This from Capt W E Johns...
Strange goings on at Euston today, where the brave test pilots of 11-car AM90 no 390054 were 'pushing the envelope'.
The day was spent shunting into each platform to see if the set would fit 'inside clear'.
Whilst the gallant crew might have the 'right stuff', are they perhaps sans the Sectional Appendix?
For, surely, that august tome includes maximum platform lengths.
The set will soon make its way to Liverpool, for two vehicles to be removed.
In the process reducing an Extendalino, into a Redactalino.
No doubt tarps will be placed over the excised two vehicles to spare everyone's blushes!
UPDATE: This from Our International Correspondent...
The good Captain makes an interesting point about How We Do Stuff These Days.
The length of the new engorged Pendo is known to within a millimetre or so.
The useable length of the platforms is established in the Appendix to within a few inches. Whether or not it fits – indeed if any train fits - is a table top exercise for a couple of train planners.
The 11 car train had to be bought down from Liverpool, shunted around Euston all day, then sent back. £12,000 of anybody’s money. A table top exercise, even with checking and double checking, would have been two men for one day, perhaps £800.
Frittering away £11,200 is not a tidal wave in the financial tsunami that is the railway. But it does betray a spendthrift mindset.
And the numbers of £50 notes being burned increases exponentially if or when they toddle off to repeat the tests at Lime Street, Piccadilly, and Glasgow Central.
Nice work if you can get it.
Grimsby and Back
2 years ago
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