Great Western

Pannier tank yes please ! Just not taking the best part of four years to arrive though ! Great Western

I noticed Friday night whilst sat outside Cardiff Central station, waiting my signal to come back in with my ecs, that the Roberston to Westerleigh Murco rakes has a number of foreign, well EU registered tanks in the formation now, which looked like (baring in mind it was dark) they were pretty much frameless, as in just a basic frame work over the bogies, nothing under the actual tank. Making them look like tanks on wheels. They were black in colour with big EU registration number boards on the ends over the bogies. Great Western

Thanks for the reply Mike, I've expressed an interest in x5 multi packs of the multi coloured tanks............. The project is quite a remarkable one, as I think the services these tanks run like the 'Murcos' from West Wales to Westerleigh and Theale are quite iconic in the local areas, especially as theyre 9 times out of 10 a 60 on the front! Looking forward to a very colourful kiddie coloured GB66 (the number escapes me now) and the mulit coloured tanks behind ! Great Western

Firstly this is an excellent idea and you guys must be applauded for once again putting your money where your mouth is and actually doing it. However, generally these vehicles run in fixed rakes (subject to shunting needs of cripples etc) of upto 30 vehicles, only the Safin tanks run in reasonable rakes of 8-10 vehicles, but Bachmann already produce the Green TEA tanks. I'm interested in the multi colour tanks the VTG Enviro tanks that run from South Wales with GBRf 66's on the front, but even a modest rake of say 15 is 5 multi packs. You estimate a price of £20-30 which I think is very reasonable compared to the latest Bachmann models. If we take the highest estimate of £30 per model, scale that upto a three model multi so £90, your looking at £450. Okay some of us have splashed out that for the 390, which I personally cant wait for ! What Im saying is, will there be a scaled discount for this kind of order, I assume the production run is a one off so there wont be the opportunity to acquire more over a period of time? or will the tools pass to your contract as per the 390? but then as per the latter scheme the price per model will obviously rise. I'm fully behind this project, but I do hope you can come to an arrangement to allow individuals to acquire a reasonable rake at a reasonable price. Also when is the deadline for orders/expressions of interest and how does the decision work? the top 3 models are taken forward etc? Regards Great Western

Siemans always send their units through the wash on entry to Northam, Kings Heath and Alwick so generally the units are very very clean. However the roofs of the 450s are very worn to the point of going white in places. Great Western

Stupid question alert ! I assume this model has been released the ? I was under the impression that it was due in April ? Regards Great Western

I assume the real loco has a hole in the cab back wall for the fireman to shovel coal out of ? Has the model, I can't quite see on the pictures ? Great Western .

So we've gone back from March and June to May and September, no year though !!!!!!!! Great Western

The same set went to Bristol around 1315 (through Bath), noted in the Up Through under the Trainshed at Bristol at 1600 then noted passing me again towards Westbury this time around 1730. My times might be out as I was running about 30 late due to a HST losing its air at Bath. Great Western

The driver signs the route as in all lines usually driven over, so a driver would learn Severn tunnel to Cardiff via both. They wouldn't submit a route refresh for the releif lines unless it was like the Willesden relief lines where they actually leave the main route for a period. Great Western

Between Severn Tunnel and Newport, it's not that common due to the low line speed 40 mph in the relief, however from Llanwern West Junction (East side of Newport) to Cardiff with a stop at Newport it's pretty commo in the western direction towards Cardiff. A lot of the xx21 from Bristol to Cardiff are booked via the RL from Llanwern West Junction to Cardiff. Or if not via Llanwern West they go RL at Newport via Platform 1 as there's a conflict (I believe in the WTT) with a Swansea HST which usually overtakes the DMU prior to Cardiff. West to East from Cardiff to Tunnel its unheard of, but I don't think there is any booked DMU servcies down the RL, however a good bet for usual routes is the 2327 Cardiff to Bristol.....I've done Cardiff to Ebbw junction ML, crossed to the RL via P1 at Newport, then RL via Bishton Flyover to Magor Crossovers back to the ML to Severn Tunnel Junc. onto the Down Tunnel line in the station in the Up direction, then Up direction via the Down line through the tunnel back to Up tunnel line at Piling! That was a red pen evening !!!!! There is also the 0136 Bristol to Cardiff HST which sometimes goes RL all the way from STJ to Cardiff, God what a slow trip that is 40mph all the way to Newport, but still had time before booked departure ! Great Western

All four lines, from Severn Tunnel Junction (beyond the station its self) to Cardiff will be wired, along with all platforms at Cardiff Central and roads into Canton. What stages the work will be done in I don't know. As for the Ebbw Vale branch the Ebbw Junc to Park Junction will be done, but I'm not sure if Park Junction to Gaer Junction will be done though, unless a direct Newport service is in place by then of course. However the freight inlets to Llanwern, East Usk, ADJ, Wentlog and Pengam won't be wired. Great Western

That's correct regards the White patches on the portal. Regards the three sides of Patchway/Filton Triangle, they will be wired. Although I can't see the logic with not providing a West end access/exit to the IEP depot, the only access is via a reversal (for Bristol) in Parkway. Great Western

As for the Grest Western electrification project, vegetation clearance is ramping up on the Filton Four tracking project, and also around the English portal of Severn Tunnel and Ableton Lane Tunnel. There doesn't appear to be much if any progress on the Bristol TM area, only foundations for new S&T equipment and cable runs being laid. There seems to be a lot of work in not so much time to do.. Great Western

Reduce Maintence on diamond crossing, thus reduce the Main I can only go in what the actual TM concerned has told me personally. He never worked an HST again after that night, and has retired last year. Very very experienced railwayman, starting as a fireman back in the steam days before being made redundant, but coming back in more modern BR days as a guard. There is always going to be a Pro DOO camp for whatever reason, that's your right to have that view and I respect that...however I tignk your wrong which again is my right. Great Western

Common theme - single lead junctions, DOO in some cases are all outcomes of cost cutting! Great Western

It's all coming back now, cheers mate! Great Western

Yes, I agree with 99% of what you've said....however when you remove aspects of a role you deskill and demotive the person doing the role. The guard sitting in the van is dead, long dead....the train manager doing the operational aspects of the guard role plus enchanced customer service role with full door control is the way I want to go. I don't want to be a ticket inspector on 16k a year who can be removed at a moments notice. Great Western

Bellgrove......the TE gave 2-2 against a red and the driver had a fatal SPAD.......? I think it's highly unfair and unless you can present report evidence extremely offensive to suggest the TE giving TRTS caused the accident. The bucks stops at the bloke at the front to check the signal not just take the Train READY to start signal. Note the Ready to, not GO signal. Either way the driver had total responsibly to check the aspect of the signal before opening the power handle. On the flip side try telling the families of the dead from Upton Nevett that DOO Is a good idea (I know the guard on it personally) he blocked the lines and then helped injured passengers despite being injured himself. Great Western

Memory serves that's correct yes, the old Red and Green valley line scheme that's right. As did the 150s did they ever have the red and green as per the pacers ? Great Western

Not at all mate......but I'm glad I gave you a chuckle. Great Western

Ok my perception via my iPad screen colour is that the model pictured under factory lighting APPEARS after looking at the real thing the other night with my own eyes which may or may not be defective was that colour looked a little light. Also the red seating is incorrect for the unit I saw, there may well be units running round with red seats....... However the FGW units looks spot on and very very desirable. Great Western

I refer to Guard as in the rule book term, the person charged with train protection etc when the driver isn't able to do so. But yes, the tradional Guard as in no customer service duties as per SWT metro services and former Overgroudn servcies is dead. The concept of Train Manager, as in a full trained Guard with commercial duties is the way to go. Charge them with the ability to make decisions etc. An TE ticket examiner is all well and good, but as per SPTE in Scotland no TE doesn't mean no train, so you have solo DOO trains running contrary to the aggreement of twin manning. I simply don't trust modern money grabbing TOCs to recruit and ensure TEs are on all trains, the concept SET have in their HS1 services is the way twin Manning is going I think and I don't have an objection either. As soon as you remove the requirement for a 2nd competent person you have DOO solo Manning, Do you really fancy being on a derailed or stranded train on the S&C in deepest winter with no driver (he's been injured or God forbid killed) ? I for sure don't ! London Overground, Metro style services......OK maybe single Manning works as help is at the next station from 1st to last train, out in the sticks you lucky to have station assistants anytime of the day, due to money grabbing TOCS closing booking offices Etc. GSMR isn't a goldern egg that will save all. If you think it is then I'm afraid you don't the experience of its flaws I and many of my colleagues do. GSMR has its place of course, it's an excellent system, crystal clear reception even at speed pretty much whole network coverage in the end. But it's doesn't always connect to the required box, critical in an emergency situation etc. Great Western

I don't know, have they been released yet ? I'm just making an observation not a nit pick. Great Western

As a Guard I've evacuated a 8 car train, customer service goes out the window. They were told what was expected and the outcome if they didn't comply (serious injury). Myself and the driver got around 300 passengers safety and effectively. Communication was carried out throughout the pre evacuation time. When modern trains fail like that of the FCC 375 in the Thameslink tunnel, the driver can't communicate effectively and the passengers fail out onto life lines. Trains move with doors open and with pasengers in the cess against tunnel walls ! A guard or second person could have ensured this didn't happen, a driver stranded stressed and confused with why his train TMS isn't working correctly can't. DOO is a 1970/80s cost cutting scheme devised at a time when the railways where slowly dying. Fast forwrd to 2015 passenger numbers are growing DOO has no place on the modern railway, if you think DOO is a good idea then I'm afraid your a fool with no idea of the real railway, the risks and the results of pasengers who think they know best. Great Western.