Pulp British Trains


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Companies

 

     Since 1921, nearly all the railways in Great Britain are operated by four companies:  the Great Western; the London, Midland, & Scottish; the London & North-Eastern; and the Southern.

 

Conditions

 

     The general standard of speed is high, many expresses averaging 50-60 miles per hour; and for frequency of service the railways in England are probably unrivaled.

     Passengers are left much more to their own initiative than on the Continent. They should therefore make sure that they are in their proper train and compartment. A seat is regarded as 'taken' if a newspaper or other article is placed upon it; in the principal express trains seats may be booked in advance (fee 1 shilling). Compartments may be reserved for a fee of 5 shillings in addition to passenger fares (minimum 4 first class tickets, or 6 third class tickets). The control of the window is by custom ceded to the passenger seated next to it, facing the engine; considerate travellers, in this position, generally take the sense of the company on the subject of ventilation. It is forbidden to enter a moving train, or to walk across the metals when a bridge or subway is provided. The railway officials are usually civil in answering questions and enquiry-offices and train-indicators will be found in most of the larger stations.

     Americans may be reminded that the ticket-office is called the "booking-office", that the conductor is addressed as "guard", and that baggage is better known as "luggage".

 

Fares

 

     Except on a few of the "boat trains" to the Continent, and some suburban lines, the only classes on British trains are first and third. Standard fares are at the rate of 2-1/2d per mile in first class, and 1-3/4d per mile in third class. The "free luggage" allowance for first-class is 150 pounds; for third-class, 100 pounds.

     Travel in sleeping-cars will involve a supplemental fare. A berth in a first-class sleeper costs 15s to 20s above the passenger fare; for 3rd class, 6s to 7s above the passenger fare. Pullman cars are a de luxe first-class service, for admission to which an extra charge of 2s 6d is made.

     On the longer routes, corridor or vestibule carriages, with lavatory accommodation, are general; and restaurant cars are attached to the principal long-distance trains (e.g., London to Scotland). Breakfast costs 3s 6d; luncheon, 2s 6d to 3s 6d; tea from 8d; and dinner 4s 6d to 5s. Luncheon baskets are available for 3s, or 3s 6d, from the principal stations; tea baskets cost 1s or 1s 6d.

     The usual tip for railway porters (moving baggage between the curb and the train) is 6d, or more if there's a lot of baggage, or a long wait; tips aren't usual elsewhere on trains. A good tipper, remembered for his or her generosity, might provide a shilling or even a half-crown or florin.

 

Routes

 

     We have a page on rail/ferry travel between London and Paris

     There's information on a London-to-Rome train, as well.

 

Approaches to London

 

     All four main line railways (Great Western; London, Midland and Scottish; London and North-Eastern; Southern) run to London, which is quickly and conveniently reached by express trains from all parts of the country. Special boat-trains operate from the principal ports to the London termini in connection with the arrival of cross-Channel and ocean steamships, as indicated below:

 

 

     Besides the above routes from sea-ports, a few other routes are worth mentioning here:

 

 

London Stations

 

     Travelers arriving by ocean liner in Britain at Southampton will travel on the boat train, which arrives at Waterloo Station after a journey of about an hour and a half, or two hours. Those who arrive on a cross-Channel steamer and land at Dover, Folkestone or one of the other channel ports will have a trip of similar length, arriving at Victoria Station -- unless you land at Harwich, in which case you will arrive in London at Liverpool Station; or if you arrive via Tilbury, in which case you will arrive at St. Pancras. 

     Information on where to stay, in Britain or on the Continent; advice on which trains (or aircraft, etc.) is available in the big main-line stations from the Continental Inquiry Office.

     The baggage porters, taxi-drivers, ticket-sellers, etc. often speak with thick Cockney accents, "with regard to whose musical qualities opinions are sharply divided"; they will direct persons to the inquiry office or elsewhere.

 

Sources