Train of thought

For anyone about to catch a train to work in the morning, here's a little rail trivia. I'd heard of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but I'd never heard of a Railroad Hall of Fame. Maybe they're both for people who made great tracks.

But this Railroad Hall of Fame has a new member, in the form of George Pullman, who gave his name to comfortable train travel and phrases such as pullman lounges, pullman cases and pullman kitchens.

Pullman is credited with creating the first railway sleeper cars, which were known as "palace cars" because of their glamour and luxury. Passengers on the long journeys across the United States needed more comfort than a hard seat - and Pullman's sleepers from the 1860s held the promise of being hotels on wheels, with fine food and soft beds.

Food for thought

It can be tough to sleep in these hot summer nights. It's a restless, quilt-kicking time of year.

But if you find it hard to stay in bed, spare a thought for the story this week of the woman who sleep walks her way to the fridge each night. Without realising what was happening, each night this poor soul went to the fridge and scoffed huge quantities of food. It wasn't the salad bowl she was raiding either, but the chocolate and cheese compartment. Next thing she knows, she's nine stone heavier and has no idea how it happened. She has been sleepwalking on a munchie mission for all these years.