Miscellany

LondonMidland - Tickets for the 'Great Escape' offer are now on sale at www.londonmidland.com/greatescape Simply travel off-peak between 22 October - 6 November and you can enjoy a day's unlimited travel on London Midland trains for just £10 - or treat yourself to first class for just £20. VOUCHER req'd.

The Two Together Railcard is now recognised by the LondonMidland website...

Virgin Trains - the Standard Class Super Off-Peak promotion has now ended (though Virgin need to tell the Web site content managers). However, there is now a First Class off-peak single promotional fare between Birmingham International and London Euston. The price is £84 each way and availability follows the rules of the equivalent standard off-peak fare... EXCEPT that the validity waiver for railcards does not apply.

Don't forget that the 0540 and 0600 from International, and the 0603 from Euston provide breakfast as part of the fare, and that the tea-time trains from International include an evening meal.

Of course, Virgin won't tell you that the First Class fare from International to New Street is £3.50 making a significant saving (£32.50) on the quoted Euston - New Street single fare if you buy the two together. One day, TOCs will be forced to admit to split fare savings!

Chiltern Railways - The Two Together Railcard is now recognised by the Chiltern Railways website...

Chiltern are pondering the formation of their Silver Trains: specifically, whether the Business Zone should be at the Birmingham or London end of the train. Feedback through the usual channels

Finally, anyone know a non-0845 number for the Icomera support line?