THERE'S NO SOCIAL PATHOLOGY A DEPRESSION WON'T REMEDY:

Christmas getaway quiet on the roads as people take the train: The credit crisis is hitting the Christmas getaway, with people opting for train travel instead of driving and flying (David Millward, 12/19/08, Daily Telegraph)

Even though the cost of motoring has come down, families appear to be tightening the pursestrings and staying at home.

However the rail industry appears to have benefited, with passengers economising by booking cheap tickets in advance and shunning costly peak-time services.

Train operators also believe that demand has been boosted by the number of factories shutting down for longer than usual.