We're beginning to pong
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WHILE the DoE boys were freezing up in Finland in the interests of ungrateful operators, the operators themselves were sweating it out elsewhere in Europe. Their uncomfortable temperature had nothing to do with the heatwave. Despite plenty of warning, the men of Marsham Street hadn't been able to sort out the European hours question by last weekend. Yet British operators were supposed to be complying by July 1. "Please can we still have more time sir ?" we were still asking. There's a strong odour about and it's got nothing to do with the heatwave either. We, the second largest nation in the Nine are earning a stinking name in Europe. news, however, does nothing to ensure a better, faster or cheaper service for the member countries but perhaps it was stupid to expect that it should. The new union of railways will apparently be required to operate economically, but if the members cannot do so they may apply for a handout "for uneconomic services or for those which are politically necessary." I wonder how many will be killed in the rush.
Not that European railways are alone in their inefficiency. In Cleveland, Ohio, the Eaton Axle Corporation have stopped using rail trucks.
They find that whereas a 500mile trip can be done through the night by road it takes five days by rail.