The Lady On The Train
One of the most amazing people, I’ve ever met was a New York State Supreme Court Judge. It is wrong to guess a lady’s edge, but she was about my age; late seventies, black, well-dressed and sat down next to me in Second Class with the biggest smile on her face on the train between Cambridge and London.
She was at a legal conference of senior judges from all over the world at Cambridge University and was going exploring in London.
The reason for the smile was extraordinary. When she went to the ticket counter, she was surprised that the Pakistani-as-she-described him ticket guy asked for her age. He then asked, if she would be doing any other travelling in the UK and when she said yes, he sold her a Senior Railcard as well. She had found it such a surreal experience, that would never have happened in the States that she was still laughing, when the sat down.
She could of course have been not just a New York State Supreme Court Judge, but a full United States Supreme Court Judge and I’d misheard, although I doubt she would have been one of Trump’s picks last time around.
I do hope that when Trump finds himself in the United States Supreme Court as he inevitably will, that she is there to give her verdict.
Rolls-Royce Powers World’s Fastest Offshore Crew Transfer Vessels
The title of this post, is the same as that of this news item from Rolls-Royce.
These three bullet points, act as sub-headings.
- Sea trials demonstrate maximum speed exceeding 53 knots under operational load.
- Each of the three ships is powered by four 16-cylinder mtu Series 2000 engines.
- 35-meter ships are designed as “Surface Effect Ships” (SES)
This is the introductory paragraph.
The Singapore shipbuilder Strategic Marine has commissioned three new offshore supply vessels that, with a maximum speed of over 53 knots, are the fastest of their kind in the world. Each vessel is powered by four 16-cylinder mtu Series 2000M72 engines from Rolls-Royce. The vessels will be used by a national oil company in Africa for passenger transfer to offshore platforms. To enable fast and safe transfer, the 35-meter-long vessels were designed as so-called “Surface Effect Ships”.
This Rolls-Royce image shows one of the Crew Transfer Vessels at 50 knots.
On a slightly different tack, this Rolls-Royce image shows The Spirit of Innovation.
Rolls-Royce described it in this press release which is entitled ‘Spirit of Innovation’ Stakes Claim To Be The World’s Fastest All-Electric Vehicle, using these words.
During its record-breaking runs, the aircraft clocked up a maximum speed of 623 km/h (387.4 mph) which we believe makes the ‘Spirit of Innovation’ the world’s fastest all-electric vehicle.
I’ve probably been over 1,300 mph in Concorde.
So are the three offshore supply vessels, the fastest of their kind in the world?
This video shows one of the Crew Transfer Vessels doing, what they are intended to do.
Rolls-Royce seem to be borrowing a philosophy from their past, where they showed in the Schneider Trophy, just what their engines could do.
These two paragraphs describe the design of the Crew Transfer Vessels.
To enable fast and safe passenger transfer to offshore platforms, the 35-meter-long vessels have been designed as so-called “Surface Effect Ships” (SES). SES uses air-cushion technology within a catamaran hull form. This design was used for the first time in the offshore oil and gas industry.
The boats have an optimized power-to-weight ratio and use powerful fans to generate an air cushion between the hulls that minimizes hull drag and resistance. Combined with the mtu propulsion package (each delivering 5,760 kW of power), the vessels can travel at much higher speeds than conventional monohulls and catamarans, with consumption remaining at the same per hour of operations. The high speed of well over 50 knots (more than 90 km/h) ensures shorter transit times, while the low hull resistance saves fuel and reduces emissions.
I believe, that the Rolls-Royce mtu diesel engines used in these vessels can also be fueled by hydrogen, so is that the next development?
Could we be seeing hydrogen-powered fast ferries on short sea routes around the world?
Cleethorpes-London Service Delayed At Least A Year
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
The reintroduction of a direct rail service between North East Lincolnshire and London has been delayed for at least another year
These are the first three paragraphs.
Train operator LNER planned to introduce the route from Cleethorpes via Grimsby, Lincoln and Market Rasen to the capital last month.
It is now hoped the service will be available when the East Coast mainline timetable changes are brought at the end of this year.
However, it could be longer due to required improvements to Market Rasen station, which could cost up to £20m.
It looks to me, that to paraphrase a well known project management phrase, LNER got their ducks in the wrong order.
According to the BBC article, the local MPs are not amused.
Hull Trains Eyes Worksop And Sheffield Launch
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Railway Gazette.
These are the two introductory paragraphs of the article.
Hull Trains’ proposed London King’s Cross – Worksop – Sheffield open access service would ‘give people more choice’, offer more flexibility in train fares and make the area better known, according to Labour Member of Parliament for Bassetlaw Jo White.
Speaking at the launch of FirstGroup’s Moving forward together: Why open access is essential for a better railway report on January 21, White said the service would increase opportunities for the growing population of Worksop, where new housing being built. Looking back at the history of open access, she said East Hull MP John Prescott had been a supporter of the original launch of Hull Trains.
I suspect that the ebullient John Prescott would have given full backing to Hull Trains proposed Sheffield service.
I have some thoughts about Hull Trains proposed service.
London Overground Syndrome
I am fairly certain, that this service will suffer from from London Overground Syndrome, which is defined like this.
This benign disease, which is probably a modern version of the Victorian railway mania, was first identified in East London in 2011, when it was found that the newly-refurbished East London Line and North London Line were inadequate due to high passenger satisfaction and much increased usage. It has now spread across other parts of the capital, despite various eradication programs.
It may be for slightly different reasons, but as Workshop station has good car parking and could have fast trains to London, it could attract passengers.
But I don’t think two trains per day will be enough.
Tram-Trains Between Sheffield And Retford Via Worksop
Consider.
- It’s under twenty-five miles between Sheffield and Retford, so this route would be possible using battery-electric tram trains, similar to those in South Wales.
- These tram-trains would also be suitable for the Robin Hood Line between Nottingham and Worksop via Mansfield.
- The speed limits are not fast and the distances are not great and I suspect battery-electric versions of Sheffield’s tram trains could handle all routes.
- By using temporal separation, Hull Trains services could be sneaked in early and late in the day.
As both cities of Nottingham and Sheffield have used or thought about using tram-trains, I’m sure Stadler could provide a suitable tram-train, that could work in the two cities and all the branch lines that used to serve the numerous coal mines.
It would be levelling up on a big way.
It could grow into a very comprehensive East Midlands Metro, that also served Derby, Doncaster and possibly Lincoln.
Stadler’s products can certainly be configured in many unusual ways.
Great British Railways And Private Sector To Compete For Ticket Sales
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Railway Gazette.
This is the introductory paragraph.
The Department for Transport has announced that the future Great British Railways will sell tickets online, while retaining a ‘thriving’ private sector market where third party ticket retailers can compete in an ‘open and fair’ manner.
I would certainly like to see more innovation in the selling of rail tickets.
A few things I would like to see in ticketing include.
Ticketing Machines At Busy Interchanges
When, I wrote My First Trip On The Northumberland Line – 18th December 2024, I bought my Lumo ticket between Kings Cross and Newcastle at King’s Cross and needed to buy my ticket for Ashington at Newcastle station.
There is no ticket machine on the long walk between where Lumo trains arrive and leave and the Northumberland Line.
This is a common problem and someone needs to design a ticketing machine for interchanges to simplify the changing of trains for passengers.
Stations that need such a machine include.
- Clapham Junction on the bridge.
- Ipswich on the central platform.
- Leeds on the bridge.
- Reading on the bridge.
It should be noted, that in some cases train staff will sell you a ticket, which gets round the problem. But other train companies are getting tough on revenue enforcement.
These ticket machines could be provided by Great British Railways or a private company.
Automatic Freedom Pass Extension
If I don’t want to buy a physical ticket for Gatwick Airport, I can use my Freedom Pass to East Croydon. Then I exit the station and come back in using a credit card or my phone. I then exit at Gatwick, using the method I used to reenter at East Croydon.
But wouldn’t it be so much easier, if I could link a credit card to my Freedom Pass, so that the charge for East Croydon and Gatwick Airport was automatically charged to my credit card.
Collection Of Tickets
In Collecting National Rail Tickets, I had a moan at Transport for London about their unwillingness to provide facilities for passengers to pick up National Rail tickets.
This was their unfriendly notice at Tottenham Court Road station.
Facilities should be provided in many more places, where passengers can pick up rail tickets bought on-line.
These ticket collection machines could be provided by Great British Railways or a private company.
Another Possible Reason Not To Buy An Electric Car!
As some will have noticed from this blog; I don’t drive and I don’t even have a car.
But then I wouldn’t buy an electric car.
- The range is pathetic and totally out of my comfort zone after sixty years of driving.
- Like my father I like lightweight vehicles and the weight of an electric car is just too heavy.
- The price of an electric car is totally unsustainable when compared to that of a petrol or diesel car.
- The environmental profile of a large lithium-ion battery is not good and could be improved.
I would say, that an electric car’s payload/price/range/weight profile is totally inferior to that of your average petrol or diesel car today. If petrol or diesel fuel were still available, I wouldn’t give an electric car house room. Luckily because a stroke ruined my eyesight, it’s a choice I don’t have to make.
Yesterday evening, another reason not to buy an electric car reared its ugly head.
Opposite my house is a public charging point for electric vehicles, that was installed by a company in co-operation with Hackney Council.
A driver parked their Tesla by the charger and plugged it in.
When they returned to the car, the charger cable had been stolen.
I suspect that a new cable and getting going again wasn’t very affordable.
Is British Airways Getting A Boost From The Lizzie Line?
This article in The Times is entitled Everyone Bashes It But BA Is Surging Ahead …What’s Its Secret?
Various managerial reasons are given, but the Lizzie Line is not mentioned.
live in Dalston and for Heathrow, I take a twenty minute bus-ride and then use the Lizzie Line from Moorgate.
Before Lizzie, I used to take a variety of much slower routes.
If you get on a Lizzie Line train to or from Heathrow in Central London, it’s often very crowded, showing how popular it is with knowledgeable passengers.
London’s new line has made it easier, quicker and more affordable to get to Heathrow by train for many people in England.
So are passengers flying from Heathrow more?
And who’s the dominant carrier at Heathrow? BA!
Council Opposes Six Track Plan For East West Rail
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
Councillors have voted to oppose part of a major railway line being built through their district.
These four paragraphs add detail to the story
Bedford Borough Council wants the East West Rail (EWR) line to be made up of four tracks, rather than six, in the Poets area north of the town.
Thirty-seven homes would need to be demolished in order to accommodate the two additional tracks.
However, in their full-council meeting on Wednesday, members agreed to support other parts of the project, such as the relocation of Stewartby station and the closure of Kempston Hardwick.
An EWR spokesperson said it was committed to working with local communities.
This OpenRailwayMap shows the Midland Main Line and the East-West Rail through Bedford.
Note.
- The solid orange line running from the North-West corner of the map to its Southern edge is the electrified Midland Main Line.
- The blue arrow on this line indicates Bedford station.
- The blue lettering to the South-East of Bedford station, indicates Bedford St. Johns station.
- The yellow line connecting the two stations is the Eastern end of the Marston Vale Line, which connects Bedford and Bletchley stations.
- The Marston Vale Line will be taken over by the East-West Rail.
- Just North of Bedford station is Bedford North junction.
The East-West Rail branches away from Bedford North junction to the North-East on its way to Cambridge. It is shown as a dotted orange line.
This OpenRailwayMap shows Bedford station to a larger scale.
Note,
- The Western pair of orange lines are the current fast lines of the Midland Main Line.
- The Eastern pair of orange lines are the current slow lines of the Midland Main Line.
- To the East the orange dotted line shows indicates a proposed route of the East-West Rail.
- There appear to be crossovers that allow East-West Rail services to use Platforms 1 and 2 through Bedford station.
Between the Midland Main Line and East-West Rail platforms, the current Platform 1A used by the Marston Vale Line can be seen.
This picture show the current Marston Vale Line platform at Bedford station,
Note.
- The Marston Vale Line platform is on the left.
- It is numbered 1A.
- The platform is electrified, so can it be it used to terminate some Thameslink services.
It could also be used to terminate East-West Rail services from the West and if they were battery-electric trains they could be charged.
Oxford and Bedford is 51 miles or 82 kilometers, which is within range of a modern battery-electric train. Es[ecially, if it did a ‘splash and dash’ at Milton Keynes Central or Bletchley!
This OpenRailwayMap shows the lines to the North of Bedford station.
Note.
- The current four-track Midland Main Line running diagonally across the map.
- The East-West Rail running along on the East side and branching off to Cambridge.
- Crossovers between the Midland Main Line and East-West Rail.
It looks to me, that operation of East-West Rail trains through Bedford station will be as follows.
- Oxford to Cambridge trains will use the crossovers to call in the existing Platform 2 at Bedford station.
- Cambridge to Oxford to will use the crossovers to call in the existing Platform 1 at Bedford station.
- Trains that are not stopping could use the avoiding line along the East side of the station.
- Oxford to Bedford terminating trains, would stop in Platform 1A.
Because there would be a crossover between the Midland Main Line slow lines and the East-West Rail to the South and North of Bedford station, I suspect for operatuional reasons and safety Network Rail want a double track avoiding line.
50,000 Journeys Made On Northumberland Line In First Month
The title of this post is the same as that of this press release on the Northumberland County County.
These are the first few paragraphs of the press release.
Passengers have made more than 50,000 journeys on Northumberland Line services in the first month after the opening.
The line reopened to passengers – for the first time in 60 years – in December, thanks to a £298.5m project involving the Department for Transport, Network Rail, Northumberland County Council and Northern.
Services now call at Newcastle, Manors, Seaton Delaval and Ashington, with a journey along the entire 18-mile route taking around 35 minutes and a single ticket costing no more than £3.
Tickets for more than 50,000 journeys have been bought since the opening and Saturdays have been particularly popular.
That includes more than 3,500 journeys made on the opening day (Sunday, 15 December), when the platform in Ashington was packed with people waiting to catch a glimpse of the first service.
That is what I would call a good start.
But after I wrote Dartmoor Line Passes 250,000 Journeys On Its First Anniversary, As Rail Minister Visits To Mark Official Opening Of The Station Building, a year after that line opened, I don’t think 50,000 for the Northumberland line is a high figure.
At 50,000 in the first month with only four stations, they must be on course for well over half a million passengers, when the line is fully open.
Figures like these show that enthusiasts for rail closures like Richard Beeching and Harold Wilson were so very wrong.
We need several reopened and new railway lines like this!
The Anonymous Widower 