tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33085615788816189972024-02-19T01:53:27.735+00:00Railway Eye - the railway blogNews and gossip from the UK Railway IndustryThe Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comBlogger4973125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-20710275392343171662023-01-24T11:58:00.004+00:002023-01-24T12:00:02.228+00:00Eurostar unveils new brand<p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Eye sees that Eurostar's new branding has gone down as well as might be expected.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Following the merger with Thalys the new logo will be applied by the end of the year to both operators fleets, serving the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Alas - not all the commentariat welcomed the latest design evolution:</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Extremely pleased to see that <a href="https://twitter.com/Eurostar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Eurostar</a> is using a cat's anus as its new logo <a href="https://t.co/XQBM4yZI4U">https://t.co/XQBM4yZI4U</a></p>— Kate Bevan (@katebevan) <a href="https://twitter.com/katebevan/status/1617848337457086467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><b>Once viewed, never unseen. You're welcome.</b></span></p>
The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-18295113877105485662023-01-22T15:41:00.001+00:002023-01-22T15:52:28.524+00:00Whelan invades Gussett's table<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>It's the battle of the Titans!</b></span><br /><br />What are we to make of the growing media rivalry between those two icons of the industrial landscape (<i><span style="color: red;">shurely, 'wasteland'? Ed</span></i>) our very own two Micks, who lead the RMT and ASLEF respectively and contrariwise?<br /><br />The stock of RMT's Mick Lynch has seen a stellar rise across the nation due to some deft handling of frankly rather uninspiring sofa squatters on the early morning tellybox.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Not to be outdone, ASLEF's Mick Whelan took to this </span><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/21/aslefs-mick-whelan-charge-bring-railways-back-public-ownership/" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">Saturday's Torygraph</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, of all places, to renew his public profile push. </span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijT_xCOL7iIuJ4tXUMY-jcUzghhiq1xWxU-jzRxq-OdVniIv0Ll315Ma5r4UaOW3e3Q2pbovmU4AvQWbVGjKxLSQoWUG8r3oZtZQmnbOH8gLLEnmLcUyR4JdvxqVdM0igralf0XgQyim8xvGRjjTxaCAgr8cKKPdikCNScKqqhdlSPl798S-4ZDeRw/s3000/IMG_7475.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijT_xCOL7iIuJ4tXUMY-jcUzghhiq1xWxU-jzRxq-OdVniIv0Ll315Ma5r4UaOW3e3Q2pbovmU4AvQWbVGjKxLSQoWUG8r3oZtZQmnbOH8gLLEnmLcUyR4JdvxqVdM0igralf0XgQyim8xvGRjjTxaCAgr8cKKPdikCNScKqqhdlSPl798S-4ZDeRw/w300-h400/IMG_7475.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Pity poor Sir Herbert Gussett and his cornflake festooned breakfast newspaper.<br /><br />Eye puts this almost sibling-like rivalry down to the two Micks' earliest days - shared at an alma mater subsequently favoured by New Labour's very own Mr Tony - London's Oratory School.<br /><br />Whilst not a Jesuit institution, Eye is sure the Oratorians of Brompton would echo Loyola's oft quoted sentiment: '<i>Give me a child until he is seven, and I will give you the man</i>'.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: red;">Quite so. Literally two peas from the same pod.</span></b></span><br /></div></div></div>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-17719310996742340712023-01-21T17:01:00.002+00:002023-01-21T17:33:27.633+00:00Reshuffle!<p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Good news for fans of alternative energy!</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Eye understands that departmental decks may be shuffled on Monday.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Look out for:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A new <b>Dept for Science & Technical Innovation</b> (DCMS plus BEIS science and innovation)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">An enhanced <b>Dept for Trade and Industry</b> (with BEIS business sectors plus DIT)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A new <b>Dept for Energy and Climate Change</b> - hopefully embracing rail electrification and alternative sources of traction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Even with photoshop, Grant Shapps and Michael Green can't cover all these roles.</span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><b>RESHUFFLE!</b></span></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-76602485969207467492023-01-19T07:24:00.000+00:002023-01-19T07:24:05.064+00:00More supply chain woe<p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>As part of the exciting DfT Annual Business Plan process swinging cuts are in view.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Eye readers will be aware that all TOCs have had to submit submit Annual Business Plans (ABPs) to DfT for 2023/24. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Requests for Business Plans (RfBPs) issued by DfT to all TOCs at the end of last year mandated budget cuts of circa 15% (and in some cases even more) against already demanding 2022/23 budgets.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">DfT is due to give its final determination on individual 2023/24 TOC budgets in February.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Expect your local railway to get much grubbier with poorer customer service as TOCs cut back on anything other than absolutely essential activity.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><b>More good news for an increasingly hollowed out supply chain.</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><br /></div>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-90600975406987863752022-12-12T11:58:00.003+00:002022-12-12T16:35:06.047+00:00Rail Minister supports Railway Carol Service<p><span style="color: red; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>After a two year hiatus, caused by the dreaded 'Rona, the TBF Rail Staff Carol Service has returned!</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This year's event will take place at <b>12:30 on Thursday 15th December at St Mary's Somers Town, Eversholt Street, near Euston Station</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Rail Minister Huw Merriman MP and Andrew Haines, </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">NR CEO,</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">will join those reading lessons and our carols will once again be led by London's Transport Choir.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Rail Minister, Huw Merriman said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Transport Benevolent Fund CIO, and others across the rail family in celebrating the festive season with readings and carols led by London's Transport Choir.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">“The TBF’s work is incredibly valuable in supporting our railway workers and the wider public transport community who may find themselves in need.”</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yV35GeOqcO5jSszgOU2vg2Ta_pgXkrVcAek2OT5MSBjPELFYFMyrlkRfL18oe79K1azsPIvPhFnul0gRzcvdyrGT8pAtkbK2gCttRfIuGvL7MCY4jIjU7kZlWLUexqDX0wbLC7Nz3Ymk5dnwktlzFPIS6NZMvVQeK-kMnbgdHpWEzdnxavvxeqpe/s1240/RSC_2022_FLYER_A5_ARTWORK_RGB_NoTrims.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="874" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yV35GeOqcO5jSszgOU2vg2Ta_pgXkrVcAek2OT5MSBjPELFYFMyrlkRfL18oe79K1azsPIvPhFnul0gRzcvdyrGT8pAtkbK2gCttRfIuGvL7MCY4jIjU7kZlWLUexqDX0wbLC7Nz3Ymk5dnwktlzFPIS6NZMvVQeK-kMnbgdHpWEzdnxavvxeqpe/w283-h400/RSC_2022_FLYER_A5_ARTWORK_RGB_NoTrims.jpg" width="283" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We are very grateful to Network Rail, the Rail Safety & Standards Board, the Rail Freight Group and Porterbrook for their continued support and we welcome GBRTT, the Rail Forum and Freightliner who have also made this year's carol service possible.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Special thanks also go to supply chain businesses Sunbelt Rentals Limited and Story Contracting Limited who have generously stepped in to ensure the church will be warm!</span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: helvetica;"><b>There will be a collection during the service to support the work of the Transport Benevolent Fund CIO.</b></span></p><p><br /></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-9738299826012095382022-12-06T09:34:00.001+00:002022-12-06T09:41:45.002+00:00Lookalike...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>Latest from Unity House...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LTHzx7iS5wf1ok4Ph92VQT72ikiSK198ZkKhdcBOqxSJVoTvXqOJbfKaWp7HLTcxzwwzYXxK97qxFjw3tTxMGj14iHSHEuvLcUMboiZCHhH0F5OshkwZtb8xBWcwrt9qEh-mKyqjBs4KtFBkn8aO86flHecJLpVBjFWTAb5-f4M-jAsr3TLcjSGJ/s1815/Im%20all%20right.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1815" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LTHzx7iS5wf1ok4Ph92VQT72ikiSK198ZkKhdcBOqxSJVoTvXqOJbfKaWp7HLTcxzwwzYXxK97qxFjw3tTxMGj14iHSHEuvLcUMboiZCHhH0F5OshkwZtb8xBWcwrt9qEh-mKyqjBs4KtFBkn8aO86flHecJLpVBjFWTAb5-f4M-jAsr3TLcjSGJ/w400-h299/Im%20all%20right.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: helvetica;"><b>We're not all right Jack.</b></span></div><p><br /></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-7695289508239402682022-11-18T12:16:00.001+00:002022-11-18T12:16:42.093+00:00Fuel Duty - 23% Increase!<p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>In perhaps one of the more unexpected developments in yesterday's 'Fiscal Incident' the Fuel Duty Escalator has returned!</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Surprisingly the Chancellor elected not to bellow the 23% rise in Fuel Duty in his Common's statement, which looks like it will add 12p to the price of a litre of fuel from March next year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">According to the OBR this will net the Treasury £6bn a year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Not a number to be sniffed at and potentially a source of good news for both passenger and freight operators.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course it is highly unlikely that the Chief Striver Soaker, Jeremy Hunt, will fold on this decision, once the Mail declares it a War on the Motorist.</span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><b>Unlike say, every other Chancellor since 2011.</b></span></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-89671822558875960862022-11-17T12:31:00.003+00:002022-11-17T12:32:15.972+00:00Iain Stewart elected TSC Chair<p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Iain Stewart, the Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South, has been elected Chair of the Transport Select Committee.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FHq0k-ZoPuxQQko8ZAzOB-W9-LUrtJPvCo-Gi0-wN7FZd7LfFkLylwKCmhvYvQR18vXvQv_nvvoyVNW_mPZkt6RXN1uNT_4JYzhSXkl7ZGw-t7VmJAr01XwGGDc8SMYLA9BPMKyiiMfCERyR3dm6RgYVzBYb3CuO2EGnDtcOc_j64yBLm_Us76Fb/s1600/1200px-Official_portrait_of_Iain_Stewart_crop_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FHq0k-ZoPuxQQko8ZAzOB-W9-LUrtJPvCo-Gi0-wN7FZd7LfFkLylwKCmhvYvQR18vXvQv_nvvoyVNW_mPZkt6RXN1uNT_4JYzhSXkl7ZGw-t7VmJAr01XwGGDc8SMYLA9BPMKyiiMfCERyR3dm6RgYVzBYb3CuO2EGnDtcOc_j64yBLm_Us76Fb/s320/1200px-Official_portrait_of_Iain_Stewart_crop_2.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p>Iain was first elected MP in 2010 and he has served several times as a member of the TSC: from 2010-2013; 2015-2017; 2017-2018; in 2019 and in 2020.</p></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Previous government roles have included Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Scottish Office (2020-22) and on several occasions as a whip.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The following Conservative MPs also stood in the TSC election:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Jack Brereton (Stoke South)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Jackie Doyle-Price (Thurrock)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Katherine Fletcher (South Ribble)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Chris Loder (West Dorset)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Karl McCartney (Lincoln)</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Jack Brereton MP, Chris Loder MP and Karl McCartney MP are existing members of the TSC.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Commenting on his win, Iain said:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(77, 77, 77); line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">“I am delighted to have been entrusted by the House to Chair this vital Committee and thank all who supported me.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(77, 77, 77); line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">"I have a real passion for, and experience in, Transport issues and I am very much looking forward to working with colleagues on the Committee to complete the existing programme of work and establish fresh inquiries.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(77, 77, 77); line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">“I want the Committee both to scrutinise and hold to account Government, agencies and operators, but also to do important horizon-scanning proactive work into future opportunities and challenges.”</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(77, 77, 77); font-family: National, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="color: red;">With today's 'Fiscal Event' and continued uncertainty over the future of GBR there will be much for the new chair and his committee to scrutinise.</span></b></p><p><br /></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-73219053939859131352022-11-17T12:02:00.001+00:002022-11-17T12:02:42.052+00:00Frank Ward elected new GS of TSSA<p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Congratulations to Frank Ward, the new General Secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA).</b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uSHNHQXFm2FCE-7hHR3EOowaqAJnTHLiWsTUnpdbcBKybfRg7LBdnZbZA7WN3U7dHNq2zo8WXZZkKKVKaKmNxgTJDxTOpEWxUpZ-bRXnOBVq_HqMvI0Ut4NVv61WqgPCpwA-1_TEP2DFUa_jXOwil2uUJD9UqIfvMZ8MREHe_X8_gnr9BA_frWSE/s1280/Frank%20Ward%20TSSA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uSHNHQXFm2FCE-7hHR3EOowaqAJnTHLiWsTUnpdbcBKybfRg7LBdnZbZA7WN3U7dHNq2zo8WXZZkKKVKaKmNxgTJDxTOpEWxUpZ-bRXnOBVq_HqMvI0Ut4NVv61WqgPCpwA-1_TEP2DFUa_jXOwil2uUJD9UqIfvMZ8MREHe_X8_gnr9BA_frWSE/s320/Frank%20Ward%20TSSA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;">This from the </span><a href="https://www.tssa.org.uk/about-tssa/who-we-are/meet-the-general-secretary" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">TSSA website</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;">:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b>Frank Ward writes:</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); margin: 1.5rem 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Part of a family of railway workers my employment history started in BR in the West of Scotland in 1984. I joined TSSA on my first day when the paperwork at my induction included a TSSA membership application form which I was told in no uncertain terms had to be signed before I could begin my railway career! </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); margin: 1.5rem 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">I worked as a booking clerk at various locations across Ayrshire before transferring to Glasgow Central as an enquiries clerk where I held a number of roles in our union as a workplace representative, Branch Officer and Divisional Council Officer. I started my employment with TSSA in 1995 as an assistant in what was then referred to as the National Negotiating Department and have held various responsibilities since then including member education, policy and legal advice, communications and political campaigning before taking on the role of Assistant General Secretary in 2012.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); margin: 1.5rem 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">A Labour Party member for longer than I sometimes wish to remember I believe passionately that only a Labour government can deliver the opportunities, services and support that our communities so badly need and deserve if they are to thrive rather than divide.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); margin: 1.5rem 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">For relaxation my wife indulges my passions for Celtic Football Club, horse racing and American basketball, baseball and ice hockey all because they feed her great passion for travel.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">The industry will be watching closely to see if Frank maintains the somewhat polemical tone of his retired </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">predecessor.</span></b></span></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-73281593743738092252022-07-26T07:43:00.000+01:002022-07-26T07:43:27.242+01:00Railway Dictionary update<p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b> This from our lexicographer friend Barry Spotter...</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The word for today is:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Optimism: </b>hopefulness and confidence about the future or success of something.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tswVy2gRHDJ2uYN3rDki1iokHx8KIrm83RQnZz4L-gFwaiKRsX31RYmrrDPogYx8wVPLKoH9R2sgmWDZmWkqhTmqOPp9hK5GsOEMs7ISjl0uGdDCMYay6bZ1647SRhb3D-u4g6lui9yqlfp0q7pwR4FOhQHY-b7CGHnSfjjEl7q1xFelzBvWwGMn/s4032/image0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tswVy2gRHDJ2uYN3rDki1iokHx8KIrm83RQnZz4L-gFwaiKRsX31RYmrrDPogYx8wVPLKoH9R2sgmWDZmWkqhTmqOPp9hK5GsOEMs7ISjl0uGdDCMYay6bZ1647SRhb3D-u4g6lui9yqlfp0q7pwR4FOhQHY-b7CGHnSfjjEl7q1xFelzBvWwGMn/s320/image0.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><b style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><p><b>See also: Late, Expensive, Missing, etc...</b></p></b><p></p><p><br /></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-82174452364732378962022-07-24T17:13:00.000+01:002022-07-24T17:13:13.785+01:00CrossCountry restores THE marque<p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>In these confusing and worrying times...</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It is nice to see a classic and reassuring brand restored to Britain's Railway - courtesy of the sole national passenger operator, offering scheduled services across all NR Regions (did you see what I had to do there? No matter).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Eye salutes CrossCountry's leadership team for authorising this livery.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A strong brand, that always signified an ambition to deliver a simpler, better railway.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oxtFafJ9Y0CyOImG6T70p-vycuySwQaAbgrRtaL1NXhS1TqhFYBqrEvUpCfj79SMb295f_PgXj8z9NLXaA2L93OI3rlfqtSf6SfMck4t24efrlqSIeVe_rbYKQNt00VTfXcoQcyrOaakXJRTwd76uGSKhBP7a6CVyWVCcpBGIXf7leyGpN-pMqNW/s1080/rHdSpvpx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1080" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oxtFafJ9Y0CyOImG6T70p-vycuySwQaAbgrRtaL1NXhS1TqhFYBqrEvUpCfj79SMb295f_PgXj8z9NLXaA2L93OI3rlfqtSf6SfMck4t24efrlqSIeVe_rbYKQNt00VTfXcoQcyrOaakXJRTwd76uGSKhBP7a6CVyWVCcpBGIXf7leyGpN-pMqNW/w320-h216/rHdSpvpx.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><p><b>And still cleverer to promote this via viral marketing?</b></p></b><p></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-25825696517281516212022-07-13T19:57:00.009+01:002022-07-13T20:36:36.504+01:00Varsity Line sent down!<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Good news for fans of Scorched Earth Policy.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Following his swift departure from the Tory leadership election, Grant Shapps has now announced the demise of East West Rail.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This via <a href="https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/grant-shapps-rail-project-cancelled-24481614" target="_blank">Cambridgeshire News</a>:</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says the remaining stages of the East West Rail project should be cancelled. He made the statement during an interview with LBC...</p><p>When asked what he would do if he was in charge, he said: "I would cut East West Rail on what's called two and three, the second and third stages. The charges of it, it would save £3-5 million."</p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This genuinely exciting new cross country railway, aims to restore the lost direct route linking Oxford to Cambridge, serving growing regions in-between and offering new direct connections between the GWML, WCML, MML, ECML and East Anglia </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Oxbridge" are famed university cities, with global reputations for research, innovation and world beating future technology.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So DfT will restrict the first part of the newly reopened route to errr... diesel traction!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">With the smallest of vision, the first part of this new railway reconnecting Oxford and Bletchley, might also have offered a simpler, better railway to passengers and Railfreight customers from across Britain, especially those seeking a </span><span style="font-family: arial;">direct route between East & West - avoiding congested routes into and out of London?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In happier news, post reshuffle, Pilot </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Michael Green can always swiftly fly to speedily address audiences in both Oxford & Cambridge, as well as points in-between; aerodromes and traffic allowing.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;">Just as well, as Eye hears Senior Common Room invitations may now be less <span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">abundant</span>...</span></b></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-17727283669344127442022-07-12T19:15:00.010+01:002022-07-12T21:24:20.651+01:00Shapps consciously uncoupled<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Alas, the Curse of Eye strikes again!</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Mere hours after Steve Strong - Our Man in the Lobby - shared his searing analysis of Michael Green's leadership bid, it crashed and burned.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Shapps has caped, and is now attempting to rescue demic Rushi Sunak, the erstwhile and Machiavellian Chancellor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Just moments ago, we asked Steve for his exclusive analysis on the very latest developments.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is Eye's report, Live from Westminster:</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: arial;"><b>Intern: </b>Hello Steve, what's happening?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Steve: </b>I'm in the pub, who is this?</span></p><p><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><b>Intern: </b>I'm from Railway Eye, the...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Steve:</b> Who? Never heard of it! Now, why don't you just pis... (owing to technical difficulties the call ended at this point).</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><b>There you have it: Eye - First with all the railway news pixable!</b></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><b>UPDATE: </b>No, we will not offer a reimbursement of any investments in the 100/1 shot! What goes up, can also come down. Evidently.</span></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-14282441051910962342022-07-11T19:24:00.002+01:002022-07-11T21:58:12.301+01:00That there Westminster...<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>This from Steve Strong, Eye's man in The Lobby...</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Even you navvies will have noticed it's all kicking off in Westminster.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Your very own Grant Shapps has stepped up to the plate, thrown his hat in the ring and declared "Michael Green for PM!" <span style="color: red;"><i>(Subs, please check this)</i></span>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Alas the uber-loyalist Shapps, who stayed true to the PM, appears less well served by his own ministers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Today Rail Minister Wendy Morton came out for Liz Truss. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Meanwhile, former HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson (now Co-Chairman of the Conservative party) is probably too busy running the leadership election to actually name a preference?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Late-out-the-gates, Shapps is currently back-of-the-field - having secured single digit MP backers. (<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ffqemZ-YOi7AvAw8HbxmMd0vIbsOXLZ7KpAmNQPD2r8/edit#gid=0" target="_blank">Bowler-tip Guido Fawkes</a>).</span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><b>In happier news, you can currently get 100/1 on a Shapps premiership.</b></span></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-3918051156437315032022-07-06T14:41:00.004+01:002022-07-06T14:41:49.470+01:00Farewell Lee Rowley<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>This is a shame. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Lee Rowley was a very good BEIS minister who actively engaged with and supported the rail supply chain.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">With great regret, I resigned from the government this morning. It has been an honour being Equalities and Local Government minister. It was a privilege to have worked with so many great ministerial colleagues and civil servants in these roles. <a href="https://t.co/XkNfnzjQVX">pic.twitter.com/XkNfnzjQVX</a></p>— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) <a href="https://twitter.com/KemiBadenoch/status/1544673839363268616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Hopefully Lee will return to government under the new Prime Minister. #JustSaying</b></span></span></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-79165000969297049102022-07-05T10:07:00.004+01:002022-07-05T11:20:51.413+01:00The Race for GBR!<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Good news for fans of moving government agencies out of London.</b></span> </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">DfT has published the </span><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-vote-and-official-shortlist-announced-to-choose-home-of-great-british-railways" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">shortlist</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> of those towns and cities bidding to host the new HQ of Great British Railways. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">No great surprises, although the omission of Darlington, Swindon and anywhere in Scotland may raise some eyebrows? </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The astute will already have noticed that locations in Wales were entirely absent from the 42 that made the original longlist.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is Eye's cut out and keep guide to the shortlisted locations: </span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b style="font-family: arial;">Birmingham</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> - already home to the HQ of NR's North West and Central Region, HS2 and parts of DfT. Not so much levelling up as dosing Andy Street on amphetamines. Not Derby </span></li></ul></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b style="font-family: arial;">Crewe</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> - definitely the right number of letters but sadly spelt all wrong. Not Derby. </span></li></ul></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b style="font-family: arial;">Derby</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> - Heart of the Railway, right number of letters and in the correct order. The centre of Europe's largest cluster of rail supply chain businesses. Very good, carry on. </span></li></ul></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b style="font-family: arial;">Doncaster</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> - starts off well with the correct letter of the alphabet, but then goes rapidly downhill from there. Not Derby </span></li></ul></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b style="font-family: arial;">Newcastle-upon-Tyne</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> - really, I mean really? Far too many letters, some nice bridges mind. Not Derby </span></li></ul></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b style="font-family: arial;">York</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> - Famed for being home to lots of old stuff and also the HQ of NR's Eastern Region. Did nobody read the brief about moving away from established NR culture. Also Not Derby. </span></li></ul></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><b>Psephologists will now be studying Tory marginal seats backing each location...</b></span></div></div>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-48079563055065164312022-07-04T17:27:00.005+01:002022-07-04T17:41:13.849+01:00GWML & ECML on Go-Slow<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>This from Rev E Gunter...</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Much excitement over on the <a href="https://twitter.com/railperf/status/1543936996418195457" target="_blank">twitter-snore</a>, following rumours that Hitachi are fitting speed limiters to all 800 series trains.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Apparently the inhibiter will cap speeds at 200kph, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">perhaps in response to some lively running?</span>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Any thoughts on the news that the UK's latest <a href="https://twitter.com/HitachiRailENG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HitachiRailENG</a> train fleet run by <a href="https://twitter.com/GWRHelp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GWRHelp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LNER?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LNER</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TPExpressTrains?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TPExpressTrains</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LumoTravel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LumoTravel</a> is to no longer run at a maximum speed of 125mph. All trains within the Class 800/801/802 fleet are to be fitted with a speed limiter of 200 km/h.</p>— Railway Performance Society (RPS) (@railperf) <a href="https://twitter.com/railperf/status/1543936996418195457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Whilst a pleasingly round number in kilometric terms, in old money this is a mere 124mph (give or take).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So farewell GWR, LNER, TPE and Lumo, your 125 privileges are hereby revoked!</span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><b>And proof positive that if you give the metric-zealots an inch, they will indeed take a mile.</b></span></p><div><br /></div>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-71479515082499307602022-07-04T12:05:00.001+01:002022-07-04T12:05:25.073+01:00Celebrating a railway Open to All<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>This from Barry Spotter...</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Seen at Appledore Station:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBQfilOvfpl-ZMVMQk-3ecigc1PAtlHyMJ9vrGTNdaOF-RVvLS_sWayHUSDuAFtVn2a9QeeW0HdZla4eVA_Jb_tGJDz-vxP8f2zGUNbPkTwbrWxN4Yyfop7h6NzgenxZAYz7yF6PwWVVKh95mrVTE_p9PNl9IMEm8V3JSZnurMmug6i6-8dyGekeG/s261/Screenshot%202022-07-04%20at%2011.50.48.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="239" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBQfilOvfpl-ZMVMQk-3ecigc1PAtlHyMJ9vrGTNdaOF-RVvLS_sWayHUSDuAFtVn2a9QeeW0HdZla4eVA_Jb_tGJDz-vxP8f2zGUNbPkTwbrWxN4Yyfop7h6NzgenxZAYz7yF6PwWVVKh95mrVTE_p9PNl9IMEm8V3JSZnurMmug6i6-8dyGekeG/s1600/Screenshot%202022-07-04%20at%2011.50.48.png" width="239" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: red;">Good to see Southern providing dedicated parking spaces for seniors.</span></b></span></p><p></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-75747348612117548122022-07-04T11:41:00.001+01:002022-07-04T11:41:31.361+01:00Railway Euphemisms #1<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>An occasional series celebrating railway obfuscation.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This from <a href="http://Wrexham.com">Wrexham.com</a>:</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); margin: 15px 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Alexia Course, Director of Transport Operations at TfW explained more about the issues surrounding the Class 230 introduction...</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); margin: 15px 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">“There was an issue to do with the threshold of the power outage, we have got to the bottom of that, it was basically to do with a bit of kit.” She said while explaining she couldn’t be more detailed, as “I’m not an engineer.”</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); margin: 15px 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">She said the part, “had a more sensitive threshold level which then resulted in this (thermal) event happening.”</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); margin: 15px 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">“We have got to replace that bit of kit and that is what is taking a bit of extra time because we have got to order it as a specialist part, get it delivered, get it installed and get it all tested.”</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); margin: 15px 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Alexia said the fix will “increase the threshold levels, which means that the batteries can operate before going into a kind of thermal event mode.”</span></p></blockquote><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 15px 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-211270" class="img-responsive img-responsive wp-image-211270 size-large img-responsive img-responsive " height="304" src="https://www.deeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trainfire-840x670.jpeg" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;" width="382" /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; margin: 15px 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A Class 230 post '<i>thermal event mode</i>'.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 15px 0px;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Open Sans, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">Or 'getting on fire' as we used to say...</span></span></span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 15px 0px;"><br /></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-29355205880294699832022-07-03T17:01:00.004+01:002022-07-03T17:17:08.637+01:00A gentle step back into the water...<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Someone has to say what we have all seen...</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Due to popular demand (thank you Mx GBR Twistedrail-Thienes) Railway Eye is restored!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Never one to bite the hand that feeds it, Eye offers you a lovely look-a-like:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5qrDwQfF8f41qYikLgQpiyBzEOU3ImzanDuuzPQ--UVZg7WXjklmg2j_Tq8xxKwXtb7BbnQNJDFbWF_iga37Z8MaUl3Vrc0UzdjysVAZdY9o4O2SeFq1Kcy1L4BbKsPjjFowF6kbFx4AwXsRJ8hEBIfzMlY9zaWk3mylrUqQHFgJNAhXWffnAZRlU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1691" data-original-width="2355" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5qrDwQfF8f41qYikLgQpiyBzEOU3ImzanDuuzPQ--UVZg7WXjklmg2j_Tq8xxKwXtb7BbnQNJDFbWF_iga37Z8MaUl3Vrc0UzdjysVAZdY9o4O2SeFq1Kcy1L4BbKsPjjFowF6kbFx4AwXsRJ8hEBIfzMlY9zaWk3mylrUqQHFgJNAhXWffnAZRlU=w378-h272" width="378" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Normal service has resumed.</span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><b>Usual email address: thefactcompiler@yahoo.co.uk </b></span></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-45756189139522806822022-04-24T17:14:00.011+01:002022-04-25T08:11:18.450+01:00It's good to be back!<p><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Not withstanding the Treasury...</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kb2uciHpe4U" width="428" youtube-src-id="Kb2uciHpe4U"></iframe></div><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;">More to follow...</span></p>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-69380981724587315132018-01-11T12:24:00.001+00:002018-01-11T12:24:21.299+00:00Shaken and stirred - Franksy to Upside-downland<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This from Eye's friends in the Emerald Isle…</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Dear Colleagues,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">I am writing to let you know after five enjoyable, exciting and challenging years, I will be leaving Iarnród Éireann in the coming months to take up a position in the public transport sector in Australia.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Since I joined Iarnród Éireann at the beginning of 2013, we have worked together through a most challenging financial era. However it is an era of which all Iarnród Éireann colleagues can be proud, as we ensured a safe, progressive and customer-focused service was delivered. Your support, commitment and professionalism have been invaluable both to me personally and to the organisation during that time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">There will be plenty of time to reflect further on, and thank you for, what we have achieved. However, opportunities and challenges remain which we must face together, and my focus until I leave will remain on working with the entire Iarnród Éireann team in delivering our service to our customers and preparing Iarnród Éireann for a secure and sustainable future.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">David Franks,</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Chief Executive</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Eye wonders whether IE will once again seek a replacement from mother railway?</span></b>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-54307504524960913952017-12-22T10:27:00.000+00:002017-12-23T10:06:46.706+00:00Eye's Exclusive Christmas Telly Guide<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This from Michael Port and Stilton-illo...</b></span><br />
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The festive season is of course the perfect time for opening up the Quality Street and unwinding in front of the TV. So Eye has selected the very best of the seasonal schedules from the Radio Times-table, perfect for all the #railwayfamily.<br />
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<b>15:00 Queen’s Christmas Message</b><br />
Please stand for Her Majesty. Unless you’re on the 7.16am train from East Grinstead to London Bridge, in which case you’re already standing.<br />
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<b>15:15 Sector Deal or No Sector Deal</b><br />
Open the boxes to see whether the railways get a sector deal. And who is the mysterious banker who is leading the project? This week’s contestants include RSG, RDG, RIA, Rail Alliance, RFEM, DfT, BEIS... (<i><span style="color: red;">That’s enough acronyms – Ed</span>)</i><br />
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<b>16:00 Gardening Leave World</b><br />
How to prune orchard fruit trees. With special guest RDG presenter (to be announced.)<br />
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<b>16:30 Pointless</b><br />
Rail freight experts try to explain to Lord Adonis why platooned lorries will not solve world hunger.<br />
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<b>17:00 Film - Titanic </b><br />
The East Coast franchise is sinking, and shareholders are in peril. DfT have launched the lifeboats but can they rescue it before everyone’s reputation is damaged? (Repeat)<br />
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<b>19:00 Penn and Teller – Fool Us</b><br />
Illusionists Penn & Teller sit in the audience whilst Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell describe their plans for the UK railways, including nationalisation, buying back the ROSCOs and national pay bargaining. There’ll even be enough money left over to cut fares! Can they fool the magic duo? Can they fool you?<br />
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<b>19:45 East-West Enders</b><br />
Chris and Rob throw a Christmas party to celebrate the start of works, but joy turns to horror as something nasty is discovered in the structural surveys and Peggy realises that half the outputs have vanished!<br />
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<b>20:15 DIY SOS</b><br />
The village wants a new railway station, but Network Rail’s costs are just too high! Can the community come together to deliver it more efficiently? Presented by Rob Mackintosh with help from a team of friendly Canadian pensioners..<br />
<br />
<b>21:00 Antiques RailShow</b><br />
In this special rail edition, ROSCOs ask the experts to assess whether there is any residual value left in their fleets. A rare PRM TSI compliant HST causes excitement for Fiona!<br />
<br />
<b>22:00 News at Ten</b><br />
Presented by Nigel Harris<br />
<br />
<b>22:15 Regional News</b><br />
Presented by Chris Grayling (All regions, except Scotland)<br />
<br />
<b>22:30 Weather</b><br />
Network Rail’s new video explains why they can’t run trains when it’s too windy, wet, hot, cold, snowy or leafy.<br />
<br />
<b>23:00 Morecambe and Wise Christmas Special</b><br />
Our annual reminder that everything was better in the past. Guest stars include Val Doonican, Christian Wolmar and the British Railways Board.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Wishing all Eye readers. and contributors, a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2018.</span></b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-55939723084451153372017-12-20T10:29:00.003+00:002017-12-20T10:29:59.524+00:00Greater Anglia aims to slash journey times!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This from a Mr Ed Starr…</b></span><br />
<br />
I see that Greater Anglia are encouraging existing customers to stop commuting…<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_71KMg4nTclOaGux8G3fH5S0pi0aieFqJK-FWIVwBZRseFMVTpI2oQ8BYRxWg2pyczAQ2CcPZDjUIs-ghrv0D9rwBufCh8vidj1qGmMI678Aai2nD_fgsEFLpDrfDFBJsE4SK0lDPmSY/s1600/IMG_3809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_71KMg4nTclOaGux8G3fH5S0pi0aieFqJK-FWIVwBZRseFMVTpI2oQ8BYRxWg2pyczAQ2CcPZDjUIs-ghrv0D9rwBufCh8vidj1qGmMI678Aai2nD_fgsEFLpDrfDFBJsE4SK0lDPmSY/s400/IMG_3809.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: red;">Perhaps no wonder they are struggling with their revenue targets?</span></b></div>
The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308561578881618997.post-76560944925312203452017-12-19T17:42:00.001+00:002017-12-19T17:44:36.231+00:00LNW 'Railway Grafters' celebrate staff working over Christmas<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This from Network Rail's increasingly impressive LNW Route.</b></span><br />
<br />
Lest it be forgot, LNW is opening Euston Station for the homeless on <a href="https://railwayeye.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/euston-to-host-homeless-on-christmas-day.html" target="_blank">Christmas Day</a>.<br />
<br />
Here Birmingham New Street staff outline the work of the #RailwayFamily over Christmas.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" class="wistia_embed" frameborder="0" height="283" name="wistia_embed" scrolling="no" src="https://fast.wistia.com/embed/iframe/5nw62dwm5y" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
Words and more information <a href="https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/railway-grafters-release-christmas-song?utm_content=buffera4631&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: red;">Terrible! But good effort.</span></b>The Fact Compilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749384421201300402noreply@blogger.com