Will that be coach or under the coach?
Someone stole the rails. Locally. When I was smaller (physically) one could get on the night train to the boat and get away. Short term or permanently. I never availed myseof of that possibility, but I used to wave at the passengers as the coaches went by the house. They may not have noticed me stainding on the stoop in my fancy pyjamas, but I saw them. An important part of my childhood. And due to my loyalty to big rail, I made a lot of long trips from this coast to the big city. As I told anyone that would listen, you needed 32 hours, warm clothes and the skill of sleeping in a pretzel format. I couldn’t afford anything better than a coach seat (aka Daynighter) but with enough warm beer and stale sandwiches, it was a wonderful way to see part of my world.
And now, we have YT. Where I can draw sharp contrasts between expensive and cheap. A special shoutlout to a fellow that travels on a “shoestring” budget. At the bargain end of the excursion, you board your train in the dark, at the edges of the “yard”. And you bring everything with you. Much mike we did, a half century ago. At the other end of the financial profile, you board the train in the dark, at the edges of the “yard”. And you bring almost everything with you, although there are sit down meals and hot showers available. For a price.
I’d love to recross my world, in a coach. Actually did a very short run in a museum in AB, some years ago. Just as uncomfortable as I remembered. Train schedules are designed to dissuade passengers; freight is a money maker for big rail, while bums on the benches is anything but.
Back to the fellow that plays the stowaway game. I think his travel plan is great fun, and if the subscriber numbers on YT can be trusted, there are many others that share my interest. If we still had rails, I’d love to hitch a ride into the city, perched in the rear cubby of a gondola. Not going to happen, looking forwared.
