If you had a nightmare with the new train timetables, then these 1981 journey times might help (or not)
If your train journey today was totally screwed by the so-called new timetables brought in today, then this might help.
Then again, it might not.
cool British Rail poster from 1982 promoting the InterCity network (now broken up between various companies) pic.twitter.com/0jNqiFW9K0
— Jon Stone (@joncstone) October 8, 2017
Never let it be said that Jon is not a stickler for detail …
OK it’s actually 1981
— Jon Stone (@joncstone) October 8, 2017
Take a close look at some of those journey times and compare them with how long they take today. That’s what these people did and here are the results ….
1.
Amazing how many people are saying their trains have got slower since 1981; Bristol, Penzance and Reading all being mentioned
— Jon Stone (@joncstone) October 8, 2017
2.
@tomcopley it just underlines how slow train times are now in comparison to 1981 e.g. Cardiff quickest is now 2h04 v 1h41 in 1981
— Jon B (@jonny_b69) October 8, 2017
3.
Brilliant. Milton Keynes not even born yet!!
Journey times remarkably similar to today – 35 years on!— Philip Barnes (@PhilipBarnes_) October 8, 2017
4.
Notice the the to Southampton from Waterloo is about 10min quicker than the fastest trains today @swtrains_watch
— Ryan 🇪🇺 (@MRyanLev) October 8, 2017
5.
"Reading 22 min"
↑ I fondly remember that exhilarating dash. It's now 24-28 min #progress— Mark Iliff ❄️ (@markiliff) October 8, 2017
6.
1981: PZ -Paddington 4h57. Now: the 05:05 will get you there at 10:00 (4h55). Every other train well over 5 hours.
— Paul Tyreman (@drpaulitious) October 8, 2017
7.
I had to go to Plymouth for work once. It took so long I couldn't believe we were still in Britain.
— Sean Biggerstaff (@Seanchuckle) October 8, 2017
8.
I agree. Try travelling from Salisbury to B'ham. I went via Wales a few weeks ago. When I text my husband where I was he didn't believe me.
— Jenny (@JHinkley24) October 8, 2017
I believe that's "progress". Apparently.
— Gledster 🍕🍕🍕 (@Gledster) October 8, 2017
Some of them are quicker, although the progress has not exactly of the hyperloop variety.
It’s taken 35 years to shave 30 mins off the Euston to Manchester route?! We’re fucked.
— TRESemmé MP (@TRESemmeMP) October 8, 2017
And if you’re really interested in this sort of thing.
the InterCity 125s were (and still are) the backbone of the network and they're diesel-electric, set to be replaced in 2018
— Jon Stone (@joncstone) October 8, 2017
the trains they’re being replaced with are basically the same speed though!
— Jon Stone (@joncstone) October 8, 2017
Toot toot!