That's a new one on me, they have a few nicknames like, conductors baton, flying hearses, defibulators, and the best one of all are, nodding donkeys. If you ever get the chance to ride one of these things, pass it up, your sanity just isn't worth it. Try something tamer like fairground rides, or climbing the north face of the Eiger, because that's what they do nod, and at a hundred miles per hour, they wave about like a conductors baton. Sea sickness is tame compared to this, they were built to try and stop British Leyland going into liquidation, even third world countries wouldn't have these things on their rails. Basically, they are wagon flat, with shed above and an engine below. They can move though, backwards, forwards, up, down, and side to side. They are actually called pacers, why? I don't really know, but I think its something to do with your heart rate. To give you a fair idea of what its like to travel one one of these things, just watch Star Trek when the Enterprise is getting a good drubbing, from the klingons. Oh yes it looks innoxious sitting there at the platform, its when your two miles up the track, and the things approaching warp speed.
Did I tell you about cornering? No, well these things have only one axle at either end, git a tight bend and a 140 decibel squeal is not very pleasant on the eardrums, I'll tell you, according to one railway worker, the flanges get so worn, you could shave yourself with them
Get an elevated position like the footbridge I was on, and you notice what people do with their litter. Oh yes this was taken on Preston station.
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What a description, Summicron! I do get a vague impression that you're not really fond of traveling in one of these vehicles! :lol:
Apparently, some of them have been taken out of service and sold to Iran. Researching them, I think I'll pass. Buses should run on roads, engines should run on tracks.