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On many Wolverhampton to Euston services via Birmingham First Class accommodation is often very nearly empty even at peak times. Better use of the spare seating would result in less overcrowding in Second Class. Perhaps a "First Premium" service including meals and steward/ess service for those...

At the initial announcement of HS2 much was made about the time saving between London and Birmingham. Ignoring the fact that not many journeys would be point to point between the two termini with no onward travel. On a journey from Croydon to Cradley Heath for example any time saving on the high...

What is the latest situation? There seems to be very little press discussion of this matter. It could turn out to be a much bigger fiasco that the WCML saga. The last I heard before I disappeared to the Czech countryside a few weeks ago was a lot of jargon about achieving "closure" whatever...

Czech Railways have updated the line between the border town of Cheb (Eger in German) and Plzen (Pilsen). They've done a beautiful job with good looking stations all along the line. The little Spa Town of Lazne Kynzvart is typical. Long platforms and ramps so long that the incline is very...

I tried to book a ticket from Heathrow to Worcester while I was in The Czech Republic. The National Rail website quoted me a price and gave me the times of trains, some via Paddington others via suburban stations. So far so good. I entered my request. I was given a list of stations at which I...

By any measurement, running a long distance train with half the carriages virtually empty is inefficient. I am suggesting that they could allow for example any one spending over a certain sum over a certain number of months validity of their season ticket should be allowed to travel in First...

London Midland Trains. Thank you. You have allowed me to move around the U.K. during my 5 weeks here in comfort and at an acceptably affordable price. Usually on new trains and on time.

It seems to me that this is one of the major arguments being advanced in favour of HS2. I have been in the U.K. for my Xmas/New Year family visit and am about to return to The Czech Republic. In my time here I have used Birmingham New Street Station on many occasions. It appears to me that at...

I took the 16.09 London Midland train from Stourbridge Junction to Worcester Shrub Hill on Saturday 14th January. Arriving on time at Shrub Hill at 16.39 and intending to travel on to Great Malvern by FGW. My London Midland pocket timetable no.14 shows a FGW service departing Shrub Hill for...

The booking office closes at 12.40 p.m. except on Saturdays when it closes at 12.35 p.m. The waiting rooms are locked at the same time and passengers have to stand in the cold and wind for the rest of the day. I believe that First Great Western run this farce so I shouldn't be too surprised...

I haven't travelled this route for years. I believe that there is a local train connection now from Hoek van Holland to Rotterdam, where one can join the express network. All the named trains have been withdrawn in this age of the car ferry.

Travelling on the Hook Continental from Liverpool Street to Parkeston Quay where the night ferry to Holland was waiting, made a great impression on me during my 1960's boyhood. The s.s. Amsterdam or the s.s. Arnhem were pretty small by today's standards. Mahogany and brass fittings. Stewards in...

Even if you get a seat at a window the plastic seat backs in second class reflect in the glass making it difficult to enjoy the view during the day and just about impossible from dusk on. Design failure in my book. How can they get it so wrong?

I've been out of the country for a good few years. How things have changed. On a London Midland train recently I was referred to as a customer and the next station had become a "Station stop." Where is all this nonsense leading? Will I be a client next year?

Czech Railways do a pretty good job under state control. Frequent clean and apparently safe service with transparent ticketing based on 1.25 Czech Crowns per travelled kilometre. (A little over 4pence) The only surcharge would be for First class or Pendelino supplement. There are lots of...

I've tried them all. Trainline, Redspottedhanky, Crosscountry to name but three. I have not yet found any saving whatsoever on standard fares compared to the National Rail Enquiries site or on the day purchase at my departure station. Some booking services claim savings of up to 51% in adverts...

At my local station a basic price per kilometre for second class travel is displayed on the wall. Currently 1.25 Czech Crowns. Approx 5 pence. This applies to any journey within the Czech Republic for one way travel. First class is 50% on top. A day return is valid from time of purchase to...

Successful financial services industry? Could not find an icon for "Tongue in cheek"

I have tried The Trainline on several occasions and not found them to be a penny different to buying one's ticket on the day for Worcester to Paddington, and a variety of other journeys. I have just had details of a "special offer" from First Great Western which is priced by zone and a return...

Oh yes I remember it well. Mum and Dad bundling we three kids onto the train at Liverpool Street as we set off for Parkeston Quay at Harwich to catch the night boat to Hoek van Holland. A porter with a big wooden trolley dealt with the luggage while we settled down in the big blue seats of the...