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Showing results for tags 'uk'.
Found 17 results
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Two recent favorite channels, in addition to my previous post featuring a video by Don Coffey (linked below) First, Andrew Shenton's fairly new channel. Outstanding views for general railway interest or if you're looking for layout inspiration. Next, Jago Hazzard. Rail-centric but also covering history and infrastructure in greater London. Very interesting stuff.
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A sizeable percentage British modellers, as many on here will no doubt be aware, seem strangely adverse to modern trains; particularly units. Sadly this attitude has extended to the main manufacturers, who lack the enlightened approach taken by their Japanese counterparts. The net result seems to be that some of our (i.e. the UK's) most stylish trains are not available as a ready to run model. What this means is that an alternative approach is required, by way of Kickstarter. A few months ago a project was set up to produce the class 390 Pendolino sets, operated by Virgin Trains along the West Coast Main Line between London and Scotland, in N Gauge. These will come in a number of guises, both in DC and DCC. If enough modellers back this project and it gets the go-ahead, then a full set will be available from £255, approx $400.00, (9 carriage version, DC) to £380.00, approx $600.00, (11 carriages, DCC). A recent development has confirmed Rapido will be the manufacturer. So, if anyone on here fancies an iconic train, for a very reasonable price, then take a look at the link below for more details. http://www.ngaugependolino.com/ There are also more details and discussion on here. Disclaimer: I am not involved in this project myself; but have put in an order for a full 11-car set... 🙂
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Dig those tunes! Almost like a New Order b-side. Really really b-side. Anywho... Following my wildly successful post a few months ago (link below), here's another British video that spent months on my 'watch later' list. This is a 1989 British Railways Board production reviewing all sorts of signalling and related infrastructure. Although this video is 27 years after the other, there are a few views of older interlocking mechanisms, pulley systems, and mechanical signals. Prior to seeing that other video, it hadn't really occurred to me that 'interlocking' truly involves a complex array of slots and levers that physically bar certain switch and signal selections. I'm also impressed with the physical signalling, not only semaphores but various smaller units such as the one in the video thumbnail. I would think there must at least a little freezing weather that would interfere with these. Amongst the many interesting topics are the overview of token safeworking (both single and multiple--I had always wondered what happens if the token winds up at the wrong end of the section) starting around 27:30, and a crossing gate meant to be operated by the public at 49:00. I love the sign (49:45) for motorists who have just crossed: Have you lowered the barriers? I can just imagine this in practice in the current US. "No, I haven't, because driving like a #%*(^!- @#%$ is my style"
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driver's view Warrington Bank Quay to Wakefield - Class 66
miyakoji posted a topic in Worldwide Rail
I've watched a few driver's view videos made around greater London. They didn't really hold my attention, which I attribute to having unfortunately never been to England. I was impressed with the 3 hour 42 minute runtime of this video, so clicked. Perhaps it's the interesting on-screen information, the scenery, or because it's in the North (where Johnny Marr's heart is, as opposed to his head, which as I understand it is in the south). Starting just about dead center between Liverpool and Manchester, this is a 99 mile journey first avoiding central Manchester, then coming within about a mile of it via Brewery Junction, before continuing north then east to Wakefield. Map at 15 seconds into to the video. Compared to what I see in Japan or here in the US, there seem to be many branch lines throughout the journey, making me wonder just how many lines the UK had before Beeching. Don Coffey's YT channel, several of other British railway videos - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8LH7xMAyCSqpClAvTHwJRw https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_66-
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I had this in the 'watch later' list for quite a while, finally got to it this evening. Glad I did. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Transport_Films
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Pretty interesting stuff here. British Rail and post British Rail era instructional and safety videos. Check out this uploader's YT page for more videos.
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Some very interesting videos about work by a British railway employee. As much as I like riding trains, railfanning, and reading about operations, the life of a railway employee seems pretty rough particularly because of shifts and scheduling.
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Hey, I've just joined this forum and am looking for possible societies or clubs preferably in Kent, UK. I'm 16 with a HOe layout and an N Gauge layout, both based in Japan. Can anyone help?
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BBC News vid about abandoned platforms in Glasgow Central Station
miyakoji posted a topic in Worldwide Rail
A short, interesting video article about platforms below the platforms in Glasgow Central Station, apparently victims of Dr. Beeching's cuts. http://www.bbc.com/news/video_and_audio/headlines/39008682 -
I'm agnostic on this rail line (though its existence may increase chances of a shinkansen derivative running in the UK). The Guardian's Simon Jenkin's take on the project: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/07/hs2-the-zombie-train-that-refuses-to-die *I didn't know the WCML was underutilized (i.e. Euston being used at 60% of capacity in the AM peak, etc.)
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This news item I missed back in July, but it's interesting enough to post. JR East was already pegged to provide consultant services for the HS2 project in Great Britain, but on July 22 the firm revealed they had already started another service in addition to the previous announced items. This involved the use of their proprietary Hercules computer program to generate run curve diagrams. These run curve diagrams will be used to figure minimum running times between two designated points (stations) on the HS2 route. Presumably then hypothetical operating diagrams (schedules) can be generated using the data. One definition of a run curve: http://www.rtri.or.jp/eng/rd/seika/2003/02/lowcost_E08.html Details of the HS2 project: Top speed: 400km/h Top revenue service speed: 360km/h Train frequency- on completion of initial 1st segment (London-Birmingham): 14tph, on completion of second segment (Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds): 18tph Train length: 400m Details of the JR East project for HS2: Duration of simulation: June 10~Nov. 7, 2015 Test section to be used: Initial 1st segment (London Euston to Birmingham as well as connections to existing lines from Birmingham to Manchester/Leeds) Rolling stock to be used in simulation: JR East E5 and E6 Hypothetical HS2 trainset Stopping patterns: express type and stopping services Speed limits/standards to be utilized: JR East standard operating speed limits HS2 designated operating speed limits JR East press release: https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2015/20150719.pdf Previous news from spring: http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/high-speed/hs2-appoints-jr-east-as-a-consultant.html
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Hitachi Rail Europe projected to hold top market share in UK
bikkuri bahn posted a topic in Worldwide Rail
Interesting factoid from a Nikkei Business online article. It's estimated for the period 2014~2019, Hitachi Rail will hold top market share in the new railway carriage market in the UK. For this period Hitachi currently has 1273 carriages in the order books, while Siemens has 1140, and Bombardier 943. The article, an interview with CEO Alistair Dormer, continues with discussion of corporate philosphy etc. http://business.nikkeibp.co.jp/atcl/report/15/070200015/070600002/?P=1 -
An old (11 years ago) but very interesting article about the failure to raise speeds on the WCML, and how moving blocks on mainlines were still the stuff of fairytales then. Perhaps some relevance to recent news about HS2 being threatened with cancellation. pt.1 http://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/apr/01/transport.politics pt.2 http://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/apr/01/transport.politics1
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Came across this on Hitachi Rail Europe's website. Added in the last few months? Just a concept for now. Note the 500 serieslike paint scheme. Aiming for the HS2 market? http://www.hitachirail-eu.com/at400---very-high-speed_154.html
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Unique (or bizarre, depending on your POV) way of providing more passenger services: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28166639
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crossing videos courtesy of the Beeb and British Transport Police
miyakoji posted a topic in Worldwide Rail
Yikes, here are a few YouTube-worthy clips. If you let each one play to the end, it automatically goes on to another. The one with the red automobile cutting in front of the one-car DMU, and the one with the cyclist at Waterbeach, are a bit shocking. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31100457 -
Interesting BBC article, "Labour should reform the railways, prospective MPs say" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27273672 (cool yard, someone should model it. Anyone know where this is?) I don't know much about it, but it's always surprised me that various operational aspects are in different hands, such as track and signaling versus rolling stock. Who does that actual scheduling? I think Yoshiyuki Kasai (current chairman of JR Central, and involved in the planning of privatization of JNR during its last days) wrote in his book that they discussed dividing different functions amongst various organizations, but decided against it.
