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Hello, welcome to the programme.

Now, it is fair to say that most people travelling internationally

have spent the last 60 years or so getting pretty used to the aeroplane

as the default mode of long-distance transport.

Trains have got a lot faster in that time, some trains at least,

and in many countries that has made a lot of domestic air travel unnecessary.

But still, journeys where the train takes, say, more than four or five hours, passengers will often expect to take the plane.

But of course, planes can be a pain with baggage checks and the like and growing numbers of consumers,

a feeling they don't want to use a service that pours industrial-scale greenhouse gaspoles. planes can be a pain with baggage checks and the like and growing numbers of consumers,

a feeling they don't want to use a service that pours industrial-scale greenhouse gases into the air.

So our question today is, can the train make a comeback?

Sleeper services are expanding in Europe.

There's talk of a new age of the train, but I'm guessing it's hard to tell whether that's just for literally the new age types for train aficionados, romantics and those scared

of flying, or whether trains can be a serious competitor to the plane. Now, I have three guests

to talk us through this. I think it's fair to say guests are on the side of the train in the studio.

So do expect that.

And joining us first, Michael Gerer, a rail design engineer,

someone who's been trying to set up a night rail service from the UK to the continent for several years.

So Michael, just give us a little bit of your career background

because you're a slightly strange figure in this field.

Right. I'm an engineer.

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