TSSA backs Reichsbahnmarschall Abbot

At last some good news for Labour leadership candidate Diane Abbot

Abbot has been trailing behind in the leadership race but all this looks set to change with today's exciting announcement that the TSSA have thrown their paperclips behind Diane's campaign.

Gerry Doherty, general secretary of the union, said, "Diane was the only candidate who supported our policy of a publicly owned railway without any qualification or hesitation.

"Labour went into the 1997 saying it was going to reverse the Tories' privatised railway but never did anything to undo that damage over the past 13 years.

"We want an affordable state-owned railway system like the rest of Europe. Diane agrees with that very sensible policy and we shall be asking our members to vote for her accordingly."

Fear not Gerry, a state owned railway system is exactly what you'll get.

Unfortunately the state in question appears to be Germany.

South West Trains expands onto West Coast?

This from Driver Potter...

I refer to the July 2010 edition of Modern Railways (Page 22 if you're interested) wherein is made mention of incidents with ice-bound Bendydildos:

"Ice also built up on and under the train. in one incident, a lump of ice was dislodged as a Class 390 was passing a Class 450 EMU. The ice bounced between the vehicles, breaking half a dozen windows on each train."

Us SWT boys aren't known for hanging about, but there is a limit to how far you can coast - Waterloo to the West Coast Main Line is probably asking a bit.

Can I claim my prize for "Pedant of the Month" now, or do I have to wait?

UPDATE: This from Captain Deltic...

That should be Smart*rs* of the month and I can only blame the Editor for not covering up my deteriorating faculties for once.