It comes as little surprise to me that East Midlands Railway has been named one of the UK’s least reliable train operators so far this year
It comes as little surprise to me that East Midlands Railway has been named one of the UK’s least reliable train operators so far this year, based on cancellation data(Image: Derby Telegraph)
Despite not being a “trainspotter”, a “railfan” or, to use a less polite term, a “foamer”, the railways do hold a special place in my heart.
Having studied at the University of Hull, one of my fondest memories is seeing the Humber Bridge slide into view from my train seat, knowing that soon I would arrive at the station, greeted by a statue of the poet Philip Larkin, with his words ringing in my ears; it was indeed an “end-of-the-line sense of freedom” in so many ways.
But, I must admit, this is one of my very few positive railway memories. Because I think it is not too much of a stretch to describe modern train travel as “hell on earth”.
It comes as little surprise to me that East Midlands Railway has been named one of the UK’s least reliable train operators so far this year, based on cancellation data.
I dread taking train journeys because it is extremely rare that my journey is not delayed, cancelled or otherwise adversely affected in some way. Naturally, many of my trips start with EMR.
I have no issue with the staff, the vast majority of whom are cheerful, helpful and pleasant. It’s no one individual’s fault. But it is surely not right that I am so put off from taking the train that I avoid it, when possible, at all costs.
In an age of climate concern, we should be making public transport as appealing as possible but, instead, it seems some sinister mastermind has designed the railway network to be as frustrating, distressing and unreliable as possible in 2026.
If I’m visiting family in London, I will often opt for a National Express coach instead of the train, despite the fact that it takes around three hours longer. That’s not right, is it?
But the seats on the coaches are comfortable, the trips are very rarely delayed, and overall there’s just a greater sense of certainty. I know I will arrive in the Big Smoke when I take the coach, and the same can’t be said of the trains.
And after 350 words, I still haven’t mentioned the overcrowding. On more than a few occasions, I have got all the way to the train door, spotted half a dozen people crammed into the vestibule and said “nope”. I will turn away and wait for a quieter time, which is all very well if you don’t need to be somewhere for a specific time. My heart sinks for those who have no choice but to board.
Why can’t something be done about all this? Well, there is some semblance of hope in the form of Great British Railways, a state-owned company that will operate rail infrastructure and the majority of passenger services in the UK. And, as you know, it will be headquartered in Derby.
But perhaps it will be another toothless entity, achieving little. I hope not. Because it is a perfect opportunity to really grab this issue by the horns and sort it out. We cannot carry on with a railway system that is so terrible to use that people are forced to consider other forms of transport.
We should be proud of our railways and look forward to using them. We should feel assured that the departure time, give or take a few minutes, is when we will indeed depart. We should not be forced into coughing up for a first class ticket just to ensure that we get a seat. And the eye-watering prices? That’s just a kick in the teeth.
At one time, train journeys were romantic, reliable and pleasant. Not in 2026. But we have an opportunity to turn things around, and I hope those behind GBR are ready for the challenge.
