Train travel in the U.K and Europe is very precise with their time tables and stops. Make sure you are up and ready with your bags when the train is coming into the station, otherwise you won’t have time to exit before the train leaves. I’ve seen people miss their stop because they were still seated when the train came into their station.
The same goes for getting on the train when it comes into the station, be ready to board. The main train stations are massive so allow enough time to get there, and find the right platform.
Pay attention to the type of car you are entering and sitting in by checking the placard on the outside or inside. You could be entering a First Class car with a Second Class ticket. Or you could be sitting in a car that allows smoking (getting rare) or a car that requires you to be quiet with your cell phone. Some of the Class placards are hard to see or even find, so ask if you’re not sure. It Great Britain you can usually upgrade to First Class with a Second Class ticket once you have boarded providing there are unreserved seats available. It’s usually a small fee and you get some perks like comfortable seating, free beverages, newspapers, and sandwiches. This is not always the case in Europe. They might charge for beverages and snacks in First Class.
It’s always a good idea to make a reservation. Second Class seats fill up quick. You will see a paper stub attached to the seat if it’s reserved, and will display what station the reservation starts and ends at. If you are traveling alone you might be alright without a reservation, but more than one seat together can be difficult to find in peak season or during certain times of the day or week.
For the most part the trains are in good shape. I did experience a train in Belgium last summer that broke down and the air conditioning wasn’t working. Breakdowns are rare but can happen, so be prepared.
The staff was friendly for the most part at the locations I visited. During a busy day most of us could be a little short with questions, which I did experience at a very busy station in Belgium that appeared to be understaffed. I always make it a point to learn “thank you” in the language spoken while traveling in a foreign country. I think it goes a long way.
Most of all enjoy the ride, and enjoy the conversation with total strangers. You can share your stories and listen to theirs. I’ve shared a bottle of whisky with two retired nurses from Canada while traveling to Scotland, and received a nice comment from a man in Belgium for saying “thank you” in his native tongue. He thought I was a local because of my perfect pronunciation and started talking to me in Flemish. We had a laugh when I told him I didn’t understand what he was talking about. Good thing he also spoke English.