Standing on a New Bus for London
Coming back from the Angel today, I got a New Bus for London. And it was totally packed and so I had to stand.
As I didn’t have a measure with me, I can’t be sure, but it struck me that the central aisle on the lower deck was wider. Or perhaps those with large cases and packages had got a seat.
So I stood all the way to the stop where I got off.
I can’t say I do this often, but I felt it was easier to stand than on a normal London bus. The handrails were in the right place and it struck me that the dynamics of the bus are better. This could be because the bus is longer and slightly wider, but it might be that the placing of the hybrid drive train is better. It could also be that as all the seats were full and the design placed them in the right position for balance, that the passengers were making the bus more stable.
Of course all of these points could apply to any new bus design. So I think it is true to say, that on the subject of ride and vehicle dynamics, there is a lot to be squeezed out. As I’ve said before there is a war out there and it’s the passengers, who’ll win.
As I stood there holding safely to the handrail, it got me thinking. The ride difference between the New Bus for London and the normal Wight or Dennis product, was almost like that between the old Routemaster and it’s predecessor, the RT. That difference was very marked, as the RT had a very simple suspension and a traditional body, but the Routemaster had independent front suspension and a integral body design. The Routemaster was also a lot lighter than the RT, despite carrying eight more passengers.
Camden Road: A Destination Station on the North London Line
Obviously stations like Stratford and Richmond are destination stations on the North London line, where there is a lot to do and are ideal places to meet a friend or someone on business. Hampstead Heath station is probably another, but it is not really an interchange.
Today, I went to buy a new jacket and found myself at Camden Road station, which is being updated by the addition of lifts. I got the jacket and then proceeded to have a coffee in the restaurant under the station called the Meribel Brasserie & Coffee House. The coffee was very good and although they didn’t specifically do gluten-free, there were a few items on the menu, that were. For instance, their breakfast menu included scrambled eggs and smoked salmon at a reasonable £7, to include some accompaniments like tomatoes and a bit of salad. I checked the dinner menu with the Russian chef and I certainly wouldn’t starve there. He knew his stuff and even knew that skate were not kosher fish.
You certainly have a better choice of gluten-free food at Camden Road station, than in the whole of Eastfield.
I also drank my coffee on a pleasant terrace in the sun watching the traffic. Unfortunately,that unusual clothes shop, Swanky Modes, which used to be opposite has now gone. C always wondered, whether they actually sold any of their way out designs.
Watching the Tube
They’re showing how they vacuum out the tube tunnels. Strangely, a few years ago those that did this job were women, now they are men. Can there be many jobs these days, where men have taken over from women?
Soon these men will be succeeded by a new Tunnel Cleaning Train made up of two old Victoria line power cars, with some carriages turned into a giant vacuum cleaner in between.
It was strange too, that the two aerial cleaners, who did the roof at Canary Wharf came from Suffolk. Strange as there aren’t many mountains in that part of England to practise on.
I’m Not Bothered If Tanker Drivers Strike
Lt is being reported that Army drivers are being trained up, to drive petrol tankers, if the tanker drivers strike.
I’m actually not bothered, as I don’t drive and use public transport most of the time. Also my gas and electricity come through pipes in the ground. It might mean that Waitrose will be a bit short-stocked, but there are other supermarkets.
This strike though could be the death throws of an industry.
Petrol and diesel usage is dropping and will drop even further, as more passengers and freight go by rail. I wonder if there is a chart, which shows how much fuel gets delivered and where? Compared to ten years ago, it’s probably very depressing for the drivers.
Stations Reborn As Shopping Destinations
This was a sub-headline in The Times yesterday describing the new policy of Network Rail in transforming stations. Head of Retail at the company is quoted as saying that they want to move away from the likes of McDonalds and Burger King. As a coeliac, I say good riddance to both of them. At the two stations fully redeveloped in London, they’ve got a Leon at Kings Cross and a champagne bar and Carluccio’s in St. Pancras. Both stations have proper pubs too. Next for the treatment in London is Waterloo, with Euston and Birmingham to follow. Both of the latter are terrible.
The Head of Retail also talked about removing the stranglehold of W H Smith, a shop of last resort if ever there was one. A French company, Relay, has been invited to open in Cannon Street.
Stations can’t be improved fast enough, as far as I’m concerned.
The Unusual Things You See in Hospital
I’d never realised until I saw it that all London buses have large identfication letters on their roofs, but looking down from my room I could easily see them.
I suppose they are for identification purposes from Police helicopters or the Air Ambulance.
Bob Crow Gets Up Crossrail’s Nose!
I don’t know and he may have a point about safety, but this story seems to show Bob Crow as against Crossrail. I’m certain, that there are drivers who are not members of the RMT, who’d like the jobs.
The Anonymous Widower 