Recent content by JamesT

When I've looked at ratings in the past, quite often it's the paperwork side that is dragging the score down. They're keeping everything clean, but they don't have a bit of paper with a schedule on it to show the inspector when they come round.

Why bother with third rail shoes? How much of a Voyager's running is over that network? If you're going to buy new trains for XC, just buy the same thing and run over battery/diesel where there isn't overhead wiring.

As has been mentioned on many threads previously, the existing units Scotland uses are 3-car, sometimes doubled up as 6-car services. 4-car 350s may not fit and potentially would require infrastructure changes (e.g. platform lengthening).

Total fares income for 23/24 was £10.4bn. If that’s only 80% of pre Covid levels then you are short by £2.5bn. Costs have not fallen, hence the increased subsidy.

Did CAF have any experience of building a Diesel-Electric previously? The 22X were a different manufacturer and doesn’t necessarily follow that all manufacturers will follow suit. The 22X powertrain is also fairly useless for EMU conversion, as there aren’t any traction power cables between...

Some people only consider the inland side to be the Fife Circle, as the coastal side is the Edinburgh-Dundee line. But I suspect @lachlan is talking more about the services. Previously most of the local trains did the whole circle in one direction or the other, whereas now the inland side is...

I would say most people associate left-wing parties with higher taxes. The worst off may get more back, but if you're struggling then having the government take away more of your money won't be appealing. We've also seen with the increase in National Insurance how that has been depressing the...

They are possible, legislation to allow them was passed in 2019. But the councillors in Edinburgh weren't brave enough to implement it: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv22xnn7exeo

It's mostly just restoring the status-quo from before January. But with a £250k upfront fee instead of £30k annually.

A thing that comes to mind is that if you're doing something else to handle Manchester - Birmingham, you have the Voyagers do Bristol - Birmingham - Bournemouth instead of their current Bristol - Manchester - Bournemouth. It would invariably need some sort of rejig of the timetable. but is...

That's old news, US Intelligence now believes Iran was much closer to being able to produce a bomb. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c056zqn6vvyo I find it very hard to believe that Iran was truly dismantling its weapons program and Trump withdrawing from the deal spurred them into going...

My mistake, I skim-read the page. It's London City which is the other airport handled by Aviation Policing Command.

Were South Africa or Zimbabwe funding terrorism or involving themselves with the civil wars of neighbouring countries? And if what they want is the obliteration of Israel? Iran is not an innocent party in this. I think you're vastly overestimating how much this is down to 'The West'. Religious...

They may not be a separate force to the same level as BTP any more, but Heathrow and Gatwick do have a specialist unit of the Met. The other two special police forces that still exist are the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and the MoD Police.

You may have missed the recent arrests of Iranian nationals for terror offences? Which isn’t an isolated incident, but one of a number over the years. They may not have the capability for a direct military assault on the UK, but that doesn’t mean they’re not a threat. That’s an impressive amount...