Recent content by gaillark

Double taxation for me. I have a plug in hybrid. It only does a maximum of 37 miles on electric. Haven't got a home charger. Using a public charger is more expensive that running it on petrol.

It started before FCC! In fact it started when BR Network SouthEast introduced Thameslink back in 1998. Before Thameslink commenced the Midland side operations were very reliable. As soon as Thameslink commenced the service reliability declined significantly with delays being imported from the...

TfL are not Angels and will need to change their 'culture' if they want to take over these routes. They have the mentaility that Overground, TfL rail or what ever they want to call themselves have aboslutely nothing to do with being part of National Rail. They are part of National Rail but...

I, as a third party had to organise a SILK around ten years ago at my local station for my brother that was stranded. The procedure was that you go to any station with a ticket office and ask them to do a SILK. Chingford knew how to do one when it was under Greater Anglia. They faxed to the...

It's likely our wonderful civil servants at the DfT have not the skill, competence and complete understanding of the complex contract. Hitachi wrote the contract via their lawyers on very favourable terms to them such as any modifications will cost £££'s more and lease costs start upon...

There was also once a day service from Birmingham New Street to London Paddington via High Wycombe loco hauled service. It also had a buffet car and NSE branded window destination labels plastered on the doors. Arrived Paddington around 0930 and departed around 1730 ish. (Also at this time there...

Agree. It seems daft the idea of double manning everything. Look at real life practical experience on the network with XC/GW rear units locked out of service. Likely to happen on MML too. Also as a FC passenger having to put up with pokey 1st class seating areas whereas in a 9 car is much...

Digital signalling will get hacked and will take months to restore. Funding for HS2 will get cut back further Cuts in services

On board catering especially with a buffet counter served not only to serve refreshments and make the journey more pleasurable. it also served as a customer service post. The amount of times that I witnessed passengers coming to the buffet for ticketing and connections advice was huge. This...

What was the purpose of the Ticket sorting office in Crewe? I recall guards would collect tickets on southbound trains towards Euston and place them in an envelope to be forwarded to the sorting office.

Good to hear that its doing well on the Swansea.

Bedford (Midland). Album by David Blowers on Flickr documenting the Midland Main Line. Very good records. https://www.flickr.com/photos/90214143@N04/52045952378/in/album-72157712915199497/

Skipton to Colne?

I dont know the reason why BR ordered 48 units. What I can tell you living and growing up on the route the introduction of 317 operation was delayed due to DOO strikes but when the new timetable was published it offered a massive uplift on services on the whole route even introducing a very fast...

Thanks @SW Rover