Recent content by Stow

Essentially does the same job as a shoe fuse

Could the Sleeper not just get shortened if running to KGX as a diversion?

One point, which does not get enough emphasis in my view, is the lack of accurate build drawings which appears to be an endemic issue. How many other things out on the Network have inadequate and insufficient records and are just waiting for the right conditions to fail? Looking at the pictures...

This is not as clear cut as you may think too, as just because maintenance is undertaken by a manufacturer it does not necessarily mean it is the ECM as this can still be retained by owner/operator. Also some surprising results when you look at who the largest maintainers are, with TOC's...

The process is that the TOC develops a business case and presents this to DfT, subject to DfT approval and Treasury funding DfT can then vary the franchise to facilitate the procurement. Existing mechanisms exist for doing this and it has been done before, for example the Southern 5-car fleet...

I'm not sure the 'Public Right of Way' thing is much of an impingement to Gating. See Derby station arrangements for how public access is managed (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derby_railway_station) on the overbridge to Pride Park and there must be other cases too. Also my local station has...

Personally I find the whole pension thing frustrating and disingenuous from government, if there is a £xx Million hole in the pension fund then simply normalise bids by requiring each bidder to contribute £xx to the pot over the franchise term. With the existing financial mechanisms there is no...

Gatwick Express 387s.

Digital signalling is broadly the modern equivalent of existing signalling, this includes ETCS specifically which is the new ‘standard’ technology to be deployed. This can include ATO functionality like Thameslink, which is very similar to CBTC systems on metros, but is only GoA2 at this time...

That’s not a derogation, it is an imposition of a restriction! Read another way, it will be illegal to operate a single 466 after 31 Dec 2019 (The law applies to train services not individual units, which is why this is permitted)

The only oppprtunity to do this is at a franchise change, and many ROSCO’s did take this approach, e.g. on Northern, but due to the franchising process was too little too late

There is a lot of talk of derogations on this forum, however as PRM is law, my understand is that DfT/ministers don’t have any power to ‘derogate’ from a legal requirement. Best TOC’s could do is run services and hope they don’t get sued, for breaching PRM. There are work arounds with...

Someone recently pointed out the coincidence of the previous SE start date with Brexit and the potential impact on Kent transport, probably more of a coincidence rather than plan! (at least I hope so!) SE passengers long due some improvements, especially given the performance of (NR) SE route...

I understand there was the option for a +3 when the last ‘direct award’ was agreed, but any longer would need another direct award. Is this the longest running franchise competition ever?

Huh? If there is/was a compliant bid then why the re-bids?