Please sign!

Currently there is no minimum requirement for train operators to carry bicycles and each operator has a different set of rules and booking procedures. This makes the system extremely complex to use, especially where multiple operators are used. Its not possible to book bicycle reservations online and hence one does not know whether there will be room for a bike on a train when a ticket is purchased (note, advanced tickets cannot subsequently be altered to a train with available bicycle carriage space). Some operators have extremely poor provision.


The Crosscountry service has reduced the capacity of its trains from 4 bicycles per train to 2 bicycles (so they can provide secure accomodation for their retail trolly). Hence, a maximum of 2 people can travel together with bicycles when you using the crosscountry service (a major element of the national network). Clearly, a national policy is required with a fully integrated booking system (that is available online through the standard ticket retailers) and incentives/requirements for operators to improve capacity.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/bikes-on-trains/


Discussion on urban75: here

Labels: bikes, cycling. trains, railways

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This is well cool: every Sunday in December, New York City Transit run a 1930s subway train along a regular route, so startled passengers might find this old beauty rumbling into their station.

It's a lovely old train too and it was a privilege to take a ride in such a fine vintage carriage.

Labels: new york, railways

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We've just been up to Chirk (nr Wrexham) and back using the new Wrexham and Shropshire railway company and the service was fantastic.

The fare was £28 each return, we had a lovely train on the way up with - get this - friendly table service of freshly prepared and cooked food. Loads of locally sourced food was available including absolutely delicious Welsh cakes from Llangollen.





On the way back things got even better with the first class carriage being opened up to standard class travellers, and really tasty meals being served to our table on china plates. The service was friendly, fast and the food high quality, all at a cut down price and if you travel first class you get a free cooked meal!

Bravo Wrexham and Shropshire!

Read a thread about the company on our bulletin boards: Wrexham and Shropshire: the best railway company in the UK?

Labels: railways

Running along a 5.5m stretch of the abandoned Brecon and Merthyr Railway, the Brecon Mountain Railway currently operates from Pant along the full length of the Taf Fechan Reservoir past Pontsticill and on to Dolygaer.

We took a trip along the line recently. Here's some pics:
 
 

 

 

 

Labels: railways

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I've just been sent an interesting YouTube animation of one of the most bonkers railways ever built - Volk's Brighton to Rottingdean Seashore Electric railway.

This mad piece of Victorian eccentricity saw what amounted to a part-submerged moving pier travelling through the sea from Brighton to Rottingdean.



The whole venture lasted less than seven years, but you can see a short animation of the electric railway tram, 'Pioneer,' which was officially classified as a ship and had to be piloted by a trained sea captain!

Labels: brighton, railways, sea

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I've scanned in a few photos from a train trip I took nearly twenty years ago.



Travelling out of Cardiff with my then girlfriend Debbie, I doubt if we knew just how quickly this scene would be transformed. Now there's barely any industry left in the Welsh Valleys, thanks to the Evil Thatch and her Tory cohorts.

More pics

Labels: photos, railways, wales

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I've always loved the High Victorian folly of St Pancras station and the adjacent Midland Grand Hotel, and after an uncertain future, it's great to see the place thriving.



I popped in today to take some photos (and managed to resist the strong urge to impulsively jump on a train and head for Europe!) and it's barely recognisable from the station I visited a few years ago.


St Pancras 2001.



Check out more photos here: Return to St Pancras, and browse hundreds of St Pancras photos here: St Pancras and Midland Hotel homepage.

Labels: london, railways

Quick catch up on some recent articles you may have missed:

Palm Treo 500v Pocket PC Review

Here's my full review of the new Palm Treo Windows Mobile phone. It's a good 'un, but I'm waiting for the Centro, the Palm OS version. Bring it on Palm!
Palm Treo 500v review

Toshiba Libretto 50 Ultra Mobile PC- Ten Years On

How does this trailblazing mini-PC stack up against the modern competition?
Toshiba Libretto

Technology, Trains And Trainspotting


Train enthusiasts and the web. A perfect fit?

Labels: palm, pc, railways, treo