Thalys - the cross France/Belgium/Netherlands/Germany high speed rail service will be increasing security, with the introduction of security scans. Thalys PKBA trainset (right) and a Eurostar Class 373 (left) at Paris Gare du Nord - Image, Economy Class and Beyond. These will be initially rolled out at Paris Gare du Nord and Lille Europe by the 20th December in time for … [Read more...]
Virgin Trains introduce Automatic Delay Repay
In the UK, sooner or later, you'll run into a delay on the railways - lets not beat about the bush (especially as we go into Autumn and the leaf fall season where leaves on the line becomes a problem). Many of the UK Train operators offer a "Delay-Repay" scheme, where you get refunded for delays on your travels. Virgin Trains is introducing a new version called Automatic … [Read more...]
Birmingham New Street completes its refurbishment
Birmingham New Street has been a bit of a joke in the past. I've called it Mordor Haptbahnhof more than once due to how dark and dingy it was. Well, things have changed a bit. In 2013, the first half of New Street was refurbished. Now, they've finished the other half of the construction work. How does it look? Well lets take a look, as I approach the station from the … [Read more...]
The Five Yen of Happiness! Shinkansen to Tokyo
The Five Yen of Happiness! Shinkansen to Tokyo I give in – I need a break (Introduction) To Heathrow and The BA Galleries North Lounge BA902 London Heathrow to Frankfurt Airport in Club Europe Bumbling around Frankfurt Airport with random #AVGeek spotting Meeting the A350 and the Air Canada Lounge Qatar Airways QR068 Frankfurt to Doha The joy of Hamad … [Read more...]
The Five Yen of Happiness! Shinkansen to Kyoto (Featuring Kyoto Tower Hotel)
The Five Yen of Happiness! Shinkansen to Kyoto (Featuring Kyoto Tower Hotel) I give in – I need a break (Introduction) To Heathrow and The BA Galleries North Lounge BA902 London Heathrow to Frankfurt Airport in Club Europe Bumbling around Frankfurt Airport with random #AVGeek spotting Meeting the A350 and the Air Canada Lounge Qatar Airways QR068 … [Read more...]
The Five Yen of Happiness! Shinkansen Adventures to Hiroshima!
The Five Yen of Happiness! Shikansen Adventures to Hiroshima! I give in – I need a break (Introduction) To Heathrow and The BA Galleries North Lounge BA902 London Heathrow to Frankfurt Airport in Club Europe Bumbling around Frankfurt Airport with random #AVGeek spotting Meeting the A350 and the Air Canada Lounge Qatar Airways QR068 Frankfurt to … [Read more...]
Travel Plus…. Destination – Japan Rail Pass – How do you take advantage of it?
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...]
