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Double decker trains
degsyhufc
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I watched Source Code the other night and it's the first time i'd seen a double decker train.
I didn't know they existed.
Are there any in the UK? I gues it would be a problem for the tracks with tunnels
Anyone been on one anywhere in the world?
I didn't know they existed.
Are there any in the UK? I gues it would be a problem for the tracks with tunnels
Anyone been on one anywhere in the world?
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I think that ideas such as HS2 are good in theory, as long as they are 'futureproof' eg they consider changing needs and are adaptable for new stations, double decker trains for increasing capacity, etc.
Just think how fantastic they would be in this country, personally I'm fed up with being charged a small fortune for a train ticket and then end up standing next to a toilet with someone's armpit in my face.
I know it's not possible with tunnels etc but it's good to dream
When I saw the thread title I just knew it would be based on Source Code.
How did I know?
Because I thought the exact same thing myself:D
It was quite a feat first time round.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg8G4ncRpYQ
Not any more. Double deckers were used on Southern region between October 1949 and October 1971. In practice, however, they were not a success. Station stopping times significantly negated any other advantages, and passengers on the lower decks complained of smelling the feet of those above. Also, as you say, much bridge restructuring would have been required if the programme had been rolled out over a larger area.
video of the inauguration of double decker trains 1st October 1949
The guy in the centre of the ceremonies, doing the handshaking, is Herbert Morrison, Grandfather of Peter Mandelson.
There was nearly a riot in Rotterdam when they announced a 5 minute delay ...they don't like late trains in Holland
I think they cant be used here because the gauge is too narrow.
I really enjoyed watching that. Thank you for the link.
/history geek
If you're having to stop the train every 5-15 minutes having twice as many people getting on/off is probably going to eat any possible time savings compared to having extra trains.
In some ways the UK is a victim of it's own success and innovation when it comes to our infrastructure, we had (from memory) the first real rail networks, the first subway, etc.
And unlike a lot of Europe we didn't have to rebuild them from scratch after WW2, which means we're largely stuck with an infrastructure layout that was designed to fit the needs of the late 1800's and ealry 1900's, as opposed to having had the chance to start from scratch making use of the lessons learned after then (things like newer tunnelling techniques make it easier to go through hills, which mean you can keep the tracks straighter, which means you can go faster).
I suspect the train companies would love to build a new network pretty much from scratch rather than keep trying to make use of a network that is basically 100+ years old, but given the problems they face just extending a line, or building a new relatively short line it's not going to happen.
No totally new network, but HS2 will mean a brand new track, and HS1 from St Pancras through Kent to the Channel Tunnel is new.
Me too! Immediately thought of Source Code when I saw the thread title!
Can you imagine all the hundreds of rail tunnels and thousands of bridges which would need to be completely rebuilt to cope with a double decker?
You're welcome
Instead of raising the height of every bridge and tunnel, could they not lower the tracks?