Recent content by DarloRich

yet the ones I use in Leeds and Wakefield are in much better condition.

I don't use that one so I am not bothered ;-) Seriously: The whole XC fleet needs replacing with more suitable trains. 3 car trains aren't suitable on that axis and neither are 4/5 car trains suitable on the key SW/NE route. 8 cars will barely be suitable on that key run.

great - They will fit right in with the rest of the MK fleet that is falling apart.

thanks! that will be designed out in my hypothetical XC order ;-)

I thought they were level boarding in those 2 vehicles? that comes as a surprise!

I am not a bus person but having looked at some pictures on line i think - YES! ( is that a good brand/model? Alexander Dennis?)

I wouldn't - one standard length train is needed and it needs to be as long as possible. I would go for 11 cars if possible as this is a one of purchase for the next generation or 2! The 800 family is the standard IC train now. Why create extra requirements for maintenance locations...

We all know the answer. It is easy: Order a standard fleet of 9 car class 800 type trains with bi mode facilities! ( I am available to offer consultancy services with very reasonable rates!)

An obvious decision that should have been taken about 3 years ago! I still wont be using XC as it will still be awful. This is Cross Country - they will lock the extra units up and drag them around empty for the ROFLS They should go on the core XC routes not the peripheral ones. Stick them...

I travelled on a very smart new double decker on Sunday. Nice to see some new buses in MK. It even had tables upstairs! Obviously it wont be long until they are as smashed up as the rest of the local Arriva fleet but nice to travel on a smart clean bus for a change!

it is a tough one - The standing water was on the slow section of the course, but then the Russell crash was worrying due to the lack of visibility Silly. VERY silly. agree - it was a n odd one. They let him/ he rolled the dice and lost. The team radio between Lewis and his engineer was...

There was. The company went into administration and closed many units. I think they have something like 5 or 6 units left! How would you even do that within the confines of the existing NR & underground structures?

it could be as simple as having one on stock to use up or that being the type that was available in the delivery time scale/cost for the project. There could be some hidden engineering reason but never discount the simple option! your example sounds like a classic left hand/right hand thing...

Surely this is about simply having standard items that can be bulk manufactured and installed in the same way- that has a cost bonus. (That is not to say the bulk design cant be "nicer" but if it is a one size fits all then you have to fit all!) i doubt it would meet modern working at height...

Most road-car engines these days are turbos and have some degree of hybridisation - F1 isn't going to go back to plain naturally aspirated engines nor should they. Hybridisation if not full electric is the future and the manufactures want that