Manchester Picadilly

[Derek Walker]

These pics were taken in Manchester's Picadilly station in August 2008.

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The Pendolino to London

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[Steve Appleton]

Anyone know... Is it a requirement for all UKlocos and MU stock to have yellow faces?

[Derek Walker]

These I spotted on the way to London

On the line to London

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Loco's on the line to London

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[John Ashworth]

I seem to remember seeing a Rail Safety document somewhere on the internet which gave dimensions for the yellow panel on the ends of UK locos and trains. But there was also some discussion on the uk.railway newsgroup recently asking whether it was actually compulsory under Rail Safety regulations or whether it was simply a hangover from British Rail standard practice before privatisation - "That's the way we've always done it, guv. More than my bleedin' jobs worth, etc, etc". I didn't read far enough to find out if there was an answer!

[Derek Walker]

Methinks the "It was like that in me da's day, we will keep on doin' it like that" attitude may prevail. But given the EU's love of regulations, chances are there is some archaic EU regulation that was decided upon in Brussels by an esteemed committee.

[Derek Walker]

More pics of the Pendolino en route for London

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[Steve Appleton]

Interesting pics, Derek. I have not travelled on the UK Pendolino's, but my immediate reaction is "is this really first class?" With all that wavy plastic, the narrow-looking anorexic seats, the small windows, and the condiment sachets in a holder, the interior looks like a cross between cattle class on a budget airline and a table setting at Wimpy. Why that funny cigar-shaped light fitting intruding on the view out the window, I have to wonder? What happened to imminently practical swivelling overhead spot lights as used on planes?
In my view the best modern train interior I have travelled in in recent times is first class on the German ICE trains. Large windows, wide comfortable seats (2 + 1 across) that resemble and feel like wing-back armchairs, a cabin layout that provides a feeling of privacy. Perhaps that was possible because Germany had never heard of Mr Branson, let alone adopted any of his mod ideas.

[John Ashworth]

cattle class on a budget airline

I think that's exactly what Richard Branson had in mind when specifying the design!

[M. Hardy-Randall]

Having travelled on the WCML in the not too distant past, I can assure you that they are NOT cattle class! Cattle get better treatment. I too prefer the German ICE or the Swiss type IV and ICN. Still top of my list are the DB coaches [Ap4üm] that were used on the TEE services with the Br103 locos. It is a well known fact here that German train seats are regarded as too hard for the Swiss who are accustomed to a little more comfort, quite right too.
I have noticed that British trains have gone down in passenger comfort standards since they were sold to bus companies or airlines. That is another soap box that I must not get onto.

Malcolm

[John Ashworth]

Anyone reading the last few posts in this thread might also want to look at this thread