Recent content by snookertam

Operating a railway control from Starbucks. I’ve seen some daft stuff on here but this is a belter.

This was my first thought. They seem to want the trams now.

Doesn’t matter how serious a panic attack or similar episode someone has, forcing the doors of a train against the instructions of a traincrew is an incredibly selfish act which puts others at risk. It should be a criminal offence.

Ember also get a sizeable subsidy from the Scottish government to purchase electric vehicles. Their servicing of rural and remote parts of Scotland will not continue in the long term. The railway will be around after the ember flash in the pan has gone.

Only ScotRail could introduce a £10 minimum fare to encourage the buying of tickets in advance, whilst at the same time create huge obstacles to people buying tickets in advance.

I’d guess speed restrictions in the lines they run over between Sheffield and Norwich, so with the anticipated delay they’re turning at Sheffield to make the service in that section more robust? They’ll have calculated that between Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool there are far more options...

Why do you say this? It’s hardly likely to be a national issue.

I get that there might be a lot of economic reasons not to reopen to Carlisle, but the post I quoted seemed to hint that it would be for ideological reasons.

Not sure I understand the suggestion that the Scottish government wouldn’t be interested in a connection to England. They’re hardly isolationists, and if a feasibility study showed benefit to the areas served then I’m sure they’d make investment available.

What’s happening to the 0530 ScotRail departure?

Not suggesting they are falling down (yet!), but better care and maintenance over the years would likely reduce maintenance bills now. Leaving buildings to rot in an empty state results in higher cost later on.

Why should they do that? It doesn’t happen under any other circumstance? Possibly the railway, in its various guises, should’ve taken better care of the buildings over the years. There’s probably also opportunities to obtain funding from various bodies to assist in upkeep, maintenance etc.

I’d be surprised if there were. Station structure is probably listed and protected.

Any track rationalisation for the station? The carriage sidings would probably go, if stabling is moving elsewhere (and not a moment too soon).

First themselves weren’t anything special, but were miles ahead of Abellio who surely have to take the prize for worst ever management of a TOC with their record at ScotRail. Not helped as usual by good old Transport Scotland of course, whose involvement in the railway should be removed.