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What will the next five classes of train (locomotive or unit) to be withdrawn from regular "mainline" service in the UK? Whilst new trains are being built (and planned for), there's still no end in sight for trains that *should* have been scrapped by now (HSTs and Pacers weren't meant to...

What trains are actually owned by TOCs? (or open access operators) As far as I'm aware, the Grand Central HSTs and a few FGW HSTs are all owned (rather than leased), but are there any more? And how did these come onto the market? I'd be interested in how long a TOC would need to own a...

One of the most common reasons/ excuses for TOCs problems is that the Department for Transport have micro-meddled, whcih has imposed such strict conditions on TOCs that there is no room for manouvre (and they are stuck with the stock they have). But, if they didn't do this, who would the...

(following on from the debate in the 150 thread) What are the regulations for trains running with no toilet? And how many classes have there been? The "tram train" proposal was to have the hour and a half journey from Sheffield to Huddersfield run by toilet-less trains - but would a...

Hypothetically, imagine the UK with no electrification (or, for arguments sake, complete electrification of one type which all trains could use) - what different services do you reckon there's a (realistic) chance of? For example, the Wrexham - Shotton - Bidston service would extend beyond to...

How are the leasing fees divided over the expected life of a coach/ unit/ train? For example, let's say that TPE/ XC decided they wanted to add some additional carriages to their short 170s (to bring them up to the same length as their 185s/ 220s/ 221s), so they decide to add a dozen "middle"...

What is the longest regular Empty Coaching Stock move on UK railways? For example, are there many of over an hour? And is there any cost/ advantage to running a route in service vs ECS (for example, IIRC until recently bus companies only got a fuel rebate whilst running "in service) - are...

What's been the worst "improvement" to the railways? A couple of suggestions: 1. The ECML wiring. Done cheaply, not powerful enough, falls down too easily and didn't cover diversionary routes/ extensions that should have been done at the time (meaning only one of the six trains north of...

Do you have any recommendations of where to buy online? From long running shops with websites, from "website only" companies, or from ebay etc? And anyone had any problems with things bought online?

The railway industry (and enthusiasts!) seems to be split between the "Hub & Spoke" strategy (e.g. frequent core/ main line services, but potentially needing to change at somewhere like Birmingham New Street), and those who want direct (but infrequent) services linking places (be that Wrexham to...

I said on the FGW thead that the introduction of Cross Rail in the next decade will mean local "Thames Valley" routes moving to Cross Rail, which would mean spare platforms and paths at Paddington, which would give more scope for ehnanced longer distance services. However, looking at the...

I'm planning a very small railway (to live on top of a shelf unit, so not very big). Many years ago I had those Hornby "track pieces" where you could work out what'd work at a smaller scale before building it... ...then, I had that Hornby CD Rom, but can't find it... So, does anyone...

Living in Sheffield, I'm used to having slower journeys on the Midland Main Line than places of a comparable distance on the ECML/ WCML. There's some obvious issues (there's little four track running, meaning problems when "fast" trains get caught behind slower ones at Wellingborough etc. And...

When potential "cascades" of units are discussed, it's common to see concentrating certain units at one TOC proposed (such as ScotRail swapping all their 158s for Central Trains 156s a few years ago). For a lot of enthusiasts this makes sense (easier engineering/ fewer classes for staff to...

What's the most unrealistic train set you've seen? I'm not talking about "two car" HSTs, but about unrealistic rakes of trucks/ the wrong engine to suit the coaches etc etc (all in one box from Hornby/ Lima)

There's certain types of unit that would benefit from extra coaches (e.g. Voyagers), but since the production line has ended, it'd be prohibitively expensive to build more. However, the current orders of three coach 172s (London Midland etc) means that Turbostar centre coaches are being...