Misc

CAS Weekly 19/03/15

Andy Carter 1 Comment

By Matt Brown from London, England (Looking along the running track) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Modelling

UK Rail

World Rail

Fictional Rail

Shameless Self Promotion

Cover Image by ObaJak from Discworld Novels.

CAS Weekly 09/03/12

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IMG_4371

Modelling

Shameless Self Promotion

UK Rail

  • As Virgin take over running of the East Coast Mainline from a public operator, the BBC asks could or should we renationalise the railways?
  • London Bridge chaos returns as commuters have to jump the ticket barriers to escape a crush…
  • …and not to feel left out Oxford Circus has a go too.
  • The not so secret Diary of a TfL apprentice.
  • Speaking of TfL, they are planning to develop the site around Southwark tube station.
  • …and Diamond Geezer asks is this best or worst tube station entrance on the network?
  • Going to a part of London you’re unfamiliar with but need to find nearby pubs and restaurants? TubeNav might be your answer. Could have used this the other night when I was looking for a curry house in Islington…
  • Want to see Manchester Victoria’s metrolink station rebuilt in 60 seconds? Of course you do.

CAS Weekly 01/03/15

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Oswald Lawrence (BBC)

Modelling

  • Hornby showcase some prototypes at Model Rail Scotland.
  • Adding crews to your locos from Jonathan Malton @ LocoYard.

UK Rail

  • East Coast rail franchise back in private hands as Virgin takes over running of the line this morning.
  • Take a look at this moving piece from the London Short Film festival by Luke Flanagan: ‘Mind The Gap‘ the tale of Oswald Lawrence.
  • The government promises that Northern Pacers will finally be out of service by 2020…
  • …whilst it looks likely Class 150 Sprinters will be refurbished and live on.
  • How does TfL close all it’s ticket offices? Diamond Geezer has the answers.
  • Banbury depot to be brought back into use.
  • The UK’s first third-rail compatible ballast cleaner has been ordered at a price tag of £50 million.
  • RailwayManiac looks at what might have happened had Nottingham Victoria survived closure.
  • Stations that look like other stations by TheBeautyOfTransport.
  • Geoff Marshall now has a mailing list where you can sign up to hear about the latest ‘Tube Tours’ that he runs.
  • Commuters using Brixton tube station: Beware!

World Rail

Coming Soon!

  • My trip to the world’s largest model railway in Hamburg… watch this space.

Cover Image by Virgin Trains East Coast showing proposed new IEP trains.

CAS Weekly 20/02/15

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Image by Phil Sangwell

Modelling

  • IC82 is back this Sunday with a new YouTube series.

UK Rail

  • GBRf are enlisted by Serco to haul the Caledonian sleeper for the next 15 years. They’ll be using a mixture of Class 90’s, 47’s and refurbished 73’s during their stint.
  • The East Anglia franchise, currently operated by Abellio, is out for tender.
  • A recent survey highlights the continuing decline of rail customer satisfaction…
  • …And surprise surprise, the rise of Social Media as a tool for passengers to voice this dissatisfaction.
  • But what we really want to know is, which train operator has the best ticket punches?
  • And which train operator went all gooey for Valentines Day?
  • …in a time where critics are calling for the return of nationalisations, the BBC’s Timeshift will take a look at the golden age of BR next Thursday.
  • Speaking of which, The Beauty of Transport is doing a series on British Rail’s corporate identity.
  • London Underground’s D-Stock trains could find a new life for themselves in Manchester.
  • Whilst back home The Victoria Line will be part closed for a month.
  • Danny Dyer has a go at tube announcements. Warning: It’s dreadful.
  • The London Transport Museum will host Londonist’s Matt Brown, who will be talking about Tube Secrets at the Hidden London Treasures Exhibition in April.
  • This article surfaced on Twitter this week, showcasing this rather quirky Brighton curiosity: The first every Electric Railway in Britain.

World Rail

CAS Weekly 13/02/15

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Image from Northern Rail

UK Rail

  • Spanish firm CAF win bid to build new sleeper cars for the new Caledonian sets.
  • Manchester Airport has a new platform.
  • Whilst Birmingham Snow Hill is mooted for a rebuild.
  • London Reconnections take you through the Crossrail Launch Plan.
  • Commute London revamp their website. Find out how the capital’s rail franchises are fairing on social media.
  • Abandoned tube tunnels could be turned into cycle lanes…
  • …but I tell you why this is dreadful idea.
  • Virgin will replace the East Coast Loyalty Reward system with Nectar when they take over the franchise. Regular customers are upset.
  • A sneak peak of the Class 319’s being kitted out in Northern Rail livery.
  • Diamond Geezer rides a ghost train to West Ruislip.
  • …and Arsenal fans are concerned about their slip down the table after a visit to the Transport Museum.

World Rail

Feature Image by David Chandler.