Tuesday is the new Thursday

Telegrammed by Crichel Down
Department for Transport announcements are a bit like the famed Cherbourg rail timetable

If it's a Tuesday or Thursday and the month has an 'r' in it, then something might appear.

Thus Eye understands that Tuesday is the new Thursday; so expect a major announcement from Marsham Street on electrification, major projects and rolling stock on the 23rd. Possibly.

The good news, for those who still believe in the IEP (Sid and Doris Bonkers), is that the DfT's very own Mr Kipling is understood to be pleased with the result.

Happily Eye's legal correspondent, Sir Tort Briefs, advises that Judicial Review specialists have recently been touting a special two-for-one package.

Known by the quaint legal term 'SODOF' (Summons One, Dispute One Free) it has allegedly been taken up by a train manufacturer well versed in instructing M'learned Friends.

Eye awaits proceedings with interest.

Big boys toys - the perfect gift

Whilst yesterday's railwaymen pootle about with kettles in their back gardens what should be the plaything of today's thrusting railway exec?

Eye has the perfect Christmas present idea for today's Young Professional!

One careful owner and British technology to boot!

MAGLEV FOR SALE - PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO RAISE MONEY FOR HELP FOR
HEROES/ACORNS AND SHARE WITH OTHERS

You know it makes sense!

UPDATE: This from a Mr Saltaire...

How and why on earth is this not in the National Collection???

This was the world’s first Maglev that was operated commercially, coming as it did from the genius brain of Professor Eric Laithwaite.

A true icon of British invention and worthy of a place in the NRM, let alone its parent, The Science Museum.

UPDATE:This from a Mr Hobbs...

With reference to the Birmingham Maglev, there is already a Birmingham Airport Maglev car in the NRM collection.

UPDATE: This from The Captain...

Birmingham MagLev did not come from the brain of Prof Laithwaite.

The only part of the system associated with the Prof's work was the linear motor propulsion.

The really clever stuff, including combining surrogate primary and secondary suspension characteristics in the microprocessor controlled lift magnets, was the result of a development programme by British Rail Research, which culminated in a working demonstrator...

This was commercialised for the Birmingham Airport MagLev by GEC and Brush.

Enough about moving things that don't involve contact with a running rail. T'is unnatural and probably the devils work. Ed