High-Speed Handbacks Could Save NR £250,000 A Week
The title of this post is the same as that, of this article on Rail Technology Magazine.
The article described how by using a more sophisticated tamping machine, Network Rail are able to hand the track back faster after maintenance.
Many businesses, as Network Rail do here, use outdated processes to do regular tasks.
Often by using an improved procedure, companies can save money.
In this instance, Network Rail are saving enough in a year to perhaps build a small station.
Can you be sure, you use the best processes in your business?
Government Must Commit To Investment In Rail Freight Connections To Ports
The title of this post, as the same as that, of this article in Rail Technology Magazine.
This is the first two paragraphs.
etter connections between English ports could boost the nation’s economy, a new study has shown.
The study of England’s port connectivity found that improved rail links could provide more effective freight journeys between key economic areas and ports, which would in turn boost productivity, provide lower costs and give access to international markets.
The study, as might be expected is comprehensive, and is this document on the Government web site.
If you need to know more about road and rail projects to the ports of England, it is a good place to start.
The Site Of The New Meridian Water Station – 25th April 2018
These pictures show the site of the new Meridian Water station.
The site is substantial and the station will feature four platforms and a walking and cycling route over the West Anglia Main Line.
FOBT Stakes Should Be Limited To £2
This is the title on The Thunderer column in The Times today.
If you don’t know, FOBTs are Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, which have been described as the crack-cocaine of gambling.
I have never seen, let alone used one, as when I have a bet, it’s usually on a horse or an event like I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! using the Internet.
The odd thing about this Thunderer comment is not the comment itself, with which I agree totally.
It’s just that it is joint comment, written by.
- Carolyn Harris, who is the Labour MP for Swansea East.
- Iain Douglas smith, who is the Conservative MP for Chingford Green
East and West, Left and Right have met in a good cause.
Surely, we should have more cooperation like this!
Northumberland Park Station – 25th April 2018
These pictures were taken of the rebuilding of Northumberland Park station.
The light coloured bridge is one of the first elements of the new station, whereas the dark bridge is a temporary structure to allow passenger access during the works.
The STAR Track Connection At Lea Bridge Station – 25th April 2018
This picture taken from the end of the platform at Lea Bridge station, shows the new connection, that links the third track being built to the Lea Valley Lines though the station.
Note how trains going North will be able to join the third track and those coming South can join the track to Stratford.
These pictures were taken as I took a train North, a few minutes later.
Note the track layout and that nothing is completed yet.
This map from carto.metro.free.fr shows the track layout at Lea Bridge station.
Note.
- The original track layout from the 1800s is shown dotted.
- The original crossover was a double one.
- Lea Bridge station used to have a third bay platform and space has been left for one.
- The two parallel tracks originally connected via the Hall Farm Curve to the Chingford Branch.
This Google Map shows the area to the East of where the Lea Valley Lines and the Chingford Branch cross.
Adding in the curve at a later date would not appear to be compromised, by the current works.
I’m Now Following The Queen’s Example
By Legend, the Queen never carries any cash.
I’m now deliberately following a similar policy, but I only use a contactless bank card for most of my daily purchases, like my paper and food.
I’ve even still got a couple of John Lewis vouchers gathering dust in my wallet, as sincve the new M & S Food opened in Dalston, I rarely go need a Waitrose.
One thing I find with M & S Food, is that on a typical purchase the average price is two pounds per item. So to keep under the thirty pound contactless limit, I rarely buy more than fourteen items. These unusually fit easily into usable bag.
Buying my paper in M & S or a station also means I can use contactless for the purchase.
A couple of days ago, I was approached by an aggressive tin rattler for a charity I would never suppose because of some of their practices. So I waved my card and asked. “Do you do conactless?” I got a smiling “Sorry! No!”
I still use cash for three purposes.
- Restaurants with waiter/waitress service, so the tips go to the staff. It also means at busy times, in cafes I use a lot, I always get a table.
- Black cabs, when I occasionally use one.
- Personal services from local tradesmen, where the value is small. Otherwise it’s a bank transfer.
But it’s amazing, how little cash you now need.
50% Of All TfL Pay As You Go Journeys Are Now Made Using Contactless Payments.
The title of this post is the same as the title of this article on SmartRailWorld.
This is the first paragraph.
Londoners and visitors to the British capital have embraced the contactless way to pay, with more than 17 million pay as you go journeys on bus, Tube and rail services made a week using the technology according to the latest figures from Transport for London (TfL). This total equates to around half of all pay as you go journeys now being made using contactless payment cards or mobile devices.
The article goes on to say New York and Sydney are going to similar systems.
Can anybody tell me, why other large cities and conurbations in the UK, aren’t installing similar systems based on contactless payments?
Especially, as London ain’t seen nothing yet!
The Anonymous Widower 