This from The Liverpool Echo...
"Merseyrail will be hit by a 24 hour strike on April 8 - the day of the Grand National."
Meanwhile, here is an image of the RMT, possibly at Brecher's Brook...
So today is World Poetry Day...
This from Virgin Trains East Coast...
"Four trains spanning four generations will travel side by side, in the same direction, along the East Coast Main Line on April 23 2017.
"This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the world famous Flying Scotsman travel alongside two trains from Virgin Trains’ revitalised fleet - an HST (Class 43), an intercity225 (Class 91) - and the rail operator’s brand new train, the Virgin Azuma (Class 800) which is being built by Hitachi in the North East, and will come into service in 2018.
"The four trains will travel together for several miles north of York to showcase the past, present and future of rail travel."
A nice of bit Beardie Rail PR that should look stunning from the air.
The event is being supported by Welcome to Yorkshire, Network Rail and the National Railway Museum.
Does Eye detect the hand of Stanton?
Some nice NR infographics appearing on Twitter...
Coming to a Devil's Lantern near you...
@TheFactCompiler Poster at Brigg Station, locals giggle at it as they have a 1 day a week services, running to an anti social timetable pic.twitter.com/gzQiWry4PR— Paul (Brigg Line) (@Saturday_Only) 20 March 2017
Eye exclusive: Inside the office of the RDG CEO!
An Aldersgate mole has supplied extraordinary footage of recent high level discussions between leaders of the RDG and RSG.
Here Paul Plummer offers the Supply Chain a seat at the table:
This from the Transport Select Committee:
By Grabthar's hammer, by the Suns of Warvan...
That's the way to do it!
Oh Dear!
This from CornwallLive:
"An historic train journey which was supposed the first train to run direct from Okehampton to London in 50 years has been scrapped after the engine slipped down the line this morning, damaging the wheels."
A nice shiny green HST as well, with not a kettle in sight.
On St Patrick's Day, a reminder to Whitehall.
You're wasting your time!
The Fact Compiler is on his hols!
With thanks to to the many colleagues who have asked: "What has happened to Eye?"
We are between diagrams.
Keep safe.
This from the Derbyshire Mafia...
The Fact Compiler was resting when the sad news of Bob Crow's death was announced.
Bob was a straight dealing man and had an indefatigable belief that railways are very much part of the solution.
And of course he was, and is, right.
He was also a very good friend to Derby!
Eye salutes Bob and sends heartfelt condolences to RMT colleagues and, of course, Bob's family.
That is all.
This from the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport:
Perhaps the industry should share our own internal comms best practice with Marsham Street?
It's ABC time again.
Remember most industry magazines don't submit their titles to circulation audit so a bowler tip to those that do.
Here the 2013 circulation figures with those for 2012 in brackets...
Railway Magazine: 37,853 (37,285) - up 1.5%
Rail: 20,122 (20,123) - no change
Railway Gazette International: 10,711 (10,533) - up 1.7%
And by way of comparison, Steam Railway: 31,281 (31,810) - down 1.7%
Yet again reports of the demise of Dead Tree Media appear somewhat exaggerated.
This from the Department for Transport...
Written statement to Parliament
Outlines recommendations from the recent rail review.
The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP
As recommended by Richard Brown in his review into franchising and as part of June 2013’s national infrastructure plan Investing in Britain’s Future, my department undertook to review government rail functions in order to identify what actions were required to deliver those functions in the most effective and efficient way. The review has now submitted its recommendations to me. I have agreed its recommendations and implementation will begin shortly.
The review recognised that much has already been achieved since the department’s rail functions were brought together into a single rail group in January 2013. A clear, professional franchise programme is underway, implementing Richard Brown’s review of franchising, along with the government’s ambitious rail investment programme. Building on this progress, the review recommends further developing the department’s rail functions as a new rail executive.
Creation of the rail executive will support the drive to strengthen our focus on passengers; build an enhanced culture of commercial expertise and innovation; and ensure greater coordination of improvements to track and trains. A single team will manage the interdependencies between rolling stock, track, stations, freight and passenger services; and between existing services and HS2. It will also develop an effective framework agreement for Network Rail, for September 2014, when it will be classified as public sector. A new approach to recruitment, reward and career development for commercial rail skills will allow the rail executive to increase capability at all levels and bolster commercial experience in the management team. This will reduce the department’s dependency upon consultants and increase its ability to negotiate the best deal for passengers and the taxpayer.
The review recommended that there should be a clear focus on rail passenger services within the rail executive. This will be provided by a new Office of Rail Passenger Services, forming part of the rail executive, with responsibilities including delivery of the franchise programme and the management of existing franchises. It will be led by an externally recruited managing director and supported by non-executive board members.
The review has also recommended we consider a longer term option of a new, more arms-length body with responsibility for rail delivery functions. The creation of the rail executive provides a strong foundation for such future evolution and the government will consider moving to a more arms-length body in 2016.
ENDS
UPDATE: This from Virginia Waters...
Compare and contrast this from Robert Goodwill...
Minister Goodwill states that the Secy of State will be able to veto excessive salaries and bonuses.
— Transport Committee (@CommonsTrans) February 24, 2014
With this from today's statement by the Secretary of State...
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