Concerns that the service between Ayr and Stranraer might never be restored.

The passengers forgotten after Ayr Station Hotel fire

"Rail users in Stranraer fear they may not see trains return to the
tracks after a hotel fire 50 miles away closed the line for six months.

A deliberate blaze closed Ayr railway station in September, and people
who use the Stranraer route say they have been left "feeling forgotten"."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnekv2xlpwgo

JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:
> The passengers forgotten after Ayr Station Hotel fire
>
> "Rail users in Stranraer fear they may not see trains return to the
> tracks after a hotel fire 50 miles away closed the line for six months.

It's a bit disappointing there's been no moves towards a temporary platform
for Stanraer trains. It seems the EMU depot to the south of the station
even has platforms, and presumably some level of servicing facilities
(watering and toilet emptying?).

Pity there are no spare class 230s with swappable engine packs, they
might be handy for doing remote maintenance on DMUs in a situation like
this...

Theo

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
> JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:
>> The passengers forgotten after Ayr Station Hotel fire
>>
>> "Rail users in Stranraer fear they may not see trains return to the
>> tracks after a hotel fire 50 miles away closed the line for six months.
>
> It's a bit disappointing there's been no moves towards a temporary platform
> for Stanraer trains. It seems the EMU depot to the south of the station
> even has platforms, and presumably some level of servicing facilities
> (watering and toilet emptying?).
>
> Pity there are no spare class 230s with swappable engine packs, they
> might be handy for doing remote maintenance on DMUs in a situation like
> this...
>

The three London Northwestern Railway 230s are, I believe, sitting idle in
Reading Depot…

On 08/04/2024 11:30, Theo wrote:
> JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:
>> The passengers forgotten after Ayr Station Hotel fire
>>
>> "Rail users in Stranraer fear they may not see trains return to the
>> tracks after a hotel fire 50 miles away closed the line for six months.
>
> It's a bit disappointing there's been no moves towards a temporary platform
> for Stanraer trains. It seems the EMU depot to the south of the station
> even has platforms, and presumably some level of servicing facilities
> (watering and toilet emptying?).

It's not the Central Belt, or the Highlands, so why would Scotrail be
bothered.
When you see the station at Stranraer, you'd think it'd been shut for 10
years rather than 6 months as its in such a terrible state.

The trouble with the Ayr Station Hotel is the Council cannot be
bothered, until the last few weeks, to do something about it. The
Council have powers to demolish, they cant be arsed, so thats why it
took 5 months to start demolishing it.The Owner cannot be traced, so
Passengers in Galloway, the neighbouring County are stuck with no
trains, but Ayrshire Council are only bothered about their constituents.
Of course, the SNP have total power, but also cannot be bothered, as,
noted above, it isnt the Highlands or Central Belt, with Conservative
MPs here.
But on the positive side, we have got lots of dual language signs, so
the people of D+G can read the Gaelic names of their towns, when they
have never spoken Gaelic, or ever intend to.

On Mon, 8 Apr 2024 07:45:50 +0100, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

>Concerns that the service between Ayr and Stranraer might never be restored.
>
>The passengers forgotten after Ayr Station Hotel fire
>
>"Rail users in Stranraer fear they may not see trains return to the
>tracks after a hotel fire 50 miles away closed the line for six months.
>
>A deliberate blaze closed Ayr railway station in September, and people
>who use the Stranraer route say they have been left "feeling forgotten"."
>
>https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnekv2xlpwgo
>
Maybole and Girvan should remain but I think there is a stateable
argument that the line from Girvan to Stranraer could be closed given
the Northern Ireland ferries no longer operate from Stranraer harbour.
I suspect passenger demand could be met by a bus. I believe the
connecting bus for Cairnryan departs from Ayr and not Girvan anyway.
This could release funding to other parts of ScotRail.

On 08/04/2024 16:25, Scott wrote:
> Maybole and Girvan should remain but I think there is a stateable
> argument that the line from Girvan to Stranraer could be closed given
> the Northern Ireland ferries no longer operate from Stranraer harbour.

I would not have thought it would be too difficult to reconnect
Cairnryan to the rail network.

On Mon, 8 Apr 2024 16:30:20 +0100, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

>On 08/04/2024 16:25, Scott wrote:
>> Maybole and Girvan should remain but I think there is a stateable
>> argument that the line from Girvan to Stranraer could be closed given
>> the Northern Ireland ferries no longer operate from Stranraer harbour.
>
>I would not have thought it would be too difficult to reconnect
>Cairnryan to the rail network.
>
Along these lines perhaps?
https://www.railscot.co.uk/companies/C/Cairnryan_Military_Railway/

Scott <newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk> wrote:
> On Mon, 8 Apr 2024 16:30:20 +0100, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:
>
> >On 08/04/2024 16:25, Scott wrote:
> >> Maybole and Girvan should remain but I think there is a stateable
> >> argument that the line from Girvan to Stranraer could be closed given
> >> the Northern Ireland ferries no longer operate from Stranraer harbour.
> >
> >I would not have thought it would be too difficult to reconnect
> >Cairnryan to the rail network.
> >
> Along these lines perhaps?
> https://www.railscot.co.uk/companies/C/Cairnryan_Military_Railway/

Hasn't that mostly been taken over by the A77? Some of the trackbed seems
to still be there grassed over along the foreshore, but not in a place you'd
want to run a modern railway.

I suppose you could run a new diversion further inland, eg connecting across
country from the Glenwhilly area, but it wouldn't be cheap. Also there's
the problem that Cairnryan is two ports about a mile apart - one for Stena
and one for P&O.

Theo

JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:
> On 08/04/2024 16:25, Scott wrote:
>> Maybole and Girvan should remain but I think there is a stateable
>> argument that the line from Girvan to Stranraer could be closed given
>> the Northern Ireland ferries no longer operate from Stranraer harbour.
>
>
>
> I would not have thought it would be too difficult to reconnect
> Cairnryan to the rail network.
>
>
>

Would there be any need for it? We are a few decades along from when most
ferry passengers were travelling to and from ferry ports by train from much
further away. Are those who are not using car, or road coach enough to
support a railway with all its expense.
Much busier routes like Dover and Folkestone have seen their dedicated
services wither away,
Fishguard AFAIK is only served by local trains so getting there from
further away is harder than the days you could get through trains from
Paddington.
Doesn’t really present a good business case for rebuilding a Railway Line
to a Port in the North of Britain that is a long way to travel to anyway.

GH

Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
> JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:
>> On 08/04/2024 16:25, Scott wrote:
>>> Maybole and Girvan should remain but I think there is a stateable
>>> argument that the line from Girvan to Stranraer could be closed given
>>> the Northern Ireland ferries no longer operate from Stranraer harbour.
>>
>>
>>
>> I would not have thought it would be too difficult to reconnect
>> Cairnryan to the rail network.
>>
>>
>>
>
> Would there be any need for it? We are a few decades along from when most
> ferry passengers were travelling to and from ferry ports by train from much
> further away. Are those who are not using car, or road coach enough to
> support a railway with all its expense.
> Much busier routes like Dover and Folkestone have seen their dedicated
> services wither away,
> Fishguard AFAIK is only served by local trains so getting there from
> further away is harder than the days you could get through trains from
> Paddington.
> Doesn’t really present a good business case for rebuilding a Railway Line
> to a Port in the North of Britain that is a long way to travel to anyway.
>
> GH
>

Don’t most foot passengers fly these days?

On 08/04/2024 20:24, Marland wrote:
> Doesn’t really present a good business case for rebuilding a Railway Line
> to a Port in the North of Britain that is a long way to travel to anyway.

The only reason would be able to say how 'green' they were.

JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:
> On 08/04/2024 20:24, Marland wrote:
>> Doesn’t really present a good business case for rebuilding a Railway Line
>> to a Port in the North of Britain that is a long way to travel to anyway.
>
>
> The only reason would be able to say how 'green' they were.
>
>
>

Or mainly younger people from overseas travelling between Gt Britain and
Ireland on a tour of Europe and are passing through Scotland as part of
their odyssey .
Travelling by train on inter-rail or other Rover type tickets.
I wonder if because Britain is sometimes considered to be the inventor of
the train people from abroad still think you can still travel to most
places easily by rail,especially ferry ports.

GH

In message <l7j239F88o5U1@mid.individual.net>, at 20:24:09 on Mon, 8 Apr
2024, Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> remarked:

>I wonder if because Britain is sometimes considered to be the inventor of
>the train people from abroad still think you can still travel to most
>places easily by rail,especially ferry ports.

Some cousins from the USA visited us in Cambridgeshire about four years
ago, and their plans involved getting a train to Dover, a ferry, then
pick up a rental car (and do some touring).

They were mortified to discover what time they needed to leave[**] to
get a train to catch the ferry. It was also Xmas Eve and I had my doubts
how much of Belgium was going to be "Open" on Xmas and Boxing Day.

[**] A local B&B because we didn't have that many spare beds.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
> In message <l7j239F88o5U1@mid.individual.net>, at 20:24:09 on Mon, 8 Apr
> 2024, Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> remarked:
>
>> I wonder if because Britain is sometimes considered to be the inventor of
>> the train people from abroad still think you can still travel to most
>> places easily by rail,especially ferry ports.
>
> Some cousins from the USA visited us in Cambridgeshire about four years
> ago, and their plans involved getting a train to Dover, a ferry, then
> pick up a rental car (and do some touring).
>
> They were mortified to discover what time they needed to leave[**] to
> get a train to catch the ferry. It was also Xmas Eve and I had my doubts
> how much of Belgium was going to be "Open" on Xmas and Boxing Day.
>
> [**] A local B&B because we didn't have that many spare beds.

Most things stay open on the Continent on Xmas Day, and there's no Boxing
Day. It's only the UK that takes a lengthy break.

Am 09.04.2024 um 13:13 schrieb Recliner:
> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>> In message <l7j239F88o5U1@mid.individual.net>, at 20:24:09 on Mon, 8 Apr
>> 2024, Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> remarked:
>>
>>> I wonder if because Britain is sometimes considered to be the inventor of
>>> the train people from abroad still think you can still travel to most
>>> places easily by rail,especially ferry ports.
>>
>> Some cousins from the USA visited us in Cambridgeshire about four years
>> ago, and their plans involved getting a train to Dover, a ferry, then
>> pick up a rental car (and do some touring).
>>
>> They were mortified to discover what time they needed to leave[**] to
>> get a train to catch the ferry. It was also Xmas Eve and I had my doubts
>> how much of Belgium was going to be "Open" on Xmas and Boxing Day.
>>
>> [**] A local B&B because we didn't have that many spare beds.
>
> Most things stay open on the Continent on Xmas Day, and there's no Boxing
> Day. It's only the UK that takes a lengthy break.

Thing are not that easy "on the continent":
Germany has holiday on boxing day called "2nd day of Christmas".
The traditons what kinds of attractions or shops will be open on
holidays vary widely between the different countries.

In message <uv39b5$6lo4$1@dont-email.me>, at 13:38:13 on Tue, 9 Apr
2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:

>> Most things stay open on the Continent on Xmas Day, and there's no
>>Boxing Day. It's only the UK that takes a lengthy break.
>
>Thing are not that easy "on the continent":

>Germany has holiday on boxing day called "2nd day of Christmas".

What do the Germans do on Xmas day, everything open as usual?

>The traditons what kinds of attractions or shops will be open on
>holidays vary widely between the different countries.

--
Roland Perry

Am 09.04.2024 um 18:53 schrieb Roland Perry:
> In message <uv39b5$6lo4$1@dont-email.me>, at 13:38:13 on Tue, 9 Apr
> 2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:
>
>>>  Most things stay open on the Continent on Xmas Day, and there's no
>>> Boxing  Day. It's only the UK that takes a lengthy break.
>>
>> Thing are not that easy "on the continent":
>
>> Germany has holiday on boxing day called "2nd day of Christmas".
>
> What do the Germans do on Xmas day, everything open as usual?

Traditionally, German families celebrate Xmas eve (not a holiday,
shops close at noon, Public transport runs a Saturday Service till early
afternoon) with a family church service at 16:00, followed by "simple
meal", sit around the Chrismas Tree at home, give presents, sing carols
and eat cookies.

Xmas day is a holiday, i.e. shops are closed, public transport offers a
Sunday Service. On Xmas day, most families meet with Grandparents,
having a big meal at home or dining out. Attractions (museum) decide
individually whether to open or close at Xmas day.
Boxing day, like all "2nd day of.." holidays (Easter Monday, Whit
monday) is just a free holiday with (a church service nobody attends
and) no special traditions (shops closed, most attractions open, public
transport has Sunday Service).

>> The traditons what kinds of attractions or shops will be open on
>> holidays vary widely between the different countries.

Rolf

On Tue, 9 Apr 2024 13:38:13 +0200, Rolf Mantel wrote:

> Am 09.04.2024 um 13:13 schrieb Recliner:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <l7j239F88o5U1@mid.individual.net>, at 20:24:09 on Mon, 8
>>> Apr 2024, Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> remarked:
>>>
>>>> I wonder if because Britain is sometimes considered to be the
>>>> inventor of the train people from abroad still think you can still
>>>> travel to most places easily by rail,especially ferry ports.
>>>
>>> Some cousins from the USA visited us in Cambridgeshire about four
>>> years ago, and their plans involved getting a train to Dover, a ferry,
>>> then pick up a rental car (and do some touring).
>>>
>>> They were mortified to discover what time they needed to leave[**] to
>>> get a train to catch the ferry. It was also Xmas Eve and I had my
>>> doubts how much of Belgium was going to be "Open" on Xmas and Boxing
>>> Day.
>>>
>>> [**] A local B&B because we didn't have that many spare beds.
>>
>> Most things stay open on the Continent on Xmas Day, and there's no
>> Boxing Day. It's only the UK that takes a lengthy break.
>
> Thing are not that easy "on the continent":
> Germany has holiday on boxing day called "2nd day of Christmas".
> The traditons what kinds of attractions or shops will be open on
> holidays vary widely between the different countries.

Indeed, in this part of the world Christmas is not a particularly special
holiday, and as with most holidays you can normally find shops etc. open.
Now Easter, on the other hand - that's the much more important holiday,
and woe betide you if you forgot to buy milk before Easter weekend. And
the run on eggs (the kind that come out of hens, not chocolate ones) is
something to behold.

Orthodox Easter is rather late this year (not until May), my plan to avoid
the shutdown is to bugger off to Doha for the long weekend.

In message <uv5jn7$rp1p$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:47:34 on Wed, 10 Apr
2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:
>Am 09.04.2024 um 18:53 schrieb Roland Perry:
>> In message <uv39b5$6lo4$1@dont-email.me>, at 13:38:13 on Tue, 9 Apr
>>2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:

Recliner wrote:

>>>>  Most things stay open on the Continent on Xmas Day, and there's no
>>>>Boxing  Day. It's only the UK that takes a lengthy break.

And Germany it seems.

>>> Thing are not that easy "on the continent":
>>
>>> Germany has holiday on boxing day called "2nd day of Christmas".
>> What do the Germans do on Xmas day, everything open as usual?
>
> Traditionally, German families celebrate Xmas eve (not a holiday,
>shops close at noon, Public transport runs a Saturday Service till
>early afternoon) with a family church service at 16:00, followed by
>"simple meal", sit around the Chrismas Tree at home, give presents,
>sing carols and eat cookies.
>
>Xmas day is a holiday, i.e. shops are closed, public transport offers a
>Sunday Service. On Xmas day, most families meet with Grandparents,
>having a big meal at home or dining out. Attractions (museum) decide
>individually whether to open or close at Xmas day.
>Boxing day, like all "2nd day of.." holidays (Easter Monday, Whit
>monday) is just a free holiday with (a church service nobody attends
>and) no special traditions (shops closed, most attractions open, public
>transport has Sunday Service).
>
>>> The traditons what kinds of attractions or shops will be open on
>>>holidays vary widely between the different countries.
>
>Rolf
>

--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
> In message <uv5jn7$rp1p$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:47:34 on Wed, 10 Apr
> 2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:
>> Am 09.04.2024 um 18:53 schrieb Roland Perry:
>>> In message <uv39b5$6lo4$1@dont-email.me>, at 13:38:13 on Tue, 9 Apr
>>> 2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:
>
> Recliner wrote:
>
>>>>>  Most things stay open on the Continent on Xmas Day, and there's no
>>>>> Boxing  Day. It's only the UK that takes a lengthy break.
>
> And Germany it seems.

Ah, it's good to know that public transport runs on every day through
Christmas in the Ely bubble.

In message <ylYRN.451800$7uxe.415824@fx09.ams1>, at 21:10:54 on Thu, 11
Apr 2024, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>> In message <uv5jn7$rp1p$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:47:34 on Wed, 10 Apr
>> 2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:
>>> Am 09.04.2024 um 18:53 schrieb Roland Perry:
>>>> In message <uv39b5$6lo4$1@dont-email.me>, at 13:38:13 on Tue, 9 Apr
>>>> 2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:
>>
>> Recliner wrote:
>>
>>>>>>  Most things stay open on the Continent on Xmas Day, and there's no
>>>>>> Boxing  Day. It's only the UK that takes a lengthy break.
>>
>> And Germany it seems.
>
>Ah, it's good to know that public transport runs on every day through
>Christmas in the Ely bubble.

No-one has suggested trains run during the holidays in the UK, WHEREAS
YOU DID, FOR EUROPE.

But of course, mention of the Ely bubble (clutching at the feeblest
of straws, like a cracked record) means every other word in your
posting is automatically disqualified.
--
Roland Perry

On Sun, 14 Apr 2024 14:01:46 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

>In message <ylYRN.451800$7uxe.415824@fx09.ams1>, at 21:10:54 on Thu, 11
>Apr 2024, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <uv5jn7$rp1p$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:47:34 on Wed, 10 Apr
>>> 2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:
>>>> Am 09.04.2024 um 18:53 schrieb Roland Perry:
>>>>> In message <uv39b5$6lo4$1@dont-email.me>, at 13:38:13 on Tue, 9 Apr
>>>>> 2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:
>>>
>>> Recliner wrote:
>>>
>>>>>>>  Most things stay open on the Continent on Xmas Day, and there's no
>>>>>>> Boxing  Day. It's only the UK that takes a lengthy break.
>>>
>>> And Germany it seems.
>>
>>Ah, it's good to know that public transport runs on every day through
>>Christmas in the Ely bubble.
>
>No-one has suggested trains run during the holidays in the UK, WHEREAS
>YOU DID, FOR EUROPE.

As indeed, they do.

In message <dqln1jh3fud9r3k1cn9lbj2fcrfi74ahkp@4ax.com>, at 14:17:14 on
Sun, 14 Apr 2024, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>On Sun, 14 Apr 2024 14:01:46 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>
>>In message <ylYRN.451800$7uxe.415824@fx09.ams1>, at 21:10:54 on Thu, 11
>>Apr 2024, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>> In message <uv5jn7$rp1p$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:47:34 on Wed, 10 Apr
>>>> 2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:
>>>>> Am 09.04.2024 um 18:53 schrieb Roland Perry:
>>>>>> In message <uv39b5$6lo4$1@dont-email.me>, at 13:38:13 on Tue, 9 Apr
>>>>>> 2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:
>>>>
>>>> Recliner wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>>>>  Most things stay open on the Continent on Xmas Day, and there's no
>>>>>>>> Boxing  Day. It's only the UK that takes a lengthy break.
>>>>
>>>> And Germany it seems.
>>>
>>>Ah, it's good to know that public transport runs on every day through
>>>Christmas in the Ely bubble.
>>
>>No-one has suggested trains run during the holidays in the UK, WHEREAS
>>YOU DID, FOR EUROPE.
>
>As indeed, they do.

Go and argue with Rolf about Germany.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
> In message <dqln1jh3fud9r3k1cn9lbj2fcrfi74ahkp@4ax.com>, at 14:17:14 on
> Sun, 14 Apr 2024, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>> On Sun, 14 Apr 2024 14:01:46 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>
>>> In message <ylYRN.451800$7uxe.415824@fx09.ams1>, at 21:10:54 on Thu, 11
>>> Apr 2024, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>> In message <uv5jn7$rp1p$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:47:34 on Wed, 10 Apr
>>>>> 2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:
>>>>>> Am 09.04.2024 um 18:53 schrieb Roland Perry:
>>>>>>> In message <uv39b5$6lo4$1@dont-email.me>, at 13:38:13 on Tue, 9 Apr
>>>>>>> 2024, Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> remarked:
>>>>>
>>>>> Recliner wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>  Most things stay open on the Continent on Xmas Day, and there's no
>>>>>>>>> Boxing  Day. It's only the UK that takes a lengthy break.
>>>>>
>>>>> And Germany it seems.
>>>>
>>>> Ah, it's good to know that public transport runs on every day through
>>>> Christmas in the Ely bubble.
>>>
>>> No-one has suggested trains run during the holidays in the UK, WHEREAS
>>> YOU DID, FOR EUROPE.
>>
>> As indeed, they do.
>
> Go and argue with Rolf about Germany.

I don't need to argue with Rolf, as I'm simply confirming what he said. I
suggest you read his post.

Or see
https://www.raileurope.com/en/blog/travelling-home-for-christmas-by-train

Quote:

Travelling on Christmas Day itself can be a total treat, and often much
quieter. Not in the UK, however, where there is a shutdown of all trains on
25 December, and some engineering on some routes during the Christmas
period generally. This means that Eurostar doesn’t run on Christmas Day
either. Most other European countries’ rail networks are well and truly
open for business on Christmas Day, however. So you can spend the day with
family in many European cities and then head further afield at the end of
the day. You can, for example, travel from Paris to Marseille in three
hours or into the Alps for possible white Christmas, travelling from Paris
to Annecy in four hours. Get some more ideas in our ‘Winter getaways by
rail’ blog.

Imagine travelling to Rome by train to celebrate Christmas in St.Peter’s
Square? You can travel by train from Milan to Rome, for example, in under
three hours. The main mass is on Christmas Eve, but there are Papal
blessings on Christmas and Boxing Day too. Or for a very different
Christmas route, you could travel from Madrid after lunch on Christmas Day,
take on your own train pilgrimage and arrive in Santiago de Compostela five
hours later.

On 15/04/2024 21:46, Recliner wrote:
> Travelling on Christmas Day itself can be a total treat, and often much
> quieter. Not in the UK, however, where there is a shutdown of all trains on
> 25 December, and some engineering on some routes during the Christmas
> period generally.

As someone who worked nearly every Christmas Day or New Years Day
(sometimes both) for my whole working life, I get fed up of the people
will not work unless paid large amounts of money.

They make claims about family life etc but we know it is all about extra
money, lots of it.

I think in most industries that work through Christmas, they find there
are plenty of people willing (or even wanting) to work.