Recent content by bangor-toad

Thanks to all for the various comments. I agree the Berlingo has much of the artistic styling of a brick. :D But let's face it, if it's even on the consideration list then you've got other priorities! But let me comment on one theme that runs through all the recommendations: There really...

The RAIB have published some initial comments and findings: Link to RAIB News story In it is this image: Caption: Rear-facing CCTV image from a train which passed the location of the accident at about 14:04 on the afternoon of 13 August 2026 (the irregularity is visible adjacent to the...

I thought I'd post my recent experiences and outcomes as I think it may be interesting to some of you... Previously, as a family we had a medium sized MG EV and a diesel estate. The diesel estate was written off in a low speed incident so it was time to search for a replacement. My...

Pure speculation on my part here... I suspect that SMD has caused the embankment to sag / drop a little. By itself that would probably just be a rough ride. However immediately before the derailment site there are two small bridges, one over Chalkpit Cut and the other over a path. Perhaps...

I'm not in the area but the images look as if they are from the section between the bridges over Pellbrook Cut and Chalkpit Cut. If I'm correct, about 200m further on the River Ouse is quite close to the tracks and that could have been much, much worse. EDIT: Pictures have started. It's...

Hi, Last time I did a SailRail trip to Belfast (almost exactly a year ago) I think I had one ticket for the whole journey. This was good for the train and the SailRail coach from Ayr to Cairnryan. At the Stena checkin at Cairnryan they took the ticket and gave me the ferry boarding pass. All...

Hi, That depends on where you are... For some of us in Northern Ireland this can be about 50%. Whilst that's obviously not a significant aggregate mileage across the whole of the UK car usage it is a large level on a personal basis. Whilst Northern Ireland is part of the the UK, I do wonder...

Back in 2007 / 2008 there was a company called CSRE who had a product line called Polaris. The company MD was a registered user here withe the username Kingfisher200262 The company seemed to have been an option for Grand Central. There was a Rail forums chat in 2019 about them; Link. Of...

I don't know about Poland or Spain but Italy has a historic electrical setup that's challenging... Many Italian homes have a meter that is capped to a total load of 3kW. If you exceed it (there's apparently a 10% extra allowance) the meter trips and it needs resetting. Whilst it's possible to...

Hi, I agree a lot of this will have calmed down by the middle of next week. At the moment much of NI is actually eerily calm with a few localised pockets of utter stupidity. Translink are being cautious though and have again cancelled evening service today (Thursday 11th). However, the airport...

I see what you mean. I think the PRONI 1:10000 map shows the old platform extending to the west of Olderfleet Road which is where the current station platform is. The new (1980s) station building itself has been built about 30m westwards of the original location shown. It's still an easy foot...

Hi, Are you sure? I think that Larne Harbour is still located where it was originally built in 1862. It's in the harbour and it's part of the small harbour complex for foot passengers. Larne Town station was originally located on the western most part of the curve coming into Larne. That was...

Hi, Translink tickets don't allow for break of journey. That said, some parts of the system are very relaxed. Stopping off along one of the branches multiple times to have a look around as mentioned by Tram203 will be fine. Taking a break at the Belfast stations where there are tickets...

As zwk500 says, there are a lot of strategies out there. They are all actually quite consistent with electrification being an aspirational target and a timeline given of typically in 10 to 15 years time. That gives plenty of time to prepare a new strategy resetting the date with remarkably...

Thanks for posting that link LittleRedTrain. I can certainly see why they've made the decision. With the clear explanation of the costs involved, I expect we'll see fewer visiting locos at other galas over the next few years. I will instead plan a trip for the October event instead, it'll be...