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The steam operators' problems are well encapsulated here. 1. Price of coal that potentially creates fire risks. 2. Lack of enough patrons to buy tickets at economic prices to pay for the coal and cover all the other costs of operation. 3. Inability to monetise all the enthusiasts of all types...

As we drove into Sheffield from the south-western leafy suburbs at 7.30 on Friday morning we noted a person waiting at the road side dressed head to toe in black. Black hoody, high black face mask showing a slit for eyes. We thought it very odd. Now we can guess why. How many more of these...

Track access charges are set out on pages linked from here; https://www.networkrail.co.uk/industry-and-commercial/information-for-operators/cp7-access-charges/7

More coaches used will attract greater track access charges

Many potential users will not walk to a station if it's anything like other similar rail networks. Park and ride will have to feature. Looking at stations on the original core Metro through Jesmond, West Jesmond, Ilford Road and Gosforth that couldn't be provided. The result is gridlocked...

The army was a very big user of the railway until the dying days of Empire as Britain withdrew from bases across the globe. In the 1940-60s period there'd be masses of khaki uniforms seen on stations and trains. Army vehicles came and went from the heart of Catterick Camp and Redmire. Back then...

Part 2 of Beeching's report was maps, see; https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRB_Beech001b.pdf Digging into the past I've found it interesting to see consideration of future rail needs as seen in the second 'Beeching Report' concentrating on stimulating traffic on the core routes...

You have to bear in mind that all the original railway builders were hoping to make profits and most did. By 1900 increasing numbers were struggling and some has failed. That was a serious problem after WW1 when the 1923 groupings were seen as the answer, but losses were not eliminated. Some...

The text book for political management was beautifully enacted in that wonderful series, Yes Prime Minister. It's still available to view, i think BBC 4. Throw the pressure groups a few chunks of meat by way of feasibilty studies costing millions that will sell well in local newspapers, in...

Probably except there is no money for reopening to Ripon.

In this case the best future option would seem to be to close the crossing and upgrade private White House Lane to Midge Hall Lane and Bescar Lane..

Arranging a sub-lease back from Scotrail for a few units is surely the easiest solution? Timing, numbers and price being the critical factors. And who pays.

Creep! He keeps pushing the boundaries in ways that may seem innocuous to the average person. It may well be ignorance of the rules but when he's challenged he'll play the victim card. Many will agree with his protest that the 'establishment' is out to get him, and in some ways they are...

And millions of us buy cars with performance levels you'd find hard to fully use on German autobahns let alone our congested motorways, city streets and country roads. And they're kitted out with all sorts of electronic gadgets to cocoon us from our neighbours. My old Beeching era Morris Minor...

2 may have opened since the restoring your railway Johnson PR stunt was introduced but weren't they already very well advanced projects before it came along?

That's politics, shunt proposals into the long grass. Satisfy as many MPs as possible and their constituents plus special interest groups with jam tomorrow possibilities. Push the big financial costs as far as possible into the future for someone else to deal with by delay, deferral and finally...

My 1961 Wolseley 1500 had the badge. Can't remember if it still lit up when I had it, I was more bothered about the bits that fell off due to rust!

For context British Railway's 1955 Modernisation Plan had not started to reduce annual losses, worse, they were increasing enormously. The railway seemed to be locked in a doom loop for both passengers and freight. Richard Beeching was appointed Chair in June 1961 and his team produced the...

It probably will be now!

At 82? If he is propped up to complete his term, increasingly uncertain, even his most devoted adherents would realise such a challenge to the constitution would fail. Question is who from either party can then pull together a deeply divided nation. The Trump legacy is looking a seriously...