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  1. Iskra

    Should train air conditioning failures result in passenger compensation?

    This is something I have experienced in Italy on a sleeper train, where I got a 25% refund after air con failure, which was as fun as you can imagine. It seems quite a few trains over here in the UK are suffering from this- should passengers who have to suffer sweltering carriages in heatwave...
  2. Iskra

    Additional routes that could justify a 24hr per day train service?

    What routes do you think could benefit from and relatively realistically justify trains running 24 hours per day? I’m not talking about the daytime timetable continuing throughout the night, but just possibly a service in each direction running at least every 2 hours. For this to work you’d...
  3. Iskra

    Brigg Line Useable Saturday Service 16/5/26

    For anyone needing to cover the line, or just wanting a trip; on Saturday 16th of May 4 trains per day are operating on the line in each direction due to engineering works on the more common route via Scunthorpe.
  4. Iskra

    BR Brakevans after privatisation

    A number of BR brakevans continued in use after privatisation, carrying liveries such as Mainline, Loadhall and EWS. Can anyone kindly provide some information on why these were still required when most trains would be fully fitted in this era, and what sort of trains they would be found...
  5. Iskra

    Potential cascade options for Voyagers on leaving XC?

    Just to throw a spanner in the works… It’s all well and good proposing a whole-fleet replacement on Voyager routes, as many have done on these forums and beyond. However, is there actually anywhere sensible that the XC Voyagers could be realistically re-deployed to? And if there isn’t...
  6. Iskra

    Disruption - Landslip, Fitzwilliam 15/2/26

    Lots of disruption at Leeds this morning due to this. The first LNER service is cancelled, XC are diverting, Northern running Leeds-Wakefield Westgate only. Replacement buses are in place, which has been organised very speedily, which must be commended by LNER and Northern...
  7. Iskra

    Iskra Railway Videos

    About time I started my own thread I think… This was my video from the Great Central Railway Steam Gala today. Any comments, feedback etc welcome on this or any of my other videos. Thanks!
  8. Iskra

    Ticketing/feasibility Lombardy/Switzerland circular journey

    Hi all, just looking to see if anybody can offer any insight into the best ticketing options for the below journey please: Milano Centrale-Domodossola-Locarno-Lugano-Milano Also, is this a sensible day trip or not and does anyone have any recommendations of anywhere particularly scenic to stop...
  9. Iskra

    How was the Dornoch Branch able to run without a brake vehicle?

    Photos of the Dornoch branch often show short trains running without a brake vehicle in the consist. Does anyone know why this was and how it was permitted? The photos I’m thinking of usually show a single composite carriage and a freight van or two.
  10. Iskra

    Vintage Trains Updates

    As the other steam railtour operators have their own thread, I thought I’d create one for Vintage Trains too. Firstly, a question: does anyone know why Tornado’s move from Tyseley to Darlington was cancelled today? Secondly, if you haven’t travelled with Vintage Trains yet, I would recommend a...
  11. Iskra

    Wakefield Kirkgate - Is it time the station was permanently staffed?

    I know that adding staff is generally not fashionable in this day and age, however is it not time to recognise that Kirkgate is now as popular as ever, and have the station staffed full time? Passenger usage reporting figures lag behind somewhat, so I doubt that they currently include the...
  12. Iskra

    Why did First Generation DMU's have gears?

    Quick question; Why did First Generation DMU's have manual gears? Particularly when diesel locomotives of the same era didn't?
  13. Iskra

    Future mainline uses for compliant HST/LHCS Mk3 sets?

    ROMIC have unveiled a charter HST set using upto 9 ex-XC Mk3 trailers and are aiming for a fleet of 5 HST sets eventually. These are using sliding door Mk3’s, so comply with current regulations. They are apparently to be used for charters/railtours, but do we think they could be used to cover...
  14. Iskra

    Rail Travel in Tunisia

    I’ve booked a trip to Tunisia next year and I’m wondering which railway trip would be most worthwhile from Tunis. I’d prefer (diesel) loco-hauled and scenic, if anyone has any recommendations or experiences to pass on? Thanks in advance.
  15. Iskra

    Grimaldi Lines onboard experience

    I’ve booked on Grimaldi Lines overnight from Tunisia to Palermo next year as a foot passenger. This is one of their more obscure routes and they seem to have a wide variety of ship types, so I’m not sure what to expect onboard beyond a restaurant. Has anyone sailed with Grimaldi before? What’s...
  16. Iskra

    Oct 10-12th, what’s on?

    I have a relatively free weekend on these dates, alas it seems to have coincided with a lull in railway activity. Is anyone aware of anything of interest happening on preserved railways over these dates please? I don’t mind diesel or steam but prefer mainline locomotives. I’ve done the Keighley...
  17. Iskra

    Turin to Milan by TGV

    I’m currently looking at doing this for the novelty in January. I’m aware Frecciarossa are faster between the two cities. TGV services show up in the journey planner but are down as not available to book, does anyone know how I can book on the TGV service please in one direction?
  18. Iskra

    Embsay & Bolton Abbey Beer & Diesel Weekend 29-31/8/25

    The railway seem to have put a decent little event together. Locomotives classes featured are 31 (Eastern Rail Services), 35 (visiting from the ELR), 37, 20, 08 and 03. Notably, this event is accessible for those who don’t drive as a free bus is being provided ‘from nearby towns.’...
  19. Iskra

    Overnight Road Closures

    Is it me or are these getting earlier and earlier? I’ve been caught out a couple of times in the last few months on major routes in different parts of the country, by closures starting at 8pm. This seems unreasonably early to me. This is still a time when people are going about their daily...
  20. Iskra

    Why does the 0925 Leeds-Sheffield via Moorthorpe today omit Sandal & Agbrigg?

    Just a quick one, but can anyone explain please, seems a little odd?

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