TO THE SEA BY TRAIN

HUGELY ENTERTAINING AND INFORMATIVE EVENING STANDARD A FEAST OF ANECDOTAGE SUNDAY TIMES Throughout the twentieth century the seaside service posters of Britain s railways promised fresh air and frivolity to millions of urban dwellers with the phrase To the sea by train A staple of modern British life the seaside getaway was intertwined with the train in whose compartments holidaymakers were shunted from smog choked cities to sandy coves With his signature wit and anecdotal style Andrew Martin captures an era defined by its railways from the development of Brighton and Scarborough into pleasure resorts and the introduction of bank holidays and two day weekends to the advent of cheap flights and the British coast s subsequent decline Humorous and evocative To the Sea by Train takes a charming tour through Britain s most beloved pastime