In article , (Roland
Perry) wrote:

In message , at
18:00:38 on Thu, 30 Apr 2015, remarked:
BBC Report - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-32531004

Do you think Network Rail and the TOCs are ever going to learn
lessons about trains that require external power for basic
ventilation. There seriously needs to be better contingency plans in
place for this sort of incident. Expect another lessons have been
learned type enquiry that changes nothing.

For once, we can congratulate the DfT: the electric IEPs will have one
diesel engine that can power the air-conditioning and lights if the
OHLE isn't delivering. It can also be used to move the train (slowly)
if the line is clear.

Or an alternative radical idea would be to provide windows that open.

Trouble with that idea is that passengers open them. Opening windows are
a very bad idea at 100MPH or when rushing through tunnels, as Great
Northern passengers have discovered with the class 365 EMUs.

But those windows are the only source of ventilation. If the need to
open them *only* arises when the aircon has failed[1] then I expect
they'll stay shut most of the time.

Wrong! Too many passengers open them unnecessarily. The forced air vents are
better at providing fresh air except at speeds when the noise from open
windows becomes a nuisance.

[1] For whatever reason - I was once on a Voyager where the aircon had
failed in one carriage, and it was uninhabitably hot.

--
Colin Rosenstiel