For the first time in living memory a Transport Secretary has won an award!
And not just any award, but one of the coveted Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year Awards which were presented by Mayor BoJo this afternoon.
So stand up Lord Adonis the High Speed Evangelist... you are the "Minister to Watch"!
Exciting news from Network Rail!
Network Rail today launched the first ever piece of passenger research targeting stations, as it unveiled its plans to improve thousands of stations across the country in a five year, £3.25bn, programme of investment.
As we know from Coachgate the infrastructure company is keen to save money.
So rather than have NR spend all that lolly on a survey, Eye has the answers to what passengers want from stations here - for free!
Trains. On time. With enough seats. End of.
This from Longrider...
It is easy to simply blame the unions... but it takes two to make a dispute and if the unions are to blame for causing the disruption, the employer is to blame for giving them such an easy target.
Words of wisdom and worth a read.
Telegrammed by the Archer
Perhaps Eye readers would like to join me in congratulating Bob Crow on his latest achievement.
Sharp suited Bob makes a guest appearance on the track 'Sweet Revolution' on the new Alabama 3 CD.
Whilst this is all very rock and roll perhaps Bob may want to distance himself from some of the bands other activities ('They party like b*stards' - Time Out).
And in particular their vocal support for the 'Free Ronnie Biggs' campaign.
The success of which caused considerable anger in the railway community.
As former Chief Operating Officer Peter Rayner said:
"One can't forget and one has to be clear that driver Mills... died as a result of injuries from criminals.
"Driver Mills was a man who stood against those criminals and said he wouldn't move his train with its valuable cargo.
"Driver Mills paid the penalty in that. So my feeling is one of concern that the perpetrators have been treated as folk heroes rather than the criminals that we on the railway believe them to be."
Indeed.
UPDATE: This from NR's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit...
Rather unusually, for someone in the rail business I know the Alabama 3 much better than I know Bob Crow.
The Alabama 3 are fellow Brixtonians and I am good pals with the band's drummer, Sir Eddie Real.
The link between the band and the RMT derives from that some (though not all) band members performed at this year's RMT-organised celebration (if that is the right word) of the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution.
The Alabama 3's relationship with the Free Ronnie Biggs campaign is entirely separate and personal.
One of the members of the band, Nick Reynolds, is the son of Bruce - one of Ronnie's co-conspirators, see here.
Anyway, all I'll say is whatever you think of the band's views they make great music. I recommend the album 'Exile on Coldharbour Lane'. Sample their tunes here.
UPDATE: This from John B...
Driver Mills died of leukemia.
That isn't, ever, caused by being bashed round the head, any more than being punched in the chest causes lung cancer.
Not sure where the weird urban myth that the robbery was a factor in his death comes from, but it's certainly not true...
This from the Daily Telegraph...
Dean Finch, the boss of London Underground maintenance company Tube Lines, has emerged as a leading contender to be the new chief executive of National Express.
That was quick.
Dean only joined the beleaguered Underground contractor in June of this year.
Perhaps a case of frying pan to fire?
Steam Dreams 'Cathedrals Express' put up a good show today.
RAF and Union Flags flying up front and the wreath was made by the Royal British Legion (funds raised aboard the train also went towards this very worthwhile cause).
Best of all the train was timed to stop opposite Big Ben for the two minute silence.
And the engine is a Battle of Britain class too!
Good effort Steam Dreams and Network Rail.
UPDATE: Has anyone heard from ATOC, the organisation that supposedly represents those that set the fares?
This from Bloomburg...
National Express Finance Director Jez Maiden said the government has given “no steer” as to whether it will rescind the company’s East Anglia and C2C commuter-train franchises.
As National Express today launched a 7 for 3 Rights Issue in an attempt to raise £360m this isn't exactly proving helpful to the struggling company.
Perhaps DafT and Lord Adonis should clarify their position?
UPDATE: Suggestions in the City that Spanish state operator RENFE is keen to enter the UK rail sector.
UPDATE: This from a Mr Saltaire...
That’s a good ruse to bump up the NatEx share price!
The Fact Compiler doesn't know whether to commend Coucher for thriftiness or bang my head against the wall in despair.
This from Her Majesty's Daily Telegraph...
'Trains are too expensive, use coaches instead', rail head tells staff
Yes but no but yes but no but yes but no
UPDATE: This from our man at 222 Marylebone Road...
Did not Mr Coucher consider chartering a train and waving the access charges?
Silly me - there's no spare rolling stock.
UPDATE: This from Albert Kettle...
Why not charter Tornado and a rake of Mk 2 stock?
UPDATE: This from Nigel Harris over at RAIL...
Madness!
This is just what I’ve been warning about in my last couple of editorials!
UPDATE: This from NR's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit...
The full statement I gave to the press says:
"Network Rail makes no apologies for getting best value for the British people. Whilst we have no role in setting train fares, we use rail for the overwhelming number of business journeys. Occasionally, if there is a cheaper alternative we will use that.".
We don't get free travel, we pay our own way.
Those Network Rail employees who were there in BR days still obviously have protected travel - but this cannot be used for business trips.
It's not a PR disaster (well certainly not for Network Rail. Ed) to show we are making efficiencies and to point out the basic fact that sometimes rail is not always the most cost-effective option.
I wish it always was.
But rest assured I practice what I preach as regular Eye readers will recall.
UPDATE: This from Captain Deltic...
I can indeed confirm that there are no gold passes at Network Rail and that Iain Coucher is a thrifty traveller.
The last time we met his first class ticket had cost about the same as the return half of my Standard Class super duper saver!
So our elected masters have decided to retain the DNA records of innocent citizens for six years.
Eye fervently hopes that Mr Plod will hasten round to the Palace of Westminster to swab all those crim's who cheated on their expenses?
Fat chance!
Just because you really are innocent doesn't mean you're not guilty in the eyes of the state.
Exciting news from South West Trains (with a bowler tip to @swlines)
Eye readers may recall the recent furore over SWT's plans to close ticket offices.
In an amazing volte face and obvious attempt to curry favour with the Noble Lord they now look to be opening more!
And here are the lucky towns to benefit...
Although The Fact Compiler is struggling to find 'Surbition' and 'Baskingstoke' in his Baker's...
Telegrammed by Golden Connection
Exciting news from the latest splendid edition of New Transit magazine.
In an insightful piece Permatan Rail supremo, Keith Ludeman, reflects on London Midland's Sunday and Rest Day working problems:
"What I find disappointing is it was not sorted out by the time we took the business over. In Southern and Southeastern we dealt with the issue of Sunday working and rest day working years ago, and I don’t know why [previous franchise holder] National Express did not.
"It beggars belief but there you go."
Indeed it does Keith, indeed it does.
But what's this?
Wasn't it London Midland that did a deal which meant all new guards no longer had to work Sundays?
And didn't London Midland also rescinded the long standing arrangements whereby drivers could also work as guards?
And wasn't it London Midland that offered crews double time to work Sundays, then removed the bung and had to promptly reinstate it as Sunday working evaporated?
Nor was Central Trains or Silverlink ever issued with a Remedial Improvement Notice as happened to London Midland only today.
Keith finishes off his puff piece with the self evident truth that "Chief Executives make or break... groups".
Indeed they do Keith. As Richard "call me a villain forevermore" Bowker learnt to his cost.
Disastrous GoAhead franchise London Midland has been severely chastised by Moley and crew:
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Mole):
My right honourable and Noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Department for Transport (Lord Adonis) has made the following Ministerial Statement:
The performance of London Midland on 6 September 2009 fell short of its customers’ expectations and was unacceptable to both passengers and Government.
I can now outline the measures I have taken, and the actions I have agreed with London Midland in respect of London Midland’s breach of its franchise agreement.
First, I have issued London Midland with a Remedial Plan Notice for exceeding the Franchise Agreement threshold on cancellations. This requires London Midland to submit to me a Remedial Plan for addressing the level of cancellations. Discussions are at an advanced stage on a range of measures to be implemented within the Remedial Plan.
The Remedial Plan will be contractualised as a Remedial Agreement.
Second, a package of additional benefits for passengers has been agreed, including:
An additional franchise agreement obligation to invest in new, and additional, high-quality information equipment, spending no less than £4.4 million over the life of the franchise in addition to the investment that has already committed in the franchise agreement; and
A promotion for 50,000 day rover tickets for travel over the Christmas period and London Midland will also make available an additional 400,000 Advance Purchase tickets over the next two years on some of the most popular routes.
That should have Permatan Rail quaking in its boots!Via Twitter
@PowerHaul: Video footage of the first two PowerHaul locomotives being unveiled
With a bowler tip to @RailwayGazette
Telegrammed by the Archer
Eye readers might be interested in the following DRES lecture on the Management of Rail Projects.
The lecture will focus on the way in which DafT has managed procurement of new trains.
DRES Poster - 2009.12
But what's this?
No reference to the failed procurement of new DMUs.
Obviously no lessons need to be learnt there then!
UPDATE: This from Leo Pink...
Has the Derby Constabulary been alerted to Mr Dillon's lecture?
There is a strong possibility of a break down of public order if local rail firms attend.
The presence of the riot squad might be worthwhile to separate Interfleet - recipient of squillions of DfT largess on Thameslink rolling stock procurement and Porterbrook non-recipeint of even a brass farthing.
Add in the mass demonstration from Litchurch Lane praising Marshall Dillon for booting Alstom out of the Thameslink contest and Brush, from down the road, joining Porterbrook in demanding life extension of IC125 to the end of the century to ensure the binning of IEP and we have the making of a bar room brawl beyond even the dreams of the great western film director John Ford.
Or perhaps the well known artist Mr Firth might add the lecture to his works such as 'Derby Day' and the 'Railway Station'.
UPDATE: This, allegedly and somewhat surprisingly, from Brian Sewell...
My dear Fact Compiler
My very old and dear chum Leo has committed the most egregious solecism in miss-spelling that minor Victorian painter Frith, noted for his scenes of public venues.
May I add in passing how much I was disturbed by the decorated HST power car portrayed in your eximious blog.
Surely the imposition of a faux Hurst spot print on that masterly icon of railway velocity is akin to erecting Tracey Emin's tent on a Bentley convertible.
UPDATE: this from 5741 Duck...
Maybe Matt Dillon has been spending too much time in the Long Branch Saloon with Miss Kitty.
UPDATE: This from Globetrotter...
Shurely any talk by DafT's IEP sponsor in Derby risks inflaming the locals, regardless of which side they are on?
More significantly, my colleagues have pointed out that Leo Pink's attribution of said paintings needs clarification.
Is he perchance referring to the well-known efforts of one Mr FRITH, or has HMRI's former inspector of light rail systems (Stephen Firth, of that ilk) found a new direction in life?
The Fact Compiler is no fan of the OESI.
However, he feels very uncomfortable about the way that certain media is handling the continuing revelations about the telephone conversation that the PM had with grieving mother Mrs Janes.
Just thought you might like to know.
UPDATE: Then again, Gordon's been up to his old tricks again...
Labour forces secret inquests Bill through the Commons
They just can't be trusted can they.
Eye backs the Sun - get the truth out!
As Eye revealed yesterday Jim Morgan is to leave First Group.
Mary Grant will cover the MD role at FuCC until a permanent (ie longer than six months) replacement can be found.
Meanwhile Karen Bosworth, former Customer Services Director at FuCC, is to be named as the new MD of nationalised East Coast Main Line.
Would the First one out last please turn off the lights.
UPDATE: The Daily Telegraph suggests that Susan Goldsmith may not prosper under the new East Coast Main Line regime.
UPDATE: This from the Shunter...
If the new regime over at East Coast Main Line is DfT's best shot then they may already have answered the 'Wolmar Question"!
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