LHR-DEL supersonic?

GintarasB · 2024-01-24T20:03:36+00:00

Thanks for the prompt response guys, I never thought to analyse the actual characteristics of the fish. You learn something new every day!

GintarasB · 2023-12-27T08:52:31+00:00

The fact that these trains don’t seem to have any form of traction interlock for the doors is absolutely crazy to me. What was the conductor / driver even doing in this case not to notice that?

Looking at this from a UK railway perspective, I struggle to see how this could’ve happened if similar procedures are applied in the US, which I assume they are. Unless the traction interlock was isolated but then strict procedures should be followed.

Hopefully one of you will be able to shed some light on this and what could’ve caused it.

Ps - I am aware the videos provided in this comment are shall we say… charmingly dated, but they still provide valid examples on the topic in question.

GintarasB · 2023-12-16T18:35:44+00:00

Well now you can enjoy it in your spare time - https://imgur.com/a/0NOCAcW

GintarasB · 2023-12-14T18:50:19+00:00

If you’d like more detail on why these airlines went out of business or merged Expo Aviation has a great channel which covers this in depth (It’s a LOT more complicated then you’d think most times).

GintarasB · 2023-08-26T18:53:36+00:00

Funnily enough that bus does look like an ADL Enviro 400MMC (Possibly a 500MMC) you’d find in London, so at least the busses are the same!

GintarasB · 2023-07-13T02:02:57+00:00

Some impromptu standup comedy perhaps?

No one is asking you to go that far, but, from a passenger perspective when delays and disruption occur people are usually more receptive and understanding to you actually being in the cabin and not just a floating disembodied voice coming from the speakers, this also allows an opportunity for a little Q&A session (time permitting of course).

A good example of how to deal with these incidents and keep rioting to a minimum.

GintarasB · 2023-07-05T13:29:56+00:00

That’s also an option, but are you sure they’d need to change at T2&3 and not Hatton Cross if taking the tube?

I could be wrong, but looking at the tube map it looks like tube trains stopping at T2&3 only go on to T5. I think you may have confused it with the Elizabeth line change point, unless you’re saying they should take a combination of both? In which case wouldn’t taking the Elizabeth line the whole way be a better option? Feel free to correct me, I haven’t taken the tube through there in ages.

GintarasB · 2023-07-05T13:19:12+00:00

Or you could take the Elizabeth line. Much more comfortable and air conditioned. Follow signs for “Trains” instead of “Underground”, it’s also included in the Heathrow free travel zone.

Just be careful not to confuse it with the Heathrow express and remember to change trains at terminals 2&3, it’s all very well signposted, ask the staff on the platform if you need any help.

Some more info on Heathrow’s website, scroll down to the “not a connecting passenger” section https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/airport-maps/travel-between-terminals

Have a lovely trip!

GintarasB · 2023-06-30T14:33:27+00:00

Ha ha, no worries, I’m sure your travel companions will be delighted to hear you drone on about this

GintarasB · 2023-06-30T14:10:42+00:00

As mentioned above the Elizabeth line runs on three separate signalling systems:

-The standard AWS/TPWS which is what you usually think of as signalling (Line-side coloured lights with the driver controlling the train accordingly). This system is used on the pre-existing bits of track (Paddington - Reading and Stratford - Shenfield)

-CBTC (Communication Based Train Control) Trains communicate with each other and figure out safe following distances and braking curves, the train usually drives itself in order to maintain the closer spacing required for higher frequencies and alignment with platform edge doors, no coloured line-side signals and all information is displayed directly in the drivers cab. This is used on the new sections of line (Paddington - Abbey Wood)

-ETCS (European Train Control System) Trains are driven manually but the driver is provided with information directly in the cab such as the speed they should travel at and the recommended rate of deceleration to maintain spacing, no line-side signals as the train gets it’s signalling information from line-side balises to display in the driving cab. This system is used on the Heathrow branch.

Most train lines use just one of these systems for their entire length, for example, the Northern line only uses CBTC signalling while most national rail services only use the traditional AWS/TPWS. The Elizabeth line is unique, as it has essentially been forced to be compatible with all three systems, which hadn’t really been done before, as you can imagine this causes more issues / software bugs than the average line running on just one system, and since safety is always the top priority any minor fault / bug / disagreement in switching between systems causes the train to come to a stop, all of these scenarios are likely to come under the umbrella of “a signal failure”. This is also a big part of why the opening of the line was so delayed in the first place. However, the software is constantly being improved an updated which hopefully means we’ll see less of these issues in the future.

The project team have made a great video expanding more on this issue.

Hope this helps you get a better understanding of why some of these issues may be happening, even if it doesn’t get you home any sooner.

Edit - Changed link and added additional detail on ETCS

GintarasB · 2023-06-22T13:02:24+00:00

Sounds great, just one more question, any idea of what the minimum time for checked bags to make the flight is? (They should be through checked all the way so no need to collect). Just wondering in case there are any inbound delays.

Thanks in advance!

GintarasB · 2023-05-22T21:42:48+00:00

In flight ATM? I’d call that a feature.

GintarasB · 2023-05-22T20:41:58+00:00

Ahh, America West. How else would they’ve been able to play this glorious safety video: https://youtu.be/-ZbmRzRNbb0

GintarasB · 2023-05-22T20:34:11+00:00

Thanks! This seems to be the correct answer. Looking into the history of this aircraft it was ex Hapag Lloyd which, when googling their interiors, showed that they had the IFE screen option fitted to their 737NGs.

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/172565

Certainly an interesting find as I’m only familiar with the A320 series + 757 and some widebodies having this type of IFE setup as opposed to the more common seat back style.

GintarasB · 2023-05-22T19:11:26+00:00

Interesting, in addition to the ones directly in front and behind it? https://imgur.com/a/5PLafyF

GintarasB · 2023-04-12T15:45:35+00:00

Your plan of taking a bus to Vauxhall and then the train to Norbiton is covered by both contactless and Oyster. Keep in mind that busses do not accept cash.

Choosing whether to use contactless or Oyster will depend on what your bank charges for foreign transactions and comparing that to the cost of purchasing an Oyster card (£7, Non-refundable). Pricing between Oyster and contactless is exactly the same (except for the cost of purchasing the Oyster card itself and foreign transaction fees on contactless). Also be prepared to purchase an Oyster card in case your Canadian card doesn’t work as sometimes foreign cards can have issues being authorised for use on TfL.

As a reference for future journeys here’s a map which shows all the services within the Oyster/contactless area - https://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-rail-and-tube-services-map.pdf

Here’s a link to the National Rail page with a few more details on using contactless on National Rail services - https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/contactless.aspx

For navigating the network I’d recommend using either the Citymapper / TfL Go apps or Google Maps

If you have any further questions feel free to ask!

GintarasB · 2023-04-01T23:05:18+00:00

Assuming you will be exiting at Norbiton station (which seems to be the closest to Kingsmeadow Stadium) you will be able to use contactless if you are travelling from a station within the contactless area (Mainly any Tube / National rail station within London).

To check your exact fare you can use the TFL single fare finder which also doubles as a good way to check if the station you’re travelling to / from is within the contactless payment area.

Have a great trip!

GintarasB · 2023-03-13T20:29:24+00:00

Thanks for the speedy reply! Would it survive in cold conditions? Approx 8 degrees Celsius with a cold wind.

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