three kids. The No 11 bus from Cov to Leamington Station then Chiltern train works well, but I'm not sure about the bus - I think the first one doesn't run until 10 am or so on public holidays, so hopefully WM will run a few extra.
 

EalingSB

Well-Known Member
We went Tile Hill-Marston Green-Euston last year. Were quite a few other Cov fans at Marston Green and it worked well. We got 14 seats together and the train was full by the time it got to Cov station. They pretty quickly declassified first class when they saw the numbers getting on.
 

Harry Krishner

Well-Known Member
We went Tile Hill-Marston Green-Euston last year. Were quite a few other Cov fans at Marston Green and it worked well. We got 14 seats together and the train was full by the time it got to Cov station. They pretty quickly declassified first class when they saw the numbers getting on.

Looks like that option is not on this year Ealing SB - unless you want to get a replacement bus between Marston Green and Cov.
 

I_Saw_Shaw_Score

Well-Known Member
Station will be bonkers with people arriving for the BBC big weekend at the park.

Hopefully they let people know how it’s going to be managed going down to London, last time I jumped on my train at international but that won’t be an option this time.

Still can’t work out why my train changes at rugby?
 
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Otis

Well-Known Member
It looks like the trains actually start in Cov which should make it all more manageable as the trains will be parked at the platform for 10 minutes or so before leaving - as opposed to pulling in for a couple of minutes. This should give people time to get onto their booked train. They could hold people in the foyer until their train actually arrives - but we all know how well this will work with several thousand tanked up can pissers..

No trains between Cov and New Street also means that Chiltern trains direct to Wembley from Moor St are difficult - this is a good option for anyone on the Kennilworth/Leamington side of town as a family day card on Chiltern is 25 quid per adult with kids at a quid each and I think that includes an underground pass too. I did that last year - 28 quid for me and three kids. The No 11 bus from Cov to Leamington Station then Chiltern train works well, but I'm not sure about the bus - I think the first one doesn't run until 10 am or so on public holidays, so hopefully WM will run a few extra.
Cheers for all that, Harry.

I have now arranged to get an earlier train anyway. Should be quite peaceful then.
 

lord_garrincha

Well-Known Member
I think the thread has beaten me to it but, yes, it was carnage.

From memory, I was booked (with seats) on a 8.50, but queues were that mental that it was obvious that was a no goer. I went up front to ask, and they said there was nothing they could do. So I just stayed at the front (no etiquette in chaos!) and got me and my lot on the next train an hour later.

I made a claim though against Virgin on the delayed trains scheme and told them I could not make my journey... got a full refund for everyone!

My advice, on a bank holiday weekend... COACH IT!
 

Nick

Administrator
I had tickets for 8.55 but ended up about 10 because of queues. Had a crate so wasn't overly fussed :)

Was a decent atmosphere apart from a few knobs
 
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BrizzolSkyBlue

Well-Known Member
Defintely some advantages to living in Bristol. Long way to go for home games but Wembley trips by train are pretty straightforward! And there's a manageable number of Bristol based Cov fans on the trains for a bit of atmosphere. Having said that, as it's bank holiday even we're thinking of driving and staying over this time as we're taking our young lads with us.
 

The Great Eastern

Well-Known Member
Strikes me that Cov station will be chaotic next Monday. Trains coming from London which will be terminating there so many non-footy passengers looking for buses to go on to Birmingham. Some city fans also wanting to use the same buses to use the Chiltern line. Loads of City fans wanting to go London direction....
I just hope the railway authorities learnt from last years experience.
Fortunately, I'm driving down from Norfolk with a car full & will park North of Wembley then catch a Jubilee line train to Wembley park. Quite an easy way of getting in frankly.
Quick hint to tube train virgins. If you've got access to an Oyster card or contactless debit card, use it !! The price for cash or a non-contactless card is four-fold. My daughter & her hubby found that out the hard way last year.
 

LastGarrison

Well-Known Member
Massive queues just to get into the station last year and we were quite lucky as we just about managed to squeeze onto our train but it was absolutely rammed!!

My advice is to get there as early as possible and make sure you get on the platform ASAP.

Think we’re on the 09:36 so planning to get there before 9 (depending on how pissed I was at the big weekend).
 

Otis

Well-Known Member
Strikes me that Cov station will be chaotic next Monday. Trains coming from London which will be terminating there so many non-footy passengers looking for buses to go on to Birmingham. Some city fans also wanting to use the same buses to use the Chiltern line. Loads of City fans wanting to go London direction....
I just hope the railway authorities learnt from last years experience.
Fortunately, I'm driving down from Norfolk with a car full & will park North of Wembley then catch a Jubilee line train to Wembley park. Quite an easy way of getting in frankly.
Quick hint to tube train virgins. If you've got access to an Oyster card or contactless debit card, use it !! The price for cash or a non-contactless card is four-fold. My daughter & her hubby found that out the hard way last year.
Have had an Oyster Card for the past 5 years. So much easier.
 

Otis

Well-Known Member
Massive queues just to get into the station last year and we were quite lucky as we just about managed to squeeze onto our train but it was absolutely rammed!!

My advice is to get there as early as possible and make sure you get on the platform ASAP.

Think we’re on the 09:36 so planning to get there before 9 (depending on how pissed I was at the big weekend).
You're pissed now if you are on the 9.36, but getting there before 9.

Either that, or you're the new Doctor.
 

Somerset Sky Blue

Well-Known Member
Defintely some advantages to living in Bristol. Long way to go for home games but Wembley trips by train are pretty straightforward! And there's a manageable number of Bristol based Cov fans on the trains for a bit of atmosphere. Having said that, as it's bank holiday even we're thinking of driving and staying over this time as we're taking our young lads with us.
I was thinking that too....but Exeter will be arriving via Paddington as well, so might not be that quiet!
Just got my brother in Slough to host the family the night before and booked a family off peak travel day - 30 quid for all of us. What could go wrong... well, apart from traveling back surrounded by celebrating Devon army!
 

Westendlad

Well-Known Member
I had tickets for 8.55 but ended up about 10 because of queues. Had a crate so wasn't overly fussed :)

Was a decent atmosphere apart from a few knobs[/QUOTE...Should of worn your driving gloves Nick....You could of sorted those knobs double quick time.
 

Specs WT-R75

Well-Known Member
I’d still seriously consider going to Brum, the hundreds waiting impatiently at Cov station won’t recognise first class from a cattle truck to be honest.

Just to reiterate what others have said, if you make your way to Brum then you will be travelling back to Coventry on the replacement bus/coach as the line is closed for works. Coventry to London is fine, but obviously it's going to be rather busy. Get there early and get on the first train that you are able to - they won't be checking tickets if it is standing room only...
 

Otis

Well-Known Member
Just to reiterate what others have said, if you make your way to Brum then you will be travelling back to Coventry on the replacement bus/coach as the line is closed for works. Coventry to London is fine, but obviously it's going to be rather busy. Get there early and get on the first train that you are able to - they won't be checking tickets if it is standing room only...
Yep. Get your tickets early, or buy them off me.

I might now be getting the coach. :)
 

Legia Sky Blue

Well-Known Member
I would have thought that for anyone travelling from the Longford/ Holbrooks/ Bedworth side of town that travelling from Nuneaton station might be a better option fot a less chaotic journey.
 

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