My grandfather was a guard on LNER a long time back. When he died, he left my grandmother as a British Rail widow & she could never drive. She travelled around her hometown, Southport, by bus and long journeys by rail.
My sister & I often travelled to & from Southport on the train with her. Sometimes we went from Nottingham via Derby & Crewe & Liverpool Limestreet & other times via Manchester, Wigan etc..
On the NW local trains to Southport they used to often be siderail EMU's. We used to try and sit behind the driver, if it wasn't a 1st class carriage. I found it fascinating!
I prefer travelling by train to buses, despite the cost difference. I have a fondness for the Class37 & 40 diesels & will read books on them etc...as well as looking on the internet
