Comments on: The next age of the train http://blog.thefuturescompany.com/2008/04/16/the-next-age-of-the-train/ Bite-size thoughts from HCHLV people about trends, futures and cultural change to provoke and entertain Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:23:24 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Jake Goretzki http://blog.thefuturescompany.com/2008/04/16/the-next-age-of-the-train/#comment-87 Jake Goretzki Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:20:33 +0000 http://henleycentreheadlightvision.wordpress.com/?p=201#comment-87 I was especially moved by the ATOC projection of the network of the future as it mooted the idea of a Liverpool to Dublin rail tunnel in mid 21st century, which had me instantly flicking through a mental calendar, checking whether I'll still be around for it! There is something doubly poignant about those two fair cties being physically united. Firstly, there's a bittersweet sense of role reversal (in the 19th and 20th centuries the human and economic traffic was pretty solidly one-way to England - whereas today, well, Celtic Tiger / incomes higher than the UK...need I say more!). Secondly, the idea of the Republic of Ireland and the Republic of Liverpool (with all its Irish heritage) being physically connected... ooh, it's the stuff of romance. Sadly it's likely to be a wait to rival the jounrey time between Surbiton and Waterloo on a bus replacement Sunday. Aw well. I was especially moved by the ATOC projection of the network of the future as it mooted the idea of a Liverpool to Dublin rail tunnel in mid 21st century, which had me instantly flicking through a mental calendar, checking whether I’ll still be around for it!

There is something doubly poignant about those two fair cties being physically united. Firstly, there’s a bittersweet sense of role reversal (in the 19th and 20th centuries the human and economic traffic was pretty solidly one-way to England – whereas today, well, Celtic Tiger / incomes higher than the UK…need I say more!). Secondly, the idea of the Republic of Ireland and the Republic of Liverpool (with all its Irish heritage) being physically connected… ooh, it’s the stuff of romance.

Sadly it’s likely to be a wait to rival the jounrey time between Surbiton and Waterloo on a bus replacement Sunday. Aw well.

]]> By: Jo Phillips http://blog.thefuturescompany.com/2008/04/16/the-next-age-of-the-train/#comment-83 Jo Phillips Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:46:25 +0000 http://henleycentreheadlightvision.wordpress.com/?p=201#comment-83 Another reason for taking the train is time efficiency. With the ubiquity of laptops, blackberries and, increasingly, free wifi (National Express) and affordable dongles for internet access, it is easy to work. Travel time can legitimately be counted as office hours rather than dead time. Similarly ipods, PSPs and portable DVD players (not to mention the traditional magazine and novel) make it easy to play. In fact many people value train time as the only me-time they get and are prepared to pay more (than the equivalent cost to travel by car) for it. Another reason for taking the train is time efficiency. With the ubiquity of laptops, blackberries and, increasingly, free wifi (National Express) and affordable dongles for internet access, it is easy to work. Travel time can legitimately be counted as office hours rather than dead time. Similarly ipods, PSPs and portable DVD players (not to mention the traditional magazine and novel) make it easy to play. In fact many people value train time as the only me-time they get and are prepared to pay more (than the equivalent cost to travel by car) for it.

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