This from Albatross...
Snapped these from the comfort of my Virgin EC Saloon – photographs of just North of Peterborough, around Eastfield SB and the sidings.
This from Talgo Tony...
Who knew that the Cornish branches had been converted to tramways?
Good news for the Shire!
This from Bombardier...
Press Release - Bombardier Wins Contract to Supply New Propulsion Technology to London Underground
This from a Mr Greg Tingey...
Perhaps not an entirely pointless sign.
Although the branding harks back to an event that took place five years ago.
And the prize goes to - Greater Anglia!
Eagle-eyed drivers spotted a snake under a train at Southend Victoria station yesterday. The snake was rescued & taken to a local vet. pic.twitter.com/OP2J6lksj5— Greater Anglia News (@GreaterAngliaPR) August 24, 2017
This from Harry the Voice...
Pictured at St Erth today.
Good news for fans of Chris Williamson MP (Sid and Doris Gricer).
The Shadow Home Office minister has suggested a return to Ladies Only carriages.
Alas, this discrimatory nonsense will not do!
As any ful kno there are now at least 39 genders that will need similarly catering for if the industry is not to fall foul of equalities legislation (40! You forgot to include Mighty Oaks, of which I am one. Ed).
Despite his proposals being subjected to wide spread derision, Eye understands at least one part of the industry has welcomed Williamson's 'bold and exciting' initiative.
Step foward the Roscos, who are expecting a bumper bonanza as all those displaced vehicles are hurriedly pressed into gender specific service!
So, George Osborne is on manoeuvres, again.
The former Chancellor, and now free sheet editor, made the case for Northern Powerhouse Rail in yesterday's FT and on BBC Radio 4 this morning.
Good news for fans of connectivity and rebalancing of the economy.
But what's this.
Whilst George was busy tripping the light fantastic between green rooms, his own title is running with the following headline:
Top tweeting here from the new incumbents of the SWT franchise...
This via Twitter...
No need for an @raibgovuk investigation to establish the cause here! pic.twitter.com/JnciPWI28L— Michael Holden (@holdmch) August 21, 2017
This from The Brothers...
Union calls on new Chinese operator to honour commitment to South West Trains passengers to keep guard “legends” on every train
As Chinese State owned MTR takes over the South West Trains contract RMT has called on SWT Chinese owner’s operator to honour previous commitments made to South West Trains passengers to keep a guard on every train.
What could possibly have induced RMT to lobby a Communist government company?
Alas, South Western Railways is only 30% owned by MTR.
MTR's partner and the majority shareholder in SWT is also red, but only in tooth and claw. Step forward the resolutely private sector and capitalist First Group!
The scene: A room at 221b Baker Street...
I say Holmes dashed bad luck about Tuesday’s early morning derailment in the middle of the Waterloo possession, eh?
Indeed Watson, the train crew behaved impeccably, but I suspect the consequences of the derailment may impact on the project’s overall timeline.
Quite so Holmes. It was nice of SWT to afford Season Ticket holders 10 days of free travel for putting up with the disruption?
A welcome gesture Watson. Now have you noted the significance of Aslef’s statement on the derailment?
Can’t say I have Holmes, in fact I’m not sure they’ve said anything about it?
That, Watson, is the significance.
This from First/MTR...
FirstGroup unveiled the senior management team for the new South Western train operating company today, ahead of the franchise starting on Sunday 20 August.
In addition to Andy Mellors, previously announced as Managing Director, several senior directors have now been appointed. The senior team at the new South Western rail franchise contains a wealth of railway experience and brings experience in customer service from a world-leading airline.
Jacqui Dey has been appointed as Operations Director with responsibility for the driver, resourcing, planning, performance and operational standards teams. Jacqui has previously held senior rail leadership roles, including Operations and Safety Director at First ScotRail.
Gerard O’Hanlon, from FirstGroup’s franchise bidding team, will provide additional support to Jacqui, particularly in relation to planning and performance activities where we will continue to operate joint teams with Network Rail.
Neil Drury, who led the rolling stock planning in the successful South Western franchise bid, has been appointed as Engineering Director. Neil is a Chartered Engineer who joined FirstGroup in 2004. He has had a number of roles in First Rail franchises, including Head of Engineering at First Capital Connect, prior to joining FirstGroup’s franchise bidding team in 2014.
Alan Penlington joins from Virgin Atlantic as Customer Experience Director to lead the on-board, stations and revenue protection teams. He brings valuable experience to help transform customer experience having most recently been Head of Cabin Crew Operations and Senior Manager Customer Experience-Innovation at the transatlantic airline.
Joost Noordewier will be Commercial and Business Development Director. Joost joined FirstGroup in 2005 and led FirstGroup’s successful bid for the TransPennine Express franchise, as well as the subsequent mobilisation of the franchise.
Chris Cornthwaite has been appointed as Finance Director. He brings a wealth of experience to the new franchise having previously been Finance Director at First Capital Connect, as well as a number of roles supporting franchise development within FirstGroup.
Seamus Scallon, Safety Director, First Rail, will act as Safety, Sustainability and Security Director, pending a permanent appointment into this role.
Eye notes that none of the existing Stagecoach senior team are transferring over to the new First/MTR franchise.
That sound? That is the sound of corporate knowledge trickling away...
Nice use of social media by Network Rail today.
This from the Daily Star this morning...
Was followed up by this response from NR's press office...Waterloo travel news: 'Nightmare' this morning at London’s busiest station #waterloo #waterlooupgrade #Travel https://t.co/UBy4PWBkS6 pic.twitter.com/uIuxEaSjQz— Daily Star (@Daily_Star) August 7, 2017
Fancy!Sure that's a recent photo?— NR Press Office (@networkrailPR) August 7, 2017
Everyone's wearing hats and scarves... Waterloo has been quieter this morning (see pic) https://t.co/yd6CvPbvA6 pic.twitter.com/xmuHBOgjRR
This from a slightly off route Solent&Wessex...
I've always liked the annual hanging gardens display on the approaches to Liverpool Lime Street, but this year it is particularly green, with some ground level displays on the middle and right too.
What sort of fresh hell is this?
RSSB's 2017/18 Business Plan eschews old fashioned nonsense like photographs for vibrant avatar style imagery.
Here is the image that graces CEO Mark Phillips' forward...
This from The Duke...
The p-way near Sapperton Tunnel on the Swindon Gloucester line.
This from The Scotsman...
Officers have begun leaving the British Transport Police ahead of its controversial integration into Police Scotland, it has emerged.
The British Transport Police Federation said a small number of officers had left to join specialist forces elsewhere in Scotland, while others were seeking transfers to England.
Fancy!
Interesting fact!
Nicky Morgan was tasked by the last Government with assembling views from East Midlands MPs on the new EMT franchise.
This from the dim and distant past.
In fact the 12th January 2017:
Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South): This time two years ago, when the Blackpool North electrification scheme faced delays and the rail Minister was a Back Bencher, he rightly demanded answers from Ministers. There is now real concern that the electrification of the midland main line will be further postponed or even cancelled north of Corby and Kettering. Will the Minister provide the House with the clarity that he sought for his constituency and give an unequivocal assurance that this key Conservative manifesto promise will not be broken?
Paul Maynard: We are continuing to work towards the key outputs that matter most to passengers. I recognise the importance of the network, and my right hon. Friend the Member for Loughborough (Nicky Morgan) will work on a cross-party basis to identify the key regional priorities that we want to be reflected in the new franchise. I look forward to working with the hon. Member for Nottingham South (Lilian Greenwood).
So, electric cars good but electrification of the whole of the Midland Mainline is unaffordable and scrapped..! https://t.co/32nPjOchxQ— Nicky Morgan MP (@NickyMorgan01) July 26, 2017
Good to see that the art of the non-answer is alive and kicking in the Department for Transport.
Or so it seems judging from this clutch of hapless responses to Stephen Hammond's pertinent questions:
Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Network Rail on ensuring that the railway supply chain receives a sufficient volume of orders through to the end of Control Period 6 to its maintain skilled workforce.
Paul Maynard Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport): We have regular discussions with Network Rail throughout the year on a number of topics, including supply chain capability. We are currently undertaking the biggest investment in our railways for over a century and our HLOS, published on 20 July, makes clear that we expect in the volume of renewals and that funding will be available to meet this increase, subject to further work to assure the costs of this activity. This signals to the supply chain that there will continue to be demand for their services in the current and future control period.
Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which projects his Department expects Network Rail to complete in Control Period 6; and what the cost will be for each such project.
Paul Maynard Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport): Network Rail published an update to its Enhancement Delivery Plan (EDP) on 30 June 2017. This sets out the outputs, scope and milestones for the projects that Network Rail is delivering, indicating which schemes are due for completion in CP6.
No doubt readers and the supply chain will be reassured to note that schemes originally scheduled for completion in CP6 include the, now very dead, electrification of both the Midland Main Line and Cardiff-Swansea route.
Make it up, you could not.
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