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Probably of interest - of particular note is that the argument that nearly all services could be electrified via battery trains if just 66% of the network was electrified...

I'm trying to find information on the distributor valves used in air brake systems. Most of what I can find is about the early "triple valve" form that IIRC was never used on British railways.

The under-constructed BART extension to San Jose, already facing a ballooning budget and heavy delays, is now reconsidering its option to go for a single-bore tunnel and is now conducting a cost analysis of a twin-bore design under pressure from critics...

Is there a notable difference?

The modern system of classifying locos and multiple units with two- or three-digit numbers is often called "TOPS" classification. But I've found a November 1969 accident investigation (of an accident that occurred in May) that refers to "Class 20" and "Class 50" locomotives, and from some quick...

Last year TfL trialled real-time AI analysis of CCTV footage at Willesden Green station. In the past few days the results of FOI requests by journalists have come through and the details of the scheme can be revealed: https://takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/tfls-ai-tube-station-experiment-is

A common opinion I've seen online is that HS2 wasted money by "doing things from scratch" and that a company like SNCF should have been brought in to build the line to their pre-existing designs. Would this actually have saved money?

Is there an official definition of absolute block signalling? Wikipedia, citing Ellis' British Railway Engineering Encyclopaedia, defines it as "a British signalling block system designed to ensure the safe operation of a railway by allowing only one train to occupy a defined section of track...

I was reading the squarewheels website when I came across this description of the 1973 stock: Is this accurate? If so, what other trains use this system? Where can I find out more about it?

My understanding of approach control signals on National Rail is that drivers are not required to know which signals are approach controlled, and indeed there is a degree of encouragement not to do so as a driver may assume an approach controlled signal will clear when it won't. However, from...

An article from the NYT on the continually shocking state of safety on US freight railroads. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/28/business/ohio-train-derailment-safety-east-palestine.html?smid=url-share

I am researching operations in north-west England during the 1960s to make train simulator scenarios. Because of this, I need to know where trains photographed came from and where they were going. Does anyone know of any good photographic resources with such information?

I've recently purchased several freight working timetables covering the WCML between Preston and Carlisle in the 1950s and 60s, and am interested in further information regarding the workings over the WCML - the WTTs only contain the start/end points and headcodes of the services. In particular...

With recent statements from Starmer it looks like, outside the imagination of optimists, any extension of HS2 north of Birmingham is well and truly dead, at least on the original timescale. Where does this leave the WCML? What practical steps can be taken to relieve congestion on it?

Looking at transit-related social media there's a lot of disbelief from non-UK countries that most UK public transport completely shuts down on Christmas Day. What are your thoughts on this matter? Is limited Christmas service practical or desirable?

The long-awaited announcement of the winners of federal grants from 2021's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has finally been made, with $8.2 billion granted to various passenger rail projects in the US. The biggest beneficiaries are California High-Speed Rail and Brightline West, who both...

I recently read a Garry Keenor thread on Mastodon where he is severely critical of the idea of discontinuous electrification, particularly as a method of avoiding having to raise clearances. What are RUK's thoughts on discontinuous electrification? Does it have a place?

More on the parlous state of rail safety in the US... https://www.propublica.org/article/railroad-safety-union-pacific-csx-bnsf-trains-freight

Andrew Naughton gave evidence to the Transport Committee on Wednesday. He blames the high cost of HS2 on overengineering, the DfT's changing of the scope, and a skills shortage in the UK...

Does anyone have any information on manufacturers of pantographs used on British rolling stock? I know via mergers Wabtec owns a lot of companies in the field.