The Lickey Rambler 7/11/15

We can spend millions achieving W10 or W12 gauge but seem to be losing it at the platform edge. I'm surprised that the gap between train and platform is regarded as such a problem having regard to obesity levels.

 

But, it has to be remembered that obese folks often are unable to see their feet!!

 

Can anyone explain why instead of moving the track/platform and creating all kinds of mayhem, why new trains are not specified with wider steps to bridge "the gap" that way ?, if gauging away from platforms is an issue for that then havd foldaway step types like 390 and 220/221 do, the Nene Valley has done this to it's Mk1 set with the wider clearances the Berne Gauge has created, I suspect even then it would be cheaper to retro fit such steps to existing stock than fanny about slewing trackwork with a required posesssion.

 

I suspect that it's a chicken and egg problem. One couldn't start to fit extension steps until all the gaps had been widened and as such work progressed the gap risk would worsen. Of course, when both the gap and the step programme was completed, one could start to build wider coaches. I'm afraid that it sounds like 10 years for the first part and another 40 for the second!