Pointless signs - Bristol Temple Meads

This from a Mr Montgomery Burns...

Nanny State is alive and kicking in the West Country!

Pointless signs - Upper Holloway

This from a Mr Tony Miles...

Eye readers may note the lack of 3rd rail or overhead equipment as they peruse this sign at the western end of Upper Holloway station on the Gospel Oak - Barking line.

 I guess a 378 would certainly stop… would it ever start again?

Railway Garden Competition - Chester

The 'drought' appears in danger of ruining this year's Railway Garden Competition.

However, at Chester this tasteful arrangement has managed to keep its head above the flood.

More please...

Railway overmanning exposed - Shocker!

This seen at Immingham on Friday...

So how many people does it take to polish a nameplate?

NR & SWT Deep Alliance launched today

This from Stagecoach and Network Rail...

PASSENGERS  TO  BENEFIT  AS  SOUTH  WEST  TRAINS  AND NETWORK RAIL FORM NEW ALLIANCE · Single senior management team now responsible for trains and track · Focus on reduced delays, better customer service, more efficient working · “Deep alliance” is first for the UK rail industry

Train  company  South  West Trains and infrastructure operator Network Rail today  (30  April 2012) announced the launch of a new alliance with the aim of delivering better rail services in the south and south-west of England.

A  single  senior  joint  management  team  now has responsibility for both trains  and  track on the route operating out of London Waterloo in a first for the UK rail industry...

The  senior  management  team has more than 200 years’ experience in the UK rail   industry   covering  train  service  delivery,  rail  infrastructure management and train fleet manufacturing and includes:

• Managing Director – Tim Shoveller 
• Infrastructure Director – Jim Morgan
• Operations Director – Mark Steward
• Fleet Director - Christian Roth
• Safety & Assurance Director – Brian Cook
• Human Resources Director – Kelly Barlow
• Commercial Director – Sam McCarthy
• Customer Service Director – Jake Kelly
• Finance Director – Andy West

A governance board, with equal representation from both organisations, will oversee  the  operation  of the alliance and take major business decisions.

Arrangements  are  in place to ensure the interests of other passenger rail companies  and freight operators are protected. Both companies retain their own  identities and staff.  There are no changes to terms and conditions of employment or collective bargaining agreements with recognised trade unions

And about time too.

Welcome to a new world for the South Western Railway!