Recent content by Mark J

No thanks! No more guided bus ways on old rail routes. That is part of the problem why East-West rail is having issues getting back into Cambridge. Both western facing former rail formations are now guided bus ways. 1748768344 Plus hasn't there has been talk about GWR operating passenger...

I caught the 22:45 from Paddington knowing full well I that wouldn't of been able to make the last connection at 22:54 from Reading. I was prepared to walk (which takes about 40 minutes), or get a bus back to that side of Reading. I opted for the Paddington route, as even with the walk, or...

I have never agreed with the basic argument of successive Governments.. 'Fare payers should contribute a greater share of running the railways, it is not fair on taxpayers to shoulder the burden.' That ridiculous argument falls apart due to.. 1) Most who use the Railways are taxpayers. 2)...

On Sunday 25th May, I had a ticket from Earley to West Hampstead Thameslink. This ticket was 'any permitted', so allowed me to travel via Waterloo, or via Paddington. On the return journey, I opted for the Paddington route back to Reading. The service I caught would of arrived too late in...

So surely that would be the ideal option then, along with the long mooted reopening proposals to Ringwood.

Was there ever a rail line that used to run near to the site of Bournemouth Airport?

Would it not be feasible to reopen East Grinstead to Haywards Heath using the Bluebell route via Horsted Keynes and Ardingly. Surely some kind of arrangement could be made, so that NR and Bluebell trains could share the same infrastructure.

I do quite like 'Sunday Out' tickets offered by (the former) SWR, and the 'Evening out' on shorter journeys. From the greater Reading area, I can get a 'Sunday Out' to Southend-on-sea, but not to Southampton. Which is one of the absurdities of the fare setting situation by ToCs. If these...

I really don't want to see the fares structure moved to single tickets only. We've all seen what has happened with LNER, and that has largely not benefitted passengers at all. If anything, for most, has made their journeys even more expensive. What about Super Off Peaks?

Oyster - Also does not allow Network Railcard discount. I also can't see how they will get around tying a Railcard to a credit/debit card on contactless. Don't think I like the idea of my Card details being held onto for a long period.

I personally have no interest in PAYG and contactless fares... No railcard discounts can currently be applied. Harder to do split ticketing. Fares are generally more expensive due to the two points above. Harder to prove delay repay on longer journeys. Risk of being charged extra if system...

Still awaiting XC's 'loyalty programme'. :D:D Bronze tier - 50 points - Guaranteed nose to the wall standing room only by the toilet, on long distance journeys. - Low chance your train will arrive on time. - +20% premium on all fares. Silver tier - 100 points - Guaranteed standing in the...

Horsham has the Mole Valley Line which does not run after about 6pm on a Saturday, or at all on a Sunday. With trains terminating at Dorking during these periods. Then have to go via Crawley, Gatwick and North Downs Line. I really can't understand why the service isn't all the way to...

I can't read the lettering on the side in the second image, to the left of the doors. Do these Trains say 'Network Southeast' , or 'Network Southeastern'.

When some are suggesting the Heart of Wales line for closure, then the realms of stupidity kick in. The Heart of Wales line is the only line that interects mid Wales now. There does seem to be an element of 'if we close this line, there will be more money to improve my local services.' What...