To have been surprised at Richard Wilson complaining about

[ShinyMoonInAPurpleSky]

the noise on the trains in the North, especially the "pacer" trains (not sure if that's right - dh and I just call them clown trains) because I thought that was the noise all trains made?

I dont want you to sufer the shame of no one replying to your post so here we are a reply.

Shame avoided

Only caught a bit of that programme to be honest. Ticket prices are horrendous so I agree with him about that!

Thank you so much Mike...imagine if no-one replied! And everyone would know!!!! ;) you are my hero!

I had no idea that train travel was so bad in the capital. Especially the woman that spend £4000 a year and could never get a seat. That is outrageous. Fair enough, now and again not getting a seat but every day. What a nightmare. I probably sound naive but no-one should have to find that sort of 'service' acceptable.

They have double decker trains in Paris, do they have them in London too? Surely that would help ease the crush?

Double decker trains would be a great idea Shiny. Trouble is they would have to rebuild all the bridges and tunnels on the line.....

I wasn't surprised to hear that the UK has the most expensive tickets and the worst service in Europe. Seems to be the case in most things in UK PLC.

That programme highlighted why I drive into London. I commuted for 10 years and couldn't bear it any more.

But I do love Richard Wilson :)

I didn't see the programme. But I suppose they don't have much choice. The peak time commuter trains are probably the fastest way to get into the capital.

£4000 and no seat every day is outrageous. What could they do, boycott the trains?

If the companies are getting that amount each year off all the commuters and not providing a good service, it must be mismanaged.

Gwendoline, how far do you drive and do you go into the congestion charge zone? Or park at the edge and take the tube?

Annoyingly work is about 500 yards inside the congestion charge zone with nowhere nearby to park to avoid it. I try not to think about it too much!

I believed all trains were busy and overcrowded only to discover that we live on the busiest train line in Europe!!!! I am looking forward to trying the Thalys in a few weeks Brussels to Amsterdam.