Monday
Oct102011
London Bound- First Class Style
Monday, October 10, 2011 at 12:21PM
It doesn't happen very often, so it when it does, I like to bask in the glory of it. Travelling first class.
Plus, I thought it would be fun to write a post while journeying South to London on the train. A tilting train at that.
I've always been fascinated by trains. I love the intricacy of the the rail network, all the behind the scenes operations, and the way trains work. There is definitely something innately British about travelling by train. Don't get me wrong, travelling by cross-continental train across the US would be incredible, but I don't think anything beats a train journey through the English countryside, seeing places that you would never see from the road.
I haven't been so fascinated by trains that I spend long hours sat on platforms "spotting" trains as they go past. I could perhaps understand that in the past, when there were more frequent trains and a greater variety of engines, observing beautiful steam trains like the Flying Scotsman or the Mallard cruising past. But really, how many small, two carriage, dilapidated commuter trains can you watch. Alright, the TransPeninneExpress ones are purple, but still.
There's little doubt that the hey day of the British Rail Network has passed, as train routes are discontinued and journeys become ever more infrequent with costs continually rising. Yet there is still hope for the country which created train travel. I find that most people are in favour of train travel in the UK, unlike the US. It's popular, because it's practical.
Take this train to London. It's at least 10 carriages long, and judging by the capacity in first class, I'd say there's probably at least 300 people on board. At least. And there are three of these trains an hour. Let's ballpark a figure of 800 people an hour going down to London. I'd say at least 75% of those people are travelling alone. That mean's if this train journey didn't exist, that would be 600 more cars on the road per hour.
My logic is hardly flawless, but you get the picture. Practical and environmental sense.
It's comfortable too. And I'm not just saying that because I'm enjoying extra space and lots of freebies in first class. Just being able to sit and enjoy the scenery, work, blog, tweet, sleep or listen to music, rather than face the hassle of motorway traffic easily makes it worth it. As does the time it takes, at least half the time it would be via road, thanks to improved lines and the tilting nature of Virgin's fast trains.
But there is no doubt being in first class makes everything just a little nicer, especially considering it only cost me £4 extra. I'd already made up that cost in free coffee, lemonade and biscuits sat in the first class lounge in Manchester waiting for my train. On the train I've been enjoying free wi-fi, more drinks, and a sausage buttie! Not too shabby at all.
I've still been getting those "you don't belong in first class" looks, but that's ok. Those people are probably just jealous about how much they paid for their ticket.
So if you're ever planning a journey in the UK, consider the train instead of the car. You won't regret it. And America? You desperately need to work on your rail network. I know Wisconsin is going to regret letting Gov. Walker stop the train. We should all be hopping aboard, not disembarking.
Plus, I thought it would be fun to write a post while journeying South to London on the train. A tilting train at that.
I've always been fascinated by trains. I love the intricacy of the the rail network, all the behind the scenes operations, and the way trains work. There is definitely something innately British about travelling by train. Don't get me wrong, travelling by cross-continental train across the US would be incredible, but I don't think anything beats a train journey through the English countryside, seeing places that you would never see from the road.
I haven't been so fascinated by trains that I spend long hours sat on platforms "spotting" trains as they go past. I could perhaps understand that in the past, when there were more frequent trains and a greater variety of engines, observing beautiful steam trains like the Flying Scotsman or the Mallard cruising past. But really, how many small, two carriage, dilapidated commuter trains can you watch. Alright, the TransPeninneExpress ones are purple, but still.
There's little doubt that the hey day of the British Rail Network has passed, as train routes are discontinued and journeys become ever more infrequent with costs continually rising. Yet there is still hope for the country which created train travel. I find that most people are in favour of train travel in the UK, unlike the US. It's popular, because it's practical.
Take this train to London. It's at least 10 carriages long, and judging by the capacity in first class, I'd say there's probably at least 300 people on board. At least. And there are three of these trains an hour. Let's ballpark a figure of 800 people an hour going down to London. I'd say at least 75% of those people are travelling alone. That mean's if this train journey didn't exist, that would be 600 more cars on the road per hour.
My logic is hardly flawless, but you get the picture. Practical and environmental sense.
It's comfortable too. And I'm not just saying that because I'm enjoying extra space and lots of freebies in first class. Just being able to sit and enjoy the scenery, work, blog, tweet, sleep or listen to music, rather than face the hassle of motorway traffic easily makes it worth it. As does the time it takes, at least half the time it would be via road, thanks to improved lines and the tilting nature of Virgin's fast trains.
But there is no doubt being in first class makes everything just a little nicer, especially considering it only cost me £4 extra. I'd already made up that cost in free coffee, lemonade and biscuits sat in the first class lounge in Manchester waiting for my train. On the train I've been enjoying free wi-fi, more drinks, and a sausage buttie! Not too shabby at all.
I've still been getting those "you don't belong in first class" looks, but that's ok. Those people are probably just jealous about how much they paid for their ticket.
So if you're ever planning a journey in the UK, consider the train instead of the car. You won't regret it. And America? You desperately need to work on your rail network. I know Wisconsin is going to regret letting Gov. Walker stop the train. We should all be hopping aboard, not disembarking.
Reader Comments (1)
I know that you don't remember it but you have travelled by train from Chicago to Las Vegas. It was an interesting journey but I am not sure that I would do it again. It was a long tome ago but I wasn't impressed by the trains in the US at the time. I am not sure if the long distance trains can compete with the planes in the US.