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Great Western Coffee Shop > Sideshoots - associated subjects > The Lighter Side > 'Travelling by train offers a vivid insight into the British condition'
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Author Topic: 'Travelling by train offers a vivid insight into the British condition'  (Read 1803 times)
Chris from Nailsea
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« on: May 11, 2009, 21:35:33 »
For some amusing observations on the subjects of quiet carriages, missed connections and rather unfortunate claims to fame, by Brian Viner of the Independent, see http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-travelling-by-train-offers-a-vivid-insight-into-the-british-condition-1680322.html  Wink
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William Huskisson MP▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
inspector_blakey
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« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2009, 22:18:30 »
That raised a smile!

It's a shame though that the article repeats all the tired old complaints about how unpunctual and unreliable our trains our: this is increasingly untrue. Just checked on FGW▸ (First Great Western)'s website and the "moving annual average" punctuality for the high speed services over the last 12 months is at 89.3%, with punctuality for the last four week period at 91.6%. Compared to the grim days of 2006/7, that's a massive improvement and one of which FGW and staff should be hugely proud!
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