Sorry gents, but I have to say it. The class 220/221 Voyagers have not had enough capacity since they were built, and replaced the HSTs on the Virgin CrossCountry services. As time went on, these trains should have been extended to 7 or 8 vehicles, both from the very start, and certainly once taken over by Arriva. I know the DfT/Government departments held this back, but a 2.5 coach 220 (when taking out the shop space, cab space, guards spaces and universal toilets) does not compare to a 2+7 HST that they replaced. And it doesn’t matter how you increase the timetable to ‘add capacity’. It doesn’t work. Cross Country now should be actively seeking additional stock (class 222 etc) and increasing capacity to replace the recent HST withdrawals and bolster the other 4/5 car services they run. The whole system on cross country is inadequate. Great show as always guys, and I loved the deep dive into west coast timetabling last week. All the best 👍
@rhysrail
25 күн бұрын
No they should just sell all the voyagers and replace them by 158s, they feel spacious and will be cheap as they are being replaced,
@ethmister
24 күн бұрын
158s are shorter and slower.
@rhysrail
24 күн бұрын
@@ethmister I know but at least you won’t be looking at a white window rim the whole time
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
I don't think you are really comparing apples with apples there.....!
@Freightliner86
13 күн бұрын
Hmmm now I wonder who came up with the idea to put 4/5 carriage trains on crosscountry services in the first place (when Virgin operated it) to replace HST'S and acually reduce overall seating capacity on some routes.... clue he's one of the presenters....
@michaelwells6797
26 күн бұрын
Cross Country,a disgrace. All the critism of Avanti,Trans Pennine etc. Cross Country have held their franchise longer than the majority of franchises. They are the only one never to have increased their fleet,never purchased new stock. They run services which are criminally overcrowded. 4/5 coach units from Penzance to Scotland. They bragged they had increased 2 coach services from Stanstead to Birmingham but did not say the extra coaches had been taken from the Nottingham to Cardiff service. They have cut out many trains stopping at Tamworth, Chesterfield and Wakefield. The hourly service to Newcastle via Doncaster down to one train per day. Now intending to run trains from Cardiff to Scotland but again seriously affecting Nottingham to Cardiff Services. Fare are highest in the country. They should have lost the Franchise years ago.
@andrewreynolds4949
26 күн бұрын
Part of the problem is the DFT have a lot of control these days, and even now that additional stock is coming available the DFT refused to allow them to pick them up for quite a while. There are still additional voyagers coming off lease with no home
@audigex
26 күн бұрын
This comment just proves perfectly how well privatisation has worked for the government CrossCountry weren't ALLOWED to purchase or lease new stock. They would have LOVED to bring new trains in but were actively prevented from doing so by the Tory government. The government even made them return some of their trains But you're blaming the company instead of the government... allowing the government to shift the blame entirely You obviously also didn't watch the video because this was discussed at length
@harryspeakup8452
26 күн бұрын
You seem to fail to appreciate that CrossCountry gets to run the fleet that the DfT dictates, not the fleet it would like to run
@chris8405
26 күн бұрын
As harryspeakup8452 said - for many years the DfT has called the shots. It started with the insane decision by VRG to replace the loco-hauled stock with 4/5 car diesel units of course, failing to appreciate that the economics of XC were always poor, and relied on using cascaded mid-life stock. HSTs were perfect for most services, but the DfT forced them to retire last year, and look at the trouble it has caused. It hardly matters who does the daily decisions, the big problems are due to the DfT.
@jondavies9347
26 күн бұрын
Even worse,last October I got on a 3 carriage train to Edinburgh at Birmingham New street,I can't remember where it started tbh.
@screwdriver5181
26 күн бұрын
The reopening cost for the construction of two platforms and a bus shelter is obscene! The industry needs a kick up the buffer stops for allowing this. I designed and had built a station for a tiny fraction of this on a heritage line. If you mention “rail” to a ce contractor it appears that at least one zero is instantly added to the bill.
@GreenJimll
26 күн бұрын
Heh, ask Nigel about the original cost estimates for the GCR's reunification bridge over the MML and his pointing this out to the powers that be in Network Rail.
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
It certainly seems to have got out of control even if there are some justifiable reasons for some of the increases....
@iantaf5559
26 күн бұрын
GCRE sounds like a stunning project for the development and testing of railway equipment. Hopefully, not only domestic trains would be tested here but from further afield too. May I suggest some thought and planning is done in future by Network Rail to expand the loading gauge of lines leading to GCRE to enable rail transport from docks to test site directly and avoid road transfer of stock.
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Wouldn't that be a positive thing!
@robertwalsh1724
25 күн бұрын
Well, the UK is good at infrastructure procrastination. But the US is the world record holder. Someone asked me if I was pleased with the recent rail infrastructure work. I replied that I was not patting anyone on the back for getting on with work that has been deferred or neglected for over 50 years. But it has been a good start made.
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Fair comment!
@mauricehopper7802
26 күн бұрын
For Trent Vale / Stafford problem (sorry issue) look at what the Swiss do to increase network capacity at pinch points. Not a lot of HSLs, but lots of new grade separated junctions, extra running lines and bi-directional signalling - almost universal. They invest as part of a unified long-term plan…. With a clear vision for the future. And of course consistent funding for the national good.
@chris8405
26 күн бұрын
In last week's episode it was clearly explained why grade separating the junctions at Colwich and south Stafford would be very hard, and why 4-tracking the bit from Colwich Junction up to and through Shugborough tunnel would not be tolerated. Did you somehow miss it? In recent years the Swiss have tended to build high-speed bypass routes, often through vast mountain ranges, HS2 phase 2a is exactly the same concept, thankfully there are no mountains we need to bore through.
@andrewhotston983
25 күн бұрын
@@chris8405Yes - who would settle for some cheap upgrade rather than the chance for a brand new trainset?
@mauricehopper7802
24 күн бұрын
Perhaps the real point I was making was not about this particular junction or tunnel, but about the lack of creative thinking in the political management of railways in the U.K. The Colwich Junction issue could have been sorted out in the 1960s during the electrification of the WCML if the then government was not spending so much on motorways and delaying funding for rail to make the motorways seem more necessary. The ‘mountains’ BR had the drill though were in the mind of Mr Marples and HM Treasury, not the landscape, and a lack of positive view about the role of railways in the economy. Note I say political management. Many in BR management were extremely creative in using the hand they were dealt by the government. I know - I grow up with one.
@andrewhotston983
24 күн бұрын
@@mauricehopper7802 Yes. I can't quite believe that the viaduct at Welwyn on the ECML is still only double track, either. Many very dubious decisions taken in connection with our rail network over the last seventy years.
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
The Stafford bypass / HS2 Phase 2a or whatever we end up calling it for political reasons no doubt is a genuinely win/win scheme that solves many issues in one go and (crucially since it is a new piece of railway) it has Parliamentary powers. There are plenty of 'heath robinson' make do and mend schemes being banded around at the moment, but we need to ask whether they are fixing today's problem or, as you say, part of a long term vision for the future. If you were to ask the Swiss what they would do in the case of Colwich to Stafford with Parliamentary powers already granted for a new railway they would not take long to answer.....
@pauljohnson7171
26 күн бұрын
The Blyth and Tyne (Northumberland line) has had some double track sections reinstated, a complete new signalling system, a road flyover to replace Newsham level crossing and numouros historic mine workings to sort out. No wonder its cost £300k.
@MorrisPV
26 күн бұрын
£300 million... 😉
@pauljohnson7171
26 күн бұрын
@@MorrisPV DOH what a numpty mistake 🥴
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Some excellent context there Paul, thanks. However, the point still stands - this was a line where some infrastructure did still exist and yet it cost £300m. It does show how challenging reinstatement / reopening would be for schemes where there's far less of it left to begin with.
@pauljohnson7171
25 күн бұрын
@@GreenSignalsyes a lot of money but when you think of the problems they have had with Seaton Delaval (delayed a year by Newts IIRC) Northumberland Park with its mining voids that needed to be filled on the station access before they start platform construction. This has now started thankfully.
@stephendavies6949
26 күн бұрын
Another excellent show. What a superb project in South Wales! As an ex-pat, I do so hope it succeeds for many reasons, not least that this is an excellent use of ex-colliery/heavy industrial land that can be difficult to re-develop. But there's a long way to go, and as it requires some strategic thinking & hard cash, there has to be a substantial risk that it won't happen.
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
There is still a long way to go but the team there are really sensible and their community engagement has been excellent. Fingers crossed for the financial backing......
@hammertime4437
26 күн бұрын
Another exciting railway project is Reunification on the Great Central Railway. It's a huge Project.
@Johnk1sedg
26 күн бұрын
Thanks for superb shows. I am currently sat at Tissington station on the old Ashbourne to Buxton railway line having a coffee and 2 crumpets {the type you eat) am 74 years young and cannot think of a better way to spend an afternoon of walking on an old railway line listing and watching you both putting the world to rights. Keep up the great work. Regards John
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
How lovely of you John and that sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon. Really kind of you and thank you for the support.
@MarkBerrisford-Smith
26 күн бұрын
A truly enjoyable and informative podcast. I especially enjoy Richard's interviews with people from within the rail industry who clearly know what they're talking about. Any chance of a feature to explain the electrical power limitations north of Newcastle, and what needs to be done to fix them. Cheers, Mark
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
How incredibly kind Mark, thank you. Noted on the feature request and we're really pleased to hear how much you're enjoying the show.
@wirksworthsrailway
18 күн бұрын
Keep up the good work chaps, this is a thoroughly riveting podcast. Don’t forget heritage lines, especially the newer ones that strive to provide a service to their community as well as running the more traditional services. You can get to Wirksworth by train from Paris!
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Thanks so much! And we certainly won't be forgetting heritage lines - got plenty planned there as well. Am a big fan of the Ecclesbourne Valley Line - I think it's one of the few lines that Nigel and I have both driven a train on!
@bodger844
24 күн бұрын
Another fabulous and informative episode guys.
@GreenSignals
22 күн бұрын
You are most welcome!
@thomasgregson102
26 күн бұрын
Thank you for your in depth dive into the WCML/HS2 last week it was great to listen too, I hope people in government listens to it as you made it clear why HS2 phase 2a is needed. I would find it interesting to get a similar in depth dive into the ECML and the bottlenecks that exist there, how the works done over the last decade has alleviated some of these and what more can be done to increase services without adding more lines to the 2 track sections or the building of a new railway line with HS2 to Leeds looks very unlikly to be restarted.
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Thanks Thomas. We can but hope people listen......
@JonnoRiley
20 күн бұрын
Listening to your visit to GCRE was inspiring and really pleased you went and engaged with them. I had the pleasure to work with Arthur and Simon on the outline business case a few years ago when we (Serco) as the original site operator of Old Dalby concluded that UK needed a proper rail test facility. It was a meeting of minds and as Arthur outlined the site met so many requirements especially the timing of its availability. I’m sure your visit and support can only help to push it forward. The podcasts are great and be really good to see more of this kind of thing looking at new projects and ideas. Keep up the great work all three of you ☺️
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Thanks Jonathan. It was a tremendous visit. Really opened my eyes. Still a lot to do but we wish them well. And we certainly plan to look at more new projects and ideas!
@chris8405
26 күн бұрын
Thank you for the proper visualisation of the remote and scenic area where the GCRE is to be placed. It seems ideal in almost every respect except an easing of the curves to allow 125 mph running would be even better. I appreciate the land slopes so maybe that alignment isn't possible at an acceptable price. Certainly a brilliant way to bring lasting jobs and opportunities to this ex-mining region. And constant test running without Network Rail constraints ought to speed up the introduction of new UK rolling stock.
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
I'm not sure it's really necessary to do 125 mile/h. What IS needed though is high intensity running at consistently high speeds - which GCRE will certainly enable.
@richardskelton5119
25 күн бұрын
Great Show, Good luck with HS2a!
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Cheers Richard
@a2bmedia
26 күн бұрын
On XC, please clarify in your next episode that previous company management (not current) failed to reach a RDW agreement for a whopping 20 months!!! During which time, training and route refreshing was largely suspended along with a reduced timetable. Huge ongoing impact.
@stephendavies6949
26 күн бұрын
I think Richard did just that.
@gordondudman240
26 күн бұрын
DfT have been in the driving seat for these type of activities for a very long time.
@NorfolkandGood66
22 күн бұрын
Your channel is brilliant. Every Thursday is a learning day!
@GreenSignals
22 күн бұрын
That’s so kind. Thanks!!!
@IBLRG
26 күн бұрын
Hello from us all at The Independent Brigg Line Rail Group Our Brigg line has a temporary resources timetable, the 3 trains on a Saturday Only service which ran for 30 years has now been replaced with a 1 round trip Monday to Friday service, passenger numbers we built up at places like Brigg and Kirton-in-Lindsey have been obliterated, however in the eyes of the DFT this is an improved train service !
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Thanks for your support once again - it really is very kind of you, and very much appreciated indeed.
@allanmorton6022
26 күн бұрын
Driver training does seem to have an impact all over the network. ScotRail have also cut services to give a more predictable service. Cross-country also suffer from overcrowding and these cuts will make it worse. It's always been a cinderella service. Good news regarding GCRE but sometimes new stuff can just be more complex than really needed. Be interesting how many jobs it can sustain. Good to see the many innovative ideas being planned. Very inspiring. Great idea for GS trio to the North East. Would have enjoyed seeing Nigel at Leven though!
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Cheers Allan. Sadly it wasn't possible to make it to Leven - but hopefully we'll be at Northumberland!
@GreenJimll
26 күн бұрын
My adopted community rail station is Sttratford-upon-Avon Parkway station. It is Nigel's classic two concrete platforms, footbridge & bus shelters and cost £8.8m in 2012/13. And bare in mind that was a completely new station site on an operational line. Now the Bank of England monetary policy inflation calculator tells me that £8.8m in 2013 pounds would be around £12m in July 2024 pounds. I suspect a fair chunk of that (maybe ~£5m ?) will be the accessible footbridge.
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
I agree that the numbers have got out of hand, but remember that Construction Price Inflation and RPI or consumer price indices are different things.
@wrangerrob
25 күн бұрын
Glad you are not leaving HS2a alone, I really think the high up Labour Ministers should see last week's capacity episode and tell us what is being done. Hopefully land sales on that bit has stopped? By all means call it something else. Astounded by what you discovered and so much already done. I think much of the tunnels which cost BIG are to please Tory seats. And cuttings would be better. Keep up the pressure. I think the test centre is a great idea. I wonder if a visit to Old Darby/Ashfordby is needed to see what we have already.
@andrewhotston983
25 күн бұрын
It illustrates how poor the cost/benefit is for HS2a when even Labour, who love public spending, won't touch it with a bargepole.
@jimmillington8299
24 күн бұрын
@@andrewhotston983if GB rail revenue wasn't still a third lower than pre-pandemic forecasts for 2024, with high-yield biz travel still at half of pre-pandemic levels, there would be a sound, standalone economic case for 2a, especially with a double down on cost control. Meanwhile, the DfT/HMT appraisal framework is very poor when it comes to recognising and quantifying (rail) reliability/resilience benefits, which represent a big chunk of the economic gains from 2a, complementing the c15min cut in scheduled journey times. (Both are estimated in £££s as Value of Travel Time saved.) Benefits to railfreight don't even get a look in! So, you're sadly correct that with current GB rail subsidy levels - especially after the substantial 'no strings' pay awards to ASLEF (and next RMT!) - there isn't a cat in hell's chance of 2a (or something similar without the toxic name!) coming back under SKS/RR. This leaves us with making best use of existing routes. Electrify the Sutton Park line, as part of Brum-Nun, with no daytime freight through the bottleneck. Whereever poss, run 400m HS2 trains that divide at Crewe. Terminate TV stoppers at Lichfield, with a ICWC connection north, calling at Stafford. Redouble Alsager-Crewe. Any others?!
@andrewhotston983
24 күн бұрын
@@jimmillington8299 The way the rail industry is going I wouldn't be surprised if in a year or two we see rural rail closures. HS2 might never reach Euston, either, which even I think would be a shame.
@jimmillington8299
24 күн бұрын
@@andrewhotston983just imagine a Reform/Tory coalition, faced with current levels of rail subsidy.... shudder!
@andrewhotston983
24 күн бұрын
@@jimmillington8299 Perhaps a devolved government for England might be more rail friendly? The Scottish and Welsh rail systems seem to have done better.
@steveworthington930
26 күн бұрын
If Labour do create BR Mk2, let,s hope we get a pro railway chairman like Sir Peter Parker, and hope they have learned the lesson,s!
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Absolutely Steve. PP was a legend.
@anthonypowell5665
26 күн бұрын
Glad you both enjoy south wales. Nigel and richard I invite you to come and visit us when we have the metro up and running around the valley lines. It's definitely a game changer so much so I think the 398s will be a victim of their own success. Also any updates on grand union as they've gone very quiet. As for nationalisation it's not all good ad tfw have decided against running our swanline service hourly between 0900 and 1600 but people are not going to use a 2 hourly local service between two of our biggest cities. Look at the llansamlet and Gowerton get each day
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Would love to come and have a look at passenger operations in South Wales in due course....
@davidwhite9159
23 күн бұрын
Re new stations & sustainability: if it costs £20m for a very basic station, which is really poor for users, why not invest a bit more and fully canopy the station, and I mean proper canopies that overhang the track, as not only does this make the journey in poor weather more comfortable (there is nothing worse than riding a train whilst soaked due to having waited in the rain) but also if these canopies are covered with solar panels it will bring down the carbon footprint of the station/railway.
@GreenSignals
22 күн бұрын
An interesting point. Even if the canopy was only for a part of the platform, you’re right that it would make a difference.
@andrewwilson6240
22 күн бұрын
Anyone spotted the article in the latest Rail Engineer magazine as to how Chris Green is looking to eek out optimum capacity from HS2 using pendulinos on HS2 south of Handsacre and progessing a lower speed phase 2a. Looks well thought out.
@GreenSignals
22 күн бұрын
Do you mean Chris Gibb? We had Chris as a guest on Green Signals a few weeks ago - check out Episode 35. Chris was excellent and interesting talking about this plan.
@ANarrowEscape115515
8 күн бұрын
Reference your 10 consecutive stations beginning with H, if you went that way round the Heathrow loop, you'd be in real trouble.
@SmithyScotland
25 күн бұрын
Guven GCRE is a loop, wonder how much concern there is about uneven wear on the train? I seem to remember Eurotunnel is a figure of 8 line to even out the wear.
@martinoban
24 күн бұрын
Scotrail would love to have these 'out of sight ' drones so that they can quickly inspect lines after they have been closed because of an amber or red weather warning. At present the WHL needs to have a 37 transit the route to check for trees down or blocked culverts. The .ine stays shuf for at least half a day after the weather event has ended.
@GreenSignals
22 күн бұрын
Excellent idea!
@blairleipst4508
26 күн бұрын
48:17 after Hatton Cross you would go to Heathrow T4 then T2&3, as it is one way, you’d only go through Heathrow T2,3 from Hatton Cross if going to T5
@MrMWRMWR
25 күн бұрын
Rarely have I used that section, but discovered that strange service asymmetry when (speculatively) looking at journey times and frequency from King's X to the various terminals and comparing with routes using HR Express and Elizabeth services. I'm going to repeat that exercise - and maybe even revisit after more than 10 years.
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Which is why we used the example of going round the T4 loop - so you would go Hatton Cross, T4, T2&3, Hatton Cross etc.
@joegrey9807
26 күн бұрын
The GCRE project looks fantastic, brilliant interview and let's hope they can get it over the line.
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Absolutely - it's a really exciting project and we hope so too. Glad you enjoyed the piece.
@Listenerandlearner870
26 күн бұрын
I stopped using Cross Country to get up north many years ago. There was no mickey left. They are ok just for short journeys Exeter to Plymouth or Doncaster to York.
@chris8405
26 күн бұрын
Same here, after my first ride in a 220 I simply couldn't believe how few usable seats they had. I kept thinking " this must be a joke". My last planned trip on these was in 2008 and I deeply regretted it. If they are wedged it is a horrible form of transport. I now drive if I want to get north of Oxford, or get a Chiltern service from High Wycombe to Birmingham.
@Listenerandlearner870
25 күн бұрын
@@chris8405 they are good trains but far too short.
@geoffcorker6882
21 күн бұрын
Won't even use XC Voyagers for short journeys anymore....horrible trains😝 Use Chiltern from my local station [Oxford] to Birmingham...although inconvenient having to change stations at Bicester, but at least i get a seat on a better type of train - and more reliable🙂
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
The Voyager. The train that has divided opinion more than any other!
@jimmillington8299
26 күн бұрын
Ta for the mention re: Sutton Park electrification. I really hope you get some traction with resurrecting 2a, but I really can't see anything happening under SKS/RR. Hence my focus on making best use of an existing route, which would offer lasting benefits to rail (especially freight) even if 2a eventually progresses (2050!..) The 'no strings' settlement of the ASLEF dispute will further rankle HMT, as rail subsidy will rise further, making 2a an even more distant prospect. Meanwhile, I applaud you pointing out the huge £300m that's been needed to upgrade the Ashington line for pax services.. Like all such GB rail enhancements these days, the project proceeded at a snail's pace through Network Rail's labyrinthine ('GRIP') appraisal process, with unbelievably high planned costs (that ended up being exceeded by 50%!), and with late delivery (albeit only a few months in this case). Elsewhere, in the West Midlands, look at University station (hoped to be finished for the Commonwealth Games... but which one?!), and the Camp Hill and Willenhall/Darlaston reopenings. Mindboggling where all the money goes, yet projects are routinely very late and massively overbudget, with no one seemingly held accountable. On a positive note though, I see a primarily private sector enhancement, MML electrification from Kettering to Wigston, was recently delivered on budget and on time. Congrats to SPL Powerlines. What a contrast with Network Rail's GWRM fiasco.... Keep up the good work fellas!
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Cheers Jim!
@vlt14
25 күн бұрын
Listened to the audio podcast, when you mentioned Rob Forde, I was half expecting Captain Deltic
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Well, this particular Mr Forde (the Rob variety) was excellent. As is Roger of course!
@GreenJimll
26 күн бұрын
Hmm, I wonder if Cross Country could hire some Mk1 stock from A Certain Scottish Mainline Tour company, actually fit CDL to the vehicles and use those to temporarily strengthen their services? I'm only joking obviously... but then again... 🤔
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Glad you were only joking.....! 😄
@paulbennett772
10 күн бұрын
Simple question, but I suspect a somewhat complicated answer! Why can't there be a single price for all journeys? I don't mean, for example, Grimsby to Scunthorpe via Southend & Carlisle or other such ridiculous excursions. It's reasonable to have different fares for different days, or times of day, & given 2 plausible routes it's reasonable to charge more for the longer less direct journey. But it's surely not unreasonable to expect an approximate £/mile standard. Greetings from North Road, Darlington
@GreenSignals
10 күн бұрын
It’s a good question Paul. I think the summary answer is that different routes have different demand profiles and user mix and in the end, we’re always trying to create a balance between what the fare payer is paying and the taxpayer is subsidising. An example might be the journeys London - Wolverhampton and Fishguard - Bristol. They are about the same distance but will have very different load / demand profiles and business mix - so a price per mile wouldn’t make sense.
@paulbennett772
10 күн бұрын
@@GreenSignals OK, I bow to your superior knowledge. But what's wrong with single pricing? If I want to go from Darlington to Birmingham, at 10am on Tuesday, why can I not be quoted one price, regardless of which company takes me?
@gordondudman240
25 күн бұрын
Great episode; I do hope the GCRE team get the funding in place so they can start groundwork in the spring.
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
So do we Gordon. Such a great project.
@DrewsRailwayWorld
26 күн бұрын
Hi guys, great show as usual. Wales is such a stunning country, and fantastic project to revitalise the area. Geographic update, no longer in Tom Price, Western Australia, now 1400kms away in the state's capital city Perth, where we have several new urban railway (narrow gauge) projects underway, 3 extensions to existing lines, 2 completely new lines, one now serving Perth International Airport, and a rebuilding of part of one of the original lines by raising it up and thus doing away with several level crossings. I know its not relevant to the UK, but as a comparison to Ashington the cost for the Airport line which included a new doubled line junction off an existing mainline, a tunnel under the Swan River, which continues underground beneath the Airport to emerge close to the line's terminus at High Wycombe, and also included 3 new stations, was AUD$1.86 billion, about GBP958.5 million for 5.3 miles/ 8.9 kms, and was constructed by a joint venture between Salini Impregilo SpA (Italy, now Webuild SpA ) and NRW. The other projects so far have reached AUD4.3 Billion and overruns are predicted, mind you that all pales into insignificance when the HS2 budget exceeds GBP100 Billion ....Drew
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Cheers Drew - some fascinating intel from a city (Perth) I know so well - as my wife grew up there....!
@ayindestevens6152
26 күн бұрын
Ahh it’s Thursday it’s my morning off and it’s time for Green Signals. Now I need my bagel
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Excellent. Hope you enjoyed it.
@davidwil58
26 күн бұрын
Interesting as usual, but I hope you don’t mind a constructive suggestion - would it be possible for you to use some graphics to help show what you mean by for example the bottlenecks? For those of us who are just casual enthusiasts or passengers, it would be good to see for example the problems with Handsacre. What does the track layout / junction look like? How many trains use it now? What does capacity look like, and why is that the limit? What do potential solutions look like? All these sort of things could be demonstrated and made simpler to understand with some graphics, as Geoff Marshall and others use on their videos.
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
A good shout and something we are going to be doing in the future.
@kenstevens5065
26 күн бұрын
The Welsh plan seems good to me. Get smart, get technical and let's decarbonise. If the World doesn't follow us now they will do eventually and we will be able to guide them and recover our cost. The reward for innovation and enterprise is profit. As true now as I was taught at college as a student in marketing way back in the 1970's!
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Fair comment - never any real downside in leading technological innovation.
@katelowes4231
26 күн бұрын
For me, the best episode so far.
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Thanks Kate, glad you enjoyed it.
@TimAyliffe-Robson
24 күн бұрын
Thanks
@GreenSignals
22 күн бұрын
Thanks Tim, how very kind of you
@TheDaf95xf
26 күн бұрын
How quickly does this come round each week Nigel & Richard 😀 it’s now like waiting impatiently for my rail magazine arriving at WH Smith’s top shelf lol 😂 XC is just plainly awful 😞 The test track project in Wales was simply fantastic and hopefully they’ll get the funding for a world class test centre 👍🏻
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Fantastic! Glad you await the show with anticipation each week! And we agree - the GCRE project is a brilliant one and we hope it succeeds.
@ThomasBlann
22 күн бұрын
The other point about “P-coding”: The publicly-owned operators are owned thus because they have been struggling, and so are more likely to require P-coding, than a privately-owned operator. Don’t confuse cause and symptom!,
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
I think you may be inverting cause and symptom yourself! LNER have been in the public sector long enough for the requirements of P Coding to have been managed out.
@mikebigtrucks
26 күн бұрын
Arthur Emyr!!! use to play for Cardiff & Swansea rugby & selected for the 1991 Rugby Wales Squad...You interview some amazing people.Absolutely love this channel.Thank you to all. Mike from Aotearoa New Zealand
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Thanks Mike for such lovely comments. And another name to add to our worldwide listeners! And yes - Richard was a bit star struck when he met Arthur too!
@garrywilson2748
26 күн бұрын
Another episode i fully enjoyed. I sometimes listen on Spotify so dont always comment every week, but i really look forward to every episode. Very interesting regarding the proposed test track facility! Do you believe this would perhaps see a shortening of acceptance of new trains actually working on our network ? It seems to take an absolute age to see new trains actually carrying passengers ( 701 s). Its actually embarrassing to companies who in their initial press releases are usually years out ! That would be a good story for you all....when will the 701s actually be in squadron use ? Surely someone needs to get a grip on this. Already looking forward to next weeks episode....makes my van journey fly by !
@nigelharris6873
26 күн бұрын
Hey Garry, great to hear from you and delighted to know you're a regular Green Signaller! Hope that you Grant, me and the other Gary can raise a glsss again soon. It's been too long!
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Thanks Garry. My wife also listens to Spotify on her way to / from work so you are in good company. Yes, I believe that is the plan - more testing up front at a centre closer to home will reap the benefits you describe.
@flippop101
21 күн бұрын
Just found your superb channel! Subbed 👍🏻
@GreenSignals
19 күн бұрын
Welcome! We're delighted you've found us and hope you continue to enjoy.
@gordondudman240
25 күн бұрын
Need to correct a couple of things about ‘P’ coding. The first thing about ‘P’ codes is that they are designed to remove schedules from being included in Schedule 8 calculations. Here the important thing is 22:00 on the day prior to operation. This is the moment when the ‘Applicable Timetable’ is formally agreed between NR and train operators. For that to happen the updating of online systems needs to be complete by 7pm because TRUST kicks in 2 hours prior to departure BUT it takes a couple of hours (from 7pm to 10pm) for all the relevant data to be cascaded down to all the end user systems. Clearly many TOCs are beavering away on tomorrow’s timetable well past 7pm so long as they e-mail/fax their cancellations to NR by 10pm then they can cancel their trains using the delay attribution code PG. Where it is simply not possible to meet the 10pm deadline then provided both NR and TOC are agreed then cancellations are coded PL. The reason this is important is to remove the time penalties (cancellation minutes) which are captured by the Schedule 8 regime. Thus a cancellation by a TOC that cannot be coded as PG or PL will be allocated a TOC responsibility (usually TB - at TOC request) and the value of that cancellation is then added into the quantum of daily responsibility for TOC delays. I don’t know, but wonder if ORR are concerned at the growth of PL codes? Indicating that trains are being cancelled the moment that TRUST begins the process of creating the active schedules.
@Tarkaman1
14 күн бұрын
A question you might like - Which Navy operates former BR HST's? I think RB may even struggle with this!
@GreenSignals
13 күн бұрын
Does the US Coastguard not have vessels with VP185s (or their marine equivalent)? Good question though!
@Tarkaman1
13 күн бұрын
@@GreenSignals Sadly no-they are HST trains...Happy to provide the answer
@royburnley5276
26 күн бұрын
very good program thank you so much..
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
You're very welcome Roy, thanks for the kinds words.
@robertwalsh1724
25 күн бұрын
Thanks!
@GreenSignals
22 күн бұрын
Cheers Bob. Much appreciated.
@anthonypowell5665
26 күн бұрын
This weeks episode ome round very quickly me and mary-faye were only watching last week's episode the other day.
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
I know, they do seem to come round quickly, don't they?!
@slimchris113
26 күн бұрын
Pls put phase 2b west and east to the agenda aswell
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Worth checking out the recent report from Juergen Maier (commissioned by Lou Haigh before the election) which pretty much does exactly that.
@andyknott8148
24 күн бұрын
I suspect Nigel's football knowledge extends a bit further. How many classes of British rail rolling stock can he name that have had football related names attached (excluding temporary headboards etc.)? p.s I have no idea of the answer but I can name a few.
@GreenSignals
22 күн бұрын
I shall ask him that very question!!!
@jamesbrett6518
15 күн бұрын
Test centres - what happened to Old Dalby?
@GreenSignals
13 күн бұрын
I believe it’s still there - but it is very different set up to what is proposed at GCRE.
@macstar2010
25 күн бұрын
The ex-intercity routes should be the pinnacle. Such a shame on the country.
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
They are indeed vitally important corridors.
@gbphil
26 күн бұрын
Re: GCRE, 7km doesn’t seem very long, couldn’t the same be built around a lot of ex military airfield runway sites where 3 mile long runways exist. Did they bin the 30 mile (50km) test facility at Derby, where the APT tilting train was developed? However good luck to them, hope it booms.
@gbphil
26 күн бұрын
@bazzacuda_ Could be, it used to be in the news all the time in the 80’s. Having checked on the Network Rail website, it looks like they have two test sites already, Melton 13miles - 125mph and Tuxford 10miles - 75mph both available for daily hire so perhaps the Welsh one has the unique selling point of 24 hour continuous same direction operation rather than having to stop and reverse. My point about building on an airfield such as Fairford, Manston, Scampton, Lynnham, Elvington is still relevant with them all having pre-existing utilities for barracks and married quarters.
@Andrew-Peel-999
22 күн бұрын
@bazzacuda_ - Has been repaired as I saw an EMR Class 810 on it a couple of weeks ago.
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
I got the sense they believe it is more than long enough for the vast majority of use cases.
@Listenerandlearner870
26 күн бұрын
Lobby for 2a.
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Yep, definitely.
@pinza0079
26 күн бұрын
I thought we already had a test track with old Dolby ?
@mikemundy2005
26 күн бұрын
Conservative minister Clarke truncated its progress shortening it by some miles rendering it not fit for some purposes.
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
It's out and back which does limit a number of potential applications. Plus it does not permit the soak testing of infrastructure at the same time as testing trains on an adjacent loop.
@lawrencejob
26 күн бұрын
Wouldn’t need a third runway at Heathrow if they finished HS2 to Manchester. 12.4% of flights from LHR are domestic.
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
A fair point.
@marksmith334
25 күн бұрын
But only a small,percentage to Manchester
@rhobatbrynjones7374
26 күн бұрын
Is that Arthur Emyr, the former Welsh international rugby player?
@GreenSignals
26 күн бұрын
Indeed it is. I’m English but a rugby fan and so I was a bit star struck!!
@anthonypowell5665
26 күн бұрын
Nice to see some investment in wales . Just need to see more to Swansea and the uk government to sort out Cardiff west junction as thats one of the major bottleneck of the south wales network
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Thanks Anthony. Still so many bottlenecks to fix!
@kevinpoulton
26 күн бұрын
no the train company's was cancelling same amount or more train before been put in to state ownership that part of the reason they as took over . just show it take a long time to stop a train never mind putting it in reverse
@MasterMoyle
25 күн бұрын
When will we be getting the WCR exemption failure announcement.
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Your guess is as good as ours on that one I'm afraid - we continue to ask for an update, but as yet, there's still no more to say.
@geoffreybrown7235
26 күн бұрын
2 grey haired oldies talking about trains (and even timetables!). Whatever next? Great show, keep it up. Best wishes from an ex railway director and pway navvi now in South Africa
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
2 grey haired oldies. Charming. But sadly, correct.....! Cheers. Richard
@ChrisExley-sk1fh
26 күн бұрын
Cross Country: 1. gave up their HST, losing the capacity those trains brought to the services. 2. Competition from LNER and GWR in terms of speed and price has hit them too. 3. The interior of the fleet 22X is in need of upgrade / refurbishment. 4. Running 4 or 5 car trains and making longer formations by putting 2 units together increases staffing cost.
@ChrisExley-sk1fh
26 күн бұрын
Has anyone ever looked at Network Rails' costings or thought that some of the work should be put for competition tendering.
@gwrydd
26 күн бұрын
@@ChrisExley-sk1fhsimilar thing happened way back when and it lead to work being not done or done poorly and causing incidents
@gordondudman240
26 күн бұрын
I see DfT calling the shots over the continued (non) use of HSTs by XC
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Thanks Chris. Some good thoughts.....
@chrisfrost8456
4 күн бұрын
Everything I have used cross country trains they have been Overcrowded and filthy dirty an absolute Disgrace a useless service between Bristol Temple Meads and Cheltenham. Chris
@GreenSignals
4 күн бұрын
They certainly have fallen far short of the required standard, though not all the fault of the train operating company.
@tomcarr1358
26 күн бұрын
GCRE: Beware govt. run operation. Many unhappy examples of disappointments of management and revenue.
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Agreed. Government supported, industry led usually works best.
@bishwatntl
26 күн бұрын
In terms of the passenger environment - a factor that influences whether people go by rail or not - the HSTs were far superior to Voyagers. Getting some Avanti Voyagers is not an acceptable answer.
@pauljohnson7171
26 күн бұрын
The Voyagers are awful and ultimately Virgin have to take some responsibility for that. They may be quick but when it comes to passenger experience they are terrible.
@bishwatntl
26 күн бұрын
@@pauljohnson7171 I still remember back in the days when I travelled on business and was paid to ride in 1st class. On one trip from Preston to Watford Junction, I had to change from a pendolino at Crewe and go the rest of the way on a Voyager. The contrast couldn't have been more stark. It certainly wasn't a first class experience after leaving Crewe.
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
I think the story of the Voyager (something I am very familiar with) may be worth a slot on the show in the near future.......
@bishwatntl
16 күн бұрын
@@GreenSignals I recall a suggestion that was made several years ago of an "E-Voyager" - i.e. a Voyager with a pantograph car added. It didn't go very far because the estimated cost was thought too high. It would have been an interesting experiment at the time, as it was before the arrival of the Hitachi 800s.
@niallu286
26 күн бұрын
How will we be able to tell the difference between the normal rubbish X-country and the new “adjusted” timetable?
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Let's see how the 3 months goes first eh?
@duncanwilson5170
23 күн бұрын
A global centre of excellence when the UK can't even build high speed rail!
@GreenSignals
22 күн бұрын
I’m not sure they are really connected point’s Duncan, but you’re right to be frustrated about HS2
@tonychinnery
26 күн бұрын
I don't understand how high speed stock can be properly tested at the GCRE if the speed is limited to 175 km/h.
@gordondudman240
26 күн бұрын
It gives assurance to NR (other infrastructure managers are available) that a new train can be safely allowed to run as a test train on the real network.
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
See Gordon's reply Tony - plus, continuous running at consistently high speeds for long periods, even if it's not the top speed, provides massive levels of assurance data.
@gordondudman240
25 күн бұрын
@@GreenSignals yes, prototype trains need to achieve something like 300 hours in service, without a failure, before being used for the purposes of crew training and accepting trains into squadron service.
@Adam-pk2te
26 күн бұрын
Good Episode as always Quiz Guess, The Class 44 entered service in 1961? Cross Country are just appalling and seem to be on autopilot (asleep at the controls mode) especially on their 'regional routes' such as Stansted to Birmingham, the Class 170s badly need refurbishing or replacing with higher capacity trains and it's a roll of the dice as to whether you get announcements or tickets checked from train crew. With the capacity issue I do wonder why the ROSCOs have never tried to sell Cross Country any new trains, if it's because Cross Country can't afford any then what's the point of the ROSCOs and if the ROSCOs can't afford or don't want to buy any again what's the point of the ROSCOs?
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Thanks Adam. Would it be fair to draw the conclusion you are not a big fan of ROSCOs? I think you will enjoy a show we have in the planning at the moment (although perhaps not every aspect of it....!)
@Adam-pk2te
16 күн бұрын
@@GreenSignals I'm not a big fan no I mostly object to them in principle but I also see them as money farms because they only seem to invest in rolling stock on direct request or when stock is so bad public outcry demands it (think Pacers) when as I understand it the whole point of privatizing rolling stock was to provide competition for the best and cheapest rolling stock I very much look forward to it regardless it's the one aspect of privatization that I think is the most objectionable and yet never gets much discussion, Gareth Dennis might be good for you to interview on it maybe? He was on a Channel 4 documentary talking about it
@andrewhotston983
25 күн бұрын
Global Centre of Rail Excellence - developing exciting new deckchairs for the Titanic. I predict that in five years the site will be disused.
@GreenSignals
22 күн бұрын
That’s the spirit - look on the bright side!
@constructinglondon
26 күн бұрын
Infrastructure impotence, much better than procrastination.
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
An interesting thought....
@mrcogginsgarage7062
26 күн бұрын
The Answer to Life The Universe and Everything! Is Fourty Two Nigel ....
@GreenSignals
16 күн бұрын
Excellent.
@Ian-ek6ig
22 күн бұрын
Come on guys, replace 21 HSTs with Avantis, they’re having a laugh!
@GreenSignals
21 күн бұрын
I know where you’re coming from - but a coach is a coach after all!
@kurtk60
25 күн бұрын
Thanks
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
How very kind, thanks very much.
@kurtk60
25 күн бұрын
@@GreenSignals you welcome loving my weekly watch always interesting and though provoking.
@AdrianGould-d5q
24 күн бұрын
Thanks!
@GreenSignals
22 күн бұрын
Thanks very much Adrian, that's incredibly kind.
@richard_wenner
26 күн бұрын
Thanks
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Thanks Richard!
@markwoods3462
26 күн бұрын
Thanks!
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Thanks ever so much Mark.
@user-pj9bd5we9x
26 күн бұрын
Thanks!
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Very kind, thank you very much indeed.
@kurtk60
26 күн бұрын
Thanks
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Thanks very much!
@ChrisExley-sk1fh
26 күн бұрын
Thanks
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Thanks Chris for your support once again, we really do appreciate it!
@jonesrob
26 күн бұрын
Thanks
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Thanks very much for the support!
@DrewsRailwayWorld
26 күн бұрын
Thanks
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Thanks so much Drew!
@seanharris8390
26 күн бұрын
Thanks
@GreenSignals
25 күн бұрын
Thanks Sean, that's very kind of you.
@seanharris8390
25 күн бұрын
@@GreenSignals I'm sorry it couldn't have been a bit more this time but I really do enjoy your content every week - it's genuinely a highlight!
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