On Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:10:29 -0700 (PDT), Big Jack
btinternet.com> wrote:

On Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:23:58 +0100, "Paul Scott"
btinternet.com> wrote:

And, just as importantly, you can do the trip with a single TOC and a
single change of trains. I'm surprised there is a problem with this.

On Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:10:25 +0100, "Paul Rigg" hotmail.com>
wrote:

D1023 would appear to have arrived at Barrow Hill safely.

I dropped in to York station on my way past yesterday, expecting to
see the 1531 GC departing towards Cambridge, avoiding the blockade
south of Peterborough. Mildly surprised to see at least 500 passengers
waiting on platform 3, I thought a couple of NXEC services had been
delayed - but the next P3 train on the departure board was London Kings
Cross / Grand Central.

1525 and GC's train, in 2+6 formation, rolls into P5, accompanied by
announcement of platform alteration. Tidal surge of passengers towards
footbridge, lift and subway. After a few minutes every vehicle was full
and standing all the way down, with 20+ people waiting at each door,
many rather upset and clutching tickets and reservations.

The driver took one look and phoned the signal box to cancel the road,
onboard staff ploughed through the train evicting (presumably) those
without reservations to make room for those with. BTP assistance
required for some coaches, although those in the HST luggage van got
out when asked by staff.

The 1608 NXEC to Peterborough was well loaded but there wasn't the same
scramble as there had been for the GC train.

Hi there.

I wonder if anyone out there can help me out with some research I am
doing.

In the mid-1950s British Railways approached J. Lyons and company
(proprietors of the Lyons Corner House chain of tea-shops) to use the
then revolutionary LEO computer to calculate the distances between
each of BR's 5,000 or so stations. Basically they wanted to know the
shortest distance -- irrespective of what route it took -- between any
two stations on the network.

I am researching the LEO/BR "job", and have been fortunate enough to
track down the original project manager/programmer on the job and have
interviewed him about *how* it was done. I'm now trying to understand
the historical context behind the requirement.

It was done round about 1955/56. I have heard from one source that the
requirement was as result of some statute or act of Parliament. I've
also heard a rumour that it was something to do with some sort of
distance-based charging structure: but have no idea if this was an
internal BR accounting thing or if the fare structure was being
revised.

In his column in today's Evening Standard, Andrew Gilligan has a rant about an alleged Virgin Trains jobsworth he encountered at New St station yesterday:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23515897-details/Insulted+and+assaulted...

Apparently, he boarded the last London-bound service at Birmingham New St at 21:45, only to be verbally assaulted by the Train Manager for not having a seat reservation for his bike. He was forced onto the platform and in doing so delayed the train even though there were no other bikes on board. Mr Gilligan then had to get a cab home.

I sincerely hope this ridiculous Virgin jobsworth Train Manager on yesterday's 21:45 Pendolino from New St to Euston is identified and dismissed, now that his actions have been read by millions in London and brought about PR shame on the train company. What an utter fool the guard was, in also delaying the train for no good reason.

In his column in today's Evening Standard, Andrew Gilligan has a rant about an alleged Virgin Trains jobsworth he encountered at New St station yesterday:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23515897-details/Insulted+and+assaulted...

Apparently, he boarded the last London-bound service at Birmingham New St at 21:45, only to be verbally assaulted by the Train Manager for not having a seat reservation for his bike. He was forced onto the platform and in doing so delayed the train even though there were no other bikes on board. Mr Gilligan then had to get a cab home.

I sincerely hope this ridiculous Virgin jobsworth Train Manager on yesterday's 21:45 Pendolino from New St to Euston is identified and dismissed, now that his actions have been read by millions in London and brought about PR shame on the train company. What an utter fool the guard was, in also delaying the train for no good reason.

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I see that all the Stobart charters for the rest of this month have been
cancelled, and its Web site just says, "Our site is currently
unavailable. Apologies for any inconvenience."

I'd imagine that bookings have been catastrophically low

Sat on Southern's 456012 (or was it 021?) tonight I noticed that
something was wrong - eventually I twigged the bog had gone, being
replaced by seats but leaving the small window.

Anyone know why, and if any others have lost their facilities? Seems a
retrograde step.

If any one knows anything about the portishead/Avonmouth
area as regards to gradients
If, and I do say if, a railway line had been constructed from the
portishead area railway line OVER the M5 bridge to avonmouth
for a contiuation of the line to bristol
Where would the portishead line have had to start its rise and where
would the Avonmouth section have join the severn beach line section to
bristol