Economy Class & Beyond

Heathrow Express to introduce peak time travel – higher fares on the way

by

The most expensive way by rail to get between Heathrow and Paddington is about to get more expensive with the announcement that Heathrow Express are to bump up the costs of Peak Time rail travel. Heathrow Express departing Heathrow Central Station - Image, Economy Class and Beyond. In the PR, Heathrow Express calls this "Heathrow Express to incentivise off peak … [Read more...]

It’s coming up to the Late Spring Bank Holiday. Of course there’s engineering works.. and trouble in France!

by

A lot of people (your writer included) are counting the minutes to 5pm today, as it marks the start of the Late Spring Bank Holiday. Of course, it wouldn't be a Bank Holiday if there weren't major rail works going on. And unsurprisingly - there are some pretty major works. Virgin Trains Pendolino at London Euston - Image, Economy Class and Beyond Firstly, Heathrow … [Read more...]

Let’s try this again: Night Tube to start on 19th August 2016

by

It's taken long enough to sort out the arguments with unions, but it seems that Transport for London have announced a date for "All Night Tube" services to commence... And it's the 19th August 2016. London Underground Central Line Train at Debden - Image, Economy Class and Beyond The Night Tube will operate on the 19th August on the Central Line, with Piccadilly, … [Read more...]

Android Pay comes to Transport for London Services

by

The rise of contactless payment continues, with Android Pay recently launching in the United Kingdom. And straight after its launch - Transport for London began accepting Android Pay for Pay-as-you-go fares. The upshot is if you have an Android powered phone which can utilise the Android Pay application on London Underground, Buses, Trams, London Overground, TfL Rail, … [Read more...]

FirstGroup gets the nod to start budget London to Scotland rail services

by

It seems there's going to be a minor little earthquake in the UK Rail market - as FirstGroup have had secured permission to start a new rail service between London and Scotland. FirstGroup First Great Wester High Speed Train Class 43 power car at Banbury Station - Image, Economy Class and Beyond The new plan for five trains a day between London King's Cross to … [Read more...]

Easter Railway Engineering Works in the UK

by

If it's a public holiday, it must be time the railways have a partial shut-down to allow for engineering works. Full works have announced at www.nationalrail.co.uk/easter, but for those who want a bite-sized version, here's my take (featuring airport connections). Heathrow Airport The good news is that we actually a have a service this Easter period (compared to … [Read more...]

Introducing…. the Virgin Azuma.

by

Virgin Trains East Coast today announced what they'll be calling their new fleet of trains. Ladies and Gentlemen - Presenting the Virgin Azuma. Here's the rendering: And here it is in real life: Drum roll, introducing the.... #VirginAzuma. The bright future of rail travel is here https://t.co/S6uMnzFC0Q pic.twitter.com/jRbQ6537UG — Virgin Trains EC … [Read more...]

C’est un Strike! French Rail workers due to walk out

by

Like the sun follows the moon, day follows night, French Rail workers are walking out today on strike. SNCF TGV Réseau at Paris Gare du Nord with a Thayls service on the left (Interestingly, this image was shot during another French rail strike) - Image, Economy Class and Beyond. The disruption runs across the SNCF Network from 7pm on Tuesday and end on Thursday … [Read more...]

Heathrow Connect – Still Suspended

by

The Heathrow Connect service (operating local stopping services between London Paddington to the Heathrow Airport) remains suspended as Siemens engineers attempt to discover what is wrong with the Heathrow Express trains. Heathrow Express trains have been taken out of service for what has been described as "the foreseeable future" according to Global Rail News. For now, … [Read more...]

Thalys launches Izy – low cost trains between Paris and Brussels

by

It seems Thalys is launching a fightback against coach operators (and in some ways - itself) with the launch of a new sub-brand called Izy Izy will launch on the 3rd April 2016, promising fares of €19 between Paris and Brussels, offering two return trips a day (with three on Fridays and Saturdays), operated by two train sets. The service will operate between Paris Gare du … [Read more...]