Holiday Essentials > Train

Advantages: You don't have to drive yourself and they're helpful, kind and courteous.
Disadvantages: Sometimes delays or problems but they try their best

...that just because they're called Hertfordshire Rail Tours (HRT) doesn't mean they are exclusively for Hertfordshire and/or just do tours around Hertfordshire via Rail. ~ About ~ Hertfordshire Rail Tours create trips, a.k.a: Rail Tours, around the United Kingdom and sometimes aboard. Destination could include anywhere of interest or to go see a special event like the Edinburgh Royal Tattoo. Their offices are based in Hertfordshire. ~ Tours ~ Most ...
...What normally happens is that Hertfordshire Rail Tours hire an EW&S* diesel locomotive -- very reliable -- and then I think they own or hire out a certain amount of MK1 stock carriages for the tours / trips / journeys -- very comfortable. ~ A Quick Story ~ Well firstly the seats on the MK1 stock carriages are very comfortable to sit in and the seats are very springy which makes it all the more comfortable. One time on one trip the train came upon ... Read review

Advantages: The new trains are a lot better than the old "slam door" type trains they had.
Disadvantages: The trains hardly ever run on time

Northern Spirit? More like Northern Ghost! I had the unfortunate pleasure of this company (now renamed Arriva trains Northern) since they started to run trains. If you need to catch one of these I would start walking because the chances are you will get there before the train does. They are hardly on time, no announcements on why they are late no nothing. The spent millions of pounds on some trains to run on the Airedale and Wharfdale lines (class ...
...fun. Dispite the air conditioning and other extra features which, if the government want people to use public transport, train companies need to think about. However when they got these trains instead of sorting out problems before allowing them to come into service they decided to wait. The first time I went on one of these new trains the electronic doors wouldn't open so no-one could get on or off the train. That really did annoy me because I was ... Read review

Advantages: Comfortable, Reliable, Punctual
Disadvantages: Busy on Fridays and Sundays

Having travelled extensively in Ireland, Iarnod Eirann operate a mix of short haul services around Dublin (known as the Dart), outer suburban services marketed under the name 'Arrow' and main line services from Dublin to Sligo, Westport, Galway, Limerick, Tralee, Cork, Waterford and Rosslare. Cross border services to Belfast are run jointly with Northern Ireland Railways under the name 'Enterprise'. Local services operate out of Cork and Limerick, ...
...and those from Cork by a mix of 'Arrow', and older hauled coaches. Although old, they are reasonably clean inside, and being steam heated are delightfully atmouspheric. However, its something of a case of enjoy them whilst you can as more 'Arrows' are on order, which may bring slightly more frequent services, at the expense of less luggage space, and less legroom. The trains in general are reliable, dont suffer the cancellation problem which afflicts ... Read review

Advantages: Great service...
Disadvantages: Make sure you're at the station on time because they do run early at times!

RENFE is Spain's main operator, running trains over most of Spain. It has other companies it works with in other parts of the country. For example, you will find FEVE - Ferrocarril Espanola de Via Estrecha - in the north. Renfe has a very comfortable and forever modernising fleet of rolling stock, with all long intercity journeys in trains with comfortable seats, television screens showing the latest films, music, complimentary sweets from the friendly ...
...and replaced to keep the RENFE fleet young. The Spanish have great pride in their train network. The trains run very fast but don't worry, they are also very safe as they are fitted only with the latest safety devices. Everything is very secure and the doors are automatic to keep you in, so forget slam-door! The trains are very modern and extremely wheelchair-friendly. RENFE has an extensive route network covering most of Spain. They have been ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful scenery, comfort, great service, great food
Disadvantages: Some delays

...etc you can expect from Via and partly about our specific journeys with the company. Just to warn, this is a long review, but I hope it's helpful. Oh and just for reference its pronounced vee-a WHAT IS VIA? Via Rail is Canada's national passenger train company. It runs trains through most of Canada's regions except Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and Labrador. FARES AND SERVICES: There are two classes on Via trains, Comfort Class (economy) ...
...$1689 for a room. Via does offer various discounts, including student, senior, child and early booking. When we went we decided that we would get a rail pass. We ended up getting a North American Rail Pass (NARP) which covered any train on Via Rail and Amtrak. This worked out to be a fantastic deal. The NARP gives you 30 days unlimited rail travel on any Via or Amtrak train. It costs $1149 at peak time and $815 off peak. As two students we paid ... Read review