Rail fares to rise by 5.9% from January

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 24 Jan 2012, 22:52

"Scotland by train next"

Now THAT I can highly recommend! We're sort of commuting between Hampshire and Ross-shire at the moment, until we move up permanently in a couple of months. My favourite way to travel is the sleeper from London to Inverness. Plate of haggis in the lounge car for four quid, single malt, retire to a proper bunk with cotton sheets, wake up to see the Cairngorms sailing by outside!

Leroy, three routes to recommend;
1. Glasgow to Mallaig (for the Skye ferry), along the west highland line (of Harry Potter fame)
2. Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh
3. Inverness to Thurso, through Sutherland and over the Flow Country. (If it's Remote you're looking for, you will find it here!)

Have fun.

energy-village · Post by **energy-village** » 24 Jan 2012, 23:08

Tarrel wrote: My favourite way to travel is the sleeper from London to Inverness.

That's the overnight train that goes on to Fort William, isn't it? I've been on that, delightful, wonderful! Perfect for those living in London who fancy a weekend hike up Ben Nevis or maybe a chat with one of these!

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 24 Jan 2012, 23:33

It splits somewhere (Edinburgh I think). One part goes to Fort William, one part to Inverness, one part to Aberdeen. They allocate you to a cabin in the relevant section at Euston, depending on your final destination.

Who knows; after a slow collapse, we might see more civilised ways of travelling like this. Sounds a bit quirky, I know (and off topic), but I'd like to see the return of airships.

bigjim · Post by **bigjim** » 25 Jan 2012, 00:48

DominicJ wrote:Is there a reason electric trains are so much shorter?

Eurostar trains are 394m in length- damn sight longer than any (passenger) diesel train I've seen in the UK

Post by **adam2** » 25 Jan 2012, 03:04

bigjim wrote:
DominicJ wrote:Is there a reason electric trains are so much shorter?
Eurostar trains are 394m in length- damn sight longer than any (passenger) diesel train I've seen in the UK

True, but they are not representative of the average new shorter train that tends to replace existing full length trains.

Post by **adam2** » 25 Jan 2012, 03:14

Tarrel wrote:It splits somewhere (Edinburgh I think). One part goes to Fort William, one part to Inverness, one part to Aberdeen. They allocate you to a cabin in the relevant section at Euston, depending on your final destination.

Who knows; after a slow collapse, we might see more civilised ways of travelling like this. Sounds a bit quirky, I know (and off topic), but I'd like to see the return of airships.

We might indeed see a return to more civilised travel in a lower energy future. I dont mind a return to pre-war train speeds if we also get pre war train lengths, leg room, catering, and more through portions to differing destinations without changing.

Cant see any large scale return of airships though on account of the huge volumes of gas needed to fill them.
Hydrogen is too risky, remember the Hindenburg.
Helium is safe being inert, but is expensive and is a by-product of natural gas production. Peak natural gas=peak helium.

Helium supplies may be extended a bit by use of a mixture of hydrogen and helium, hydrogen used in the greatest proportion that gives a non flammable mixture.

Ludwig · Post by **Ludwig** » 25 Jan 2012, 09:47

Tarrel wrote:wake up to see the Cairngorms sailing by outside!

Blimey, sea levels are rising!

Post by **clv101** » 25 Jan 2012, 10:20

Tarrel wrote:"Scotland by train next"

Now THAT I can highly recommend!

We do it at least a couple of times a year. Next trip is next month. £42 from Euston to Inverness and just £23 coming back down. Doesn't really take up any 'useful' time. It's the ideal way to travel.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 25 Jan 2012, 11:11

leroy wrote:No, that's right. the most important bits of infection control are being able to turn off the tap without contact with your hands, no previously used towels and opening the door without contacting a door handle which has probably been used by those who haven't washed their hands.

But an automatic soap dispenser? I don't think so! You're going to wash your hands anyway! Something else unnecessarily electronic is more bling thing to go wrong and end up in landfill. Give me a bar of soap any day.

energy-village · Post by **energy-village** » 25 Jan 2012, 11:27

Ludwig wrote:
Tarrel wrote:wake up to see the Cairngorms sailing by outside!
Blimey, sea levels are rising!

leroy · Post by **leroy** » 25 Jan 2012, 11:56

emordnilap wrote:But an automatic soap dispenser? I don't think so! You're going to wash your hands anyway!

Yep, that is what I'm saying- we are in agreement. Its all the contacts after using the soap and washing that are important.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 25 Jan 2012, 13:06

leroy wrote:
emordnilap wrote:But an automatic soap dispenser? I don't think so! You're going to wash your hands anyway!
Yep, that is what I'm saying- we are in agreement. Its all the contacts after using the soap and washing that are important.

Ah, ok.

UndercoverElephant · Post by **UndercoverElephant** » 25 Jan 2012, 14:13

energy-village wrote:
Tarrel wrote: My favourite way to travel is the sleeper from London to Inverness.
That's the overnight train that goes on to Fort William, isn't it? I've been on that, delightful, wonderful! Perfect for those living in London who fancy a weekend hike up Ben Nevis or maybe a chat with one of these!

It amazes me that you can still get to the Kyle of Localsh by train. That's a spectacular journey too - right along the coast. Saved from Beeching's Axe.

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 25 Jan 2012, 14:27

It amazes me that you can still get to the Kyle of Localsh by train. That's a spectacular journey too - right along the coast. Saved from Beeching's Axe.

Oh yes. In fact a nice circuit would be; Glasgow-Inverness, Inverness-Kyle, Stagecoach bus over the Skye bridge and down to Armadale, ferry to Mallaig then West Highland line back to Glasgow. (With side-trips on Skye optional).

Looks like this "Rail Fares Up Again" thread is turning into a celebration of rail travel! Actually the lines up in this part of Scotland are a real life-line, especially when the weather's bad. They rarely stop running, although could do with being more frequent.

The other slightly quirky form of transport once you get north-west of Inverness, is the post-bus. Some of these run out of Lairg up to the north coast and the north-west highlands, putting even small, remote places in touch with the rail network.

http://www.royalmail.com/you-home/your- ... ty/postbus

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 25 Jan 2012, 15:45

They do say that all the trains in Scotland carry emergency rations 3 out of the 4 seasons (or possibly all year, can't remember) in case of snow.

I wonder what, exactly, they keep on board?

(and yeah, Euston-FW, dunnit, excellent trip

)