Economy Class & Beyond

Can you buy the Japan Rail Pass WHILST in Japan? On trial basis… YES!

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The Japan Rail Pass if used right can be a real money saver when travelling on routes operates by JR Group companies. However, to get one - normally you needed to buy an exchange order outside Japan to get one, and then exchange it for a rail pass JR Rail Pass, Exchange Order and a letter from JTB - Image, Economy Class and Beyond However, it seems the JR Group have … [Read more...]

Medium Haul Rail Travel done right – The Chiltern Mainline Silver Train

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Trains can be much of a muchness in the UK, with train operators moving away from the ideas of comfort to the point where they  densifying them to a point where an airline executive would thin "Maybe that's a touch tight". Recent express and long haul stock have done not a lot to change this impression. Chiltern Railways some time ago tried to change their game with some … [Read more...]

Its the Easter Weekend – so welcome to rail engineering works

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As we head into the long Easter weekend, the UK rail network responds in its usual way -  by closing parts of network to shut down in bits and bobs to allow engineering work. London Paddington Train Station - Image, Economy Class and Beyond Major works include Heathrow Express 14th and 15th April - Every 30 minutes 16th April - Every 15 minutes … [Read more...]

Taipei Taoyuan Airport MRT link opens between the airport and the City

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When I travel, I like to have easy travel options into the city - and for me, that's in the form of public transport. At Taipei Taoyuan Airport (the main entry point into Taiwan) a new mass transit option has now opened - The Taoyuan Airport MRT. Airport MRT line - Image, Taoyuan Metro The route runs from Taipei Main station (a short distance from Taipei Railway … [Read more...]

Steam trains returns to regularly timetabled services… for a few days

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In the UK, it's not unusal to see steam trains on the main line railway as they operate on railtours or train cruises. But on timetabled services?  Not since the last steam service ran nearly 50 years ago. Until yesterday. Northern Rail and the A1 Locomotive Trust teamed up to operate the steam Locomotive "60163 Tornado" on the Settle to Carlisle Line. 60163 Tornado at … [Read more...]

Eurostar updates its Business Premier Paris Lounge

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Eurostar - the train company operating between London, Paris and Brussels has been busy, with the refurbishment of its lounge at Paris Gare du Nord station Let's look at the pictures.... Eurostar Paris Business Premier Lounge - All images, Eurostar The new Business Premier lounge formally opened on Saturday, set inside the top floor of Gare du Nord station. The … [Read more...]

Virgin Trains East Coast complete train refurbishment

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Virgin Trains East Coast has been busy in the background refurbishing its fleet. Recently, the company announced it completed the refurbishment of its fleet Virgin Trains East Coast Intercity 125 and Intercity 225 trainsets - Image, Economy Class and Beyond Virgin Trains East Coast currently operate a fleet of Intercity 125 (Diesel Class 43 locomotives with Mark III … [Read more...]

Reminder: Heathrow Express Closed through to 29th December

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If you're planning to take Heathrow Express or Heathrow Connect to London (or to Heathrow), there's bad news as it is now shut for the duration of the Christmas period Heathrow Express departing Heathrow Central (and you won't be able to catch one until the 29th December- Image, Economy Class and Beyond. As such, there is no service between Paddington and Heathrow … [Read more...]

Joy – Another Southern Rail Strike

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It seems things in Southern Rail land are heading from bad to worse, with another rail strike in progress Southern Class 377 Electrostar arriving at Clapham Junction - Image, Economy Class and Beyond The strike is a result of the on-going dispute between Southern and RMT union over proposed driver only operation of trains. In addition, members of the ASLEF union are … [Read more...]

Night Tube services begin tomorrow!

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Well, it's been a long time coming, but Transport for London's Night Tube will begin tonight (19th August). Night Tube Map - Image, Transport for London. The Night Tube network will initially comprise of two lines: The Central Line from Ealing Broadway, through Central London, and as far as Loughton or Hainault. Operates every 10 minutes between White City and Leytonstone … [Read more...]