Telegrammed by the Timetable Compiler
For those who missed it yesterday this is what it says in brief:
Yes to HT 7th path,
Yes to GC's 4th path,
Yes to Grand Northern
No to Platinum Trains (Aberdeen - KX)
No to Harrogate trains
Yes in principle to NEEC alterations if conflicts can be resolved.
Nice!
Son of York and railway robber baron George Hudson would be tickled pink.
Moir Lockhead and Richard Bowker have been appointed Vice Presidents of the Friends of the National Railway Museum!
Lockhead, it will be remembered, is famous for misplacing anyone who actually knows how to run a railway.
Meanwhile, Bowker presides over a franchise that appears utterly determined to reduce NRM visitor numbers - by gating the £500k footbridge that the great man himself opened a mere five years ago!
If this is the calibre of the NRM's friends then the Eye hopes it has few enemies!
***1,000 jobs to go at London Underground and TfL***
***Former LU & EWS man, Patrick Butcher, to be NR's new Director of Finance***
Goods news for fans of Guided bus routes.
This from Portsmouth Today...
A high-speed bus route on a disused railway track is set to get county approval tomorrow.
This from the Press and Journal...
Scottish train operator First ScotRail, which put up many of its fares by 6% at the start of this year, has reported a 60% jump in profits
An unnamed director received emoluments and pension contributions totalling £466,351 in the latest period, up nearly 70% from the £276,595 payout its best-paid boss received in 2006-07.
Here's a novel thought!
Perhaps if Train Operating Companies paid their fat-cat directors and greedy owner groups rather less, then maybe the railways wouldn't be so bloody expensive to run?
Station car parking charges are unregulated and therefore provide a highly lucrative revenue stream for increasingly cash strapped TOCs.
Normally station users have to bend over and assume the position, whilst avaracious TOCs hoover cash from their glove boxes.
But what's this?
The plucky residents of Liskeard are challenging greedy First Great Western, convinced that free usage of the station car park was guarenteed in perpatuity!
Whatever the rights and wrongs of the case expect DafT to impose the charges, or threaten a reduction in the stopping pattern, if Liskeard council doesn't kowtow.
When is a franchise commitment not a franchise commitment?
When DafT says so, silly!
Bowler tip to Rail Manager on Line for these gems:
This from DafT on the 14th August 2007:
"NXEC will provide a full restaurant service on 87 train services Monday to Friday with an improved range of full meals".
This from DafT on 6th January 2009:
"Catering is not covered by the franchise agreement with National Express East Coast and is a matter for the train operating company".
DafT - making it up as they go along.
As any fule kno a good PR man has to be up to date and ahead of the curve.
But what's this?
A quick visit to the website of soi disant "veteran observer" Rupert Brennan Brown reveals the following:
A date fixed at the 29th April
A picture of said veteran with a non-extant Mayor
and a photo of the late Madam Chairman of the Transport Select Committee, who has been enjoying her reward in heaven for some time.
Good to see this particular spinner has his finger on the pulse!
Exciting news from First Group!
Vehicles maintained by the Aberdeen company's US subsidiary, First Vehicle Services, play an important part in President Obama's Inauguration festivities.
An inquiry is underway to find out how they became out of gauge.
This from DfT...
The Department for Transport held its second annual Listening to Industry Day on Thursday 22 January.
The purpose of the event was for industry to input to our new approach to development of freight policy, including helping us prioritise future policy and investment decisions.
Jim Fitzpatrick, Minister for Freight and Logistics, said:
“Our focus and our approach is now more on the movement of different freight commodities, than on freight modes.
"That is why I arranged this event, because I want to make sure that the needs and impacts of freight are considered in the Department’s investment, regulatory and policy decisions for the future.”
A source close to DB Schenker said: "I am happy to say we currently have lots of new orders - which must be obeyed without question!".
UPDATE: The Major asks...
If this is their second annual "listening to industry day" what do DafT do for the other 364?
What indeed.
Man congratulates boss on good idea!
This from NCE...
Crossrail executive chairman Doug Oakervee said today that he was 'encouraged' by the idea of an island in the Thames Estuary to replace Heathrow.
Now there is a surprise!
***Boriswatch has the latest details of Estuary Aerodrome - including proposed links into the rail network***
Go-Ahead must still think they are in with a chance on the South Central franchise.
This from the Kent News...
Train company U-turns on carriage cuts
Fat chance, what with their splendid performance on London Midland and all.
At last a spot of honesty from the Department for Transport!
A number of trade titles, including Modern Railways, are running DafT ads for Franchise, Finance and Contract Managers.
But what's this?
Can it be true?
Zero £multi-billion contracts?
Zero Heart of Government?
Zero Major Expansion?
We knew it was bad, but surely it can't be this bad?
This from the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust:
The second run of The Peppercorn Pioneer on Sunday 1st February 2009 will now start from Doncaster with 60163 Tornado, picking up at York and running through to Durham.
This change of itinerary is because the Trust has been advised by Network Rail and the British Transport Police that due to significant concerns regarding crowd control at Newcastle Central station on Sunday 1st February.
Just imagine what all those braying Macums and Geordies would do on seeing a brand new shiny Kettle. Within 10 minutes the local scrappies would be inundated with copper piping...
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