Train fares

I recently bought train tickets for myself travelling alone and as journey not eligble for using family rail tickets etc and did not qualify for certain other subsidised railcards, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the redspottedhanky website can sell you tickets for many journeys at lower price, and also not charge for delivery of tickets or for using credit card to buy online. Another option :- You can opt for 1st class travel at reduced price if you are 55yrs or more, and only have to carry proof of age for that.Also noted that you do not need to buy a special travelcard to qualify for the club55 special promotion on ticket prices. That offer is running over some summer months and will end I think at end of summer so better to check it out.The club 55 type offer is also available through some other trainline providers I checked out. I chose redspottedhanky and had no extra charges , got to travel 1st class, and made a saving! The tickets came in a lovely red spotted paper wallet!

This being the case then why are the public still subsidising the rail network when the likes of the steel industry and coal mining were privatised they were expected to stand alone.

Feeling just a bit smug here, as a retired railway manager I get free first class rail travel for myself and Mr F, reductions on London Underground, and half-price rail travel throughout the world.

But I have to say, if we had to pay for the train, we'd go in the car!