What three things would you fix or change about the railway?

[py_megapixel]

1) New EMUs with all the mod cons (level boarding etc.) but comfortable passenger-focussed interiors. Everywhere, electrifying where necessary.
2) Complete timetable re-cast from scratch.
3) Widespread fare simplification and reduction, preferably by metaphorically ripping up the whole fare system and starting again.

 

[Clayton]

Surely number one is cheaper fares and simpler tickets.

Then selective reopenings such as Oxford-Cambridge that will allow a lot of new cross-country journeys.

And coordination with bus services, including bus info being as easy to find as train times.

 

[BayPaul]

1. Completion of a national high speed network (HS2, NPR, extension to Scotland, connection to Bristol at least)
2. Extension of oyster type pricing nationwide
3. Attention to detail on passenger side. This means new train interiors that are nice, intelligent information systems, timetable planning etc.

 

[A S Leib]

A national railcard. Most existing railcards (16-25, 26-30, Armed forces, disabled etc.) would be discounted versions of the national one. Retain Family and Friends, two together and regional railcards as is. replace gold card scheme with the national railcard being a part of all season tickets at least the price of the national railcard

As you didn't mention it, scrap the 16 - 17 Saver and use child fares until the 18th birthday or the July / August (/ September) after? Having a consistent child fare age across tram networks would be nice as well (and maybe change local authority-specific child passes?).

 

[drb61]

1) A 7 day rail service with Sunday timetables broadly similar to Saturdays
2) Electrification of all routes that currently have at least an hourly service
3) Extension of HS2 all the way to Glasgow

 

[NoRoute]

Introduce an 'M1 Intercity' service, stopping at all the major towns and cities along the M1 motorway corridor.

Leeds, Wakefield, Barnsley, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Nottingham, Loughborough, Leicester, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Luton, Watford, Euston.

2 and 3 would be the enabling works for the above.

 

[alxndr]

1. Return to preferring simple mechanical point machines (e.g. HW2000) rather than overly complex clamplocks or HPSS points. They're reliable, easy to maintain, easy to adjust when they do go wrong, but still satisfying to work on.
2. Return to smaller "maintenance patches" so that there is indepth knowledge an element of pride in your patch. Allow the use of time to maintain and improve your patch to reduce the scrap/vegetation problem.
3. Install small training school areas at every depot so that the next generation can be taught and brought on without the need to juggle teaching opportunities and ever decreasing margins for work.

 

[Bevan Price]

1. Return to a single national operator for all UK passenger services, with, as far as practicable, timetables planned to give the best possible nationwide connections.

2. Reintroduce a national distance-based fare system, and widely affordable levels, with easements for reasonable alternative routes, and afternoon peak restrictions abolished. Abolish delay-repay, etc.

3. Electrify most lines other than lightly-used secondary routes / branches.

 

[Mikw]

Bring the fairs down.

Free coffee and tea like we used to have on the Midland Mainline Turbostars.

New station next to my house.

 

[Non Multi]

#1 Stop ordering carriages with Fainsa comrail seats, as well as seats without seat back tables.

#2 Introduce an affordable rolling subscription payment option (using ITSO cards), for travel at anytime across a specific local zone.

#3 Introduce monitored automatic sliding platform gates at fast line platforms where there's a significant track trespass problem.

 

[A S Leib]

Abolish delay-repay

Why? Unless the network's far more reliable won't that just turn people off of trains, particularly if the delay means missing a paid event without getting any money back?

 

[gmaguire]

All rolling stock should be owned by the DfT

 

[yorksrob]

1) A rolling electrification programme
2) Train and platform lengthening to increase capacity
3) A network expansion programme to reverse some of the worst cuts.

 

[rapmastaj]

I could pick more, but to make rail the default mode of choice for much more people I'd like to see...
1. Far cheaper fares
2. Infrastructure enhancements to allow more frequent, longer trains
3. More generous bicycle spaces at stations and on trains (with a small charge if need be) that are walk-up for all local services, and can be easily booked online for long distance services

 

[xotGD]

Loco-hauled trains with big, loud diesels on the front and carriages with windows that open and comfortable seats arranged in bays of four with window views.

(I think that must be at least three things in one sentence!)

 

[Basil Jet]

Loco-hauled trains with big, loud diesels on the front and carriages with windows that open and comfortable seats arranged in bays of four with window views.

"Hellfire"!

I'd like to change the disability rules so that new stations didn't necessarily have to be wheelchair accessible. I'd like to see the most used and most connected stations made wheelchair accessible, and the newest stations are generally neither of those things. In particular, if a shuttle like the Stourbridge Town line was inaccessible at both ends and a new station was built in the middle, the new station would currently have to have wheelchair access to the trains even though once the wheelchair user had got on the train, they wouldn't be able to get off at either end. This is nuts. The expenditure should be targeted where it benefits most journeys, not at new stations.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

1. 100% electrification of every single railway line in the UK plus 250 km/h on CrossCountry route, GWML, MML, ECML and WCML
2. Cheap tickets in line with the rest of Europe, with integration between bus and train - e.g. in Oxfordshire, a £7.50 countywide dayticket valid on any bus or train around the county
3. Double decker trains (Stadler KISS) on Thameslink, Crossrail, Southern and the busiest London commuter rail services. Also busy services in Northern England and Scotland

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@SouthEastBuses. Think you were only meant to have the three wishes!

 

[BluePenguin]

As a member of the forum for so long now, I think the most important restoration of all would have to be a XC Liverpool to Brighton service. Nothing has been discussed more often…

Most definitely, I think it is important that this happens. They should also one half of the train to Margate and avoiding Birmingham too if possible

 

[SouthEastBuses]

@SouthEastBuses. Think you were only meant to have the three wishes!

I thought you could have as much as you wanted... no mention of three wishes anywhere

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I thought you could have as much as you wanted... no mention of three wishes anywhere

The thread title might just be a clue!

 

[zwk500]

I thought you could have as much as you wanted... no mention of three wishes anywhere

And in post #1

Assuming unlimited money and no DfT/TOC interference, what three things would you fix or change about the railway?

As it happens,

9. Reopen all lines previously closed by Beeching - except those converted to heritage lines

All lines, even the ones nobody will ever use?

11. Double decker trains (Stadler KISS) on Thameslink, Crossrail, Southern and the busiest London commuter rail services. Also busy services in Northern England and Scotland

This would likely make performance and capacity on many lines worse, as dwell times would need to increase to compensate for the greater passenger load.

 

[Class465pacer]

1. Make it free to use
2. Extend all trains and stations to 30 coaches
3. Electrify the entire network

 

[TheBigD]

Closure of most level crossings.
Greater competition and greater commercial freedom.
Far less government interference.

 

[A S Leib]

Extend all trains and stations to 30 coaches

Including the ones where a 30 coach train would be long enough to reach the next station.

 

[JamesT]

"Hellfire"!

I'd like to change the disability rules so that new stations didn't necessarily have to be wheelchair accessible. I'd like to see the most used and most connected stations made wheelchair accessible, and the newest stations are generally neither of those things. In particular, if a shuttle like the Stourbridge Town line was inaccessible at both ends and a new station was built in the middle, the new station would currently have to have wheelchair access to the trains even though once the wheelchair user had got on the train, they wouldn't be able to get off at either end. This is nuts. The expenditure should be targeted where it benefits most journeys, not at new stations.

That’s a recipe for the railways never moving on. There always has to be somewhere that’s first on a line to be accessible. If you do build this new station on this theoretical shuttle line in an accessible way, you only need to upgrade one existing station to give an accessible service.
I’d be surprised if the cost of building an accessible station was significantly more than a non-accessible one. Plus it’s always going to cost more to retrofit it later.

 

[xotGD]

All of you folk wanting electrification everywhere - only if the preserved Roarers are brought back into service!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Electrify anything that's logical and if that means third rail then so be it.


Bi-mode conversion to to modern diesel stock and and any new stock purchased must be full electric or or buy mode

Ensure every station on the network has a bus or coach stop with a service time to arrive and depart before and after each train to and from the most logical place in relation to that station

 

[43096]

@SouthEastBuses. Think you were only meant to have the three wishes!

At least two of them are utterly pointless: suggesting use of 332s (all disposed of) and 365s (last one went for disposal the same day as the post!) aren’t exactly credible suggestions!

 

[mike57]

Ensure every station on the network has a bus or coach stop with a service time to arrive and depart before and after each train to and from the most logical place in relation to that station

I would extend that wish, a properly integrated transport system, with through ticketing and connections for a complete journey. Bus, Train, Tram/Light Rail even Ferry/River Boat(foot passengers). 1 app/website to book a journey, 1 ticket. and if you need to buy a ticket when you join, anyone can price and sell and end to end ticket because system and ticketing is simplified.