I think I might have it. I'll devise a clue and see.

G takes party organiser on this train ride at the fairground (5)

(If I'm right with train?)

Would this work?

This train runs from Milan to Manchester. (9)

Or is it wrong, or too simple?

Ghost's leading lady gets together for Gilgamesh (7)

JtS wrote:

QUOTE:
Would this work?

This train runs from Milan to Manchester. (9)

Or is it wrong, or too simple?

That's a pretty good clue. The "to Manchester" bit might be superfluous, though. In fact, you wouldn't lose anything (and you'd gain a measure of elegance) by reducing it to Milan train (9). You've still got all the wordplay you need ("Inter city") and a definition. It's a matter of personal style, though.

Mind you, I still need to be convinced that "train" is correct. I'm probably just missing something.

I don't think "Milan train" in itself would be sufficient to get you to "intercity", but I prefer the Telegraph to the Guardian. I thought JtS's clue was fairer (although I have to admit I still wouldn't have got it quickly, if at all, I was looking for some play of letters from the end of "Milan" to the start of "Manch"), not thinking about the "Inter" giveaway.

How about "Football special from Milan to Manchester (9)."

I don't know about that. Ideally, every word in a clue should be there for a purpose (although sometimes it's necessary to include some non-functional verbiage to get a clue that reads gramatically) and in JtS's original "runs from" and (unless I'm missing something) "to Manchester" don't really add anything.

It's near-inevitable that some of the clues in this thread will have some words in them that don't add to the sense or the mechanics, though, because the setter has to fit a specific word or phrase - the solution of the preceding clue - in there.

Andy C wrote:
[quote]I don't know about that. Ideally, every word in a clue should be there for a purpose

Agreed, ideally, but those are very, very hard to craft. My Portuguese river one above took a lot of hard work (which no-one's got yet).

I agree with pretty much all Andy's points here. And I think "Milan train" works just fine and is the best of the theme so far.

"Train" was the answer I had for Wyatt's too but I'm also not entirely sure why.

Having said all that, Jason's clue was just fine. When I got the answer I knew it was right, and was the only possible solution - and that's by far the most important criterion for a good crossword clue.

The brow is furrowed over the Gilgamesh one, however.

I've got it (at least, I'm 99% sure I have, despite not actually understanding a significant part of it). I'll get a clue up soon.

Complaint as angry demigod loses wings and gets irritated tip (8)