radio / music

traveller "...

The girl next to me is listening to the radio through her headphones. She shuffles through channels (I can see the display is showing the frequency in MHz). [notebook: Thames Trains service from Paddington 6pm]

system "...

"... great facilities including at-seat entertainment. The audio channels on our Voyager trains are: Red Hot, Kidz, Over Easy, and BBC Radio 4. Pendolino trains have an additional 10 audio channels to enjoy!" [extract: 'Travelling with Virgin Trains' leaflet collected Lancaster 25 March 2004]

"Be aware of what's going on around you - using a personal stereo will reduce your ability to do this." [extract: First Great Western newsline collected Paddington 19 March 2004]

"First Great Western is... launching a new portable DVD player and film rental service... JPP staff provide an 'at-seat' service and you can choose from a host of film titles..." [extract: First Great Western newsline collected Reading 1 April 2004]

ethnographic guide

Music (and also TV/DVD entertainment) establishes a link with another world outside the journey and brings that world and the journey together. Time is experienced as sounds and programmes ebb and flow. The journey is made in the space of the acoustically altered train carriage.