My strongest summer train tip is simple: travel after the morning rush, book a specific train early when your plans are firm, and choose a branch line instead of the obvious coastal express. Picture arriving at the station with a backpack, coffee, and a reserved seat in mind, only to find a platform full of families, suitcases, and people standing in the aisle. I have made that mistake more than once. The problem is rarely the train itself. It is usually the departure time, the ticket type, or the assumption that every scenic route feels relaxed in July. How to…