Recent content by jas_sl

Does the old tunnel that used to form the triangle junction at Farringdon still exist? Can see in Joe Brown's atlas that the curve through Smithfields Goods closed in 1927 and I've been thru Snow Hill numerous times - but anything lurk behind those brick walls?

Many people mention the Beeching/Marples axis - but my understanding is most of Beeching's closure recommendations were actually enacted under Barbara Castle in the ensuing government but she's (or they, Labour) never feature in most discussions. Doesn't that imply most people vilify Beeching...

What exactly are the structural problems found by Chiltern Railways that prevents double tracking (and hence impacts the East-West rail scheme)? I can't find any specific anywhere on the web.

I've felt for a while the "HS" monicker has detracted from the main reason for building the line and provided ammunition for people how say "why carve up the countryside for 30 minutes saved". Only suggestions I have for a rename would be, to borrow an electronics marketing blurb for some...

>Experience shows that HS2 will, if built, run at about 20% of capacity and be quietly sold off for a quarter of what it cost. This simply isn't right - it was sold for £2.1 bn for a 30 year concession after which it returns to the UK government who'll be free to "sell" it again. So...

Was this section considered for the East-West rail link or was it ruled out due to capacity constraints on the WCML?

Like with most concept renderings these are a chance to float new ideas and get people thinking and excited. I for one like them but also understand how the points raised will ultimately shape the finished product. I can guarantee alot of iconic building or bridges wouldn't have been quite so...

To be clear, I don't think there should be any implication for a UK HSR network - we've got to get on a do it. And it seems everyone here is wearing their rational hats. But the reason I raised the question was when I put on my "irrational hat" I could quite easily see some group of...

As you've probably heard this morning they suspect a Russian train crash was caused by a bomb: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8383960.stm. Although this will be proved or disproved in time. What, if any, implications could this have on the UK's planned High Speed rail network and...

In layman's terms, what would happen to somewhere like Clapham Junction or Luton? Two stations I familiar with but it's more than just they're a bit grimey I'm sure.

So do you know what the vechicle gauge was for GWR in broad gauge days?

The pics I'm looking at are around the time broad gauge was abandoned, just before 1900. And wouldn't tunnels and overbridges have been built to a particular broad loading gauge meaning any widening would have been limited? Also, are there any broad gauge carriages still in existance? I know...

Hi all - I know that broad gauge is 7ft 1/4inch wide, which is quite a bit more than standard gauge. But looking at pictures of the carriages and locomotives running on broad gauge I can work out in how much extra space the inside of a carriage had. Standard gauge carriages overhang the...

So what you are saying is pretty much all the increase in construction costs is due to red tape from NR? If this is the case: a) are they aware of this and that it is causing less work to be achieved for a given stash of cash? b) what can be done about it? Localize the work into regions...

Following on from this, I was going to ask on a new thread about infrastructure costs in general. Why is it I've read many times that the cost of implementing anything, be it tunnels, tracks, stations, singalling etc is so much more expensive now than, say, 30 years ago? Often in...