Hulleys’ Closure - My Thoughts
1 year ago
Monday, 23 July 2012
Friday, 20 July 2012
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Someone jumps the gun on IEP award?
Oh dear!
Following the ConDem's decision to leak almost all the details of the HLOS days before it was announced in Parliament, someone has taken it upon themselves to jump the gun on announcing the first order for IEPs.
According to ITV News...
Train company, First Great Western, is expected to announce a billion
pound order for new trains which are to run between Paddington and
Swansea.
The ITV piece even includes a nice video about constructing the new trains filmed in errrr... Japan (shurely Newton Aycliffe? Ed).
So presumably the DfT's own dire strictures against anyone saying anything before the 20th July no longer count?
And as for suggesting that First Great Western will announce it - talk about spin - this is a DfT project thru and thru!
Which may explain why, even though preferred bidder status was granted as long ago as 2009, the final confirmation of an order for the unpopular rolling stock will actually be announced just days AFTER the Commons had risen for the Summer Recess.
How convenient! That should stop any embarrassing question being asked about the deal in Parliament.
Monday, 16 July 2012
Mediaballs - BBC One o Clock news
This from Mystic Mike...
Good to see that the move to Salford has improved journalistic standards at the Beeb.
This was the picture (of Toddington station on
the Glos Warks Railway) that the BBC One o Clock news has just led with to
announce today's HLOS rail investment package...
"Anyone got a library shot of a train? Yeah, that'll do..."
Pinky and Perky announce the HLOS
Despite having been extensively leaked over the weekend, Cameron and Clegg were in the West Midlands today to officially launch the HLOS.
It would be churlish not to recognise that the proposed investment plan for the period 2014-19 contains some good news for passengers, freight and the industry, but the devil remains in the detail, so a cautious welcome from Eye.
Of perhaps greater interest to students of the railway scene are the revised directions and guidance that DfT has issued to the ORR, which were also published today.
Friday, 13 July 2012
All change at Railcare
Eye understands that there have been some changes at Railcare.
So farewell Robert Baxter!
And a big Eye welcome to new MD Mark Cooper, although apparently on an interim basis.
The charmed life of Graham Dalton...
Eye salutes the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency!
The M4 has been closed for five days.
When did Maria Eagle describe this is a damning indictment of Government transport policy?
Where are the bilious MPs, insisting that Graham Dalton be hauled before the Transport Select Committee?
Where are the bilious MPs, insisting that Graham Dalton be hauled before the Transport Select Committee?
Why aren't splenetic editorials demanding his head on a plate?
Readers may wish to compare and contrast this muted response with how the partial closure of a major arterial rail route would be handled by the chattering classes?
Aviation policy contains comforting words
This from Logisitical...
Today's DfT statement on aviation policy includes this phrase:
"If operational freedoms show
clear benefits in terms of resilience, reducing delays and allowing
planes to land more effectively, thereby reducing the impact of noise
for residents under the flight path, then the Government will consult on
making these benefits permanent;"
I'm only an ignorant railwayman, but what does "land planes more
effectively" mean?
Is an "ineffective landing" what Biggles might call a 'prang'?
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
NR Wales unveils anti-theft device
This from Uncle Frank...
Don't mess with the Tafia - that is all!
East Coast signals Olympic distress
This from Commander Proto-Methodist...
Rudely awakened from my slumbers by the appalling meejah coverage of the Jubilee River Pageant (no, it was not random hooting by LMS 6201 Princess Elizabeth at the start but a careful rendition in Morse code of the Royal Cipher), The Commander is further roused by the appalling gaffe on the last page of Captain Deltic’s own publication this month, depicting the unveiling of a pile of railway scrap metal outside King’s Cross.
Rudely awakened from my slumbers by the appalling meejah coverage of the Jubilee River Pageant (no, it was not random hooting by LMS 6201 Princess Elizabeth at the start but a careful rendition in Morse code of the Royal Cipher), The Commander is further roused by the appalling gaffe on the last page of Captain Deltic’s own publication this month, depicting the unveiling of a pile of railway scrap metal outside King’s Cross.
The hoist end of the Union flag is clearly visible in the athlete’s right hand, showing he is displaying the flag upside down. The broad white stripe of the Saltire of St. Andrew behind the Cross of St. Patrick at the hoist end should be above the red – It’s easy to remember the cream rises above the jam on the scone. At least the sculptor got it right, behind.
If we’re displaying a distress signal before the Olympics have even started, what chance... (cont' p94)
Crow Bar Bob in U-turn Shocker!
This via Flat Cap and Whippet...
From today's Metro:
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Olympics - DafT celebrates the sound of silence
Good news from Great Minster House.
Apparently the High Panjandrum of Marsham Street has banned the use of Social Media!
Good news indeed, especially as one particular member of the First Division had planned to use Facebook to address his troops.
No matter!
As an additional plus, without access to twittter, Rutman and co will have no idea how Olympic transport is performing.
As Homer might have said: Doh!
Monday, 9 July 2012
Network Rail boosts on track monitoring
So Network Rail has launched a new Ultrasonic Test Unit.
According to Network Rail's director of engineering Steve Yianni:
“Network
Rail’s number one priority is safety and the addition of this unit to
our fleet means we can measure the safety and quality of our railway to
much higher standards.
“It also means we can keep our test trains
running more reliably and at more times across the country. With this we
can improve the quality of the ride for all our passengers, and make
sure they reach their destination in complete safety.”
Here Patrick Bossert, NR's Director of Asset Information outlines how devolution means that he now runs a 'services business', and how the new 'UTU1' vehicle will help the UK squeeze more out of its rail network.
Interesting!
Network Rail Consultancy, on whose side?
This from Alice E Donne (Miss)...
Announcing the creation of Network Rail Consulting, Network Rail Chief Executive David Higgins was quoted as saying:
“Since the privatisation of the rail industry, Britain has not had a national rail champion operating in the international market. Network Rail has the depth and breadth of rail experience and knowledge to promote British expertise overseas and become a valuable international ambassador for our rail industry and for UK plc.".
Actually, even before privatisation we didn't have a national champion operating in the international market.
No backsliding this time, Sir David!
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
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