Recent content by iguana

I don't want to go too far OT, as this is a rail forum, so I'll be brief: - The WHO, along with the EU and the BMA, are seriously behind the curve on e-cigs. Probably because they're still captured by anti-tobacco zealots, who are somehow convinced (or would like to convince us) that...

I'll give you the short version, as since I'm an ex-smoker who vapes (uses an e-cigarette), I'm very much involved in trying to get the various senseless rules against them (at the EU, national and TOC level) overturned or stopped in their tracks. You don't want to know the full details - or I...

I've got to admit that I've often been tempted to do exactly what this woman was doing. I hope I'd be nicer about it, and ask politely. Though I might well not manage. It's absolutely infuriating to have to listen to the "ts ts ts ts ts ts ts" of peoples' music on a train journey. And it's...

Fair dos to anyone who actually likes travelling in a Pendolino. Tastes do differ. If anyone doesn't particularly care about windows etc, fine. What I can't believe is this "well you don't need windows anyway" tripe. What kind of Stockholm Syndrome is this? It's like an extended version...

As a constructive way of refurbishing a Pendo, that's hard to beat. My suggestion: Plate over all the windows. Cut large access doors. Rip out the interior and refit to take BRUTEs (or whatever the modern equivalent is). Repaint in Royal Mail livery. Use for express parcels/letters...

Yes, it was reading that ITT elsewhere on the forum that sparked some thought. Because it made my eyes pop out my head. Someone in the industry not only cares about the passenger environment and experience, but is (perhaps) even able to do something about it! This is such a contrast to most...

Very interesting reading - thanks for posting this! Tyler's central point: that the "railways are in denial" is an excellent starting-point for all kinds of discussion: including his own discussion, but also allowing all kinds of other points to be provoked. That's why I enjoyed reading...

I've just had this confirmed in an email from SPT: Excellent! Not that I've seen an East Coast train round these parts for a while (there may be some at other times); and Virgin don't stop at Motherwell in the right direction for me - but it's good to know that there's some kind of sense...

Fantastic! Once the renewal date comes round (Sunday) I'll be Zonecarded up. XC is all that matters: Virgin don't run stopping trains at the right time, and NE/GNE/NER/East Coast don't seem to go from Glasgow much any more. Thanks for checking this out!

Thank you for the replies. Looks like a season ticket would be a safe bet. I'd still love it if the Zonecard worked though. This morning I got off the XC train and spotted someone walking ahead of me towards the ticket gates at Motherwell carrying that distinctive SPT wallet. I asked him...

How depressing! I mean, why employ people to talk to passengers if you're going to make them spout standard lines like robots? (Which brings us back to the Robo-Nanny Voices....). If I was in charge the script would be there to help new staff who might not be used to making public...

They forgot to mention "baby alligators". You know what happens when those get into the drains...

Hi all I'm new to this forum, and have been gleefully reading through all the many posts about the various automatic electro-nanny voices we're supposed to be talked at by constantly for our own good (sorry, that's "for our Comfort, Safety and Security"). It's good to know that so many...

Hi I'm enjoying browsing the threads on these forums. And I've just read through the bit on Season Tickets in the Fares and Ticketing guide. Excellent and helpful work by whoever put that up! I couldn't find a definite answer there to my question, though. My question is: can I get a...