I seem to remember that in the days of long ago, when trains actually ran
and weren't replaced by 'buses, it cost 5/- to reserve a seat. In those days, you could get a damn good meal on the train, too. A G&T or two, a soup, sole meuniere with steamed potatoes, grilled tomatoes and peas, a half bottle of Entre Deux Mers, some Stilton and port, followed by coffee and brandy. By which time, the 6.10pm from Kings Cross had got to Retford at 8.30pm, in time for one's friend and his wife to meet one. You then adjourned to a couple of pubs, and his wife drove us home!
Happy days!