High Speed Train.

[Georgiesmum]

Is this new planned high speed train a good thing for this country> Can we afford it?

[baza]

Buenchico, I was duty manager at Liverpool St. when private companies took over, saw the writing on the wall and got out.

[Buenchico]

I'm 100% in favour of the principle of privatisation, Baza, and (for example) train operators being fined £50 per minute for every delay to their mainline trains (and to knock-on delays to other operator's trains). It forces rail operators to actually run trains on time, which is something BR often didn't seem to be particularly bothered about. (I worked to a 2 second rule when despatching trains. i.e. the wheels had to start moving at exactly the scheduled departure time, plus or minus 2 seconds. I achieved it on over 90% of departures; I can't imagine many BR staff working to such accuracy!)

However that doesn't mean that I completely agree with the way that privatisation has actually been done!

[baza]

Buechico, when the private companies first took over they wanted staff who would do as they were told , not people who knew what they were doing.Things have got better now the get rich quick nerds have gone, as in John Prideux and the like.