Is it a train or a slow train?

16 April 2010

Will we ever make our mind up what sort of trains we want?

Pendolino trains are just about okay on Manchester run as long as you’re not sitting next to someone and distances mean everyone settles down. London to Birmingham, these trains are just unsuitable. First stop Rugby, then people use (as I would) it as the local train between Coventry, Birmingham International and beyond, so very crowded metro! Then, of course, International is the airport stop – passengers with lots of luggage. It just does not feel like an inter-city service and would, if it were not the speed needed on the mainline, be better served by roomier regional trains?