SEASONED traveller and stand-up Steve Gribbin rails against the current state of Britain’s railway system in Shunted Again. Using his very worst journeys as fodder the comic takes us on a (de)tour of cancellations, delays and overcrowding that’s enough to drive you to drive. It’s the antidote to Michael Portillo.

But he doesn’t stop there (it’s not scheduled): Steve shunts back into history to acknowledge the immense social change that the trains have brought, from the adoption of “railway time” (not an oxymoron), to the movement of goods and services, including, of course, troops on their way to war.

The show is a blissful blend of stand-up, songs, tannoy announcements and harrowing stories – not least that of Steve’s great grandfather John Gribbin, a railwayman who was knocked over and killed at Liverpool Lime Street Station in 1932. All in all you’ll learn the three most difficult words in the English language are not, “I Love You”, but “Bus Replacement Service.”

Shunted Again appears at the Arts Centre tonight at 8pm. Tickets are £ £12.50. To book go to swindontheatres.co.uk or call 01793 524 481.