Search results

I am not a railway professional (like Grayling - I don't even run the trains) and so forgive any incorrect terminology. I have been caught up in the mess in West Yorkshire area twice, once when I think lightening hit the ROC and once when there was a power cut. I was stick at Victoria the...

2 quick questions: 1. I have noticed the track coming into Central from the south seems to be jointed. How does an intensely used section like this manage to be quite ancient when plenty lesser used bits of the network have continuous weld? 2. Could the Kirby service be extended to Wigan...

Grayling has claimed EU regulations would prevent ensuring level access for disabled people on HS2. Is he right, because if not he needs calling on it. http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/grayling-sees-no-reason-to-follow-european-standard-in-post-brexit-rolling-stock-regulation-

A thought on increasing capacity. Current situation: - Gatwick Express taking up space but not fully utilised; - Severe overcrowding on Brighton services; - Most capacity improvement options very expensive. - Airport very concerned about having dedicated capacity. It strikes me that the...

I believe there is a review going on at the moment about whether to reorganise the fares so that there is less disparity. I think the target is to make any proposal revenue neutral over all. Let's take the Leeds-London for example, how would people feel if we ended up with something like: All...

As we approach another series of blockades, a question. We are always told that the timing is good around Bank Holidays etc because far less people use the system then. However, is this correct? In particular, is it correct of long distance services, which seem to bear the brunt of such...

There could be immediate calls for this post to be deleted as not only is the subject not heavy rail, there are no rails at all!! Disgraceful. What do people think of the "Smart Train" concept recently unveiled and running in China...

Hi all, There appears to be an acknowledged problem with toilets on trains. The tanks seem to be logistical difficult to empty (and I am sure there is quite a cost to the process) and also there appears to be a problem with tanks filling up and so toilets being locked out of use. I am not 100%...

I don't think this has been posted/covered elsewhere. We know that there are many EMU's and MK IV's coming off lease soon. Some will be ready for scrap but many will be good for many years use. The party currently due to take a hit are the leasing companies. They may have hit initial...

Could the Mark IV carriages be used by Transpennine Express to strengthen services if, as I predict, the current order turns out to be too small. Could they use the same locomotives? I am just thinking that they will become available during the franchise and could offer a good value for money...

If you were to only use existing infrastructure (except a new curve west of Bradford if there is not one there already) but with no stops at any stations in-between (and presuming a clear run at line speed in a 185), which of these would be quickest between Leeds and a central Manchester...

In the vague hope London Victoria might be redeveloped in the not too distant future, I have always thought two fairly obvious options are: 1. To introduce a southern entrance at the far end of the platforms. 2. To dig out an undercroft in the main concourse and send arriving passengers for...

It has often struck me how many spaces we we need to include on a long journey just for when it "gets full" at the last few stations. This is particularly the case in South London where the trains now have to move tube style flows on top of medium distance commuter flows. Bearing in mind that...

I have spotted a couple of interesting articles on decarbonisation projects for traction power in the last week: http://www.railway-technology.com/features/featuremichel-kerkhof-of-eneco-discusses-the-dutch-rail-networks-renewable-revolution-4647194/...

I perceive, and it might only be perception, that track condition in the UK is not as good as on the continent. A few questions: 1. Is that a fair statement? 2. If so, why is it - older underlying infrastructure or we do not replace track as often as they do on the continent? 3. What...

Does anybody else think the GTR branding is total rubbish? I presumed it was a temporary measure but was extremely surprised to see it rolled out on the new Class 700 train. This is a real annoyance considering the scope of the new franchise. Southern arguably had the best branded...

Now that transpennine electrification has been delayed is it time to take stock and look at a slightly different way of achieving a high speed network? I realise what follows is a long post, but I think this is an important debate that needs to be had now. The current HS2 Y provides an...