...When I was working in Germany in late 2002, I decided to take a trip up to northeastern England to meet-n-greet our very own Petey. My plane ticket from Frankfurt to London (Stansted, I believe) was in the neighborhood of €100. Give or take.

Then, my train ticket (sitting-or-standing, as available, definitely not reserved-seating) from London to Middlesbrough was on the order of £250.

Now, I'll grant that London to Middlesbrough is not a short trip. 3 hours or so by multiple trains. But ISTR that train travel out there is not subsidized by the federal government, as it is here. You pays your own way for a full-fare seat for a company actually trying to make a profit.