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Readers ’ Platform
DO our new trains really need to be so complex? Every issue of The RM seems to include some new reason for a delay, incompatible couplers that prevent swift removal of failed trains, cracks in service, but the most common appears to be software.
Isn’t it ridiculous that an eight-mile, low speed, self-contained line (Isle of Wight) is now closed for many months due to software issues. Elsewhere you can’t add extra coaches, as new coach won’t speak to old coach. The IET issue on the GWR couldn’t be resolved by moving spare under-used units from other TOCs as, apart from driver training perhaps, I read that software differs across regions, so even supposedly identical units were not compatible.