Recent content by Monty

There used to be an absolutely awful bump south of Witley on the up line. Would occasionally do an announcement about it, it's been tamped a few times in recent years. It's still there but not nearly as severe.

I've not been a fan of the new announcement types and their frequency. I often find it difficult to get a word in! By that point I question if anyone is still listening by the time I do make an announcement of my own. I had fed it back, yet to hear a response though. :D

Personally I think that's a 'get out' clause to save face, so they can argue that DCO as originally intended will be introduced in the near future. The fact is most of the SWR's metro area needs substantial investment and improvements to facilitate this method of working and I doubt it's going...

Not really tbh, they were always going to have guards on board, but just have their dispatch responsibilities taken away. The cost is the same. In fact the change removes four days from the drivers training course so may actually help speed things up.

Latest update from the Union regard 701s, DCO is being kicked into the long grass for the foreseeable. The new proposed method of operation will be driver open/guard close.

With respect I don't think it was ever sold to Swanage and Corfe Castle residents as a viable alternative to the bus or car in order to use it for onward rail connections. It was always about trying to attract people from London and the South East to visit as well as the additional bonus of...

The situation at Fratton can get complex during match day, as the crowding issues does provide challenges. But the rest of the time it's not too bad and is perfectly manageable. Dispatch on platform 2 can be tricky with anything longer than 5 coaches, but that could be solved with replacing the...

Mileages is something that is relatively easy thing to sort out subject to agreements over maintenance and costs. It won't be the last you've seen of them.

A representative from Porterbrook.

My understanding is the remaining 458/5s will remain in service for the time being, probably at least until we see the 701s appear in real numbers. They can even work in 9 car formations with 458/4s if required.

Last until is due back in late November.

Final unit is due to enter service just before Christmas if all goes well.

Phone calls on loudspeaker is what particularity draws my ire, strange thing is most of the time it's not even a video call. We do not need to catch up on the latest Eastenders worthy drama from your personal life. Unfortunately when I do attempt the address the issue they will often go back to...

If anything I find there is no shortage of young volunteers, especially for the footplate dept, the issue stems from the significant time commitment required to progress, it is often a long a drawn out process. Another issue is increasing oversight from the rail authorities such as the ORR (and...

The Frome river bridge is bridge 4, bridge 11 is the Pikes Tramway bridge just immediately south of Furzebrook. There is no chance the track will be lifted, the medium term plan is to install a loop and hopefully a platform at Furzebrook to connect with Blue Pool.