INBOX
RMT, and the railway owners and government are still just talking about this issue. Obviously the RMT do not consider the fact that their members get covered in raw sewage to be a real problem or they would have taken action as they did on other issues in London recently!
In 1999 when working on the maintenance of the GWR I very frequently raised this issue in defence of our track gangs but neither the unions, TOCs nor the owner were very interested at all, except at Paddington where toilet waste cascaded down onto the tracks and could be seen and smelled by the public.
…The solutions to this problem are well known: 1) TOCs – fit suitable capacity tanks on rolling stock. If you sell tickets and profit from cramming people into your trains then you must provide adequate capacity for your customers’ human needs, but not at the expense of the health of track workers. 2) TOCs – establish an effective maintenance regime on rolling stock toilets and tanks. 3) Railway owner – install efficient sludge removal facilities at terminal stations. 4) TOCs – ensure that time is allowed in the schedule to enable this essential maintenance to be carried out. 5) Railway owner – introduce an effective inspection/audit regime to ensure that the TOCs have done what is necessary to protect those working trackside.
Not rocket science is it? But I am sure that there will be abundant excuses from all sides.
From: Andy Hall, Railway Chaplain (West Midlands and Chiltern) Subject: Design decisions for New Street ‘all wrong’ says architect
I am the Railway Chaplain based at New Street. Although the technical aspects of this article are outside my remit, I am encouraged to learn that designs are being reviewed in the light of efficiency (hopefully including cost considerations). I will add that I have been very impressed with the management and delivery of the project so far.
From: Nonsuchmike Subject: Birmingham unveiling its own HS2 station plans
Of course Mr Nazir is right – and I don’t live within a hundred miles of Birmingham. If they can plan and design an HS2 route, they can do the job properly and integrate decent interchange links with New Street and Moor Street Stations as well as imposing an iconic building for the city as an international terminus.
I applaud Brum’s attitude of
finding the difference in money to make a difference on the ground – would that more localities had that get-up-and-fight attitude for their local stations and rail connections, for their and other towns’ hard-pressed commuters and passengers.
It is becoming increasingly obvious to users like me that the completed station complex will offer a greatly enhanced environment for passengers and staff alike. I can just remember the original station and witnessed (as a very small child, I hasten to add) the 60s rebuild. I also witnessed the serious deterioration over the next 40 years. I would congratulate everyone who has been a part of this magnificent project and look forward to the opening of the finished work.
From: Ken Cropley Subject: MPs in uproar over FTPE-Chiltern rolling stock transfer
There will be no quick fix to replace the Pacers. This has been talked about for years with no new stock on order.
I presume that those responsible are hoping that the promised electrification of many routes will free up DMUs (such as the Class 150, 153, 156, and 185) to replace the Pacers. However, some of these will be quite elderly by the time electrification is completed, with new or cascaded stock replacing DMUs. Maybe Pacers should be sent to Chiltern instead of 170s so that those living in ‘Middle England’ can experience these awful trains and campaign for their replacement.
rail technology magazine Apr/May 14 | 17
Whilst they’re at it, can they please explain exactly WHY a second tunnel from Moor Street to Snow Hill can’t be bored?
From: Robert Stephenson Subject: Birmingham unveiling its own HS2 station plans
From: Jbzoom Subject: Birmingham unveiling its own HS2 station plans
Oh dear, for every Director of Planning trying to do something better there is a curmudgeon claiming his effort is a knock- off! The current design looks more like a knock-off of London Bridge than Nazir’s looks like a swimming pool. Sadly, neither of the designs is future- proofed for a tunnel to the south west, which could ultimately connect Bristol to the high speed network...
The ‘design’ proposed by Mr Nazir’s team is a joke, and the only international recognition it will get Birmingham is as a laughing stock. The idea is quite obviously copied from the Water Cube by PTW/Arup at the Beijing Olympics.
The current design for Birmingham Curzon Street is by a double Stirling Prize winning architectural practice, so I seriously doubt it will be lacking in design quality.
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