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Rookie question: what role does a brake van/BFO play in the context of regular LHCS operation? This has puzzled me for a few years now!

Ha, very good!

Apparently "many [VTEC] passengers believe they're getting a better deal than they've ever had before". That's straight from the mouth of the SoS. As someone who's only made two trips with VTEC, I can't comment. Would anyone like to vindicate his point of view? Is this really the case?!

They may well be! I found a good snap of them on Geograph.org.uk: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5323884 Anyone have any info on their history? I know a couple of you work in close proximity to the sidings!

What's the deal with the two old tankers (no idea what their formal name is) at Ponsandane Sidings, Penzance, opposite Sainsbury's and the former heliport? They've been there at least 20 years...

For me, Penzance. Grew up there and, as luck would have it, lived within spitting distance of the Cornish Main Line. One of my earliest memories involves endless streams of screaming Valentas haring past to and from Paddington. In terms of the station, I remember numerous trips to the capital as...

That's brilliant. "Snozzle" might blow his mind.

I spent a couple of weeks on a field course there, a few years back. I know I struggled - think I went with "Luff-arn". Obviously got a few chuckles...

"Larne". Much like the port across the Irish Sea!

I've had many great experiences with EMT and GWR over the years. My best, though, was on VTWC a couple of years ago as part of a trip returning from an intensive training course in Oban to London. As I recall, it was an advance fare for under £40 and maybe the last London train of the day. I...

If you've got a glossy laptop screen, they can be handy!

There is! https://twitter.com/Virgin_TrainsEC/status/969185591559680002

I've often wondered whether Marazion might be a good idea. As a former commuter between Long Rock and St Ives, I'd watch trains fly past as my overcrowded bus struggled towards Crowlas in the seasonal A30 congestion and wish I could swap. Link it with a regular (2 tph?) Penzance to St Ives...

I grew up in Penzance and one of my earliest memories is travelling to Paddington, probably 1990/1. For some reason, I've got it in my head this might have been in a Mk2 rake hauled by a Class 47. Did these run to Paddington/Waterloo? Given the nostalgia here, does anyone have video/photos of...

I also think a Class 230 would be perfect. As mentioned above, the window alignment is pretty abysmal on a 150. Top speed really isn't a big deal on a branch like this - I'm sure 60 mph is no hindrance to a timely circuit to and from St Ives. Plus there's a second bay platform at St Erth so a...

According to a great photo on GWR's Twitter feed, it's made it past Forder Viaduct and is in Cornwall!

Many years back (probably mid-1990s) I was offered a cab ride in one of the then-new Sprinters from St Ives to Penzance. My folks were friends with one of the conductors, a very popular local guy who sadly passed away all too young. I remember being asked to duck on approach to the former...

That's all well and good, but what about drift? Dead reckoning is only so useful. Even using a commercial IMU, I've had scenarios where my position estimate has become unusable within a few seconds when working on flat calm seas near cliffs. I'd imagine a swaying train has similar limitations...

Those who advocate a GPS/GNSS solution, what accuracy do you think you'd need for some form of electronic 'flight bag'-style system? Those who have GNSS hardware in their locos/MUs, what's the typical accuracy as it stands? I don't work in the industry but I work with GPS receivers. I...

So there is! For anyone else equally curious, you'll spot it here, behind and beyond the shed: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6147424,-1.5569357,3a,80.5y,67.53h,85.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swg8xbtD5_EkqC8bGy_zvQw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656