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South West Trains banned smoking in first class on Waterloo/Exeter services when the 3 car DMUs replaced full length loco hauled trains. The much reduced train length prevented having first class smoking and first class non smoking. Not long afterwards they prohibited smoking on all their trains.

Smokeless patent fuels would seem to be an alternative to coal. I recall an old "railway practice and performance" magazine article in which a main line steamer was run on Homefire Ovals, a then popular patent fuel. It worked fine. Similar fuels are available today. More recently, I have fired a...

Yes, point motors need significant power, but only for a few seconds at a time, and this is commonly supplied by 24 volt lead acid batteries near the points. The batteries are generally trickle charged from the mains electricity supply. Wind or solar energy could be used in remote locations. I...

My favourite would be a re-created Bullied tavern car, as used on the southern back in the good old days. It would be a splendid addition to a charter train, or for daily use on a larger heritage line. Preferably named "THE BROADGAGE TAVERN"

I can see the merit of prohibiting alcohol consumption on specific train services where there is a history of alcohol related problems. I cant support any general ban affecting large numbers of trains. The health and puritan lobby regard drinking as the new smoking, and consider bans and...

Surely a trolley would be better :D Surveys show it!

As an aside, I would urge never treading on the running rails of an electric railway with bare feet. The relatively low voltage is unlikely to be dangerous in MOST circumstances, but could be dangerous in exceptional circumstances. In general one should be well clear of the line in any case, but...

Nunhead in south east London is said to be the highest station in London, It has an island platform and from the down side a panoramic view across much of London. From the up side the view is less extensive but does include the former broadgage towers.

Presumably because giving full details of time, station, etc. could identify the train crew, which may be prohibited under forum rules, and even if not specifically prohibited seems to me to be poor practice.

As has already been said, there is no urgency to replace the 159s though eventually this will be required. Significant expansion of conductor rail is effectively ruled out. So that leaves as options. 1) Keep the infrastructure as it is, but order new trains that are bi mode diesel and third...

Presumably we can talk about freight by rail ? GBRF seem to be doing well, having un-furloughed staff quicker than expected, and drivers are being offered overtime. Can we talk about bad news for NON rail transport this is after good news for rail ? A great contraction in air transport seems to...

I would share your doubts about the availability of taxis or buses at some locations. Still better at a station than stranded between stations.

Had I been on the train with the open doors, I would only have pulled the alarm immediately if there was also some additional risk factor such as children, drunks, wheelchair or baby buggy near the open door. Otherwise I would delay use of the alarm until the next stop. Operation of the alarm...

I agree, and if electrification is not viable, battery power is IMHO a more sensible option than hydrogen.

Within reason, yes. Just as passengers without luggage are in effect charged higher fares in order to provide luggage racks for those with luggage. And those who don't need to relieve themselves are charged for the provision of toilets. And everyone pays for the provision of heating and...

If on the train, pull the emergency alarm, as has already been suggested. If on the platform, run towards the driving cab, shouting STOP DANGER at the driver. Place luggage or a shoe, or oneself so as to obstruct the closing of the doors.

Yes, low pressure sodium lamps are now obsolete. They used to be manufactured by several companies, but more recently the Hamilton factory of Philips UK was the only source of these lamps. It closed last year. There are still some lamps on the shelves of stockists, but production has ceased...

They often tend to ignore regular customers whom they believe have a valid ticket.

I doubt that catering will return to pre-pandemic levels. BEFORE the pandemic there was a general policy of "what downgrades can we get away with" For years there has been a steady process of replacing restaurants with buffets, replacing buffets with trolleys, and replacing trolleys with...

AFAIK, some railway signals used twin filament bulbs with one 12 volt 16 watt filament, and one 12 volt 24 watt filament. I purchased some of these lamps from a government surplus dealer years ago. They have a special 3 pin bayonet cap. One of the two base contacts for each filament with a...