Engineering Works 18th September

Train delayed on Monday due to engineering works that weren't completed on Sunday night. Chaos ensued on arriving at Newcastle station...buses supplied for onward journeys to Scotland.

A lot of unhappy "customers" milling around the station. No pics this time, sorry for that.

Platform12

Happy New Year to all train commuters. Welcomed back with a huge price hike, esp GNER! Cheers for that.

RAIL FARE RISES FOR 2006

Train company Average rise % Average rise %
(regulated fares) (unregulated fares)
Arriva Trains Wales 3.7 5.4
C2c 3.9 4.4
Central Trains 3.9 6.4
Chiltern Railways 3.9 5
First Great Western 3.9 4.5
First Great Western Link 3.9 4.5
First Scotrail 3.9 3.7
Gatwick Express 3 5.6
GNER 3.9 8.8 8.8!!!!!!!!!!!
Great Northern (WAGN) 3.9 5.2
Heathrow Express N/A 3.6
Hull Trains N/A 5
Island Line Nil Nil
Merseyrail 2.9 2.9
Midland Mainline 3.9 6
Northern 3.9 3.9
One 3.8 3.5
Silverlink 3.9 6.1
South Eastern Trains 3.9 3
Southern 3.9 3.9
South West Trains 3.9 4.9
Thameslink 3.9 2.9
Trans-Pennine Express 3.9 3.2
Virgin Cross Country 3.9 4.6
Virgin West Coast 3.9 5.9
Wessex Trains 3.9 3.9
Source: Atoc


Travelled to Leeds this week and whilst waiting for my train in the evening took this picture of Platform 12 and the Leeds city scape. Thought I'd share it with you.

M&S Simply Food @ KX

Major news for all you commuters to London. M&S have opened a Simply Food restaurant in King's Cross station. Great for sarnies and food on the go. I'll add a pic next time I'm down there....Jan 2006.

Hello Sailor

Saw this on my long, long travel to Plymouth this week. Thought I'd share it with you as I've just bought one and it's nearly xmas :-)

A Journey of Two Halves

A. I travelled to Bristol on the 7th of this month. A new travelling experience for me because I went 1st class. A luxurious trip with complimentary this and that (food + drink :-) ). First class was relatively empty all the way but on the return journey had to slum it in standard class (formerly 2nd class).

B. Had a seat booked for the return but 2 events of note happened on the way back:

1. A passenger wouldn't pay for his ticket and was arrested at Birmingham New Street. Transport Police on the train....and all that.


2. A young girl, about 2, accompanied by her mum threw up on the seat adjacent to me and then departed at the next stop. NICE!

Rudeness

Got on the train last night to travel home.....I had a bit of a run to make it. when I jumped on it the train was full so stood in a door way with everyone else. I was a tad out of breath. The fella opposite me (about 3 yards away) turns to his friend and says..."i don't know why people run for trains.. have a beer and catch the next one". He then returns his gaze to mine. The cheek of it...I ask Ya!

BTW I think he'd had a few beers himself.

Layyyds and London Village

I travelled to Leeds and London this week. Nothing major to report but thought I'd post a few pics for you to look at. Arsenals ground under construction, BT tower a fountain in Leeds Civic Square and another building near Leeds City Sq.