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> Muppetry at Thatcham Level Crossing Today, What on earth was going on?
Biker1
post Jan 20 2015, 08:47 AM
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QUOTE (JeffG @ Jan 18 2015, 09:04 PM) *
Interesting stuff but I had to give up on the video after a short while. The thumping bass line hurt my ears and also drowned out the commentary. Shame, because it looked interesting.

It's got it's own website too.
(Posted with the inherent danger of turning people to watching paint dry!! tongue.gif )
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Exhausted
post Jan 20 2015, 04:37 PM
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That's the end of steam train excursions I guess, No room for the gizmos on the footplate.
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JeffG
post Jan 20 2015, 06:43 PM
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QUOTE (Exhausted @ Jan 20 2015, 04:37 PM) *
That's the end of steam train excursions I guess, No room for the gizmos on the footplate.

I'm sure someone will develop an app for that. smile.gif
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motormad
post Jan 22 2015, 12:15 AM
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QUOTE (Biker1 @ Jan 20 2015, 08:47 AM) *
It's got it's own website too.
(Posted with the inherent danger of turning people to watching paint dry!! tongue.gif )



No, that posh git who has an LPG powered land rover (Hollister I think) was the most boring website I have read.


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Mr Brown
post Jan 22 2015, 07:24 PM
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This can't come soon enough for me, delays are endemic and the usual excuse is signal failure.
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Biker1
post Jan 23 2015, 05:54 AM
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QUOTE (Mr Brown @ Jan 22 2015, 08:24 PM) *
This can't come soon enough for me, delays are endemic and the usual excuse is signal failure.

ERTMS will NEVER fail of course!! rolleyes.gif
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NWNREADER
post Jan 23 2015, 08:02 AM
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QUOTE (Mr Brown @ Jan 22 2015, 08:24 PM) *
This can't come soon enough for me, delays are endemic and the usual excuse is signal failure.


I learned a while ago 'signal failure' is often a euphemism for 'some scrote has nicked the cable'
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Mr Brown
post Jan 23 2015, 08:19 AM
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Trains outside London are 'cast-offs' MPs say
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30945127

Ummm.

Of course, when the new system goes in, the rail engineers will have learned from the problems of the old and critical circuits will be properly protected against cable theft etc....won't they?

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On the edge
post Jan 23 2015, 08:39 AM
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Don't hold your breath! Nice to see that MPs have caught up at last and can see the clapped out trains we have to put up with round here, even after a cheap paint job, are just rubbish.

The start of the thread was about delays at Thatcham crossing. Nothing here suggests there is any help on the way, at all.

One of the usual responses to the issue, from the rail community, is that the traffic speeds and levels on road over the crossing has changed dramatically since it was first crossed by the railway! Actually, so has the railway. Does that mean that one realistic answer would be to impose some strict speed limits on the trains using the tracks through here? What's sauce for the goose.....


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Biker1
post Jan 24 2015, 06:36 AM
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QUOTE (On the edge @ Jan 23 2015, 09:39 AM) *
Does that mean that one realistic answer would be to impose some strict speed limits on the trains using the tracks through here? What's sauce for the goose.....

Then we could keep our "clapped out" trains eh OTE?
No need for speed as they will all have to slow down for level crossings!
(Which actually means they would be down for longer rolleyes.gif .)
Unfortunately OTE there are many trains in other parts of the country that are older (or more "clapped out") than the ones we have. But we have had that debate before.
Personally I think the turbos are very reliable. Rarely is there a cancellation or even delay due to a mechanical problem.
Still, you are entitled to your view, and anyway, they will be gone soon. (Unless you are travelling West beyond Newbury!) biggrin.gif
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On the edge
post Jan 24 2015, 07:48 AM
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QUOTE (Biker1 @ Jan 24 2015, 06:36 AM) *
Then we could keep our "clapped out" trains eh OTE?
No need for speed as they will all have to slow down for level crossings!
(Which actually means they would be down for longer rolleyes.gif .)
Unfortunately OTE there are many trains in other parts of the country that are older (or more "clapped out") than the ones we have. But we have had that debate before.
Personally I think the turbos are very reliable. Rarely is there a cancellation or even delay due to a mechanical problem.
Still, you are entitled to your view, and anyway, they will be gone soon. (Unless you are travelling West beyond Newbury!) biggrin.gif


I certainly agree that delays due to mechanical failure are very few and far between. However, they are dirty, uncomfortable and noisy. Frankly, all issues that have been around for years and could be solved with some effective management attention and very little investment. Then again, why should they; it's only passengers affected after all and we all know what they can do if they don't like it. Trebles and bonuses all round!


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Mr Brown
post Jan 24 2015, 10:26 AM
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QUOTE (On the edge @ Jan 24 2015, 07:48 AM) *
I certainly agree that delays due to mechanical failure are very few and far between. However, they are dirty, uncomfortable and noisy. Frankly, all issues that have been around for years and could be solved with some effective management attention and very little investment. Then again, why should they; it's only passengers affected after all and we all know what they can do if they don't like it. Trebles and bonuses all round!


As a regular user I agree with that. The seats are very uncomfortable and cramped, its also not that easy to just stand either. They do seem to have been very badly designed.
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Andy Capp
post Jan 24 2015, 10:45 AM
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My biggest gripe is the constant feeling of not being sure you are on the right train. The people on the tannoy need to slow down and stop making excuses; they make me even more angry. Just say sorry it will be 'x' late. I heard one once: sorry for the delay, this was due to train failure!!! laugh.gif No sh*t!
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motormad
post Jan 27 2015, 12:16 AM
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QUOTE (On the edge @ Jan 24 2015, 07:48 AM) *
I certainly agree that delays due to mechanical failure are very few and far between. However, they are dirty, uncomfortable and noisy. Frankly, all issues that have been around for years and could be solved with some effective management attention and very little investment. Then again, why should they; it's only passengers affected after all and we all know what they can do if they don't like it. Trebles and bonuses all round!



They are also woefully under-carriaged for the given journey
Ever caught the 9:03 from Thatcham (starts at Bedwyn) going to London padding... you try getting a seat at Thatcham!!! always bloody full. 3 pathetic carriages in a tight train where i can't actually sit properly because the backs of the seats infront are bending my kneecaps back into my leg.

cheapskate pricks.


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Biker1
post Jan 27 2015, 09:09 AM
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QUOTE (motormad @ Jan 27 2015, 02:16 AM) *
They are also woefully under-carriaged for the given journey
Ever caught the 9:03 from Thatcham (starts at Bedwyn) going to London padding... you try getting a seat at Thatcham!!! always bloody full. 3 pathetic carriages in a tight train where i can't actually sit properly because the backs of the seats infront are bending my kneecaps back into my leg.

Agreed. But that still doesn't make them "clapped out"
Also they will now have less seats due to them being made DDA (wheelchair) friendly, although the 166 class had 16 seats changed from first to standard..
QUOTE (motormad @ Jan 27 2015, 02:16 AM) *
cheapskate pricks.

How do you suggest that more rolling stock is provided?
It is out of the TOC's hands as to how much rolling stock they are allocated.
They don't own them, they are leased by the three rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCOs): Angel Trains · Eversholt Rail Group · Porterbrook. (All owned by banking groups - not all British I believe.)
Also, there is an additional problem that the turnback siding at Bedwyn (which for some reason is a little village where most of the Paddington trains originate) can only accommodate 3 carriages.
Let's hope electrification improves things, well, unless you travel to Kintbury, Hungerford or Bedwyn!! rolleyes.gif
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On the edge
post Jan 27 2015, 11:45 AM
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QUOTE (Biker1 @ Jan 27 2015, 09:09 AM) *
Agreed. But that still doesn't make them "clapped out"
Also they will now have less seats due to them being made DDA (wheelchair) friendly, although the 166 class had 16 seats changed from first to standard..

How do you suggest that more rolling stock is provided?
It is out of the TOC's hands as to how much rolling stock they are allocated.
They don't own them, they are leased by the three rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCOs): Angel Trains · Eversholt Rail Group · Porterbrook. (All owned by banking groups - not all British I believe.)
Also, there is an additional problem that the turnback siding at Bedwyn (which for some reason is a little village where most of the Paddington trains originate) can only accommodate 3 carriages.
Let's hope electrification improves things, well, unless you travel to Kintbury, Hungerford or Bedwyn!! rolleyes.gif


Yes MM I still use that train a lot, it's dreadful. As you say, just another coach would do, but that's wholly beyond the dim witted management of today's railway. Can you imagine what would be happening behind the scenes if one of the major supermarkets ran out of a basic product every day. ***** would be kicked and things put right. But on our monopoly service railway? No way, it's all too hard and it's all someone else's fault. As for the trains not being clapped out; how many of us still drive 1980s cars? Remember, these quaint old 'turbos' use road transport technology!


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Biker1
post Jan 27 2015, 10:23 PM
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QUOTE (On the edge @ Jan 27 2015, 01:45 PM) *
Yes MM I still use that train a lot, it's dreadful. As you say, just another coach would do, but that's wholly beyond the dim witted management of today's railway. Can you imagine what would be happening behind the scenes if one of the major supermarkets ran out of a basic product every day. ***** would be kicked and things put right. But on our monopoly service railway? No way, it's all too hard and it's all someone else's fault.

How do you put an extra carriage in a 25 year old, fixed formation train?
Not quite as easy as ordering a few more loaves of bread is it?
The "dim witted" management is mainly the DFT who dictate most railway policy..
As from the new May timetable there is to be a new HST service to London at around 09:15 starting at Newbury.
I don't suppose that will keep you happy though as they are 1970's!! rolleyes.gif
QUOTE (On the edge @ Jan 27 2015, 01:45 PM) *
As for the trains not being clapped out; how many of us still drive 1980s cars? Remember, these quaint old 'turbos' use road transport technology!

Comparing trains with cars is ridiculous. They are built to last much longer. How many cars cost £3M each?
How many cars have done more that 4 million miles as have the HST's?
And no, the turbos don't use road technology except for the fact that the engines are also used in road transport in some instances.
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On the edge
post Jan 27 2015, 10:50 PM
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QUOTE (Biker1 @ Jan 27 2015, 10:23 PM) *
How do you put an extra carriage in a 25 year old, fixed formation train?
Not quite as easy as ordering a few more loaves of bread is it?
The "dim witted" management is mainly the DFT who dictate most railway policy..
As from the new May timetable there is to be a new HST service to London at around 09:15 starting at Newbury.
I don't suppose that will keep you happy though as they are 1970's!! rolleyes.gif

Comparing trains with cars is ridiculous. They are built to last much longer. How many cars cost £3M each?
How many cars have done more that 4 million miles as have the HST's?
And no, the turbos don't use road technology except for the fact that the engines are also used in road transport in some instances.

Well, there you are! 25 years old 'fixed formation' trains. In other words, designed for very different traffic conditions, so now time expired.

OK but if the coaches are really built to the much more robust and heavy railway technology even thinking road engine technology would be suitable was shortsighted to say the least. Equally, the passenger (sure they don't count for much) layout is poor and suited for short 'bus type' journeys only - again, against the original design brief just about adequate.

The rail franchise managers have access to the same media as the DfT, yet we see no critisicim of policy makers, or the suppliers of equipment. Nice they are all in it together so to speak, but playing patsy with them keeps the gravy train train on track, even if it doesn't deliver customer service.


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Biker1
post Jan 28 2015, 09:28 AM
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QUOTE (On the edge @ Jan 28 2015, 12:50 AM) *
Well, there you are! 25 years old 'fixed formation' trains. In other words, designed for very different traffic conditions, so now time expired.

Fixed formation trains are, and have been for the last 30 years, the norm for British and most others countries railways.
QUOTE (On the edge @ Jan 28 2015, 12:50 AM) *
OK but if the coaches are really built to the much more robust and heavy railway technology even thinking road engine technology would be suitable was shortsighted to say the least.

Road engine technology is now used in, I would estimate, 70% of UK passenger trains today. (The rest being electric or HST)
QUOTE (On the edge @ Jan 28 2015, 12:50 AM) *
Equally, the passenger (sure they don't count for much) layout is poor and suited for short 'bus type' journeys only - again, against the original design brief just about adequate.

Agreed. The layout of modern trains is poor to say the least but the accountants no doubt want to cram as many in the space available. "Sweating the assets"?
Bit like the seats in economy air travel?

EDIT: Just had a thought OTE!
Here's a site that may interest you! wink.gif
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On the edge
post Jan 28 2015, 10:26 AM
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Now that's a good link!

As for rail design being in the hands of accountants, that's certainly what it looks like but that then fully justifies accusations of poor and inept management. Let's go to earlier private times, would Lord Palmer on the GWR have taken notice of accountants? I don't think so! Management means running the railway, not just taking the cash.


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