Travelling by train

Conversation

Passenger: Hello, I’d like a return to Liverpool, please. By high-speed train.

Ticket Clerk: We don’t have high-speed trains here, I’m afraid.

Passenger: So, how long does the journey take?

Ticket Clerk: London to Liverpool? Oh, about three hours. That’s if you don’t miss your connection at Birmingham.

Passenger: Three hours to go 400km! That’s a lot. And why would I miss the connection?

Ticket Clerk: Well, this service is subject to disruption and cancellations at the moment due to work on the line. Just wait on the platform and you’ll hear any announcements.

Passenger: Actually, I’d like to go on to Inverness after Liverpool. Do you have a timetable?

Ticket Clerk: I’m afraid I don’t another train operator deals with that part of the network. But Liverpool to Inverness sounds complicated. You’d probably be best to hire a car.

Passenger: Hire a car? But I can’t drive!

Ticket Clerk: Well hitch-hike, then. It’ll probably be faster than taking the train!

Vocabulary

The conversation

return = aller-retour

high-speed train = train à grande vitesse

connection = correspondance

disruption = perturbation

work on the line = travaux sur la voie

cancellation = annulation

platform = quai

announcement = annonce

timetable = horaire

train operator = une des sociétés qui gèrent les trains en GB

network = réseau

hire a car = louer une voiture

hitch-hike = faire de l’auto-stop

Extra vocabulary

buffet car (GB), dining car (US) = voiture-restaurant

carriage = voiture

commuter/express/through train = train de banlieue/rapide/direct

first-/second-class ticket = billet de première/deuxième classe

line, track = voie ferrée

railway (GB), railroad (US) = chemin de fer

railway station (GB), railroad station (US) = gare

single (ticket)/one-way ticket = aller simple

sleeper, sleeping car = voiture-lit

ticket inspector = contrôleur