In Europe at least, international train travel is enjoying a renaissance. The ever more popular Eurostar between London and Paris, Spain’s expanding network of AVE high-speed trains, the ICE network in Germany – just as we are beginning to understand that criss-crossing the world by air may leave very little of the world for our children to criss-cross at all, it looks as though an older, slower, greener and altogether more satisfying way of travel has smartened up its offerings.

Unfortunately for the planet, the rail revolution is not going to happen until the rail companies take a hard look at the appeal of flying – speed aside. We, as travellers, also need to rethink what we want out of a journey. Meanwhile, train travel can involve a series of minor but very palpable frustrations.