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Author Topic: How it used to be under British Rail  (Read 1090 times)
grahame
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« on: October 27, 2018, 14:19:52 »

For those of you who hanker after the old days ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV2lmSDKvO8
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« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2018, 14:53:58 »

For those of you who hanker after the old days ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV2lmSDKvO8

Yes, I know. Curled cheese sandwich and all that.....

But don't forget WCML (West Coast Main Line), ECML (East Coast Main Line) MML» (Midland Main Line. - about) Electrification, IC125, Eurostar, etc. etc.  It did a lot of good stuff as well, and speaking as a former BR (British Rail(ways)) employee, it did have lots of good dedicated staff working for it despite the outer image....
« Last Edit: October 27, 2018, 16:23:24 by SandTEngineer » Logged
broadgage
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« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2018, 12:01:48 »

Despite the negative images of the past, trains were in IMHO ('in my humble opinion') often better back in the good old days.

Many trains were longer than today.
Buffets were the norm on long distance services, and even on outer suburban commuter trains.
Restaurants were more numerous.
Fares were cheaper if compared to average incomes, and simpler.
Major stations were less cluttered with shops etc.

I also suspect that services were generally more reliable. Individual trains no doubt failed regularly, but were soon hauled or propelled out of the way. I don't recall closures of major London termini and advice not to travel being a feature back in the day.

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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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