You might watch this - if you didn't see it back in 1982....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCXXzPcwj3c

A Nuclear Bomb in London | Q.E.D.: A Guide to Armageddon | BBC Archive

 
I do wonder what the rate of return is from stealing luggage from racks. In most cases you'd just end up with someone's part-worn clothes and toiletries, with any valuables surely(?) on the owner's body or in a small bag kept with them. It's a pity though that modern trains with seats crammed together don't readily allow for putting luggage behind seats to keep an eye on.

Back in the day I did used to worry a bit about my bike being stolen mid-journey from the guard's van everyone had access to. Knowing that locking it to the train wouldn't go down well, I compromised by locking it to itself, so that at least it would have to be carried rather than wheeled, making any theft harder and more obvious.

 
From Wikipedia
We often read / hear of steam engine boilers being "in ticket until ..." or "out of ticket" but I have drawn pretty close to a blank on researching the history of when these became mandatory.  Further links and quotes would be helpful!

 
Going off at a slight tangent here (and I can, because I'm an admin ), there is a somewhat related topic article, from the BBC:


No doubt the Council will pay their own (misguided) legal costs - at their taxpayers expense. 

 
An update, from the BBC:


I recommend a full read of that BBC news item - it contains a lot of detail about that sad incident.

CfN. 

 
This can be a situation where a rising tide can lift all boats. A more joined-up network, more useable and relevant to people's lives and this catalyses services to be strengthened on parts of the network in reach but less well served.

 
Well there was that time, as I retrieved it approaching Newport, the waistband of my rucksack accidentally fastened itself securely to the light fitting of a class 166, thankfully the staff were very understanding as I undertook an unintended trip to accompany it from Newport to Cardiff. I've never seen a carriage full of people travelling to work go so deadpan though.

(When this happens to you, something thin and flexible will make for a quick-release key: push the strap further in to the light fitting, persuade whatever you have to hand to pass beneath the buckle and withdraw both together.)

 

There is always going to be an ongoing up-and-down as travel improves / regresses, as local facilities and schools and medicals get better / worse in an area, and as popularity / marketing / fashion changes.   I recall that at one time, the Medway towns (Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham) were a good, lower priced place to live, encouraged by fast, lower peak cost rail services - not sure if that's still the case.  When I lived in Harpenden, there was a joke about a line marked "£6000" on the road to Luton which was the typical difference in house price for that one (as it was in those days) extra stop on the train; got married for the first time in 1978, moved north and swapped a two-up two-down mid terrace in Batford for a three bedroom semi in Caddington without the need for much extra capital.

 
From a social media enquiry from a group looking at travel for older people around Europe - on padlocking your luggage to the train's luggage rack in order to reduce / prevent theft


A mix of responses ranging from recommendations of particular lock products to "don't do it".  I replied: and brough a whole load of "like"s and support such as which I confirmed
But - oh dear - I seem to have annoyed the people who have flown under the radar with this and seem to routinely lock their luggage to racks:
Locking luggage to a train rack is generally discouraged or prohibited by many train operators.  As an example, Lumo (a UK operator) state "For safety reasons, luggage cannot be padlocked to the train's infrastructure or doors."

I am not a fan of AI answers, but this one I got when I asked seems to me to confirm the situation as I understand it:


Personally?   I travel a lot, do not use locks but do place luggage sensibly within sight. My own rucksack has straps which have firm clips on them - released in an instant, but hold if you don't press on exactly the right spot. Where I put my luggage down / have it with me (not so much on train, but in restaurant, waiting or seating areas, etc), I DO clip it to the seat sometimes.  Doesn't stop it being picked up, but does mean that an opportunist doing a grab and would find him/herself pulled up short.  To my knowldege, the effectiveness of approach has never been tested on my luggage, and I do take care to ensure that personal stuff stays much closer to my person.



The rules / regulations on this are not exactly stuff that makes the headlines - after all, there are so many pressing issues around that much need to go unsaid.   I can recall a past conversation about shelling prawns on the underground, which whilst we considered it antisocial didn't appear to be against the rules - but as far as I know, there are no specifics anywhere.

 

I suspect that they "know" just how vulnerable modern society is to any disruption in food supplies or utilities, and that the UK  is especially bad at preparing for this.
It is now about 80 years since the last major war in Europe.
It is now about 75 years since the East Coast floods.
It is now over 50 years since the last major national disruption to electricity supplies, outside living memory for many.
When I was a kid most homes still had a fire place, now rare.

Most of the population have no idea how to cope with significant disruption.

It is in my view a proper subject to discuss.

 

I should have mentioned that I would expect the water trains to run overnight, which would also reduce evaporation rates.

 
I have added a calendar link into the Coffee Shop diary.    For those of us from further afield, first train would involve staying away from home the night before (hotel, hostel, park bench) and I will probably be with you in spirit rather than in person.

I admit - slight jealousy.  New stations at Ashely Down, Portway Parkway, Bristol Parkway, Yate, Cam and Dursley, and Pill and Portishead physically under way ("shovels in the ground") with Henbury not far behind. Last brand new station in Wiltshire - 1937. Just one re-opening of a Beeching era (1966) closure in 1985 and with a much thinner service than any of the WECA / Bristol area stations.  Congratulations to the area, including all the campaigners and community advocates and partners in the area who have and continue to help on this appropriate re-inviguration of rail in the area.

 

Yep - that quote is directly from a senior ASLEF official, whose members have voted to accept the new arrangements.

This is largely about Dempsey doing what Dempsey does.

 

Looks likely that I'll be in Bristol then so I might plod down the to see the first train off or, more likely, make a grand entrance on the first train in just a little later. 

 

I took the 75 from Gloucester Road and got off just before the newly built Runway Avenue which runs up through the middle of the former airfield.  It's a bit of walk up to the station from there (although one of the Metrobust services that goes to the Mall runs along there) and the station is signposted from the Avenue even if it's not entirely clear were the pathway is (best to walk past the frontages of the container outlets).  The entrance to the station is right next to the side of the Propeller Quarter building.
Off course, from Ashley Down Station, there's the 07.17 to Brabazon....the first train arrive at, rather than depart, Bristol Brabazon.

 

That's absolutely brilliant, johnneyw - thanks for posting that information!  

I rather intend to attend that event, and will look out for other members of the Coffee Shop forum there.  Please do walk up and tap me on the shoulder, if you do happen to recognize me.

CfN.  

 

In terms of roads / paths etc, how much is open up there? Living near Ashley Down thinking thia may be a nice easy way of visiting Aerospace Bristol but obviously that depends on being able to easily get to there from the new station.

 
For anyone interested in going to the station opening on the 23rd or using it in the future, I noticed on my visit that there are nearby refreshment opportunities.  Less than a minute from the station entrance are a cluster of container type commercial units which includes a coffee shop and for the hungrier, a pasta bar.  I've not tried either so I can't comment on the how good they are, nor can I recall the options on offer, other than that the pasta place seemed to be reasonably priced.
All of the outlets seemed to be geared to the adjacent student flats which provided the only signs of human life that day apart from a middle aged couple who stopped in their car to ask me if I knew of a pasta restaurant nearby.

 
As soon as people start doing this, house prices will go up steeply. Homes in other London commuter belt towns within 30-45 mins train ride that have become popular options have all rocketed in price

 
From My London


Where would you suggest for economic, practical and enjoyable living for London based commuters about the Leighton Buzzard distance / time out.

 
An update, from the BBC, which includes reference to previous incidents, reminding us that Egypt has a rather sad history, in terms of railway safety:

 

and


It reads to me that the local train from Giza to Faroum crashed into the the long distance train from Cairo to Aswan which was stationary at the time.   No indication as to the probable cause or other factors as yet.

 
From the BBC: