Meanwhile, an interesting article stating that Miami are considering hiring Spanish rail company FEVE to implement a light transit system similar to one they already operate in Sevilla. Hope no-one has told Miami that FEVE no longer exists! (it's run by RENFE now)

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/2...h-company.html

So all rather pointless,eh ?

Pointless railways, now that could be news

now where did I put my coat

how do you change tracks ??
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Not like this.

http://www.railfaneurope.net/ice/eschede.html

As occured with the ICE/AVE due to a design fault, resulting in a hundred deaths

nor like this

Ah, but that's nothing more than a careless bit of parking surely, could happen to anyone.
Wasn't a lady driver by any chance ?

No, definitely a man driving

7 people died and 67 (or 76 in some reports) were injured

Potters Bar had been the scene of 2 previous incidents but this was the worst.

Looking back to an earlier period, to when rail travel was at times a more sedate means of transport, but when high speeds were still attained,
the 75th anniversary of the record breaking journey by Mallard is to be celebrated at the York Railway Museum

http://www.nrm.org.uk/PlanaVisit/Events/mallard75.aspx

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I have to agree.
The point of investment is that it's something that pays back over the longer term. passengers increase as the usability increases and as the prices drop, even more will do so. I used the ave twice in 2010 four times in 2011 8 times last year. Can you 'naysayers' see where this is going?

My one and only notable train spotting experience was by chance standing on the platform at Durham Station when the mighty MALLARD steamed in.

There was always something special about seeing the A4's on the KX to Scotland route, perhaps because of the streamlined outer shell.
But I do admit to feeling a sense of loss when the diesels came on the scene, they were so bland.

however, it is interesting to note that the 125.88 mph Mallard achieved was never broken, and also that although the normal speeds for steam was 80-90mph, because of all those station stops, that journey speeds/times havent really improved in 75 years.

Interestingly the replacement for steam was led by the Napier Deltic engine, which was developed originally for use by the Royal Navy in fast patrol boats to counter (rather belatedly) German E-boats which were diesel and less inflamable. When the FPB project ground to a halt the engine also appeared on the prolific "Ton" class of wooden hulled minesweepers and the "Hunt" fibreglass hulled vessels as well as the motive power for the also prolific Deltic diesel rail locomotives.
I made several visits to the factory seeing them being built as part of MOD work.

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As part of a 150 year anniversary, Baker Street will see steam trains again! I understand the event later this month, is fully booked despite a high price fee, and no surprise really.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...be-opened.html

I hope they have the extract fans working or we could have a panic with all that smoke around

saw an interesting documentary on Spanish TV yesterday afternoon discussing the bomb shelters built under London accessed from and adjacent to the Underground.
Seems there were 6 built, all with the round "tunnel" format with metal roofing, to accommodate thousands of people. One was in total IIRC 1.4 miles long.
it was intended to turn into another network of the underground but the cost seemed prohibitive in a post-war economy and now used to store documents, presumably for Govt Depts.

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