British Railway Operations

[John Bakeer]

I've never seen a 66 needing assistance.

I know a guy on another trains related forum who has bought a DeLorian! 

[Murphy Siding]

I've never seen a 66 needing assistance.

I know a guy on another trains related forum who has bought a DeLorian! 

I know somebody who bought a stainless steel DeLorian, and had it painted red.  Sadly, that wasn't the dumbest thing he had done in his life.

[Tulyar15]

We just call them "towers", or manual interlocks, to be proper. Sounds like you still have alot of them, we have very few, diminishing everyday. I remember some. It used to be an institutution here. I here CTC and TWC doesn't work there? I've seen maps, quite a cross network, I'm not surprised.

So, if I'm correct, and please correct me if I am, Britan runs it's trains like we run trucks over the US interstate? The Gov. owns and taxes the property, the fuel usage and money made, but private firms run their own trains over this Gov. owned property property, without much as far as scheduling? So they got to pay the Gov. to run trains? If that's the case, I'm surprised ANYONE'S bought a railroad.  It's been promoted here. Never went, nor will it ever, go anywher. Wasn't Knieling a big propenent of unit trains on "open access" mainlines?

You've more or less got the picture right. Network Rail, the organisation which owns the infrastructure and has the final say on scheduling, is nominally a private company (the last Conservative govt. originally intended to keep it public owned but when it realised it would not make much money from selling the TOC's it decided to sell the infrastructure, as all the land that came with it would make it attractive to private investors - particularly as it was sold at about a third of its value. But after Labour came to power , Railtrack, as the infrastructure owning co. was then called went bust - possibily politically engineered - and was replaced by a nominally private but effectively state controlled co. called Network Rail. One good thing about NR is that though govt. controlled it is not subject to Treasury spending caps, so perhaps they hit on the right solution, even if by accident rather than design.

Going back to "towers" there are still a few left here - Shrewsbury and Worcester are two of the best places to see them. My brother has just updated his website with extra pics at:-



http://www.roscalen.com/signals/Shrewsbury/index.htm
http://www.roscalen.com/signals/Worcester/index.htm

[cogloadreturns]

Ab sections and semaphores are slowly being eliminated in various parts of the country. As radio signalling moves up the scale as well, it will become a lot rarer. The reason why semaphores are still around is basically because they are cheap and with the level of service (say 1 train ph in each direction) there may not be business case at present to replace them.

On the busier lines a form of CTC is in operation in terms of 3/4 aspect and very short block signalling. The intensity of the service demands it for a start. Come 2012 Liverpool Street will be a very interesting place to work as it controls the Great Eastern to toward Stratford.

In various areas RETB (Radio Electronic Token Block) exists as a primative form of radio signalling. This relies on a Short Wave radio bandwith and as a result is becoming life expired and will be replaced in future. Some of the hoo ha over radio signalling is in my mind a little balony as though it will replace the lineside kit in some places, this will not be universal as there will be controlling lights in big junction areas and the like.

The UK railway system is scheduled. There is no waiting until it makes 10000 tonnes of freight here. There is, in theory, a slot for every train. Indeed the entire privitisation infrastructure is predicated around that simple notion.  

 

[John Bakeer]

Just heard that the Edinburgh tramway construction is stil progressing even though Old Fish Head is threatening to abandon the project. As he needs a coalition partner to remain in power, he may get his wings clipped (I hope). Talk about the inmates running the asylum! 

  

[Tulyar15]

A similar problem is affecting rail schemes in Wales, as no single party has a majority following the recent elections. Labour are still the biggest single party, but there was talk of a rainbow coalition between the Conservatives, Liberal-Democrats and Plaid Cymru (Welsh Nationalists). Not surprisingly this has not happened and Labour are still searching for a coalition partner; previuosly they had to rely on the support of the Lib-Dems after they lost their majority in a by-election.

[MStLfan]

I saw this on Drehscheibe-online:

Locomotive 89001 Badger repainted in BR Intercity livery.

Can somebody tell me something about this locomotive / class?

Is it the first locomotive to be repainted in historic BR Intercity livery?

http://drehscheibe-online.ist-im-web.de/forum/read.php?30,3350440

greetings,

Marc Immeker

[John Bakeer]

Marc,

Go to the UKtrainsim.co.uk site where you will find a feed onto the Badger story, they were largely instrumental in raising funds for the preservation project.

 

[M636C]

I saw this on Drehscheibe-online:

Locomotive 89001 Badger repainted in BR Intercity livery.

Can somebody tell me something about this locomotive / class?

Is it the first locomotive to be repainted in historic BR Intercity livery?

http://drehscheibe-online.ist-im-web.de/forum/read.php?30,3350440

greetings,

Marc Immeker

 

While InterCity is indeed a correct livery, I rather liked it in the GNER dark blue and red!

On one of my visits to London, I managed to get a couple of photos of it in service in GNER blue at Kings Cross (someone must have published its roster, because I knew what train it was working).

It had been preserved before GNER purchased it, and it was the only locomotive actually owned by GNER rather than leased from a Rolling Stock company.

It must have been cheaper to build and maintain than the Class 91 which was a bit of a triumph of technology over common sense.

M636C

[Simon Reed]

Martin,

Have alook a this site:-

http://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/

for full details - they own it.

[John Bakeer]

Slight change,

Any of you guys affected by all this work on re-enfocing road overbridges to carry 50 ton trucks(lorries) over the railways.  They are doing one 100 yds from my home and the dust and noise is horrendous. It is particularly bad at weekends (12week programme) due to requiring line posesstions, and the effect on road traffic is awful. I am informed that there are about 100 to do, not sure where though, there must be that many within the Stockport area alone. The WCML is just recovering from the track and signal upgrades when they are being hit by this. Wonder who's footing the bill? Muggins Joe public for my money, another subsidy for the trucking industry!

Had a look at the ACLOCO web site, Chesterfield is not far from here, will try to get SWMBO to let me go to one of the the July open days.

 

[zardoz]

New to this thread, so sorry if this was posted previously.

This is a link to a list of abandned railways in the UK. http://www.urban75.org/railway/

 

[Tulyar15]

Some good pics on that site. I've spent many hours exploring the old lines in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. On the Monmouth - Chepstow "Wye Valley" line, a bridge which used to carry the line over the river at Redbrook remains in use as a footbridge. It's well used as it enables people driving on the main road from Monmouth - Chepstow to park at Redbrook Football Club and then cross the river and have a beer and may be some food too at 'The Boat' pub. At this point the river is also the Anglo-Welsh border!

[Simon Reed]

Likewise!

I lived in Gloucester for a few years in the early 90's and found the railway history of "The Forest" fascinating - if a little intimidating.

For US readers - the Forest of Dean is a bit like the backwaters of the Appalachians. 

Not sure that Herne Hill should be included though. I've also lived in South London (Penge) and although Herne Hill Station is scruffy it's still busy. 

[Simon Reed]

The Jensen will be available for inspection in Haworth Yard this weekend.

Providing it is'nt under water again.

[John Bakeer]

0730 Stockport time.

Simon, Just seen your post re. Haworth, I hope the Jensen will be available around lunch today. I need some Yorkshire air. 

[cogloadreturns]

There is another excellent site for disused/ dismantled railways which can be found at http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/.

For those who like their "boxes" then I can recommend this site..   http://www.tillyweb.biz/ 

British and Irish boxes can be found on there including Cogload's old box in Cornwall.

[Tulyar15]

On Saturday, I travelled on a railtour to the West Somerset Railway, hauled by the preserved Class 52 Diesel-hydraulic loco "Western Champion". The WSR were having a 1965 themed gala, that year being the last summer of steam on the Western Region of BR as was. I had haulage by cl 35 "Hymek" D7076 and from D1010 "Western Campaigner".

On display at Bishop's Lydeard was 47 832 in Victa Westlinkl livery - this new Open Access operator is planning to operater a Bristol - Minehead train service for people staying at the Butlin's holiday camp at Minehead.

[cogloadreturns]

The plan to run onto the WSR has been canned following a change of control on Somerset CC. Not a bad set of results for the railway though; 200,000 visitors and a small operating profit. They were helped by a large bequest from a will to undertake a few capital improvements. As ever the begging letter came along so another application for shares (aka donation) has been sent off with an appropriate sum attached.

I can forsee through services to London at some stage. The problem is the branch itself - to upgrade it for 40MPH will take a lot of cash, which the railway may not have.

[MStLfan]

I came across this story on Drehscheibe online:

http://drehscheibe-online.ist-im-web.de/forum/report.php?30,3365485

In short, there are some abandoned emu's out on an abandoned line. Between Great Wakering and Southend-on-Sea. They are, however, spaced several kilometers from each other. One has the number 310060. Livery seems to be Network Southeast.

What is the story behind these abandoned emu's (or are they dmu's?) and the railroadline they are standing on?

greetings,

Marc Immeker

[Simon Reed]

Marc,

This is "secure storage!"

It's an old Ministry of Defence site. The units are owned by a leasing company but are of the old slam door (ie manually operated door) build and are therefore of no use to train operating companies.

There is actually an awful lot more equipment within the site itself. I can only assume that those illustrated can't be fitted in but I'm not sure.

They'll be waiting for a suitable offer from a metals recycling company. 

Yes, they are EMU's. They are Class 310's, built in the late 1960's for commuter service out of London Euston and in the Birmingham area. 

[Tulyar15]

I think it's a shame those 310's are sat idle. In fact their bodies are based on the BR Mk2 design so I'd thought they'd be OK to use. (The NIR are still using a few of their 1970's DEMU which are a diesel electric version of the class 310).

ATOC has presented Network Rail with a list of electrification schemes it would like to see done. These are all infill schemes but if some of the suggestions in the West Midlands were to be done these units could have soldiered on for a bit longer.

[Simon Reed]

Does anyone get Railway Magazine?

There was an article in it a few months ago about the number of steam locos built.

I've given my copy to Embsay but I'm trying to remember details for Erikthered in the "locomotives" section of this forum.

Help help! 

[Tulyar15]

Does anyone get Railway Magazine?

There was an article in it a few months ago about the number of steam locos built.

I've given my copy to Embsay but I'm trying to remember details for Erikthered in the "locomotives" section of this forum.

Help help! 

I read it at my local public library, I remember the article you mentioned. I'll ask tonight what they do with back issues, but I suspect they throw them out.

Meanwhile, for those wanting to see some examples of present day British railroading the following site which is mainly devoted to NW England and N Wales has some good pics on it:-


http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nwnews.htm

[John Bakeer]

Simon, Just a thought.

Have you tried contacting a local model railway club or model engineering society. I was once a member and I recollect they had a library of most of the popular railway magazines. This could be the impetous I need to get involved with the local group. 

[Murphy Siding]

On Saturday, I travelled on a railtour to the West Somerset Railway, hauled by the preserved Class 52 Diesel-hydraulic loco "Western Champion". The WSR were having a 1965 themed gala, that year being the last summer of steam on the Western Region of BR as was. I had haulage by cl 35 "Hymek" D7076 and from D1010 "Western Campaigner".

On display at Bishop's Lydeard was 47 832 in Victa Westlinkl livery - this new Open Access operator is planning to operater a Bristol - Minehead train service for people staying at the Butlin's holiday camp at Minehead.

I see frequent references on here about Brits going on special train rides.  Out of curiosity, what does it normaly cost to go on a typical train excursion in Britain?

[Tulyar15]

Typical rail enthusiast tours cost at least £50 or more. That may sound expensive but then again so is going to a Premiur League Football match.

[Murphy Siding]

Typical rail enthusiast tours cost at least £50 or more. That may sound expensive but then again so is going to a Premiur League Football match.

   Can ypu help me out on the exchange rate?  Is that about $100 American?   Thanks

[owlsroost]

Yes, that's about right (1 GBP = 2 USD approx at present).

To give you an idea of prices, there's some listed here http://www.traintrips.co.uk/GE.html and here http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk

A pretty complete listing of UK railtour promoters is to be found at http://www.railtourinfo.co.uk/TOC.html

The enthusiast tours tend to be more expensive because of more complex itineries, specific loco types etc

Tony

[Murphy Siding]

      Wow!  What a selection of rail tours to take.  I could see spending $100 on a trip like that.  It's just the part about getting from my house to a station in Britain that could prove troublesome.