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Track rationalisation and singling was the 1960s management consultant’s (or whatever they were called then) dream. Theoretical savings with no accurate means of measuring the true long-term impact (revenue potential as well as cost) and, consequently, no comeback when improvements aren’t...

Who said I was standing? Pity those who were though. £300 to be able to work on £millions of business whilst on the move - a no brainer.

On a recent trip from Devon to Derby with all services running to schedule, first class was full (and standing heading south) mid-afternoon. My ticket cost about £300. XC won’t be scrapping first class anytime soon.

In part due to the long-standing cost and revenue allocation mechanisms. XC has more shared passenger flows for ORCATS than some long-distance operators, and split ticketing does XC no favours either. Alternate NR cost allocation methods may favour XC too.

Devon County Council funding for Plymouth is odd since DCC doesn’t cover Plymouth or Torbay which are both unitary authorities.

Yes, I am sure we all understand that DFT is the decision maker.

Steel?

From my experiences this week between Devon and Derby on mid-afternoon departures, overcrowding is worsening. There were standing passengers in first class both directions and I had difficulties leaving the train at Derby because of the passengers crammed in the aisle at the inner end of the...

Refreshing to see so many revenue protection staff in and around Glasgow and via Bathgate to Edinburgh. Never had my ticket checked so many times. A lesson for England and Wales.

AKA Treasury funding delays.

If only it was that simple. Let's say the private investor needs to run 6tph for the business case to stack up, but there are no guarantees the trains will be able to operate on the existing network. No chance, they won't finance an Ordsall Cord.

So, the statement below from HSR only relates to the new infrastructure and not improvements and additional maintenance required on existing routes.

Disruptors are welcomed, but they often get the invitation by offering unsustainable prices which the Treasury (controls DfT and NR) can't resist. This leads to lesser people being deployed, under budgeting (suits the Treasury), companies being thrown out for failing to deliver (Jarvis), and...

Treasury withholding funding to DfT.

My intelligence is that the delays are linked to Treasury (through DfT) micromanaging the release of funding for signalling and the GWR class 175 lease (to release a 150). The line closure for installing the passing loop is unaffected and going ahead as originally planned.

Which is why NR proposed improvements / reinstatements.

Definitely, the Cornwall - Bristol / Cardiff through trains have a lot of passengers travelling through Exeter. Platform 2 at Exeter was to be extended to allow the 5-car IETs to/from Cardiff to turnaround there. This would have enabled minimum EXD 6-minute connection to/from the Penzance...

I agree and theoretically it's been possible since the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 using Section 106 agreements, though in the last 15 years or so local authorities have been forced to divert funds from these agreements to prop up budgets elsewhere, the central government revenue grant...

Journey time improvements and dynamic loops were on the options list. The same trip takes 2 hours by car without a break, and 5-6 hours by bus.

No. From recollection to enable and hourly service, a loop south of Castle Cary, extending Maiden Newton loop towards Chetnole, and options to serve Yeovil Junction.