If you go to one of the stations on Line S1 in Hamburg, you will see that the overhead signs on the airport-bound platform tell you that the front three cars of the train go to the airport. Helpfully, they tell you this in both English and German .

However, until a train actually comes in it's difficult to tell where the front is!

How could this be made clearer- while retaining the simplicity of the signage as it is?

About a year ago there were plans by DHL to run an air-rail cargo service into Leipzig-Halle airport.

The trains would serve 6 DHL destinations in Germany (Hamburg, Kassel, Frankfurt and so on): they would use the high-speed passenger network to shuttle between these cities and the airport in less than 3 hours. This would avoid road and air congestion in Germany.

Converted high speed passenger rolling stock was to be used so that passenger train speeds could be attained.

A line was created into the airport from the railway to the south of the airport - the Schkeuditz line. It is being used to bring fuel into the airport: the new tank farm is just beyond DHL's terminal.

A trial of DHL's cargo service was to be started last October - but I don't know what has happened since!

Do any of my readers know, please?

I arrived in Salt Lake City from London just before 20:00 one Saturday evening recently. I knew there was a UTA bus which would take me downtown: having found it I got on and asked for a ticket. I told the driver which hotel I was going to, and was given comprehensive instructions on how to reach it – he was apologetic because on Saturdays I had to change onto the TRAX light rail in the city centre.

Having found my seat, the driver then came up with a system map, an airport bus timetable and a TRAX timetable.

As I got off, he gave me comprehensive directions on how to catch the right light rail train, where to get off, and the route from the stop to my hotel.

I was impressed. The driver recognised that I needed a bit more help than usual, and went out of his way to give it. It really brought home the point that anyone can do their job: it takes thought and imagination to do that job well in a way which really satisfies the customer. Congratulations, UTA, in delivering excellence!

Do you have any good stories like this to share?