Match Seventeen – Ipswich 1 – Watford 0
This was a another cracking game, where Ipswich got their third win on the bounce.
The goal was a long range effort for Tommy Smith from just outside the six ysrd box, after Kevin Bru’s shot started to play pinball.
Kevin Bru is coming on and I think we could see a lot of him this season. He certainly is better than a free transfer.
What Would I Do With £70,000?
A spam e-mail turned up in my Inbox asking me what I would do with a lump sum of £70,000.
I would have no hesitation and I would stick it into a peer-to-peer lender, that had a mechanism that protected my lump sum and gave me interest. Without doing the research, I think that is either Zopa or Ratesetter, at present. But there may be others with an equally safe risk profile.
Zopa, the one I know best, has given me the following.
1. A safe haven for my money, until I want to do something else.
2. 5.1% interest before tax.
3. The ability to either roll-up or take-out the repayments and interest.
4. You might also get invited to the occasional party to meet the team. You might meet mavericks like me there too!
Dont’t put your lump sum near any wunch of bankers. The Bank of Mattress is probably a safer investment.
The Rail Projects Keep Coming
I’ve just been reading the rail news sites like Modern Railways and Global Rail News and over the last few days some substantial projects have been announced.
The project that will affect me most is an upgrade to the Great Eastern Main Line.
It’s not any new features, but an upgrading of track, overhead wires and signalling. Network Rail say this.
As part of the upgrade, one of NR’s ‘high output’ machines will begin replacing ballast along the route to ensure the track bed is safe and well-drained. The machine is currently being used to upgrade the Great Western main line, and will move to the GEML in the New Year.
It will also upgrade one track at a time, so it’s unlikely there will be substantial blockades. Traditionally, this sort of work would have meant weekend closures and buses. So Network Rail seem to be doing sometime better.
Network Rail are also replacing the Scarborough Bridge on the Scarborough Branch Line. The work is described here and this is a paragraph.
The bridge, which was originally built in 1845 and then rebuilt in 1875, is now life-expired. Work will see the bridge decks and tracks replaced and a new walkway installed to improve safety for railway workers. The work is part of a £6 million investment by Network Rail.
So it’s only a small project, but I’m sure it’s important to a lot of travellers.
The extending of Chiltern’s network to Cowley has also been announced. I think we’ll see a lot of projects like this, where old lines are given something to do in the next couple of decades.
Network Rail has also announced a £200million project to do more work on the improvement of lines between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
As with the electrification across the North of England, electrification is another prime example of the failure of Central government to do the right thing to create infrastructure and fuel jobs, businesses and growth. This describes the scope of the work.
The companies will work with Network Rail to electrify the main line between the cities, complete route clearance works at Winchburgh Tunnel, infrastructure works at Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley stations and extend platforms at Croy, Falkirk High, Polmont and Linlithgow.
What will fast electric trains running between Scotland’s two major cities, do for the area? Wikipedia lists several benefits including this one.
Service frequencies between Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street increased from four trains per hour to six per hour, with the fastest journey time being reduced to 35 minutes. This would have resulted in a total of 13 trains per hour between the two cities across all routes;
Currently, services take from about 50 minutes to an hour and a quarter.
Global Rail News has announced that funding is in place to extend the Manchester Metro to the Trafford Centre.
An aside here is to look at the list of proposed changes and expansions to the Manchester Metrolink. Every council in the area seems to have its own pet ideas and surely this must be best argument for a peacemaker and decision taker in Manchester, like TfL are in London.
I wonder how many more of these projects will be announced before the General Election in May.
The Standard Is Upbeat On The Overground
the Standard today has an upbeat article on the Overground and the lengthening of trains from four to five carriages.
The article ends with this from Mike Brown, who is TfL’s Director of Rail.
Mr Brown said he was upbeat about adding rail capacity as London’s population boomed.
He said: “I’m optimistic we’ll hear some positive comments about Crossrail 2 in the Autumn Statement which is a critical project to relieve congestion at London Waterloo, Victoria and Clapham junction mainline stations.
“I’m also convinced that when we as the Overground take over responsibility for West Anglia routes from May next year and when Crossrail opens people will see the great benefit of the model we operate compared to other (train companies’) franchising models when we focus on delivery, performance and having staff at stations.
“I want to keep up the pressure of more devolution to the mayor.”
In September and October London Overground achieved 95.7 percent punctuality compared to a national average of 90.1 percent.
I think it’s all a powerful argument to duplicate the Overground model all over the country.
I do think that local control of trains, trams and buses, like London has over the Underground and Overground, is a very good thing, as decisions get taken in the area, not miles away where the franchise has its head office.
If you look at Merseyrail, Manchester’s trams and the Newcastle Metro, which have substantial local control, do they work better than some others?
Oxford Takes A Leaf Out Of Cambridge’s Book
When I visited all of the 92 football clubs in England, Oxford was one of the most difficult to get to. I said this.
Oxford, must surely be one of the most difficult stadia to get to from the town centre, even if you have a car. And if you do, you have to actually drive along the by-pass where there are queues of traffic. Of all the taxis I have taken to get to and from grounds, Oxford was by far the most expensive.
But from 2020, it’ll all be different.
According to the BBC, Chiltern Trains are opening up the Cowley branch to passenger trains, which will stop at the Science and Business Parks. Some reports say this will also handle the football ground.
But it is good to see Oxford following Cambridge and having a station at the Spence Park.
How To Be Scientifically-Correct For A Greener And Better World
Matt Ridley’s article about eco-toffs got me thinking. So if I was the world dictator, what would I recommend as a greener lifestyle that was scientifically-correct and hopefully gave you benefits as well!
Cook From Scratch
I have a list of quick delicious nutritious recipes, that I can cook from a series of staples kept in my fridge and store cupboard. I also experiment.
One thing I don’t use is a freezer, except to store frozen peas, although with some dishes I make enough for two and put the one in the fridge for a couple of days later.
Don’t Live In Two Houses
I’ve lived in two houses twice in my life. Once we lived between London and Suffolk and at another we had a second house in Antibes.
Never again! It’s just so much hassle and eventually C and myself got fed up with it all.
So either rent the second house or sell it and invest the money. Any income could be used to have holidays in your favourite hotels!
Don’t Smoke
I look forward to the day, when you don’t see any signs of this filthy habit.
I feel very strongly about this, as our longest son died in part because he smoked.
Don’t Use Lifts For A Couple Of Floors Unless Someone Younger Than You Is Also Riding
We’re all lazy and climbing a few stairs is a good exercise.
But do use a lift, when a lazy soul is using it. And make them feel guilty about their lack of exercise.
Feed Your Mind
Nothing improves your inner self, than seeing exciting events or places you’ve not seen before.I travel a lot and even when I’m at home, I use my Freedom Pass to explore new places in London and the area around.
Go Gluten-Free
I have to be gluten-free as I’m coeliac. But it is a diet choice with a bonus. According to Nottingham University, those on a gluten-free diet are 25% less likely to get cancer.
Invest In Peer-To-Peer Lending
Choose a reputable peer-to-peer lender with the right rate and risk profile for you. Not only will you be getting a better rate on your savings, but you’ll be lending money to individuals and businesses at a rate less than the banks. You’ll also be giving that wunch of bankers a good kicking.
Keep Your Body At Its Ideal Weight And Fitness
I am virtually the same size as I was when I left University in 1968. One doctor told me that the main reason, I recovered from the serious stroke so quickly, was because of the good state of my body.
Smart Meters and Thermostats
I have smart thermostats for my heating that I can set precisely, but despite trying hard, I haven’t managed to get a smart meter fitted for either gas or electricity yet, so I can see my usage on my computer.
Think Seriously About Your Car Usage
Too many households have car ownership that is poorly matched to their needs.
I for example, don’t have a licence any more and don’t have a car. My eyesight is getting better and I suspect that in a year or so, I could get my licence back with ease. But I don’t want the hassle of car ownership, especially as I have so many bus routes everywhere.
My son has also decided he doesn’t need a car and if he wants one for a few hours, he uses something like a Zip-car.
A friend too, had their car stolen and hasn’t replaced it.
So as a car costs several thousand a year to own and run, are your current car arrangements the best and most capital efficient?
In many cases the answer is no!
Traditional Terry Nappies
C and I were very keen on these, especially if they’re paired with a nappy service, which takes away the dirty ones and then delivers the freshly-laundered ones. I can still see C burying her face in the clean nappies and luxuriating at the experience. I have heard mothers of my generation, say that their babies almost begged to be put back in a cloth nappy when they were put in a disposable one.
I’ve also seen in the sewers how many disposable nappies end up there, before being sent to landfill.
We shouldn’t force parents to use traditional nappies by increasing taxes on the disposable ones, as there are people, who for various reasons have to use disposable ones. But we should get the water companies and councils to encourage traditional ones, as they are the major commercial beneficiaries of such a product.
I wonder if I can still fold and fit a traditional nappy.
Use Contract Cleaners
I have a three-bedroomed house and I use contract cleaners, who send two girls once a week for two hours, at a price comparable with what I’d pay for a lady to do say a whole morning.
But the big advantage of this type of cleaning, is that I don’t have to have any cleaning equipment or materials.
So other than food, I have to buy very little in the supermarket. I think it’s just soap, washing-up liquid and washing tablets for clothes.
Walk In Cities
Cities are very interesting places to walk, as there is always something to see and you might just find a nice cafe for a coffee or see a jumper that goes with your favourite trousers or skirt.
Cities should encourage walking by putting up maps and information.
The Noisy Class 66 Locomotive
The Class 66 locomotive used on UK railways is not a friendly beast as it makes a lot of noise and smell. There is a Wikipedia section on Cab Design Problems, which says this.
The British trade union ASLEF has complained that the locomotives are unfit and unsafe to work in, citing a lack of air conditioning, and poor seating and noise levels.
I’ve spoken to various Class 66 drivers and many don’t like the working environment, but like things like the reliability.
If you type “Class 66 noise” into Google, you find some interesting articles.
One interesting point about Class 66 locomotives is that they don’t meet the new emission regulations and so no more can be ordered. The details are all here on Wikipedia.
Because of this and the noise and smells the locomotives, I think that they should where possible, not work trains through built-up areas.
Is Everything A Short-Term Fix At Willesden Junction?
In posts yesterday, I highlighted the problems with platform/train gaps and the dreadful interchange at the North London Line platforms at Willesden Junction station.
But is all the work done to lengthen the platforms for five-car trains just a short-term measure, which doesn’t address these problems at all?
Obviously, work has to be done on the low-level platforms and as they don’t have too many problems, except for the step up and down into Bakerloo Line trains, it will make the low-level station a good one with step-free access, a cafe and toilets.
The Tube/Overground Mismatch
But upstairs, I can’t help feeling that solving the problems are virtually impossible, without a complete rebuild of the station. But look at this map of the proposed layout of the lines at Old Oak Common.
Rail Lines At Old Oak Common
This would link HS2 and Crossrail to the North and West London Lines at a new station at Old Oak Common.
So if the Old Oak Common area is developed with a new station, would this have a knock-on effect at Willesden Junction? This could ich mean that the station had to be changed substantially or possibly was no longer needed.
The big problem is what to do with the interchange between the North London Line and the Bakerloo and Watford DC Lines.
There have been plans for the Bakerloo Line to take over the Watford DC Line north of Harrow and Wealdstone. This would mean diverting the North London Line via Queen’s Park and Primrose Hill.
This would fit in well with the combined North/West London Line station at Old Oak Common. On the other hand, it would mean a few station closures and stations between Queen’s Park and South Hampstead would leave their links to Euston.
Old Oak Common station is still very much at the planning stage and if the ideas get firmed up to a mega-interchange, it should make it easier to sort out the North London Line and the Watford DC Line.
There is also the question of how the Croxley Rail Link will affect ridership on the Watford DC Line. The fastest jouneys to Euston Square from Watford Underground station, are now about 45 minutes, whereas the DC Line takes 52 minutes from Watford High Street. However by going one-stop the wrong way to Watford Junction station, you can do it in 35 minutes. As London Midland runs several trains an hour into Euston in about twenty minutes, this might be a preferred option.
If Crossrail goes up the West Coast Main Line, as is also being proposed, then the trains would surely stop at Harrow and Wealdstone and Watford Junction.
Transport for London have a lot of deep thinking to do.
A New Tram Loop At East Croydon
I don’t go to Croydon very often, but I always have problems with getting between the two stations; East Croydon and West Croydon. The reason is that I live near Dalston Junction and therefore end up at West Croydon, but I have onward travel from East Croydon. I also sometimes want to travel to IKEA via West Croydon.
The Tramlink is being updated with a new turnback loop at East Croydon station, which is described here. I took these pictures in the area, where it will go.
It doesn’t seem to me that any of the options suit me better than any other, but I hope the cars I saw rushing about in the area between the offices calm down, when they share the roads with the trams.
One thing the new loop won’t do, is help me get to IKEA from West Croydon station. Either I walk through to the Church Street stop or go to East Croydon and get on a tram to Wimbledon.
East Croydon Station’s New Entrance And Bridge
At East Croydon station, I used the new bridge and entrance to get to the town centre.
It is much better than the main entrance, where the trains pull-up outside.
Network Rail are certainly getting the designs of their stations more passenger-friendly and welcoming.
The Anonymous Widower 