TfL social media malfunction

This from a Mr Trumpet... 

A strangely timed promotional Tweet by TfL:

London in autumn. Simply breathtaking @EmiratesAirLDN pic.twitter.com/U85g6LanCw
— Transport for London (@TfLOfficial) October 28, 2013

But not if your train to London’s been cancelled!

Eye Lonely Hearts - No94

Eye agony aunt, Marjorie Spads, writes.. 

Who could not be touched by the pain contained in this letter from Patrick M, who lives in Westminster and Derbyshire.

Poor loveless, lonely, Patrick has sent out a cri de coeur, on page 4 of which he weeps... 

We need a strong partner...

We need a partner with vision...

Above all, we are seeking a partner that is wholly committed...  

Aw, bless his heart!

Patrick has obviously been let down very badly in previous relationships, perhaps by partners only interested in his money or who run away when the going gets tough? 

Is there no-one out there, in this wicked world, who can make our Patrick truly happy?

Partnership breaks out on WCML - Shocker!

This from Rugby Tackle...

Thought Eye readers might be interested in this.

It's appeared on a number of railway intranet sites today:

Network Rail's Euston Delivery Unit were the proud recipients of the Golden Pendolino presented by Virgin founder, Sir Richard Branson. The award is made each period to the team that has made the most significant contribution to keeping the trains on the West Coast running on time.

Sir Richard said: "I have never shied away from openly criticising Network Rail and before that Railtrack when performance has slipped to unacceptably low levels. So it gives me great pleasure to say thanks and congratulate the team for all their efforts in improving service for our customers. We look forward to more progress in the coming months."
 
Nice! 

UPDATE: This from Captain Deltic...

Golden Spanners, Golden Whistles, Golden Laptops (Siemens) and now the Golden Pendolino!
 
All that's needed now is the Golden Kipper for train catering in honour of Modern Railways' late, great Gourmet Gricer Brian Perren.

East Coast out to market

This from the Department for Transport...

Transforming rail travel on the East Coast

The race to get the best rail services for passengers between London and Scotland officially got underway today, Friday 25 October.

The publication of a series of procurement documents by the Department for Transport (DfT) marks the first step in that search for a new private sector partner to help revolutionise services on the East Coast Mainline.

The InterCity East Coast prospectus details what potential bidders will need to consider when they start developing their proposals next year. These include:

• developing innovative timetables which build on the core train service requirement published by the DfT;
• investment in innovative ways to transform the customer experience on trains and at stations;
• identifying further opportunities for investment along the route, particularly at stations;
• making the route and train operations more sensitive to the environment;
• involving communities along the route in local decision making; and
• demonstrating how their proposals will support economic growth along the route.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:
“We want to see a revitalised East Coast railway, one that both rekindles the spirit of competition for customers on this great route to Scotland and competes with the West Coast on speed, quality and customer service.

“We need a strong partner to ensure we successfully deliver the £240m programme of infrastructure investments on the route and the improvements in rolling stock that the multi-billion Intercity Express Programme will provide.“

Since 2009, the East Coast franchise has been stabilised under Government ownership, but management by Directly Operated Railways was never planned to be a permanent arrangement.

The Government believes a strong private sector partner, as an innovator and investor, will build on this stable basis and deliver a world-class railway for passengers and best value for the taxpayer.

It expects the new partner will capitalise on the significant Government investment in this route over the next six years, including the replacement of the current rolling stock fleet, and major infrastructure improvements such as the £72m programme to improve the line around Peterborough and £20m enhancements to Doncaster station.

As part of the refranchising process a series of documents are being published, including an OJEU Notice, the Pre-qualification Questionnaire (PQQ), the Prequalification Process Document (PPD), the prospectus, and the results of the East Coast consultation which asked passengers what they would like to see in the new franchise.

The prospectus describes the East Coast business as it stands today and the risks and responsibilities bidders will need to consider when preparing their bid. It also gives an insight as to what the DfT expects to see when prospective bidders are given the invitation to tender (ITT), which will ask them to set out their detailed proposals on what they will deliver for passengers.

The DfT plans to confirm which prospective bidders have passed the pre-qualification stage in January. The DfT expects to issue the ITT in February. The shortlisted bidders will then have three months to prepare bids, with franchise services starting in February 2015.

East Coast is one of the two main London-to-Scotland railways providing frequent services. It is an electrified 393 miles (632 km) railway link between London, Peterborough, Doncaster, Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

It is one of the fastest conventional lines in the UK with most of the line being cleared for 125 mph (200 km/h) operation. Non-electrified line extends further north into Scotland from Edinburgh to Inverness and Aberdeen. The services meet demand for business travel, particularly between Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, Leeds and London, leisure travel to a variety of destinations and commuter journeys, primarily between Newark, Grantham, Peterborough and London.

The launch of the East Coast competition is another milestone in the Government’s refranchising programme and it follows the on time successful publication of the ITTs for Essex Thameside and Thameslink Southern Great Northern last month.

Details of the published documents can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/rail-franchising

ENDS

New improved RDG fails to fall at first hurdle!

Much disappointment amongst the curmudgeons of the rail industry!

Eye understands from a number of RDG Associate Members that they actually received an email from the new Director General, containing a letter from RDG Chairman Tim O'Toole, explaining today's changes!

Okay, it might have arrived after the press release... but any direct communication is a big step in the right direction!

Labour responds to changes at RDG

This from Lilian Greenwood MP, Labour’s Shadow Rail Minister...

“This announcement underlines the case for further reform. The Rail Delivery Group is not fully representative of the wider rail industry and it is lacking in transparency, despite its increasing influence over Government policy.

“Ministers must now ensure essential decisions that affect passengers are subject to proper levels of scrutiny, not hidden away behind a cloak of commercial confidentiality.”

Looks like the new RDG communications and policy teams will be busy...

RDG beefed up by ATOC 'merger' but supply chain out in the cold.

This from the Rail Delivery Group...

RAIL INDUSTRY CREATES UNIFIED VOICE

Network Rail, train operating companies and freight operating companies have agreed the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) will assume responsibility for policy formulation and communications on behalf of the rail industry.

To advance this objective, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) will combine its communications and policy functions with complementary resources from Network Rail and support from other RDG members, to operate in future for the RDG as a whole.  Michael Roberts, ATOC’s chief executive, becomes the director general of the RDG, succeeding Graham Smith who has stepped down from the role.

The creation of an expanded executive team will strengthen the RDG’s capabilities to develop policies which benefit rail users and taxpayers, and enable it to provide the railway with a unified voice. 

The combination of resources from ATOC and Network Rail also signals the RDG’s intent to work increasingly in partnership and with common purpose, mirroring developments elsewhere in the industry.

Commenting on the changes, Tim O’Toole, RDG chairman and chief executive of FirstGroup plc, said: “Britain's railways have been transformed over the past 20 years, delivering record levels of growth and performance.  Greater coordination among the train operators, freight companies and Network Rail is the next logical step for the industry to evolve to the next stage of capability. The combination of ATOC resources with Network Rail will provide clear, unified leadership for the industry and ensure it is best placed to build on its unmatched record of success."

Sir David Higgins, RDG deputy chairman and Network Rail chief executive, said: “A better railway brings significant economic and social benefits to passengers, taxpayers and the public. The industry's commitment to work more closely is delivering real improvements to safety, service quality and efficiency. A more effective, better resourced, RDG will help us achieve more for those we serve."

Michael Roberts, RDG director general, said: “The new arrangements are an exciting opportunity to work even more closely with colleagues across the industry.  The team and I very much look forward to supporting group members in their passion to drive forward solutions that benefit passengers, freight users and taxpayers.”

Notes to editors:
1.    The RDG was established in May 2011 to lead the industry in delivering a higher performing, more cost effective and sustainable rail network for Britain's rail users and taxpayers.  Formation of the RDG was a specific recommendation in Sir Roy McNulty’s rail value for money study, published in May 2011.

2.    The RDG brings together the chief executives of passenger operator owning groups, freight operator owning groups and Network Rail. The RDG develops policies, strategies and plans for the coherent management of the rail industry and advances the provision of a safe, efficient, high quality rail service for users and taxpayers.

3.    ATOC’s corporate affairs and policy teams will no longer work solely on behalf of train operating companies but, combined with staff seconded from Network Rail and support from other RDG members, will operate in future on behalf of the RDG as a whole.  The two teams will consist of 18 people in total and will be based at 200 Aldersgate Street, London, EC1A 4HD (ATOC’s existing offices).

4.    The current ATOC business services teams will continue under Michael Roberts to run National Rail Enquiries, Rail Settlement Plan, Rail Staff Travel and the Commercial, Operations and Engineering schemes. The governance arrangements and bodies for the individual schemes will remain unchanged: they will be complemented by ATOC Board which will continue but change its main focus from policy to ensuring a co-ordinated approach to business service provision.  Tom Smith will step down as independent chairman of the ATOC Board by the end of the year.

ENDS

And about the Supply Chain? Not a word!

DfT making a hash of tags?

A very odd hashtag in this tweet from the DfT...

Former Eurostar platform opens to improve commuter services at Waterloo http://t.co/5pFKCmXdTU #globalrace pic.twitter.com/PvTverYFkz
— Dept for Transport (@transportgovuk) October 23, 2013

What 'global race' might this be and how does re-opening just one of the five platforms at Waterloo International contribute in anyway to it?

PR industry salutes Virgin's ICWC campaign

This from PR Week...
 
Virgin Trains and Fishburn Hedges' successful campaign to save the brand's rail franchise has won Campaign of the Year at the PRWeek Awards 2013.

Inevitable and well deserved. 

Whitehall News - Clare in the Community

This is almost too good not to share!

Overheard recently in a coffee shop on Horseferry Road...

"DG Rail is extremely bright and definitely going places, we just have to wait until she does".

A higher recommendation you could not possibly receive.

Evidently waves are being made.

Carry on... please!

Exposed - new Bombardier ploy to secure Crossrail fleet!

This from today's Derby Telegraph...
 

It might just work!

Rail Europe rebranded

So farewell to the final remnant of the former British Rail International.

This from Travel Weekly...

European train ticket firm Rail Europe is being rebranded under the name Voyages-sncf.com.

The UK arm will join the French National Railways tour operating division and take its name by the end of the year.

Services currently dedicated to the UK travel trade will become part of a single Europe-wide offering, Voyages-sncf.eu.

Another UK railway brand bites the dust.

On Trafalgar Day - one for our High Speed Friends...

Admiral Lord Nelson's last signal:

That is all!

UPDATE: The Commander writes...
 
In spite of suffering possible over-indulgence of the Warre’s ’83 at our celebration of the 208th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar last night, one still manages to commend your flag rather than railway semaphore signal in the current Railway Eye.

These would translate, correctly using the Popham code book issued to Nelson’s fleet at Cadiz in 1805 as Flag 1 and Flag 6, making signal 16 decoding numeric – alpha as the letter Q, which confused oneself initially.

However ‘Signal 16’ – “Engage the Enemy more closely” is probably more likely to appeal to your readership, but beware consulting the Flags of the World website, which incorrectly quotes the flags using the 1799 Code, which was withdrawn after its capture by the French.

Those of us of a more bi-lingual capability will appreciate Admiral Villeneuve’s last signal to Admiral Nelson on the eve of the Battle; to save the mental exertion of our lesser-endowed friends I shall relate the English translation thus: 

“To The Water, It Is The Hour!”

Pip, Pip, Pip, Peeeeep! 

Hammond Eggs - On opacity

Another gem from the new railway minister...

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the total number of passengers travelling between Birmingham and (a) Manchester, (b) Leeds and (c) Wigan by rail during an average week day.

Stephen Hammond: Though some estimates for journeys such as these have been produced for departmental purposes, these estimates are not available for publication as the underlying data belong to the train operators and are considered commercially confidential.

Presumably this is civil service speak for can't be @rsed.

UPDATE: This from JH...

Presumably this applies to all TOC's on all lines. 

If so, where does HS2 Ltd get the "current" data to use as a base?

Contrition Corner - Woemar seeks forgiveness

A clearly contrite Wolmar writes...

"Oh dear, oh dear!

"I just broke the rule of a lifetime and said ‘do you now know who I am?’ 

"A FGW press officer returning my call about the absence of wi-fi on its trains, first made the mistake of calling me ‘Chris’ a name I have never answered to, and then he said, ‘where are you calling from?’ 

"I very rudely replied that I had only been writing a column for Rail magazine for nearly 20 years but perhaps he did not read it and then uttered the fateful words...

"Can I be forgiven?"

Quite so Chris. Perhaps you can let us know where you are from, so we can see if Eye can help...

UPDATE: This from Captain Deltic, who is never knowingly out contritioned... 

That is nothing.

This morning I have called RVEL of Derby, REVEL in my e-Preview blog (is that a plug? Ed) and promptly corrected it to REVL in a follow up e-mail to the over 2500 subscribers (that's enough plugs Deltic! Ed).

And I also got the loco class number, which I saw being worked on by RVEL, wrong.

Can anyone beat that?

Are you a railway journalist of international standing? And would you like to participate in Eye's very own Chapter of Faults? If so please email the usual address...

HS2 and regional benefits...

Through the bullsh1t and bluster there appeared a great light...

Newsnight's shock revelations that #HS2 will benefit some areas and not others will go directly into my "No shit, Sherlock" folder.
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) October 19, 2013

Outstanding!

UPDATE: An open rant from The Rantiquarian...

Dear devoted supporters of HS2.

On BBC News 24 today we learned that building HS2 will turn Aberdeen and Cambridge into third world economic deserts.

This is the first time I have ever seen the economic disbenefit card played so blatantly.

Perhaps it is true - maybe when the Stockton & Darlington opened it caused starvation in Losthwithiel and Barrow-in-Furness...but I have never heard anyone mention it as part of a campaign.

The BBC report had everything - figures from an official report, hints of down-playing, a leaden-footed Minister failing to bring any energy to it, a bloke from Cambridge dishing out lucid special pleading. 

HS2 was 100% back-footed. 

Do they actually WANT to build this thing - from my TV it is hard to discern much energy or direction.

I know that many of you are in touch with HS2. I am not. 

Can't anyone get them to raise their game? 

UPDATE: This from the Archbishop of Walney...
 
Here on the Furness Riviera we are overcome with excitement at Barrow being featured in Railway Eye on consecutive days.

I wonder if I might make a small observation on the Rantiquarian’s comment?

When the Stockton and Darlington opened Barrow was but a tiny hamlet on the coast opposite the islands of Furness. Within twenty years or so it was on the way to becoming the centre of industrial and engineering excellence we know today. 

The Rantiquarian's example should be used as the clinching argument for HS2!

Pointless signs - Barrow, on Tuesday...

Alas Smith now Roams!

So farewell Graham Smith, the man who acted as midwife to the mighty Rail Delivery Group!

Graham steps down as Director General of RDG today, after two and a half years in the job and prior to that spending a year supporting the Rail Value for Money study.

Not one to go quietly into the night Graham's renewed focus will be on the Railway Benefit Fund, where he will set up a central fund-raising group concentrating on encouraging corporate donations and contributions from the major players in the industry.

Owner Groups and suppliers can expect knocks on the door where Graham will deliver a pointed message encouraging those who profit from the industry to put something back for those employees that have fallen on hard times.

And quite right too!

With bags of experience Eye suspects that a number of people will also be knocking at the door of Albany Smith Management.

However, Graham assures Eye that he will not be taking commissions, although: "if somebody wants me to help them on other things and it's something that interests me I'll consider it".

Quite so, you can't keep a good consultant down...

DOR untainted by state ownership - Official

Exciting news of rebellion from deep within the state owned monolith that is East Coast!

According to Peter Williams, East Coast commercial director, in an interview in Management Today:

‘A lot of people will say East Coast is a model for how public sector-run companies can be successful,’ he told MT.

‘Personally, it’s quite funny sitting here watching conversations take place about what is the right thing to do. But if you look at the individuals behind DOR’s success, the management team are all from the private sector.'

Quite so.

East Coast's success is, therefore, all the more impressive with so little nationalised experience amongst DOR's 'management team':
 
Michael Holden, Chief Executive Officer, & Non-executive Chairman of East Coast Main Line Company Limited
Michael Holden has extensive experience in managing railways and railway projects within the UK and Europe. He started his early career with British Rail as a traffic student in 1974...

Doug Sutherland, Chairman
Doug Sutherland is a chartered management accountant... In 1995 he moved to the public sector, initially as managing director finance for North of Scotland Water and then managing director finance and commercial for the Strategic Rail Authority... .
 
Andy Cope, Non-executive director
Andy Cope is a Chartered Engineer who started work as an apprentice with the Birmingham Division of British Rail in 1972...

David Walker, Finance Director
David Walker is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants, who started his career with the National Coal Board... 

Rob Mason, Non-executive director
Robert Mason has over 30 years’ experience in the rail industry... In the run up to privatisation, Rob was the British Rail Director of Privatisation Studies...

Each and every one of them unsullied by public sector taint!

So on which precise date does Private-Sector-Year-Zero begin at DOR?

Possibly the best advert in the world... ever!

This Clog Rail advert via @Brilliant_ads...

To mix the beer strap lines - pure genius!