Traveling by train in 1960 was a completely different experience from today. With steam engines hissing at the platforms, station porters carrying luggage, and dining cars serving full meals, railway journeys had a sense of occasion. But what did people pack for a train trip back then? And how does it compare to what we bring on rail journeys today?
Let’s step into the past and explore how packing for a railway journey in the 1960s differs from modern travel.
🎒 Packing for a Railway Journey in 1960
In the early 1960s, Britain’s railway network was still expansive, and trains were slower but more leisurely. A journey could take several hours or even overnight, meaning packing wisely was essential.
🧳 The Typical 1960s Traveller’s Luggage
✔ A Sturdy Suitcase – No lightweight rolling cases! Suitcases were heavy, rigid, and made of leather or hardboard.
✔ A Hatbox (for women) or Briefcase (for men) – Many passengers dressed formally, and accessories mattered.
✔ A Handbag or Satchel – For important documents, snacks, and train tickets.
💼 Did You Know? Luggage was often checked into a special compartment rather than carried into the passenger carriage.
🍱 Food & Drink: Dining Cars vs. Packed Lunches
🚂 First-Class Passengers: Could enjoy full meals in a dining car, with white tablecloths and silver service.
🥪 Second-Class Passengers: Might purchase sandwiches and tea from the station buffet or railway trolley.
🧺 Families & Budget Travellers: Often brought their own packed lunch in a tin or paper-wrapped sandwiches.
🔎 What Was in a 1960s Packed Lunch?
- Meat Paste or Cheese Sandwiches (wrapped in wax paper).
- A thermos of tea or coffee (glass-lined, heavy, and easy to break).
- Fruitcake or biscuits for a snack.
- No plastic bottles! Drinks were stored in glass bottles or flasks.
🚆 Fun Fact: The infamous British Rail Sandwich—a pre-packaged, often stale affair—was already a joke in the 1960s.
🎩 What People Wore on a 1960s Train Journey
Travelling by train was a formal affair, especially for long-distance journeys.
👨 Men’s Train Attire:
- A suit and tie (even for medium-length journeys).
- A trilby or flat cap.
- Polished shoes and a newspaper under the arm.
👩 Women’s Train Attire:
- A day dress or skirt suit.
- A hat and gloves (especially for longer trips).
- A compact mirror, powder, and lipstick for freshening up.
🚆 Then vs. Now:
✅ Then: Dressing up was expected—even for travel.
✅ Now: Comfort is king—casual wear and backpacks rule.
📚 Entertainment: What Did People Do on Long Train Journeys?
With no smartphones, WiFi, or streaming services, passengers in the 1960s had to find analogue ways to pass the time.
📖 Popular Train Pastimes in 1960:
- Reading newspapers, magazines, or a paperback novel.
- Writing letters or postcards to send upon arrival.
- Playing travel board games, such as mini chess or cribbage.
- Conversing with fellow passengers (strangers actually talked to each other back then!).
🚆 Then vs. Now:
✅ Then: Books, newspapers, and letter writing.
✅ Now: Phones, e-books, podcasts, and Netflix.
🎒 Packing for a Railway Journey in 2025
Train travel today is faster, more digital, and more casual. High-speed trains mean passengers don’t pack as much, and amenities like WiFi, power sockets, and onboard catering have changed how we travel.
🧳 The Modern Traveller’s Luggage
✔ Lightweight Rolling Suitcase or Backpack – No need for heavy leather cases.
✔ Laptop or Tablet Bag – Work and entertainment on the go.
✔ Reusable Water Bottle – A must-have for modern travel.
✔ Headphones – To block out noise and enjoy music or podcasts.
🚆 Fun Fact: While people in the 1960s had porters to carry luggage, today’s travellers drag their own bags through stations and onto trains.
🍔 Food & Drink: From Dining Cars to Meal Deals
🚆 First-Class Passengers: Still get free snacks, drinks, and sometimes hot meals.
🍱 Standard-Class Passengers: Buy food from the onboard café or station shops.
🥗 Budget Travellers: Bring their own homemade food or supermarket meal deals.
🔎 Modern Packed Lunch Essentials:
- Pre-packed sandwiches or salads.
- Energy bars, crisps, or fruit.
- A refillable water bottle or coffee cup.
- No thermos flasks! Modern bottles keep drinks hot or cold.
🚆 Then vs. Now:
✅ Then: Dining cars and packed lunches.
✅ Now: Meal deals, Starbucks, and supermarket snacks.
👕 What People Wear on Trains Today
Gone are the days of formal train attire—comfort is key in modern rail travel.
👕 Common Train Outfits in 2025:
- Casual jeans, hoodies, and T-shirts.
- Business travellers in smart-casual attire.
- Athleisure wear for comfort on long journeys.
🚆 Then vs. Now:
✅ Then: Smart suits, dresses, and hats.
✅ Now: Hoodies, trainers, and backpacks.
📱 Entertainment: From Books to Binge-Watching
📱 How Do People Pass the Time Today?
- Streaming Netflix, YouTube, or podcasts.
- Scrolling social media and texting.
- Working on laptops (for business travellers).
- E-books and audiobooks replacing printed books.
🚆 Then vs. Now:
✅ Then: Paper books, letters, and conversation.
✅ Now: Smartphones, streaming, and silence.
🔚 Final Thoughts: Which Era Had the Better Train Travel Experience?
Train travel in the 1960s was slower, more formal, and more communal, while today it’s faster, more convenient, and digital.
🚂 1960: Pros
✅ More romantic & stylish (steam trains, formal dress, dining cars).
✅ Better social atmosphere—passengers actually talked!
✅ A slower, more relaxed travel experience.
🚆 2025: Pros
✅ Faster journeys, cheaper fares, and more direct routes.
✅ More food & drink choices (and no stale British Rail sandwiches!).
✅ Easier to pack light, thanks to modern luggage and amenities.
Would you rather travel in 1960 with a steam train, a dining car, and handwritten letters—or in 2025 with high-speed rail, WiFi, and Spotify playlists? 🚂
📌 Want to Know More?
🔎 Visit a heritage railway to experience 1960s train travel for yourself.
🎥 Watch classic railway films like Brief Encounter for a glimpse into vintage train journeys.
🚆 Plan your next modern railway adventure—where will you go next?
