It looks like the disruption on the WCML is having a major affect on the ECML, particularly on evening services. I hadn't noticed any difference until Wenesday evening when the 17.20 was rammed. It was the same again last night, particularly (so I'm told) with the Edingburgh bound services.

Unfortunately, the extra passengers is also affecting Kings Cross station. There were so many people there last night that it was a struggle to get through the throng to the platform. This can be a bit inconvenient if, like me, you usually arrive at the station with minutes to spare and can't get to the platform in time becasue of the extra people. My advice is to to leave a little earlier than normal. I know I am.

I received my BITE card (as mentioned on the comments section of an earlier posting) earlier this week. For those that haven't seen the comment, the BITE card entitles you to a 20% discount from stioned based retailers such as Burger Kings and Upper Crust to name but a few. It's valid at stations throughout the UK which means people who regularly travel by rail can save an awful lot of money from it.

To give you an example, GNER charge £1.40 for a cup of tea from the trolley service. A cup twice the size of GNER's trolley service will cost you £1.29. Apply the 20% discount and you pay just £1.03 for the same cup. Assuming a season ticket holder buys 1 cup a day from the trolly and travels aproximately 300 days per year, they could save a whopping £111 for no more effort than applying for a card.

To get one of your very own, just vist - http://www.bitecard.co.uk/

It will take up to 3 weeks to get your card but it's worth the wait. The more people apply, the more likely it is that the card will stay for the long term.