The Japan Rail Pass is quite an amazing thing - as it grants you access to the rail networks that are part of the JR Group network for fixed price. My bruised and battered rail pass towards the end of the trip. The used rail pass with the magic ticket bit. But how can you really take advantage of it to the full extent? Do you qualify to use it? To use the … [Read more...]
The UK Rail Strike… is suspended
With the UK Bank Holiday looming the TSSA and RMT unions were looking to bring the UK Rail network to halt for 24 hours, starting Monday 25th May over pay with Network Rail - with a national rail strike. Thankfully the TSSA union has called off its action, whilst the RMT have suspended their action. London Kings Cross Station - Image, Economy Class and Beyond. With the … [Read more...]
Japanese Maglev train breaks the 600km/h speed barrier
The quest for faster train travel continues with JR Central taking their Superconducting Maglev Train to 603kmh (or roughly 374.6mh). The L0 Test Shinkasen - Image, JR Central/Yamanashi Linear Museum via Twitter 603km/h... that's pretty hard to imagine. Let's put this into context verses "conventional" rail The UK InterCity 125 = 125mph / 201km/h The US … [Read more...]
Want to travel by train during Easter in the UK? Good luck with that…
As Easter time draws closer, people are thinking about ways to go and see loved ones for the four day weekend in the UK (yes, we get Good Friday and the Monday after Easter off. It's rather civilised). Virgin Trains and London Midland - two of the operators affected by engineering work. Image, Economy Class and Beyond. However, it seems that Network Rail is making sure … [Read more...]
The Hokuriku Shinkansen opens… and you can use the Japan Rail Pass!
For those who go to Japan and want to explore beyond the country beyond Tokyo or the city they've landed in, they'll find the Shinkansen network valuable in their exploration (as well as wallet denting unless they've invested in a Japan Rail Pass). Well, there's more to explore with the Shinkasen network as the Hokuriku Shinkansen opened for service on 14th March. The … [Read more...]
SNCF to add more seats to TGV Duplex trains
SNCF's is preparing to increase capacity aboard their trains - in particular their Double-Decker High Speed Trains. SNCF TGV EuroDuplex - Image, SNCF (For those of you not in Europe, Rail is actually one of the faster ways of moving around Western Europe - especially the TGV network in France which beats rail in centre-to-centre travel compared to air... so it is rather … [Read more...]
FirstGroup plans a LCC style train service between London and Edinburgh
The market between London and Edinburgh is an odd one to put it bluntly, with competition by Rail, Air and Bus. And I mean a LOT of competition. Air Rail Coach EasyJet Virgin Trains East Coast Megabus British Airways Virgin Trains National Express FlyBe Caledonian … [Read more...]
Cheap Train Tickets? Still possible the day before
Good afternoon from somewhere in the United Kingdom. Where, I'm not sure as I'm typing on move. Well I know I left Birmingham on the way to London - that much I do I know. The rest is a blur. Much like my life is at the moment. I'm on a train to London on what are pretty much last minute tickets. And as usual - between Birmingham and London, there's a variety of … [Read more...]
UK Train Fares – Creeping up… and how you can get “better” prices
As regular as they year ticks over, UK rail fares have crept up again - this time by an average of 2.2% (and up to 2.5%) on Season Tickets, as well as Anytime Return Tickets, Off Peak Returns and Singe Tickets. Virgin Trains Pendolino arriving into Birmingham New Street with a London Midland Class 153 DMU - Image, Economy Class and Beyond Other fares are set by train … [Read more...]
All change at Birmingham New Street – Half time changeover
For those who travel in the UK by rail, there are a couple of stations that can you make you physically scream. One of those happens to be a local mainline station for me - Birmingham New Street. The "Old" New Street Entrance Birmingham New Street is one of the busiest stations outside London, handling 31.2 million passengers and 5.1 million passengers changing … [Read more...]
