http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35293307

Missing staff percentages revealed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35556870

Lack of interest in rail franchises according to Government report.

(12 Feb 2016, 10:54 am)Andreos1 wrote http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35556870

Lack of interest in rail franchises according to Government report.

Makes you wonder where all this competition is, that privatisation was supposed to create...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-gl...t-35725014

New, potentially driverless trains for Glasgow Subway.

(05 Mar 2016, 7:59 am)Andreos1 wrote http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-gl...t-35725014

New, potentially driverless trains for Glasgow Subway.

Meh. Whilst I can understand the cost savings of implementing such units, I always think whether I'd feel comfortable on a train, knowing there's no driver to look after my safety. I've never been on a driverless train, but I plan to use the DLR for the first time, in a couple of months time.

(05 Mar 2016, 10:39 am)Adrian wrote Meh. Whilst I can understand the cost savings of implementing such units, I always think whether I'd feel comfortable on a train, knowing there's no driver to look after my safety. I've never been on a driverless train, but I plan to use the DLR for the first time, in a couple of months time.

The DLR have 'train captains' (I think that is their title), who stand in the centre of the train and use a remote control/push button type device.
Cheaper than a driver?

Going down the incline into Bank without a driver was a strange experience.

(05 Mar 2016, 10:39 am)Adrian wrote Meh. Whilst I can understand the cost savings of implementing such units, I always think whether I'd feel comfortable on a train, knowing there's no driver to look after my safety. I've never been on a driverless train, but I plan to use the DLR for the first time, in a couple of months time.

Because I have family in the Kidbrooke area of South East London I go 14 times a year, I use the D.L.R, you get used to it. They can take quite a long time however in comparison to Southeastern trains. I recommend the Canary Wharf area

(05 Mar 2016, 10:39 am)Adrian wrote Meh. Whilst I can understand the cost savings of implementing such units, I always think whether I'd feel comfortable on a train, knowing there's no driver to look after my safety. I've never been on a driverless train, but I plan to use the DLR for the first time, in a couple of months time.

I really quite like the DLR in comparison with the tube. It's quite cool when they lift up the front box and manually drive it from there. I quite like the ride. Saying that, I'd much prefer to take the Overground any day.

And if you get the Central, Northern, Jubilee or the Victoria (possibly other lines, too), most of the drivers are there to simply open and close the doors. I suppose there's always that safety factor of them being able to take over in an emergency.

The first IEP to begin Main Line testing has took place today, Near Biggleswade and Sandy on the ECML https://www.flickr.com/photos/steam60163...otostream/
This is a Great Western Bi-Mode Unit

(11 Mar 2016, 9:55 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote The first IEP to begin Main Line testing has took place today, Near Biggleswade and Sandy on the ECML https://www.flickr.com/photos/steam60163...otostream/
This is a Great Western Bi-Mode Unit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hr9_yEdBEY&sns=tw

Hi all,

For the past few days, since my trip up to Aberdeen, I've started to read up on trains again, but I still don't quite understand how the whole thing works?

How does the 'bidding' process take place? How are trains bought by the operating company (though I understand they're leased?)?

Any help would be appreciated guys, thank you!

Rolling stock is bought by ROSCOs ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_...ng_company ) and then leased to various operating companies.

The railway network is made up of various franchises; which private operators bid to run when the franchise is up for renewal. A rather controversial situation especially when you have Stagecoach running all three principal routes between London and the North (they half own Virgin Trains, and EMT is fully Stagecoach).

Other operators run on the network on an Open Access basis; essentially extra services which are not franchised. One example is Grand Central, part of Arriva.

(28 Mar 2016, 11:26 pm)northern156 wrote Rolling stock is bought by ROSCOs ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_...ng_company ) and then leased to various operating companies.

The railway network is made up of various franchises; which private operators bid to run when the franchise is up for renewal. A rather controversial situation especially when you have Stagecoach running all three principal routes between London and the North (they half own Virgin Trains, and EMT is fully Stagecoach).

Other operators run on the network on an Open Access basis; essentially extra services which are not franchised. One example is Grand Central, part of Arriva.

Cheers, it's all making a lot more sense to me now

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/spo...train.html

Players and supporters to travel on 'vintage steam train'.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-36196948

The guy who has taken a photo of every station in Britain.
Lots of references to the NE.

I was on board a clever train yesterday in LEGOLAND Windsor of all places which uses a pulley system to control it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMWTEe3vSyQ
http://www.hows.org.uk/personal/rail/lego.htm

(01 Jun 2016, 2:09 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I was on board a clever train yesterday in LEGOLAND Windsor of all places which uses a pulley system to control it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMWTEe3vSyQ
http://www.hows.org.uk/personal/rail/lego.htm

I think northern156 would be trying to claim this as haulage on RailMiles... 

(01 Jun 2016, 2:09 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I was on board a clever train yesterday in LEGOLAND Windsor of all places which uses a pulley system to control it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMWTEe3vSyQ
http://www.hows.org.uk/personal/rail/lego.htm

I imagine it works on the same sort principle as cliff railways - such as the ones found at Scarborough and Saltburn (if the latter still exists).

The use of gauntlet track at Legoland Windsor is interesting too. Croydon Tramlink also uses gauntlet track on a section near Mitcham.

(01 Jun 2016, 2:09 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I was on board a clever train yesterday in LEGOLAND Windsor of all places which uses a pulley system to control it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMWTEe3vSyQ
http://www.hows.org.uk/personal/rail/lego.htm

You could have gone to the Bowes Railway man. Similar set up there with the rope pulleys.

(01 Jun 2016, 2:09 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I was on board a clever train yesterday in LEGOLAND Windsor of all places which uses a pulley system to control it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMWTEe3vSyQ
http://www.hows.org.uk/personal/rail/lego.htm

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BGo7sDZVVJ0

I had the pleasure of riding the Tibidabo railway in Barcelona last year. A similar set up but with full size train cars, a lot steeper and a lot older with a lot more creaking noises!

(02 Jun 2016, 8:43 am)James101 wrote https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BGo7sDZVVJ0

I had the pleasure of riding the Tibidabo railway in Barcelona last year. A similar set up but with full size train cars, a lot steeper and a lot older with a lot more creaking noises!

Ah, but I was in LEGOLAND anyway, maybe Barcelona in a few years, having said that, my school has a school trip next year so I may get on it then

I have an odd question about rail fares:
I am flying from Gatwick-Montego Bay in a years time, at present an open return 1 adult three children is £174.90 looking as far ahead as possible using VTEC NCL-KGX, the Victoria line as far as Victoria then the Gatwick Express. The North terminal car park at Gatwick is shut when I am there so a Premier Inn Park and Fly plus fuel costs equals about £15 more than the train, with rising fares will it become in nine months time when I could book train tickets will it still be better value?

(02 Jun 2016, 10:32 am)NK53 TKT wrote I have an odd question about rail fares:
I am flying from Gatwick-Montego Bay in a years time, at present an open return 1 adult three children is £174.90 looking as far ahead as possible using VTEC NCL-KGX, the Victoria line as far as Victoria then the Gatwick Express. The North terminal car park at Gatwick is shut when I am there so a Premier Inn Park and Fly plus fuel costs equals about £15 more than the train, with rising fares will it become in nine months time when I could book train tickets will it still be better value?

Have you (or your parents), looked at the railcard discounts?

(02 Jun 2016, 10:32 am)NK53 TKT wrote I have an odd question about rail fares:
I am flying from Gatwick-Montego Bay in a years time, at present an open return 1 adult three children is £174.90 looking as far ahead as possible using VTEC NCL-KGX, the Victoria line as far as Victoria then the Gatwick Express. The North terminal car park at Gatwick is shut when I am there so a Premier Inn Park and Fly plus fuel costs equals about £15 more than the train, with rising fares will it become in nine months time when I could book train tickets will it still be better value?

If I were you, I'd book NCL - KGX then hop it to STP and catch the Thameslink. One train straight from over the road and I swear it's cheaper than GatEx.

(02 Jun 2016, 11:06 am)8222 wrote If I were you, I'd book NCL - KGX then hop it to STP and catch the Thameslink. One train straight from over the road and I swear it's cheaper than GatEx.

Or even try GC SUN-KGX. I regularly travel SUN - KGX and GC southbound are usually cheaper from my experience. Northbound can vary, but again, GC often are cheaper.

(02 Jun 2016, 10:59 am)Andreos1 wrote Have you (or your parents), looked at the railcard discounts?

I should've mentioned that it includes a Family & Friends Railcard

(02 Jun 2016, 11:06 am)8222 wrote If I were you, I'd book NCL - KGX then hop it to STP and catch the Thameslink. One train straight from over the road and I swear it's cheaper than GatEx.

I just went on the VTEC website, I am aware that thameslink would be a bit less hassle free, but I think it would be busy with 4 full size suitcases

(02 Jun 2016, 11:16 am)NK53 TKT wrote I just went on the VTEC website, I am aware that thameslink would be a bit less hassle free, but I think it would be busy with 4 full size suitcases

I've done it several times and honestly - it's not that bad at all.

(02 Jun 2016, 11:07 am)8222 wrote Or even try GC SUN-KGX. I regularly travel SUN - KGX and GC southbound are usually cheaper from my experience. Northbound can vary, but again, GC often are cheaper.

I definitely won't be going Grand Central as it would take longer and I need to be at Gatwick by 20:30 and if I get on the 16:00 VTEC train from Newcastle I can get there at 20:15, just the flight leaves at 10:20 in the morning

(02 Jun 2016, 11:17 am)NK53 TKT wrote I definitely won't be going Grand Central as it would take longer and I need to be at Gatwick by 20:30 and if I get on the 16:00 VTEC train from Newcastle I can get there at 20:15, just the flight leaves at 10:20 in the morning

I think cases and the Victoria line would be a nightmare I should imagine. Even on my frequent hops on the Piccadilly line  to LHR, which is meant to have extra case room, there's not that much extra. The Thameslink trains are quite spacious and at that time, they won't be too bad from experience. The standard off-peak single fare looks to be about £10. I'm sure they do advance tickets for cheaper.