the cost of trains is unreal

[Mich the Tester]

Yes. The art of the bacon sandwich.

Deserves a thread of its own probably.

Absolutely, and is the skill of cooking on a moving train not a worthy trade in itself, deserving of protection and promotion?

The ability to handle multiple saucepans and flambé the steaks while hurtling around a bend at 125 mph is surely a great talent that should be given every opportunity for self expression, and should never be obstructed by lily livered health and safety inspectors or unimaginative bean counters.

I propose the restoration of luxury restaurant cars on all trains with a total travelling time of more than 2 hours. Don’t tell me there isn’t a market for it; I’m not the only stuck-up snob with a large appetite and a travel itinerary.

[Pogle]

Yes trains are expensive - especially if you have to travel during peak times.
I am currently travelling from Manchester to London on a Monday and back on a Friday. I book in advance and travel 1st, its more comfortable and I get fed! Also on the return leg I have a couple of V&T's to start the weekend.
Two singles in advance cost me about £130, but its all factored into the rate.

An on the day, one way ticket, is £198 for 1st
I do think they are expensive, but I'd much rather sit on a train watching episodes of Dr Who on my ipod touch, than sit in my car stuck on the M1/M6.
And the 7am train from Manchester gets to Euston in less than 2 hours.

[teclo]

Just had a look on thetrainline.co.uk site there to see how much it would be for me to travel from Glasgow to London tomorrow. £271 return.

Now compare this to my holiday across America in 2007. I traveled by train from Newark to Seattle and back again by Amtrak, a total of 6 days on a train and roughly 2700 miles. That was £250 return.

The rail companies are really taking the piss these days.

[scooterscot]

Just had a look on thetrainline.co.uk site there to see how much it would be for me to travel from Glasgow to London tomorrow. £271 return.

Now compare this to my holiday across America in 2007. I traveled by train from Newark to Seattle and back again by Amtrak, a total of 6 days on a train and roughly 2700 miles. That was £250 return.

The rail companies are really taking the piss these days.

It is a national disgrace.

What else could I get for that money? Look I could buy a 1996 AUDI A4 1.6 4dr Auto Saloon for £125 and still have ton's of cash left.

I could use the extra cash to hire Tay as my private driver, and still have enough to put a deposit on a house in Newcastle.

[scooterscot]

Just had a look on thetrainline.co.uk site there to see how much it would be for me to travel from Glasgow to London tomorrow. £271 return.

Now compare this to my holiday across America in 2007. I traveled by train from Newark to Seattle and back again by Amtrak, a total of 6 days on a train and roughly 2700 miles. That was £250 return.

The rail companies are really taking the piss these days.

Not that long ago I missed my flight from Bristol so I took the virgin train back up to Glasgow, the last few hours I had the coach to myself - was like a graveyard on wheels.

[Fred Bloggs]

Pogle, how far in advance do you have to book to get that price? Crewe > Euston is more than that 2nd class.

[NoddY]

Britain's first Michelin starred restaurant was run and operated by British Rail (Manchester's Midland Hotel run by British Transport Hotels on behalf of the BR Board).

[TheVoice]

Nationalise the network please! Train companies should not operate for profit they are a necessary part of the country's infrastructure.

Sorry...we're too busy nationalising the banks to give a flying feck about anything else. We're all going mad.

Gordon Brown

[Cyberman]

Tory voter all my life you pillock.

Then why are you such a pratt ? Get a life !!

[SantaClaus]

I moved back from the sticks to London because I didnt see why I should pay £3500 a year for a train service that doesnt work.

Didnt like the attitude of the staff either.