Whilst wandering round the National Railway Museum my Mum reminisced about what train travel used to be like before commerce took over. Back in those days it was all about looking after the customer and making them comfortable so they enjoyed their journey. This was before the days of getting a person from A to B at the cheapest cost and before company profits were more important than customer comfort and safety.

Sadly modern lifestyles and expectations have hastened this change which I believe to be a backward step…

Now going back to the reminisces. My grandfather worked as a guardsman on the railways (on this line). I have fond memories of being able to greet him on my local station for a brief hug before the train had to carry on its journey.