damerell

A Cambridge-York return, right now, will cost you 70 quid, with the inconvenience of shivering on Peterborough station for 20 minutes or so.

Clare and I are going to York and back on the 10th December. We won't have to shiver on Peterborough station. We are not paying 70 quid; we are paying a tenner more... which appears to cover the costs of operating 60019 Bittern, a highly labour-intensive piece of machinery which will be a week off its 74th birthday and requires special pathing because it is limited to 75mph, and a rake of coaches which will likely be pushing 50 years old.

So what are the TOCs doing with that 70 quid, throwing money parties?

[Yes, some people on the normal journey will be on lower advance fares. Some will also be on singles at 69 quid each! And, get this, the first class fare on National Rail? £203. On the steam service? £119. On the steam service with full English breakfast, lunch, and four course dinner? £189 - 14 quid _less_. If you routinely travel first class you can _save money_ by going on steam expeditions.]