1Hello.
2Um... my family and I are staying here in Trebirch for a week or two
3and we wanted to know about the train services.
4We're hoping to do a few local trips.
5Okay.
6Well, I can give you lots of details about all the trains going from Trebirch in the South West.
7This leaflet will be very helpful
8but I can tell you some of the main things.
9We've got two main train stations in the town.
10King Street is for local commuter lines and regional services.
11What about trains to London?
12I'll need to go there on business for one day.
13Then you need to go to Central Station -
14that's for all the national services.
15There are regular trains to London.
16They leave Trebirch every half hour on weekdays and every hour at weekends.
17It takes about two hours, a bit longer on Sundays.
18You've got a choice of first and second class and there's a buffet car -
19though refreshments are included in the cost of a first class ticket.
20Ah, right.
21Um, and have you got any information on different ticket types?
22Yes.
23There's a range of ticket prices depending on when you travel and when you buy your ticket.
24There's a standard open ticket which doesn't have any restrictions.
25This can be bought in advance or on the day.
26You can also get various discounted tickets.
27A popular one is called the Supersave
28and, er, this is OK for travel after 8.45.
29Then there is the Special ticket,
30which is valid for travel after 10:15.
31The Special tickets are also valid for travel at weekends.
32The cheapest tickets are called Advance
33and you have to buy them at least six days ahead.
34Only a certain number are available
35and you have to make seat reservations for these.
36Thanks. And are there lots of places to go to around here?
37Oh yes.
38You can enjoy many days out.
39Um there's the Merthyr Mining Museum,
40which is only half an hour from Trebirch by train.
41Your children will find it just as fascinating as any theme park
42and they can ride in the original miners' lifts and on the coal trains.
43There are special excursion tickets which include entrance fees.
44Mainline trains also offer direct services to Bristol,
45where you can visit the docks or spend a great day out with the children in the zoo,
46which is set in the parkland that used to surround the old castle.
47Er, special family awayday fares are available for this service now during the school holidays.
48Er, alternatively, you can be in Birmingham in only an hour and a half,
49where there's lots to see and do including the new and internationally-acclaimed climbing wall
50built on the site of the old aquarium.
51We will also be running a special service to Newport
52when the new science museum opens next year,
53as we anticipate a lot of visitors in the opening weeks.
54I'd advise you to call early to book your tickets.
55Is that OK?
56Yes, thanks.