Grand Central - you don't have to be md to work here...

The Fact Compiler has received a piece of PR puffery from Grand Central.

Their PR, the soi disant 'veteran observer', witters...

Charles Belcher joins Grand Central... he has been Managing Director of a number of Train Operating Companies...

Indeed.

So now there's three former TOC MD's at the open access operator (Messrs Clift, Worrell and now Belcher).

If they get a couple more they could have a train each!

Is there a collective noun for such a proliferation?

Beardie Rail aims to sweep the board

Telegrammed by the Archer
Not content with a top ten hit in Tuesday’s mini pilgrimage, Virgin ticketing staff at Preston station will join colleagues from another four stations tomorrow and go on strike.

Preston clearly has the #1 spot in mind and the other four stations are presumably keen to take a slice of the (as yet un-funded) £50m pie.

At this rate Virgin will end up with nine of the top ten worst stations, a remarkable achievement, well worthy of the £45m investment prize.

And not before time, given the chronic under investment on WCML infrastructure over the last few years. (shome mishtake shurley. Ed)

UPDATE: This from BBCbusiness via Twitter...

A planned strike by Virgin Trains booking office staff at five mainline stations on Friday is called off after a legal challenge by the company.

Sadiq says...

Via Twitter...

At Kings Cross about to catch train to Darlington as part of my Bus tour. Please do visit DfT website if you have ideas where I should go..

Eye hopes Sadiq makes it to Darlington safely for the next stage of his Pilgrimage of Grimace.

It might make up for the no show at the recent UK Bus Awards...

Pilgrimage of Grice sets ministerial precedent

Telegrammed by our man at 222 Marylebone Road
Exciting news from Labour Party HQ in Victoria Street!

Eye understands that following the success of Transport secretary Lord Adonis' whirlwind one-day whistle stop tour of England's 10 worst stations in Labour constituencies, the party's Election 'Grid' now includes the following:

Andy Burnam, Secretary of State for Health to visit the top 10 hospitals in Labour constituencies with the worst post operation fatality rate (Mode: Air Ambulance).

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families to visit the top 10 schools in Labour constituencies with the worst GCSE results (Mode: First Yellow school buses).

Baron Mandelson of Foy in the county of Herefordshire and Hartlepool in the county of Durham, First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills, Minister of Information, Lord President of the Council (cont. p94) to visit the top 10 car factories in Labour constituencies making the most unreliable/any cars (Mode: Ministerial Jag)

With friends like these...