Reducing the damage caused by freight train derailments
Introduction Every year there are a number of derailments on our railways; most not getting any media coverage. This is no surprise as a train carrying stone that falls off is not very newsworthy particularly if it occurs, as many do, on a freight only line. However, if a freight train derails on the mainline […]
Are you sitting comfortably?
Introduction In recent years, many trains have been introduced with seats that are generally considered less comfortable than the seats on the trains they replace. Measure of seat comfort has always been a difficult aspect of train specification, and a common solution to the problem has been not to write anything at all. This has […]
Always on call
Introduction As a regular traveller by rail, as I slip off into some daydream, I often wonder what I would do if there was a serious incident on the train. In the circumstances what would I do? I am a railwayman. I used to hold personal track safety (PTS) certification although I no longer do. […]
Power to the people
Introduction In this rapidly changing environment that we live in, the railways are sometimes seen as conservative. This is true and is a result of longevity. A multiple unit will be designed to last for 35 years. A lot can happen in 35 years. 35 years ago, it was 1982. Margaret Thatcher was in power; […]