Neil Williams schrieb:
On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 12:26:15 +0200, Patrick Segalla
wrote:


Why do you think that platform height ist decisive for the cost of
platform extensions?


The not insignificant cost of materials and labour for its
construction.


Well, it's not.


I would have thought it would be significant. What do you feel is the
answer?

I would think that the difference in extending a low vs a high platform
is not significant if the extension is easy to do at all. I feel that
the costs usually arise because of other factors - e.g. if the current
platform end is situated close to a tunnel mouth, or a bridge, or a
turnout. In some caes, lengething platforms on a line may be impossible
just because the cost of doing so at one particular station is
prohibitive: Think of an underground station, for instance, or a
platform on a siding.


And why do you think that serviceable (but uncomfortable) old stock ist
acceptable for German commuters?


It can gain new seats for much less than the cost of a new build of DD
stock, as much of it already has.

But it will be perceived as - and in many cases really be - old and
uncomfortable by train users.


New DD-Stock in Germany is rather comfortable, I'd say.


Unless it's improved massively since 2000 (when I was last in
Germany), it is not.

Well, I think this can be very subjective. In any case, there has AFAIK
been a lot of new DD stock since 2000, and the one I know I find
perfectly acceptable, at least for short-to-medium-distance journeys.

Regards Patrick