First North Western service to Manchester 2 June 2004

Manchester Piccadilly station 3 June 2004 10pm

first north western service
morning

traveller "...

Overhead there are 17 adverts for www.txt8181.com - 'Latest ringtones direct to your phone each week'. The adverts are bus or tube style overhead panels, which emphasise the 'bus' style experience... The interior is purple and blue... almost a late eighties, early nineties retro look. The seats are hard and uncomfortable, designed for short journeys, there is no 'give' in them... The train slows and halts just outside the university, just after leaving Lancaster. There is no explanation. This inexplicable pause, the slowness, creates an ambiguity and concern. "Is this train running on time?" I ask the train manager as he passes. "Yes, apart from this" he replies. [notebook: 11am April 2004]

[At Preston] we sit on the platform. The minutes tick by... Is this a delay? Is this scheduled? Will I miss my connection [at Manchester]? The minutes tick on. The train remains, idling, we wait. 6:28am... We wait... 6:36am. We wait... 6:38am. I ask a passenger who is getting on..."Is this train on time?" She checks her watch. "Yes, I don't think it is due to leave yet" She gets on. Moments later we are off... 6:41am. [notebook: 2 June 2004]

how will you make this journey?

• do you have luggage travelling with you?
• will you sit and wait?
• will you use a PDA or laptop?
• will you read?
• do smells distract you?
• do sounds distract you?
• will you eat or drink something?
• will you sleep or doze?
• do you notice the train staff?
• will you use or hold your mobile phone?
• will you plan your arrival?
• will you converse with others?
• do you have a seat reservation?
• will you use a table?
• will you listen to some music?
• will you look out of the window?

change trains at Manchester for London St. Pancras ?

end your journey
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