Recent content by James James

But it simply doesn't make sense. Why does the UK have to insist on this illogical timetabling "logic" that doesn't serve the passengers expectation? And why do you keep insisting on an offset which is proven to be unnecessary. Unaccompanied trains in Switzerland lock doors at :00, and will be...

So it looks like North Korea was only added to the list in 2019 - turns out it was only places like Iran that were on the list before that ( https://koryogroup.com/travel-guide/news-update-travel-to-the-us-the-esta-visa-waiver-program ). It's true that NK won't share data, but if you lie on the...

That's preposterous - by your logic you might as well never even unlock the doors because whoever gets to board last before the scheduled door-closing time gets an unfair advantage. (To illustrate: doors close on published departure time - those who arrive in the last minute are advantaged, so...

Seems unlikely given the small order size. Alstom is hopefully already exhausted from trying to sabotage Stadler all over the place on the much bigger OBB and SBB orders.

Nope - I don't think that's the answer, at least not universally - the Swiss procedure is activate door closing at the published time, and go once locked. If it's an accompanied train instead: the conductor activates door closing (except for their door), checks everythings good, boards and locks...

Can't speak to Belgium specifically, but every new train I've seen elsewhere in Europe* has horrible door noises and excessively bright lighting. I think it depends on the precise year of approval though, some reasonably modern trains indeed don't have the horrible door noises yet. * Even in...

Lots of talk, but no one has managed to explain why the UK insists on these standards when most of Europe gets by without it. (Amtrak examples aren't great given those are often multi-day journeys...) Airport comparisons also aren't relevant given there's no security check at the train station...

You wouldn't believe how much of a supply chain squeeze there is right now. It's affected components for all kinds of trains over the past 2 years.

You just have to tell the app which class you want in advance. If you select 2nd and sit in 1st you'll presumably be forced to pay for an upgrade (on IR/IC trains) or fined (local trains). Realistically no one would actually do this - for an all day sojourn you'd buy your ticket in advance on...

According to this report (published in July 2020, based on info from the government) it's closing at the end of 2023 (i.e. presumably together with the usual timetable changes that happen every December). I've seen the same date in a few other german-language sources, although you can never be...

And to expand on what I was saying: Here is one of SNCF's newer Omneo's - perhaps that's the famed unfriendly double-deck being complained about - you'll see at one station they had to use a ramp (presumably that one hasn't been upgraded yet), but later on they can use the gap-filler...

More significantly it could also cause trouble with travel to the USA. In theory you can't get an ESTA anymore*, so you'd need to apply for Visas - which would be problematic if you have to go there regularly on business (and inconvenient for irregular travel). * The application asks you...

It's not touch-in/out, but nevertheless a similar concept: I believe you can now travel all of the Swiss public transport network by swiping in/out on your mobile phone (GPS and perhaps cell towers being used to track your journey) - the ticket gets billed at the end of the day. Longest journey...

The WMR unit(s) being tested appear to have new fairings which put the buffers (or anti-climbers if you're being picky) on show. Is that specific to the WMR units, or coming to all of them - and why is that change being made?

My vote is for 156's on the WHL. Absolutely horrid in terms of noise and vibration for what should be a pleasant scenic route - go in expecting a nice relaxing day, come out with a headache. Mind you I'm not sure what would be better - Mk4 + 67/68 or HST wouldn't be bad but are unrealistic given...