How to start a conversation with a stranger?

For most people, breaking the ice is the hardest part in starting a conversation with someone you don't know, but after the ice is broken, everything else should become easier/come more easily (maybe not!  what is the reason for attempting to open a conversation?)
1. start with a greeting
make(?) a greeting and then talk about weather is a good way (especially with the British, I think.lol)

(what happens if stony silence is returned 哈哈）
2. introduce yourself and find out the stranger's name.
3. find a common topic that you can talk about
4. continue the conversation
5. end up the conversation (how?)
tell them it was a pleasure meeting them.
What do you think ?  (I think it is fraught with difficulty sometimes - particularly with British and Korean people! 嘻嘻）

Scenario - London-Manchester train:

A.Hello - it is a bleak foggy wintry London day is, isn't it?

B.mmm

A.Do you often take this train to Manchester?

B.No

A.Are you from London?

B.No

A.My name is Ai weiwei, may I ask your name?

B.No

A.I am visiting from Beijing

B.So?

A.Nice talking to you

B.Mmm