Recent content by OldandRambling

I have been asked by some American rail chums about our UK catenary performance. Does anyone know if the overhead wires tend to cause problems due to high wind situations here in the UK? Loss of contact or structural damage? Thanks in advance!

Enjoyable account of your trip, I would like to do similar. Can you remember the name of your Lisbon hostel?

I don't think the post above is correct. While one pays for an ESTA to get permission to travel to the USA, it clearly is not a visa. The immigration officer at the border grants entry, the ESTA does not guarantee admission. A "visa" proper, permits entry to a country. (That's my understanding...

I have enjoyed the Budapest children's railway also. I went by tram to the lower station and the childrens train up the mountain, and got off at the top. February 2013, with snow on the ground. Lucky to see a steam engine. Also a happy couple enjoying a warming brandy snifter or two! I think the...

From Simom Calder 30/sept/22 : Ashford International station in south-east Kent has a problem. It is not international, unless you count the Eurostar trains that whizz past at 186mph. The same applies to Ebbsfleet International in north-west Kent. Both stations have cavernous halls for...

Are there any advantages to travelling from abroad to the UK via Eurostar on an E.U. passport? Separate lines, separate passport checks, or is it a case that the one slow queue holds everyone up?

In any queue there is usually a "pinch point", rather like roadworks reducing traffic flow... I assume the delays are just caused by the need to check all passports? Is there a big delay caused checking bags? What is the "pinch point" here? Is there any other actual reason, I am assuming folk...

I don't think there is much interest here for Indian railways, but I do feel they may fit into the spirit of this topic? Many trains run a wide range of coach "classes", basic and also air conditioned on the one train. Many trains also are just comprised of cheap and basic accommodations for the...

Right, that's me re-locating to Southern Italy! Seriously, I doubt if the vendors food will be that bad? After all, the bloke will want repeat business. As mentioned above, vendors are a staple of many trains in India, selling not just snacks, tea, and water, but an astonishing array of stuff!

For anyone interested in Indian railways, IRFCA is a site with a huge depth of knowledge. You have to register first to use the site, but it is free. https://www.irfca.org/

How you interpret a journey may be different for me, or Fred Bloggs, etc. I have always ridden the full route myself, probably a dozen times, and it is my favourite Amtrak route. Having said that, if a person does not feel able to endure 45 hours sitting in a coach seat, then the portion west of...

The dining car was open to all, pre-pandemic, now just for sleeper passengers. The tipping culture is a way of life there, although Amtrak train staff do earn a better basic salary than land based hospitality folk. Beware in general (non- Amtrak related) terms that often the price shown does not...

Gosh, that is bad news! I heard that Amtrak are having problems with shortage of equipment, especially after recent accidents there. I know several people on various Amtrak trains have been "bumped" from sleeper to coach at very short notice, on the SW Chief and others too. I used the Amtrak...

I remember reading a book some time ago, called "tales from the fast trains" I seem to think it offered suggestions for quick weekend trips starting with Eurostar from London each time. Tales-Fast-Trains-Europe- I may be wrong, but I have found trainline to be okay for European train tickets...

Best keep well clear of Amtrak trains in America, although to be fair, many hours of delay are always EXPECTED! :D