Recent content by jonhewes

I realise that under normal circumstances they can run on one conductor, though I believe that this was/is due to safety concerns regarding drunk passengers travelling back on the trains on Friday and Saturday nights. I may have got my wires crossed, so apologies in advance if this is the case.

I completely understand that the sets are being withdrawn to maximise operational / commercial efficienty, though I do think it's a shame that these are getting withdrawn. Unlike the class 185s, these actually had the feeling of a proper intercity train, something you don't usually experience...

I completely agree with you. I recently had cause to travel between Grantham and Manchester. Although there's a direct EMT service, the quickest route is LNER to Doncaster or Leeds, and then catching an onward TPE service to Manchester. Travelling on LNER was pleasant enough experience...

Lincoln-Grantham was supposed to be retained.

I believe that in months leading up to sprinterisation, the services were "dumbed down" a little in order to manage public perception. From what I've read this included removing first class and running shorter trains. Apologies in advance if what I've posted is factually incorrect

I think you're referring to the Class 67s there. Class 68s have been designed as 100 MPH mixed traffic locos.

Apologies if this has been discussed elsewhere ; why did Hull Trains give up their Pioneers? Even back then, the 22x family had an established track record of being reliable trains.

Interesting that there's no mention of ETS. Do they use UK spec ETS?

They look amazing. Does anyone know whether these might see use occasional use on freight like the Chiltern ones do?

I'd agree. I believe that Falsgrave tunnel has been compromised and partially filled in, to allow the construction of foundations for a new building. It's hard to believe that Scarborough once had an extensive goods yard, carriage sidings, and pool of shunting locomotive. Now it's little more...

Apparently a mile of new track will be laid early in the year. I'm not sure whether this relates directly to the LMD, or is an enhancement so that charter trains aren't impacted by movements in and out of the depot.

The additional cost borne as a result of depreciation and servicing costs will negligible. Having recently surrendered my driving license due to health issues, I can vouch for the fact that rail travel is the more expensive mode of transport, even with a disabled persons railcard.

Out of interest, why was it deemed necessary to detrain the passengers and run ECS to Bounds Green? Kings Cross is less than 6 miles away!

I don't think that a modern loco-hauled trainset has this restriction either. Most European loco-hauled trainsets use driving trailers, rather than DVTs. A driving trailer is essentially a normal passenger carriage with a cab built into one end. An example can be seen here The use of MKIII...

This man speaks the truth! The planning system is in desperate need of overhaul, and, along with government initiatives to inflate/maintain high house prices, is one of the reasons that house prices and rents are so high in relation to earnings. With less than 3% of land actually built on...