East Coast celebrates record breaking turnover

Is state owned East Coast becoming the rail equivalent of the Marie Celeste?

The company has only been nationalised for ten months and in that time there have been a flurry of departures through East Coast's revolving doors.

First there was the Engineering Director, gone!

Then the Commercial Director, gone!

Then the Head of Safety, gone!

Then the Director of Communications, gone!

And latest to join the exulted list is the Customer Services Director, now gone!

An impressive turnover of senior staff in such a short time to be sure.

What's more it would appear that the Operations Director is now "not returning calls"...

Can it be long before the Captain is obliged to go down with the ship?

UPDATE: This from our international correspondent...

Is the East Coast's slimmed down management due to natural wastage, or was it the prospect of the 'Barbie-lino' that caused the rush to the lifeboats?

The Engineering Director would have had to maintain a train for which all the spares and manuals are held by Virgin West Coast.

The Commercial Director would have had to explain why the train was financially underperforming every other service on the route, because the high speed dash to Scotland is deprived of intermediate revenue and would have to compete head to head with Easyjet, which effectively caps the fare at low cost airline levels.

Head of Safety would have had to sign the Get our of Jail Card for introducing a one off into an otherwise simple cohesive fleet (no doubt with memories of how unstraightforward the hired-in NoL Eurostar sets were).

The Director of Communications would find himself justifying an East Coast Pendolino to Captain Deltic, whose derision for the whole thing shines out of his latest column like a lump of Polonium. Just dishing out the usual mix of free tickets and platitudes may not be enough.

The Customer Services Director would have had to deal with all the public correspondence (why do you make us travel in such a rattly train? What is that terrible pong coming from the loo? etc...).

And it cannot be a surprise that the Operations Director is, ahem, unavailable...since he would have to actually run the bloody thing...

UPDATE: This from Mallard...

You may be amused to know that East Coast have now banned access to Railway Eye from its IT network for being 'inappropriate'!

The railway equivalent of sticking your fingers in your ears and shouting "La la la la la - I can't hear you!"

Arriva Cross Country spanked for lack of WiFi

So. DfT has fined Arriva Cross Country for failing to install on train WiFi in breach of its franchise agreement.

Regular readers will be aware that Eye has often called for Arriva Cross Country to meet this particular commitment.

Finally, according to Monday's Daily Telegraph, the DfT has decided to act:

CrossCountry, which runs trains from Cornwall to north- east Scotland, has been fined for failing to provide WiFi.

And about time too.

Meanwhile what news on penalties for its other missing franchise promises, which were previously lauded on the Arriva XC website:

Introduction of five High Speed Train (HST) sets each with eight state-of-the-art refurbished coaches (total of 550 seats per set), providing longer trains with more seats and luggage space on the major North East-South West route... (Only two are in use every weekday and all sets are one TSO short).

High quality service on board:

• seat reservations within 10 minutes of a train arriving at a station (nope)
  
• introduction of at-seat catering, reflecting customer preferences (trolley usually stuck at the rear of standard class)
• Wi-Fi access for all seats on all HSTs and Voyagers, and improved mobile phone reception on Voyagers (mobile phone reception still dreadful)
  
• hot plated food available to First Class passengers (soggy cardboard is not a plate)
  
• three members of staff providing on board service on long distance trains (you're having a laugh)
  

Will DfT's new found boldness at enforcing franchise commitments stretch to enforcing penalties for the non-delivery of these as well?

UPDATE: This from @swlines, via Twitter...

Think 3 members of staff is met! Trolley, TM and FC host!

UPDATE: This from The Major...

I'm confused.

Far be it from me to doubt the Telegraph but the story appears to differ from the headline and gives no tangible evidence of the DfT fining Arriva XC.

It does have the DfT saying that it's taken action against XC but this could be a stiff letter rather than a fine.

Furthermore it notes that XC's deadline is September 30.

I'm sure XC deserve a fine but to levy it before the deadline is a little 'previous' particularly as my latest RAIL magazine (read in public placed within one's regimental journal) suggests that XC has yet to agree this deadline (hardly surprising I suppose).

And what is this wifi of which you speak?

I struggled for years with Button A and Button B...

UPDATE: This from Tony Miles...

Eye readers might be interested in this statement issued by the DfT last week:

"CrossCountry has been paying a Committed Obligation Payment Adjustment since the start of the year relating to WiFi. CrossCountry will continue to pay this until the obligation is satisfactorily completed."

Notes to readers - a COPA is affectively a fine, and is payed EVERY four weeks until the DfT is satisfied the TOC has met its contractual obligations.

In the documents released under the FOI request the DfT also assumes XC won't meet its obligations by September 30th.

Hitachi smooths over rough ride problems

This from Pooh Bah...

In Hitachi's latest advertisement, Charles Horton Southeastern MD describes the Class 395 as the smoothest new train launch in his 25 years in the railways.

His customers, being shaken and stirred, might question the use of that particular adjective.

Royal Mail uses kettles to show off new technology

This is cool.

It combines new technology, kettles and Bernard Cribbins!

Can it get any better?



Well of course it can, if you don't do new technology.

So for those that don't here is a picture of one of Royal Mail's recently launched stamps celebrating kettles.



Nice!

Now Royal Mail, as Eye has given you a gratuitous puff piece perhaps time to reintroduce TPOs?

Pointless signs - Signal maintenance instructions

This from D0260...

The sign inside the 'cage' used for maintenance of signals:



Do signalling technicians really need to be told this, when they are trusted to work on safety critical equipment?

Mediaballs - Telegraph displays taste and tact

This with a bowler tip to @Pubby, via Twitter...

Rather a stupid photo considering the story!



Eye salutes the Torygraph's Picture Desk.

The New Politics: An end to spin! - Official

Telegrammed by The Velopodist
Eye readers might be interested in this email issued by the Department for Transport press office today.

The email reads:

Some of your will have seen the release that Network Rail have out today on ‘Investing to Build Britain’s Economy’. In case any of you are writing something on this, please see a quote below from the Transport Secretary for your use.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said,

“The financial crisis which we have inherited means that difficult decisions will have to be made on the future of spending across Government, including on our transport system.

“However, we are clear that we will not make the mistakes of the past and protect current spending at the cost of cutting back investment on transport infrastructure that is vital to our economic future.

“That is why I was pleased that the Chancellor announced in the budget that he would prioritise spending that would boost our economy. During this difficult spending review period I will do everything I can to persuade my colleagues that investing in transport infrastructure is a sound investment for the future.

“But if we are to win this argument it is imperative that every pound we invest is well spent. This week’s ORR report states that we have the most expensive railways in Europe. Network Rail needs to become much more efficient so that taxpayers get the best possible return for their investment.”

So Petrol-head Hammond quotes the ORR as saying Britain has Europe's most expensive railways.

Hmmm, perhaps un petit economic avec le verite?

What the ORR actually said was that Network Rail's costs were 40 per cent higher than those of the four most efficient network operators in Europe.

It's hard to believe that, for example, the non-standard Irish railways don't have higher infrastructure costs.

The DfT say they don't want to change the statement.

Hard to see why they would, really. It's not as if it matters whether what a cabinet minister says is true or not, does it?

Pointless signs - Kidderminster Town

Railway Garden Competition - Exeter Central

This from our Independent Expert...

Can't see the trains for the trees...



Buddleia heaven on the down line at Exeter Central yesterday

RVAR regulations flouted - Shocker

Telegrammed by Our International Correspondent

No doubt this will have the Disability Taliban frothing at the mouth.

Compliance with DDA has long since ceased to be optional for most operators, but luckily the requirement to paint doors a contrasting colour for the benefit of the visually impaired is not quite universal.

Obligingly the Grauniad has published a picture of a confused older chap failing to find the claret coloured door in his Mum's claret coloured train.

Eye salutes HRH the Prince of Wales for continuing to support the railways.

UPDATE: This from @daddydoink via Twitter...

@TheFactCompiler RVAR: Charles made the suggestion of wheelchair access loos on mk3s to Cyril Bleasdale's boss in 1979!

Maybe let him off?!

SWT - stuff the passenger, bank the lolly

Good to see that SWT is maintaining its unrivaled reputation for dry shafting the passenger.

This nonsense via Yahoo:

A couple have had to pay a £114 fine after getting off a train two stops early.

Emma Clark and Davyd Winter-Bates were travelling to Southampton from London with South West Trains when they decided to get off two stops early at Eastleigh.

When they handed over their tickets at the station, they were told they were each being fined £57 because they had not stayed on the train until their destination.

The fine was twice the standard fare of £28.50.

Eye suggests that SWT should consider diversifying into the catering trade.

Using the same perverse 'revenue protection' logic they could then fine diners for failing to finish their meals.

Get a grip.

UPDATE: This from SharpSharp...

I run a coffee shop.

If I did a half price offer on americano's it would make them cheaper than espresso's. But if someone asked for an americano without the water I'd tell them they could have their usual espresso and that they should stop trying to pull a fast one.

When you buy advanced purchase tickets you don't have the option to change your plans and it is made very clear that they are valid only for the journey on the tickets.

If Emma and David were traveling to Eastleigh they should have purchased a ticket to Eastleigh.

UPDATE: This from Billy Connections...

I'm not sure why you have posted the anti-SWT rant - the couple were in breach of the terms and conditions of a special offer ticket they were sold - good on the SWT gripper for fining them.

Too many people here never consult terms and conditions of any

purchase and then assume that if they've made a mistake that they are still in the right.

Caveat Emptor!

UPDATE: This from Captain Auto...

Further to the furore:

Am I to assume that common sense on the part of ticketing staff is no longer to be encouraged?

Those who have replied are indeed entirely correct in their application of the standing rules and regulations.

I would suggest however that such heavy handed treatment of passengers (fare paying passengers, not ticketless scrotes intend on avoiding paying at all costs) is likely to damage both the reputation of SWT and ensure that the couple involved are unlikely to travel by train again.

I'm with TFC - a wonderful own-goal by the winners of Passenger Operator of the Year 2005*.

* What a difference a franchise change makes; they said they'd pay £1.2 billion in 2007. I suppose that £114 fine is at least going to cheer up the Treasury in some small way.

UPDATE: This from D0260...

I notice that SWT charged a couple £114 for getting off the train two stops early.

The question I would like to ask is:

Just how much would SWT have charged if the couple had failed to make the journey at all?

Railway Garden Competition - Chad' Sidings

This from The Sleeper...

How civilised of NR to provide this pleasing vista for the delight of weary traincrew.

Pointless signs - LM goes the extra mile

This just in from BB...

Eye salutes the serious dedication shown by staff at Birmingham Snow Hill!

London Midland - committed to 'Elf & Safety

This with a bowler tip to @Swlines, via twitter...

To celebrate successfully completing his A Levels @Swlines is undertaking a Pilgrimage of Grice with a 14 day All Line Rover.

You can follow his travels via Twitter or on his blog.

How to maximise driver hours - Explained

Exciting news from the road fleet world!

Eye has been sent these splendid images showing how Babcock's Network Division applied corporate branding to a road vehicle

And what a smart image it presents!

But what's this?

No doubt the amount of time it takes drivers to enter and exit vehicles is much reduced?

Publication praises Chairman - Shocker

Telegrammed by our International Correspondent

Railnews has kicked off its new on line supplement entitled Railnews Focus.

It contains a glowing account of the celebrations that Sir William McAlpine held to mark the 50 years he has lived in his agreeable stately pile at Fawley Hill, which also includes a one mile standard gauge railway.

Sir Bill is, of course, the Chairman of Railnews Limited. So good to see that the editorial team is already very clearly focused on meeting the needs of key stakeholders!

No matter.

The real meat is in the editorial, which does a manful and very moving job of analysing the Potter’s Bar Inquest proceedings – certainly good enough to cause consternation in the dead tree industry rags.

Focus is penned by Sim Harris, an ex-BBC man who keeps his ear very close to the ground.

Setting aside the curious launch timing – bang in the middle of the quietest week of the silly season when no-one of any consequence was at their desks, the new ePublication is a bid by Railnews for a new editorial beat.

Ever since it was conceived as the heir and successor to the old regional BR staff magazines it has stuck solidly to its blue collar audience. Now they are going after decision makers, a market targeted not wholly successfully by the erstwhile Rail Manager On Line.

But with only a small amount of lavish corporate advertising to go round in these straightened times, and great uncertainty about who our real decision makers actually are, it will be interesting to see if digital can trounce dead tree or if there will be tears before bedtime.

Meanwhile, Eye welcomes another member to the on-line Commentariat.

Pointless signs - Wakefield Kirkgate

Pointless signs - Safe Removals

This with a bowler tip to Turbostar...

Safe Removals?

Indeed not.

Exciting new design for the IEP?

Telegrammed by Ithuriel
According to everyone's favourite railway fortnightly this is the new name for the IEP

ボイジャー

Hitachi have made a five car EMU eliminated the power car and increased the number of underfloor 'donkey engines' to give enough power to match IC125 performance away from the wires.

That sounds like a diesel engine under the middle three cars with the electrical gubbins under the driving cars.

A design that appears to have much in common with the 子午線.

Great minds thinking alike or the Japanese perfecting yet another European design?

Pointless signs - Normal in Norfolk