Hobby

If it's a double set try to get yourself in the G to L set!

So not much different, and I suspect, nowhere near as high or wide. Although it "looks" big, the Fairlies aren't all that big except perhaps in length, the Fessie's loading gauge sees to that! I'd have said a Fairlie would suit that layout, though I'd suggest one of the Fourdees Hunslets and get someone to fit the DCC gubbins for you!

This is exactly what they were hoping for, it was mentioned in the very early days that this is what could happen, a stronger strain would develop which would take over from all the others but not be as dangerous to our health. Keep your fingers and toes crossed! The vast majority on my trains were the same as well. seems to be getting through, though how long it will last when the p*heads come on board late at night I'm not sure... Best advice: don't travel on the late (after 2200) trains!

I was speaking to some of the drivers yesterday and they confirmed what I thought, everyone signs either Voyagers or 170s but only a few sign HSTs so it would be much more likely to end up with no driver for an HST if someone went sick at the last minute. So logic dictates that it's best to take them out of service until RDW returns (it's not a dispute, btw, the drivers are simply not working RDs and sticking to their contracts). So any rumours that HSTs will not come back are just that, rumours, and not based on any facts.

I agree, @rodent279 and I don't think insulting everyone who likes to use cars as "Mr Toad" does Nearhomers' argument any favours. If anything the use of EVs, if they can be produced cheap enough and producing enough electricity to charge 40 million of them is sorted all we are likely to see is the disappearance of IC cars to be replaced by EVs.

From what I remember of that daft Top Gear test the Princess was quite well sealed!

Yes it was.

Ran to Birmingham but was an hour late after Newcastle so was terminated and restarted at Birmingham right time by the look of it.

Best to just wait and see.

I'm not sure. A guess would be that they need drivers to get stock off and onto depot and they can get three voyagers for one hst. It could also be that not every driver signs them so running voy/170s is less risk. The latter sounds more plausible.

From the evidence of past disputes where they have been resolved and RDW re-introduced, yes, they will get back to normal. This isn't the first time this has happened!

The problem with those stats, and unfortunately they will be the ones that are probably used, is that they don't include "near misses" and illegal use (running red lights (including pelican crossings) and pavement use) which, as anyone who has experienced them in Birmingham, are by far the major problem for pedestrians and those with wheelchairs and buggies and the blind/partially sighted. So far all the evidence points towards the users being unable to stick to the rules, but unless they start doing some proper research into their misuse I fear they'll be legalised.

I'm puzzled why you added "Guess this will be the end of regular HST working through New St, after what, 40 years?"? As you are aware from the thread it's temporary whilst the Drivers/ASLEF and Management sort themselves out, XC couldn't run their normal timetable without HSTs so I'm sure they'll be back. Unless you have evidence they won't?

The "mild symptoms" at least sounds positive.

Yes I agree, the stats 86% possession, 60 shots, 30 on target 20 goals and 4 hat tricks one of which was a 4. Couldn't get more one sided. I'd be interested to hear what the Latvians think though.

Looks like England ladies are at it again this time Latvia on the receiving end, 10-0 at 53 mins!

Lucky you, the ones I've worked over the past few weeks have had in excess of 2/300 per double set and if we hadn't been running doubles it would have been rather cosy! It does depend on the route, though. York to Newcastle tend to be quiet except at certain times (weekends or some evenings) but South of Leeds we are usually quite busy most if the time. Much of it is short hop custom rather than long distance. Birmingham to Derby Sheffield to Leeds and rush hour Leeds to York and Newcastle to Durham and Darlington. Its much the same on other routes. That's the trouble with XC, it doesn't know if it's a commuter train, long distance IC express or leisure train, we get the lot!

I was replying to Jason who was quoting the rights of a valid train ticket holder just pointing out that replacement buses or taxis aren't provided every time only in certain circumstances. If you are a member of twitter I'd go on their account and ask what you are supposed to do if you want to use one of the intermediate stations if the Baycar doesn't serve it. Interesting to see their reply!

That's if it qualifies for a replacement bus, not all scenarios do, as I mentioned earlier. For example: If they advise people not to travel such as last weekend due to the weather and someone ignores that advice the TOC has no obligation to provide onward transport if the person can't get to their final station. It also applies if someone misses their train due to roadworks or a bus being late.

I really hope not they are a pain in the backside here in Birmingham (part of one of the pilot test sites), especially being ridden illegally, such as running red lights, on pavements, etc., everyone hates them! In my local town the police have confiscated several thank goodness.

I meant for you to ask on twitter, not just look at it! Most TOCs have someone looking at it that will respond quickly though I can only speak for those I know and the Welsh operator I know nothing about.

I think it depends on the cause of the disruption. If its weather I don't think they do as usually other forms of transport has similar issues, though sometimes as with voyagers and Dawlish they'll agree mutual ticket acceptance. I think if its an official dispute such as XCs its the same, no need to replace though again mutual ticket acceptance may be available. Have you checked their website for their t&cs? Or even the hated twitter can be useful in these cases!

I keep saying Katy that i don't disagree with you that things can go wrong, but my experience over the last 25 years (since the cars I am buying started to include electrics) is that they don't. Other people may have different experiences but that's mine. And I'd rather have a reliable modern car as my daily than one I have to keep fettling to ensure it runs ok and will start when i want it to. Other people like Alastair (and you?) prefer the opposite, such is life, we just have different expectations, that's all. You can plug your "easy to fix" (as if an engine change even in an old car is easy!) as much as you want but you won't change my opinion, perhaps best left at that?

It's the same where I am, Jeff, people in large cities don't know how good they have it!

No, they've been doubling up the sets on most of the remaining services, until now! The service hasn't been running at under 50% of pre pandemic either, it's been well above that for quite a while now, it started out at roughly 50% when they got rid of the NCL/SOU/RDG and MAN/BRI/EXD services (the "half hourly" ones at New Street), but they have been creeping back in for some time now, though that'll all be out of the window with this.