Recent content by Argosy

I think it would be prudent to see how they work out first. I believe Hitachi have a 3 and 4 car option. Seem to recall something in Rail last year about this. There certainly is an inter regional option which could be used on the WHML, HML and GSW routes.

Bi-mode would make so much sense and offer huge journey opportunities. The only problem is that in the UK it is still untried technology (though has been used in France for ages) that it is probably a bit too soon. Bi-mode would save a lot of unnecessary electrification at less cost and...

Goodbye all steam locos ...... and of course the Island Line.

The tipping point for a 2-car 156 is about 20 people. Or about 15 cars (1.33 persons per car). At 20 people the emissions are around equal. Below 20 people the unit is contributing more carbon than it is offsetting. Obviously as cars get greaner then the 156 has to carry more passengers on...

It was improvement to a region/sub-region I had in mind, not just justifying a rail link to Stranraer (Cairnryan). Bi-modes would be more cost effective than electrification to Girvan and soldiering on with two fleets, facilities etc. Might as well put the stop blocks up at Girvan and save the...

Why? The advantage of Queens Drive was that there was land available. It is also very close to the A77. Hurlford is further away plus exit from it from a traffic point of view might have been more difficult. It's all academic anyway, because the land earmarked has been put to other use...

Really, well they don't think about public transport links to Ireland? The easiest way of solving these longer distance ones is bi-mode. You need very few extra units to run an hourly bi-mode Glasgow - Girvan and a two hourly Glasgow - Stranraer. Just an extension of the existing fast and...

Not so. The idea of a station at Queens Drive (on the Riccarton branch) is an excellent one as it is right beside the A77. There are only two problems. 1. Kilmarnock terminators stop in the bay platforms 1 & 2 and thus this would require turning P3 into a very high use platform...

Yes. The immediate cause of the derailment was the collapse of the bridge (known as Bridge 88, just south of Stewarton) that followed the catastrophic structural failure of its east and centre main girders. Heavy corrosion had so significantly weakened these main girders that they were no...

Yes. When operating to Stranraer there are no turning facilities there. In a rather complicated process of shunting one ends up with 2 x Black Fives running tender first back towards Glasgow. In 2010 they ran back to Glasgow double tender first all the way as far as Elderslie before the...

In April 2010 there was an instance of double headed tender first operation of around 100 miles with an 11 coach WCRC steam special.

Except that 1. The buses are in the same traffic queue as other road vehicles. 2. Buses run on diesel (although there are bio fuel vehicles around but not I think on Insula Vectis) 3. Buses don't attract people from cars. 4. Buses are getting larger and heavier. 5. Buses require tree...

How do you know the occupation is not legal? There is legal mechanism for this you know? Or maybe you don't. NR are more than happy to support this. It has been part of Community Rail for years. One just has to go through the right channels that's all.

No it isn't. Rail is a mode of transport. Frequency is irrelevant. If an operator wishes to run aircraft, trains, ships or coaches the standard must be of a high enough quality to meet regulatory requirements.

That would be virtually impossible on the IoW with the exception of the Military Road! The destruction in houses gardens would be unbelievable. Like any 'community' there are attractors i.e. places that people need to go. In the main on a daily basis they are clearly shops, places of...