As the lights dim put the Kettle on

This from Richard Trevithick...

With the ubiquitous 'Tornado' strangely missing from Captain Deltic's collection of IEP alternative "Top Trumps", the owning Trust is now looking to join the horsepower race by building a second replica.

This time a Gresley P2 - allegedly the most powerful kettle to run on British metals.

How soon before they set up a production line?

If Government doesn't get its finger out on a nuclear power programme the Carnot Cycle locomotive could be the saviour of the railways.

Beardie discovers the Strategic Reserve - Official

This from Railnews...

Virgin Trains is planning to double its service between Glasgow and London after British Airways cabin crew said they would be striking over the Christmas period.

Errr... how?

Has Beardie discovered a Strategic Reserve that can run at 125mph?

Or have a crack team of Virgin engineers perfected tilt on Mk2s and 3s?

Perhaps NR plans to slap a draconian speed restriction across the entire WCML?

Eye thinks we should be told!

UPDATE: This from Chionanthus Virginicus (no relation)

Now come on FC!

Virgin say:

"...25 additional services that it plans to run on the London – Glasgow via Preston route over the Christmas and New Year holiday period ..."

Let's say 12 operational days - that's two extra trains per day - 1 Up , 1 Down?

Meanwhile the original Railnews' story has 'gone off-line'!

So who's the spinner and who's the spun?

RBS flogs Rosco

***Royal Bank of Scotland has offloaded Angel Trains for £3.6bn to a consortium led by Babcock & Brown***

BBC story here

UPDATE: Sources indicate that RBS is very pleased with the price paid by Babcock and Brown.

Apparently the business was packaged in three lots: MOLA fleets (ex BR stock), New Trains and Angel's unregulated European business.

The strong price would indicate that B&B and it's advisors are pretty confident that the Competition Commission enquiry into the ROSCOs will not impact dramatically on MOLA lease rates going forward.

The Fact Compiler is not surprised, with a National Rolling Stock Shortage where else would the railway get alternative vehicles to meet current demand. Suggestions that DafT have asked the MOD to release the "Strategic Reserve" have been denied.