Movies, headphones, music and such

[PinzaC55]

Most of the problems on railways today are caused by privatisation, which was promised by the John Major Conservative Government.They were voted in by a majority of British voters who were then happy to make pots of money by trading in Railtrack shares.The system has been perpetuated by the current Labour Government(s) after Tony Blair "promised" to renationalise the railways. Who is to blame?

[hq1hitchin]

Regarding passengers being able to listen to wireless broadcasts on LNER services, the summer 1932 East Coast Carriage Workings shows that the 1.20 pm KX - Edinburgh and 2.5 pm Edinburgh - KX conveyed a corridor first 'fitted for wireless' so at least the toffs had something to listen to on the journey. Incidentally, when Virgin introduced the Voyagers, they too had plug ins at seats so you could listen to the radio via headsets (2 quids from the 'award winning shop' or free to 'club class' patrons) but the two snags seemed to be the constant interruptions when the p.a. system overrode the broadcasts and the predominance of Beardie Radio. Never saw it used much and suspect Arriva have dumped it, along with the 'award winning shop'. At least the LNER were leaders in the field and doubt they would have got away with having so little food available on trains for long distance passengers as is sadly the case today. 'Different times different businesses?' ha ha

[52A]

Can you imagine the service we could have provided with the levels of subsidies now given to these profiteering low lifes?

[PinzaC55]

Precisely. I have read a discussion once of how much taxpayers money is effectively going into Bransons pockets vis his West Coast franchise and it was startling.

[52A]

Just returned from a trip to Oxford from Tyneside on a 4 car Cross Country DMU. Purgatory.

Plastic train with plastic seats, half of which with no window view. Air con blowing cold air down my neck constantly. Hot food consisting of micro waved butties and cardboard tea. Are I thought, I shall listen to the radio to pass the time, it didn't work and the metalised windows wouldn't allow my own radio to pick up anything. Every station wait 5 minutes for departure time, why not speed up the service, anything off the 5 hour drag would be bliss.

Next time via KX and Paddington or the trusty Mazda, stuff Cross Country and their Branson cast offs.

[hq1hitchin]

Just returned from a trip to Oxford from Tyneside on a 4 car Cross Country DMU. Purgatory.

Plastic train with plastic seats, half of which with no window view. Air con blowing cold air down my neck constantly. Hot food consisting of micro waved butties and cardboard tea. Are I thought, I shall listen to the radio to pass the time, it didn't work and the metalised windows wouldn't allow my own radio to pick up anything. Every station wait 5 minutes for departure time, why not speed up the service, anything off the 5 hour drag would be bliss.

Next time via KX and Paddington or the trusty Mazda, stuff Cross Country and their Branson cast offs.

Bad luck, 52A, things seem to have gone downhill a bit on XC since Beardie and his mates were shown the door with that franchise - think the at seat radio idea has been discarded, probably because most of the channels were Beardie Radio stations anyway. Ditto the 'award winning shop', although nobody ever seemed too sure what sort of award they'd been given, and replaced by a little trolley. Ditto the on board cleaners, the trolley attendants are now expected to collect litter or so I've been given to understand. The windows are starting to rattle as well, reminscent of the homely 1950s DMUs we all loved and the toilets often pack up as well. The generous station and running times are often needed as recovery time to help offset delays frequently encountered en route by these trains. In short, they're not very good.

[52A]

Yes things aint wot they used ter be, and I thought things were going to be marvellous with the wonderful pirateised railways of today!

[PinzaC55]

I used to be a Guard on Arriva Trains when they still operated Transpennine and the majority of local services out of York. I remember one conversation with a punter who said "at least now First have got Transpennine we will get new trains". I said maybe he would get new trains and asked who he thought would pay for them? He said "First of course".I asked where he thought First would get the money for the new trains and he fell silent.I then pointed out to him that Fists only source of income was him and his fellow passengers, and invited him to wait and see...........

[third-rail]

Yes things aint wot they used ter be, and I thought things were going to be marvellous with the wonderful pirateised railways of today!

do not not know whether that should have been priviteised but you hit the nail on the head with pirateised