Train GraphicClick on the map to explore geographics
 
I need help
FAQ
Emergency
About .
Travel & transport from BBC stories as at 10:15 28 Mar 2024
* Easter travel warning as millions set to hit roads
- Man suffers life-threatening injuries after train stabbing
* How do I renew my UK passport and what is the 10-year rule?
Read about the forum [here].
Register [here] - it's free.
What do I gain from registering? [here]
 02/06/24 - Summer Timetable starts
17/08/24 - Bus to Imber
27/09/25 - 200 years of passenger trains

On this day
28th Mar (1988)
Formal end to carrying coffins by BR (link)

Train RunningCancelled
07:43 Swansea to London Paddington
08:18 London Paddington to Cardiff Central
08:30 London Paddington to Weston-Super-Mare
09:00 Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington
09:12 London Paddington to Cardiff Central
09:29 Weston-Super-Mare to London Paddington
09:30 London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads
09:46 Westbury to Swindon
10:15 London Paddington to Cardiff Central
10:30 London Paddington to Weston-Super-Mare
10:41 Cardiff Central to London Paddington
11:00 Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington
11:05 Swindon to Westbury
11:16 London Paddington to Cardiff Central
11:23 Weston-Super-Mare to London Paddington
11:30 London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads
11:50 Cardiff Central to London Paddington
12:15 London Paddington to Cardiff Central
12:17 Westbury to Swindon
12:30 London Paddington to Weston-Super-Mare
13:15 Swindon to Westbury
14:19 Westbury to Swindon
15:14 Swindon to Westbury
Short Run
05:40 Bristol Temple Meads to Penzance
06:00 London Paddington to Penzance
07:03 London Paddington to Paignton
07:33 Weymouth to Gloucester
08:38 London Paddington to Westbury
09:45 Bristol Temple Meads to Salisbury
09:50 Cardiff Central to London Paddington
10:35 London Paddington to Exeter St Davids
10:55 Paignton to London Paddington
11:12 Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads
Delayed
06:05 Penzance to London Paddington
07:10 Penzance to London Paddington
08:03 London Paddington to Penzance
08:35 Plymouth to London Paddington
09:04 London Paddington to Plymouth
09:37 London Paddington to Paignton
10:04 London Paddington to Penzance
10:23 London Paddington to Oxford
PollsOpen and recent polls
Closed 2024-03-25 Easter Escape - to where?
Abbreviation pageAcronymns and abbreviations
Stn ComparatorStation Comparator
Rail newsNews Now - live rail news feed
Site Style 1 2 3 4
Next departures • Bristol Temple MeadsBath SpaChippenhamSwindonDidcot ParkwayReadingLondon PaddingtonMelksham
Exeter St DavidsTauntonWestburyTrowbridgeBristol ParkwayCardiff CentralOxfordCheltenham SpaBirmingham New Street
March 28, 2024, 10:18:39 *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Forgotten your username or password? - get a reminder
Most recently liked subjects
[193] West Wiltshire Bus Changes April 2024
[109] would you like your own LIVE train station departure board?
[75] Return of the BRUTE?
[59] Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption el...
[46] Reversing Beeching - bring heritage and freight lines into the...
[26] CrossCountry upgrade will see 25% more rail seats
 
News: A forum for passengers ... with input from rail professionals welcomed too
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Pages: 1 ... 3 4 [5] 6 7 ... 13
  Print  
Author Topic: Could you give up flying? Meet the no-plane pioneers  (Read 43731 times)
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #60 on: October 17, 2019, 23:29:29 »

To revive this talk of hotel minibars, fridges and related matters.
An old friend recently stayed in a privately run small hotel and was impressed with the alternative to in-room minibars and the energy use thereof.
In the residents lounge was a large high efficiency glass fronted fridge containing a selection of soft drinks and alcoholic refreshment. Guests were invited to help themselves and pay for it the next morning. CCTV (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) discouraged misuse.
The prices were the same as those charged in the bar.

This worked well, and was much appreciated by two guests returning very thirsty, just after the pubs shut.
Logged

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.
IndustryInsider
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 10095


View Profile
« Reply #61 on: October 18, 2019, 05:59:46 »

I’ve stayed in a couple of small hotels over the years with an identical ‘honesty base’ arrangement to that.
Logged

To view my GWML (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
grahame
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 40688



View Profile WWW Email
« Reply #62 on: October 18, 2019, 06:11:41 »

I’ve stayed in a couple of small hotels over the years with an identical ‘honesty base’ arrangement to that.

You trust your guests ... and in 99% of cases the guests will trust you.  We did this I'm multiple areas (not just soft drinks)n and I can recall just two occasions in 10 years we were 'taken'. Which cost us a darned sight less than (for example) having a phone system into each room rather than an 'open' house phone.  All bar two staff members were equally trustworthy (they were each just with us a short time only) ...
Logged

Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
johnneyw
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 2257


From station to station, back to Bristol city....


View Profile
« Reply #63 on: October 18, 2019, 07:35:13 »

Well, that's a cheery few examples to start the day with. The honesty box at the "shop" in the garden where my brother works has by and large worked successfully for years. Mind you, that is in rural south Devon. I'm not sure that business model would work as well in all locations.
Logged
TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6435


The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!


View Profile
« Reply #64 on: October 18, 2019, 09:48:46 »

Well, that's a cheery few examples to start the day with. The honesty box at the "shop" in the garden where my brother works has by and large worked successfully for years. Mind you, that is in rural south Devon. I'm not sure that business model would work as well in all locations.

I love honesty boxes. I have amassed quite a collection over the years.
Logged

Now, please!
eightf48544
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 4574


View Profile Email
« Reply #65 on: October 18, 2019, 10:20:11 »

It can be done.

I know someone who will be doing UK (United Kingdom) Australia both ways by rail and ship!

Not sure which route is out

 China near Hong Kong by Trans Siberian etc. Ship to Melbourne

Australia Singapore ship then train  to china and Trans Siberian. I understand ther my be coach inviolved between Cambodia and Vietnam.
Probably take 6 weeks.

Is that by cargo ship or other means?

Yes Cargo ships I believe through a French shipping agent.
He's successfully arrived in Australia, travelling by train around country. He will be back in the New Year will post how he gets on.

Logged
TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6435


The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!


View Profile
« Reply #66 on: October 18, 2019, 21:36:48 »

I've tried to work out seeing my son in Canada from here in the UK (United Kingdom).  One day in the UK to port, fourteen days minimum each way by ship (if you can find one thats not a cruise), one day by rail to his home.  And then there is the journey back again...... Roll Eyes

Reading back through this thread, there is a way of flying to Canada that could illustrate why taxation isn't always successful. The first time I went there, I travelled by Icelandair because it was cheaper, but also because we fancied a few days in Iceland on the way back. An unexpected result was that we didn't pay the long-haul flight tax, because Keflavik is short-haul, and Iceland doesn't have such a tax.the saving was significant. If the UK goes it alone and increases airline taxes further, more people will actively seek such arrangements, whilst the entire population of London and the south east will start their journeys to the far east by Eurostar to a French or Belgian airport.

Biofuels for aviation are a bit of a gimmick, and electric planes are some way off, but aircraft have become steadily more efficient and less polluting over the years. Continuing that trend is likely to achieve more in reality than asking people not to fly anywhere.
Logged

Now, please!
MVR S&T
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 438


View Profile
« Reply #67 on: October 18, 2019, 23:50:36 »

Yes I could and have given up flying, proably due to watching too many aircrash investigation programs, and being in the aviation industry for 30 years, though,the industry has it's bad days somtimes, i dont think there are any more saftey issues, than UK (United Kingdom) railways. a good track record for both.
Logged
ellendune
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 4452


View Profile
« Reply #68 on: October 19, 2019, 09:07:07 »

whilst the entire population of London and the south east will start their journeys to the far east by Eurostar to a French or Belgian airport.

That would please those who don't want Heathrow expansion - London Brussels Airport anyone?
Logged
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #69 on: October 19, 2019, 09:30:48 »

I agree that flying has a good safety record, I avoid it for environmental reasons not for fear of accidents.

Biofuels for aircraft seem most unlikely, apart from technical issues, the amount of farm land that would be required to produce the volumes of biofuels looks infeasible.

Electric aircraft are a possibility for short hops to otherwise inaccessible islands and the like, it seems unlikely that batteries will ever have sufficient energy density to cross major oceans.

Jet engines are now a mature technology and significant improvements in fuel economy seem unlikely.

Therefore the only way to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from flying is to fly less, and preferably not at all.
Similar arguments apply to road transport, though at least electric road vehicles are a lot more viable than electric flight.
Logged

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.
stuving
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 7154


View Profile
« Reply #70 on: October 19, 2019, 10:36:07 »

I agree that flying has a good safety record, I avoid it for environmental reasons not for fear of accidents.

Biofuels for aircraft seem most unlikely, apart from technical issues, the amount of farm land that would be required to produce the volumes of biofuels looks infeasible.

Electric aircraft are a possibility for short hops to otherwise inaccessible islands and the like, it seems unlikely that batteries will ever have sufficient energy density to cross major oceans.

Jet engines are now a mature technology and significant improvements in fuel economy seem unlikely.

Therefore the only way to significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from flying is to fly less, and preferably not at all.
Similar arguments apply to road transport, though at least electric road vehicles are a lot more viable than electric flight.

There are some other possibilities, and one getting a lot of work is sunbeams+CO2=fuel. Mostly it involves making hydrogen first, with a further step (or steps) of reducing the carbon in CO2 to suitable hydrocarbons. Currently inefficient, and messy, thus expensive - but let a load of chemists loose on a problem to play hunt-the-catalyst and those usually improve quite fast. (Scientific paper example here.)

Edit:VickiS - Clarifying Acronyms
« Last Edit: March 19, 2021, 22:31:25 by VickiS » Logged
eightonedee
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 1532



View Profile
« Reply #71 on: October 19, 2019, 13:49:57 »

Quote
but let a load of chemists loose on a problem to play hunt-the-catalyst and those usually improve quite fast. (Scientific paper example here.)

...and that, Extinction Rebellion will be how we will square the circle about protecting the environment while not devastating our standard of living/driving the least privileged in the world into starvation, not by gluing ourselves to the roofs of tube trains!
Logged
TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6435


The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!


View Profile
« Reply #72 on: October 19, 2019, 14:12:05 »

Yes I could and have given up flying, probably due to watching too many aircrash investigation programs, and being in the aviation industry for 30 years, though,the industry has it's bad days somtimes, i dont think there are any more saftey issues, than UK (United Kingdom) railways. a good track record for both.

Nervous first time flyer: "Do these crash often?"
Smiling stewardess: "No, sir. Just the once."
Logged

Now, please!
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #73 on: October 19, 2019, 23:56:19 »

Yes I could and have given up flying, probably due to watching too many aircrash investigation programs, and being in the aviation industry for 30 years, though,the industry has it's bad days somtimes, i dont think there are any more saftey issues, than UK (United Kingdom) railways. a good track record for both.

Nervous first time flyer: "Do these crash often?"
Smiling stewardess: "No, sir. Just the once."

Reminds me of some old jokes with which the younger generation may not be familiar.

1) Q is a parachute essential equipment for sky diving ?
     A no, it only essential for sky diving more than once.

2) A trainee flyer in the Royal Air Force (RAF (Royal Air Force)) is being issued all his kit. "6 of these, 3 of those, one of these things, sign here, sign there.
    Parachute mark 29, version 12." "We have had a few problems with these, but don't worry, if it does not work, just bring it back and ask for a new one!"

3) A new pilot is saying goodbye to his nervous mother before making his first solo flight. She says "Now promise me dear, don't go too high up, and don't go too fast"
(for those unfamiliar with flying machines, two of the greatest risks are flying too low and hitting hills, trees, or tall buildings, or flying too slowly resulting in the aeroplane stalling and plummeting. Remember the 12th commandment "keep up thy airspeed, lest the ground riseth up and smites thee".


Edit: VickiS - Clarifying abbreviation
« Last Edit: March 19, 2021, 22:32:19 by VickiS » Logged

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.
Rhydgaled
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1500


View Profile WWW
« Reply #74 on: October 19, 2019, 23:58:11 »

There are some other possibilities, and one getting a lot of work is sunbeams+CO2=fuel. Mostly it involves making hydrogen first, with a further step (or steps) of reducing the carbon in CO2 to suitable hydrocarbons. Currently inefficient, and messy, thus expensive - but let a load of chemists loose on a problem to play hunt-the-catalyst and those usually improve quite fast. (Scientific paper example here.)
Simplifying so I can check if I've understood correctly, the proposal is to take CO2 from the air and turn it into fuel which is then burnt, releasing that CO2 back into the air? Sounds similar to biofuels in that it avoids releasing carbon that is currently 'locked in' as fossil fuels, but using a man-made process instead of photosynthesis. Better than burning fossil fuels of course but energy is still required to make the fuel (biofuel normally also involves energy to dry out the plant matter before it is used as fuel). As far as aviation is concerned though there is altitude to consider, for some reason water vapour from hydrogen-powered ground vehicles is not an issue but released from a plane at altitude it would be a significant greenhouse gas.
Logged

----------------------------
Don't DOO (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) it, keep the guard (but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea if the driver unlocked the doors on arrival at calling points).
Do you have something you would like to add to this thread, or would you like to raise a new question at the Coffee Shop? Please [register] (it is free) if you have not done so before, or login (at the top of this page) if you already have an account - we would love to read what you have to say!

You can find out more about how this forum works [here] - that will link you to a copy of the forum agreement that you can read before you join, and tell you very much more about how we operate. We are an independent forum, provided and run by customers of Great Western Railway, for customers of Great Western Railway and we welcome railway professionals as members too, in either a personal or official capacity. Views expressed in posts are not necessarily the views of the operators of the forum.

As well as posting messages onto existing threads, and starting new subjects, members can communicate with each other through personal messages if they wish. And once members have made a certain number of posts, they will automatically be admitted to the "frequent posters club", where subjects not-for-public-domain are discussed; anything from the occasional rant to meetups we may be having ...

 
Pages: 1 ... 3 4 [5] 6 7 ... 13
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.2 | SMF © 2006-2007, Simple Machines LLC Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!
This forum is provided by customers of Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western), and the views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that the content provided by one of our posters contravenes our posting rules (email link to report). Forum hosted by Well House Consultants

Jump to top of pageJump to Forum Home Page