‘People had forgotten about it’: onboard the 7am Manchester-London train service saved from axe

‘Why would they cancel it? What’s the point of making life harder for people?’ one passenger asked. Photograph: Colin McPherson/The Guardian

“I don’t think I’ve seen it this busy in years,” said Liam, a customer service specialist struggling to deal with a growing line of tired customers onboard the 7am Avanti West Coast service from Manchester to London.

They were made more agitated by the news that the microwave was broken and bacon sandwiches were off the menu. “I don’t think there’s been this many people on the 7am since before Covid,” said the beleaguered staff member.