Why did the GWR not use smoke deflectors?

Ah yes, that keeps out wind, rain, dirt, fitters...

 

Only those of a larger build.

 

Good point Jim, but it didn't seem to bother A4s......

Cheers

Alan

 

Watch it!
Birkenhead has many fine listed buildings, the first public park in the world, and was the birthplace of the second Mauretania... and me!

 

And Lilly Savage aka Paul Ogrady

 

I'll plead forgiveness! And I come originally from Bracknell, a town best viewed in a rear view mirror ...

Tom

 

Good at keeping the fire in the leaky bath mind

 

We are discussing the GWR. Unlike those of inferior railways GWR locomotives were built and operated properly. Access to the motion between visits to the works was not, and would not be, required on regular basis. When access was required, just as GWR locomotives were designed around best Welsh Steam Coal, their locomotives were designed around Compact Welsh Fitters and thus did not require the compromises seen in those designed for railways who would make use of non standard employees.

 

What about oiling round?

 

<Points from Lofty Height to the standardised No 34 Birkenhead Compact Oiling Oik>

 

Alternatively a small loco cleaner and a silver thrupence works wonders... But yes, GWR locomotives required a first rate esprit de corps and well trained staff, which was what they got.

 

Who are you calling oik?
Oh, I see.
Difficulty accessing motion was not unique to the GWR, nor was the issue only a railway one. Most mechanical plant of the era required considerable agility to maintain - including mill and factory machinery.

 

Unfortunately, this next generation will have to have the information Tweeted to them, as leaflets will be just as alien to them.

 

Its an interesting point: how can railways get safety information to the public in the electronic age... Wifi in the ticket office perhaps? Trouble is you really want to be able to positively push the data at the client. Maybe something like use of NFC to check in the phone... not had anything to do with this stuff.

 

Saying leaflets will be alien is just rubbish; whilst people can still read, a physical item such as a leaflet that you can actually give people and know that they have that information is much better than hoping they might notice. I must say I've never seen anyone expecting the doors to be automatic but I've definitely seen many people stumped as to how to exit a Mk1 carriage, opening the window to turn the handle on the outside often just doesn't occur to them.

 

Don't you think though that there may come a time where handing every traveller, or at least every group a piece of paper that becomes rubbish within a few minutes of handing it over will become unacceptable? That time is not yet of course, but I find it hard to rule out the possibility.

 

Sorry, witnessed this at Corfe a couple of weeks ago, a family in their mid thirties stood at the carriage door waiting for it to open, an hour later witnessed same thing at Norden, different family mind!

On the train to Swanage in a TSO watched another family standing waiting for door to open at Harmans Cross.

Meanwhile, the amount of passengers (customers) that get on and do not even think of shutting the doors Is equally annoying for guards and platform staff.

This is now, what will it be like in twenty years time?

Swanage is one of those heritage railways that enjoy custom from people that have possibly NEVER travelled by public transport but see the logic in using it to get to their destination, an extra 100,000 are expected to use the Wareham service when instigated.

Certainly, it is something highlighted through these pages, that may have been overlooked by the bright young things that carry out surveys and risk assessments but are too close go the system and may have unforeseen the modern passenger that does not know how to open or closeae a door.

 

I think its worth pointing out, as someone who commuted in the Slam Door era, that lots of people appeared not to be able to close manual doors when they were in mainline use. Plus its not that unusual to see passengers stand outside closed doors on modern trains, waiting for someone inside to push the button for them.

Thats just irritating and causes delay. There are far more serious issues to do with unfamiliarity - opening doors before the train comes to a full halt or swinging the door closed into the face of someone leaving the train behind you being particular favourites during mainline days.