In 1984 I was employed as an engineer at Derby and visited BREL York Works on a business trip. With formalities completed I was asked if I would like to see the Works latest product. To one side of the workshop were some large plastic curtains that stretched from floor to roof. As these were pulled […]
How to see the Best of Britain with a Railcard
The average Brit has seen just 32% of Great Britain, according to new research. Researchers commissioned by Railcard, which offers a third off train travel, looked at the areas of Great Britain and found most of us have seen less than a third of the country we live in.
Discover how much luggage can you take on the train
How much luggage can you take on the train? Most passengers have no idea! The National Rail Conditions of Travel sets out passengers’ rights and responsibilities when traveling on rail services provided by franchised train companies. The vast majority of people who purchase rail tickets are unaware of these conditions. Rail tickets are endorsed subject […]
Relaxing on the Caledonian Sleeper Train
Over recent years the overnight sleeper train has made a significant comeback. Many people have opted to travel this way over other methods. Not only is it a very civilized and stress free way to travel, it can be cost-effective.
Why can’t they add another carriage?
Understandably on crammed, overcrowded trains someone voices their dissatisfaction saying ‘Why can’t they just add another carriage?’. It’s presumed that the ‘idiot’ train company, and in the recent past British Rail, can’t organise an extra carriage or two. Well consider this:
Loco hauling – should it be returned?
I’m a big fan of locomotive hauled trains and I think this type of traction offers great benefits to passengers.
Closure of the Waverley Route
In April 1969, I read an article in Railway World magazine about the closure of the Waverley Route. The report had a profound effect on me which has stayed with me throughout my personal professional life.
20 Easy Ways To Save Money on Train Travel
Lots of people tell me that they think that train travel is expensive and they want to save money on trains. Using my tips and tricks, you can get cheap train travel. Train travel is the best way to travel. I can relax whilst someone else drives and let the train take the strain. The facilities […]
Let the train take the strain!
Recently I saw some great news for rail passengers and staff! A press release from the Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited stated that it is 10 years since a passenger died on the railways. However, during the same period, 5 people died on Britain’s roads every day. This equates to a terrible 18,250 deaths. Car accidents injured […]
Exclusive access to Eastleigh Works
In the early 1990s I worked at Eastleigh Depot in Hampshire with some excellent railway engineers. I hadn’t seen one of them, Barry Stephens, for over twenty-five years but lately social media kept us in touch. Eastleigh Depot is just across the road from Eastleigh Works. Barry is the Managing Director and was instrumental in putting Eastleigh Works back on the railway map. I had seen him […]