Comments on: How do we get more train capacity? http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2007/02/25/how-do-we-get-more-train-capacity/ Conservative Party Member of Parliament for Wokingham Sun, 12 Oct 2008 07:53:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Neil Craig http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2007/02/25/how-do-we-get-more-train-capacity/#comment-887 Neil Craig Wed, 28 Feb 2007 15:03:25 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=122#comment-887 It would probably require improved breaking or crumple zones but if distance between trains could be substantially cut & the while system automated it would be possible to go from 1 long train in half an hour with one driver to a automated se;f powered carriage every 5 minutes. I too do not believe that trains should need drivers - if we can experiment with automated cars, an enormously more complicated proble, we could have a fully automated rail system working 24/7. Such a system would have substantially increased capacity together with lower costs (driver's salaries are a major portion of cost) & would be more convenient. I can also see freight handlers sending out containers on a fire & forget basis across the country. Ot could be the start of a transport system that could really compete with road. It would probably require improved breaking or crumple zones but if distance between trains could be substantially cut & the while system automated it would be possible to go from 1 long train in half an hour with one driver to a automated se;f powered carriage every 5 minutes. I too do not believe that trains should need drivers - if we can experiment with automated cars, an enormously more complicated proble, we could have a fully automated rail system working 24/7.

Such a system would have substantially increased capacity together with lower costs (driver’s salaries are a major portion of cost) & would be more convenient. I can also see freight handlers sending out containers on a fire & forget basis across the country. Ot could be the start of a transport system that could really compete with road.

]]> By: billy http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2007/02/25/how-do-we-get-more-train-capacity/#comment-849 billy Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:18:11 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=122#comment-849 Kit Says: February 26th, 2007 at 8:34 am People might interested in this website: http://www.transport-watch.co.uk/ Very interesting and independent I note. The overall anti train tone of the site leads me to think that they are not as independent as they claim. That aside, I like to see figures for freight movement rather than passenger. Kit Says:
February 26th, 2007 at 8:34 am
People might interested in this website:
http://www.transport-watch.co.uk/

Very interesting and independent I note. The overall anti train tone of the site leads me to think that they are not as independent as they claim. That aside, I like to see figures for freight movement rather than passenger.

]]> By: Kit http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2007/02/25/how-do-we-get-more-train-capacity/#comment-838 Kit Mon, 26 Feb 2007 08:34:46 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=122#comment-838 People might interested in this website: http://www.transport-watch.co.uk/ My personal belief is that trains are well past their sell by date. We are lucky the Victorians didn't try to maintain the canal network with subsidies as we doing with the train network. People might interested in this website:
http://www.transport-watch.co.uk/

My personal belief is that trains are well past their sell by date. We are lucky the Victorians didn’t try to maintain the canal network with subsidies as we doing with the train network.

]]> By: billy http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2007/02/25/how-do-we-get-more-train-capacity/#comment-829 billy Mon, 26 Feb 2007 03:55:25 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=122#comment-829 To get more passengers the service must improve. I understand that in the SE you have very ittle choice ut to commute by train; the companies have a captive audience. Elsewhere, tickets are too expensive to persuade me to use the train as I used to. Reasonable fare prices can only be obtained by booking on line weeks in advance, if the software is working. Buying a ticket and reserving a seat has long since stopped bein a certain way of ensuring a place on a train. Why is first class so well provided with seats but is mostly empty? I have often taken advantage of the small upgrade fee, on train, or defiantly occupied an empty, unreserved first class seat when my reserved seat was 'unavailable'. Policing of trains is minimal and pretty girls in red coats aren't effective against belligerent drunks. If I have a long journey to make nowadays I drive through the night using the motorways for both comfort and safety. To get more passengers the service must improve.
I understand that in the SE you have very ittle choice ut to commute by train; the companies have a captive audience.
Elsewhere, tickets are too expensive to persuade me to use the train as I used to. Reasonable fare prices can only be obtained by booking on line weeks in advance, if the software is working. Buying a ticket and reserving a seat has long since stopped bein a certain way of ensuring a place on a train. Why is first class so well provided with seats but is mostly empty? I have often taken advantage of the small upgrade fee, on train, or defiantly occupied an empty, unreserved first class seat when my reserved seat was ‘unavailable’. Policing of trains is minimal and pretty girls in red coats aren’t effective against belligerent drunks.
If I have a long journey to make nowadays I drive through the night using the motorways for both comfort and safety.

]]> By: billy http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2007/02/25/how-do-we-get-more-train-capacity/#comment-828 billy Mon, 26 Feb 2007 03:43:15 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=122#comment-828 If long distance freight were forced onto rail a lot of bumper to bumper lorry driving would disappear. Large left hand drive lorries with massive blind spots down the right hand side wouldn't be pulling out into the path of traffic. Does the Road Haulage Associations still have a massive input into Tory roads policy? If long distance freight were forced onto rail a lot of bumper to bumper lorry driving would disappear. Large left hand drive lorries with massive blind spots down the right hand side wouldn’t be pulling out into the path of traffic.
Does the Road Haulage Associations still have a massive input into Tory roads policy?

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