Cogload–I’ve been to the UK five times (I was in Scotland actually on 9/11) and London four times. No terrorist is going to put me off of visiting London. I was excited to hear about the 2012 Ollympics because I knew where I was then going to be that summer. My thoughts haven’t changed today. British security services are amongst the best in the world and while they did not prevent today’s attacks, I am certain it was not for a lack of trying.
I agree entirely.
My wife was arriving at Liverpool Street (main line) station around the time the first explosion happened (just east of there in the Underground tunnel) - the first I heard about it was when she sent a text message to tell me about it and to let me know that she was OK (and I was certainly relieved when I collected her from our local station in the evening). Fortunately she wasn’t planning on taking the Underground that morning…
But if you let the fear of being caught up in a terrorist attack put you off going about your normal life (like visiting big cities on vacation) then the terrorists are winning.
Remember that you are far more likely to be killed or injured driving your car or crossing the road than by a terrorist - something like 3000 people are killed on the roads in the UK each year (a good reason to travel by train) - and we have some of the safer roads in the world as far as I know.
Just be vigilant - as railfans I hope we are anyway. Here the train companies have recently issued guidelines on photography etc at stations ( http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/guidelines_for_rail_enthusiasts.htm ), and one of the things they point out is that enthusiasts are useful extra eyes and ears who would probably notice something out of the ordinary much faster than ordinary travelers.
For various reasons I haven’t visited the US since 9/11 - but I’m getting withdrawal symptoms from lack of 14,000 ton trains with 20,000 diesel horsepower [:)] so I’ll have to visit soon, but it’s the potential issues with taking photographs (or video in my case) and other security related hassles that put me off slightly - rather than any fear of actually being caught up in a terrorist attack.
Tony
BNSF4ever - good. See you in 2012! Hehehhehehe. The East end will be crisscrossed with bits of railway by then; seven minutes from the centre (ish) of town to the olympic site and if you fancy staying in northern france (undoubtedly will be cheaper) Stratford will be appx 1hr and a half from Lille on the Eurostar.
Photos published of one of the damaged trains shows the car bombed to be class C77 trailer car number 6713. This operates as a pair with driving motor car 5713. It was coupled to C69 trailer 6548 which operates as a pair with 5548. 6548 looked quite repairable, suffering broken windows, possibly by passengers concerned about smoke. This was identified as the Liverpool St/Aldgate train. These large profile cars work the Hammersmith and City line and the Wimbeldon service on the Metropolitan and the District lines. These are not strictly “tube” lines, being built by cut and cover methods, and use larger cars. The code C refers to the Circle line, and 69 and 77 are the years of introduction. These cars have transverse seats and four sets of double doors. It is said the bombs were generally placed at the doorways, and the transverse seating might have reduced injuries by localising the blast effects compared to a more open car. Nearly half the deaths appear to have occurred on the bus, where the lighter structure was less capable of restraining the blast. This seems wrong to me, but I await more details.
Peter
But if you let the fear of being caught up in a terrorist attack put you off going about your normal life (like visiting big cities on vacation) then the terrorists are winning.
Remember that you are far more likely to be killed or injured driving your car or crossing the road than by a terrorist - something like 3000 people are killed on the roads in the UK each year (a good reason to travel by train) - and we have some of the safer roads in the world as far as I know.
Just be vigilant - as railfans I hope we are anyway. Here the train companies have recently issued guidelines on photography etc at stations ( http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/guidelines_for_rail_enthusiasts.htm ), and one of the things they point out is that enthusiasts are useful extra eyes and ears who would probably notice something out of the ordinary much faster than ordinary travelers.
For various reasons I haven’t visited the US since 9/11 - but I’m getting withdrawal symptoms from lack of 14,000 ton trains with 20,000 diesel horsepower [:)] so I’ll have to visit soon, but it’s the potential issues with taking photographs (or video in my case) and other security related hassles that put me off slightly - rather than any fear of actually being caught up in a terrorist attack.
Tony
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First, Tony my thoughts go out to those who were killed or injured in the London Transport bus and rail explosions. Next let me thank you for posting the National Rail Net work’s Guidelines for Rail Enthusiasts. If they still permit photography at railroad stations after the explosions in London on July 7 they are to be congratulated. It’s too bad a copy of the National Rail Network’s Guidelines for Rail Enthusiasts wasn’t sent to the New Jersey Transit.
Tony, please come across the pond!! Don’t let all of the stories you read in the Internet about railfans being hassled for photographing trains put you off. I doubt if you will be hassled for photographing trains fr
I have visited London four times, two visits being quite extended. Use all modes of public transportation (except that Croydon light rail wasn’t running my last visit, did ride Docklands). Hope to visit again, and will use public transportation without worry.
As I do with both Jerusalem systems (buses only now, light rail in the future) intensively.
Hi Rudy,
Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll be over soon - as I said, the withdrawal symptoms are getting too strong [:)]. I’ve never had any issues with railway photography etc in the UK or anywhere else - but I always try to keep to public property (even though it’s difficult sometimes to work out where the boundaries are) and be sensitive to the local environment.
Personally, I can’t see what preventing people from taking photographs of passenger trains is adding to security anyway - the trains run to published timetables (which generally these days are available on the internet to anyone in the world, as are system route maps etc), there are probably photographs of any significant location already published in books, magazines and on web sites, and how do you know if any of the people playing with their mobile phones on the platform might not be taking photos covertly anyway ?
Tony
I have no fear of London and the terrorists. My wife and I will be going to London the week of July 18. Me for business and her for plastic abuse (mastercard). I have been to London over 100 times over the last 35 years and still enjoy the town. Their transit system, be it Underground, heavy rail, bus, Docklands, taxis, or water ferry/taxi is great and I extensively use it. My only fear is not being able to get on a train due to the crowds. Have waited on the platform at Victoria while three trains (Underground) came and went during rush hour as we slowly inched our way to the train door. Knightsbridge station is especially bad in summer from all of the tourists going to Harrads. Used to visit a client at the eastern end of the Knightsbridge station (the end distant from Harrads) and detested the crowds. Fortunately they moved their offices a couple of years ago.