Recent content by 142094

40 tonnes and a lack of sanders made driving in LRA conditions very difficult. When starting away you had two options - put it in low rate and hope that you could get traction, or slowly notch up. However with there only being 3 power notches, one being a shunt notch, you were hoping for the...

Apologies for the late response, but to update: Having sent a response regarding the refund for the TfL Rail/bus/Tube fares, I didn't receive a reply. From the looks of it, when I spoke to the customer service staff and manager on the phone, the complaint was closed. However, a few days later...

This has happened a few times now so thought one of our London members may have found themselves in a similar situation. Trains from Acton Main Line are operated by TfL Rail, no other services stop here apart from a few early morning/late evening GWR trains. For example, I tap in at 0820 for...

No-one at Acton is getting Tuped across. It is also no secret that Freightliner don't have enough drivers, so looks as if DB will get some of the work back.

Speed magnets that protect the fixed red at the end of the line. All terminating stations have them now, they were introduced after the Moorgate crash.

Much depends on who is in control and the driver. Some controllers would want the train moved regardless of what is happening. As a former driver, I stopped the service several times due to: a)Being the only member of staff present b)Knowing that the station would be unmanned c)I wasn't...

There is an interesting set up on Network Rail between Sunderland and Pelaw Junction which is shared by Tyne and Wear Metro trains. On the Down Sunderland after Fellgate, the PSR for Metro units is 80kmh and the junction back onto Metro infrastructure is also 80kmh - but the flashers are...

The cupboard to the left of the driver's door when looking from the front passenger seat is filled with electrical circuits and relays. When going through the braking steps from 1st, 2nd, 3rd and full service (also Emergency as a last resort) the relays make a clicking sound. Doesn't normally...

Not sure of the exact figures but the tunnels in Newcastle are smaller than standard Network Rail clearances, as are the overheads on the majority of the original system (not including Benton to Callerton/Airport).

Acton like a lot of depots is short on drivers, and it is a struggle attracting people to the London depots. If you're fully mainline trained in the rules, then very likely once you've completed the junior driving hours they'll want you out on the mainline.

No roster yet for junior drivers as we don't have any fully trained up yet. However you'll not be driving on the yard for very long.

There has been a mass exodus since this time last year, probably between 20-30 drivers who have either gone to other TOCs/FOCs or are due to leave in the next few months. This isn't including those due to retire. Word has it that drivers are being balloted for strike action as this year's pay...

4 minutes is the shortest turnaround time, although this does depend on if the driver needs to use the facilities at the terminus station. I believe the reason is that, due to the slower linespeed, if Chichester was served, it would throw the whole timetable out of the window. You'll often see...

Yes, think I remember Wallsend and North Shields being in blue. There is a picture of it somewhere on Flickr.

OHL was at BR height from Benton south to west curve all the way to Callerton for trains running up to the ICI plant, and still is. rest of the system excluding the Sunderland extension the wires are lower, which is why any new rolling stock can't be to standard Network Rail clearances.