Recent content by Railengineer

Somebody drove it there?

The 455 steps were 'accepted' when they were built in the 1980's. Expectations have clearly changed since then.

The Mk 3's had bodyside undulations when they were built. This was caused by the heat from welding as others have said above. The reason it is more obvious now is because 'back in the old days' they were ironed out using filler (Isopon) in the BR works before painting. These days they CBA to do...

For second-hand stuff write to the train owners such as Porterbrook, Eversholt and Angel. Scrapped trains are their asset. Addresses are available on their websites. If you want new switches they are available from EAO and also try Craig and Derricott. again see websites

The owner won't make a loss, the 455 re-traction project was costed for 7 years operation. Given the time it will take to get the replacements agreed and operating fully it looks like the 7 year target will easily be met. Operationally the traction conversion has reduced the cost of maintaining...

Most unlikely, it was doomed from the start. They promised it to get franchise and bit off more than they could chew.

It was a Worst Group vanity project. I have been vindicated at long last!

Ah.....then 442's clearly qualify!!

Also don't forget the debacle with units turning signals the wrong colour in the london area and the resulting massive engineering screw-up when they found the auxiliary converters non-compliant to current EMC standards! It might be better to cut their losses with these now passenger services...

OK thanks. I looked at NR brochure and it is for basic level 3 NVQ so does not include HNC etc. which explains why only 3 years.

So the Dft was complicit and we are all paying for this shambles then? For someone who didn't want to do it, worst group certainly pumped out the publicity (until it went wrong)!

Waste of money? They have spent millions trying to get these clapped out old trains working when everyone else is leasing new stock. It was a fanciful idea by worst group that went badly wrong. Don't bank on too many memories of the old days being revived either. They have ripped out the best...

Sounds like a great company to work for!! Hopefully the reduce passenger loadings won't make them reduce their intake. Good luck

Thanks. What an appalling waste of money and time.

You misunderstand Clarence Yard's description. The buckeye did not 'drop' to a vertical position it stayed horizontal but the internal section of the buckeye dropped and allowed them to uncouple in service. Hence the temporary jubilee clip to hold the release arm in the 'coupled' position.