This from Pooh Bah...
In Hitachi's latest advertisement, Charles Horton Southeastern MD describes the Class 395 as the smoothest new train launch in his 25 years in the railways.
His customers, being shaken and stirred, might question the use of that particular adjective.
This is cool.
It combines new technology, kettles and Bernard Cribbins!
Can it get any better?
Well of course it can, if you don't do new technology.
So for those that don't here is a picture of one of Royal Mail's recently launched stamps celebrating kettles.
Nice!
Now Royal Mail, as Eye has given you a gratuitous puff piece perhaps time to reintroduce TPOs?
This from D0260...
The sign inside the 'cage' used for maintenance of signals:
Do signalling technicians really need to be told this, when they are trusted to work on safety critical equipment?
This with a bowler tip to @Pubby, via Twitter...
Rather a stupid photo considering the story!
Eye salutes the Torygraph's Picture Desk.
Telegrammed by The Velopodist
Eye readers might be interested in this email issued by the Department for Transport press office today.
The email reads:
Some of your will have seen the release that Network Rail have out today on ‘Investing to Build Britain’s Economy’. In case any of you are writing something on this, please see a quote below from the Transport Secretary for your use.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said,
“The financial crisis which we have inherited means that difficult decisions will have to be made on the future of spending across Government, including on our transport system.
“However, we are clear that we will not make the mistakes of the past and protect current spending at the cost of cutting back investment on transport infrastructure that is vital to our economic future.
“That is why I was pleased that the Chancellor announced in the budget that he would prioritise spending that would boost our economy. During this difficult spending review period I will do everything I can to persuade my colleagues that investing in transport infrastructure is a sound investment for the future.
“But if we are to win this argument it is imperative that every pound we invest is well spent. This week’s ORR report states that we have the most expensive railways in Europe. Network Rail needs to become much more efficient so that taxpayers get the best possible return for their investment.”
So Petrol-head Hammond quotes the ORR as saying Britain has Europe's most expensive railways.
Hmmm, perhaps un petit economic avec le verite?
What the ORR actually said was that Network Rail's costs were 40 per cent higher than those of the four most efficient network operators in Europe.
It's hard to believe that, for example, the non-standard Irish railways don't have higher infrastructure costs.
The DfT say they don't want to change the statement.
Hard to see why they would, really. It's not as if it matters whether what a cabinet minister says is true or not, does it?
This from our Independent Expert...
Can't see the trains for the trees...
Buddleia heaven on the down line at Exeter Central yesterday
Good to see that SWT is maintaining its unrivaled reputation for dry shafting the passenger.
Emma Clark and Davyd Winter-Bates were travelling to Southampton from London with South West Trains when they decided to get off two stops early at Eastleigh.
When they handed over their tickets at the station, they were told they were each being fined £57 because they had not stayed on the train until their destination.
The fine was twice the standard fare of £28.50.
Eye suggests that SWT should consider diversifying into the catering trade.
Using the same perverse 'revenue protection' logic they could then fine diners for failing to finish their meals.
Get a grip.
UPDATE: This from SharpSharp...
I run a coffee shop.
When you buy advanced purchase tickets you don't have the option to change your plans and it is made very clear that they are valid only for the journey on the tickets.
If Emma and David were traveling to Eastleigh they should have purchased a ticket to Eastleigh.
UPDATE: This from Billy Connections...
I'm not sure why you have posted the anti-SWT rant - the couple were in breach of the terms and conditions of a special offer ticket they were sold - good on the SWT gripper for fining them.
Too many people here never consult terms and conditions of any
purchase and then assume that if they've made a mistake that they are still in the right.
Caveat Emptor!
UPDATE: This from Captain Auto...
Further to the furore:
Am I to assume that common sense on the part of ticketing staff is no longer to be encouraged?
Those who have replied are indeed entirely correct in their application of the standing rules and regulations.
I would suggest however that such heavy handed treatment of passengers (fare paying passengers, not ticketless scrotes intend on avoiding paying at all costs) is likely to damage both the reputation of SWT and ensure that the couple involved are unlikely to travel by train again.
I'm with TFC - a wonderful own-goal by the winners of Passenger Operator of the Year 2005*.
* What a difference a franchise change makes; they said they'd pay £1.2 billion in 2007. I suppose that £114 fine is at least going to cheer up the Treasury in some small way.
I notice that SWT charged a couple £114 for getting off the train two stops early.
The question I would like to ask is:
Just how much would SWT have charged if the couple had failed to make the journey at all?
Telegrammed by Ithuriel
According to everyone's favourite railway fortnightly this is the new name for the IEP
ボイジャー
Hitachi have made a five car EMU eliminated the power car and increased the number of underfloor 'donkey engines' to give enough power to match IC125 performance away from the wires.
That sounds like a diesel engine under the middle three cars with the electrical gubbins under the driving cars.
A design that appears to have much in common with the 子午線.
Great minds thinking alike or the Japanese perfecting yet another European design?
So posting will be, at best, intermittent.
No doubt a source of relief to many.
Eye understands that Mortons Media Group may be adding Railway Magazine to its growing portfolio of titles.
Regular Eye readers will recall that the Lincolnshire based specialist magazine publisher also snapped up Rail Express earlier this year.
The 2009 ABC audited figures showed Railway Magazine with a healthy circulation of 34,715 copies.
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