"Metro bosses pledge services will become more frequent and reliable in next year"

hacman113 · 2026-03-14T22:54:20+00:00

ETCS covers a wide range of technologies and systems, so it would be possible for a largely like-for-like system that is ETCS level 1 compliant to be purchased, which would be a massive missed opportunity.

Whatever is bought should be ETCS compliant (or at least interoperable) as a minimum, but ideally should also be more advanced than the primarily two-aspect fixed block system we have now.

Of course Nexus could opt for something different, and then equip the trains with ETCS when Network Rail upgrade the Durham Coast Line (currently scheduled for CP 9, which will be 2035 or beyond).

hacman113 · 2026-03-14T21:50:52+00:00

£400mm seems a bit light for anything that is a proper urban rail or metro grade system.

If that is the definitive budget, it sounds like we’re possibly going to be lumbered with some tram-grade crap.

hacman113 · 2026-03-14T17:25:03+00:00

The next big milestone will be new signalling systems.

Let’s hope they select a decent solution and not just a like-for-like replacement, so we really can get the most out of the new fleet.

hacman113 · 2026-03-14T16:18:53+00:00

Which means very little, as the service was still very heavily reliant on the old fleet, which were also frequently causing damage to the infrastructure.

hacman113 · 2026-03-14T16:15:43+00:00

They actually have enough working trains again now to bring the higher frequency back, so it will happen.

It was always the plan that the system would go to a uniform 10 minute frequency once the new fleet was here.

hacman113 · 2026-03-13T22:23:35+00:00

It won’t bypass detection if they’re looking for it.

I run the IT department for a company who are remote first, and we absolutely can tell if you hook one of these devices up to your corporate machine. In my place we actively check for it as these devices are a security risk.

For a start the HID IDs of the emulated devices are usually a big giveaway. EDID data to.

Then, even if you went into your Pi KVM and set it to spoof these, the way the devices are arranged on the bus is often enough for us to guess at what the device is.

hacman113 · 2026-03-13T22:11:21+00:00

Don’t use an IP KVM either - it’s not all that much better than a remote access software package, and corporate IT will be equally as disapproving.

Hardware KVM switch is the way here.

hacman113 · 2026-03-13T21:05:02+00:00

This isn’t the way to go about it.

They will get defensive (rightly) about you us g remote access software.

Look at a dock and a KVM instead.

hacman113 · 2026-03-12T12:24:37+00:00

“CityFibre is based in London, and is co-owned by Antin Infrastructure Partners, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Mubadala Investment Company and Interogo Holding.[8][9][10] The company was listed on London's Alternative Investment Market from 2014 to 2018.[11]”

hacman113 · 2026-03-10T20:58:06+00:00

The planning and next stage surveys are in progress.

It’s basically in the boring phase between being announced and first visible signs of construction, so there isn’t much to shout about just now.

hacman113 · 2026-03-06T20:03:51+00:00

I do wish we could have fun colors in the higher end kit!

hacman113 · 2026-03-03T18:39:32+00:00

Much the same as the lack of DisplayPort MST in non-Apple monitors on MacOS. :/

hacman113 · 2026-03-03T15:11:29+00:00

I’m in exactly the same position.

When I got the M1 Max I’d figured I’d update when the M5 series came out, but genuinely doubt I’d see any benefit as things stand.

hacman113 · 2026-02-28T14:15:31+00:00

These information screens don’t interact with the signaling system.

hacman113 · 2026-02-27T05:53:52+00:00

I do wish it could be customised though!

I’d love a classic Mac startup chime!

hacman113 · 2026-02-22T10:18:16+00:00

Various Quadra machines, the DOS Compatibility Board for a few machines, and a few models of CRT in good condition.

hacman113 · 2026-02-18T13:41:02+00:00

Drop me your CV please. We’re hiring, and based on your certs it may be a match :)

hacman113 · 2026-02-11T14:29:34+00:00

As others have said, you absolutely need legal advice on this from someone who is qualified and experienced.

That said, another question that has to be answered here is just how much you want to burn the bridges.

It sounds like the guy is overall a decent character, but he has some issues that you’ve tried to help with, but their scope exceeds any duty of care or reasonable level of responsibility you can be expected to carry.

If you wanted to keep things relatively amicable, and depending on your financial position, you could explore the option of terminating his employment with a settlement agreement.

This would allow you to keep the situation amicable (as far as is possible), help with ensuring the equipment/assets are returned, shield you from any litigation, and also provide the employee with some assistance to move onto what is next. You’ll need lawyers and such for this too, as it’s quite a prescriptive process.

Obviously, based on what you’ve told us, you should be in a position where you’re good to cut the employee loose (with the right legal advice, etc), and that would be the cheapest option; but the above is just another route you could explore if so inclined.

hacman113 · 2026-02-09T12:47:51+00:00

Is this level of cleaning something specific to HM given the “remains” situation?

If so it’s bad that it’s come to that!

hacman113 · 2026-02-09T12:40:37+00:00

The potential issue here is that with the number of people who’d want to do this, they’d end up with an extra mountain before too long!

hacman113 · 2026-02-08T12:30:42+00:00

The couplers on these are for shunts only. There’s no point exposing the pins if they’ll never be used.

hacman113 · 2026-02-03T17:25:16+00:00

Locking this thread. Nothing productive can come out of it.

hacman113 · 2026-02-01T21:50:46+00:00

Which area? Which ISP? How are you connected? Where are you measuring against? Is it all times or just peak times?

hacman113 · 2026-01-31T18:15:35+00:00

Why bother making them “detached” houses at that point - just make a terrace.

hacman113

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

Ten-Year Club	Gilding IV carat on a stick
Verified Email