Mallard60022

Did that Class 40 actually have sound? That's clever on DC. Brilliant parade of enjoyable items. Thank you. P

Was there something wrong about the shape of the Bunker? The one I had and built by the late Geoff Brewin is long moved on (sadly). I can't look at that and I can't remember if the fault was amended or not. I do know it didn't like sharpish curves and Geoff gave me both sets of 'centre' Drivers as Flangeless! It did run beautifully. Phil

Try to see you on Sunday afternoon. Phil

Shuttle bus to Rossington goes close to the Racecourse from Frenchgate. Couple of Stops near the BIg Roundabout. That could be the 55. I think its every 30 minutes if not more frequent. Timetables on the Web. Phil

I was just pointing out that that area is used for the Hospital Park and Ride and can be fenced off. I didn't say it caused grumbles. There are access allowances for the Shuttle Bus to run around and folk need to be aware in case the CP is absolutely stuffed but they see 'spaces'. I thought it could be helpful information. Phil.

Very much worth finding as many pics of WR services as possible, 1958 - 1963. Summer Timetables time would have required all sorts. Good luck. Phil

Well done Warners. P

The white hard standing to the right is mostly Hospital park and Ride and can be fenced off.

Cheer up. There's loads of paid parking within 15 minutes walking distance. Town isn't great but by the Big Asda and the Dome to the west of the racecourse has loads of room. Phil

I'm sure you all know, but the Snow has mostly gone from around Donny, BUT may be still and issue when driving from further afield west and north of it. The Car Park opposite is going to be fun and it's still raining in Retford and is due to all day. Phil

Succinctly put; despite not being involved I can not but agree. I feel for you and your Colleagues. There may be different attitudes coming along however I can't see any alterations to the DFT's ability to spend and think straight! It's of no solace I am sure but my local Station Staff have seen 4 changes of operator in 20 years I think it is? Maybe even 5? Pity Newton Abbot to Plymouth isn't Electrified. I know that sounds odd, but it would maybe solve the Devon banks issues, however if these can't deal with Whitball then that's pathetic? Phil

73082 had a Speedo. I suspect that may have been over excited? Phil

I had not twigged that GWR had IEPs before LNER. Been looking into service delays and there doesn't seem to be total chaos overall with delays, from what I've gleaned, with WOE services usually getting to Paddington in reasonable times if getting caught up in congestion east of Reading . Thanks for that phil b. I also watched loads of Cam at the Royal Albert Bridge (new cam) and Dawlish last year (plenty of Steam action) and there were not a lot of issues, except for the Strike days when Cornwall had little or no GWR services due to Staffing issues. The Summer services, including Cardiffs to Newquay for example, were always running to reasonable time. So I'm concluding that GWR are actually doing 'their best' and can run good services down west (except when Dawlish is howling). Hitachi are seemingly just taking the pi$$. Phil P

The M & C Mk1 TSO is tempting. I could build a Comet Kit for less, BUT my Paint job and detailing would be rubbish. Has there been a previous version (Baccy or Hornby?) of a M & C TSO? If so, even with huge Ribs, I could work with that. If anyone can show me a Picture of a Green Class 30 at Seaton Junction (Devon) it would be very annoying too! Thanks Phil

Having read the rest of this, it's absolutely chronic for you all. What's your thoughts on LNER being with the OOLR and the seemingly better all round service...and by this I mean state of vehicles and appropriate numbers of seats etc.? I don't know if the Contract is different to the awful one you are describing. Does anyone know who's responsible for what with LNER? Not sure where Hull Trains Units go for service either? Is it somewhere in the North East? Thanks. Phil

Those emergency Oars so beautifully retracted, are a good idea for when it is Torpedoed. D.A S. Boot.

That description of yours is exactly what we expected on the ECML b4 they arrived. I used the first service to and from Retford to Leeds. I used 2nd going..seats like rock and rock and roll over the Bogies on the Donny Wakefield sections. Ist back to Donny only and discovered the hardly any window seats! Slightly more comfy seats. However not a rotten experience and met a lot of impressed people and some lovely Staff as it was day 1. It was some time before I actually found out that the Bi Mode function was not really a feature when these Units failed on the ECML or the wires were down etc. Then in early 2022 I met the Hitachi big wig on Retford Station, who was going to that London to meet that DFT to explain the Bogies issue (cracking). Lovely bloke (sort of typical Northern Yorkshire bloke). I fear it was him that gave me a dose of Covid! Anyway, the pre service hype didn't quite match up to the actual things delivered as far as I can see. However, as you say, yes the all Electrics are fast, clean, almost always stuffed except in mid daytime services and the Hull Trains Units are my favourite method of doing the London Shuttle. My York journeys have sometime been 225s; soooooo much more comfortable and the refurbished Sets are Class. My observations of the 'ordinary passenger' is that they want frequent, on time, smart, clean and hassle free travel. Not fussed about windows and as I rarely use 1st Class I don't see annoyance about there being little in the way of refreshments...but yes, almost every ECML service has a Buffet and or a Trolly. I am sorry to hear about all your woes. It must be bad for anyone using Trains every day. I am obviously lucky as is my Wife, who travels to Croydon from here every few months, as almost all journeys have been totally stress free. A couple have been strange due to various issues but the alternatives have been quickly and professionally provided with no Bustitutions for me thank God, but herself has had to endure one of those from Grantham I think it was due to Wires down north of there. Phil

Blimey that sounds awful. I also hadn't twigged that the thread had morphed into a discussion about crap operations, service and performance. I thought that started very recently after a long break; 13.48 yesterday in fact? Thus I'm not going to mention the superiority of operations of what was various Franchises and now OOLR and the excellence of Hull Trains (using 802 Units I think it is with better seating and excellent Staff?) on the ECML south of Edinburgh at least and from Hull of course. The Staff along my section of the ECML, have remained the same for Years and Train Staff from what I can see. They have adapted well, despite 'The Management'. Sounds like GWR are poor as a TOC? I know from contacts, still living where I was born and grew up, that their attitude was that they couldn't give a toss about west of the Tamar during various 'incidents and events'. However I had no idea things were so gross over the other areas as you describe. Is it just this Stock or does the other stuff they operate bring a better attitude and service? All sounds very sad and how the mighty GWR has fallen into ruin? can't even escape using SWT either from what I read elsewhere. Edit; having reread the last few posts, I see that GWR were 'shafted' by the DFT and the associated Ministers. It seems like they are trying to perform but the equipment isn't up to it on the WOE Routes; sad state of affairs but no surprise sadly. A. Janner.

Yup, but I still will say wasn't the main ' Grounded' issue initially to do with Bogie Fractures, not performance which, of course, may well have been and now appears to be causing unavailability due to Engines being knackered. Phil

They are obviously disgusted by the HUGE lamp. Oh ye, nearly here I hear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Es8YJJZ6Q Ignore any Advert. Gethin Ripe

Ignore any Adverts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Es8YJJZ6Q Philth

Ah I see. Yes of course, they run on Electric all the way, except off the ECML for a couple of Workings. However I thought the main faults were with the Bogies Cracking? I think there is also a real good servicing regime at the Main Depots (especially Donny). Thanks. Phil

ECML availability seems to be OK, or am I missing something? P

Ummmmm! Phil

I'd forgotten those. Are they 'led' by 'Tutors'? Phil Atkinson's Courses were brilliant. I can't believe they were almost 15+ years ago now. I wonder if someone like the organisers of Warley could try something like this? It means their organisation skills are available BUT not with the huge effort required for the exhibition. Before long, the current persons that have both building and leading skills, will be 'no more'. Actually I've never seen a Course with Coach Building as a main lead even when Phil was doing his. Loco's (Tony Wright's excellent and amusing sessions) and Painting/Weathering yes. I was fortunate to have the late Geoff Brewin teach me to part build Coaches. I miss his damn fine skills and company. Perhaps anyone reading this that considers Coach Building as important, could maybe do some asking around. Anyone with Warley contacts? All the best. Phil