Recent content by Goldfish62

Perhaps that was the small bit of good news we've been promised. :lol:

It can't be any worse. I note Ian Duncan Smith's comment that operators should buy from UK or if that's not possible, Europe. That's after years of saying we don't need Europe and that the UK should focus on Asia-Pacific instead.

Just to repeat (again!), I am not suggesting that this will apply to every company! After all plenty allowed hybrid working before Covid. And those who leave due to the 5 days a week in the office rule will simply be replaced.

Yes, of course I appreciate that other firms differ but my point was that for this one how many others are there that are considering a reversal of the past few years working practices? And you're right - I don't think SWR/DfT will be happy if it means having to increase capacity.

Relevant to this discussion, news from a friend who works in inner London. Currently staff are allowed to work from home up to 4 days a week, coming into the office only once. From September all this ends and staff will be required to come into the office a full 5 days a week, no exceptions...

Roll on June!

There's a whole 4 pairs of 455s in use on Reading services today, with the remainder being 2 pairs of 450s and one pair of 458/5s. Previously it's been a maximum 2 pairs on Saturdays.

I have no doubts at all that seat back tables won't be retrofitted.

That old chestnut. The same claim was made about the 700s. Then tables were fitted to the later builds. Any business case to have earlier units retrofitted was killed off by Covid.

I doubt if the bodies would last forever. You can only do so much welding and corrosion repairs before bodywork loses its structural integrity. Then it's Game Over.

That's a new one on me as a reason for not having seat-back tables! More like it was simply down to cost.

I think the 458/4s being 20% shorter than the 458/5s is a bigger factor.

Completely wrong, but that's for a separate discussion.

Midlife refurb...?

Grey is used by Chiltern and was used in the Mk3b and M4 1st Class when new. It's hardly a new thing and has got nothing to do with who designs or builds trains. 1715850150 Well, they will all be the same given that all the XC Voyagers are being refurbished...