What the Railway Could Look Like in 30 Years Time (at 02/2018)

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

If you like a good laugh, sit down, have a nice cup of tea or coffee, and have a read of this....
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/railway-look-like-30-years-time/

In particular I like this bit:

Twelve key capabilities align the development, deployment and delivery of technologies with the RTS vision:

Running trains closer together
Minimal disruption to train services
Efficient passenger flow through stations and trains
More value from data
Optimum energy use
More space on trains
Services timed to the second
Intelligent trains
Personalised customer experience
Flexible freight
Low-cost railway solutions
Accelerated research, development and technology deployment

[ChrisB]

Interesting dream someone has had....

For all trhat to be up & running in 30 years, I look forward to work commencing within a decade. yeah, right.

Maybe within 75 years possibly.

[broadgage]

30 years is only a little beyond the design life of the wretched IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train), so with a little life extension they will probably still be around.
Only another 30 years of rock hard seats, no buffet, and no through gangways on so called intercity trains.

Of course in 30 years time, IETs will probably look better, since newer trains will also be around and will probably be even worse.

[SandTEngineer]

I'm all for having a 'vision' of the future, but it needs to be realistic and deliverable in a reasonable timeframe.  CROSSRAIL 1 has taken nearly 10 years and we still don't know how, and if, it's going to deliver its outputs.......

[ChrisB]

30 years is only a little beyond the design life of the wretched IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train), so with a little life extension they will probably still be around.
Only another 30 years of rock hard seats, no buffet, and no through gangways on so called intercity trains.

Of course in 30 years time, IETs will probably look better, since newer trains will also be around and will probably be even worse.

I sometimes wonder why you bother here, you must be so unhappy. You've just acknowledged another 30 years on unhappiness, surely there's something other than makes you feel better to talk about?

[broadgage]

I am not unhappy in general, but do find new trains to be rather depressing.
Fortunately I am now less reliant on trains than in the past so will not have to make frequent use of the new ones.

Railway infrastructure works are also somewhat depressing, they are almost always over budget, sometimes grossly so, and often fail to deliver the promised benefits. As an example consider the failed re-signalling scheme in the Reading area, reliability seems to have declined.

The UK^▸ (United Kingdom) used to export railway vehicles and equipment to most of the world, and our railways were once the fastest, most comfortable, and by many metrics the best in the world.

Yet now we have overcrowded trains, poor reliability, and steadily reducing standards of comfort, and some of the highest fares in the world.
A major newspaper has recently highlighted the rock hard seats on new trains, but that is called progress. "smaller, thinner, harder, lighter, cheaper" is the mantra for seat design.

Proper inter city trains are downgraded to multiple units, not even fitted with through gangways. And of course no buffet, but that is alright because AFTER the trains were specified thus, a survey showed that no one wants buffets any more. What a surprise !

There is probably a survey being done to prove that "ironing board" seats are preferred.

[broadgage]

This old news reel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiIhAGDe6Gs

Is a splendid example of the good old days Not just the design of the train itself, but the sense of optimism and progress. "greatest speed yet attained in the Empire" "best train the world"

These days "progress" seems to be measured by to what degree seats can be made smaller and harder, and how many seats can be fitted into each vehicle, and what facilities can be removed.

[TaplowGreen]

If you like a good laugh, sit down, have a nice cup of tea or coffee, and have a read of this....
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/railway-look-like-30-years-time/

In particular I like this bit:

Twelve key capabilities align the development, deployment and delivery of technologies with the RTS vision:

Running trains closer together
Minimal disruption to train services
Efficient passenger flow through stations and trains
More value from data
Optimum energy use
More space on trains
Services timed to the second
Intelligent trains
Personalised customer experience
Flexible freight
Low-cost railway solutions
Accelerated research, development and technology deployment

.......just checked the calendar, for a moment I was sure April 1st had arrived.

[devonexpress]

Possibly a single track service to Okehampton, Tavistock and onto Plymouth..  , The only thing I think is likely is new or newer trains on all GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) local services across the network, and within the next 10 years I think the Night Riviera Sleeper will be gone, purely because the IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)'s will get faster, and that a journey that only takes 5 hours, does not need a sleep train taking 11 hours, with 2 or 3 hour stops at Exeter.

[broadgage]

Or in more detail

"Running trains closer together" Possibly by use of moving block signalling or similar techniques, beware though the greater complexity and more scope for failures.
"Minimal disruption to train services" Most unlikely in my view, the present trend is towards MORE disruption as signalling and electrical control becomes more centralised, and tighter safety standards require line closures for incidents that previously have been handled with the trains still running.
"Efficient passenger flow through stations and trains" Seems unlikely in the case of stations, recent changes have been to make passenger flow LESS efficient. And passenger flow through trains not helped by use of non gangwayed multiple units on inter city routes.
"More value from data" Likely IMO^▸ (in my opinion), but unlikely to benefit the passenger. Requiring an email address to buy a ticket sounds like an opportunity for generating a lot of spam for example.
"Optimum energy use" Likely, but energy efficiency is improving in general.
"More space on trains" Most unlikely, present trends are towards less space by reducing luggage space, removing guards vans, and reducing table seats.
"Services timed to the second" Unlikely IMO.
"Intelligent trains" oh dear, they cant get computer systems on existing trains to work reliably.
"Personalised customer experience" probably means more direct marketing opportunities. They could make a start by replying to emails within a month, and by answering the phone though.
"Flexible freight" The present trend is towards LESS flexibility, with a lot of planning needed if compared to road transport.
"Low-cost railway solutions" One might hope, but the trend is towards greater cost and complexity. Note the recent comments on IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) Swiss railways with opening windows and passengers crossing the tracks. Would never be allowed here.
"Accelerated research, development and technology deployment" We shall see, but at present we cant even deploy EXISTING and already researched technology in an effective way. Railway electrification is an established system but WE cant deliver it in a timely and affordable way, likewise new signalling. Remember the fiasco of upgrading the West coast route to 140MPH ? it cost billions without in fact achieving 140MPH running.
I also fear that calling for "more research" has become a substitute for actually anything here and now. For example rather than electrify main lines and build some battery trains right now, call for studies and research into hydrogen trains.

[grahame]

I also fear that calling for "more research" has become a substitute for actually anything here and now. For example rather than electrify main lines and build some battery trains right now, call for studies and research into hydrogen trains.

But don't you think there should be research done on how useful research is ...

[CyclingSid]

Does anybody know which pharmacy NR^» (Network Rail - home page) use, have to go their myself (providing the train is running).

[martyjon]

Running trains closer together ....


Whats the use of that if the trains cant be turned around at terminii of cant enter a major station due to the lack of a platform.

[grahame]

Running trains closer together ....

Whats the use of that if the trains cant be turned around at terminii of cant enter a major station due to the lack of a platform.

One of the objectives of the remodelling of Reading was to alternate arrivals from London on the fast main lines into two platforms, then let them continue alternately via Reading West and Tilehurst .. reverse on incoming trains towards London.  At Paddington, inbound train arrive at a platform just one number higher than the outbound at the same time, again avoiding conflict and with a dozen platforms you have six 'cycles' to turn each train around.  Replace paper labels on carriages and reservations with electronic ones, employ traveling cleaners, and you can do it.

Just need accurate running - trains appearing at Reading at exactly the right minute - for it to work.  Surely that's easy enough after 185 years of practise?

[FarWestJohn]

Straight away not 30 years: Ban Voyagers west of Exeter as not fit for purpose.

Convert more surplus HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) when available to 5 cars to replace them.

Approx £ 1.5 million to convert to latest requirements for a 5 car unit gives a proven 125 mph unit at a bargain price.

Use these HSTs on services going through Exeter to the west.

The replaced Voyagers can then be used to strengthen existing trains at no extra expenditure.

Would be a start to providing an all weather railway west of Exeter.