DONT USE NORTHERN IRELAND RAILWAYS

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Where do i start?

...informed that the train had broken down and that it was going to limp to Dundalk were we would be taken by bus to Portadown. After nearly two hours on the bus we finally got to Portadown. If you are thinking about using Northern Ireland Rail - DONT! If the government want us to use public transport they will have to completely overall this network. As for me il be taking the car in future and using one of Dublin City Centre car parks and this would still be a hell of a lot cheaper than £110 it took for five of us to use the train!...

Sparkymac1983 06.02.2009 · Read review
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Review of Northern Ireland Railways

Save our railways!

Advantages: No traffic jams
Disadvantages: late, smelly, draughty, crowded

...Northern Ireland railways are a good idea in theory. The train's a good idea for those travelling outside Belfast into the city, as it's more relaxing (in theory) and there's no traffic jams to worry about. If only it was that simple..... NIR are well known for their lack of reliability in Northern Ireland. It's rare that the trains run on time, and because the stock is so old, they're very prone to breaking down. I have also heard the usual excuses, such as leaves on the line, and even the train my boyfriend was on that hit a cow along the track! They also seem to have developed a worrying trend of going on fire recently… The main problem in my opinion is the old rolling stock, caused by lack of funding within Translink, its parent company. Because of the age of the stock, the trains are generally shabby, and unkempt...

fuzzibear 05.04.2004 (26.09.2004) · Read review
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Review of Northern Ireland Railways

The tale of the Late and Never Early Railway.

Advantages: Fast and Efficient
Disadvantages: You are trapped with a group of people who can be a challenge to say the least

...record for diesel traction at 148 mph. Next came the locomotives that still ply their trade daily on the ECML the Class 91 electrics. British Rail as was quickly realizing the potential of these locomotives embarked on a massive publicity drive marketing them as the Intercity 225. Or in other words as a follow up to the hugely successful Intercity 125 but the campaign somehow fell flat. Passenger loadings did increase but it was only after the break up of British Rail that things really changed. Enter onto the scene Sea Containers under the guise of Great North Eastern Railways (GNER) and things became to change. The Trains themselves were given a mid life upgrade both internally and externally including a smart new blue livery. The crest of GNER appeared on all the carriages and the logo the route of the Flying Scotsman was added as...

Bigbaz 11.05.2003 (12.05.2003) · Read review
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Review of Great North Eastern Railway

Railtrouble on the railways

Advantages: Friendly staff
Disadvantages: Where shall I start?

...The governement continuously encourages people to ditch their environment polluting cars for rail services in order to help combat pollution and reduce road accidents. There isn't anyone in the Unitied Kingdom who would oppose these principle, so why are our cars not burning away on a scrap heap with everyone jumping on the trains? The answer is simple - rail services cannot really be called a service. This can be reflected in Northern Ireland by NIR. I get the train every day to university because I cannot afford a car but the service offered by NIR does encourage you to start thinking about saving those pennies. My local stop is only about ten minutes away from my house and it is a hole. Fair enough, it is not the main stop in my town (it lies on the outskirts) but I do expect some kind of decent stop. It is a brick shelter...

paulruegg 08.04.2001 · Read review
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Review of Northern Ireland Railways

A Railway with a difference

Advantages: A true story of one man's courage
Disadvantages: Very distressing at times

...As many of you will already know, I am an avid reader of anything and everything. I've always had a love of books and will read any book placed in front of me. Some subjects will just captivate my interest and, when my dad lent this book to me, I did not think that a book about railways would be interesting. How wrong I was! The RRP on this is £7.99, although if you shop around, it can be found online for a lot less (try Amazon marketplace for a price of about £3). I always shop around for my books, as I am a bit of a tightwad haha! But seriously I will happily pay for a second hand copy of a book, as sometimes it is just too expensive to buy it new. Anyway, I digress and should really get back to the review of this book. Eric Lomax (the author) lived for most of his life in Edinburgh prior to the outbreak of WW2. While...

bonsi6337 23.10.2008 · Read review
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Review of The Railway Man - Eric Lomax

Not so Great North Eastern Railway

Advantages: Quicker than the coach/car
Disadvantages: Where do I start?... See op

......

Zedex 04.11.2003 · Read review
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Review of Great North Eastern Railway

CHILTERN RAILWAYS

Advantages: On time, new trains, comfortable
Disadvantages: Pricy to only go a few stops, trains are infrequent on Sundays

...Introduction ~~ Well the British railways are in a bit of a state. Unsafe, late and unreliable are three words that come to mind. Well those three words don't go with all of Britain's railways. Well those three words certainly don't go with Chiltern Railways, who I use a lot. They provide services between Birmingham, the West Midlands and London. Frequency of trains ~~ Out of the many times I have used Chiltern Railways the train has never been more than 5 minutes late. And usually it is dead on time. Yes I bet your thinking if only all British rail services were like Chiltern Railways. Trains are very frequent in the week and on Saturdays but trains are very infrequent on Sundays and the service is restricted. The service is also interrupted on Sundays due to track maintenance. Value ~~ Not great. Comfort ~~ All...

Disillusioned 04.09.2001 · Read review
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Review of Chiltern Railways

Northern Quarter for the Northern Birds

Advantages: Stunning apartments, very clean, good price, very central
Disadvantages: Nothing!

...Lounge, Matt and Phred's Jazz Club, the Frog and Bucket comedy club, and loads of older style bars, great for everyone. Some of the bars around the Northern Quarter are a little pretentious. The Northern Quarter Apartments are located on Tib Street. The apartments are housed in one of Manchester's oldest buildings (a stunning 150 year old market building). It's on a main road, with a nightclub literally 5 minutes walk along the road, which can be noisy on a weekend, so it probably should't be your first choice if you're after a quiet night. There's a record shop next to the apartments and there's a very handy pizza shop which stays open late, on the corner of the street. How to get there The best way to get to Manchester and the apartments in by train, then you don't have the hassle of getting parked and actually finding it, as we...

MurkyDismal 19.02.2009 (20.02.2009) · Read review
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Review of Northern Quarter Apartments, Manchester

The oldest electric railway in the world

Advantages: Good fun, reasonable prices
Disadvantages: Only runs along a short route

...a plaque inside our carriage that dated it to 1902. The interior of the carriages are quite basic and there's not a great deal of leg room but the leather seats were comfortable enough and since the journey only takes about ten minutes anyway this wasn't really a problem. The windows open fully so it is suggested that parents keep hold of small children but the train only moves along at about five miles an hour anyway. There is a roof above each carriage too so at least if the weather isn't good then you're not exposed to the elements. There are several ticket types available Adult single: £1.70 (full journey) £0.90 (halfway) day return £2.70 Child single £0.80 (full journey) £0.40 (halfway) day return £1.30 Discounted fares are available for senior citizens and family tickets are also available. Volks Electric Railway has been operated...

micksheff 16.05.2009 · Read review
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Review of Volks Electric Railway, Brighton

Does your Matchbox car need to cross the Brio railway line ?

Advantages: Great addition to the Brio train track
Disadvantages: none

...Does your Matchbox car need to cross the Brio railway line ? If so then go to the 33388 BRIO Railway Crossing . This crossing will allow your car to cross the line safely without being ploughed down by the wooden magnetic brio express. This crossing does have a section of rail with male and female connectors at opposite ends it will fit in anywhere along the track . With this crossing comes a straight piece of track too. You do need someone to control this crossing to raise and lower the red safety barriers which are fitted in yellow wooden posts. The grey road with white road markings crosses the track. You can use toy road or draw a road onto paper or card to extend the road for the cars. With this set also comes two free standing red crossed barrier warning safety signs these are on short wooden posts fixed to...

mumsymary 16.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Brio Railway Crossing