I Don't Know How The Train Companies Get Away With It..

[237SJ]

Selling you a ticket and then you have to sit in a corridor opposite the toilet. Or stand for hours with a huge backpack as I saw some people do today. I tend to only use trains around London but I went a bit further today - what an eyeopener.

[Buenchico]

All of the train operating companies (particularly those with routes into and out of London) want to offer greater capacity on their trains but they're having to wait until Network Rail can increase the platform lengths at many stations, so that they can run longer trains. (Lengthening a platform can often be a major task, as it can involve relocating sets of points, signals, overhead line infrastructure or even moving buildings). They're also reliant upon the train leasing companies actually having the required rolling stock available. (Orders for new trains often need to be placed several years in advance). They're also looking forward to the introduction of new signalling systems, which will allow trains to run closer together.

The number of journeys made on Britain's railways has increased by 83% over the past decade and is expected to double again over the next couple of decades. Rail travel in the UK is a victim of its own success; it's increasingly hard for Network Rail, and the train opearating companies, to keep up with the demand for their services.

[237SJ]

We had three coaches out and 10 (empty) coaches back. I never thought I would be so happy to sit on a jump seat opposite a bog! A bit like airline staff travel. I feel for the people who have to suffer that frequently though.

[-SharonA-]

I have paid £££'s on the Gatwick Express and on my recent journey back had to stand all the way with my suitcases!!!!!!

[tonyav]

I know what you mean, 237SJ.
A few years ago I had to stand all the way from Birmingham to Sheffield ( going to collect a car I had bought ).

[Old_Geezer]

Too many people again. And too much commuting for miles instead of employment being close to residential areas. We need to reduce the population and plan towns etc. better.

[237SJ]

I remember my Mum telling me that she had to stand all the way from London to Devon on the trains when she was courting my Dad in the 50s. Things haven't changed.

[Hopkirk]

Don't they sell cars in Birmingham then, Tony?

[Old_Geezer]

Fewer trains then ?

[Prudie]

So what's the maximum number of carriages that can run irrelevant of platform length? My local route goes into Waterloo with 10 coaches and many people have to stand between Southampton and Waterloo both ways at peak times.

[ummmm]

I just find it amazing that I can fly to Ireland much cheaper than getting a train to London.

[237SJ]

I sometimes use the National Express. When the coach is full, they don't sell any more tickets. I can't understand why the train companies still sell tickets when they know that there will be no seats for people.

[tonyav]

Hopkirk Don't they sell cars in Birmingham then, Tony?


Not the one I wanted, Hopkirk.

[goodgoalie]

They're trying to do something about capacity at Waterloo, but it seems it'll take some time....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35882068

[237SJ]

I don't think it is anything to do with Waterloo. My local train goes to Waterloo with 8 coaches. The train today went from Waterloo to Devon with 3 coaches, at a weekend in high season.

[Zacs-Master]

You'll never make sense of a situation where it's cheaper to buy a return ticket than a single. Happened to us yesterday between Selby and York. And the 1980s rolling stock was really great. Not.

[Buenchico]

>>> So what's the maximum number of carriages that can run irrelevant of platform length?

The nightly Caledonian Sleeper service (London Euston to Fort William) has up to 16 carriages. Services on the East Coast Mainline use 18 car sets, made up of two 9 car sets joined together, with each set including a loco and a driving car, so that's actually 14 passenger carriages. However, as they're Eurostar-style trains, each carriage is longer than on most other trains (with more seats) - and they still get overcrowded!

[237SJ]

I think you are right Zacs

[DaisyNonna]

Fed up of trying to get a seat in Priority for people who need to sit while travelling only to find they are filled by foreign students
Their teachers should have enough English to realise the problem