Davies departs NRM...

This from the National Railway Museum... 

National Railway Museum Director steps down

Steve Davies is to step down as Director of the National Railway Museum to pursue a new venture in the private sector. He will be leaving his post as of the end of October 2012.

Steve has been the Director of the National Railway Museum since February 2010. He has presided over some high-profile projects which include the ongoing restoration of Britain’s best known steam locomotive, Flying Scotsman, the launch of a purpose built art gallery and Railfest - the biggest ever gathering of rail record holders.

Steve said: “The National Railway Museum is a very special place in the hearts of many people in this country, with an enviable reputation internationally.  I have been proud and privileged to lead a highly motivated team over the last three years, and hope that I have played my part in further promoting the Museum’s fortunes.  I have, however, decided to accept a firm offer of employment in the private sector as Managing Director of a company in the leisure and tourism industry.  The job I am moving to will provide me with an exciting and enjoyable set of new challenges, which I look forward to immensely.  I am sure the National Railway Museum will move from strength to strength in the years ahead.

His position will be taken by an acting Director, Paul Kirkman, from 5th November 2012. Paul joins on secondment from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport.

Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum Group said: “Steve’s passion for trains and the railway industry has been evident in everything that he has done at the National Railway Museum over the past two years. We thank him for his contribution and look forward to working with his successor to ensure that the National Railway Museum maintains its position as the leading railway museum in the world”.

Paul Kirkman says: “I am delighted to have been invited by Ian Blatchford to take up this position as acting Director of the National Railway Museum. I am sure that my wide-ranging experience working with the cultural sector at DCMS and elsewhere will help in the continued success of one of Britain’s greatest museums.” 

Ends

Pointless signs 2012 - Stratford

This from Sir Nel Ting...

There are still, supposedly, well over 100 Olympic and Para' signs still plastered all over Stratford station...

...as well as associated adverts.

Yesterday’s papers selling yesterday’s news?

Or the much vaunted 'Legacy'?

Railway Garden Competition - Crewe

This from Central User...

Further to Crewe's entry of 30th July, a supplementary submission is needed in order to clarify the wide ranging skills of the horticulturists of Crewe. 

Behold the Secret Garden!

It is however to be hoped that Network Rail are not wasting time in maintaining the overhead lines.

Blinded by the light

This from Scotch Corner...

I thought Eye readers might be interested in the attached photo which is doing the rounds.

It purports to show the view that drivers have of the Shard, in certain weather conditions.

Expect Network Rail to require use of welding masks, vice sun glasses.

First accepts Virgin best - Official

Happy news for the franchising zealots of Great Minster House (Sid and Dorris Bonkers)!

With the 'risk transfer' model of franchising subject to increasing ridicule for failing both fare and taxpayers, the mandarins of Marsham Street must have been looking forward to yesterday's Business Traveller magazine awards.

At a glitzy lunchtime event at Kensington's Royal Garden hotel, hosted by no less a figure than the polymath Sir Trevor McDonald, the keenly competed for 'Best UK Domestic Train Service' award went to errr... Beardie Rail.

Alas, and for the sixth year running!

As this doesn't quite fit the DfT's narrative on the West Coast franchise expect this accolade to go unremarked upon by either officials or ministers.

And to compound Marsham Street's joy, the award itself was sponsored by First Great Western!

UPDATE: This from Mrs AP Tis...

I understand that First Group are applying for a judicial review of the decision to award the prize to Virgin Trains.

Pointless sign - Northern, Class 150

This from a Mr Banks...

Is pregnancy really a disability?

Pointless signs - Thames South Bank

This from Pedantic of Purley...

Let us ignore for the moment that “bridge” HHH 410 appears to consists of some red pillars sticking out over the river Thames and is unlikely to affect the safety of trains.  

It is a bit difficult to imagine a scenario where the watercourse in question, the Thames, is blocked. 

In the event of the Thames freezing solid or debris sufficient to prevent the river free flowing I am sure that the 'Rail Authority' would be aware of it without the need of a phone call from a passing member of the public.

Railway Sculptures - Longsight

This from Dr Gloucester...

I wonder if I might submit the following entries for Eye's occasional series 'Railway Sculptures'?


Seen near the former Staff Halt for Longsight depot, this track panel and sleepers appear to have been left over from a relaying job.  

Judging by the colour of the sleepers, and the well established vegetation which has sprouted through them, it looks like they've been there for a number of years and should qualify for entry into Eye's Railway Garden Competition as well.

A little further south are more piles of several hundred new concrete sleepers, slowly being swallowed up by the encroaching greenery.

Aside from the untidy appearance these present, how can the rail industry afford to waste material like this, I doubt this stuff is particularly cheap?

MPs get three hours to debate ICWC franchise

Rosie Cooper has secured a three hour parliamentary debate on the award of the West Coast Main Line franchise to First Group.

The Backbench Business Committee has granted a debate from 16.30 on Monday 17th September following a request by the Labour MP for West Lancashire.

Expect more heat than light as ministers claim they are unable to reveal details of the winning bid due to commercial confidentiality and the involvement of m'learned friends.

Still, it all adds further to the general gaiety of the nation!

But what a way to run the railway.

NRES - so good they say it twice

This from Tally Rand...

Here a helpful 'key' from the Live Departure Boards section of the National Rail website:

Perchance the NRES website designer is paid by the word*?

Key: Paid by the Word - Being paid by the Word. 

Wolmayor slammed for inconsistency!

This from everybody...

Let's hope that Wolmayor is more consistent on transport policy, than he is on his name. 

According to the Great Man "I hope to be Wolmar in this campaign rather than Christian to avoid confusion."

So call me Wolmar but  'Follow Christian'.

Confusing!

Help DOR choose a new MD for ICWC

Time for an exciting new Eye survey!

Using your skill and judgement help Directly Operated Railways select the new MD for the soon to be nationalised InterCity West Coast franchise.

Make your contribution to running Britain's railway in the poll on the right...

UPDATE: This from Sir Roger Stair-rail...

Hmmm.. Current leader in the poll is Bradley Wiggins - who is contracted to Team Sky, owned by, er... Sky... Prop. R. Murdoch...

Murdoch or Branson? 

If only Jeremy Hunt had got Transport instead of Health !!

DOR prepares to mobilise for ICWC nationalisation

Phones have been ringing across the industry as Directly Operated Railways assembles its West Coast team of Last Resort.

Despite McLoughlin's warm words about Beardie at today's Transport Select Committee he remained clear that the DfT would continue with First's winning bid, m'learned friends allowing.

Expect the state owned tanks to arrive at Euston on the eve of the 9th December.

All you ever need to know about Chinese Railways

This from Our Man by the Photocopier... 

We are all indebted for this beam of clarity to a Dublin-based outfit which publishes Rather Expensive Reports about this and that, called Research and Markets Ltd.

The eShot promoting its latest effusion, ‘Research Report on Chinese Railway Transportation Industry 2012’ (prices start at a mere 2,094 euros), opens with these words:

“Classified by the usage, railway transportation can be divided into two categories, passenger transport and freight transport. The former is used to serve passengers and for the transportation of passengers and the later [sic] is for the transportation of cargos."

Just fancy that!

Railway Garden Competition - Shocking Vandalism!

Disturbing news from Bishop's Stortford!

Regular Eye readers will recall this splendid Railway Garden entry from the Greater Anglia station:

Sadly the entry has been withdrawn!

Eye understands that during a recent night time raid the hanging gardens were eradicated and now passengers only have a brick wall to look at. 

And they call this progress?

DfT PPSs announced

The following have been announced as Parliamentary Private Secretaries to DfT ministers... 

Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin: Gavin Williamson MP (South Staffordshire) 

Minister of State - Simon Burns: Julian Sturdy MP (York Outer) 

Still awaiting ministerial responsibilities...

Behold Wolmayor!

Are there no limits to the ambition of the World's Greatest Living Transport Correspondent?

Not content with being star of wireless, devil's lantern and the printed page the Great Man has now set himself a still yet greater challenge...

Becoming Mayor of the Greatest City in the World!

Can it be long before we see Wolmayor actively campaigning for BoJo to become PM!

Implications of 'Revenue Support' explained

Hard times at EMT judging by this sign at Neville Hill.

Presumably a quick sale will also allow Stagecoach to contribute to Virgin Trains' eye watering legal bill?

Sumner's Olympian memo tells it like it is!

This from Hugh Sumner, Director Transport, ODA...

Dear staff,

The nation’s toughest task, your moment in the global spotlight, millions of smiling spectators.

You grasped the task with both hands and I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of you.

Some seven years ago Britain won the honour of hosting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The nation held its breath in excitement; for many, from the journalists to members of the International Olympic Committee, grave concern existed in our ability to hold such an important and significant world event. They said it couldn’t be done. You did it.

Together you’ve been at the heart of the most successful Games of the modern era. From Weymouth to Glasgow and from Cardiff to Hadleigh, you’ve served people from all over the world irrespective of who they are or where they come from.

You’ve done things better than they’ve ever been done before. Your customer service has been terrific and the spectators noticed and loved you for it; your attention to the operational detail has been excellent and it’s made a real difference. Your desire to work together and find the solutions that work for everyone has made the greatest challenges surmountable.

In all of it you lived the values of safety, service and fun. None of that happened through luck or by chance. You worked hard to get here and in your planning, building and preparations you set the foundations for success. Look back now on a glorious summer of operations and ask yourself: what have we done that’s made all this possible? Don’t wait to take hold of the things that have made you so successful, take hold of them now and put them into practice for your future life.

Walk tall, push your chest out a little further, you deserve to feel yourself fill with pride; carry this pride with you always. The greatest show on earth, our nation’s greatest peace time challenge: you have made it an unparalleled success. Take that pride with you and put it to work in everything you do: every one of you is the true legacy of London 2012.

All the best for the future, wherever it may be and whatever you may do.

Hugh

Hugh Sumner
Director of Transport, Olympic Delivery Authority

Good effort. That is all.

Virgin launches new route to Scotland

This from Virginia Water...

With DOR set to run both East Coast and West Coast InterCity franchises the state will have an effective monopoly over the London - Scotland rail market.  

Happily this will put them in an excellent position to compete with short haul air services, including, and in particular, the new flights to be operated between Scotland and Heathrow from next summer by Virgin Atlantic.

Judicial review anyone?