RAIL bosses have called foul over claims that it is more expensive to take the train than to buy a car for the same journey.

An experiment for Auto Express magazine saw the round trip between Newcastle and London by road completed for £199, including buying a car, taxing and insuring it, and paying for fuel.

The cost compares with an open return between Kings Cross and Newcastle of £157, making it £115 more for two people to travel by GNER than by car.

A GNER spokesman said the magazine had compared the highest standard class fare, instead of the cheapest available day return, of £31.

He said: "If you want to travel at a few minutes notice then you will pay the full price of £157 return and you can get straight on a train.

"You can't buy a car and get it taxed in ten minutes, and if you had the time to do that you can book a ticket in advance."

Fran Critchley, deputy secretary of the Rail Passengers' Committee North-East, said fares giving flexibility over travel were over-priced, but cheaper options were available for more travellers.

She said: "It is difficult to compare, and they could have got a much cheaper train ticket."

Auto Express bought a 1990 Ford Sierra 1.6L at auction for £40, plus £10 buyer's premium, with a month's insurance for £44.18, tax for a month of £14.67, a fuel bill of £87.53 with half a tank left, and oil costing £2.99.