Bessie
Member
- Joined
- 30 Oct 2017
- Messages
- 259
With the recent withdrawal of HSTs from front-line GWR service being replaced with IETs it got me thinking about progress of trains since the 1970's versus other forms of transport. For trains the improvements since the 1970's focus on replacement of slam-door stock with automatic doors and most suburban stock now have air-con. There is also better PIS and wi-fi. Then I start to struggle and we know some things have gone backwards like seat comfort and removal of buffet cars.
I then compare this to cars when in the 70's most folk were driving Ford Cortinas, Vauxhall Cavaliers or Morris Marinas with poor fuel economy and leaded petrol, radio (if you were lucky), headrests (if you were lucky), no air bags, prone to rust etc. And the cars of today VW Golfs, Ford Mondeos all have far superior economy, better seats, better performance, better ICE, better safety (air bags, auto-braking)
Anyway I will get to my point - why has progress in cars been so much better in the last 40 years compared to trains?
I then compare this to cars when in the 70's most folk were driving Ford Cortinas, Vauxhall Cavaliers or Morris Marinas with poor fuel economy and leaded petrol, radio (if you were lucky), headrests (if you were lucky), no air bags, prone to rust etc. And the cars of today VW Golfs, Ford Mondeos all have far superior economy, better seats, better performance, better ICE, better safety (air bags, auto-braking)
Anyway I will get to my point - why has progress in cars been so much better in the last 40 years compared to trains?