Eye waves farewell to Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit!

So farewell NR uber-spinner PJ Taylor!

After eight years defending the indefensible PJ's last day at Network Rail is today.

Eye and many others in the industry will miss him, as no doubt will 'Granty' - who will now be free to sell his usual bank holiday hatchet job to the nationals.

No matter.

It was a pleasure working with you PJ and Eye awaits with interest to see where you pop up next.

NR speeds up project work - Official

This from NR's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit...

I know Eye viewers love their timelapse footage and I have a great new one to share here:



A whole year of construction work on our stunning new Western Concourse at King's Cross squeezed into a minute.

More information on the project here.

Great British Railway Journeys to go on forever!

This from NR's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit...

Fans of GBRJ will be glad to hear that the production team are reasonably confident that a third series will be commissioned by the BBC.

Ratings are good and Mr Portillo himself told me at last night, at the wrap party, that he reckons that Bradshaw can provide him with enough material for at least another two series...

Portillo better hurry up then, before Petrol-head draws the inevitable conclusion from page 26 of McNulty's Interim Review.

Reading revealed...

This from Network Rail's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit...

Eye readers may be interested in some video of the work completed at Reading over the Christmas period.

Some great time lapse of a 1,000 tonne bridge deck replaced over Caversham Road.



I always think that time lapse video should be accompanied by the Benny Hill music…

Network Rail's wish is of course Eye's command. With a very deep doff of the bowler to @Twitdan

UPDATE: This also from the Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit...

PS You can learn also more about the UK's newest - or most recently re-instated - passenger railway, between Airdrie and Bathgate, here.

This one with sound!

Monkey about on the railway at your peril

This with a bowler tip to the IRRU...

Last week the BBC reported that a Capuchin Monkey had escaped from a Cumbrian wildlife park.

This from yesterday's NR log

*** 12/04/10 13:28 #QRP8227 *** CREATED

12:40 Police Marksman have requested services to be suspended at Askam as they require to shoot a Capuchin ape that is hanging from a tree over the running lines at Askam.

12:55 Police Marksman informs the caution can be lifted as the Capuchin ape has left site

Evidently NR is taking a much firmer line on trespass and vandalism.

NR .v. RMT - the media war hots up!

The Fact Compiler has received this blatant piece of self publicity from the IRRU...

For those who missed me on Five Live tonight, where I scored a points victory against Bob, there is good news!

PJ fans can tune into C4 news tonight at 7pm, too...

You have been warned!

Exclusive: Pictures of West Highland Line avalanche.

This just in from NR's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit...

Please see below a photograph taken yesterday from a helicopter flying over the West Highland Line.


The photo shows one of four avalanches which took place on Friday, closing the line between Tyndrum Upper and Bridge of Orchy.

The avalanches came from the slopes of Beinn Odher which the line crosses.

We have been unable to clear the site to date due to the risk of further avalanches, however, avalanche specialists are travelling to the site via helicopter today to take bore samples and provide a more detailed understanding of the risk.

Provided that the all-clear is given, we expect to move our snow-blowers onto site to begin clearing the line tomorrow.

UPDATE: This from Captain Deltic...

Do NR choppers play the Ride of the Valkyries as a sound track for their inspection work.

The BR v NR debate - data versus anecdote?

NR's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit has responded, at length, to our man at 222 Marylebone Road's challenge to prove that Network Rail is better than British Rail.

As the IRRU responded in some detail - Eye thought it best to run this piece as a new post.

So here it is...

Ooooh, where to start?

Deep breath.

Let's first deal with the implication that Network Rail won't be able to accommodate a sub-four hour, 'Flying Scotsman' London-Edinburgh service whilst BR had no problem.

What we have said is that we'll give it a go.

As our statement on Thursday said we're going to speak to ALL the operators on East Coast - eight passenger and freight companies - to see if we can come to a good solution.

Of course, we understand the benefits of fast journey times and we will do our best to accommodate that, whilst all the time remaining aware of the needs of ALL operators on the route.

The big difference between today and the time of BR is that the railway is busier. More of that later.

Also it's worth reminding readers why there isn't a Flying Scotsman today. The service in its most recent form existed from the late 1990s - so there’s no question the journey time is achievable. However, that service was removed from the winter timetable 2002 (which came into force on 27 September that year) for three reasons:

1. Demand was low, as there was only one stop between London and Edinburgh filling a 1,000 seat train every day proved impossible
2. It was having a significant detrimental effect on capacity on the ECML generally
3. Performance was bad

In summary, the most important reason it was caped, is that GNER couldn't make it pay.

Next, let's deal with the anecdotal evidence - which is trotted out so often by the rose-spectacled fraternity - that BR was fantastic and better than any of its successor organisations.

Firstly, I have the highest respect for the people of BR who worked wonders with an anarchic stop/go funding arrangement.

They achieved engineering marvels on a shoestring and had a deep commitment to training and development.

On the latter point Network Rail has sought to emulate and surpass BR's record (shockingly neglected by Railtrack) - this is evident in our signalling and maintenance training centres, our leadership development centre at Westwood and our fantastic apprentice scheme at Gosport.

Brief advert: We are currently recruiting for our 2010 apprentice intake, junior Railwayeyers should point their browsers here if they want a rewarding career on Britain's railways.

On the debit side we should not forget that BR was a byword for lousy customer service, stroppy industrial relations and had a safety record which would not stand up to scrutiny today.

The customer service issue has largely been addressed post-privatisation by great entrepreneurial innovation by passenger operators, both franchised and open access.

Enough of anecdote, let's have some cold, hard data.

I have FOUR thrilling charts for you.

The first two show clearly on two key indicators - capacity and punctuality - that Network Rail is outperforming BR and indeed Railtrack.


I am well aware of arguments over data and am more than willing to engage with anyone on the issues, but for the sake of brevity here I assert that the data in these charts is robust and accurate (you throw at me 'timetable padding', I'll throw back BR 'void' days, etc, etc, ad nauseum).

As in the statement (from me) in the Telegraph that 222 quotes in his post "no matter how you slice it we are more punctual than ever". On the capacity chart I thought it would also be useful to show a comparison with how many trains are run each day in France.


The third chart - which admittedly does not go as far back as BR days shows the other key indicator and that is of safety- in particular train accident risk.


Finally, I thought again it might be interesting to place our safety record in a European context.


Okay, even if you concede that Network Rail is doing a good job and outperforming BR on many key indicators, you're going to tell me 'Ah, that's all very well, but it cost so much more.' To that I'll reply is that you're getting more for your money.

Ultimately what Britain spends on its railway is decided by its voters - we get the railway we vote for.

Right, still with me?

I'm sure there are examples that anyone can quote of things at which BR excelled. Network Rail is humble enough to admit that.

There are, of course, things that we can do better at. But as someone once said before 'we're getting there.'

UPDATE: The Fact Compiler adds his tuppence-worth.

A clever quote from the IRRU.

As old hands will remember it comes from BR's own 1986 comms' strategy, part of which tried to show that yesterday's railway was viewed through rose coloured spectacles.

Enjoy!



You can find more of the same here (scroll down).

UPDATE: This from Ithuriel...

Note that NR's punctuality charts go back only to 1992/93, when British Rail was about to start tearing itself apart for privatisation.

They then fall until 1996/97 when the first franchises are running, everyone breaths a deep sigh of relief, and instead of setting up MBOs think they can concentrate on running the railway.

This lasts for two years, then reliability falls as people realise that its not BR with extra cash, that's when the buggeration starts to tell.

As for 'more for your money'. Five times more?

UPDATE: This, allegedly, from a Mr Don King...

Hey. You guys in Brit Land.

Ah just wanna say that if that Response Unit guy wants to tell my old friend Chris Green to his face that he had lousy customer service at Network South East and Intercity , ah reckon ah could fill the 02 arena for the fight.

UPDATE: This from Bushy...

On a point of order - the rapid rebuttal unit quotes a 1,000 seat train.

Now even if that train was standard class, HST trailers with 74 seats, then surely that's a 13+ carriage HST, or even longer with first class.

Surely he means 500 seats in each direction?

UPDATE: NR's IRRU responds...

Quite right - the 1,000 figure relates to the total on the daily services.

UPDATE: This from Jumbo...

Wow! Network Rail's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit is in fine form today but, in their excitement have they got their facts right?

Was there only one 3h59m train in each direction between London and Edinburgh in the 1991 timetable? What about the 08.00 and 15.00 from Kings Cross on the down together with the 06.00 and 15.00 from Edinburgh on the up?

And was there really only one intermediate stop?

Surely all of those trains called at York and Newcastle?

In any event, if the demand was low for these fast trains it hardly bodes well for the 05.20 Edinburgh to Kings Cross shown in the SLC2 timetable as taking 4h20m. If the punters did not fancy a 3h59m journey leaving Edinburgh at 06.00 it is hardly likely that they will think much of a train leaving 40m earlier and taking 20m longer.

NR's commitment to fast journey times is very welcome so could we have some action please?

In the late 1970s I travelled regularly on the 15.50 Kings Cross to Leeds which was booked to run non-stop to Newark in 68m but often managed 66m. Over thirty years later, the SLC2 timetable shows the 17.49 Kings Cross taking no less than 85m to Newark albeit with a Peterborough stop.

As the IRRU are busy trawling through history, I am sure that they will recall that for much of it's existence BR recorded trains that did not arrive exactly RT as late, and that it was only in response to John Major's Citizen's Charter that things changed.

So as NR claim such a good punctuality record how about getting real and recognising that whilst to the industry a train that arrives 10m behind schedule is on time, to a passenger it is late?

OK, if it makes NR happy, BR were a byword for lousy customer services but they did try and do engineering work in a way that minimised inconvenience to passengers.

Would BR's engineers have been allowed total possession of the railway from Boston to Skegness for weeks on end, especially when the line is normally shut for 9 hours each night and for 16 hours on Saturdays?

UPDATE: This from Leo Pink...

One doesn't like the thought of getting the industrious, if historically challenged, IRRU into trouble, but he is seriously off message if he thinks that "What we have said is that we'll give it a go" will suffice.

The announcement by Lord Hornby-of-the-Loft-Layout on the sub 4 hour London-Edinburgh timing is quite clear that NR will 'facilitate' this return to faster days.

That the wording agreed between DfT Rail and Network Rail the night before may not have included the 'F' word is entirely irrelevant... until the 7th May.

Perth to Inverness restored!

This just in from Network Rail's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit...

Passengers in the far north of Scotland will be pleased that services between Perth and Inverness are running again after the freight derailment at Carrbridge.

The first picture shows the damage.


The second and third show Network Rail hard at work in lousy weather day...


... and night.


The final pic shows, ahem, the lighter side of rail recovery….


Good effort!

In happier times...

A mournful email reaches The Fact Compiler from NR's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit...


Look at Nigel's expression when he had to award Network Rail the 'outstanding press office of the year' prize at the NRA a few years ago.

We won it in successive years but strangely enough the award was 'retired'…

Would Eye be right in thinking that all is not well between Media House and the New Black Tower?

NR exposes RAIL's secret HS2 plans- Shocker

This just in from Network Rail's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit...

Our friends at RAIL magazine were less than complimentary about our plans for high-speed rail in the new lines study.

However, we at Network Rail can always accept constructive criticism.

So we were thrilled to learn that Peterborough's finest minds have actually come up with their own high-speed proposal.


This leaked map proves, as ever, the magazine has got right the detailed analysis that Britain's 21st century rail system needs.

UPDATE: This, surprisingly, from the late Kenneth Williams...

These concerted attacks on RAIL by the high speed line fantasists remind me of my favourite line from my role as Caesar in Carry on Cleo.

'Infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me'.

Isn't it about time for Jim Steer to have a go at Nije 'n' Phil? Otherwise people might think that Greengauge is not a proper grown up pressure group.

Stop messin' about Jim.

UPDATE: This, unsurprisingly, from Nigel Harris...

How can the alleged HSR map from NR's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit (IRRU) possibly be taken seriously?

If it really WAS the product of ‘Peterborough’s finest’ then, as any fule kno, it would go via Rose Grove and Copy Pit...

Perhaps all those pre-holiday fillings have addled the IRRU's brain?

UPDATE: This from a Mr D Lane, who appears to dabble in such things...

I would label this as the "Big W" or 'Woolworths' Plan.

'Nuff said, I think!

UPDATE: This from Leo Pink...

Surely Nigel's preferred route would run from Peterborough to Leicester, thence direct to Manchester London Road...

UPDATE: This just in from Phil Haigh...

Since my gaffer's stuck his oar into this one, I might as well offer a view too...

With my frequent journeys between London, Peterborough, York and Newcastle, the East Coast Main Line will do me quite well enough.

All it needs is 140mph trains.

But wait, didn't BR introduce these in the 1990s...?

Lookalike XXIII - 25kv into the Future

Three degrees of separation

This just in from NR's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit...

This is fantastic, a shot-for-shot re-creation of Top Gear level crossing crash in Lego!



It's not that bleedin' good!

The original featured a Type 2 rather than a Type 5.

Offical - Eye is "unsuitable" says NR

The Eye has received the following missive from a concerned reader...

Dear Fact Compiler,

Although you give a reason for the possible lack of action from the NR Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit on your blog, a slightly more rational reason may be the fact that last week NR has blocked your page as unsuitable!

It may be coincidence that this occurred at exactly the moment that internet access was granted to signallers, but I for one find it quite annoying, as your blog is a shining beacon of hope to those of us here, as it allows us to see some of the news that the higher level parts of the company would rather keep quiet.

Yours, A low-level NR lacky.

NR's Not Quite So Rapid Rebuttal Unit provides the following explanation:

"Our IM people have blocked a load of blogging and social networking sites at the moment, NOT for editorial reasons.

"The reason for their actions is, of course, that are many critical computer systems at Network Rail and they have to be protected.

"However, I can assure 'the low level NR lackey' that I have raised this issue with senior IM people and hopefully everyone here at Network Rail will have access to Railway Eye again very soon."

Good news indeed. Allowing Eye to get some cheap gibes in at NR's expense whilst the infrastructure owner is unsighted.

UPDATE: This from the Major...

To most of today's railwaymen 'IM' means infrastructure maintenance, or p-way in old money.

The above response from NR suggests 'IM' is something to do with computers and the interweb.

This may explain recent problems over at the WCML...

UPDATE: This from our man at 222 Marylebone Road...

NR is clearly taking taking the new concept of 'cyber-war' seriously.

North Korean state computer hackers have presumably worked out a way to reduce Britain's transport infrastructure to chaos with viruses embedded in blogs!

Presumably for considerably less than the £9 billion that NR spent on successfully doing the same thing?

Pinky and the Brain

NR's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit has been very quiet recently.

The reason why is now clear.

PJ and co have obviously been busy in another place.

This from Edinburgh North MP, Mark Lazarowicz, during today's Transport Questions...

"In bidding for the franchise, National Express knowingly took a commercial risk and should not be able to just 'walk away' now, but if the franchise is handed back, the East Coast line should be run by Network Rail not put out to tender again."

The Fact Compiler's flabber is truly gasted at the very thought!

UPDATE: This from the Velopodist...

I think Mr Lazarowicz will find there are a number of problems with having Network Rail running InterCity East Coast, among them the competition implications and the fact they wouldn't know how to do it.

But probably the biggest is this: Network Rail's licence prohibits it from running any trains, so much so that it has to employ someone else to drive the measurement trains.

So a juicy long-distance franchise looks out of the question.

Leave him PJ, he ain't wurff it!

Gerry Doherty of the TSSA has never been shy of jumping on a passing band wagon.

So it came as no surprise to see the following statement issued today...

The TSSA today condemned an new £2.4 million ad campaign launched by Network Rail defending its £9 billion upgrade of the West Coast mainline.

Gerry Doherty, general secretary, said "Here we have the ridiculous situation whereby Virgin Trains has had to cancel its own multi million pound TV ad campaign in Scotland because no trains are running north of Preston at weekends while Iain Coucher launches his own "you never had it so good" campaign claiming everything in the garden is rosy."

Readers interested in hearing NR and TSSA batter each over the head are invited to tune into Radio Five Live at 17:45 today.

For those of a more delicate disposition Network Rail has produced a frankly rather good promotional video about the WCML upgrade. Previously distributed with Railnews it can now be found on-line here.

Meanwhile The Fact Compiler will be tuning into the punch-up.

Lookalike XlX - Resigned to the WCML?

This just in from PJ over at Network Rail's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit...

Well, the ORR and Virgin have had one or two things to say about West Coast performance today and obviously we at Network Rail have things to say on the subject too.

But let me just say one person wanted to get out of London very quickly today - and that was Hazel Blears.

And what did she do?

Hotfooted to Euston to get a speedy and reliable, turn-up-and-go service (VT ppm as at 18:00 today 92%) to Manchester.

Maybe we should use her in our new ad campaign? Or perhaps not...

Too late PJ - looks like Virgin got there before you...

Do you know of a recently resigned government minister who is a lookalike of someone in a Virgin Trains ad?

Alternatively are you a recently resigned government minister, or a minister who is about to resign, whose doomed career could be resurrected by appearing on Railway Eye.

All submissions to the usual address...

UPDATE: Captain Deltic sniggers...

Presumably the Chipmunk put her walk on fare on expenses?

Mission accomplished

Regular Eye readers may recall that NR's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit waxed lyrical last week about cheap advanced tickets.

This update from PJ (for it is he)....

Just to say that my four cities, via four TOCs, 500-mile, £69 trip yesterday (Lord Adonis eat your heart out) went absolutely flawlessly.

I was back in time to watch the football, too.