SWELTERING commuters have resorted to bringing desk fans on to trains and the London Underground in a desperate attempt to cool down on Furnace Friday. The highest July temperature on record is 36.7C which was set at Heathrow in 2015 but that is expected to be beaten at some point this afternoon. Today could even bring a new UK high – replacing the 38.5C set in Faversham, in Kent, in August 2003. As Britain sizzled in the oppressive heat, overheated travellers started taking desk fans with them to try and cool off. The Association of British Commuters tweeted: “Hey Southern Rail, is it possible to fix the air con on your 377s so we don’t have to bring our own fans?!” Commuter Michelle Palin said: “South West Trains it’s saying something when you have to resort to bringing your own fan!” Londoners have likened conditions on the Underground as “like a pizza oven and a sauna combined.” Federica Bison, 24, who was on a Central line … [Read more...] about Desperate commuters are so hot on Furnace Friday that they’re taking DESK FANS onto the Tube
West coast mainline
Boy killed after touching electric railway cable – despite friends pleading him not to
A SCHOOLBOY electrocuted by a railway cable asked “what will happen?” before ignoring pals’ pleas not to touch it, an inquest heard today. Spencer Walker, 12, touched the live electricity wire with his foot after breaching a safety cage on a railway footbridge in South Elmsall, West Yorkshire. The youngster then fell onto the track below. Spencer was heard asking “Should I touch it?” or “What will happen if I touch it?” shortly before the tragedy on October 3 2016. He died at Leeds General Infirmary as a result of his injuries two days later. Spencer had walked to the middle of the bridge until he was above an overhead cable supplying electricity to the East Coast mainline, the three-day hearing in Wakefield was told. Members of the jury also heard the position of spikes, designed to deter trespassers, were not in accordance with the latest standards. They have since been moved closer to the edge of the bridge cage to deter people. However, it … [Read more...] about Boy killed after touching electric railway cable – despite friends pleading him not to
Alaska Airlines’ new meals taste like the West Coast
Economy class food and beverages get an update Chris McGinnis Updated 3:55 am PDT, Tuesday, July 17, 2018 window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-5', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 5', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-10', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 10', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-15', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 15', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-20', … [Read more...] about Alaska Airlines’ new meals taste like the West Coast
Calumet Avenue in Hammond closed after site inspection discovers massive cavity below roadway
HAMMOND – Calumet Avenue between Michigan and Sibley streets is closed under further notice after a site inspection today revealed a massive cavity beneath the roadway tied to INDOT's reconstruction work. Southbound lanes are closed due to the ground underneath being washed out. Northbound lanes are open for now, but a city engineering department official said the northbound lanes will have to be closed during repairs. During the course of the Indiana Department of Transportation's reconstruction of the Calumet Avenue Bridge over the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad, an INDOT contractor pierced the top of an 84-foot brick sewer on May 4, according to a city news release. Attempts by the contractor since then to shore up the area and keep the roadway open have been unsuccessful. The roadway was being supported by only a 6-inch slab of reinforced concrete slab. Hammond Sanitary District Sewer Maintenance crews performed a visual inspection of the inside of … [Read more...] about Calumet Avenue in Hammond closed after site inspection discovers massive cavity below roadway
Indiana sees largest year-over-year gas price hike of 30 percent
Filling up your tank in Indiana costs an average of 66 cents per gallon more than it did a year ago.That's the highest year-over-year increase for gas prices in the nation, according to AAA.The average price of gas has risen 18 cents per gallon over the last month to $2.84 a gallon, and it's climbed 19 cents per gallon over the past month to $3.06 in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Neighboring Illinois' average gas prices has shot up by 62 cents per gallon, the fifth-highest amount in the country.“Many motorists may have been surprised by the steady increases in prices at the pump this past month,” said AAA Chicago Director of Public Affairs Beth Mosher. “April brings a switchover to the summer blend of gasoline, which causes prices to rise. We expect prices to stabilize now leading into summer travel season.”In Lake County, the average cost of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline stands at $2.74 a gallon, which is up 22 cents per gallon from the previous … [Read more...] about Indiana sees largest year-over-year gas price hike of 30 percent