LNER Azuma 1E17 Train from Edinburgh Waverley to London Kings Cross

Concluding my Edinburgh stay, I decided to make my way back to Singapore via London by LNER Azuma to avoid the baggage limit issue I will face on Lumo, since I will be travelling with 3 pieces of luggage. However, this LNER Azuma journey would turn out to be both difficult and easier.

I had originally booked my journey to be on 23 June 2022. As the UK would have it, there was an industrial action (ie. strike) by RMT trade union members on Tuesday 21, Thursday 23 and Saturday 25 June 2022, operating on a greatly reduced timetable on 21, 23, and 25 June. There will also be impact on the days either side with some cancellations on 20, 22, 24 and 26 June. All days are likely to be very busy. And alas, my original train was cancelled.

However, taking advantage of this situation, my Advance Single ticket was then valid for travel on any LNER train to my original destination within 48 hours of my original journey date. Which means that I can choose to hop on to any train 48 hours before and 48 hours after my booked Advance Single ticket.

As such, I made a free seat reservation on the same 1.30pm train on the day before (22 June 2022) so as to not risk standing to London, in order to get me down in London and Oxford in good time to pad any further train delays or cancellations, and to ensure that I made my flight back to Singapore.

Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station

As I had luggage with me, I used the sloped entrance at Waverley Bridge to enter Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station.

The concourse of Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station.

Platform information were not readily available during this strike period. However, they were reflected on Realtime Trains. As my ticket was for the next day, it also did not work at the ticket gates. However, the gate line staff checked my ticket manually and allowed me in to the platform.

My LNER Azuma 1E17 was departing from Platform 6 according to Realtime Trains. Train information was not available on the screens.

LNER Azuma 1E17

I had arrived early in order to ensure bag space is available when I am the first to board the train.

The screens by the sides of the train confirmed that this is the 1.30pm train to London Kings Cross.

My LNER Azuma 1E17 train at Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station.

I headed to Coach C, the designated unreserved seat coach, despite having a seat reservation, as I thought it would be fully seated, so going to Coach C would get me more chances of baggage space and an empty seat beside me.

Being the first to board, I had sufficient luggage space at the main luggage racks by the train doors.

Coach C was totally empty at boarding time, which was a surprise to me. It was even less busy than a regular day.

All seats on Coach C are not reserved.

Both table and airline-style seating are available. I opted for an airline-style forward facing seat for more privacy on this long train journey, just in case the train fills up.

2 3-pin power sockets are located under each pair of seats.

The legroom available on board the Azuma in Standard Class.

A tray table is provided for airline-style seats.

There is a QR code on the seat back in front of me for online at-seat ordering of food and drinks from the buffet.

The bicycle storage was reserved for large luggage only.

Toilets are available on board the Azuma.

To my surprise, my LNER Azuma 1E17 train was quite empty when nearing departure time. Perhaps everyone opted for an alternative mode of transport with the strikes, but my train was present and on time so far.

My LNER Azuma 1E17 train departed from Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station at 1.29pm – 1 minute early.

Goodbye Edinburgh and Scotland, you’ve been great.

Passing through the Calton Tunnels.

Heading on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) passing by the branch to North Berwick.

My ticket was checked and dated by the conductor. Being a magically-flexible ticket now, this was probably to ensure a single use of my Advance Single ticket, and that I don’t go up and down Edinburgh and London every day during strike season with an unchecked ticket.

Passing through Dunbar Railway Station.

Heading along the east coast.

Passing through the new Reston Railway Station.

My last few views of Scotland.

Crossing the border from Scotland to England.

Entering Berwick.

Passing by an old platform at Berwick-upon-Tweed Railway Station.

Berwick-upon-Tweed Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Berwick-upon-Tweed Railway Station.

Crossing the Royal Border Bridge over the River Tweed.

Heading through Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Passing through Morpeth Railway Station.

Passing by Heaton TrainCare Centre.

Approaching Newcastle.

Passing by Tyne Bridge.

Passing by Newcastle Keep.

Merging with the line from the High Level Bridge.

Newcastle Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Newcastle Railway Station. A crew change is done here.

Departing from Newcastle Railway Station.

Crossing the King Edward VII Bridge over the River Tyne.

Let’s Eat Cafe Bar

After departing from Newcastle, I headed to the Let’s Eat Cafe Bar located at Coach G.

My order was placed in a LNER Let’s Eat Cafe Bar paper bag to bring it back to my seat.

I ordered the £6 Meal Deal which gets me any sandwich or rice pot, any hot or soft drink, and any Walkers crisps or chocolate. I picked the Double Egg & Slow Roasted Tomato sandwich as it was the only option available on my train, a bottle of Coca-Cola, and a pack of Walkers cheese and onion crisps.

Notably, both the Double Egg & Slow Roasted Tomato sandwich and Coca-Cola are no longer available at the Let’s Eat Cafe Bar.

Darlington Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Darlington Railway Station.

York Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Darlington Railway Station.

As my LNER Azuma 1E17 train was a fast service pattern, it ran non-stop from York to London Kings Cross.

London Kings Cross Railway Station

Arriving at London Kings Cross Railway Station.

My LNER Azuma 1E17 train arrived at London Kings Cross at 5.40pm – 11 minutes early.

Heading down the platform to exit.

Thanks for the ride, 801 206.

To end my LNER Azuma experience for this trip, 800 104 in the LNER Tartan livery was parked beside, capping my Scottish journey.

Heading out of the ticket gates which were left freely opened.

The façade of London Kings Cross Railway Station.

From here, I headed down to catch the Circle Line over to Paddington for my onward train journey to Oxford.

Conclusion

It seems like everyone was afraid to travel during strike season, with an empty train throughout the journey. I had no problems with getting a seat and finding space for my bags, and my train ran on time throughout, even arriving in London Kings Cross 11 minutes early. For a fully-flexible journey thanks to the strikes, LNER got me back to London in good comfort and speed.