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Technology for its own sake?
I read apparently that Southern had been having problems with its train doors
not opening on stations north of the Thames because these hadn't been programmed into the database that uses GPS to know where it is! Is it just me or is having some GPS controlled database system being used to open the bloody doors just a teensy bit overkill?? Do they think the driver is too stupid to know when he's at a station and might try to open them when he's bowling along at 60?? Sure have some sort of interlock that prevents them opening when the train is moving but for gods sake , was this implemented just to keep some technicians in work? And what happens during an emergency? What next , GPS controlled toilets that won't flush on certain parts of the network with live networked updates of the turd count at every section?! No wonder money in the rail industry is in short supply if they're wasting funds on stupid systems such as this. Someone tell me its not true... B2003 |
Technology for its own sake?
"Boltar" wrote in message om... I read apparently that Southern had been having problems with its train doors not opening on stations north of the Thames because these hadn't been programmed into the database that uses GPS to know where it is! Is it just me or is having some GPS controlled database system being used to open the bloody doors just a teensy bit overkill?? Do they think the driver is too stupid to know when he's at a station and might try to open them when he's bowling along at 60?? Sure have some sort of interlock that prevents them opening when the train is moving but for gods sake , was this implemented just to keep some technicians in work? And what happens during an emergency? What next , GPS controlled toilets that won't flush on certain parts of the network with live networked updates of the turd count at every section?! No wonder money in the rail industry is in short supply if they're wasting funds on stupid systems such as this. Someone tell me its not true... B2003 When I read that I almost posted here asking what the point was. The worst part is, a lot of the net technology cant be overridden by the guard if it goes wrong. Crazy. |
Technology for its own sake?
"Boltar" wrote in message om... I read apparently that Southern had been having problems with its train doors not opening on stations north of the Thames because these hadn't been programmed into the database that uses GPS to know where it is! Is it just me or is having some GPS controlled database system being used to open the bloody doors just a teensy bit overkill?? Do they think the driver is too stupid to know when he's at a station and might try to open them when he's bowling along at 60?? Sure have some sort of interlock that prevents them opening when the train is moving but for gods sake , was this implemented just to keep some technicians in work? And what happens during an emergency? What next , GPS controlled toilets that won't flush on certain parts of the network with live networked updates of the turd count at every section?! No wonder money in the rail industry is in short supply if they're wasting funds on stupid systems such as this. Someone tell me its not true... GPS is only there to cope with short platforms and to tell the train *which* doors to open. For example, when stopping an eight-car train at a seven-car-length platform the software will lock out the rearmost doors, to prevent passengers from hurling themselves onto the track. Apparently it's necessary in these litigious days when anyone stupid enough to attempt to alight from a door that is not at a platform will try to sue the TOC, rather than accept personal responsibility for doing something so dumb in the first place. |
Technology for its own sake?
On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 12:32:25 UTC, "Jack Taylor"
wrote: : rather : than accept personal responsibility for doing something so dumb in the first : place. Or having the stupidity to be blind or partially sighted, eh? Ian -- |
Technology for its own sake?
Jack Taylor wrote:
"Boltar" wrote in message om... I read apparently that Southern had been having problems with its train doors not opening on stations north of the Thames because these hadn't been programmed into the database that uses GPS to know where it is! Is it just .... GPS is only there to cope with short platforms and to tell the train *which* doors to open. For example, when stopping an eight-car train at a seven-car-length platform the software will lock out the rearmost doors, to prevent passengers from hurling themselves onto the track. ... Which begs the question: Is it accurate enough to know if the driver mischievously or carelessly stops with the _rear_ 7 cars in the platform?! Colin McKenzie -- The great advantage of not trusting statistics is that it leaves you free to believe the damned lies instead! |
Technology for its own sake?
"Ian Johnston" wrote in message news:cCUlhtvFIYkV-pn2-01opgFJcdpZb@localhost... Or having the stupidity to be blind or partially sighted, eh? Most visually impaired people are intelligent enough to make enquiries before they join trains and join them at the appropriate place to disembark IME. It's the able-bodied ones that are the problem. ;-) |
Technology for its own sake?
On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 13:05:59 UTC, "Jack Taylor"
wrote: : : "Ian Johnston" wrote in message : news:cCUlhtvFIYkV-pn2-01opgFJcdpZb@localhost... : : Or having the stupidity to be blind or partially sighted, eh? : : Most visually impaired people are intelligent enough to make enquiries : before they join trains and join them at the appropriate place to disembark Well, what's so wrong with arranging things so they don't have to? Ian |
Technology for its own sake?
"Boltar" wrote in message om... I read apparently that Southern had been having problems with its train doors not opening on stations north of the Thames because these hadn't been programmed into the database that uses GPS to know where it is! Is it just me or is having some GPS controlled database system being used to open the bloody doors just a teensy bit overkill?? Do they think the driver is too stupid to know when he's at a station and might try to open them when he's bowling along at 60?? Sure have some sort of interlock that prevents them opening when the train is moving but for gods sake , was this implemented just to keep some technicians in work? And what happens during an emergency? The problem is to ensure that only doors adjacent to the platform open at stations with short platforms. There is a perceived risk with relying on the driver's or guard's memory, though signs on short platforms on the Salisbury - Exeter line seem to me to be an adequate aid to memory. There does seem to be evidence that while passengers are likely to check that there's a platform alongside before opening a slam door, they are liable to press the button and step out into space from a sliding door train. Peter |
Technology for its own sake?
"Boltar" wrote in message
om... What next , GPS controlled toilets that won't flush on certain parts of the network Actually, that's a truly great idea! -- John Rowland - Spamtrapped Transport Plans for the London Area, updated 2001 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acro...69/tpftla.html A man's vehicle is a symbol of his manhood. That's why my vehicle's the Piccadilly Line - It's the size of a county and it comes every two and a half minutes |
Technology for its own sake?
"Jack Taylor" wrote in message ... GPS is only there to cope with short platforms and to tell the train *which* doors to open. For example, when stopping an eight-car train at a seven-car-length platform the software will lock out the rearmost doors, to prevent passengers from hurling themselves onto the track. Apparently it's necessary in these litigious days when anyone stupid enough to attempt to alight from a door that is not at a platform will try to sue the TOC, rather than accept personal responsibility for doing something so dumb in the first place. What if it was dark? Some platforms are very poorly lit. Seems like a good idea to me. CM. |
Technology for its own sake?
"John Rowland" wrote in message
... "Boltar" wrote in message om... What next , GPS controlled toilets that won't flush on certain parts of the network Actually, that's a truly great idea! Rowland, you fool, that's a terrible idea! Retention tanks are a truly great idea. -- John Rowland - Spamtrapped Transport Plans for the London Area, updated 2001 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acro...69/tpftla.html A man's vehicle is a symbol of his manhood. That's why my vehicle's the Piccadilly Line - It's the size of a county and it comes every two and a half minutes |
Technology for its own sake?
"Colin McKenzie" wrote in message
... Jack Taylor wrote: ... GPS is only there to cope with short platforms and to tell the train *which* doors to open. Which begs the question: Is it accurate enough to know if the driver mischievously or carelessly stops with the _rear_ 7 cars in the platform?! The obvious solution seems to be individual doors which check that there is a platform adjacent before opening. The basic idea seems very easy to implement, although a foolproof system which could never mistake the sides of a bridge for a platform might be harder to implement, but in combination with driver control it should be safe enough. -- John Rowland - Spamtrapped Transport Plans for the London Area, updated 2001 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acro...69/tpftla.html A man's vehicle is a symbol of his manhood. That's why my vehicle's the Piccadilly Line - It's the size of a county and it comes every two and a half minutes |
Technology for its own sake?
John Rowland wrote to uk.transport.london on Thu, 23 Sep 2004:
"John Rowland" wrote in message ... "Boltar" wrote in message om... What next , GPS controlled toilets that won't flush on certain parts of the network Actually, that's a truly great idea! Rowland, you fool, that's a terrible idea! Retention tanks are a truly great idea. Except that IME trains that use them invariably have their loos locked out of service, so you are crossing your legs for the entire journey.... why can't modern trains have loos that work? -- "Mrs Redboots" http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/ Website updated 11 September 2004 |
Technology for its own sake?
On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 13:57:48 +0000, Charles Middleton wrote:
"Jack Taylor" wrote in message ... GPS is only there to cope with short platforms and to tell the train *which* doors to open. For example, when stopping an eight-car train at a seven-car-length platform the software will lock out the rearmost doors, to prevent passengers from hurling themselves onto the track. Apparently it's necessary in these litigious days when anyone stupid enough to attempt to alight from a door that is not at a platform will try to sue the TOC, rather than accept personal responsibility for doing something so dumb in the first place. What if it was dark? Some platforms are very poorly lit. Seems like a good idea to me. CM. Here's what I would propose: Use a passive RF responder stuck on the side of the platform edges - you know, like those things that tell the shop if you've been nicking stuff. I think the RF responders are dirt cheap so the main expense is kitting out transponders adjacent to each door on the train. Simple concept though - one transponder per door and it interlocks directly with that door's local circuit. The RF is short range and you just stick loads of the passive tags all the way along each platform edge. Simple - much simpler than GPS. The RF tags don't mind if they're wet/dirty/painted etc. They are also very thin. OK - there's an outfit cost to install the tags at every station - but it's a quick job - probably almost as quick as painting the white lines.??? Hmm Timbo |
Technology for its own sake?
"John Rowland" wrote in message ... The obvious solution seems to be individual doors which check that there is a platform adjacent before opening. The basic idea seems very easy to implement, although a foolproof system which could never mistake the sides of a bridge for a platform might be harder to implement, but in combination with driver control it should be safe enough. Something along the lines of a transponder at the start of each platform which is detected by each door and enables the doors on the appropriate side, and another one at the end of each platform which disables each door. Other interlocking means that doors cannot actually open until the train has stopped, and failsafe precautions could cancel the enabling if the train hasn't stopped within, say, one minute of passing the transponder. Some complications for platforms on reversible lines, but I can't help thinking that something like this has the potential for being more reliable than the GPS technology (Can GPS identify which line the train is on if adjoining platforms are different lengths?) Peter |
Technology for its own sake?
Peter Masson ) gurgled happily, sounding much
like they were saying : The problem is to ensure that only doors adjacent to the platform open at stations with short platforms. There is a perceived risk with relying on the driver's or guard's memory, though signs on short platforms on the Salisbury - Exeter line seem to me to be an adequate aid to memory. They also seem to work very nicely on the Metropolitan Line at Euston Sq and Gt Portland St. thinks Mebbe that's what was meant by GPS & short platforms? |
Technology for its own sake?
"Peter Masson" wrote in message
... "John Rowland" wrote in message ... The obvious solution seems to be individual doors which check that there is a platform adjacent before opening. Something along the lines of a transponder at the start of each platform which is detected by each door and enables the doors on the appropriate side, and another one at the end of each platform which disables each door. Some complications for platforms on reversible lines Ware springs to mind, and most termini. That sounds high-tech enough to break down a lot, and requires fitting of kit at stations, which are the most easily vandalised part of the railway. I was thinking of a projecting metal arm under each train door which prods the platform. -- John Rowland - Spamtrapped Transport Plans for the London Area, updated 2001 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acro...69/tpftla.html A man's vehicle is a symbol of his manhood. That's why my vehicle's the Piccadilly Line - It's the size of a county and it comes every two and a half minutes |
Technology for its own sake?
On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 15:57:55 +0000, Peter Masson wrote:
(Can GPS identify which line the train is on if adjoining platforms are different lengths?) Not with any certainty. Of course, what happens if the Pentagon decided to turn off GPS for civilian use without warning (which they've always stated they have the right to do)? Or worse, they have a war and introduce deliberate errors into the system designed to confuse the enemy? I can see it now on the 9:24 from Tonbridge: "We will shortly be arriving at Copenhagen, please mind the step" I know that Europe is going to deploy it's own GPS sats, but I don't know when that will be. Timbo |
Technology for its own sake?
"Ian Johnston" wrote in message
news:cCUlhtvFIYkV-pn2-9bQzpFIyRbud@localhost... On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 13:05:59 UTC, "Jack Taylor" wrote: : Most visually impaired people are intelligent enough to make enquiries : before they join trains and join them at the appropriate place to disembark Well, what's so wrong with arranging things so they don't have to? Yebbut that still won't make things any more convenient for them as they will still end up stuck at a station where they can't alight if they're in the wrong part of the train. Unless loads of money is spend lengthening the platforms at all these stations, but I can think of many locations where this would be bordering on the impossible due to level-crossings, river bridges, et cetera. |
Technology for its own sake?
In message , Peter Masson
writes "John Rowland" wrote in message ... Snip Something along the lines of a transponder at the start of each platform which is detected by each door and enables the doors on the appropriate side, and another one at the end of each platform which disables each door. Other interlocking means that doors cannot actually open until the train has stopped, and failsafe precautions could cancel the enabling if the train hasn't stopped within, say, one minute of passing the transponder. Some complications for platforms on reversible lines, but I can't help thinking that something like this has the potential for being more reliable than the GPS technology (Can GPS identify which line the train is on if adjoining platforms are different lengths?) Peter With difficulty, because GPS has an accuracy of +/- 100m, unless of course you are using Differential GPS, but that is mainly a maritime system. -- Regards, James Christie "In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move." - Douglas Adams |
Technology for its own sake?
In message , Tim
writes On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 15:57:55 +0000, Peter Masson wrote: (Can GPS identify which line the train is on if adjoining platforms are different lengths?) Not with any certainty. Of course, what happens if the Pentagon decided to turn off GPS for civilian use without warning (which they've always stated they have the right to do)? Or worse, they have a war and introduce deliberate errors into the system designed to confuse the enemy? I can see it now on the 9:24 from Tonbridge: "We will shortly be arriving at Copenhagen, please mind the step" I know that Europe is going to deploy it's own GPS sats, but I don't know when that will be. Timbo The European system is already being deployed, the first satellite is already up (of course you need at least 4 for a good position), forgotten the name of the system though.. The Russians have their own system called GLASNOSS and the Chinese have also started sending up satellites so they have their own version as well. -- Regards, James Christie "In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move." - Douglas Adams |
Technology for its own sake?
"James Christie" wrote in message ... With difficulty, because GPS has an accuracy of +/- 100m, unless of course you are using Differential GPS, but that is mainly a maritime system. -- It's been somewhat better than that for a while, since the "random error" was removed. IME the error is probably nearer 2 metres. Though the powers that be can reintroduce the random factor, or turn it off entirely, should they feel the need. G |
Technology for its own sake?
In message , at 15:24:24 on Thu,
23 Sep 2004, John Rowland remarked: The obvious solution seems to be individual doors which check that there is a platform adjacent before opening. No doubt they would also say "glad to be of service" when they open. -- Roland Perry |
Technology for its own sake?
In article ,
Tim wrote: On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 15:57:55 +0000, Peter Masson wrote: (Can GPS identify which line the train is on if adjoining platforms are different lengths?) Not with any certainty. Of course, what happens if the Pentagon decided to turn off GPS for civilian use without warning (which they've always stated they have the right to do)? Galileo. And, indeed, Glonass (which we have now - and most receivers are dual GPS/Glonass) Or worse, they have a war and introduce deliberate errors into the system designed to confuse the enemy? Galileo. And, indeed, Glonass. I can see it now on the 9:24 from Tonbridge: "We will shortly be arriving at Copenhagen, please mind the step" Galileo. And, indeed, Glonass. I know that Europe is going to deploy it's own GPS sats, but I don't know when that will be. Galileo, not GPS. A much better system (it'll have to be if it's to do a fraction of what they're wanting it to do). The programme is being pushed ahead hard and should be delivering in the next 3-5 years (depends how fast the constellation goes up, which in turn depends on who'll be launching). In the meantime there's Glonass, which the Pentagon certainly doesn't have a veto over. -- Andy Breen ~ Interplanetary Scintillation Research Group http://users.aber.ac.uk/azb/ "Time has stopped, says the Black Lion clock and eternity has begun" (Dylan Thomas) |
Technology for its own sake?
In article ,
ANDREW ROBERT BREEN wrote: /GPS-replacement/ Galileo, not GPS. A much better system (it'll have to be if it's to do a fraction of what they're wanting it to do). The programme is being pushed ahead hard and should be delivering in the next 3-5 years (depends how Should have added - first satellite is up, more coming. Not checked in the last few months on the launch schedule for the rest of it, and the best accuracy will depend on other stuff in the pipeline - but that's for things like landing airliners under Galileo control.. -- Andy Breen ~ Interplanetary Scintillation Research Group http://users.aber.ac.uk/azb/ "Who dies with the most toys wins" (Gary Barnes) |
Technology for its own sake?
In message , James Christie
writes In message , Tim writes On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 15:57:55 +0000, Peter Masson wrote: (Can GPS identify which line the train is on if adjoining platforms are different lengths?) Not with any certainty. Of course, what happens if the Pentagon decided to turn off GPS for civilian use without warning (which they've always stated they have the right to do)? Or worse, they have a war and introduce deliberate errors into the system designed to confuse the enemy? I can see it now on the 9:24 from Tonbridge: "We will shortly be arriving at Copenhagen, please mind the step" I know that Europe is going to deploy it's own GPS sats, but I don't know when that will be. Timbo The European system is already being deployed, the first satellite is already up (of course you need at least 4 for a good position), forgotten the name of the system though.. The Russians have their own system called GLASNOSS and the Chinese have also started sending up satellites so they have their own version as well. ********, its GLONASS, I ALWAYS get that the wrong way round...... -- Regards, James Christie "In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move." - Douglas Adams |
Technology for its own sake?
John Rowland wrote:
"Peter Masson" wrote in message ... "John Rowland" wrote in message ... The obvious solution seems to be individual doors which check that there is a platform adjacent before opening. Something along the lines of a transponder at the start of each platform which is detected by each door and enables the doors on the appropriate side, and another one at the end of each platform which disables each door. Some complications for platforms on reversible lines Ware springs to mind, and most termini. That sounds high-tech enough to break down a lot, and requires fitting of kit at stations, which are the most easily vandalised part of the railway. I was thinking of a projecting metal arm under each train door which prods the platform. Is it too easy to simply extend the platform? |
Technology for its own sake?
John Rowland wrote:
"Peter Masson" wrote in message ... "John Rowland" wrote in message ... The obvious solution seems to be individual doors which check that there is a platform adjacent before opening. Something along the lines of a transponder at the start of each platform which is detected by each door and enables the doors on the appropriate side, and another one at the end of each platform which disables each door. Some complications for platforms on reversible lines Ware springs to mind, and most termini. That sounds high-tech enough to break down a lot, and requires fitting of kit at stations, which are the most easily vandalised part of the railway. I was thinking of a projecting metal arm under each train door which prods the platform. Considering the range of actual platform dimensions, that is quite a large prod. Plus all the gear to ensure it is proved retracted and locked whilst the train is moving..... Chris -- Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh. |
Technology for its own sake?
--- "Roland Perry" wrote: John Rowland remarked: The obvious solution seems to be individual doors which check that there is a platform adjacent before opening. No doubt they would also say "glad to be of service" when they open. And the buffet serves something that's almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea. (Oh, wait. That already happens...) |
Technology for its own sake?
Chris J Dixon wrote:
Ware springs to mind, and most termini. That sounds high-tech enough to break down a lot, and requires fitting of kit at stations, which are the most easily vandalised part of the railway. I was thinking of a projecting metal arm under each train door which prods the platform. Considering the range of actual platform dimensions, that is quite a large prod. Plus all the gear to ensure it is proved retracted and locked whilst the train is moving..... Or one of those detector thingies they have on the back of BMWs to detect an obstruction whilst you're backing.. No moving parts. -- Chris Game "Hopefully the net-dwelling paranoid delusional conspiracy theorists won't descend upon me " -- Chris Pratley, MSFT. |
Technology for its own sake?
James Christie wrote:
The Russians have their own system called GLASNOSS You have to be joking. |
Technology for its own sake?
"Ian Johnston" wrote in message news:cCUlhtvFIYkV-pn2-9bQzpFIyRbud@localhost...
On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 13:05:59 UTC, "Jack Taylor" wrote: : : "Ian Johnston" wrote in message : news:cCUlhtvFIYkV-pn2-01opgFJcdpZb@localhost... : : Or having the stupidity to be blind or partially sighted, eh? : : Most visually impaired people are intelligent enough to make enquiries : before they join trains and join them at the appropriate place to disembark Well, what's so wrong with arranging things so they don't have to? Ian The alternative is to stand at doors that aren't going to open, so how would it help? Or do you mean rebuilding the stations? |
Technology for its own sake?
In message , at 21:37:05 on Thu, 23 Sep
2004, Solar Penguin remarked: No doubt they would also say "glad to be of service" when they open. And the buffet serves something that's almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea. (Oh, wait. That already happens...) And I met a real life telephone sanitiser a couple of months ago. -- "It used to be that what a writer did was type a bit and the stare out of the window a bit, type a bit, stare out of the window a bit. Networked computers make these two activities converge, because now the thing you type on and the window you stare out of are the same thing" - Douglas Adams 28/1/99. |
Technology for its own sake?
ANDREW ROBERT BREEN wrote:
In article , ANDREW ROBERT BREEN wrote: /GPS-replacement/ Galileo, not GPS. A much better system (it'll have to be if it's to do a fraction of what they're wanting it to do). The programme is being pushed ahead hard and should be delivering in the next 3-5 years (depends how Should have added - first satellite is up, more coming. Not checked in the last few months on the launch schedule for the rest of it, and the best accuracy will depend on other stuff in the pipeline - but that's for things like landing airliners under Galileo control.. I though Surrey Satellite Technology and, IIRC, Astrium had only recently got contracts to build some development satellites. As it is, they've only just agreed the frequencies they're going to use as the USAians were complaining that the main signal would sit right on their military band and they wouldn't be able to locally degrade Galileo without doing the same to their own military. Matthew -- Matthew Wild Tel.: +44 (0)1235 445173 URL http://www.wdc.rl.ac.uk/ World Data Centre - Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Chilton Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0QX |
Technology for its own sake?
In article ,
TP wrote: James Christie wrote: The Russians have their own system called GLASNOSS You have to be joking. GLONASS. Can't recall off-hand how many satellites are in the constellation at the moment, but they've been keeping it topped up. In general GPS is better for accuracy at low latitudes, GLONASS better at high latitudes. A high proportion of "GPS" receivers are actually dual GPS/GLONASS. -- Andy Breen ~ Interplanetary Scintillation Research Group http://users.aber.ac.uk/azb/ "Time has stopped, says the Black Lion clock and eternity has begun" (Dylan Thomas) |
Technology for its own sake?
"James Christie" wrote in message ... ********, its GLONASS, I ALWAYS get that the wrong way round...... Your gonads are inverted???!!! :-) -- MatSav |
Technology for its own sake?
"Boltar" wrote in message
om... I read apparently that Southern had been having problems with its train doors not opening on stations north of the Thames because these hadn't been programmed into the database that uses GPS to know where it is! Perhaps not just north of the river. A friend recently had a very delayed journey from E. Croydon to Three Bridges because the doors wouldn't open easily at any of the stations the train stopped at. Maybe just an individual glitch, but maybe not. |
Technology for its own sake?
In article ,
Matthew Wild wrote: ANDREW ROBERT BREEN wrote: Galileo, not GPS. A much better system (it'll have to be if it's to do a fraction of what they're wanting it to do). The programme is being pushed ahead hard and should be delivering in the next 3-5 years (depends how Should have added - first satellite is up, more coming. Not checked in the last few months on the launch schedule for the rest of it, and the best I though Surrey Satellite Technology and, IIRC, Astrium had only recently got contracts to build some development satellites. As it is, they've only just agreed the frequencies they're going to use as the USAians were complaining that the main signal would sit right on their military band and they wouldn't be able to locally degrade Galileo without doing the same to their own military. You've got the better information there - I must have mixed up something else with a Galileo launch. Aha! Got it. First structual model of the Galileo satellite rolled out, first launches planned for next year: http://www.esa.int/esaNA/SEMVDX0XDYD_index_0.html Have to say that fits in better with where I thought they were up to than launched-already, which did puzzle me. -- Andy Breen ~ Interplanetary Scintillation Research Group http://users.aber.ac.uk/azb/ "Time has stopped, says the Black Lion clock and eternity has begun" (Dylan Thomas) |
Technology for its own sake?
On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 16:21:19 +0100, Annabel Smyth wrote in
, seen in uk.railway: John Rowland wrote to uk.transport.london on Thu, 23 Sep 2004: "John Rowland" wrote in message ... "Boltar" wrote in message om... What next , GPS controlled toilets that won't flush on certain parts of the network Actually, that's a truly great idea! Rowland, you fool, that's a terrible idea! Retention tanks are a truly great idea. Except that IME trains that use them invariably have their loos locked out of service, so you are crossing your legs for the entire journey.... why can't modern trains have loos that work? Crap design, if you'll pardon the pun. The toilets fitted to class 170 units (or at least those used by Central Trains) apparently have tanks only large enough to provide 45 flushes. Given that our units can be in service for anything up to 18 hours a day, often pretty much continuously, and those services include long distance runs such as Norwich - Liverpool & Nottingham - Cardiff, 45 flushes is an extremely small figure. And to further complicate matters, retention tanks require that the contents be emptied, which means that they need somewhere with a suitable cleaning pan and that in turn means that it's unlikely that tanks can be cleared at every poxy little stabling point at which trains get left overnight. In the case of the 170, the toilets will lock themselves out once the retention tanks are full. -- Ross From & reply-to addresses will bounce. Reply to the group. |
Technology for its own sake?
"Peter Masson" wrote in message ...
There is a perceived risk with relying on the driver's or guard's memory, though signs on short platforms on the Salisbury - Exeter line seem to me to be an adequate aid to memory. Southeastern - like Southern, also running Electrostars - seems perfectly happy with such signs rather than satellite technology; they're marked '375 SDO' and to be found at Chartham and Chilham, amongst other places. David E. Belcher |
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