Recent content by superjohn

The MET sets are strange survivors. There are only two diagrams left, both for seven car sets, and one of those only runs at the weekend. Where they are used DB often pass them off as ICE. I suspect they are being rinsed until their next overhaul is due and they will then be withdrawn. Some...

Both. “Collins” = Phil Collins, “Nic Collins” = his son.

The existing sleepers haven’t had a restaurant car for years, just compartment service from the host. I imagine the very low passenger capacity of sleepers would make meal service even less viable than on day trains. The portion working would be a problem as well, a restaurant car per portion...

The problem for the government is giving the impression they want to stop immigration in order to appease a significant proportion of their voter base while actually allowing or perhaps encouraging it for the economic benefits. Legal migrants are required to maintain the workforce in the face...

Nothing in Switzerland is reasonably priced!

I understand one of Phil Collins’ sons is now playing drums at Genesis performances. For those interested, I can recommend the Rockonteurs podcast presented by Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt. They interviewed Mike Rutherford in a recent episode and he talked about the tour. They have had lots of other...

Could be a staffing thing. Perhaps extra crew boarded at Reading enabling the other unit to be used.

755411 was on the 2059 Manningtree to Harwich Town tonight. Is this a common occurrence?

Are you sure it isn’t valid? Looking at BR fares it looks like the return portion is only prohibited 1630-1830 on Saturdays and Sundays, so you should be good to go. https://www.brfares.com/!faredetail?orig=WVH&dest=EUS&expert=on&flow=5&multi=0&fare=11&tkt=SSR

Usually to be found around Dereham Station or yard if they are not in service.

Are continental journeys allowed? If they are some of the long distance Eurocity trains will be in with a shot. For example EC218 from Graz to Erfurt reverses no less than five times on its thirteen hour journey; at Selzthal, Bischofshofen, Munich, Stuttgart and Frankfurt. Same loco throughout...

Could it be a PR friendly way of describing a SPAD? If a relieving driver was required it may have taken a while to arrange.

For all but the most extreme off road situations that kind of control is entirely unnecessary. For normal driving an automatic does know best, in terms of maintaining control, fuel efficiency and protecting the mechanical components.

No problems with buying in Tesco or Sainsbury’s though. Viz is a bit of a grey area, it does state “Not for sale to children” on the cover but it seems to be down to the retailer to enforce that. Some of the strips are very near the knuckle, George Bestial springs to mind although the worst...

Getting back to things I would ban: Cars with manual transmission! I’ve just had a manual courtesy car for a day and I am baffled as to who is buying these things. I know they can be slightly cheaper but for someone contemplating the large expense of a brand new car it isn’t that much of a...