Extend Southern to Salisbury from So'ton

[whole diary]

[eightf48544]

It is such a shame how we, the British - once world leaders, are now tiny in the rail industry.

The start was the APT^▸ (Advanced Passenger Train). Privatisation has killed the remainder.

All those skills lost....

Agree. Unfortunatately the so called "failure" of the  ATP^▸ (Automatic Train Protection) gave an anti rail government the excuse they needed to reduce investment in rail especialy new rolling stock. Privatisation finished the job.

Rumour has it that Derby (BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) Reasearch) were very near to sorting out the ATP when the plug was pulled.

The major problem with the ATP seems to be that there were too many new technologies built into the train. Not only tilt but also hydrostatic brakes etc. This always causes problems.

Had they put tilt in one and brakes in another then put together when they were both working it would probably have come together quicker.

It seems to be a problem in British engineering that in order to get money to develop new technology you have to be revolutionary rather than evolutionary.

Concorde being a classic case with both a revolutionary airframe and new highly stressed engines. The other famous case was the Avro Manchester/Lancaster. As designed the Manchester with two new engines was a flop until fitted with 4 Merlins it became the Lancaster.



 

[DevonTrains2008]

Just been checking the NRE^▸ (National Rail Enquiries) website:

For a family of four with railcard Honiton to Ashford International is ^60 cheaper than Honiton to London International (AKA^▸ ('also known as') St Pancras) - although 1.5 hours longer it does avoid the trek across London...

[John R]

Is that asking for tickets to London International CIV^▸ (International Convention for the transportation of Passengers (lit. Convention Internationale pour le transport des Voyageurs))?

[DevonTrains2008]

Yep... That's what it says in seat 61

I have realised the Ashford fare is Ashford International (Eurostar) and goes via London Waterloo!

Crazy!

[Btline]

London International CIV^▸ (International Convention for the transportation of Passengers (lit. Convention Internationale pour le transport des Voyageurs)) fares are extortionate! (even when compared to "walk-up" tickets)

[willc]

Moreton-in-Marsh-Paddington anytime return is ^57, to London International CIV^▸ (International Convention for the transportation of Passengers (lit. Convention Internationale pour le transport des Voyageurs)) is ^38. I would call that a pretty substantial saving.

The point of the CIV ticket is to allow you to travel into London in the peaks at fares below those charged to domestic passengers and offers the guarantee that if you miss your Eurostar, due to problems elsewhere, they will put you on the next available service.

Of course, if you're travelling outside the peak and/or have a railcard of some sort, you can get cheaper fares such as Savers, but you won't have the guarantee about onward travel that the CIV ticket offers.

[Btline]

I agree that they are good for peak time (although you need a peak CIV^▸ (International Convention for the transportation of Passengers (lit. Convention Internationale pour le transport des Voyageurs)) ticket going into Euston - a ticket which is pricey).

But advance fares are much cheaper! ^11 vs about >^30

[grahame]

I always thought that more use of Ashford Int. with connections from the West would be a good idea. Look at the population along the South Coast.

However, the fly in onitment is the non electrified section between Ashford and Ore and as has been said previously the crossing from East to West Coast at Brighton.

Ashford Ore should really be a priority elecrification and for  West of Southampton via Salisbury the lines should also be electrified to save DMUS running on electrified lines.

Looks like the prospective MP^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) for Rye and Hastings has been reading you

http://www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/news/local/call-for-direct-south-coast-train-line-route-1-6538899

A Hastings politician has launched a campaign calling for a direct rail link between Ashford and Southampton.

Nick Perry, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Hastings and Rye, believes such a route will boost the economy of 1066 Country and towns across the south coast.

He has submitted a motion to the party^s pre-General Election Conference, to be held in Liverpool in March.

Lewes Lib Dem MP and former Transport Minister Norman Baker has backed the motion.

Mr Perry said: ^This railway would have a direct positive impact on the economies of at least 30 constituencies along the south coast. We already have support from Dover to Gosport, and Fareham via Brighton and Lewes. We need to think East-West as well as North-South, and we consider that this bold proposal would send a strong message about our commitment to the less advantaged people and areas along the south coast, and to the objectives of sustainable economic development. We must build on the work of the Parliament just gone.^