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    UK switching to electric vehicles discussion

    Thanks to all for the various comments. I agree the Berlingo has much of the artistic styling of a brick. :D But let's face it, if it's even on the consideration list then you've got other priorities! But let me comment on one theme that runs through all the recommendations: There really...
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    Lewes derailment - speculation regarding potential causes, exact temperature, ground conditions etc

    The RAIB have published some initial comments and findings: Link to RAIB News story In it is this image: Caption: Rear-facing CCTV image from a train which passed the location of the accident at about 14:04 on the afternoon of 13 August 2026 (the irregularity is visible adjacent to the...
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    UK switching to electric vehicles discussion

    I thought I'd post my recent experiences and outcomes as I think it may be interesting to some of you... Previously, as a family we had a medium sized MG EV and a diesel estate. The diesel estate was written off in a low speed incident so it was time to search for a replacement. My...
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    Lewes derailment - speculation regarding potential causes, exact temperature, ground conditions etc

    Pure speculation on my part here... I suspect that SMD has caused the embankment to sag / drop a little. By itself that would probably just be a rough ride. However immediately before the derailment site there are two small bridges, one over Chalkpit Cut and the other over a path. Perhaps...
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    Lewes derailment - Thursday 13th August

    I'm not in the area but the images look as if they are from the section between the bridges over Pellbrook Cut and Chalkpit Cut. If I'm correct, about 200m further on the River Ouse is quite close to the tracks and that could have been much, much worse. EDIT: Pictures have started. It's...
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    Advice request - Belfast via Cairnryan

    Hi, Last time I did a SailRail trip to Belfast (almost exactly a year ago) I think I had one ticket for the whole journey. This was good for the train and the SailRail coach from Ayr to Cairnryan. At the Stena checkin at Cairnryan they took the ticket and gave me the ferry boarding pass. All...
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    Taxing road users by mile

    Hi, That depends on where you are... For some of us in Northern Ireland this can be about 50%. Whilst that's obviously not a significant aggregate mileage across the whole of the UK car usage it is a large level on a personal basis. Whilst Northern Ireland is part of the the UK, I do wonder...
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    Question: Why no Chinese Rolling Stock?

    Back in 2007 / 2008 there was a company called CSRE who had a product line called Polaris. The company MD was a registered user here withe the username Kingfisher200262 The company seemed to have been an option for Grand Central. There was a Rail forums chat in 2019 about them; Link. Of...
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    UK switching to electric vehicles discussion

    I don't know about Poland or Spain but Italy has a historic electrical setup that's challenging... Many Italian homes have a meter that is capped to a total load of 3kW. If you exceed it (there's apparently a 10% extra allowance) the meter trips and it needs resetting. Whilst it's possible to...
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    Northern Ireland Railways - Ranger/Rover equivalent for the network?

    Hi, I agree a lot of this will have calmed down by the middle of next week. At the moment much of NI is actually eerily calm with a few localised pockets of utter stupidity. Translink are being cautious though and have again cancelled evening service today (Thursday 11th). However, the airport...
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    Stranraer "Boat Train"

    I see what you mean. I think the PRONI 1:10000 map shows the old platform extending to the west of Olderfleet Road which is where the current station platform is. The new (1980s) station building itself has been built about 30m westwards of the original location shown. It's still an easy foot...
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    Stranraer "Boat Train"

    Hi, Are you sure? I think that Larne Harbour is still located where it was originally built in 1862. It's in the harbour and it's part of the small harbour complex for foot passengers. Larne Town station was originally located on the western most part of the curve coming into Larne. That was...
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    Break of journey on NIR?

    Hi, Translink tickets don't allow for break of journey. That said, some parts of the system are very relaxed. Stopping off along one of the branches multiple times to have a look around as mentioned by Tram203 will be fine. Taking a break at the Belfast stations where there are tickets...
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    Stadler preffered bidder for new Enterprise

    As zwk500 says, there are a lot of strategies out there. They are all actually quite consistent with electrification being an aspirational target and a timeline given of typically in 10 to 15 years time. That gives plenty of time to prepare a new strategy resetting the date with remarkably...
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    Spa Valley - Diesel Gala in August 2026?

    Thanks for posting that link LittleRedTrain. I can certainly see why they've made the decision. With the clear explanation of the costs involved, I expect we'll see fewer visiting locos at other galas over the next few years. I will instead plan a trip for the October event instead, it'll be...
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    Spa Valley - Diesel Gala in August 2026?

    Dear All, The Spa Valley Railway normally has Diesel Gala in early August. It's always been an event I enjoy and I try to get to it. In previous years there's been information on it on their website well in advance but for this year there seem to be nothing. Looking at the online calendar the...
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    Screwed phone. Digital railcard. Big journey coming up.

    Hi, Try Home Bargains and get Silica cat litter. It's cheap and readily available. (We use this for keeping 3d printer filament dry) Failing that, why not get the cheapest SIM free phone and just get the Railcard app on that? eg Tesco SIM Free Motorola Good luck, Mr Toad
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    Mystery headboard?

    Here's an image from Hondawander showing the headboard: Link Cheers, Mr Toad
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    Bangor (NI) to Belfast Train Fares

    Hi, The simplest option is to get a Zone2 iLink card: https://www.translink.co.uk/tickets/travelcards/ilink These are £11 per day per person and it covers you for all the trains & buses in Bangor and Belfast. You can use it for a simple return journey or for many trips during the day. I use...
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    UK switching to electric vehicles discussion

    And with thanks to Bald Rick and NIT100 Yes, I'm based in Northern Ireland so the domestic energy cap doesn't apply. NI is part of the All-Ireland electricity grid and there's a load of complex cross border legislation. The upshot of it is that a) it's more expensive and b) there are none of...

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