My Worry About HS2
HS2 is the proposed new high-speed railway to Birmingham, the north of England and Scotland.
I have my doubts about the viability of the line, but feel that it should be built, if only to release capacity on the other main lines to the north for freight.
My big worry though is that because so many Nimbys oppose HS2, then there will be opportunity for a political party to stand at the next election on an anti-HS2 ticket. After all the cost of the line at £32billion would go a long way in other directions.
It would be unlikely that the Conservatives or Liberal Democrats would do this, as it is their policy, but the Labour Party might despite it being theirs too! After all power is everything!
I can’t see the Greens being against HS2, but UKIP is according to this on their web site.
So will all those opposed to HS2 vote for UKIP?
I certainly hope not!
You’re Never Far From a Rat in London
I took this picture on the Greenway by the ViewTube yesterday.
You're Never Far From a Rat in London
As I was standing on top of the Northern Outfall Sewer, which lies under the Greenway, I suppose this is to be expected.
Crossrail and Pudding Mill Lane
Crossrail is also getting in on the act, just to the south-west of the Olympic site. It will emerge by the Pudding Mill Lane station on the DLR. These are some pictures I took yesterday.
Unfortunately, the angles from the station doesn’t allow any decent pictures of the construction of the Crossrail portal to be taken.
The Greenway Bridge Over Stratford High Street Nears Completion
I took some pictures of this bridge in September last year.
Here are some more recent ones from yesterday.
It looks like it’ll be on time for the Olympics.
A High Speed Diesel Train at Castle Cary
I took this video of a High Speed Diesel Train at Castle Cary station some time ago.
I think though, that it sums up the grace and pace of probably the best diesel train ever built. It’s certainly the fastest in regular service and has proved that good engineering is timeless.
The railway industry and press is now saying that these trains will still be running to Devon and Cornwall from London in 2035, which will make them about sixty-five years old. I don’t believe that all will be retired even then, especially as they have other uses like the Flying Banana. But with another refurbishment to include coach rewiring, power doors and better toilets, they would make superb trains to take leisure passengers to the far-flung parts of the UK.
The Anonymous Widower 