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Railway Myths
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Wyvern
Established Member
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I used to get 54 free first tickets a year for my family. Trouble was when we got there we couldn't afford to do anything.
dieselbashdave
Member
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Don't want to resurrect a thread that's not been updated for 2 months but I'd like to add my 2p's worth as this one hasn't been covered:
Myth number 304: it's green/good for the env. and improves engine life to keep shutting and restarting engines on 185 diesel-Dessies and engines love being started and stopped all the time
Myth number 304: it's green/good for the env. and improves engine life to keep shutting and restarting engines on 185 diesel-Dessies and engines love being started and stopped all the time
junglejames
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Don't want to resurrect a thread that's not been updated for 2 months but I'd like to add my 2p's worth as this one hasn't been covered:
Myth number 304: it's green/good for the env. and improves engine life to keep shutting and restarting engines on 185 diesel-Dessies and engines love being started and stopped all the time
Very true. Would love to know if it actually saves TPE any money with the 185s doing that. I wouldnt have thought so.
I believe the (potential) savings come from the service intervals - if memory serves correct from other information I have seen about, the 185 engines are serviced based on mileage they have been running for...therefore, if they are shut down, each for a few miles each trip, over time this can lead a considerable amount of mileage they each then don't do meaning servicing can take place less regularly
Eng274
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For a (BMW) Mini engine it can only ever be harmful; but the work cycle for these engines is a matter of hours, rather than seconds, so the fuel saved when shut down easily surpasses the wasted fuel when started up.
And the reduced overall number of hours while running equally outweighs any damage done to the engines by starting and shutting them down several times daily.
allticketspls
Member
Myth Number: WHATEVER!!!
If you walk up to a barrier line at Euston with a ticket to Birmingham routed via High Wycombe, the RPO on duty will let you travel and will not indulge in a 15 minute argument about why you cannot travel without paying a fare excess.
If you walk up to a barrier line at Euston with a ticket to Birmingham routed via High Wycombe, the RPO on duty will let you travel and will not indulge in a 15 minute argument about why you cannot travel without paying a fare excess.
HawkeyeTheNoo
Member
Myth # ? Mussolini got trains to run on time by threatening to shoot drivers
tbtc
Veteran Member
That's a long running myth. The version I've taken of the story is that he didn't manage to get the trains to run on time, but he did get *his* train to run on time (thus giving him the impression that the railways ran like clockwork, which became the international myth).
Am happy for someone to correct me.
WelshBluebird
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Myth Number Whatever:
You have to buy a ticket before getting on the train.
Reality:
So many smaller stations do not have any way of doing this.
I had an argument with a guard last year, going from Oldfield Park to Bristol Temple Meads. He was adament that Oldfield Park had a ticket machine and because I didn't buy a ticket, I was going to have to pay the penalty fair. Eventually he backed down when I continued to insist there was no machine (a quick google shows it was taken out sometime in 2009).
Another time I was going from Oldfield Park to Bath spa (I know, but I felt lazy!). It was early morning so the station should have been manned. It wasn't. The train was packed so couldn't get a ticket on board, so had to spend a good 5 minutes arguing at Bath Spa station trying to assure them that there was no staff member at Oldfield Park station.
You have to buy a ticket before getting on the train.
Reality:
So many smaller stations do not have any way of doing this.
I had an argument with a guard last year, going from Oldfield Park to Bristol Temple Meads. He was adament that Oldfield Park had a ticket machine and because I didn't buy a ticket, I was going to have to pay the penalty fair. Eventually he backed down when I continued to insist there was no machine (a quick google shows it was taken out sometime in 2009).
Another time I was going from Oldfield Park to Bath spa (I know, but I felt lazy!). It was early morning so the station should have been manned. It wasn't. The train was packed so couldn't get a ticket on board, so had to spend a good 5 minutes arguing at Bath Spa station trying to assure them that there was no staff member at Oldfield Park station.
60163
Member
Another myth:
If you have a ticket from place A to place B, you can get there via whatever station(s) you like
If you have a ticket from place A to place B, you can get there via whatever station(s) you like
junglejames
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OK, i stand corrected. Yes true being larger engines they possibly will save fuel being shut down.
Didnt think about the hours thing.
deltic1989
Established Member
Myth number 3??: 47299 was cursed. The reality of this (after asking for opinions on here a few months ago) seems to be that the "disasters" that befell this loco were un happy coincidenses. ( i know......my spellings poor)
Smudger105e
Member
I'm confused, is it a myth that we all understand economics? We don't, but I don't see it as a myth :roll:
I was once in B&Q in my HV vest, and a woman asked me where the wallpaper section was!
A VEP maybe, but put a CIG up against a 319, I think the 319 would be quicker...
'63 stock had spare wires in the 27 way jumpers (can't remember the wire numbers, think it was like 21, 22 and 23) and they were designated for doors open left, doors open right and doors close.
EM2
Established Member
I have been 'told' this on at least three separate occasions since I've been working at St.P, with one person telling me that's why the Underground station is called King's Cross St Pancras!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Next time someone tries that on, you should go to the tannoy and say "We've a gentlemen in Coach C who doesn't know who he is... could any medical staff please attend" - he'll soon remember
An American friend used to work for a small US domestic airline. A flight was cancelled and she had to rebook everyone (only about forty people) on the next flight.
A man walked straight up to the front of the queue, gave my friend a huge spiel about how he had to be on this next flight, demanding priority etc. The conversation continued thus:
Her: I'm sorry, Sir. Just take a place in the queue and I will get to you as soon as I can.
Him: Do you know who I am?
Her: <Tannoy> *BING BONG* Can I have your attention please, ladies and gentlemen? We have a gentleman at Gate 55 who does not know who he is. If anyone could assist, please make your way to Gate 55 </Tannoy>
Whole queue giggling away...
Him (now bright red and steaming): Well, f*** you!
Her: You'll have to join a queue for that too, sir.
Huge round of applause
allticketspls
Member
Myth Number: Whatever+1
When you have purchased an e-ticket online, it is perfectly acceptable to get on the train and when a ticket check is done, wave your laptop at the TM/RPO
When you have purchased an e-ticket online, it is perfectly acceptable to get on the train and when a ticket check is done, wave your laptop at the TM/RPO
Myth Number X (4468??) - Mallard's record was beaten by either an American loco or Bill Hoole driving Sir Nigel Gresley on a railtour.
Neither is true - although the first is plausible. The American locos in question were Pennsylvania Railroad PRR T1s. They were very fast, but none were clocked authentically at over 126 mph. As for Bill Hoole, he is reputed to have reached 117 with the Tees-Tyne Pullman, but only 112 with 60007 on a Stephenson Locomotive Society tour. The fireman was Alf Hancox.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I heard that one from a guard on WAGN once, got me into really hot water when I tried to apply it at a later date.
Neither is true - although the first is plausible. The American locos in question were Pennsylvania Railroad PRR T1s. They were very fast, but none were clocked authentically at over 126 mph. As for Bill Hoole, he is reputed to have reached 117 with the Tees-Tyne Pullman, but only 112 with 60007 on a Stephenson Locomotive Society tour. The fireman was Alf Hancox.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Myth whatever number. It is your companys policy to allow passengers to sit in 1st class free of charge if there is no seats in Standard accom. (this was quoted to me by a passenger because there was no seats)
I heard that one from a guard on WAGN once, got me into really hot water when I tried to apply it at a later date.
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Yeah, but the CIG would be more comfortable.
DaveNewcastle
Established Member
But what I would like to know is: did they survive the ordeal?
Mallard didn't, suffering a failed rod in its middle cylinder in the attempt (which has always left me feeling unimpressed with its famous 'record'), and then having to be dragged back to Doncaster after the failure (and 'the record').
Another myth:
If you have a ticket from place A to place B, you can get there via whatever station(s) you like
Such as Manchester to Accrington via Preston, which IS a permitted route if on the NRE itinerary, such as a time a lady on board my train one morning had. Unfortunately convincing the rather surly (and usually lecherous) guard that morning was impossible and he confiscated the ladys ticket anyway.
Not seen him for a while and I am sure the travelling public are thankful for it. A very disorganised and horrible individual.
ChrisCooper
Established Member
There is the same thing with computers. Is is best from an energy and life expectancy point of view to shut your computer down overnight or leave it running. I don't think the former has been proven either way. With the latter I would say it's probably best to leave it running as solid state electrical equipment is more stressed turning on and off (due to high current at switch-on and temperature cycling), hard drives will shut down anyway when not in use, and fans are cheap to replace (and at least with Intel processors they will throttle themselves to prevent overheating in the event of a cooling failure).
Similar issues with other electrical equipment. Another big one is with fluorescent lights and low energy bulbs. Apparently if they are used in situations where they are regularly turned on and off they will use more energy than a conventional bulb as they use a lot of energy to start up. Then again, conventional bulbs are particularly life limited by on-off cycles, wheras with fluorescents and low energy bulbs (which are compact fluorescents) the tube is limited by on time, but the electronics by cycles, just to make things more confusing.
sprinterguy
Veteran Member
Bloody hell. The Americans really didn't build their main line steam locos small did they??? When you think of Duchesses as a "big" engine then it's difficult to get your head around the sheer scale of something like that. Those locos are absolute monsters. But only a 6 to 7 year lifespan for the youngest loco? That's absolutely criminal considering the amount of work and finance that must have gone into building something so collosally monumental.
Daimler
Member
It's worth pointing out, though, that the failure Mallard suffered while setting the record has been attributed not to the stresses of getting up to 126mph, but due to the violent way the driver had to shut off steam after reaching that speed - in order to slow down for Essendine curves. Had there been a longer straight, he would have been able to shut off more gently, thus preventing damage.
Agreed. I've wished I could see one of those ever since I first heard of them. Something like that at speed must have been awesome! Seems as though they had an even shorter life than the 9Fs, which you're clearly right about. So many terrible wastes from something too good, too late.
Smudger105e
Member
Especially an early 'Brighton' CIG or BIG
NightatLaira
Member
- Joined
- 14 Jun 2010
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- 490
Myth No. X:
- The terms 'parliamentary train' and 'WAG express' are interchangeable
fairysdad
Member
'tis a myth this one and all (though not a railway one...) and disproved here
(When I used to work for a well-known supermarket, the powers that be decided that they should replace all the checkout lights with energy saving lightbulbs, forgetting that some stores, mine included, had older checkouts that didn't have bells to call for the supervisor and we relied on the flashing lights which didn't work too well with rapid on-off flashes... lasted about a week before we had regular light bulbs put back into them...)
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PaulLothian
Member
Still rather off topic - the local authority that I work for instructed staff to turn off fluorescent lights if leaving a room empty for more than a couple of minutes. It then moved us into new premises with automatic lighting which stays on for about 20 minutes after the last detected movement. Walking the length of the building to the staff exit at night leaves on several dozen lights...
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