6. 'Travelling around Britain by Train'

British Rail offers high standards of fast, comfortable and easy travel. The InterCity network services operate frequently (hourly or better on many routes). Air-conditioned InterCity 125 services (travelling at speeds up to 200km\h) link London, South and West Wales, the West of England, the Midlands, the North East of England and Scotland.

On most long-distance trains seats can be reserved in advance, but it is rarely necessary except during holiday periods. Reserve when you get to Britain.

Most long-distance trains have both first and standard (economy) class carriages and InterCity trains usually have a restaurant and/or buffet car, serving hot meals, light snacks and drinks. Pullman trains offer luxury travel to the main business centres in Britain, with meal service at your seat available to first class ticket holders. Hundreds of stations also have cafes.

Overnight sleeping car-trains across the country are an ideal way to gain a day and save on hotel charges, with a supplementary charge of £25 per journey, per berth for standard class, and £30 for a single berth compartment, first class. Reservations should be made well in advance.

If you only want to make a few journeys, single or return (round trip) tickets can be bought in Britain at any station, British Rail Travel Centre or rail appointed travel agents. First class tickets cost about 50 per cent more than standard class. For many journeys, reduced price tickets (with limitations on times and day of travel) are often available at a considerable saving on ordinary fares. If you plan a lot of travelling, a bargain-buy is the BritRail Pass. This pass (which must be purchased from travel agents in your own country - it cannot be bought in Britain) will give you unlimited travel on all scheduled British Rail services throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

If you are touring Europe and travelling between France and Britain, why not try the recently opened Channel Tunnel. Travelling by car on 'Le Shuttle' between Calais and Folkestone, it takes only 35 minutes; or by train on the high speed 'Eurostar' you'll reach London's Waterloo Station in as little as 3 hours, from either Paris or Brussels.

7. “At the Railway Ticket Office”

Read, learn and dramatize the dialogue

Прочитайте, вивчіть та розіграйте діалог“У залізничній касі”

А. Good morning. Can I help you?

B. Yes, please. I want to go to Stanmore. When`s the next train?

A. Let me see. There`s one at 10.42. You change at Doncaster. And there`s another one at 11.15.

B. Is that direct or I have to change?

A. That`s direct.

B. What time does it arrive?

A. Which one? The 10.42 or 11.15?

B. The 11.15.

A. It gets in at…14.40.

B. Right. I`ll get a return ticket then, please.

A. When are you coming back? Are you coming back today?

B. No, tomorrow.

A. Ah, so you can`t have a day return. You need a period return. That`ll be 8.40.

B. Can I pay by credit card?

A. Yes, certainly.

B. Which platform does it leave from?

A. Platform 3.

B. Thanks

A. Good-bye.