So how does the RPI^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector (or Retail Price Index, depending on the context)) know what is valid and what isn't? Why isn't the traveller privy to the same information?

From my experience the staff assume NO CDR^▸ (Off Peak Day Return [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day'))'s from 1600 to 1915.

The timetable is silent about this - when of far greater relevance than many footnotes.

Is there anyone from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) reading this?

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After a day trip yesterday (1/3/23), when the return departure screens showed various trains barred to OP^▸ (Original Poster / topic starter), I asked the TO at Reading for a ruling, as the Internet is vague and no leaflets are available (lazy management). The clerk was of course perfectly informed and said that all surface GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) departures from 1600 to 1915 inclusive are now barred to (London Area) OP tickets, only the Elizabeth Line being available.

The very occasional Elizabeth to Reading  (one has a long, standing, uncomfortable wait on the LL platform at Paddington) was very full, being comfortably used right up to Reading. Even with full access to the relief lines it still suffered signal checks!

How would one find this ticket validity out with booking offices closed and only an uninformative ticket machine available?

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... and the Midland Main Line, with  two schemes in hand (to  Market Harborough and Wigston South, with tenders out for the AT Feeder Station at Ratcliffe (North of Leicester) and the promise of Sheffield as the end point. And Huddersfield - Dewsbury, Dewsbury - Leeds, also Lostock Jn to Wigan, with design/tendering for Leeds - Church Fenton, the CLC^▸ (Castle Cary) line through Warrington and Miles Platting to Rochdale...

Unannounced though..

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I was shocked to see that my membership has stretched beyond 14 years and 3 months, only averaging 0.184 posts per day, with no? infringements.

Happy New Year!

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Just wondering why if Schengen is so good are 45 000 people a year so desperate to leave it that they will hazard their lives and pay a fortune to escape it?

The answer may rest in the European rules about social insurance, which effectively limit free movement.

Our population problem is that we have 67.5M people but only housing for perhaps 55M. Tough if you are low paid.

The EU^» (European Union - about) is a protectionist Cartel, sometimes even against its members. Why were DB^» (Deutsche Bahn - German State Railway - about) ICE's stopped from working through the Channel Tunnel?


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A glitch in the scheme is that it is devolved, so someone on the National borders is limited to their own side; likewise an aged Bristolian going over to Wales pays in full.

Passports next.

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I seem to remember him running the newly electrified BedPan services in 1982 after ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) got over  its technophobia about cab radios etc.

July last year also saw the departure of Sidney Newey, mourned by both the Railway and the Diocese of Oxford.

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I always liked the Irish habit of retaining and just painting their Victorian shop fronts rather than replacing them with Aluminium/SS framed plate glass. Probably income related but we get better decisions when we're a bit short!

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You are confirming to me what I have long suspected; that most modern administrators, whether in the public or private sector have little understanding of the  internal operation of the concerns that they manage. They can operate financial systems and external compliance but beyond the admin building they're stumped, so bring in consultants.

I think that they need more than an MBA; competence in the basic activities of the business is also essential. Hence the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)'s continuing failures.

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From the three criteria listed it is evident that none of the recent Secretaries of State or Junior Ministers would qualify as DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) employees on account of their restricted and narrow view of investment, their ineffective decision making and dilatory working.

Hmmm

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Mark Harper is said to be Swindon born and bred and FoD MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) so must know our area.

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I think that this may be the core of the problem. I remember reading an article by an OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") maintenance engineer about trying to maintain a main line OLE with a privatised Infrastructure Maintenance Unit, now stripped of its skilled staff, and the consequent frequent avoidable failures.

That's probably why our latest OLE designs are designed for low maintenance.

Headspans could work reasonably if in good hands.

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.... and the possible replacement bus south from Peterborough.

"Elegance in Action

Despite being well over 80 years old, 6201 Princess Elizabeth is still admired by many who love steam locomotives, for its elegant design, powerful performance abilities and magnificently evocative exhaust sound. Its robustness, sheer guts in hauling huge loads up long gradients and smooth riding qualities have endeared the engine to footplate crews and enthusiast alike. "

What an aptly named Locomotive.

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(courtesy 6201 Princess Elizabeth Society)

... and the Morpeth curve will finally be re-aligned for 125mph.

OTC