This may prove pessimistic; the benefit will be nearly double if demand for rail travel continues to grow.

The rapid growth of rail travel in recent years has led to some old rolling stock coming out of retirement.

Passenger satisfaction with rail travel has slumped to its lowest level in a decade.

Passenger groups fear that the move will make long distance rail travel less attractive and push passengers back into cars and planes.

The three businesswomen dining at the adjacent table all agreed that, without restaurant cars, rail travel would be much less pleasurable.