Kris
Member
- Joined
- 14 Feb 2007
- Messages
- 565
And I'm not talking about long lasting Raleighs here!
Have you ever noticed that momentous occasions seem to take place round about once every 20 years? I know things also change within those 20 years but ............
1948 - British Railways formed out of the Big Four companies
1968 - End of steam on BR
1988 - End of the REPS & Push Pull - introduction of the Pigs
Nearly 20 years later - end of the Pigs and some of the most boring & uncomfortable rolling stock ever taking over.
In my almost 20 years on the railway I've seen the end of 33's, REPS, Thumpers, HAPS, slammers, 50's, 47's & HST's on Virgin, The Totton & Weymouth Tramways, W'loo, Clapham, Woking & Bomo signal boxes, W'loo Windsor platforms - the building of the Eurostar Terminal (and its closure soon).
I guess what I'm trying to say is there will always be change - a lot of it for the worse e.g. Disastros; but we can't avoid it.
A lot of Steam drivers were glad to be away from the dirt and work involved with those engines and I sometimes hear the same from ex diesel loco drivers.
The pay has increased phenominally and it's no doubt due to privatisation that I have my driver's job.
I like the fact that I have a comfortable seat now and controlable cab heating. I don't like tunnel vision and not being able to see out of the windows. I like the fact that they do get away and don't spin like the pigs did but I hate the poor ride and rough brakes.
As things get better - they also get worse. It's like a Ying/Yang thing opposite reactions. Modern Hi-Tech rolling stock = crap seating. Old steam rolling stock = luxurious comfortable seating.
What does the country need in the next 20 years to solve transport problems and road congestion? I believe that all the old trackbeds should be opened up as high speed tramways and where built on the trams would go out in the road.
If you look at turn of the century railway maps - most people were within 10 miles or closer of a railway line .
Will any government do it? Will they fluff !!!
ARRGGHHHH !!! WHY DOES IT KEEP LOGGING ME OFF ESPECIALLY WHEN I'M ABOUT TO POST A THREAD?
Have you ever noticed that momentous occasions seem to take place round about once every 20 years? I know things also change within those 20 years but ............
1948 - British Railways formed out of the Big Four companies
1968 - End of steam on BR
1988 - End of the REPS & Push Pull - introduction of the Pigs
Nearly 20 years later - end of the Pigs and some of the most boring & uncomfortable rolling stock ever taking over.
In my almost 20 years on the railway I've seen the end of 33's, REPS, Thumpers, HAPS, slammers, 50's, 47's & HST's on Virgin, The Totton & Weymouth Tramways, W'loo, Clapham, Woking & Bomo signal boxes, W'loo Windsor platforms - the building of the Eurostar Terminal (and its closure soon).
I guess what I'm trying to say is there will always be change - a lot of it for the worse e.g. Disastros; but we can't avoid it.
A lot of Steam drivers were glad to be away from the dirt and work involved with those engines and I sometimes hear the same from ex diesel loco drivers.
The pay has increased phenominally and it's no doubt due to privatisation that I have my driver's job.
I like the fact that I have a comfortable seat now and controlable cab heating. I don't like tunnel vision and not being able to see out of the windows. I like the fact that they do get away and don't spin like the pigs did but I hate the poor ride and rough brakes.
As things get better - they also get worse. It's like a Ying/Yang thing opposite reactions. Modern Hi-Tech rolling stock = crap seating. Old steam rolling stock = luxurious comfortable seating.
What does the country need in the next 20 years to solve transport problems and road congestion? I believe that all the old trackbeds should be opened up as high speed tramways and where built on the trams would go out in the road.
If you look at turn of the century railway maps - most people were within 10 miles or closer of a railway line .
Will any government do it? Will they fluff !!!
ARRGGHHHH !!! WHY DOES IT KEEP LOGGING ME OFF ESPECIALLY WHEN I'M ABOUT TO POST A THREAD?
yes well I wonder what 20 years on will bring. Maybe super efficient, oil fired and thus clean Swiss built steam locos on freight again??? Well why not??? They do it on the Iowa State Railroad (something like that) with brand new Chinese QJs!!
