Possible Clues:

• Guidance always needed in period of progress
• The lowest class will find the boards accommodating always
• The stern shows one how old the beast is
• Ship's accommodation with lowest fares
• Perhaps how old the 11 across are back at the ship
• Government providing cheap travel
• Cheapest travel is always in a coach
• The cheapest fares ever available in a coach
• 11 across, perhaps, right at the back
• I could tell by the stern how old the beast was