northern

Passengers are best to check their train operator before heading on board

In the UK, there are several big train companies, and many are used by thousands daily for commuting, visiting family or friends, or even during a staycation. Each company has its own features. For instance, some trains have Wi-Fi and USB charging ports, while others do not.

When it comes to food and drinks, there are differences as well. Some railway companies offer catering services, but many others do not. Every train operator has its own rules about bringing your own food and drinks onboard – and there are some items you should avoid.

On National Rail’s official website, a statement reads: “Many train companies have onboard catering facilities. These can include trolley services, counter buffet services and restaurant cars. The longer the journey, the more likely that there will be food and drink available on board.”

Some train companies offer food and drink on board. Below is a list of the ones that do:

There are numerous others that don’t, however. The following train companies and services do not offer onboard catering:

• c2c
• Chiltern Railways
• Elizabeth line
• Gatwick Express
• Great Northern
• Heathrow Express
• London Northwestern Railway
• London Overground
• Merseyrail
• Northern
• South Western Railway
• Southeastern
• Southern
• Stansted Express
• Thameslink
• West Midlands Railway

According to National Rail, passengers can bring their own food onboard, and they are urged to “take care” with hot drinks. However, they should not “leave wrappers and other packaging behind”, or “get carried away” when consuming alcohol.

In a major “do not” alert, the passenger rail service says people should avoid bringing certain types of food on board. It says: “Don’t bring very smelly food on your journey – leave that wedge of Stinking Bishop at home!”

In terms of alcohol, National Rail adds: “In general, you can bring and consume alcohol on trains, except those managed by Transport for London. But some train companies will run alcohol-free services, so check before you travel. And remember, antisocial behaviour is not permitted at any time.” Scroll down below for a look at the trains that ban alcohol at certain hours and on specific routes.

The largest train companies in the UK, by network size, passenger numbers, and franchise size, include Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), Great Western Railway (GWR), Northern Trains, Avanti West Coast, and ScotRail. GTR is the largest, running 22% of all passenger services in the UK, including Thameslink, Southern, and Great Northern.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)

GTR covers Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern, and Gatwick Express. The railway operator doesn’t have a strict rule against certain food or drink items, but it is requested that passengers do not consume items that disturb or upset other passengers, and litter must be taken with them.

You are allowed to bring and eat your own food and drinks on Southern Railway trains. Usually, there aren’t any catering services on Southern Railway’s commuter trains, but passengers can enjoy their meals and drinks as long as they are ‘polite to others’, ‘keep the train clean’, and ‘take their rubbish with them’. You can have food and drinks, but please be ‘mindful of strong odours’. Alcohol is mostly allowed, but Southern might limit it on certain trains, like those for football games.

Regarding Thameslink trains, as there are no on-board catering services, passengers are encouraged to bring their own refreshments. However, the trainline asks passengers to avoid bringing ‘smelly, hot, or messy food’ that may disturb other passengers. Alcohol is generally allowed on Thameslink, but antisocial behaviour is not tolerated, and you may be asked to stop or leave if deemed intoxicated.

It is important to note that while London-based Thameslink services allow alcohol, other Transport for London (TfL) services do not. All of the above also applies to Great Northern and Gatwick Express trains.

Great Western Railway (GWR)

On GWR trains, you can bring your own food and drinks, including alcohol, but ‘avoid bringing food that smells really strong’. You can usually have alcohol, but ‘anti social behaviour is not allowed’, and specific, limited services may have restrictions.

Food and drink are available only on longer-distance routes operated by Intercity Express Trains. On most long-distance trips, there are snacks, drinks, and alcoholic beverages you can choose from. However, not all local routes have food and drink services, especially the ones between Penzance–Exeter St Davids and Exeter St Davids–Bristol/Cardiff/Gloucester/Worcester.

Usually, there is a free trolley service with snacks and drinks available at your seat on high-speed trains that run from 6am to 7.30pm. Passengers are urged to take their rubbish with them or use the bins that are available.

Northern Trains

You can usually bring food and non-alcoholic drinks on Northern Rail trains, so you can have your own snacks during the trip. But on some “dry trains,” alcohol is banned. It’s important for passengers to also be thoughtful of others by ‘not bringing strong-smelling foods’ and by ‘taking all their rubbish with them’.

A statement on the official Northern website reads: “On certain trains, we don’t allow any alcohol on board. We’ve made some of our services ‘dry trains’ because of past issues with people getting rowdy and causing trouble.

“If you’re on a ‘dry train’, our staff will ask you not to drink or hide any booze during your journey. If you’re visibly drunk or try to sneak alcohol on board, you won’t be allowed to travel and could face prosecution under railway byelaws. If you’ve got alcohol with you before you board these services, you’ll need to dispose of it before the barriers, please. No exceptions here – you won’t be able to travel with it.” The trains where you can’t bring alcohol are listed online.

Avanti West Coast (AWC)

You can bring your own food and drinks on AWC trains, but it’s best to avoid really smelly items. In Standard and Standard Premium classes, you can buy snacks and drinks from the onboard shop, and there are hot food choices too. In First Class, you get free meals and drinks, depending on the time and length of the trip. You can have alcohol, but don’t drink too much; also, some services might not allow alcohol, so it’s a good idea to check first.

ScotRail

You can bring and consume your own food and non-alcoholic drinks on ScotRail trains. Alcohol consumption is restricted, with a ban in place during certain hours. It is advised to avoid bringing very smelly food and to take your litter with you.

A statement on ScotRail explains: “Alcohol may be consumed on our trains between 10am and 9pm. Other restrictions may apply in certain circumstances, such as large sporting events or concerts, as determined by ScotRail and the British Transport Police (BTP), on a case-by-case basis. Railway Byelaw 4 (2) states that a passenger with intoxicating liquor can be prevented from entering, or be asked to leave, the railway.”

Abdel Hamid Karimeh says seven people injured as rescue teams search for people trapped under rubble.

At least six people have been killed and seven others were wounded when two adjoining buildings collapsed in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, the head of ⁠the municipal council said.

Abdel Hamid Karimeh, speaking at a press conference in Tripoli on Sunday, did not say how many people might still be ‌trapped under debris in the northern city’s Bab al-Tabbaneh neighbourhood.

Search and rescue operations were under way, with civil defence teams, supported by the Lebanese Red Cross and emergency and relief agencies, leading efforts.

Residents of the neighbourhoood also took part in rescue efforts, rushing to help remove debris and create openings in the collapsed building.

Members of the Internal Security Forces and Tripoli municipal police have evacuated residential buildings adjacent to the collapsed building, fearing their collapse, amid a heavy deployment of army personnel, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported. It said eight injured people had been rescued.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun ordered all emergency services to be on high alert to assist in rescue operations and to provide shelter for the residents of the neighboring buildings, according to the NNA report.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said in a statement that the government is fully prepared to provide housing allowances for all residents of buildings that need to be evacuated.

“Given the magnitude of this humanitarian catastrophe, the result of years of accumulated neglect, and out of respect for the lives of the victims, I urge all those involved in politics, in Tripoli and elsewhere, to refrain from exploiting this horrific disaster for cheap and short-sighted political gains,” he said.

Lebanon’s infrastructure has suffered from decades of neglect, economic collapse, corruption, and damage caused by conflicts with Israel. Key issues include chronic electricity shortages, an unreliable water supply with contamination risks, and crumbling roads and buildings.

FINLAND has a staggering three million saunas to its five million residents.

So, when my guide tells me “sauna isn’t just our culture, it’s our way of life”, I believe him.

The tradition has been around for thousands of years here, with many treating these mini hot houses as a place to socialise, much like we would in the pub on a Friday night.

These saunas aren’t like the ones you find at your local gym, though. They are on a whole other level — think electric, wood-burning and the oldest kind, smoke saunas. And you’re expected to sit in the heated cabin, where the air is a sweltering 100C, for hours.

My adventure to the Nordic country takes me to Jyvaskyla in central Finland and the city of Tampere, which is known as the sauna capital of the world.

There are over 50 in the city centre alone. Sataman Viilu is one of the best, with two-hour sessions costing just €17 for use of its three saunas, two hot tubs, and lake-water plunge.

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My advice for newbies is to make sure you start with a sauna first. Being hot makes the transition easier because you will still feel warm when you brace the lake water.

I’d also recommend wearing a pair of thick socks, which will slow down the rate at which the cold takes over.

And while it may seem obvious, remember to breathe. Controlling your breath can be hard when you’re submerged in icy water, so focus on inhaling and exhaling through the chill.

You might think this activity is the kind to be enjoyed during the summer, when both Jyvaskyla and Tampere transform into a flowery paradise, but it’s popular all year round. The cool weather doesn’t matter to those living in Finland, even when temperatures go well below 0C.

One local told me: “We don’t have bad weather, just bad clothing.”
They’re out and about all the time, ice skating on lakes or hosting car and horse rallies on the frozen waters.

Magical bedroom

So, no surprise that in Finnish language there are hundreds of words for snow, depending on how it falls, whether it turns to slush, or if it lays like a thick blanket.

You may think warming stews, therefore, would be the focus of Finnish cooking.

And although these are popular in many parts, Finland is largely known for its blueberry farming. Throughout the year you can pick up tasty jams and blueberry juice — pay a visit to Lepomaki Farm if you’re keen to learn more.

Rich fish such as salmon, perch and herring are a staple in these diets, too.
Kuokkala Manor in Jyvaskyla is an excellent spot to sample local dishes — the beef tartare was delicious and came with a wintry topping of crunchy kale and cranberry.

If you’re staying close to Tampere, I loved Ravintola Kajo, a Michelin Guide restaurant in the city centre. While it is fancy, offering an 11-course tasting experience, wine pairings and tea-based drinks, there’s no pressure whatsoever to dress up.

Make sure to explore the Tampere Market Hall while you’re here, too. It’s the largest indoor market in the Nordic countries and dates back to 1901. Inside, you’ll find locals picking up fresh fish, coffee and pastries like Karjalanpiirakka, which has a thin rye crust and a savoury filling (usually rice porridge).

For dessert lovers, I’d highly recommend a cardamom donut from Pyynikin Munkkikahvila, a cafe within the market. It’s delicious and not too sweet.

If you’re worried about the chill getting too much, then book a stay at Lapland Hotel Arena, a ten-minute drive down the road where some of the bedrooms feature private saunas.

I enjoyed an early morning session each day while reading a book.
If you’re keen to stay closer to Jyvaskyla, The Boutique Hotel Yopuu has a cosy, family-run feel to it with each of its 26 rooms designed to look completely different.

But nothing could compare to my stay at the Hankasalmi and Revontuli Lakeland Village on the outskirts of Jyvaskyla.

I slept so cosily inside my All Sky Aurora Glass Igloo, which came with a little kitchen and living area — although the highlight was undoubtedly the magical bedroom, surrounded entirely by windows and with a glass roof to soak up the views.

You may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed.

Sadly, it was cloudy the day I was there, but watching the snow fall across the glossy, white landscape was spectacular.

Cheers broke out during Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo’s live report as a Syrian military convoy reached the town square of Tel Brak in northern Syria. It’s part of the nationwide unification of Syria after the central government reached a deal with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.