Recent content by Mike Machin

The amount of water would be truly phenomenal! To have any effect whatsoever the amount of water in say a twenty tank wagon train would only cover around twice or three times the length of that train, meaning that a squadron of dozens (possibly hundreds) of such trains would be needed for each...

As a graphic designer, it would depend on whether the budget is available to produce the detailed artwork for the new graphics and probably printing the new vinyl wraps. Even though the basic concept has been created, the detailed design work to create the large graphic panels, taking into to...

Branston? Is he the chap responsible for the pickle in which Cross-Country finds itself?

Obviously removal of the three coaches is not possible by road, so if the bogies/wheels/running gear is too far damaged to allow the vehicles to be hauled away, I suppose wheelskates will be used to allow the stock to be taken to a suitable location where the coaches can be loaded onto road...

Hopefully all users of steam-powered vehicles, whether road or rail, will desist from steaming-up until there has been several days of substantial rainfall in drought affected areas. Even my local model engineering society, of which I’m a member, has suspended the operation and use of steam...

Certainly I would imagine they could be utilising rail-mounted cranes. It probably wouldn’t be absolutely impossible to access with large road cranes, but to get on site requires negotiating very twisty narrow tree-lined lanes on one side, or very narrow residential roads through a modern...

Even if an access road were to be built across the adjacent fields, access to the fields would be exceptionally difficult in vehicles larger than a normal tractor and trailer or small lorry. A rail-mounted crane could be used perhaps, or maybe it would be easier to cut-up the three affected...

My partner works for South Central Ambulance Service and her area is Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire - ie, Central Southern England. Most of the present-day Southern's operating is well outside Central Southern England and all of it is technically within the South East of...

Not surprised. it’s a return to heatwave conditions in the south next week, with still no real sign of any meaningful rainfall in the next ten days or so at least.

The fact that a professional design consultancy hasn’t been used really shows. There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with the overall concept, but the execution is extremely clumsy and lacks the finesse and polish that could be achieved with more careful consideration by a team with the knowledge...

If a predominantly ‘English’ theme had been the preferred option there would have been no need to literally use the cross of St. George - just the colours. In fact, the adoption of the Greater Anglia livery would have been a very tasteful option, without the political overtones and accusations...

I think the way the treasury/DfT has handled Cross-Country is lamentable. But, the other day I was thinking about the XC route that I used to travel on regularly until conditions became intolerable. My journeys were usually from Southampton or Winchester to Birmingham or the North West. In the...

I’m so pleased I was able to remember the specials of the 1970s and ‘80s, windows open and heads out of the drop lights, soot, smuts and cinders as we clattered along at 60mph over jointed track. Being cocooned in the discombobulating air-conditioned stock of many of today’s charters holds no...

If the prime requirement is to provide a link between Bournemouth to Bristol and South Wales, subject to suitable paths being available, perhaps a direct service from Bournemouth setting off in the other direction could be considered. This service could call at Brockenhurst (New Forest/IOW...

I'm still interested in rail as I have been an enthusiast all my life, but the rail services on the routes I used to use (GWR Portsmouth-Cardiff and Cross-Country from Southampton to the Midlands) I gave up on rail entirely and use my electric car. In fact, sadly I don't ever consider travelling...