Recent content by Ben Bow

It is only air-braked, but for mainline duties I don't think that has any relevance - are there any rakes of vac brake only stock left on the main line - only a set at Tyseley perhaps?

"Snipped" 45's were the loudest, 45106 being the loudest of the loud, end of.... next!...

The Metropolitan body suffered more than just the usual atmospheric corrosion, the steel frame and aluminium body panels suffered from electrolytic reaction because they were not insulated from each other. They literally eat each other away. Those operators who were keen on the Metropolitan had...

So glad to have found this thread and so many people who appreciated the Metropolitans, I loved them. I did quite a bit of research on them in the late 80's/early 90's with a view to writing a book but never had time to pursue it. I wrote to all the operators and the general consensus on issues...

In answer to the original question about how does the driver know when the rear of the train is clear of the speed (or 'T') board, at least class 66's have the option to input the train length (as shown on the TOPS consist printout) into the QTron (I think it was) at the start of the journey...

Jeez, reading through the comments here, there really are some serious cases of cabin fever going on.... I assume those calling for the death penalty are absolutely rigorous in their own adherence to coronavirus restrictions...

As far as I remember, the Moscow Metro car shoes make contact with the underneath of an elevated third rail which has a protective cover on the top.

Last train from Manchester to Hull a few years ago, after leaving Brough chap asks "where do I change for Newcastle?" ....

Hull Trains are suspending services again from the 9th, ufn.

Leicester and Saltburn were added too.

not sure what YOU mean... enough members trusted the union when they said "there's a problem, we're asking you for your support" to give them a strike mandate, which then saw the dispute resolved, so what is your point? That's what solidarity can, and does, achieve.

You vote for your union reps on the basis they are the best person for the role. If they go to the membership and say there's a problem, but we're sorry on this occasion we can't go into detail because some of it involves individual disciplinary cases, we're asking for your support, then you...

I see from the latest New Trains Watch in Modern Railways magazine this month that the Nova 3 sets have hit a new low of just over 3,000 miles per casualty. In the same period GWR's class 143 pacers managed over 40,000 mpc. Recently there have been more problems with failures resulting in 185's...

DMU wise, 185's do 0-60 on level track, with all three engines running, in around 68-69s.

The 220 family units have electric transmission so the engine power delivery is quite different, the 175/180's have bifurcated exhausts which again sound very different. The 185 has a relatively short exhaust, exiting through the saloon roof between the doors. So, yes, same basic QSK19, but very...