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My Recent Writing
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By acquiescing to impossible rules, the railways are killing themselves
By trying to do the impossible, the railways are on a suicide mission. Trying to enforce social distancing while running a train service is simply impossible. Traditionally, railway safety has been determined by a concept called ALARP – risks should be as low as reasonably practical. Somehow, the word ‘reasonably’ has been lost in the railways’ frenzied rush to comply with the rather arbitrary requirements suggested by government who...
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May newsletter – one thing is certain: driverless cars are not the answer
Apologies for slight lateness, but I have just delivered the manuscript of my latest book, Cathedrals of Steam, the story of London’s terminus stations. It is quite a tale given that London has twice the number of terminus stations than any other city, a round dozen the names of which you can try to work out to help you get to sleep tonight. It is, of course, the result...
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Rail 904: Abnormal, the new normal
We are now in the new normal of empty train stations, reduced timetables and injunctions to people not to take the train. As Captain Oates might have said ’We may be here some time’. The discussions over what world we will return to are only just beginning and there is some reluctance by government ministers to even engage on the issue through fears that this will encourage people to...
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Pandemic risks wrecking public transport
There is, perversely, something heartening about the atmosphere on the streets today. Kids are pedalling away behind their parents while drivers considerately slow down behind them. The reduction in traffic has dramatically cut pollution and pedestrians and joggers now outnumber cars. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that this presages a brighter future, with a more rational balance between transport and the environment. Indeed, the...
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Rail 903: The new normal is totally abnormal
As a journalist for nigh on half a century, who has covered all kinds of extraordinary stories, big and small, I can quite easily say there has been nothing like this. When I pop out for my daily jog or occasional forays into shops, I keep on having to pinch myself that I have not suddenly woken up in a John Wyndham novel. I almost expect to see triffids...
Latest headlines
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By acquiescing to impossible rules, the railways are killing themselves
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May newsletter – one thing is certain: driverless cars are not the answer
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Rail 904: Abnormal, the new normal
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Pandemic risks wrecking public transport
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Rail 903: The new normal is totally abnormal
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Rail 902: The trains must be kept running – even empty
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My April newsletter: we need imagination to get out of this crisis; and a book offer for lockdown
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About Christian Wolmar
Christian Wolmar is an award winning writer and broadcaster specialising in transport and is the author of a series of books on railway history. He was Labour's candidate for the 2016 Richmond Park & North Kingston by-election and also ran to be Labour's candidate in the last London mayoral election. Read more >>
Events
• Crossrail at Basingstoke on Wednesday, June 10 2020
• Railways and the Raj at Shenfield on Monday, June 15 2020
RT @BigAlSuperhoop @christianwolmar Was season 1958 - 59.....with the Rangers beating Accrington Stanley 3 - 1 , at Loftus Road ...............Division Three.......following season one of their fans gave me a huge bundle of Accrington programmes when I boarded their supporters coach...we then beat them ...5 - 1 .
