Guards check tickets but ask for "new passengers." More than once we got through a short journey without our tickets being checked. Trains are packed, lots of people commute and cell phones ring everywhere. Food was predictable and a bit more expensive once you’re en route but it seemed like almost every passenger would disappear for a short while, reappearing with a mini paper shopping bag containing a pop and chips. Yes, you can buy beer too! And, yes, there are toilets. It’s not unlike travelling by air on most of the trains. We were surprised to hear that Britons are angry about their train system. Privatization means that there are many different carriers and many delays. Being from a country with a sparse train service, we felt pampered along the way. Oh, and is there anything Richard Branson (Virgin) doesn't own?
TIP: If you are planning to travel only between the largest centres, don’t bother with a rail pass. The special fares for day return trips were really cheap. However, if you are venturing off the beaten track, the pass will be much more convenient and save you worrying about which trains you can use and save money.