It is controversial in America and I think most people in this thread have ignored the "without a firm foundation in logic" part.Not controversial and does have a firm foundation in logic.
It is controversial in America and I think most people in this thread have ignored the "without a firm foundation in logic" part.Not controversial and does have a firm foundation in logic.
WRT Newquay, reinstating a second platform at the very end of a long single-track branch is just about the daftest way to spend money if boosting capacity is the aim.Continuing the reversal of BR rationalisation. Much has been done already but, more redoubling, 3 or 4 tracking, single lead junctions to double, reinstating disused platforms*, passing loops.
*Like Swindon, Hartlepool and soon, Newquay...
So largely useless for anyone other than commuters, would require more units to run than the existing service and each unit would spend the bulk of the day sitting idle.
They’re also sticking a passing loop at Tregoss Moor - it’s part of the so called Mid-Cornwall Metro plan - presumably the second platform is needed for resilience.WRT Newquay, reinstating a second platform at the very end of a long single-track branch is just about the daftest way to spend money if boosting capacity is the aim.
I assumed it was so the ‘metro’ (laughable name) could shuttle in and out whilst an Intercity was stabled?They’re also sticking a passing loop at Tregoss Moor - it’s part of the so called Mid-Cornwall Metro plan - presumably the second platform is needed for resilience.
IIRC they are doubling the frequency although I may have made that upI assumed it was so the ‘metro’ (laughable name) could shuttle in and out whilst an Intercity was stabled?
Combine the Bakerloo extension proposals with the BML2 proposals (both of which seek to re-purpose the Mid Kent Line between Lewisham and Elmers End) to create a BakerLewes line.Presumably the Central Line will be extended to bring in Cardiff Central, Exeter Central and Southampton Central, otherwise points West will be somewhat screwed by the underground?
To be fair the potential for visionary tube extension is massive:
Bakerloo to Bredbury
Piccadilly and Victoria to Manchester (well they shadow each other around Euston/St Pancras so why not)
Circle Line to Cathcart and Fife
The nice thing about train services being reduced is that it leads to simpler timetables and a more modern remaining fleet.
I partly agreed up to this point, in the sense that I would bring back restaurant cars (though the restaurant car should be open to all), but...Better quality food and drink should be available in 1st class with silver service provided in proper restaurant cars
No!on dedicated trains and no second class passengers should be allowed to board those special trains to ruin the ambiance
I prefer to remember the days of yore when fine dining was something to be expected in the restaurant cars prior to WWII.Existing IC trains (HST, WCML MkIII sets, Pendolino) already have, or had, first-class all in one area and standard in the rest. So the existing IC setup already minimises the risk of standard passengers wandering into first.
You may be one of the oldest members of this forum but even you are not old enough to have an actual memory of this! As such congratulations on a fine piece of hyperbole.I prefer to remember the days of yore when fine dining was something to be expected in the restaurant cars prior to WWII.
Indeed I am one of the old fogeys (born in April 1945), but I have always been interested in the railway history of Britain and have over 300 railway books that I have accumulated over the years in my railway archives. O.S.Nock is a favourite railway author I admire.You may be one of the oldest members of this forum but even you are not old enough to have an actual memory of this! As such congratulations on a fine piece of hyperbole.
Talking of Greggs at stations, these should offer 1 free snack and drink for people with a valid ticket from that station.Greggs offer such delicious and nourishing food that a sausage roll (meat or vegan depending on preference) should be given free to every passenger.
Ale trains to Marsden have normal seating but staggered passengersInterestingly the Central Line tube stock has staggered seating. Only place I've seen it in the UK.
You'd just end up with crew depots divided into "small cab" and "big cab" factions... It'd be like that movie "The Warriors" but on rails!Bring back the class 153 but as build formation so 2 cars and a refurbishment
It could be a lot of help to some operators
Mainline steam locomotives trundling around at 20 mph on preserved lines look absolutely tragic and a museum would be better.
Unpopular opinion - Standardisation doesn’t ruin the railways, it in fact makes it better. Only people that have an issue with standardisation are people that don’t understand the complexity and cost of running 4 different classes of trains
That's what we used to do back in the day....and there used to be an instruction to that effect in the frontispiece to the working timetable. However that doesn't wash in the present day risk-averse climate of 'defensive driving'.Train drivers should accelerate faster and brake later when running late to make up time. I posted this in the “what happens if a driver is late” thread but it didn’t go down very well…
How do we keep the rails the right distance apart then <\sarcasm>Unpopular opinion - sleepers are not worth the money, in my opinion they are expensive and have little justification for cost
It worked pretty well in Scotland back in the 1980s.Takts don't work in Britain because we don't live in an all-XC hellscape like the German-speaking countries. The national preference for direct trains from everywhere to everywhere ought to be celebrated.
There are probably more railway enthusiasts in Britian, than in all the other countries in the world put together.I think the British generally hate their railways and there is no possible set or type of improvements which could be made to rolling stock, staff, infrastructure or train frequency which would stop people whingeing about them.