D854_Tiger Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 While I agree that it is almost impossible to avoid politics when discussing the modern railway (and probably always was, as many parliamentary decisions on railway Bills were extremely perverse), we need to respect that this forum is provided for us to rabbit on endlessly, completely free of charge, by Andy and his colleagues. So it is their rules we must follow. I admit that at times I have broken them. Jonathan Whenever I stumble onto politics I would hope I always do so in an impartial way (thus arguing that I'm avoiding politics) but will at times inevitably fail (we all do) for which I would always apologise. However, stuff that, so can I appeal to you all to vote Monster Raving Looney Party as one of their candidates assured me it was their party's policy to turn the entire country into one big train set and let all the kids under ten drive the trains, whilst all the adults are busy running International Rescue and flying Thunderbirds. Now where were they when I needed them. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Storey Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Whenever I stumble onto politics I would hope I always do so in an impartial way (thus arguing that I'm avoiding politics) but will at times inevitably fail (we all do) for which I would always apologise. However, stuff that, so can I appeal to you all to vote Monster Raving Looney Party as one of their candidates assured me it was their party's policy to turn the entire country into one big train set and let all the kids under ten drive the trains, whilst all the adults are busy running International Rescue and flying Thunderbirds. Now where were they when I needed them. Child labour? I thought that was a different party?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 96701 Posted February 6, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 6, 2018 For goodness sake, can we get back to GWML Electrification? If people really want to discuss methods of funding, then please start another topic. I'm fed up of dropping in here to see what progress there is to find that the topic is drowned out with opinion and polemic. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJGraphics Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 For goodness sake, can we get back to GWML Electrification? If people really want to discuss methods of funding, then please start another topic. I'm fed up of dropping in here to see what progress there is to find that the topic is drowned out with opinion and polemic. Sooner the better! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted February 7, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 7, 2018 For goodness sake, can we get back to GWML Electrification? If people really want to discuss methods of funding, then please start another topic. I'm fed up of dropping in here to see what progress there is to find that the topic is drowned out with opinion and polemic. I noticed the other day when passing over a road bridge that masts (only) now look fairly complete immediately to the east of the Burghfield Road overbridge back towards Southcote Jcn. In general reasonable progress seems to be occurring on the Newbury line. And just to refer back to an earlier but partially OT post Govt 'interference' through legislation first began to affect railways in Britain in 1839 and while various things were legally required as a result of legislation in ensuing years a really big change came in 1863 when the Board of Trade was given powers to insist that railway companies, at their own expense, provided bridges to replace level crossings. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DavidLong Posted February 8, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 8, 2018 Those were the days! https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/the-northerner/2014/may/08/railways-electrification-trains-british-rail-network I have a copy of that poster in my railway room. Inspiring times! David 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D854_Tiger Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Those were the days! https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/the-northerner/2014/may/08/railways-electrification-trains-british-rail-network I have a copy of that poster in my railway room. Inspiring times! David In those days, they had lots of alternative routes (that weren't already congested) to divert the existing traffic over. For over five years in the 1960s, the Snow Hill route became the de-facto main line between London and the West Midlands and likewise the Midland route between London and Manchester. The GW has some alternative routes but most of them are way too busy already. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Storey Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Those were the days! https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/the-northerner/2014/may/08/railways-electrification-trains-british-rail-network I have a copy of that poster in my railway room. Inspiring times! David Doncha just love the Grauniad? BR apparently used a very naughty Baring machine........ 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Northroader Posted February 8, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 8, 2018 In those days, they had lots of alternative routes (that weren't already congested) to divert the existing traffic over. For over five years in the 1960s, the Snow Hill route became the de-facto main line between London and the West Midlands and likewise the Midland route between London and Manchester. The GW has some alternative routes but most of them are way too busy already. Yes, but once the Euston - Crewe was done, the GWR Route was run down, and Derby - Manchester closed, so that the bean counters could make sure every bit of traffic went on the electrified route to justify the expense. Watch what happens when HS2 is done, (if ever) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Doncha just love the Grauniad? BR apparently used a very naughty Baring machine........ Presumably that's a device for removing people's clothes. Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DavidLong Posted February 8, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 8, 2018 Doncha just love the Grauniad? BR apparently used a very naughty Baring machine........ Those pesky typesetters . . . David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jamie92208 Posted February 8, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 8, 2018 Those pesky typesetters . . . David Private Eye have had much fun with the Grauniad for many, many years. I can remember one where during a dock strike the parties had agreed to go into meditation. Jamie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D854_Tiger Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Private Eye have had much fun with the Grauniad for many, many years. I can remember one where during a dock strike the parties had agreed to go into meditation. Jamie The best one I heard wasn't a typo, one of their reports of an athletics meeting, where apparently approaching the finishing line, sprinter Kathy Smallwood spread her legs and showed her class. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 The best one I heard wasn't a typo, one of their reports of an athletics meeting, where apparently approaching the finishing line, sprinter Kathy Smallwood spread her legs and showed her class. ...after which she was banned from teaching. Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
APOLLO Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Yes the gubbermint did things properly many years ago. Look what you got for 3/ 6d !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brit15 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
talisman56 Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 (edited) The best one I heard wasn't a typo, one of their reports of an athletics meeting, where apparently approaching the finishing line, sprinter Kathy Smallwood spread her legs and showed her class. ...presumably a take on the old Ron Pickering commentary 'Colemanball': While describing an 800m race Ron Pickering said: 'And there goes Juantorena down the back straight, opening his legs and showing his class'. Unfortuntely over time it has been mistakenly attributed to David Coleman... Edited February 8, 2018 by talisman56 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D854_Tiger Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 ...presumably a take on the old Ron Pickering commentary 'Colemanball': While describing an 800m race Ron Pickering said: 'And there goes Juantorena down the back straight, opening his legs and showing his class'. Unfortuntely over time it has been mistakenly attributed to David Coleman... These things always develop a life of their own. I'm convinced I first heard the famous 'who reads the newspapers' joke, concerning who is supposed to run the country, and always attributed to Yes Minister emerge first from the lips of Dave Allen. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin_m Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 The best "bludner" I ever heard was from the BBC Today programme circa 2004. In connection with the Middle East peace process, someone or other was hoping to "derail the road map before it even got off the ground". 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.hill64 Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 Yes the gubbermint did things properly many years ago. Look what you got for 3/ 6d !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brit15 Mouse duly observed............ 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJS1977 Posted February 11, 2018 Share Posted February 11, 2018 The best "bludner" I ever heard was from the BBC Today programme circa 2004. In connection with the Middle East peace process, someone or other was hoping to "derail the road map before it even got off the ground". Like the one I read the other day about "Stepping up to the plate someone else has left on the table." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted February 11, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 11, 2018 Getting back to GW electrification I have been doing a bit more timetable research for a missive to our local 'paper and found a brilliant comparison. I'm looking at off-peak journey times and noted that in the Winter 1952/53 timetable one could do the journey on one particular train from Paddington in exactly 70 minutes (most of the others took much longer) . Coincidentally you can do the same journey today leaving Paddington 2 minutes later and getting the same arrival time at the other end as you did in 1952. Or putting it another way there has been a 2 minute reduction in journey time over a period of 65 years should you wish to leave London mid-morning. What price electrification? 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted February 11, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 11, 2018 Getting back to GW electrification I have been doing a bit more timetable research for a missive to our local 'paper and found a brilliant comparison. I'm looking at off-peak journey times and noted that in the Winter 1952/53 timetable one could do the journey on one particular train from Paddington in exactly 70 minutes (most of the others took much longer) . Coincidentally you can do the same journey today leaving Paddington 2 minutes later and getting the same arrival time at the other end as you did in 1952. Or putting it another way there has been a 2 minute reduction in journey time over a period of 65 years should you wish to leave London mid-morning. What price electrification? One hopes that you will post a link to it, if and when they publish it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny777 Posted February 11, 2018 Share Posted February 11, 2018 Like the one I read the other day about "Stepping up to the plate someone else has left on the table." There was a sports one many years ago, from a Premiership rugby match where the commentators were talking about scrums collapsing repeatedly; when the summariser said something like "well it has been well known for years that Bath hookers will go down as soon as they get any chance". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Kazmierczak Posted February 11, 2018 Share Posted February 11, 2018 Worth listening to some of the BBC commentators at the Winter Olympics at the moment..... You sometimes think, did they really say that? 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Northroader Posted February 11, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 11, 2018 Getting back to GW electrification I have been doing a bit more timetable research for a missive to our local 'paper and found a brilliant comparison. I'm looking at off-peak journey times and noted that in the Winter 1952/53 timetable one could do the journey on one particular train from Paddington in exactly 70 minutes (most of the others took much longer) . Coincidentally you can do the same journey today leaving Paddington 2 minutes later and getting the same arrival time at the other end as you did in 1952. Or putting it another way there has been a 2 minute reduction in journey time over a period of 65 years should you wish to leave London mid-morning. What price electrification? Well, dear boy, trains are a bit lighter these days, don’t you know? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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