Back in (toy) training

I was amused by Pulse Laser blogging on a model railway exhibition back in October 2006. It brought back memories; and so you’ll be indulgent and understanding when I proudly announce that I have been selected as Chief Contractor for a new model railway project. Even better, far from the puritanical single length of track I made do with (all I could afford, basically – had to make a virtue of it), there’ll be two loops, an elevated section, and as like as not a turntable to boot. Can’t wait to get started!

My thoughts on Crossrail and the Paddington rail corridor

To: salterm@parliament.uk
From: Ben Weiner
Subject: My thoughts on Crossrail and the Paddington rail corridor
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:17:32 +0000


Hi Martin,

I'm a Reading resident and commute quite frequently (though not every day) into Paddington. I thought I'd contribute my thoughts on the Crossrail question. I know that a lot of noise has been made so I'd just like to say:

1. Great to have a new fast route into/through London
2. Great to have electric trains
3. Great to imagine that an old project might finally be moving forward.

However:

1. Why stop at Maidenhead? It's a small station with few long-distance connections of any importance beyond local travellers.
2. Why not integrate the improvements planned at Reading station with Crossrail (overhead wiring would mean more work, but better to plan for it surely)?
3. Electrification is a great idea: the trains are lighter so they are quieter and quicker. And they don't emit tonnes of CO2. They stop and start more rapidly so you can fit in more services. Their mechanical engineering is probably more reliable too - electric trains have fewer moving parts to wear out.
4. We desperately need more semi-fast capacity between Paddington and Oxford, Swindon and Didcot, not more long-distance trains from Bristol and the West Country.

I think that First Great Western would be more inclined to invest properly (not just in fresh paint) if they felt that transport decision-making was in the hands of people who were not thinking in terms of the next election. Let's give them the opportunity if we're going to keep them at all!

To raise finance for this kind of work, let alone to carry out the planning and the engineering, maturity and stability in transport policy are essential. That is not happening at the moment; instead we are suffering from unwanted electioneering. This is unacceptable to everybody.

Yours,
Ben