INBOX
What also needs major consideration is the Exeter to Waterloo line west of Salisbury. This desperately needs upgrading.
As a final comment – Eurostar spent a fortune on Waterloo only to abandon it. Now people from the south and west have to traverse London from Waterloo. How stupid.
From: Nonsuchmike Subject: TOCs threaten to quit rail industry if Labour reforms go ahead
Go on, quit then; cut your nose to spite your face, TOCs! Whereas DOR (a not for profit company) on the ECML is a good model, it is not the finished product. Not least because of lack of trains and perhaps lack of sufficiently trained personnel. And the reduction to two lines on the Welwyn North Viaduct!
Currently TOCs have their cake and eat it if they are half efficient. And most are only half efficient. They then pay back their profits in over-inflated wages and expenses to directors, senior managers and shareholders – whereas the sardined public who huff & puff at cancellations and up to THREE hours between regular services (whoever heard of such an insulting service?) between major cities have to put up with these shenanigans in relative silence.
Can you wonder that the passenger increase is not what it could have been if handled properly these last six or seven years? There is a germ of truth in both camps. It is up to all sides to LISTEN to the others’ points of view and then come up with a workable and agreed compromise. Whatever that final agreement may be is going to require investment in rolling stock, track AND station improvements as well as training across the board.
From: Henry Law Subject: IEP Class 800 ‘Super Express’ – interior design
No criticism of the design consultant, but airline style seat layouts create a stack of problems, including: misalignment with windows; people travelling in groups cannot sit together; no luggage space between seat backs (where passengers can keep an eye on their property); and heavier seats.
From: Gavin Livie Subject: First track laid on Borders Railway
The slab track in the Bowshank Tunnel is a RHEDA 2000 system, supplied by RAIL.ONE incorporating the Pandrol ‘FCA’ fastening system, which means the components are interchangeable with the G44 sleepers in ballast track for the first time.
From: Bantam Hen Subject: First track laid on Borders Railway
Railhead datum is barely a metre above the Gala Water when she’s in spate here – so a great engineered solution to the P-way through Bowshank. Can’t wait to thrash through there on a railtour!
From: ‘Back on my bike’ Subject: Northern Rail blames DfT for controversial fare decision
A typically cynical move from the most cynical of companies. In the last month, I’ve travelled without paying on four of their trains because the guard didn’t bother to come to sell a ticket to me. This company doesn’t need to increase fares, it needs to collect those it’s already got!
They’d rather squeeze their regular customers harder than get off their backsides – both literally and figuratively – to help themselves. If it requires effort, Northern Rail are always found wanting.
From: Michael Subject: Customer service innovation
I don’t think it would be too difficult to have sensors in the seats that tell the system if someone is using the seat. This can then let people at the station know (using a small digital monitor above the doors)
how many seats are available on that carriage.
How many times have you walked through a whole train to find a seat? If any train company uses this idea, do remember me.
From: Les F Subject: Regional backlash over ‘One North’ plans for rail upgrades
This inevitable squabble illustrates the futility of trying to catch votes by publishing a localised plan to please a few people. It needs a comprehensive national plan, not repeated punts at resolving the deficiencies of HS2.
And why is the Chancellor doing it? If it was genuine it would be presented by Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for Transport. Stick to fiddling the statistics George and leave railways to those who understand them.
From: Colin Brown (MD, Merlin Design Services Ltd), Rail Vehicle Designer Subject: New University Technical College sponsored by rail companies
This is fantastic news, and well overdue. I did a traditional apprenticeship and went to York Tech College through British Rail Engineering, which was probably the best training in the country at the time in the rail industry. All of that was lost in the nineties.
opinion@railtechnologymagazine.com TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
rail technology magazine Aug/Sep 14 | 21
© Alvey & Towers
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