ANALYSIS
Interviews:
After interviewing a number of people varying in age and gender, the results can be compared and analysed to find similarities and anomalies.
All interviewees have travelled by train before whether it be a regular experience or occasional.
This indicates that train travel is a commonly accessible experience unlike when train journeys where only undertaken by those privileged enough to afford the fare. With public transport being encouraged for environmental and economic benefits, the increase in passengers has been positive in many ways but the overall experience and enjoyment of the railway may have suffered in the process.
Purposes for travel range from commuting for business to travelling for
leisure.
In Victorian times train travel was only for transporting goods and first class journeys to holiday
destinations. Now trains are used for all kinds of journeys including taking the same train every
day to a from work.
Responses suggest that the enjoyment of train travel is very dependent to purpose
of travel and previous experience.
When travel is for pleasure to visit friends and family or to a place of interest, the journey is
enjoyable and relaxing. However, when the journey is for work as part of a daily commute the
journey can become repetitive and tiresome with other passengers of the same mentality. This commuting lifestyle seems to have tainted train travel and created a stressful, uncomfortable environment.
General opinion is that train travel can be seen as romantic but only on certain journeys and for certain people, it is not a widely experienced occasion.
When asked if they had experienced romance, interviewees either denied or referenced travels abroad. The idea that train travel is romantic has not been completely lost but very few have experienced it, dismissing it as an idea only found in movies and Victorian literature. Stranger interaction is often avoided especially on busy commuter trains and therefore the possibility of romance on the rail is becoming more and more unlikely.
The architecture of train stations is often overlooked judged only by the facilities available and the location.
When asked if they noticed the architecture of the station, many interviewees recognised iconic London stations but admitted they rarely appreciated it do to rushing to catch a train or other distractions. As some one of the most historic buildings in most towns and cities, the station doesn't seem to get the recognition it deserves with focus now on functionality and facilities provided.
The variety of experiences shared shows the individuality of every journey and the memorability of unusual events.
All journeys, whether they are good or bad, are memorable from the events that occur. A romantic journey is created not only from the nostalgic connotations or the passing landscapes but also the people you meet. Nowadays, places where strangers are encouraged to meet are limited and in some of the largest cities with the highest populations, loneliness is most common.
Experiences:
Bentley is a rural village on the Hampshire/Surrey border and is known a commuter village due to its direct train link to London. The station building is very small and is only open during peak times. There is a ticketing machine to serve the two platforms when the office is closed.
During rush hour the platforms become bust but there is very little activity throughout the day with trains arriving once an hour.
Observations:
Oxford is a city west of London in the county of Oxfordshire. The city has broad historic recognition including the University of Oxford. The station has grown rapidly since 2003 with passenger usage growing by 71%. In 2011 the station was renovated and a third platform was introduced.
London as the capital od England has 14 major stations linking the city to the rest of the country. Waterloo station is a central London railway terminus and London Underground station complex in the London Borough of Lambeth. The station has 24 platforms and with over 82 million passengers per year Waterloo is London's busiest railway stations.
Nottingham is city in the east midlands in the county of Nottinghamshire. The city well known for its links to Robin Hood and is a popular tourist destination.
The station moved location within Nottingham in 1900 and was remodeled between 2008 and 2013. Now with 7 platforms, the station is a busy hub of activity serving the growing city.
As the station size increases, passenger activity and economic investment also increases. It is clear here, using number of platforms as an indicator, that the activity within stations is related to the station size. This also affects the facilities available and the experience of the passenegers.
Train journeys across the UK have provided an insight into the experience of 21st century trains, city commuting and scenic countryside.
The journey from Bentley to London Waterloo showed a clear transition from rural to urban landscape. Relaxation on this journey depends on time of day and purpose of travel as this is a popular commuter route.
The experience on the London DLR was very different to cross country train travel with a short and eventful journey. With so much to see whilst travelling through lively London, the journey was more exciting than relaxing attracting tourists as well as commuters.
The journey from Oxford to Nottingham was again a scenic route with intermissions through large cities. My experience on this route was affected by the time of day as the darkness emphasised interior activity.
Every journey provides a new insight into the experience of train travel. The purpose of travel, time of day, length of journey and destination all influence passenger enjoyment and opinions of the rail.
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