It seems all but confirmed. Berlin has been asked, and judgement passed. DBS is to send it's class 90s to Romania, and in another shock twist some class 92s with them.
The numbers of withdrawn 90s is 15, and 17 withdrawn 92s. All in varying states of disrepair.
Class 90s are now 20 years of age and the 92s are coming in at 14 years old.
That's not bloody old, that's young. At WYTBT we're saddened by this news, as we are of the 60's demise. Not because we hanker like stoaty deviants over a past that could never excist again, but because of the utter waste and hopelessness that privatisation has wrecked across our beloved railway.
We want our railway ran by Railwayman, not by bus drivers, stationers, tie makers, and c**ts.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Class 50s in the borders. We know it happened, so just get over it.
We've decided at 'When you travel by train' to join the 'Did class 50s travel on the Waverley' debate.
With the answer that 'Yes they did - well at least once'
Railway Illustrated this month has also added speculation to the fact they did with a well thought out article on the Scottish wanderings of the EE's finest product. Personally we love the idea of D400 sitting outside Hawick chatting to the bobby so much so that our junior feature writer Bernard Matthews dreamt this little scenerio earlier, and then spat his tea out with such force we had to ask what had caused it.
"Picture the scene on the platform of Carlisle kingmoor on 28th December 1968, the gas lamps on the station shine through the mist but do little to illuminate the gloom. A lone class 50 sits idling in the centre road. In the distance we see the dim glow from the headcode box of a peak as it rumbles into the platform, apparently suffering a hot box hence it's late arrival from Leeds. The squeal of brakes precedes much activity as the peak is uncoupled and rumbles forward, to be replaced by the class 50, which lifts the heavy train out of the station easily, and, flanges screeching on the tight curve, swings round canal junction and into the night, powering away towards the hills and Edinburgh"
What the hell have they done to the coffee up here in Melton Mowbary?
With the answer that 'Yes they did - well at least once'
Railway Illustrated this month has also added speculation to the fact they did with a well thought out article on the Scottish wanderings of the EE's finest product. Personally we love the idea of D400 sitting outside Hawick chatting to the bobby so much so that our junior feature writer Bernard Matthews dreamt this little scenerio earlier, and then spat his tea out with such force we had to ask what had caused it.
"Picture the scene on the platform of Carlisle kingmoor on 28th December 1968, the gas lamps on the station shine through the mist but do little to illuminate the gloom. A lone class 50 sits idling in the centre road. In the distance we see the dim glow from the headcode box of a peak as it rumbles into the platform, apparently suffering a hot box hence it's late arrival from Leeds. The squeal of brakes precedes much activity as the peak is uncoupled and rumbles forward, to be replaced by the class 50, which lifts the heavy train out of the station easily, and, flanges screeching on the tight curve, swings round canal junction and into the night, powering away towards the hills and Edinburgh"
What the hell have they done to the coffee up here in Melton Mowbary?
Keith 'Lukewarm' Ludeman to retire
"Keith has made an outstanding contribution to the Group during the last fifteen years, having first established our London bus division, then going on to build up our highly successful rail business."
Now that snippet is taken from Go-Ahead [and fuck off]'s homepage. Keith has seen some huge changes at the company and has preceded over vast job cuts from the comfort of his own swimming pool.
We wish him (down a) well.
Replacing him is David Brown. Now David Brown might be familiar to some readers as the CE of the London Bus divison. So he's as well placed as any manager in the post privatised railway era to run a couple of railway companies.
People from bus backgrounds seemingly easily move into roles at high levels in the rail industry. Look at National Express, oh shit hang on...
Now that snippet is taken from Go-Ahead [and fuck off]'s homepage. Keith has seen some huge changes at the company and has preceded over vast job cuts from the comfort of his own swimming pool.
We wish him (down a) well.
Replacing him is David Brown. Now David Brown might be familiar to some readers as the CE of the London Bus divison. So he's as well placed as any manager in the post privatised railway era to run a couple of railway companies.
People from bus backgrounds seemingly easily move into roles at high levels in the rail industry. Look at National Express, oh shit hang on...
Monday, 25 October 2010
Cab watch - Tranny or bird?
In this week's cab watch we wonder - tranny or bird? Answers on a postcard, the postcard must be standard postcard size (none of those comedy shaped shit ones) and have on it either a train or a bird with her breasts out. Ron asks for one's with 'big birds' on it, he doesn't mean eagles.
Eurostar to take on France - France's seemingly long history of surrendering doesn't seem to be sticking
Due to Eurostar liking semen. Oh shit sorry, lets start again.
Due to Eurostar's choice of train manufactuer for it's new e320 train's, the GERMAN company Siemens, the French government seem to be rather upset (The reason for GERMANY spelt with capitals, is simple, it's to show that the French hate the GERMANS more than anything in this world, apart from the British)
Christian Estrosi, France's Trade Minister, is so pissed off with the decision he's publicly come out (not like that for fucks sake) on radio to let France know he plans on fighting the decision and that the French government weren't spoken to on the subject. Eurostar have been quoted as shrugging they're soulders, mumbling something in French, running a hand through they're hair and smiling with such indifference no one remembered why they came to the press conference in the first place.
It also means that if a French railway company ever asks the French government if they 'can buy Germany' they'll be forced to watch a 56 minute DVD documentary on both world wars and then beaten over the head with a large leek until they mutter the words 'Alstom' and then they'll be released.
Due to Eurostar's choice of train manufactuer for it's new e320 train's, the GERMAN company Siemens, the French government seem to be rather upset (The reason for GERMANY spelt with capitals, is simple, it's to show that the French hate the GERMANS more than anything in this world, apart from the British)
Christian Estrosi, France's Trade Minister, is so pissed off with the decision he's publicly come out (not like that for fucks sake) on radio to let France know he plans on fighting the decision and that the French government weren't spoken to on the subject. Eurostar have been quoted as shrugging they're soulders, mumbling something in French, running a hand through they're hair and smiling with such indifference no one remembered why they came to the press conference in the first place.
It also means that if a French railway company ever asks the French government if they 'can buy Germany' they'll be forced to watch a 56 minute DVD documentary on both world wars and then beaten over the head with a large leek until they mutter the words 'Alstom' and then they'll be released.
Thursday, 21 October 2010
A simple & yet effective comment from our senior writer 'Chard.
'I fell on a First Greater Western pork pie and now I can't see out of my Railway Eye'
We cannot confirm the time of this incident or if the pork pie below is the pork pie in question, but it's a pork pie nonetheless. Here's the pork pie.
We cannot confirm the time of this incident or if the pork pie below is the pork pie in question, but it's a pork pie nonetheless. Here's the pork pie.
CIRAS Sep/Oct 2010
Everyone's favourite comic has just landed in my inbox and this edition makes fantastic reading as always.
The headlines -
Coupling problem on Class 170 units - Apprantly this is of particular concern at ol' Birmingham New Steet, because the electric pins in the couplings are moving about when the trains depart over the mad pointwork and the brakes are slammed on by the system - so what are they doing about it? - Not alot by all accounts. Oh they're 'Reviewing' something - sorry cross country.
Train crew facilities at
Mossend ‘intolerable’ - Drivers we're being subject to what the reporter seems to be saying is a concentration camp - luckily without working showers. Frieghtliner's reponse says they've fixed it and the reason it was so shit was down to bad weather - that's my favourite reason of all time.
Staff receiving shortened training to cover patrolling duties - The ORR is now breathing down NWR's neck on this one - good job too the dodgy bastards.
New signalling system risks for engineering trains - Something from the underground, the Jubilee line to be precise - Staff are concerned a new signalling system could cause the downfall of engineer train and whatever gets in they're way. LUL have reponsed with they're bitch Tube lines to say it won't be turned on till everything falls under a safety plan. This one sounds like LUL are actually considering doing something about it. Which is nice.
Another CIRAS done and dusted - Now we'll wait to see what incident Bob 'THE FUCKING IDIOT' Crow decides to call the next strike over.
More news to follow on that one as we get it.
The headlines -
Coupling problem on Class 170 units - Apprantly this is of particular concern at ol' Birmingham New Steet, because the electric pins in the couplings are moving about when the trains depart over the mad pointwork and the brakes are slammed on by the system - so what are they doing about it? - Not alot by all accounts. Oh they're 'Reviewing' something - sorry cross country.
Train crew facilities at
Mossend ‘intolerable’ - Drivers we're being subject to what the reporter seems to be saying is a concentration camp - luckily without working showers. Frieghtliner's reponse says they've fixed it and the reason it was so shit was down to bad weather - that's my favourite reason of all time.
Staff receiving shortened training to cover patrolling duties - The ORR is now breathing down NWR's neck on this one - good job too the dodgy bastards.
Huddersfield emergency
block bell out of action - See earlier blog entry - or above comment 'Dodgy Bastards'.New signalling system risks for engineering trains - Something from the underground, the Jubilee line to be precise - Staff are concerned a new signalling system could cause the downfall of engineer train and whatever gets in they're way. LUL have reponsed with they're bitch Tube lines to say it won't be turned on till everything falls under a safety plan. This one sounds like LUL are actually considering doing something about it. Which is nice.
Another CIRAS done and dusted - Now we'll wait to see what incident Bob 'THE FUCKING IDIOT' Crow decides to call the next strike over.
More news to follow on that one as we get it.
Something stange appears at St Pancras - I think some people call it progress
A fellow reader sent this picture into us last week, titled '(N)ICE train' - I see what he did there.
The ICE's arrival into St Pancras was the world's worst keep secret. It's actual arrival saw a new dawn in Britain's rail travel. And it's been a long time coming.
Just like HS1 was 20 years behind it's time, inter European rail travel to more destinations than Paris or Brussel is something the Europeans have been enjoying for many a year. But as we've had time we hope we'll get it right.
We can only hope DB & Eurotunnel reach an agreement over safety, we're sure of it's success,
We will owe a huge thank you to DBs persistance on this, and it'll open Germany up to this country like never before.
Hienz Doken Deken Dien!
Rail fare increase - 'When you go by train's reponse
"Train fares are set to rise by nearly a third as passengers are forced to pay for extra carriages, writes Dean Kirby.
Mr Osborne said he would allow rail firms to increase regulated fares, which include season and saver tickets.
He said they could increase by an extra 3 per cent above inflation from 2012, which passenger watchdogs say equates to a total increase of 31.2pc by 2015.
The Campaign for Better Transport said a standard off-peak return ticket from Manchester to London could leap from £66 to £87 by the next general election. There was better news as Mr Osborne promised to bankroll a £200m scheme to electrify rail lines between Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Blackpool. "
Taken from the Mancester Evening News. And it's bad news.
Thanks to COLOSSAL FUCK UPS from Governments spanning back to the late 70s we're in a mess.
And the mess has to be paid for by us. Now train travel is expensive, that's a fact. It's also fact that is generally a load of nob.
This removal of the cap, much like a dirty bird, is going to be a suicide note for the lower paid people who need the train to get to work.
It's rude, it's imposing, it's going to make people reconsider working where they are and it's a dam stupid idea.
But hang on it's ok, because the extra money will pay for the electrification of the Blackpool Branch.
Please note the sarcasm meant in that last line.
Eblooger would not let me vent my true words for Osbourne & Co.
Mr Osborne said he would allow rail firms to increase regulated fares, which include season and saver tickets.
He said they could increase by an extra 3 per cent above inflation from 2012, which passenger watchdogs say equates to a total increase of 31.2pc by 2015.
The Campaign for Better Transport said a standard off-peak return ticket from Manchester to London could leap from £66 to £87 by the next general election. There was better news as Mr Osborne promised to bankroll a £200m scheme to electrify rail lines between Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Blackpool. "
Taken from the Mancester Evening News. And it's bad news.
Thanks to COLOSSAL FUCK UPS from Governments spanning back to the late 70s we're in a mess.
And the mess has to be paid for by us. Now train travel is expensive, that's a fact. It's also fact that is generally a load of nob.
This removal of the cap, much like a dirty bird, is going to be a suicide note for the lower paid people who need the train to get to work.
It's rude, it's imposing, it's going to make people reconsider working where they are and it's a dam stupid idea.
But hang on it's ok, because the extra money will pay for the electrification of the Blackpool Branch.
Please note the sarcasm meant in that last line.
Eblooger would not let me vent my true words for Osbourne & Co.
Caravan of LOVE
At 'Look what you gain when you travel by train' we're really unsure about WTF this caravan is for, or about.
We're hoping that a baby was concieved in it, but we're more inclined to believe that it contained soiled leaflets promoting a service that properly didn't excist.
We're hoping that a baby was concieved in it, but we're more inclined to believe that it contained soiled leaflets promoting a service that properly didn't excist.
The quest of Normality & the conquer of the deviants
Normality. What's normal? That's always the first question to someone who asks
if your normal. Well in my experience normal is two things. Firstly normal means
that you survive secondary school without getting your head kicked in every week
because as everyone knows bullies will admit to picking on kids who 'aren't
normal'. That's a good ground rule. Usually a beard at the age of 12 and carnal
knowledge of Paxman Valenta engines will see you hung by your underpants like a
sordid flag. The second thing, I suppose, is that old cliché, women. If your
normal, and no matter how ugly you maybe, there is a woman out there who will
have sex with you. Honestly. If however your reading this at the end of Reading
platform and your in your 50s and the only female contact you've ever had was
with the dinner lady at school unhooking your underpants from the flag pole,
then my friend I'm afraid to say your not normal. Sorry.
Why is liking trains such a disturbing connotation? I used to be scared to tell
a woman I'd met until well after we'd first slept together (yes sex, sometimes
even with the light on), and then what would happen? Would she run for her life
while stamping on your sound fitted blue Heljan 26? Would she hell she'll simply
say 'Ar that's cute, my Dad has a layout in his attic.' This will arise to other
problems but hey ho, in 9/10 circumstances they'll actually find it endearing.
That in no means certain readers of a young age should broadcast it across the
play ground in a vague attempt that a young female will drop to her knees. That
won't work, in fact refer to the above paragraph to see end results.
No matter what anyone says admitting to 'liking trains' will result in you
having the piss taken out of you by some quarters and when it settles down you
will forever become the timetable. You'll be the go to guy for all timetabling
needs, 'Oh Joe, what time is the train to Newquay Saturday?' and because your
that kind of guy, not only will you know the answer you'll also know the next 3
weekends of engineering works and associated bus diagrams.
There's often been a link between Aspergers and trains. Why? Well that's simple.
Trains are numbers, facts and figures and what do people with Aspergers like?
Numbers, fact and figures. So it attracts people who are known to everyone as
'train spotters' or in less affectionate terms 'stoats'. It's a by product and
something we have to live with. Hey they're untitled to like what they like,
even if some do smell a bit iffy.
Look at at these three who likes trains, Pete Waterman, Hermann Goering, Rod
Stewart. An interesting dinner party indeed, but it shows you the different
people who are into trains, you can never tell. You wouldn't know I was into
trains as the morning commuter special pulls in. You may be able to tell however
if a class 47 was to accidentally turn up on mk2Ds because I'd empty my bowels
on the platform and scream like a six year old girl on her first visit to
Disneyland Florida (not Paris as it's shit).
if your normal. Well in my experience normal is two things. Firstly normal means
that you survive secondary school without getting your head kicked in every week
because as everyone knows bullies will admit to picking on kids who 'aren't
normal'. That's a good ground rule. Usually a beard at the age of 12 and carnal
knowledge of Paxman Valenta engines will see you hung by your underpants like a
sordid flag. The second thing, I suppose, is that old cliché, women. If your
normal, and no matter how ugly you maybe, there is a woman out there who will
have sex with you. Honestly. If however your reading this at the end of Reading
platform and your in your 50s and the only female contact you've ever had was
with the dinner lady at school unhooking your underpants from the flag pole,
then my friend I'm afraid to say your not normal. Sorry.
Why is liking trains such a disturbing connotation? I used to be scared to tell
a woman I'd met until well after we'd first slept together (yes sex, sometimes
even with the light on), and then what would happen? Would she run for her life
while stamping on your sound fitted blue Heljan 26? Would she hell she'll simply
say 'Ar that's cute, my Dad has a layout in his attic.' This will arise to other
problems but hey ho, in 9/10 circumstances they'll actually find it endearing.
That in no means certain readers of a young age should broadcast it across the
play ground in a vague attempt that a young female will drop to her knees. That
won't work, in fact refer to the above paragraph to see end results.
No matter what anyone says admitting to 'liking trains' will result in you
having the piss taken out of you by some quarters and when it settles down you
will forever become the timetable. You'll be the go to guy for all timetabling
needs, 'Oh Joe, what time is the train to Newquay Saturday?' and because your
that kind of guy, not only will you know the answer you'll also know the next 3
weekends of engineering works and associated bus diagrams.
There's often been a link between Aspergers and trains. Why? Well that's simple.
Trains are numbers, facts and figures and what do people with Aspergers like?
Numbers, fact and figures. So it attracts people who are known to everyone as
'train spotters' or in less affectionate terms 'stoats'. It's a by product and
something we have to live with. Hey they're untitled to like what they like,
even if some do smell a bit iffy.
Look at at these three who likes trains, Pete Waterman, Hermann Goering, Rod
Stewart. An interesting dinner party indeed, but it shows you the different
people who are into trains, you can never tell. You wouldn't know I was into
trains as the morning commuter special pulls in. You may be able to tell however
if a class 47 was to accidentally turn up on mk2Ds because I'd empty my bowels
on the platform and scream like a six year old girl on her first visit to
Disneyland Florida (not Paris as it's shit).
Class 71s, the tale of two power supplies
During the fabled and ill thought out BTC Modernisation plan in 50s, when diesels & electric locomotives we’re built because they weren’t steam powered regardless of if they actually worked, a need was raised to introduce new electric locomotives for the Kent mainlines. Like a few other Modernisation locos the order was conceived with little foresight into the future of the rail market – class 14s I’m looking at you, a train designed for a purpose that simply was beginning to not exist – and the same could be said of the future class 71s, built for traffic that within 20 years would all but dry up.
In 1958 the order was placed. Doncaster chimed and rang to the sound of locomotive builders nailing together the then classified HA type. All 24, E5000 to E5023, (E5000 later became E5024 – the first to the last) we’re dispatched to Hither Green with all haste to start operations.
The mechanical design of the HA had already been proven in the class 70s, the three bizarre southern beasts who’s size was only diminished by they’re torque. The basis of the class 70 was a flywheel booster. The flywheel was installed because DC electric locomotives have a limited length at which power can be taken from the 3rd rail, and gapping is common (gapping – when a train gets stuck in an area where there isn’t any 3rd such as a Junction or an entrance to a large station) The flywheel booster would be fed from the DC traction instead of the traction motors directly and then the flywheel would spin ensuring the generator continued to turn so the traction motors had a continued supply of power. That meant that on reaching a natural break in the juice rail the flywheel would still spin resulting in a constant continuation of DC supply, for a limited time, sort of like a delay of power to the traction motors. Class 73’s weren’t fitted with this and that’s why it’s like firework night in the cab when an ‘ED’ goes over a gap.
The other issues that the 70s originally tried to overcome and the 71s we’re to continue the mantel was that of 3rd rail in yards. As you can imagine a shunter walking around a yard with a 3rd rail isn’t going to be good for his continued health. The 3rd rail is an extremely dangerous think to have around somewhere that requires a workforce to be on foot walking around. To overcome this problem, the SR decided to fit its yards with a 650v DC overhead tram style wire. As a 70 or 71 came into a yard on its 3rd Rail it would pop up its diamond pantograph and power would be drawn from that instead, resulting in no third rail in yards, and a safer workplace for the shunters, all very simply but effective stuff – however it wasn’t to last, because a new idea was on the horizon that of the Electro Diesel – more on that one later.
The 71s when they turned up on the Southeastern we’re pushing 2,700 Bhp, in a Bo-Bo. The proven Swiss electrical gear they found themselves with was reliable and simple to maintain. It looked like the Southern had done well out of the Modernisation plan as other regions we’re quickly discovering that they hadn’t done quite so well. North of London re engine programmes we’re being talked of with locos barely past they’re fifth birthday, for the BTC it was nice to have a success down south.
The 71s we’re put to work on all the prestigious stuff, turns such as the golden arrow and Night Ferry we’re soon seen with a glistening HA strapped to the front. It’s torque and horsepower ready to power coastward with open abandon.
As TOPS hit the network and HAs had became the class 71s, passenger work was dying off. The Golden Arrow had finished and the night ferry wasn’t long off. Another problem arose, that of engineering works. The HAs needed the juice, and engineering work meant that juice was turned off. Planners at HQ often had to find huge spiralling routes to get 71s home and on duty. And the 71 had a nemesis now, the class 73s, they’d proven themselves a capable locomotive, not as powerful but they had an ace card up they’re sleeve – a small diesel engine. Class 73s could reach locations the 71s only dreamt of. The more 73s we’re rostered on trains the more the writing was on the wall for the 71s. In 1967/68 it became apparent that the Electro Diesels concept was the way forward, the yard’s centenary had fallen into disrepair and it was being taken down. Some pantographs we’re removed from the 71s as they we’re now deemed redundant. But someone had an idea, if work was drying up for the HAs and they we’re to be scrapped why not turn them into Electro Diesels, they’re power on the juice was awesome, heavy freight trains and newspaper trains we’re easy for the 2,700bhp locos, but it’s lack of power off the juice was signing it’s death warrant. Ten locomotives we’re selected to be converted to HBs or later class 74s. As we’ll soon read that idea was fraught with possibilities and hope, but in 1977 the remaining class 71s, most in perfect working order, we’re withdrawn and cut up, because quite simply work didn’t exist. The hope of more HAs being converted to HBs had gone up, like a HB’s Paxman engine, in smoke.
Notwork: Fail & The Fantasy Land
We've all been there, in that place that makes us all happy. A place no one else can go. An imaginary place where no one can touch us.
It seems however Network Rail also have this place, problem is the infrastructure keeps breaking there.
The Emergency block bell in Huddersfield Box (You know the one - a vital peice of safety equipment) was discovered that it had been out of action for over a month, why you ask?
Well because the fault lay between the boundaries of the LNE and LNW, in the magically land where pixies dance under mushrooms and Network Rail seemingly has no control.
We must now wonder what other boundary lands are out there with assest seemingly having no owner.
It seems however Network Rail also have this place, problem is the infrastructure keeps breaking there.
The Emergency block bell in Huddersfield Box (You know the one - a vital peice of safety equipment) was discovered that it had been out of action for over a month, why you ask?
Well because the fault lay between the boundaries of the LNE and LNW, in the magically land where pixies dance under mushrooms and Network Rail seemingly has no control.
We must now wonder what other boundary lands are out there with assest seemingly having no owner.
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