This from the late Bruce Lee...
On Sunday afternoon, whilst watching the Lord Reith-inspired hard hitting documentary series 'Fat Families' on Sky Living channel, I couldn’t help noting the resemblance between Dimleby heir-apparent Steve Miller and the newly-enthroned David Horne at EMT
Is there a family connection and will EMT passengers be enjoying calorie-saving snackettes as a result?
This from the RMT...
RMT confirmed this morning that Bob Crow has been re-elected unopposed for a further five year term as General Secretary.
Bob Crow will begin his third five year term at the helm of the union in the New Year.
This from the Department for Transport...
Rail passengers and businesses are set to benefit as Rail Minister Theresa Villiers today pledges to crack down on unnecessary red tape.
Nearly 200 rail transport regulations have today been placed on the Red Tape Challenge website – a Government-wide site aimed at reducing bureaucracy. They will remain there for consultation for four weeks. The Challenge asks everyone whether they think that a regulation is well designed and provides vital protection or is badly designed, badly implemented or simply a bad idea.
Among the regulations that the Government is asking the public to comment on are the National Rail Conditions of Carriage – the terms and conditions passengers must adhere to when travelling on a train.
Other examples include the requirement for the Secretary of State to approve train operations on all sections of a line, the speed of those operations and a variety of other conditions for tramways and other minor railways including heritage operations.
The review also targets a number of arcane and obsolete regulations on the statute books that could run the risk of eroding public confidence in regulations. For example, there are regulations in force covering closures on railway lines which no longer exist and various exemption orders which have expired.
Theresa Villiers said:
“We want everyone - including passengers, businesses and volunteer groups - to get involved and help reduce the number of badly thought out and obsolete regulations in our country.
“The Red Tape Challenge is an ideal opportunity to consider innovative ways of delivering better rail services. We are already working on delivering less prescriptive rail franchises and taking forward reforms to help the rail industry to reduce costs.
“By reducing red tape, we can also free businesses to compete, create jobs and unleash a private sector-led recovery.”
Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said:
"Since the Red Tape Challenge was launched in April, we have received more than 25,000 comments and proposals made by the public and businesses. Already this has resulted in plans for significant changes to legislation – we have looked at 378 pieces of regulation and announced plans to remove or simplify 220 of these.
"I look forward to seeing the results of the 200 rail transport regulations under the spotlight. This process can only result in a more efficient rail network, which will be good news for all rail users and growth in the wider economy."
Experienced ‘Sector Champions’ will provide expert knowledge on the issues faced by those on the shop floor during the Red Tape Challenge.
Graham Smith, Secretary of the Rail Delivery Group said:
“An expanding railway also has to be an efficient railway. The rail industry is tackling a range of initiatives that will increase efficiency and improve value for money for the passenger, freight shipper and taxpayer that will unlock further growth in rail use.
“Many of the barriers to that greater efficiency can be found in the bureaucracy, red tape and regulations that delay, or even prevent, improvements to Britain’s railways. Removing the bureaucracy, discarding the red tape and scrapping unnecessary regulations will help the rail industry to provide an even better service to its customers.”
David Morgan and Mark Smith of the Heritage Railway Association said:
"The Heritage Railway Association fully understands that regulation is as essential for us as for any sector of the industry. Our challenge will be to identify that which is appropriate for our operations and retain it whilst the inappropriate, unnecessary and redundant is dismantled."
The overall aim is to remove barriers to economic growth and increase individual freedoms. The presumption is that regulations will go, unless it can be justified why a regulation should be kept.
Hot on the heels of DB Arriva's take-over of Grand Central, this from the RMT...
RAIL UNION RMT revealed today that rail workers are being told to take German lessons as part of their training course for operating new track equipment...
Rail staff on a recent course in Kent were told that they had to learn a series of German phrases relating to instructions on track equipment. RMT says that it would be simpler and safer to get the equipment re-programmed with a translation into English rather than placing the responsibility to learn German on the workforce but the union believes it is all about money.
Phrases that form part of the course, and which workers are to be tested on include:
Kdo abgew AZGR ANFORD Grund BETRIEBLICH - Reset requested but not carried out due to section being clear
UARTFEHLER - Receiver / transmitter fault - corrupted data message
VERBINDUNGSAUSFALL - Connecting failure
We are all German now.
UPDATE: This from Steve Strong...
Or Spanish!
As according to The Times today the siesta monkeys at RENFE are sniffing around Go-Ahead.
This from Go-Ahead...
After an open competition, Patrick Verwer, currently Go-Ahead's Managing Director – Rail Development, has been appointed as Managing Director of London Midland.
David Brown, Go-Ahead's Group Chief Executive said:
"Patrick Verwer has huge experience, first class management skills, and a strong track record of delivery. He is the right person to drive through further transformation in the London Midland franchise.
"We have already seen a range of service and performance improvements in this franchise. I know that Patrick, and the excellent team in place at London Midland, will work hard to build on these achievements in order to offer the best possible service to passengers."
Patrick Verwer, who will take up the post at the beginning of the new year, said:
"I am delighted to be appointed. The London Midland franchise is vital to the passengers it serves and I look forward to helping it grow and to build on the success that has already been achieved."
- Ends -
UPDATE: This from Alphabetti Spaghetti...
What's going on?
First Verster at NR's LNE and now Verwer at LM?
Is this a planned industry assault on the 'TUV' pages of my address book?
Lots of huffing and puffing from pro and antis today over exactly what the Transport Select Committee said about HS2.
So here is what the TSC actually said in their press release:
Good case for high speed rail to run to Birmingham and beyond, say MPs
There is a good case for a high speed rail network, linking London and the major cities of the Midlands, the North and Scotland says the Transport Committee.
Launching High Speed Rail – the report of the inquiry into high speed rail, including the Government’s proposal for HS2 – Committee chair Louise Ellman said,
“A high speed rail network, beginning with a line between London and the West Midlands, would provide a step change in the capacity, quality, reliability and frequency of rail services between our major cities.
“A high speed line offers potential economic and strategic benefits which a conventional line does not, including a dramatic improvement in connectivity between our major cities, Heathrow and other airports, and the rest of Europe.
“High speed rail may be a catalyst for economic growth, helping to rebalance the economy and bridge the north-south divide. But the Government must do more to promote local and regional growth strategies to ensure we get maximum economic benefit from high speed rail.
“High speed rail is affordable: HS2 will cost around £2 billion per annum over 17 years. Construction of a high speed rail network should start with the line between London and the West Midlands, as this is where capacity needs are greatest. But we are concerned that under current plans high speed rail lines won’t reach Manchester and Leeds for more than 20 years.
“The Government should also look at options to build southwards from the north and link to other lines such as the Midland Main Line. We see no reason why the Scottish Government should not begin work on a Scottish high speed line, to connect with the English network in due course.
“Investment in HS2 must not lead to reduced investment in the ‘classic’ rail network. We are concerned that the Government is developing separate strategies for rail and aviation, with HS2 separate from both. We call again for the publication of a comprehensive transport strategy.
“Investment in high speed rail has potential to boost growth but may have a substantial negative impact on the countryside, communities and people along the route. This must be better reflected in the business case for HS2 and future phases of the project. We would encourage the Government to follow existing transport corridors wherever possible.”
The Transport Committee sets out a series of recommendations on high speed rail:
Telegrammed by Mons Star
As Captain Deltic's counter of days, since the placing of the last new train order, ticks ominously away the question on everyone's lips is 'will it be over by Christmas?'.
Three current deals could, in theory, stop the clock before it reaches 1,000 days on the 28th December.
The London Midland/TPE order for Siemens' Desiros is still being haggled over by DafT. LM's press release announcing preferred status for the only credible bidder already hinted that commercial close might slip into the new year...
Meanwhile the southern thrust of Siemens' drive, Thameslink, is in big financial trouble, with a respected finance journal reporting that the current liquidity situation has funders calling for higher returns. To add to the woe there are also reports that the money men have finally woken up to the risk involved in total train service provision PFI deals. The darkening shadows of London Underground's PPP draw ever nearer...
Finally , the IEP is reported to be neck and neck with Thameslink. Make of that what you will, but East Coast and Great Western are already devoting time and effort to looking at 'credible' alternatives. Could there be a link between Rail Barbie's departure and her insistence that the 'something must be done' with the lacklustre IC225 fleet?
So, all over by Christmas? More likely DfT is planning its usual costly and misguided war of attrition.
If so, 1st March will be a dark day - marking the second occasion when a Tory Transport Secretary has presided over a 1064 day hiatus in ordering new trains.
A Chiltern poster at Harrow-on-the-Hill advertising weekend engineering works...
Eye congratulates Von Shooter on reaching Oxford without finishing all that tiresome engineering stuff.
This from National Express...
Elaine Holt to join National Express
We are delighted to announce that Elaine Holt will be joining us from early January as a Bid Director in the Rail team.
Elaine brings a wealth of industry experience to National Express. As well as her most recent position as Chief Executive of Directly Operated Railways and Chairman of East Coast Main Line Company Limited, she has previously been Managing Director of First Capital Connect, held senior positions across First Group and spent 13 years at British Airways.
Elaine's appointment demonstrates our continued determination to assemble a very strong bid team to allow us to compete for upcoming franchises.
Suggestions that NatEx intends to exit rail appear somewhat premature...
UPDATE: This from a Mr Tony Miles...
TFC, you're losing your touch!
This would have made a much better headline:
"National Express calls Holt to rail franchising!"
On a serious note...
A Private Members Bill is being put before Parliament next Monday by Graham Jones MP, which aims to reform the outdated Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964
There is a petition on the Number 10 website in support of this which hopefully Eye readers may wish to sign.
The petition can be found here.
Remember vote early, vote often!
Excruciatingly embarrassing but quite amusing all the same...
With a Bowler tip to multiple chums who forwarded by email and twitter.
This from the Lancastrian...
Further to the 'Railway Garden' entry from York last Monday, I visited the station last week and spotted this poster.
Is grass growing through cobbles now an advertised feature of East Coast's offering at York?
UPDATE: This from Steve Strong...
I had always assumed this branding called to mind the number of railway careers that have been buried by the state owned 'flagship' operator.
This from Arriva...
ARRIVA ACQUIRES OPEN ACCESS OPERATOR GRAND CENTRAL RAILWAY
Arriva plc has confirmed it has acquired UK open access operator Grand Central Railway which runs passenger train services between Sunderland and London, and between Bradford/Halifax and London.
The acquisition, for an undisclosed amount, adds to Arriva’s UK Trains portfolio of the CrossCountry, Arriva Trains Wales and Chiltern Railways franchises, and concessions to operate the Tyne and Wear Metro and (as a joint venture) London Overground operations.
Grand Central is an open access operator, it does not receive subsidy from, or pay any premium to the Department for Transport. It operates four direct services between Sunderland and London Kings Cross daily, and three direct services between Bradford/Halifax and London Kings Cross. It provides approximately 700,000 passenger journeys a year.
Bob Holland, Arriva UK Trains managing director, said: “We firmly believe open access will play a valuable part of a balanced portfolio for our UK Trains division alongside our three franchises and concessions operated on London Overground and the Tyne and Wear Metro.
“Bringing Grand Central on board means we have a live open access operation up and running, one which is popular with customers and which we believe we can develop to become a key commercial part of our UK rail operations.”
- Ends -
Hmmm!
Go on then... but in the original version of course!
Well, even Her Majesty is part German!
This from 31154...
According to the York and District Advertiser:
York Central MP Hugh Bayley, right, views work at Holgate Junction, with Richrd Lungmuss of LNE, left, and Nigel Cay, of Network Rail.
Altogether now - 'It's behind you!'
Much gnashing of teeth in the East Midlands!
Local rail lobby group the Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum is one speaker short of a full agenda for its annual conference this Thursday.
According to the Derby Evening Telegraph:
But the DfT has now said that Ms Villiers will not be attending the event because of a planning issue in her Chipping Barnet constituency.
A spokesman for Mrs Villiers' constituency office said: "The Hemington Avenue planning case is very controversial locally and Theresa has been contacted by a large number of constituents on this issue. Having campaigned against so called 'garden grabbing' for many years, Theresa feels it's vitally important that she is present at the appeal hearing to support her constituents."
Eye is sure that this statement was issued in error and having spoken with Sid Spiv, DfT's Director of Leaks, has secured the following updated version:
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