Booking railway tickets - iPad Apps!!!!

[Dave2002]

Are you, perchance, referring to those fascinating 'ghost' trains? Radio 4 had a feature on them a while back.

But didn't some of those actually appear in timetables and run? I think some were for peculiar contractual reasons, like keeping the franchise for a service, or to keep stations open. I recall some ran into London on one line, and out on another and if they had passengers that was a slight bonus.

Though I saw a TV programme about this, so maybe not quite the same as R4.

Arguably also for safety reasons. For example there have been Virgin (now being threatened) trains running down the East Coast line to test feasibility, and for safety checks in case there's ever a situation which would need those trains to be used on different lines. Probably without paying passengers, though.

[amateur51]

What phrase would you use then?
Restaurant car
Restaurant wagon
Sandwich bar
Beer tent
Train cafe

more

They always seem to be known as 'the buffy car' when I'm travelling by rail

[Flosshilde]

What phrase would you use then?
Restaurant car
Restaurant wagon
Sandwich bar
Beer tent
Train cafe

more

On the trains I use it's usually called the 'Shop'. With revolting microwaved bacon rolls. When First Group take over from Virgin it will be likely to become a 'Trolley'.

Actually on the Cross-country train I get - from Oxford to Wolverhampton - it is a trolley. Which usually can't move because the trains are too small for the number of passengers, so the 'vestibules' (shades of H. Bucket) are crammed with passengers - sorry, 'customers' - & luggage (I'm not sure what that's been re-named as)

[Dave2002]

Actually on the Cross-country train I get - from Oxford to Wolverhampton - it is a trolley. Which usually can't move because the trains are too small for the number of passengers, so the 'vestibules' (shades of H. Bucket) are crammed with passengers - sorry, 'customers' - & luggage (I'm not sure what that's been re-named as)

Has anyone ever experienced the trains which go from Manchester Airport to Sheffield, and thence further on? Hilarious.

Train arrives at station. A few people get off. A few people get on. The train now looks like one of those Japanese ones, with people crammed in everywhere.
It's ONLY THEN that the man with the trolley arrives, and tries to manouevre his trolley on to the train. Totally farcical. I've seen it several times. Once on the train he
then has to try to push if from back to front or vice-versa to serve passengers coffee, sandwiches etc. You could hardly make it up if you were writing a novel.

Don't the bean counters ever check how many people use the trains and how many people can fit in a carriage!

[Flosshilde]

Don't the bean counters ever check how many people use the trains and how many people can fit in a carriage!

That's probably exactly what they have done! Why go to the expence of providing seats when you can cram so many people on standing? (& purchaes of a ticket doesn't entitle you to a seat - just to being conveyed from one place to another )

[Vile Consort]

Do trains no longer convey twelve-wheeled dining cars staffed by liveried flunkies then?