IKB: Good morning Mr Brown. Happy Birthday!
PB: Good morning Mr Brunel. Merry Christmas!
IKB: Well, this year was supposed to be the year what was the hole in the ground on Eastbourne Terrace became the Elizabeth Line station. And it hasn't happened. I'm very disappointed.
PB: I'm sure that you are going to remind me that it only took a weekend to remove your broad gauge.
IKB: An act of the greatest vandalism that was. Thank goodness I was dead by then.
PB: But where would you have been without Mr Gooch to make the engines work?
IKB: I knew how to build bridges and a flat railway. I surveyed the route myself to make sure that it was right. That legacy is still there long after the engines became museum pieces. And I knew from the start that I needed Daniel to make the engines work. It's good that his part in the building of our wonderful railway is honoured by him having a local pub named after him.
PB: I loved those steam trains.
IKB: But, as I've said to you before, the electric trains are so much cleaner. Haven't you noticed how much cleaner the air is on our station with the gradual introduction of electric trains?
PB: Yes, but the people who stop in the Paddington shop on the station love the steam trains, or so I'm told.
IKB: But think about the times when the commuters arrive! They want the station to be clean and to breathe fresh air. And they cleaned the roof of our station. Do you want it to be dirty with soot from slow steam and diesel trains?
PB: The new long distance trains won't be much faster as they have to switch to diesel beyond Swindon.
IKB: It's the same as with Crossrail - they need innovators to fix the issues they find. They decided not to electrify to Oxford as it is wet. Take a walk there any winter day - it's self-evident that it is a flood plain. Easy to know, not too difficult to rectify. Stations are behind on the Elizabeth Line - well, open the line with fewer stations so it is making money. They just aren't prepared to improvise. But one day we'll have electric trains to Temple Meads.
PB: And everything else in London is now delayed because there is no money.
IKB: Things will change. Even a new Transport Secretary and the need to create jobs might mean that the Bakerloo might be extended to Lewisham quicker. Whose crazy idea was it to terminate at Elephant and Castle? Trains make money when they are full! Otherwise I would just have gone as far as Slough.
PB: You are right Mr Brunel - but it is almost time for my elevenses. But before I go, I have to say something. You aren't much taller than me!
IKB: The two people most associated with Paddington are both small in stature but giant in intellect. Enjoy your marmalade sandwiches Mr Brown!
