MML Upgrade goes Parliamental!

Clearly the East Midlands has learnt the lessons of Derbygate.

Determined not to be caught out again by Ministerial double speak local MPs are turning up the heat to secure the upgrade of the Midland Main Line (MML).

Whilst all sorts of smooth and silken words have discreetly emerged from Marsham Street about the project being a 'dead cert' for CP5, apparently not everyone is convinced.

The Tory party's potential new Robert Adley (Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan) has secured a 16th April adjournment debate on Electrification of the Midland main line.

Good effort but no cigar!

As the below shows the real improvements to the MML comes from Upgrading the route, of which electrification is but a part (click on the image to view).


Eye readers hoping to benefit from this upgrade may wish to invite their own MPs to contribute to this debate?

Meanwhile, this salutary reminder from Simon Carr of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership:

"More money has been spent on improving car parks on the West Coast Main Line in the past five years than on the whole of the Midland Main Line."

Pointless signs - King's Cross overkill

This via The Man with the Clapperboard - Take 2!

Definitely one in the eye for McNulty!


What, about these buffer stops, isn't clear?

And how much is all this Elf 'n' Safety gold-plating costing?

UPDATE: This from Best Boy...

Whilst there is a bright red buffer end, a mains-fed red light on a stick, plus a battery tail lamp on each buffer end, and a swanky sign-on-a-stick as well... alas someone appears to have omitted the sand drag.

Still, at least they've got rid of the wall you'd demolish on your way to the GN Hotel.

Daily Mail does physics!

This from the Daily Mail...

Now it's the wrong kind of sun! Train companies tell drivers to slow down because 'hot weather is heating up tracks'...

Network Rail has imposed a 20mph speed restrictions across a stretch of line in the West Country because of the effect the heatwave could have on the tracks.

The curb on speed - called heat speeds - has been imposed between Bathampton Junction and Sydney Garden near Bath...

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: 'We have over the weekend renewed that small section of track and therefore its heat tolerance level is lower than the norm."

Quite so. But on the plus side...

Whilst this tolerance level is relatively low, it compares favourably with the railway's towards the Mail.

Villiers vignettes - 13, unlikely a sum

This from Leo Pink...

'A total of 13 firms are in the running to become the next operators of the Great Western, Thameslink and Essex Thameside rail franchises' burbles Theresa announcing today's shortlisted bidders.

Well, yes, if you assume that, say, First Great Western Trains Limited, First Essex Thameside Limited and First Thameslink Limited are different companies - which Cruela probably does.

In reality, it is six of the usual subjects plus the Hong Kong MTR striking out on its own.

What is true, however, is that the owning groups will be spending £5 million a throw on their bids.

In memoriam - Malcolm Crawley & Alan Pegler

This from Black Mac...

Tornado this morning before departing KX at 07.56.


Two wreaths: top one for Malcolm Crawley; ex-Doncaster premium apprentice and vice president A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

Bottom one on the buffer beam - where he often had his picture taken with Flying Scotsman for Alan Pegler.

Two fine railwaymen. May they rest in peace.

Shortlist for GW, Thameslink and Thameside franchises

This from the Department for Transport...

Bidders for Great Western franchise:

• First Great Western Trains Limited (FirstGroup plc)
• GW Trains Limited (Arriva UK Trains Limited – DB (UK) Investments Limited)
• NXGW Trains Limited (National Express Group PLC)
• Stagecoach Great Western Trains Limited (Stagecoach Group plc)

These potential providers will receive the Invitation to Tender which is anticipated will be issued in May 2012. It is anticipated that the successful bidder will be announced in December 2012, with the contract commencing in April 2013. The length of the franchise term will be 15 years.

Bidders for Essex Thameside franchise:

• Abellio Essex Thameside Limited (NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
• First Essex Thameside Limited (FirstGroup plc)
• MTR Corporation (Essex Thameside) Limited (MTR Corporation Limited)
• NXET Trains Limited (National Express Group PLC)

These potential providers will receive the Invitation to Tender which is anticipated will be issued in June 2012. It is anticipated the successful bidder will be announced in January 2013, with the contract commencing in May 2013. The length of the franchise term will be 15 years.

Bidders for Thameslink franchise:

• Abellio Thameslink Limited (NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
• First Thameslink Limited (FirstGroup plc)
• Govia Thameslink Railway Limited (Go-Ahead Group plc and Keolis SA)
• MTR Corporation (Thameslink) Limited (MTR Corporation Limited)
• Stagecoach Thameslink Trains Limited (Stagecoach Group plc)

These potential providers will receive the Invitation to Tender which is anticipated will be issued in October 2012. It is anticipated that the successful bidder will be announced in May 2013, with the contract commencing in September 2013. The length of the franchise will be a minimum of 7 years, with pricing also required for a potential extension of up to 2 years at the discretion of the Secretary of State

More details here.