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| When I were a lad 16/11/2015 at 17:14 #77769 | |
northroad
872 posts |
Just found this on the National Rail latest travel news pages.....It were different when I were a lad. Remember the famous words like " Let the train take the strain" and "We are getting you there" They cannot even spell the word affected....What hope do we have when the rail system has more trains needing repair than usual. What is the usual. Good job we have a bus service.... Incident created 11/11/2015 03:48 Last updated 16/11/2015 03:25 Route affected Download map of route afected Trains between Ipswich and Felixstowe Train operator affected Abellio Greater Anglia; Description More trains than usual needing repairs at the same time means trains cannot run between Ipswich and Felixstowe. Buses will run between these stations, extending journey times by up to 40 minutes. This is expected to continue until end of service. Buses will call at all stations with the exception of Westerfield. Westerfield passengers are advised to use the help point to arrange alternative road transport. Log in to reply |
| When I were a lad 16/11/2015 at 18:43 #77773 | |
Steamer
3984 posts |
AGA have one of the most stretched DMU fleets in the country, even with the loco hauled set in use. It happens every year around this time, sets are taken out of service with wheel flats and there aren't any spare to replace them. I also understand that there have been problems with one of the major wheel manufacturers, but I don't know if that's contributing to this particular problem. Of course, we could invest in some new trains- but that would be long-term planning, the filthiest word imaginable in the Civil Service... "Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q) Last edited: 16/11/2015 at 18:45 by Steamer Log in to reply |
| When I were a lad 16/11/2015 at 19:21 #77775 | |
simmybear
58 posts |
Gone are the days when a local MPD or stabling point be relied on to conjure up something however decrepit to keep the service running - but in those days it was a SERVICE to the public and staff were proud to be Railwaymen and to serve in all circumstances - how different now sadly.
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| When I were a lad 16/11/2015 at 23:20 #77791 | |
belly buster
368 posts |
When I were a lad, they introduced pacers to my local line (Airedale line). They were terrible 30 years ago. I couldn't believe it - on a recent trip to Blackpool, the damn things are still being used. Horrible things. That's progress for you. Log in to reply |
| When I were a lad 17/11/2015 at 04:03 #77795 | |
Temple Meads
307 posts |
" said:When I were a lad, they introduced pacers to my local line (Airedale line). They were terrible 30 years ago.Being a bus and train enthusiast Pacers are the best of both worlds! Or do I mean worst... Seriously though, I do actually enjoy travelling on them, but don't think I'd fancy commuting on them quite so much - They seem to be somewhat hit or misss with crew as well. Username TIM in multiplayer Log in to reply |
| When I were a lad 17/11/2015 at 05:11 #77796 | |
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Westrail
26 posts |
Much the same here in Melbourne Bus substitutions can happen virtually on the spot. Came back from Perth WA a few years ago took longer to get from Melbourne to Hoppers Crossing than the flight from Perth. 3300 Kms vs 37
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| When I were a lad 17/11/2015 at 09:31 #77799 | |
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kbarber
1742 posts 
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We used to have our moments on old BR to be honest. The leaf fall season was always trouble. I recall going on early turn at Junction Road one day (must've been the autumn of 1978). We had a local arrangement to relieve off the first train of the day (which worked out about 06:30) rather than at the official 06:00, so I duly caught the DMU at Leytonstone and rode with the driver. As we ran down the gradient from Leyton to Queens Road, there was a down Freightliner stuck on the bank. Next couple of down passengers terminated at South Tottenham and there was no service from Barking until after the peak was over. A couple of weeks later I was coming off nights and the driver turned out to be a character known - by his own words - as 'The Mad ********'. He took it very easily into Queens Road (under 15mph into the platform, where he'd usually approach in excess of 30); he just barely touched the brake as we ran past the platform end and all wheels promptly picked up. We slid out of the far end at the same speed we'd run in. Big problem now: there was a set of catch points just off the platform end, protecting against a runback down the steep climb to Leyton. The driver selected 3rd (I think) and cracked the throttle open to get a bit of traction without too much torque, and we just about struggled over the top without stalling - but it was a near-run thing! A couple of years later I was at Marylebone and, as usual, there were serious problems for trains on Chorleywood Bank (see Marylebone sim for details). That section was owned by London Transport and their trains were having as much difficulty as ours. Result: they banned our trains between Harrow and Amersham. As luck would have it, our Area Manager at Marylebone was an ex locoman - in fact he'd been shedmaster at Woodford Halse (where my uncle had been a driver) after Dick Hardy (of Steam in the Blood fame). He devised, and Marylebone Depot rapidly fitted, sanding gear for the DMU fleet. Talk about Heath Robinson: it consisted of a length of pipe running to a funnel in the guard's compartment and it was the guard's job to shovel sand from a bucket into the funnel when required. But it did the job and we were running through within 24 hours. Meanwhile the disc braked stock was wearing flats on its wheels and being taken out of service for tyre turning quicker than they could even get them into the depots, let alone through the wheel lathes. The cancellations went on for weeks. Every autumn. And they were still working on it when I left the industry in 1994. Log in to reply |
| When I were a lad 17/11/2015 at 13:00 #77805 | |
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Westrail
26 posts |
You have got to write a book could be a bestseller
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| When I were a lad 17/11/2015 at 14:50 #77810 | |
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northroad
872 posts |
" said:Just found this on the National Rail latest travel news pages.....It were different when I were a lad. Remember the famous words like " Let the train take the strain" and "We are getting you there"See it's the same again today. There's nothing wrong with those rail buses.......any scrap merchant worth his salt would be glad to take them of every bodies hands. Some preservation line might even want one years later......... Log in to reply |
| When I were a lad 17/11/2015 at 19:27 #77823 | |
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northroad
872 posts |
When I were a lad a vital and essential part of every drivers tools of the trade consisted of what is shown on this clip. Check out the winter warmers provided around the 7 minutes and 30 seconds mark. All part of the last minute Inter City stock change runs for a top link driver. Those lads in the boxes with their coal fires never had it as good as this and didn't know they were born. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_cEm66u_dw Geoff Log in to reply |
| When I were a lad 17/11/2015 at 19:48 #77824 | |
KymriskaDraken
963 posts |
" said:Those lads in the boxes with their coal fires never had it as good as this and didn't know they were born.How can you spot a signalbox in the winter? It's the only building with no snow on the roof. Kev Log in to reply The following users said thank you: headshot119, kbarber |
| When I were a lad 18/11/2015 at 09:55 #77836 | |
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kbarber
1742 posts
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" said:" said:Those lads in the boxes with their coal fires never had it as good as this and didn't know they were born.How can you spot a signalbox in the winter? It's the only building with no snow on the roof. Well you didn't expect us bobbies to freeze did you? That's why we went into the box after all... we liked our home comforts B) Log in to reply |