There are actually two options to travel between London – the first being on the Great Western Railway which I took into London, and another by Chiltern Railways on a different line altogether departing from London Marylebone. Having a London Terminals ticket allows me the flexibility to decide whichever station I would like to depart from, as long as the routing makes sense. As my dinner place was right by London Marylebone, I decided to head back to Oxford by Chiltern Railways instead.
The departure board of London Marylebone. Looks like I’ve just missed an earlier train since the wait for the next Oxford-bound train was about half an hour away.
The next train to Oxford would be at 10.43pm.
Time for a walk around the station to past time.
The facade of London Marylebone Railway Station.
The station name on the facade of London Marylebone Railway Station.
The emblem of the Great Central Main Line still stands mounted on the station gates.
The exit towards Harewood Avenue has a heritage area about the history of London Marylebone station.
The first train out of Marylebone, on 9 March 1899.
The frontage of the station shot in the early 1900s.
The names of the staff who died in the Great War (World War I).
The classic look of Marylebone Underground Station entrance from the station hall.
The classic ticket office look of Chiltern Railways.
And out pops my platform number for my 22:43 Chiltern Railways service to Oxford.
My Off-Peak Day Return ticket for the trip back from London Marylebone to Oxford.
Heading to the ticket gates to enter the platforms.
Heading down to Platform 4.
Two types of Class 168 Clubmans at Platforms 2 and 3, the nearer platforms to the ticket gates.
Platforms 4, 5 and 6 are the furthest away from the ticket gates towards the end of London Marylebone.
My train service information at Platform 4.
My 22:43 to Oxford is formed by a 2-car Class 165 Network Turbo. Hmm, is demand really that low?
The Quiet Zone of the Chiltern Railways Class 165 Network Turbo seats passengers in a 2+2 configuration.
The regular zone, however, seats passengers in a 2+3 configuration. Hmm, I wonder where I’ll end up.
Taking a short toilet break before the train’s departure. The toilets are huge and are wheelchair-friendly.
Doors are also easily locked with a switch rather than overly-simple lock buttons which makes it more intuitive.
The interior of the small Quiet Zone.
Definitely feels less comfortable than the earlier GWR Class 800 Intercity Express Train (IET) ride. This is more for a short-haul experience.
Making a brief stop at Wembley Stadium. The train got pretty crowded nearing departure time from London Marylebone, but most cleared out by High Wycombe and Haddenham & Thame Parkway.
Making a brief stop at Bicester Village with obviously no shoppers around.
The empty Quiet Zone again heading towards Oxford.
The almost empty train towards Oxford.
Push the button to open doors.
The train arrived at Platform 1 at a crawl, and now I can see why – the train entered by permissive working since there was a stabled train in front of it.
My train from London Marylebone terminating here for the night.
Far platforms at London Marylebone, far platforms here in Oxford too.
The buffer stops of Platforms 1 and 2 of Oxford.
Wonder if these will form a 4-car service tomorrow.
A GWR Class 800 IET departing for London Paddington.
Heading out of Oxford station.
I’ve just noticed this, but there’s an owl sitting on top of the exit of Oxford Railway Station. Apparently it helps to scare away pigeons.
Overall, it was a simple and fuss-free ride from London Marylebone to Oxford with Chiltern Railways, but the rolling stock along with the scheduled stopping service made it slightly boring. Perhaps a daytime ride might change my impression of it.