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I've obviously let my identity slip with that post, but I don't want to get into a public argument or hang out dirty washing. I do, however, feel a bit of context on my side is needed relevant to the wider thread discussion about workforce retention and training young volunteers, because my...

So here's where I'm at now as far as my own views of the heritage sector and the challenges it faces to retain volunteers, especially those with bespoke skills, stand. They're not very positive, unfortunately, so cast your eyes away if you don't want to read what I see as the bleak reality on...

I'm going to miss the aesthetic of taking a 142 into the Hope Valley for a walk in the snow. As undeniably crappy as it was, there's something rather charming about it in certain situations, so long as it's an occasional thing and not your daily experience. Picture the scene. You can barely see...

My mother reports that they're giving out cupcakes at Leicester station today. Priorities, innit. ;)

Having seen myself the disconnect between the views of LTAs and the DfT on many things to do with rail, and particularly bi-modes, I can assure you that those claiming 769s were shoehorned into TOC committments by the DfT without any real scrutiny have at least an air of truth to them. For the...

Couple of issues to flag with 80X's if Abellio go for them, though the second would be applicable to any unit introduced, bi-mode or electric: Well-documented acceleration issues away from the wires - they'd have to match a Meridian on the new more intensive timetable, which has superior...

Alright, chill out, we were only joking. :rolleyes: But that's besides the point - as I mentioned earlier in the thread, the reclaimed biofuel the Grand Canyon Railway were burning was practically odourless - the refinement process has come a long way in the past 35 years! Exactly this - it...

If I may wade in, it's by no means an engineering impossibility to squeeze out one or maybe two additional platforms on the west side of the MML terminus. With some minor redesigns to the Pancras Rd. / Midland Rd. junction, which is a minor one-way road and a taxi rank south of the junction, and...

Had no idea they'd done the chip fat thing before in Swanage! And share @pdeaves ' surprise that the smell bothered anybody... I imagine a greater problem would be a circle of seagulls following the train hoping to nick a chip. :lol: But no, I can confirm that the loco didn't really smell of...

Afternoon all, Just got back from a holiday to the USA, and during my trip I visited the Grand Canyon. While there, I was lucky enough to cop Grand Canyon Railway's No. 29 locomotive at the village station on a charter for a filming contract. I was talking to a spotter who informed me that the...

I always felt that it's something of a no-brainer for railtour companies to acquire Mk. 3s for their services. With a little modification you have a 125mph-capable coach that is popular with passengers, allows "bashers" to still have the vestibule windows down and, as Tornado's run with the 125...

I find it mildly amusing that companies like UKRL have made a living from the Grandfather Rights which mean old locomotives don't have to meet the same emissions regulations as brand new models. Since the 66 was killed off by IIIB regs, spot hire has had a field day as the fleets of larger...

So in other words, the DfT are going to have to backpedal on their demand for "intercity specification" rolling stock for the Corby services in order to squeeze the capacity they want out of the route? The representative completely pooh-poohed the concept of "regional" EMUs such as 350s or 379s...

Well well - all change. Good luck to Abellio - who have done a good job all told with the Greater Anglia franchise so far - but I have my reservations. I'm concerned that there have been no suggestions of regional stock upgrade commitments - presumably, cascading of stock from elsewhere is in...

From my own experience, volunteers fall overwhelmingly into two camps - the young and the old. 90% of the people I work with, or have worked with, have either been retired or up to and including university age. I could count those I know with a full-time job on one hand. I'm only one person...

East Midlands Today was leading a week or two ago with a fluff story about the Conservatives pledging to build a tram system if they won control of Leicester City Council. It's never going to happen in a million years however and is just a pie in the sky idea aimed at getting a few votes on what...

Can't say I'm surprised - diesel bashers certainly have a rep as the worst faredodging offenders from my experience. That said, it would have easily been dealt with using a stamp on the hand instead of a sticker.

Bring back the Turf Burner.

As an enthusiast I'd love that, but practically speaking it's never going to happen, especially given the previously-mentioned EMT timetable change is based on the superior performance of the 222s. I'm content to just enjoy the VP185s while they're still knocking around - it feels like a...

I'd be tempted to paint the Mk. 3s operating with the ex-GC EMT power cars into a dark blue livery a la the 156s / 153s, as the "connection" the guard compartment offered is lost on those sets. I think the darker shade would work well and look pretty classy, as the power car livery itself is...