Pointless signs - Euston

Pointless signs - Keighley

The brothers back a return to BR

This from Agnes Fairchild...

I read with interest this weekend's report, sponsored by RMT, ASLEF, Unite and TSSA, which urges The Labour Party to consider proposals for renationalising the railways.


And who can blame them for wanting a return to the halcyon days of 1978/79, when a Labour Government last presided over a state owned railway!

I myself am particularly excited at the prospect of reinstating SeaLink Ferries, SeaSpeed Hovercraft services and British Transport Hotels.  

Frustrated engineers in Derby are no doubt already sharpening their pencils in anticipation of the resumption of a gas turbine APT programme, (what price IEP now?).  

And the re-nationalisation of Travellers Fare will of course delight all those that mourn the passing of the British Rail sandwich.


Of course 1978/79 was also famous as the Winter of Discontent, where, after tens of millions of working days were lost through union strike action, the Government capitulated with double digit pay settlements.  

Beer, sandwiches and trebles all round!

UPDATE: This from John...

Please can I add a heartfelt wish to this:

Please can we have Red Star Parcels back at the same time?

Same day deliveries around the country were a real boon to British manufacturing industry, as all the items that were running late could be delivered at the last possible minute!

UPDATE: This from Andrew...

"Agnes Fairchild" obviously lived in a parallel world to the one containing the British Rail that I worked in! 

In mine:

• there was a relatively simple fare structure that applied across the whole country,

• returns from investment in one route provided the money to upgrade another, and it was the most cost-effective network in Europe

• operators and engineers cooperated in the design of locos and rolling stock and used their experience (something that the current Mandarins/accountants/Directors and Franchise owners wouldn't recognise if it bit them on the bum) to produce kit that lasted many decades - & much of it is still working or would be if it hadn't been thrown away,

• the timetables were designed to fit together and to make the best use of resources (& were improving) - rather than just trying to maximise flows to and from London- [how can anyone justify making all passengers wanting to go from a triangle covering the area from Northampton and Newport to Crewe having to use just the Birmingham to Scotland "service" of single Voyagers to get to Glasgow and Edinburgh alternately?  Just look at the table 51/65 services from the 1970's and see the hourly options to get to everywhere - on proper trains of adequate capacity that - like many others - were strengthened or duplicated at busy times]

• most rolling stock was reasonably well suited to its use...

• staff knew about the network outside their own patch, there was a Control who thought about passengers' overall journeys and people were mostly all in it together

I could go on (and on and on...!).

I also have happy memories of boat trains (and multiple reliefs) feeding people and luggage onto ferries within a few yards of the Channel port station platforms, leading on to an equally-simple transfer onto overnight trains to all sort of places across Europe.

Passenger Control also ensured that on one occasion when because of some delay our young family arrived at Shrewsbury from Bristol via New St and Wolverhampton (where we briefly alerted platform staff to the problem) an hour after the last Wrexham service had left.  We were told to stay on board and the unit ran non-stop to Wrexham to deliver us! 

It might not have been "cost effective" in the short term, but it built faith in the reliability of "the railway" and ensured further use.  

UPDATE: This from Logistical...

How lovely to see the old "British Rail sandwich" canard being rolled out again. It brought a nostalgic tear to my eye.

UPDATE: This from Chionanthus Virginicus

I can confirm that the BR sandwich is alive and well in.... Switzerland !!

The trolley (?) on the splendid Golden Pass service (Montreux - Zweisimmen) served two slices of dry bread interlaced with a piece of rather rubbery gruyere - no lettuce, mayo, of fillings etc and only a glister of butter.  

Each to his own taste ...but the train was, of course, On Time.



 

Scremerston - Eye salutes the Railway!

Eye does not know what it took to achieve the re-opening today of the East Coast Main Line north of Newcastle...

But bloody good effort!

Afore..

 During...

Wheels free..

The Railway (NR, Supply Chain and Operators) - Eye salutes you!

HS2 new appointments

Exciting news from HS2!

Transport Secretary Justine Greening today announced the appointment of four Non-Executive Directors to the Board of HS2 Ltd, completing a recruitment process which started in January.

• Richard Brown has held high level positions in and around the rail sector. 

• Godric Smith is currently Director of Government Communications for London 2012. From 2006 to 2011 he was Director of Communications for the Olympic Delivery Authority. 

• Duncan Sutherland has undertaken a number of senior development roles working with Local Authorities; as Director of City Development in Coventry, and as Chief Executive of the property and investment arm of the City of Edinburgh Council. 

• Mike Welton has been re-appointed to the Board. 

Presumably Godric is busy with Richard Brown at this very moment, discussing the precise dimensions for his new HS2 Broom Cupboard?

Hard times are here again - Official

Perhaps Eye readers can help identify the following...

Which hungry hack raced off to an important early morning appointment this week, leaving a lately arrived orange juice sipping PR to pick up his breakfast tab?

And what was the name of the gallant PR who, having been presented with the eye watering bill, discovered he didn't have enough cash to cover the transaction?

Finally can you identify the venue that kindly agreed to await the preoccupied hack's return so the account could be settled?

Evidently local businesses in this part of SW1 are well used to such occurrences, since the demise of once generous 'allowances' given to regular patrons!

Open Data - Network Rail steals a march on HMG

On the day that the government published its Open Data white paper, Network Rail launched its own transparency portal.

According to the infrastructure controller...

Network Rail underlined its commitment to greater transparency today with the unveiling of a new information portal on its website. For the first time people will have easy access to a range of information about Britain’s rail infrastructure operator. Categories of information include:

• Budget and costs of high-profile projects
• Assessments for 50 high risk level crossings scored on the rail industry's level crossing risk model
• Real-time train running data
• Agendas and minutes of meetings of the board
• Executive directors’ expenses
• Number of high earners by £25k band

David Higgins, Network Rail’s chief executive said: “I believe in transparency. It helps improve decision making and can drive culture change in an organisation. Given the amount of money that taxpayers put into the rail industry, it is only correct they are given the right to scrutinise what their money is paying for. I believe Network Rail has to take the lead in opening up the industry to new levels of transparency and I hope others will soon follow that lead.”

The transparency site can be found here.

Software developers can also download information about real time train running data feeds here.

Good effort.

RMT welcomes increased Olympic rail services!

Good to see the brothers standing up for the industry that employs its members!

Not content with stinging train operators for additional payments over the Olympics the increasingly shrill RMT is now scaremongering about rolling stock.

According to Crow Bar Bob...

"The truth is now out. Every unit of unreliable and unsafe rolling stock will be hauled out of the sidings and sheds to try and cope with the Olympics demand as transport chiefs hit the panic button.

"RMT will not agree to any suspension or dilution of safety procedures as a consequence of this desperate measure and we will fight to protect passenger and staff safety. "

Ever get the impression that the RMT is happiest when it's pissing down someone's leg? 

East Coast consultation - is anyone listening?

On Tuesday the DfT launched its consultation on the new East Coast franchise.

According to the press release:

Launching the InterCity East Coast franchise consultation today, Rail Minister Theresa Villiers invited passengers, local councils and anyone with an interest in improved services on the East Coast Main Line to send in their views on what they want from the next franchise.

Theresa Villiers said: “There are exciting changes on the horizon for the East Coast Main Line. It is set to receive a brand new fleet of InterCity Express trains. The next franchise will be up to 12 years in length giving the operator greater opportunities to invest in improvements that will benefit passengers".

Eye suggests those responding to the consultation might want to start their responses with: 'Junk the IEP!'. 

TSC finally confirms NR part of DfT

The Transport Select Committee is asking the public to suggest topics for future inquiries.

And, in the spirit of open government and democratic accountability, quite right too!

But what's this?

Has the NAO been told?

Railway Garden Competition - Brundall Scarecrow

Nice!

UPDATE: This from The Major... 

As natty as the Fat Controller looks, he is woefully under-dressed for his role 'on or near the line'. 

No matter! He can simply exchange his topper for a white safety helmet (assuming he is no longer a probationary PTS), don some safety glasses and swap his spongebag trousers for a nice pair in orange. 

Oh, and don't forget the gloves. 

And he'd better swap his mini hi-viz vest for a full-sized version.

Smart as a carrot! And looking like one too...

Pointless signs - Market Harborough

Wolmar addresses the nation!

Good news for fans of The World's Greatest Living Transport Correspondent! (Sid and Doris Gricer? Ed)

The putative Mayor of London is joining Nigel Harris and other members of the great and good at the Transport Select Committee this morning to outline their vision for Rail 2020.

The fun and games start at 10:05 and the running order is as follows:

1. Christian Wolmar, Railway author and broadcaster, Nigel Harris, Managing Editor, Rail Magazine, and John Nelson, Chairman, First Class Partnerships Limited
2. Tom Smith, Chairman, Association of Train Operating Companies, Gatwick Airport
3. Tim Shoveller, Managing Director, South West Trains, Paul Plumber, Network Rail, and Dominic Booth, Abellio / Greater Anglia Trains 

You can view the proceedings, live, here.

UPDATE: Now you can view all 2 hours, not exactly live, but certainly here!



A good performance from all involved.

Those of a nervous disposition may wish to shy away from Mr Shoveller's realignment of Ms Ellman's compass on matters safety.

But then what are 'Chairs' for, but sitting on.

Bring back 'Madam Chairman' says Eye!

Railway Garden Competition - Whitley Bay

Pointless signs - Waterloo

Spartacus undone!

This from a Mr Fergy-Lee of Wyvern Rail...

With The World’s Greatest Living Transport Correspondent expected to be anointed as the next Mayor of London, I wonder if the so called 'soi disant Veteran Observer' is starting to get ideas above his station (geddit!!? Ed.).

During our Diesel Gala this weekend (lots of Crompton and A1A action) our train crew happened upon the following sight at the end of the Duffield Carnival!

As you can see from the picture, none amongst the assembled party were prepared to admit they had anything to do with the self appointed Spartacus!

Olympic bonuses row will renew focus on costs

Good to see that the transport wheels are already falling off the Olympics.

This from the RMT...

RAIL UNION RMT announced today that it is making urgent preparations for a ballot for both strike action and action short of a strike of all members on the First Great Western franchise following the tabling of hopelessly inadequate Olympics recognition and reward proposals.

This is of course the third such dispute announced within the space of a week, similar ballots having been announced for South West Trains and Greater Anglia.

With the RMT playing hard ball over Olympic bonuses ministers are discovering a new enthusiasm for getting TOCs to address labour costs as part of longer franchises.

Subject of course to the Treasury agreeing to forgo franchise premia during the ensuing protracted disputes.

At least the GatEx journey is short...

This, surprisingly, from the late Antonin Dvorak...

I see that Gatwick Express has launched something called Express Tracks.

According to the PR blurb:

Express Tracks is free bespoke music available exclusively to online customers, providing the perfect soundtrack to their journey.

Gatwick Express commissioned three recording artists: Philip Sheppard [acclaimed 'cellist and film composer], Benga [pioneer of dubstep, producer and Radio1 DJ]and The Milk [exciting break-through UK band] to record their interpretation of the 30 minute journey through the different landscapes from the city to the airport.

How unimaginably ghastly!

What's wrong with Pacific 231 by my friend Arthur Honegger, Coronation Scott by Vivian Ellis and Ben Britten's music for Night Mail?

UPDATE: This from the Express & Star via the Huffington Post...
 

Much better, sort of, ish...

TSC turns into election hustings - Shocker

According to the June newsletter from the World's Greatest Living Transport Correspondent...

"I have been asked by a few people whether I would like to try to get the Labour nomination for London mayor next time. Although initially I thought that was plain daft, I have begun to think seriously about it. There are lots of transport ideas that should be discussed and certainly the focus last time on fares and the previous time on bendy buses showed a distinct paucity of imagination. I have a vision for London that is somewhat more radical than those scant offerings..." (cont' p94).

So Wolmar for Mayor!

Evidently our man hasn't been resting on his laurels, for within minutes of Wolmar's shock candidacy being announced, the following arrived from the Transport Select Committee...

ORAL EVIDENCE – RAIL 2020

Tuesday 26 June 2012

Witnesses:
10.05 am

• Christian Wolmar, Railway author and broadcaster
• Nigel Harris, Managing Editor, Rail Magazine
• John Nelson, Chairman of First Class Partnerships Limited

10.45 am

• Tom Smith, Chairman, Association of Train Operating Companies
• James Colman, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Gatwick Airport
• Ian Yeowart, Managing Director, Alliance Rail Holdings

 11.30 am

• Tim Shoveller, Alliance Managing Director, South West Trains
• Network Rail [name to be confirmed]

The industry now waits with baited breath to see what electoral office Nigel Harris intends standing for...

UPDATE: This from Dame Barbara Cartland...

Since darling Christian's oeuvre is fast approaching the size of my own, thanks to relentless promotion by the dear, dear boy, may I  ask whether he has arranged to have a table in the committee room corridor where his many fans will be able to buy signed copies of his latest work?
 

Pointless signs - Berkhamsted