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Yesterday I was booked on the 15.05 KX to Leeds. As I was booked in coach M, I arrived in sufficient time to grab a bite to eat before I boarded, in case of any lack of service or shortage of food. However, I was greeted by an announcement that the 15.05 had been cancelled, as was the 14.50(?)...

Isn't all this discussion leading to one simple answer. Adopt the German Bordbistro/restaurant model by having an open-to-all seated dining car serving simple all-day menus? Those in first class can have an at-seat meal delivered by staff (included in the fare or otherwise) and the rest of us...

The plan to reopen the south curve back into Northallerton station is estimated to cost £6m, which makes it a long-term aspiration. However, the railway intends to open a "halt" at Springwell Lane on the north loop (used by freight and charters), expected to cost £250k and funds are being...

Even more reason to have spare supplies, as the "walk-ups" will have paid SERIOUS money!

In case anyone's interested, I rang them up to check and was told it would be a DMU. However, when I got there it was a three coach steam!

Traditionally, proper restaurant cars in the UK have always been weekdays only. This was, I suspect, not because of any lack of demand but to allow staff to have time off. In these days of 24-hour, 7-day work and shopping patterns (for railway staff and Joe Public) it no longer makes sense for...

My wife and girlfriend used 1st for a Leeds-London round trip this weekend. They weren't offered any alcohol or hot food. I know that weekend catering is much more basic, but the fares don't seem to be any cheaper compared to weekday off-peak which has a more comprehensive menu of food and...

I'm going to ride the line on Friday (5th October). Anyone know what might be in service on that day? Will it be a dmu or loco hauled?

Two catering staff dishing out sandwiches and microwaved pizzas? May as well be self-service. Let's consider that the chef is/chefs are learning skills and maintaining a tradition which - if lost - may never return. The train is the only form of land transport capable of offering a proper...

Hear, hear Bakers - let's rejoice in there being a chef to offer real food, not the usual sub-pub-grub offered by most rail companies today. It is particularly encouraging that proper meals are available for both classes on this train (as it should be on any railway) and every opportunity must...

In spite of the lack of symbols on the on-line timetable, is the evening WAG dining car still operating?

Fair point, Toots. However, you must agree that it cannot be logical for a gate to close 1.1/2 miles away when that train is sat in the platform. This is, of course, nothing to do with the signalmen, who obviously have to work with what is provided. Are there any signalmen working this...

Toots - I'm not entirely stupid, and understand the need for sight-lines, stopping distances etc. but all I wanted to know is, are Kildwick's delays excessive or acceptable. If they are excessive (which many of us believe they are), then what's the solution? Repositioned signals or a flyover...

As promised, I have made some timings of the down times at Kildwick crossing. Monday 10 September. Gate closes at 09.07, gate opens after 3m 8s (333 double pass) 09.16 1m 26s (dmu passes very slowly so held at approaching signal?) 09.22 2m 40s (inbound 333) 09.30 3m 42s (outbound...

The You Tube videos are interesting, but leave me jealous of the short waiting times. Even on the ECML, with full line speed, the trains tend to pass within a minute of closure. Also, all the gate examples seem to be on country lanes or back roads, not a major inter-urban trunk route like that...

I wonder what the departure of Justine will have on HS2. She seemed a keen and articulate advocate for it. However, maybe she was moved because she continually referred to HS2 as "Haitch S 2"!

Only two weeks to go before the timetable change and still no 1st Class or Restaurant symbols for the northbound service on the online timetable.

Many thanks, Tomnick for your thorough reply. I'm sure, based on your information, that auto-lower must be used most of the time and must be activated prior to the stations as the travel time between stations and gates is far less than the actual closure times. Non-stop trains (Settle/Carlisle...

I wonder if anyone can offer any guidance as to an acceptable (or minimum) down time at level crossings. I have read similar threads talking about trains per hour, but that is almost irrelevant if the down time between gates closing and opening is excessive. My local crossing (Kildwick -...

Grabbing a sandwich or even a hot roll from the buffet is not enough after a full day away. Yes, the GNER/NXEC restaurant meals were expensive, but as has been said elsewhere - not much different from an average London restaurant and you're travelling at the same time. In the mid-90s I...