Recent content by AlexNL

If memory serves me right RTT has a background process which enriches the data received from the feeds with its own data. This adds the distances, as well as additional timing points and calculating passing times. But this does not run for VSTP schedules.

When would a guard typically do that in such a case? Once the train has fully left the platform?

It's been a deliberate choice by Virgin / Best Impressions to not do that, and that's being carried forward to this day. Source: Red Hot (Virgin Trains East Coast branding 2015 – ) – The Beauty of Transport

Yep! When SNCF rebranded themselves in the mid-2000s, they launched these mascots alongside. They're named "Idix" and they represent ideas, and SNCF used Idix to present themselves as a place where ideas are nurtured and developed. They even starred in ads, like this one: :lol:

I bought one too, but only to keep my SNCF mascots company. I swear. :D Picture of a plush toy made after EMR's "Miles" mascot alongside three pink Idix 'blobs' (mascots used by the French railways, SNCF, in the mid-2000s).

YouTube recommended me the following video about this very subject. It explains the rationale behind the 2TMV project and its history, the practical implementation (including an explanation of what a driver sees) and has good footage of the whole thing. The video is in French, English...

In the end, no. The new fleets (197, 231, 398, 756) are all owned by SMBC Leasing and Equitix. From a bookkeeping perspective this was more interesting than TfW/WG acquiring the units by themselves. Absolutely! The money has to come from somewhere. Another complicating factor is the...

In an ideal world with unlimited budgets, an all-Stadler fleet would've been a game-changer for the entirety of Wales as much as it has been in Anglia. Unfortunately that's not the world we live in, there is a limit to how much money is available. This applies to costs upfront (capital expense...

The "special signalling device" the French need is... a mid-platform signal. :-)

I'm surprised there hasn't been a case of self-detrainment.

If it's the same spot as before, perhaps some of the fencing has broken/been vandalised, making it easier for deer to get on the tracks once more. For them then to find themselves trapped on the inside of the fence.

That's my point, an operator like Eurostar could create one if they'd have the stock for it. If it turns out there's huge demand for London - Geneva despite the Lille shuffle it might even be worth investigating the creation of a through service.

Now that Eurostar and Thalys have merged, in theory it should be easier for the new integrated operator to create some sort of through ticketed service. It could also work in the other direction by connecting with London bound Eurostar services which call at Lille Europe. "Take 'Eurostar Blue'...

To add to that: when DB was working on their London plans, the European continent was in a recession and the long distance bus market was liberalised. Suddenly Germany saw an explosion in long distance buses, and given the financial situation a lot of DB's passengers switched to the much cheaper...

Alstom have also heard the news, here's their statement: