Recent content by James_D

Hi guys, I currently work as an operations manager for a large well known logistics company in the UK. Unfortunately the threat of covid-related redundancy has got me thinking about alternative career paths. I've always had an interest in working on the railway and in particular working in...

Fair enough, makes sense. Maybe we should just keep churning out 802's across the network and double up the 15X 17X series for capacity. The 802, especially in 5-car is really finding that sweet spot for short-medium distance commuter/semi-fast work. Arguably there is still a gap in the market...

Not a bad point. Maybe the trailers & DVT could have battery storage which are charged through the loco when on OLE and are used for heating/lighting when on diesel.

Is anyone else of the opinion that the Class 88's have unexplored potential, with additional units that could be put into passenger use. How many carriages would the 88 be able to haul on diesel mode whilst keeping DMU timings? The type of operation i had in mind would be hauling something like...

With the near simultanous occurance of Arriva losing the Northern franchise and the government having to backup the whole franchising system anyway, it got me thinking that when the lockdown is over, will the government consider putting the Northern franchise out to private tender again? So if...

How about keeping 2 x 185's on the TPE Manchester Airport to Middlesborough services, but then splitting at Easglescliffe, 1x 185 to Saltburn and 1 x 185 to Hartlepool and Sunderland (maybe Stockton or Seaham too if timings allow), then both portions reversing and reforming at Eaglescliffe to...

Sorry if there is already a thread on this, but when changing trains at Wimbledon on a daily commute and seeing all those 2x3 car formation of 159's zipping through in 3rd rail areas for a good deal of their journeys out of Waterloo, i couldn't help but think the 159 fleet transferring to the...

Slightly off topic, but with regards to Heaton's unit allocation, how many 156's do they now have? of which how many are ex Scotrail and how many will they be getting? Same question with 158's, how many stationed currently and how many to come? Have any Heaton based 142's gone off lease? Thanks!

Very well summed up there by @Dr Hoo and @Killingworth. All valid points but what i was getting at in my original post was not so much in relation to the viability or unprofitability of lines, which was increasingly obvious by the 1960's. What I was suggesting was merely an academic exercise...

I would imagine a similar thread has been done previously so apologies if it has. I know talk of our friend Dr. B. Ching has been done to death but genuinely, would there have been a sensible and sustainable alternative to the axe? I.e not allowing an ever increasing amount of taxpayers money to...

There's a good chance Sunderland will be playing at Wembley on Sunday 31st March for the Checkatrade final. Of course there's an early 5.40am SUN - KGX service on a weekday then the return working around 8pm. It would make alot of sense for LNER to put it on for that weekend providing Sunderland...

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/transport-secretary-chris-grayling-backs-15800477 Chris Grayling took a trip on a 156 from Morpeth down the Blyth and Tyne today, he backs reopening it to passenger use by 2022. Shall we file this under 'I'll believe it when i see it' or is...

I know this wont happen, but personally i'd like to see the 185's on the Carlisle - Morpeth stoppers/semi fast once all the timetable changes and possibly even taking over the Carlisle - Boro Northern Connects. They'd be good on the hilly bits in the Tyne Valley then they can stretch their legs...

I think Heaton would be a good place for some of the 156's for Northern, especially for doubling up during the rush hour and weekends when the 142's go. A single 156 every hour up and down the Durham Coast still wont be enough even when the Northern Connects start. On any given Saturday by the...

Sorry if there already has been a thread about this, but what is the plan for GA's current 170, 156 and 153 when they are replaced by the new Stadler units? Thanks!