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I think it was a case of politics interfering with Engineering. Crossrail limited made it quite clear to Boris and TFL that the sensible procurement option would be trains compatible with the Siemens CBTC signalling system. At the time the decision was made to use CBTC it was being installed...

I retired over seven years ago now so haven't had any dealings with Crossrail in all that time. Back then there were ongoings discussions revolving around the fact that Crossrail Limited had bought Siemens CBTC fixed equipment but that Boris had insisted that TFL purchase the trains and bought...

In East Anglia, back in BR days, most of the AHB's and there were lots of them, often lost their Electricity Board feeds due to lightning. Of course, that wasn't an immediate problem because they had back up battery supplies. That was until they introduced the neon flashing "Another Train...

Grosvenor House in Norwich was once the Divisional Office, then the Area Office, during BR days. It's now been converted into flats.

East Coast Main Line Selby Diversion. Ipswich Bacon Factory Curve.

The Unions would not be fighting Beeching, he didn't close any railway. They would be fighting the Government. Governments, from both major parties, decided which parts of Beechings report to adopt or discard.

Not at all unusual in East Anglia in BR days. Both Keswick and Intwood crossings between Eaton Crossing and Hethersett just had block bells to tell them when trains were coming. I know it was the same for a number of crossings on the East Suffolk as well.

There are also things like Accessible Toilets and step free access to consider when looking at life extension plus passenger comfort things like Air Conditioning, on train information screens an wifi/internet.

Yes, and the worst when the curve is on the outside. SDO within a coach isn't popular with Customers, they may find themselves at a door that doesn't open on a packed train then having to try to fight their way to a different exit, which can affect dwell times. It's also not popular with those...

Another considerstion is platform curvature and gaps between the train and platform - bearing in mind the need for step free access.

Waterloo International buffer stops were pretty strong, gone now of course. At a guess those at St Pancras for Eurostar are probably designed to take a similar impact load.

One of the tallest I can recall was on the Up East Suffolk at the London end of Beccles station. It was a wooden co-acting signal, designed so that trains approaching the station from Lowestoft around the curve.could see the aspect above the stations buildings and footbridge. In it's latter...

Many years ago, in BR days, there used to be an intermediate tablet instrument point and home and distant signals in both directions at Berney Arms. It split the Reedham - Breydon Junction single line into two sections, so, yes, it can be done and has been done. I don't remember it being used...

Whatever train is choosen it will need to meet the quite stringent fire requirements for operation through the Channel Tunnel. Not many existing HS trains do that.

Then it's probably GSM providing internet for the departure board - it's not as if it's going to be constantly changing - and VoIP for the help line.

A quick look on Google maps confirms that there is no pole route now. At a guess, there is now internet around Berney Arms, either by GSM, Microwave or possibly BT cable. Probably extends to the houses and pub by the pumping windmill. Don't think NR has cabled between Berney Arms and either...

I don't think there is a telegraph pole route between Reedham Junction and Berney Arms now so there can't be any wires between the bridge and where the phone box was.

No, technology has moved on, there's no need for physical lines to telephones now that mobile phone technology has taken over.

" To the East of Reedham station there is a run of splendid telegraph poles with large numbers of crosspieces ..... " They are known as Arms. The normal, 4 position arms are 48" but there is often a top arm of 60" which can accommodate 6 wires, the outer two being power supplies for the...

There is the matter of trackside safety to consider. Up to 100 MPH you need a 1.5M safe cess, above 100mph you need 2.0M. A full risk assessment would be needed to see what infrastructure changes would be necessary or where maintenance access would need to be restricted and special arrangements...