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The You Tube algorithm proved (once again) its terrifying accuracy by suggesting I might be interested in a clip from the classic 1950s American black-and-white TV series, Casey Jones. But this prompted a long lost memory, that when Casey needed to bring the Cannonball Express to a sudden stop...

The prevailing assumption of participants on this forum is that railways are important. I think there are significant indications that as far as the general public and the government are concerned, this is no longer the case. Disintegration and fragmentation through privatisation (meaning for...

Given that strikes are due 24th to Tues 27th Dec, and in light of any knock-on effects of Xmas engineering, how likely does the panel think it seems that Northern trains will have recovered some equilibrium and be trundling reliably between Chester and Altrincham 3pm to midnight on Wed 28th...

I really have no idea what I'm talking about here, but bear with. I recall that Teletext was provided by "piggybacking" on to redundant capacity in a standard TV signal. Are there rail systems (track circuits? signalling cables? electrification infrastructure? etc) that could, if the will was...

Hello good people, Wondering if anyone would feel confident enough to venture an informed opinion on the prospects of reaching Inverness from Manchester before 17.00 on Tuesday 25th October? I am currently booked with an off peak single, 06.50 Northern Man Vic to Wigan NW, 07.38 Avanti WNW to...

I haven't yet picked up my actual travel ticket, but if it says "Manchester Piccadilly" as my destination, must I stay on the train rather than alight at Manchester Oxford Road, as I would now prefer? And if the ticket actually says "Manchester Stations", will that make a difference? Thanks!

Passing the driving test for my car driving licence gave me permission to drive an improbable variety of vehicles. In a railway context, I can see how finding signals and knowing gradients is vital to safety. But was there a time when you would be assumed to know how to drive any kind of loco /...

Hi folks, Is there any info on how reliable the Rail Replacement Bus service is from Carlisle to Edinburgh in terms of keeping to advertised times. I'm looking at a journey from Chester or Liverpool to Edinburgh Airport on Sunday 8th May with a must-get-to-the-airport time of 16.00 - is it...

Hi, I've been weighing up options for some family members to travel from Edinburgh to Llandudno over Easter Weekend, 15th - 17th April (out Friday return Sunday). National Rail offer hardly any fare options, and refer to Transport for Wales having a possible change of timetable on 19th...

Just had a message from a passenger - anyone know anything?

This frightening incident has thrown a spotlight on the whole issue of stopping a train in an emergency. My thoughts are with the injured driver, the staff and passengers on the trains, and all those affected in so many ways. As bad as it has been, there is an awareness that it could have been...

I am interested to learn about the wide range of different experiences that people have had (or may have had) with this virus. It seems that many, like me, will have had "something", but until mass testing is finally made available, we won't really know what. About 2 weeks into lockdown, I very...

Fascinating recent thread about 1500V DC test tracks at Crewe and Longsight, with some observations about the robust engineering that went in to the Class 76 (and presumably Class 77) Manchester to Sheffield locos. So...compared with 25kV AC systems, with some locos and multiple units that had a...

Widely reported this morning. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-51581817

Just been looking into the possibility of going on WCRC's Jacobite next year, but on reading Trip Advisor reviews, there seem to be regular comments of "No Heating". Assuming the Mk1 coaches used are steam heated, can that be right?

Anybody going to wander by wherever he might be and wave a flag? Of any sort?

Found myself staring at a Mile Post yesterday, and suddenly realised I had no idea why it should be that instead of stencilled numbers, or standardised lettering, many of them look like they've been painted by (drunk?) primary school children with a yellow-and-black painting set. Why??

I'm old enough to remember seeing passenger diesels wreathed in steam from leaky joints (at intervals along the train as well) on cold days in winter. What never occurred to me at the time was the likelihood that the rear carriages got less heat as the steam supply cooled along the train - and I...

'Frinstance, if it was taken to Holland's 1500v network to do some railtours? I worry that things that go to the National Railway Museum end up sanitised, and bereft of living spirit, like castles "entrusted" to English Heritage.......

Used to be a 1300 Allegro. Slam dunk. But, unexpectedly, coming up on the inside rail, my current Peugeot 2008. Uncomfortable seats, a stupid touch-screen radio (I just want knobs!!), irritating bleeps if it thinks it has an unsecured passenger (shopping....), and poor all round visibility...