uax6

And what a pile of carp they are too.... I've spent some time changing the West Anglia proper Bardics to take three D cells and also changing out the lamps to LED's. These simple improvements are well worth the effort, and you keep a bomb-proof lamp. These will be the only things left on earth in a million years time! Andy G

Bardics were also used by Mines (in intrinsically safe form, basically special key required to open it to change the battery, and a metal clip around the lens rubber) , the GPO (Handlamp, Electric, 14. This was a single aspect lamp, just white, with a solid reflector), and were also available as Emergency Lighting handlamps too, with rechargeable batteries and a trickle charge station. Quality lamps, and still a lot of them in use on the big railway too. I got a Guards bag for Chrimble, and use it to go back and forth to the box, its great and after 6 months is just beginning to be broken in.... Andy G

I would think the Financial services customer was actually running a 'Combined Heat and Plant' system, where power came from the gennys, which were also supplying hot water from heat exchangers on their cooling system for use in the building. BT had a system in Cardiff Telephone House (I think, it could have been the exchange I can't quite remember now). I have no idea how long it lasted. I've also got experience of a genny on the roof, in this case the jerry cans had to be lifted up a set of vertical steel ladders.... Not fun, but I did enjoy the Monday morning test run.... Andy G

As you've mentioned my signalbox, the funniest bridge bash I've witnessed on that underpass was a driver in an Audi estate. He came hoofing around the corner (in a 30mph limit) and saw the gates were over, so quickly turned to go under the bridge. He successfully completed the move, but unfortunately he had forgotten that he had his bike on the roof rack. This struck the bridge and was forced into the boot of the car, via the rear windscreen. There was quite a lot of damage to the tailgate, and also to the roof, where the roof rails (which had the rack attached) were pushed down into the roof. I'm guessing that the car was probably a write-off. Sadly I couldn't do anything but laugh when I saw it.... At least it caused no issues for me, as the bridge has a light vehicle dispensation, so I only had to report it to control who were also laughing.... I've also witnessed builders transit pickups going under, and them loosing the heads of brushes that were stored in a tube tied to the headboard, on many occasions. One blue one sticks in the mind as the passenger was killing himself laughing as they drove out. Andy G

Charge-discharge working was certainly used for large exchanges that were commissioned here in the UK up until the mid '60's. With the reliability that the National Grid brought to the electricity supply, the GPO saw savings in only equipping each exchange with one battery, which was float charged (at -50v dc for Strowger), the battery being big enough to cope with the full exchange load for some time (was it a day? I can't remember now). They also had standby generator sets, that could maintain the 240V mains supply in case of failure too. The rural (UAX) exchanges kept charge-discharge working where no mains supply was available (a small petrol generator was used to charge the batteries, but this involved a visit every other day) but as soon as a mains supply could be economically supplied it was and then they went to single battery working (with end cell switching which is great fun, but quite difficult to describe!). The -54.5V dc of digital is an odd figure, but it appears to have come from the fact that eight 6V Valve Regulated Sealed Lead-Acid Cells fitted neatly in a cabinet and give a nominal -48V dc when not being charged, but the float voltage to keep them in good condition is -54.5v dc. These cells get changed every 5 years in BT exchanges (or did), but I have a set at home that are still good after 14 years, but are kept floated all the time (and the load of my Strowger is really quite low). Andy G

Well almost.... Here in the UK, for System X and AXE10 * its actually -54.5V dc..... Andy G * Actually for most digital exchange systems.

I also have a Sim with BT, but sent out a mini hub when I explained that I don't have a smart phone (They couldn't actually believe that I didn't have a smart phone mind.....) Andy G

I'm aware of the unpleasantness, I was just going down the retention tank route (down the pan?) to try and find a reason why the Mk1's were in the train..... Andy G

Are retention tanks actually mandated now? I would have thought that the Mk2's have grandfather rights to not have them. Are the Mk1's doing something else other than providing toilets (like providing electricity to the Mk2's). Is the CDL actually under the control of the Guard or is it being controlled locally in each carriage? (not knowing how CDL is controlled along the train makes this difficult to know). It seems, to quote Question of Sport, that there are more questions than answers at the minute. Andy G

When I worked at BT the mirrors it the toilets all had nice little signs stuck to them that said 'You are looking at the person responsible for your safety'. A very pointed and accurate statement... Andy G

See if you can work out how the CDL works with the non-fitted Mk1's in the formation please.... Photos of the carriage ends might be helpful... Andy G

Isn't all this IoT (internet of things) technology just for the sake of it? None of its actually useful, and actually increases the chances of data breaches as there is no way to update the software in use. Think of the cost in extra electricity that is consumed by all this pointlessness.... Our Microwave spends most of its time turned off at the plug. The cooker would too, except that you have to set the time before the bleeding thing will cook, and its a pain in the arse.... Andy G

I've always had a very difficult time when it comes to filling out forms which describe my Nationality. I was born in England, but I've never thought of myself as English, always as British, and to a certain extent I find myself cringe when the choice means I have to put English. Andy G

And I have to say that there are a vast number of Railway Professionals now that have never seen a slam door on a train either, so they are equally at risk from non-CDL fitted stock, and the 'Railway' has a duty of care towards them as well. Andy G

Its because none of it is a typeface. Its drawn lettering by a bloke with a drawing board, so it will be whatever he draws that day... Andy G