Recent content by exile

On recent trips to both Italy and France I noticed how difficult it was to find the validation machines - made more so by the fact nearly every local had a ticket that didn't need validating.

Anderston Station in Glasgow is reasonably busy (and even has staff), but seems somewhat eerie after dark, being as it is in a gloomy underground location beneath a dual carriageway.

My favourite transport-related movie goof is in "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves" when Robin arrives at Dover and announces that he will be in Nottingham by nightfall. Presumably he had a motor bike hidden in the bushes.

I <never> cut things this fine when trying to catch a flight. For example, if any leg of the journey only runs once an hour, I'd leave an hour earlier than would get me to the airport 2 hours before the flight (assuming the airport recommends you arrive this early). It's not at all unusual...

Perhaps not exactly offensive, but I haven't heard older people described as OAPs for about 50 years. In fact I remember writing an essay about old people in about 1965 when at primary school and being told to refer to "senior citizens" instead. Needless to say I am now both an OAP <and> a...

Planning a trip from Birkdale to Swindon I came across the following weird results (using National Rail Planner for 28th July) 1. Putting in no "vias" at all - a number of journeys changing at Bristol Parkway suggested but no valid fares offered. 2. Putting in "via Stroud" now gives a number...

Of course the rules for delay repay apply (in this case, for season tickets). But the OP isn't about that, it's referring to consequential loss due to using an alternative form of transport. .

TBH, if the worst case scenarios come to pass, even though I'm a rail buff I think we might have more to worry about than the impact on railways. There are still large parts of the economy that depend on large numbers of people working together in factories and offices and that would grind to a...

The writer of the post didn't buy a ticket on the day - he had a SEASON ticket. The TOC advised against travelling due to the storm. I'm not sure they should be obliged to pay any compensation in the circumstances. It's not the same scenario as actually starting a journey and the TOC failing to...

Whereas I recognise e-tickets can be problematic, (1) I've lost paper tickets many times (2) I can always print off an e-ticket if I want

Sure, it's a simple network, and so on. But there was a time when that wasn't enough to make it a reliable service - the days when it was known as "Miseryrail". Glad to see things have improved.

I have used the coach a few times. Journey time Liverpool to Leeds 2 hours 30, every hour, cost £10 walk on, c £4 advance, each way. Timekeeping good except in rush hour. Never any trouble getting a seat. As for the people suggesting flying via Schiphhol etc - the fact you are meant to arrive at...

In general, no, you shouldn't open mail not meant for you. I can think of exceptions - it's for a deceased relative or someone in your household not able to deal with their own affairs, etc.

I'd intended to board the 7.24. Information boards assured me the 7.54 was running so i passed up the chance to get to Piccadilly and get to Leeds from there. Of course, the 7.54 didn't materialise either. Eventually reached Wakefield via Sheffield 90 minutes late. Everything fine on the way back.

Sounds like a "fake news" statistic there. Source?