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.
đź’Ľ 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
đźš‚ 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.
đź“š 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.
đź“– 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:
âś… Then: Books, newspapers, and letter writing.
âś… 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:
âś… Then: Dining cars and packed lunches.
âś… Now: Meal deals, Starbucks, and supermarket snacks.
đź‘• What People Wear on Trains Today
Gone are the days of formal train attire—comfort is key in modern rail travel.
đź‘• 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:
âś… Then: Smart suits, dresses, and hats.
âś… 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:
âś… Then: Paper books, letters, and conversation.
âś… 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.
đźš‚ 1960: Pros
âś… More romantic & stylish (steam trains, formal dress, dining cars).
✅ Better social atmosphere—passengers actually talked!
âś… A slower, more relaxed travel experience.
🚆 2025: Pros
âś… Faster journeys, cheaper fares, and more direct routes.
âś… More food & drink choices (and no stale British Rail sandwiches!).
âś… 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? 🚂
đź“Ś 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?
