Recent content by nanstallon

I've never seen such a complicated fares table. Needs a degree in Higher Mathematics plus a calendar!

Tipping is degrading, and not to be encouraged. Not wanting to go OT, but I saw on a National Express coach (in UK) notices by the windows encouraging tipping the driver. Usual British aping USA.

A good argument for black and white photography!

Yes, it was a bit 'Toytown', but as it was a USA tank I suppose you could justify the attempt to 'Americanise' it. I have to say that I quite liked it!

Railway Magazine used (a long time ago) to have a lot of historical and topographical articles.

.. I liked the K&WR livery on its Ivatt tank because it showed the then (1968) newly reopened line as a railway in its own right, rather than copying BR.

I had a nice day on this. Very friendly and also well organised. I was over the moon to see Katie on duty, but Badger was nice, too.

In my experience, the attitude then was more 'the show must go on'. Perhaps there is just too much 'clever' electronics these days.

My gripe is that the railways are so vulnerable. Systems can go 'bang', but for the S&C (or any other line) to then be out of action for the rest of the day (or maybe longer?) is why it seems to me to have become a snowflake railway.

I had a disappointing day, trying to ride on the S&C. The 09.18 got as far as Skipton, then we were put on buses. One went straight to Carlisle - the A65 was very tedious. Coming back, I hoped to ride the 18.24 from Carlisle, but it was cancelled. The railways are so unreliable. There is no...

Yes, that was good. Steam to Barnstaple, especially. A highlight of 1994 for me!

That's great. I'd been kicking myself for missing this piece of track!

Quite so. Railways have the attitude that the customer is always wrong. Good old British customer service! 1774189323 It does.

Quite. Railway fares are so complicated, and enforcement so aggressive as to be offputting. I find it easier to just jump in the car, although rail travel is better for the environment.

What a pity that this operation may be at an end. It used to be an amazing experience when you could ride in the old Mark 1 coaches and open the windows to enjoy the steep climbs and sharp curves. Was there any need for heavy handed elfansafety to ruin this on a line where train speeds are very...