 You really seem to an anxious creature Bedouin, constantly fearing the worse outcome...
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 Just booked my tickets[1] through to Glasgow for Friday. Seat reservation costs nothing extra. While they can't guarantee my preferences I am allowed to ask for Best Effort at aisle or window, table or "airline", facing forwards or backwards, quiet carriage or (presumably) noisy and whether I want to be close to toilet or luggage rack. Pete. [1] there remains the stupidity that if you're going from Dundee to Glasgow you can save a tenner by going to Perth and then going to Glasgow rather than booking straight through. You don't actually change trains at all... Duh.
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 While they can't guarantee my preferences I am allowed to ask for Best Effort at aisle or window, table or "airline", facing forwards or backwards, quiet carriage or (presumably) noisy and whether I want to be close to toilet or luggage rack.
On my local airport run I get to select the same things. I've tried every permutation and combination, and I always get seat 23A, which could be described as "none of the above".
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I saved a few quid by flying Thomson to Sanford, Florida and ended up with a plane 80% full of young children... it was sheer HELL!  (
for the children?
Bedders, Sanford is where you fly to for Disneyworld. I thought everyone knew that.
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 that was where bedders was going
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 It does strike me as ridiculous that Bedders can fly to Vancouver cheaper than any UK rail fare. It would certainly be interesting to see the relative infrastructure costs of rail and air fair. My guess would be that a plane is more expensive than a train (the latter being simpler engineering, and not quite the same level of safety-critical systems). Then there's the fuel cost, and I'm pretty certain that the train is far 'greener'. Especially so for short trips. Granted, air fuel isn't taxed to the hilt like other transport fuel. I recall that the first time I flew EasyJet up to a UKC Glencoe meet, it was £1.99 out, £1.49 return. Plus £22.50 tax. I take earplugs when I travel by train. Helps keep out the 'HELLO! I'M ON THE TRAIN!' types, and the fighting children.
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 Mick, I don't give a toss really where I land as I'm going to be travelling around anyway. The reason for taking that flight was that it was ridiculously cheap compared to my other options. Granted if I'd known how badly a plane full of children cooped up for 10 odd hours can behave I'd have happily have paid 10x to not be on that flight.
Parky, was heading to the OTHER Disneyland in California last year as it would be interesting to see it once. Due to some issues we went to San Diego Zoo instead.... highly recommended.
Peter, I always book train tickets online... there appears for memory no way to reserve a seat. Is it possible or is it ticket counter only?
Moonlight, Not really just hyper intolerant. We live on a tiny over-croweded island I don't think it unreasonable that when your in the presence of others in public then you moderate your behaviour to ensure everyones comfort.
As ever thanks Capt.
Personally I think it comes down to 3 things 1. (as ever) People pay. 2. No competition 3. Govt. subsidies.
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A very interesting quote....
"British railways are a "rich man's toy", Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has told MPs.
He said it was an "uncomfortable fact" that trains were already used by the better-off and said some fares were "eye-wateringly expensive".
Quoted from BBC News
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Hammond being a Tory might wish to remember who foisted upon us that idiotic, bastard system for the railways that sees private companies receive huge subsidies for running what should be a public service...
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I don't know enough about how the system works exactly BUT it does come across as stupid beyond belief that you price people off train travel at off peak times leaving a train to make the journey 90% empty.
Not taking sides but the Labour Govt. with all its years in power have left the system in the shambles its currently in. Also lets not forget BR was hardly a model to hold up to the world as a way railways should be run,
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 I take earplugs when I travel by train. Helps keep out the 'HELLO! I'M ON THE TRAIN!' types, and the fighting children.
brilliant 
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 I take earplugs when I travel by train. Helps keep out the 'HELLO! I'M ON THE TRAIN!' types, and the fighting children.
brilliant
Unless they announce on the train a change of service like they are not stopping at your station and to get off at an earlier station for the train behind to take you, to make up for lost time. I have 1 headphone plug in the ear just in case.
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off peak prices are bewilderingly bizarre. the network travelcard has gone up from £20 to £28 over two years for example. then again i've been on off peak trains that have been crowded - albeit to/from a popular destination.
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