Share

cover art for Full steam ahead: the resurgence of international train travel

Reasons Revisited

Full steam ahead: the resurgence of international train travel

Season 1, Ep. 285

Hello! As you wearily stood in a queue for a flight that was four hours delayed, having been hit with a hefty fee for a bag that you swore would fit under the seat, have you ever wondered if there was a better way to travel? Well, you’re not alone! 2022 was a bumper year for international train travel, as people took to the rails to see Europe and beyond. While long-distance train travel is better for the environment, it is often expensive and buying tickets can be fiddly. We speak to rail royalty Mark Smith, better known as the Man in Seat 61, who tells us why this is changing. Journalist and author Monisha Rajesh inspires us with tales of her travels around the world by train and finally we talk to Jody Bauer from Eurail, the company that sells Interrail passes, about its 50th anniversary and why it has revolutionised rail travel around Europe.


Plus: Has Ed hired the assistance of a food stylist?


Guests


Mark Smith, founder of the Man in Seat 61 website (Twitter: @seatsixtyone / Instagram: @seatsixtyone)


Monisha Rajesh, Journalist and Author (Twitter: @monisha_rajesh / Instagram: @monisha_rajesh)


Jody Bauer, Research Analyst, Eurail (Instagram: @eurail / @interraileu)


More information

To plan an international train journey visit the Man in Seat Sixty-One

Visit Monisha's website and buy her books Around India in 80 Trains and Around the World in 80 Trains

Visit 33 countries with one pass. Buy an Interrail or Eurail pass and get inspiration for your next trip here

More episodes

View all episodes

  • LABOUR'S FIRST MOVES: Keir Starmer Gives Away Power

    12:52|
    In its first King's Speech, the Labour government said that "greater devolution of decision making is at the heart of a modern dynamic economy and is a key driver of economic growth."Historically, why has the UK been so insistent on hoarding power centrally? And what's the potential in Westminster giving away power?With Tony Travers (LSE), Sarah Longlands (IPPR North) and Neil McInroy (The Centre for Local Economic Strategies)
  • LABOUR'S FIRST MOVES: Rachel Reeves' National Wealth Fund

    13:48|
    Ed has departed for government, and Geoff is left as custodian of the archive. As the Labour government makes its first raft of announcements and appointments, we delve into our back catalogue to find the ideas which might have influenced them. In this episode, we look at Rachel Reeves' announcement of the National Wealth Fund. What are public wealth funds? What different forms can they take? What are the potential benefits to our country?We revisit our episode Investment for the People from October 2022. First, we get the beginner's guide from UCL Associate Professor Josh Ryan-Collins. Then we hear from Professor Karin Thorburn about Norway’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, which (due to specific historical circumstances) is very different to the one proposed for the UK, but illustrates how a public wealth fund could transform the way we finance Government spending. More infoNorway’s Sovereign Wealth FundUCL IIPP Report on Public Wealth FundsGuestsJosh Ryan-Collins, Associate Professor in Economics and Finance, UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (@jryancollins) (@IIPP_UCL)Karin Thorburn, Professor of Finance, Norwegian School of Economics (@karinsthorburn) (@NHHnor)
  • 28. ED & GEOFF HAVE LEFT THE CHATTEROO

    36:51||Season 2, Ep. 28
    The day is upon us. Maybe. In the words of the late Teddy Kennedy (uncle of Robert F. Junior, and real-life inspiration for Kendall Roy):"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."Thank you for keeping us cheerful.Email our sporadically monitored inbox: chat@cheerfulpodcast.comFull text of Ted Kennedy's 1980 Democratic National Concession address: https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/tedkennedy1980dnc.htm
  • TOMORROW: THE CHATTEROO STOPS HERE

    00:12|
    We're giving you an extra 24 hours to don a black armband and stock up on Kleenex, as the Chatteroo approaches its final destination.
  • 27. CHATTEROO #25 - Cicada Ardor

    30:09||Season 2, Ep. 27
    From Highland Park, Illinois, we're joined by our cicada correspondent, who's keeping watch for the first dual emergence in 221 years. Plus, we find out more about this phenomenon with entomologist Professor Dave Bilton.Bigger than the beetles - more about Dave: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/david-biltonEmerge in the Chatteroo inbox: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com
  • 26. CHATTEROO #24 - with Lauren Child

    33:44||Season 2, Ep. 26
    Lauren Child (former Children's Laureate/creator of Charlie & Lola, Clarice Bean and Ruby Redfort) joins the Chatteroo.Buy Lauren's new Clarice Bean book, 'Smile': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/smile-lauren-child/7462273?ean=9780008285548
  • 25. CHATTEROO #23 WILL HUTTON - This Time No Mistakes

    27:54||Season 2, Ep. 25
    Political economist and writer, Will Hutton joins the Chatteroo to talk about his new book, 'This Time No Mistakes: How to Remake Britain', and its parallels with his mid-90s bestseller, 'The State We're In'.Buy Will's book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/this-time-no-mistakes-9781804549407/Email us: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com
  • 24. CHATTEROO #22

    34:28||Season 2, Ep. 24
    Vegetarian escalope at the Paris Olympics, energy nerds, The Boring Phone, Mid TV and your correspondence.Join the Chatteroo! Email us with thoughts, questions and any fodder: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com
  • 23. CHATTEROO #21 England: Seven Myths That Changed a Country - And How To Set Them Straight

    42:12||Season 2, Ep. 23
    Just in time for St George's Day, former Mili-gang members Marc Stears & Tom Baldwin join the Chatteroo to talk about their excellent new book 'England: Seven Myths That Changed a Country - And How To Set Them Straight'Treat yourself to a copy - you deserve it! https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/england-9781526646231/Email us: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com