Sadly the latest train drivers pay increase will just make things worse until maybe we get the whole system renationalised, I think the truth is closer to £90k a year (intercity) if you factor in overtime, and sweet deals.
I travelled by train for maybe 25 years and had a senior railcard at the end. Ten years ago it was still possible to book cheap fares in advance. At the time, Grand Central ran from Bradford (I think) to Kings Cross on an early morning commuter special. Non stop from Doncaster so they wanted it full. Once I got £16 out and £26 back.
Looking at it now, distance travel is stupidly expensive and the consequence of placating unions will be fewer jobs in the long term. Railway strikes in the past never ended that well, neither did the miners strikes. Unions are blind to the consequences of high wages. If customers don't get an equivalent income you have no customers. It's not rocket science.
