Isle Of Bute Saint Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Had a giggle at this so basic they did not consider the width FRENCH railway engineers made a costly blunder when they failed to realise that hundreds of new trains are too wide for many older stations. Nearly 1,300 stations are just a few centimetres too narrow for the order of 341 trains, which were to be introduced between now and 2016. Although they measured the new trains, and checked against the latest specs on the book, the engineers forgot to go and measure the actual distance between lines and platforms. It will cost 50 million (£40 million) to fix the problem. The problem with older stations was first reported in the French weekly Le Canard Enchaine and confirmed by French railway and government officials. Jacques Rapoport, president of rail infrastructure organisation RFF, acknowledged the problem was discovered a little late, but told Europe 1 radio that the cost would not be passed on to customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaldyOzBud Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Sacre Bleu!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint in exile Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 They had a similar problem here in Ireland a few years back when Irish Rail decided they wanted to put longer trains (more carriages)on the commuter routes. Didn't bother measuring the length of the platforms, though, and the first few trains they put into service were too long as a result. Cost a fortune having to extend the platforms and run with fewer carriages in the meantime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney63 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Hein! We're not immune cf .Port Askaig and the Islay Ferry fiasco. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastBuddie Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 I wonder if the original decision to order the trains was made by some civil servant who's brother owns a company responsible for rebuilding station platforms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Buddie Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 (edited) SNCF - Stations No Coaches Fit. Edited May 22, 2014 by Happy Buddie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickMcD Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 SNCF - Stations no' fit coaches I just love some French names and the name of their railway system is just a cracker! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorizaar Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 They had a similar problem here in Ireland a few years back when Irish Rail decided they wanted to put longer trains (more carriages)on the commuter routes. Didn't bother measuring the length of the platforms, though, and the first few trains they put into service were too long as a result. Cost a fortune having to extend the platforms and run with fewer carriages in the meantime.Trains heading to Ayrshire have an announcement saying they are too long for some platforms and you'll have to change carriage to get off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faraway saint Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 Trains heading to Ayrshire have an announcement saying they are too long for some platforms and you'll have to change carriage to get off. Why would anyone want to get off in Ayrshire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salmonbuddie Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 They don't want to, they're forced to cos they're from Ayrshire and no-one else wants them..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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