I had forgotten how nice the seats on mainline trains are compared to the local commuter trains I travel on every week.

For the first time in far too long, I took a long train journey to see a friend on the other side of the country, and was blown away by the comparative luxury.

To have enough leg room to sit without one’s knees digging into the seat in front felt like heaven, and there was even enough room that I could have my laptop on the coffee table and get some work done along the way.

Alas the delight was not to last, as cancellations and delays meant that the second half of the journey was spent standing in the corridor, nose to nose with a man with the worst breath I have ever had the misfortune to encounter.

Can’t you brush your teeth, Sir? At least before breathing down some unfortunate person’s throat for two hours.

Last modified on 2025-06-11