British Railway Operations

[mhurley87f]

Cogload,

Nothing new with Lightfingeredlarries, it's just that Llanharan - Baglan just seems too much to bite off at one go. Surely they should have split that length over two week ends. I wonder how much Tata Steel will be claiming from EWS for the business disruption, and how much they will then seek to recover from Notwork Rail?

As it happened, I  took the train to Cardiff on Maundy Thursday last week, and for the hell of it, took a detour over the Vale of Glamorgan line to see how business was going. Admittedly it was the schools' Easter Holidays, and the weather was beautiful, but the trains were ram jam full. The only downside is that passengers from west of Bridgend intending to fly from Cardiff Wales Airport need to use the footbridge at Bridgend (didn't anyone think that lifts might be far more convenient to Mr. & Mrs. plus 2.4 kids plus assorted holiday baggage??)

The bi-directional signals should be a boon when everything's bedded down, though. I just hope Notwork Rail will be a bit more realistic over testing/commissioning on the next phase.

Hwyl,

Martin

 

[cogloadreturns]

marcin...ref your comments about an english parliament. Yes, most of us would want it but the present government is most reluctant probabley because it would return a permanent tory majority.

Ref Port Talbot, one problem was that the local lightfingeredlarry's were borrowing the cable on a permananet basis as soon as it was laid out. It may have an impact on the Basing resignalling as the testers for that are currently engaged on the PT work.

It has been rather busy at work trying to thread about 30 additional freights through the Panel area.  

 

 

[MStLfan]

Good, then it isn't only Prorail here in the Netherlands that screws up! Like just east of Almelo station in the east of the country. The tracks will be lowered below field level so a 3rd track was build over the weekend a few weeks ago to divert traffic while the works go on. When it became time to connect and test the signalling it went all wrong. Only the Amsterdam-Berlin Germany international service and some freight is allowed to run on the still unsignalled track. Other passengers are bussed around the works or can take the dieseltrains on the Hengelo-Zutphen-Apeldoorn/Arnhem line (operated by Syntus, but it is single track).

And then there is the joke of the safety problems still going on with the Betuweroute, hopefully commercial use of the line starts somewhere in june or july.

greetings,

Marc Immeker

[mhurley87f]

Notwork Rail's Easter week end blockade of the South Wales main line between Llanharan and Baglan to test / commission the Port Talbot East re-signalling project has over-run badly. Normal services were originally planned to be back by last Tuesday a.m., but are now expected to get back to normal by next Monday!

Our local media are playing it up for all they're worth, banging on about disgruntled commuters having to bus it between Swansea and Cardiff, and all the while missing the fact that Tata Steel @ Port Talbot, EWS's biggest single source of traffic west of a Thames - Mersey axis, is temporarily totally isolated and can't even ship coils to its junior Tinplate plant at Trostre, Llanelli, and coils and slabs to the rest of the UK via the Central Wales Line.

And people said British Railways couldn't organise a p***-up in a brewery!!!

Hwyl,

Martin 

 

[Simon Reed]

I have to say that I was under the impression that the Edinburgh tram system was at a rather more advanced stage than this.

I am also a little surprised at the perceived necessity for a rail link into Edinburgh airport. As I've mentioned above there is an existing route probably less than a mile way from the terminal buildings and, frankly, Edinburgh is not the busiest airport in the UK.

In the US, where admittedly public sector spending is rather less (i.e. not) forthcoming a splendid new station has been built on the Amtrak/NJT route for Newark airport, which is linked to the airport itself by automatic monorail type trains. We have the same here at Birmingham and Gatwick.

I would have thought that such an option, with a far lesser financial and environmental impact, would suffice for Edinburgh.

Martin - yes, the "Harry Potter" train has been vandalised. Local youths got into the normally secure West Coast Railways compound at Carnforth, Lancashire:-

 http://www.steamtrain.info/WCR.htm

and broke the windows of a lot of stock. It is'nt just used for filming purposes as the website indicates.

The stock is ex BR Mk I stock, dating from the 1950's and 60's. The colour is LMS, as this is the colour that BR chose to adopt for most of it's passenger carrying stock between 1953 and 1964. 

 

[martin.knoepfel]

Hallo Cogload,

IMHO, region parliaments and governments for Scotland, Wales and Ulster are a good idea. (I don't mean independence.) But why no regional government for England? It seems unfair to mee.

Change of subject. Is it true, vandals damaged the cars (and engine?) of the "Hogwarth"-express known from Harry-Potter-films? And what type of rolling-stock is it? For me, it looked like former LMS.

[cogloadreturns]

yea. Only one more night to do after this before settling in for a "late" turn on Monday. In another hour the multiple units which form the passenger trains will start coming off shed to disappear to all and sundry. So just taking the opportunity to catch up and have a trawl through threads old and new.

 

[Murphy Siding]

   cogload:  thanks for the explanation.. As I read your post, I was doing the math in my head, and was going to ask if it was 3a.m. over there, but you beat me to it.

[cogloadreturns]

Murphy...

unlike the States which has a federal system of government, the background in the Uk means that everything to do with politics has been extremely centralised. Add to the fact that London has a population of 8 million (about 12% of the Uk population) and is the largest Capital City in Europe means that one place tends to dominate. The media, politics everything emanates from this city really. Added to the fact that over the last 50 years, what stands for local government has seen it's power stripped bit by bit and we have people in London deciding for instance, what the optimal passenger service should be for lines over 500 miles away.

Combined with a first past the post voting system based on parliamentry constituencies has seen successive governments based in London hold sway in parts of the United Kingdom where they actually had either no or very few Members of Parliament. This has caused the natives in paarts of the country i.e. Scotland and Wales to get restless. The former was of course an independant country in it's own right until 1707 when it signed the Act of Union. So the present shower who are currently doing their best to screw things up promised to transfer or devolve powers in areas such as education, health, transport etc.. from the centre to Edinburgh and Cardiff should the voters wish. This has been done. So now the Scots get to decide (with the help of the English taxpayer!!!!) how to run thier passenger trains and in which bits of infrastructure they would like to invest in. Network Rail are still the "owner" of the infrastructure north of the border, but the Scots have decided to throw cash as can be seenj in the link. They now can spend the money where they wish. The Welsh are in a similar position but the Welsh assembly in Cardiff is more limited in what it can achieve.

There is a distinct hint of serious revolution in the air here in terms of politics. When the present Prime Minister finally removes himself from office after 10 glorious years (sarcasm) the heir presumptive is a Scotsman sitting for a Scots constituency. As has been pointed out by all and sundry, there are matters in areas such as health and education which pertain only to england and Wales where the present government can use Scots MP's to make sure that a majority is achieved in Parliament however due to devolution English MP's have no say in those matters north of the border.

It is a right old mess really. However it has seen decisions being taken which are closer to the level at which they should be taken. If the Scots wish to spend £165m rebuilding the north end of the "Waverley" then that matter should be for them to decide alone. If that is what the taxpayer wants north of the border then that is their decision.

.

p.s. I am not a Vampire - it is 3Am here and I am at work!  

 

[Murphy Siding]

     Maybe it's a communication thing, but what do you mean by "devolution"?

[cogloadreturns]

T15.. I am suprised that you find Salisbury pricey compared to the Georgian Splendours of Bath.

Anyway, devolution is grinding away in the UK, and the Scots government is spending money on various railways like it is going out of fashion.

These are:

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/defaultpage1221cde0.aspx?pageID=181.

The Larkhall branch has been reopened, Stirling-Kincardine is scheduled for August (running late -and an intesting side argument about access charges in regards to this), whilst the Edinburgh Tram project and the airport rail link will be shelved if the Scots Nationalists gain power in the May elections. For US readers only one of those links has been rebuilt with freight in mind, the others are all to be rebuilt primarily for passenger traffic.  

[Simon Reed]

One has to suspect that his is a pseudonym - although I could be causing grave offence.

Some time ago I mentioned the ex LSWR branch to Hampton Court and wondered if that prospect might bring tears to his eyes.

I'm not sure that I wish to embark upon an explanation of this for the benefit of our American readers.... 

[mhurley87f]

for our American (and anybody else for that matter) friends. Those who want to find out what a "signaller" does on the railway, have a butchers at the following site

.

www.readingpsb.org

.

cogload.

 

No one questioned "butchers"? Translation from Cockney rhyming slang, "butchers hook" ie "have a look"

Cogload appears to be keeping us on our Bromleys.

 

Now we're on the subject of rhyming slang, is "Hugh Jampton" our co-contributor's real name, or has he been taking the mickey all aong??

 

Hwyl,

 

Martin

[Tulyar15]

The WSR June gala clashes with KWVR Diesel weekend which I'm duty bound to attend - partially because many of my friends are KWVR diesel people, partially because I need 26010 and partially because I've had 995 miles off 37025 - a trip and a bit will make 1000.

I daresay if I lived up North I too would probably go to the Keighley Gala. The last time I went there I got there by means of a Pathfinder Railtour which was hauled by the preserved Class 46 Peak. This time I think I will take the tour Past Time Rail are running with the preserved Class 52 Western - that way I get to do the link between the WSR and Network Rail, which is a bit of track I need.

(Did some new track last month on the Pathfinder "Bard and Birch" tour which visited the container terminal in Warwickshire on the site of the former Birch Coppice colliery and also the freight only Bicester - Claydon Junction - Aylesbury lines in Bucks. We also had a stop over at the Bucks. Railway Museum at Quainton Rd which I'd not visited before).

Talking of Salisbury, I had a job interview there a few months ago. I did not get the job but was told I could re-apply for other jobs the same firm had coming up. It seemed a nice city (I've not visited it before) just a tad pricey. Like Cogload, I am currently in exile from my home county (in my case Worcestershire) and hope to return some day.

[Isambard]

for our American (and anybody else for that matter) friends. Those who want to find out what a "signaller" does on the railway, have a butchers at the following site

.

www.readingpsb.org

.

cogload.

No one questioned "butchers"? Translation from Cockney rhyming slang, "butchers hook" ie "have a look"

Cogload appears to be keeping us on our Bromleys.

[cogloadreturns]

Simon

I have now defected from the western to the southern and am based at Salisbury. I like the city and am in the process of purchasing a flat close to the station and town centre. I see from the newswires that the North York moors have now gained permission to run a scheduled service over NR metals to Whitby from Grosmont for the summer so a precedent has been set if the WSR wish to follow. However it will take a strong balance sheet and deep pockets I think! In addition the Scots Parliament has voted to fund the reinstatement of the Airdrie/ Batgate link over the central belt and put the wires up as well, another tick in the devolution "yes" box. There will now be four lines from Glasgow to Edinburgh!

[Simon Reed]

So where are you now Cogload?

The WSR June gala clashes with KWVR Diesel weekend which I'm duty bound to attend - partially because many of my friends are KWVR diesel people, partially because I need 26010 and partially because I've had 995 miles off 37025 - a trip and a bit will make 1000.

(Would have replied sooner but I'm at work and some clown has just driven a Toyota Supra into our substation.) 

[cogloadreturns]

Murphy....I was borrowing an "oppos" sign-on for a bit as internet connections are not a high priority when in the midst of house moving and upheval. Plus the fact that my previous email account was disabled and etc.etc.

I will try and keep to this sign on now! Yes I have moved from the "home" county due to domestic issues and it was time for a change. However I am aiming to make my exile temporary.

.

Anyway the thread you have started seems to be ticking along nicely - I admit that I have learned a few things here..... 

[Murphy Siding]

Just testing the new sign on. Can't cope with all things new fangled technology n all........

cogload you devil!  Are you having personality issues?  Are you no longer in Cornwall?  I enjoyed the link about what a signalman does.  Thanks

[cogloadreturns]

Just testing the new sign on. Can't cope with all things new fangled technology n all........

[Tulyar15]

The WSR have also got a turntable ready to be installed at Mineahead. So they'll be able to turn locos at both ends of the line.

For those who like the sound of Maybach music, their "Mixed Traffic 1965" gala on June 15 - 17 will feature all the resident diesel hydraulics plus a couple of visitors!

[devils]

I have shares in the WSR (as alluded to earlier on in this thread) and am glad to see they are making sterling (no pun intended) progress on the turning triangle at Norton Fitzwarren. Part of the trackbed of the former Barnstaple line will be used for the triangle, anmd it seems that some operators are eying up a quasi scheduled service to Minehead over the summer months.

Cogload.

n.b. I do wish Westbury would stop sending freight trains over! Interrupting my rule book study.....

[Tulyar15]

Meanwhile, getting back to trains, I had an enjoyable weekend at the West Somerset Railway's Gala weekend, where no less than 14 steam locos were running. For me the star of the show was undoubtedly 'Lord Nelson', the newly restored Southern Railway 4-6-0. Not only is it a rare 'cop' being the only survivor of its class, but it is an unusual beast. It has 4 cylinders but unlike most 4 cylinder steam locos (eg GW "King" 4-6-O's and LMS "Coronation" 4-6-2's) where the cranks are set at 90 degrees giving 4 beats per revolution, the Lord Nelsons had their cranks set at 135 degrees giving 8 softer beats per revolution. This makes the Lord Nelsons a lot quieter - "stealth locos" as one fellow railfan said.

[devils]

for our American (and anybody else for that matter) friends. Those who want to find out what a "signaller" does on the railway, have a butchers at the following site

.

www.readingpsb.org

.

cogload.

[Simon Reed]

Edinburgh Airport station is not yet open.

The Transport Minister I was referring to was Alistair Darling, Byers successor and, I think, the longest serving transport minister for many years.

He was'nt too bad either, as they go. He was certainly pro-rail. Having said that he did preside over a period of relative efficiency and stability on the network.

You can tell I'm coming to the end of a very long shift - I'm almost speaking favourably of the New Tories!      

[John Bakeer]

A large pinch! Ty a truck load.

[Tulyar15]

Given his record of failing to deliver what he's promised, I would take anything John "2 Jags" Prescott says with a very large pinch of salt.

Ironically I think Byers was the best transport minister. At least the way he set up Network Rail in such a way that it enjoys the best of both worlds. On the one hand being a nominally private company it is not shackled by the UK Treasury's very short term penny pinching approach, on the other hand it is effectively under government control and so can look at the big picture. Who knows, we may yet see the Oxford - Worcester Cotswold line re-doubled!

[Simon Reed]

Marc - Edinburgh airport is fairly close to the existing route between Edinburgh, Fife and Northern Scotland. A station is under construction (it may already be open - have'nt checked.)

There is a light rail scheme under construction in Edinburgh and it is very controversial. Government funding for several proposed light rail systems in England (Leeds, Liverpool, Portsmouth/Gosport) has been withdrawn indefinately but construction of Edinburgh has been allowed to continue.

Firstly, Edinburgh is in Scotland where public transport expenditure is more readily available. Secondly, the Transport Minister who made the above decisions is an MP for - Edinburgh!

Interestingly our deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, made a speech last week explaining that our government remains deeply committed to all forms of public transportation including - as he specifically mentioned - light rail.

We can have any number of idealogical commitments - putting them into practice is a whole different matter.    

  

[owlsroost]

I think the view is looking eastwards towards St Paul's cathedral (the dome in the background), Ludgate Hill is the road passing under the bridge.

The bridge was removed when the Thameslink railway line (as it is now) was moved into a tunnel below the road, but the buildings on the left were still there in 1988 according to a photo here - http://www.pendar.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Tube/Thameslink.html (taken before the new tunnel was built).

There is a recent aerial photograph of the area here - http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=531682&y=181185&z=1&sv=531682,181185&st=4&lu=P&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&ax=531682&ay=181185 - I think the railway line can be seen at bottom of the picture, just left of centre before it disappears into the tunnel.

Tony

[MStLfan]

An employee of one of my customers (municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland in de the province of Zeeland here in the Netherlands) collects old stereo photographs. He has graciously scanned this one of old London for me. Thanks Aad!

What is the situation at this point today? Is there still anything recognizable?

greetings,

Marc Immeker