As a serious suggestion I wonder if a 3 class system might work on longer distance services. As well as the current standard and first there would be an intermediate class intended to be for longer distance travellers. It would have low density, more comfortable seating, more tables, a more relaxing interior (including dimmer lighting, and adjustable reading lights, more like on coaches and planes) and a better buffet or at seat service. It could even have compartments and facilities for families (for example small play areas for children), and of cource extra luggage space. Price would be much higher than standard for short distances (or even not available), but would reduce in relative terms as distance increased to the point where for a long distance journey price would be basically the same as standard is now. Standard class would have higher density seating, few tables, at best a basic trolley service, all well suited to short distance users. It would help to solve the problem where many Intercity services (especially Cross Country) get both a mix of short distance travellers, perhaps doing 10-30min journies, and long distance travellers going for a few hours. Oviously the ratio of standard class to the enchanced standard would depend on the number of passengers who travel longer distances compared to short hops, but I would say at most it would be 1/4 of the train enchanced and 1/2 standard (with the other 1/4 first).
