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In his first post on this subject Wavertreelad pretty much had it correct. From this side of the world these issues are viewed differently. For several decades, (particularly from when the Yen became too strong) Japanese manufacturers moved their factories to lower cost countries. Winners...

Well, I have grown tired of waiting and have now booked London to Glasgow with EastCoast via Edinburgh. Interestingly the fare to Glasgow is the same as to Edinburgh. As the Anytime fare between Edinburgh & Glasgow is 13.50 the saving is considerable. I am puzzelled at the suggestion that...

On several visits to US over many years I have never had a problem. Generally; and I stress generally; they are pretty laid back. Just follow normal precautions and don't tresspass. In Chicago I had several enjoyable days by travelling out on one of the Metra services. The BNSF line to Aurora...

I am having exactly the same problem. I am wanting a Euston to Glasgow ticket for 22 May. Virgin seem to have been stuck at the 17th for a couple of weeks. East Coast have just opened their bookings to 31 May and even this seems to be a little long winded in coming. Could Virgin be playing...

A couple of years ago I spent a fabulous 2 weeks in Taiwan. It is a railfans paradise. Well almost. English is widely spoken or at least understood and most signage is also bilingual (English). You can get an english language folding pocket timetable from the enquiry office at Taipei main...

The severity of bushfires should never be underestimated. I am attaching an image from Zig Zag. It is of No3 viaduct on the middle road. The area is normally covered with bush like scrub and trees which partially block view of the viaduct. The fire has been so fierce that everything has been...

Zig Zag Railway have had a very bad trot recently. The re-accreditation has been going well and restart has been very near. A few months ago a heavy downpour caused emabankments adjacent to the mainlines to collapse preventing trains running on all lines of both operators. Now the fire. I am...

The Sydney-Brisbane service is no longer passenger friendly because of the new times in Brisbane. The travel passes are for sitting car accommodation only in standard class. First class, sleeping compartments and meals are extra. Bondi Junction is appropriately named. It is the location of...

I had lunch today with a group of old railfan friends, some of them still working with various operaters. The Main South line came up for discussion. About 9 months ago when I did a return to Melbourne it was in good condition with some very fast running. I am told today that mudholes have...

Clip The Coutrylink trains were never fitted out for overnight travel, except in sleeping compartments. The overnight situp is really for backpackers travelling on the cheap. The two most scenic lines out from Sydney are north to Gosford/Newcastle as noted, but also the South Coast line to...

I agree with the recommendation for Polar Express. This is really a great childrens film. Another to look for, particularly when the lad is a little older, is the 1970's Burt Lancaster film "The Train". It is PG but there is nothing in it any child cannot see and probably should. It is set in...

I have just found this thread and it is most interesting in many ways. Most of the issues raised are the same issues we have here on the other side of the world. UK: I suspect that "trainspoting" developed as a substitute for photography. Film was always relatively expensive. I expect it...

In many respects this thread has gone too far concerning Railway Officer IDs. There are questions I have been asking myself regularly without answers. When visiting the UK and asked for an address it would normally be the hotel I was then staying at. From time to time I have had mail...

Here is an experience from the antipodes. A year or so ago the operator of Sydney's trains put several hundred usb sticks up for auction. All had been left on trains. The press got onto the story and found that they had not been cleaned, and worse, most of them had viruses and other malware on...

On my recent visit to Carlisle I took the best part of a day for a return trip to Carnforth. I was travelling on a Rover ticket. The Rover has no time restrictions on this line. The scenery was mixed and never uninteresting. Travel is slow due to the many curves. When the tide is out the...

I have just spent a very enjoyable week in Carlisle. I will be going back again for further visits. There is a large pedestrian plaza about 100 metres from the Citadel. Turn left from the station. Sitting in the sun with a fresh coffee is hard to beat. Look up the timetables on Northern Trains...

Thank you for this explanation Alex. I suspected that there would be some kind of system as you described. It can only be described as very sophisticated.

Please accept my apologies for the misidentity. The station was Warrington Bank Quay. The stop at station stop ended up as 10 minutes.

Recently while travelling with VT in a 390 on the WCML to Euston we were ready to depart from Wakefield Westgate when the Train Manager announced that the driver had advised that car B was overloaded and passengers would need to be relocated. The alternative would be a 100mph speed limit. I...

I understand that she was sold 2 separate fares. There would have been no discouts so both passengers would have paid the same. Yes, it is very clear that the tickets and fares were not adequately explained. From the above responses this type of situation happens regularly. The lady was...