Exciting news - the Government has finally published the Rail Strategy!
Just shy of a year after it was originally announced.
No matter.
Meanwhile, Integrated Partnerships tailored to the franchise de jour have been announced.
Good news indeed.
Especially for operators of passenger trains on both the East Coast and across the East Midlands!
So Eye wonders who will claim ownership of this key junction between the two routes?
This from the late Edmund Gunter...
Sadly the new generation of railway employees appear ignorant of traditional British units of measurement as still used by the railway.
This particular example has been an affront to my eyes for many years as a regular commuter on the Portsmouth Direct.
I noticed in August 2005 that the cast iron structure plates on the footbridge at Haslemere station had been replaced by new aluminium ones with the distance of 42m 80c cast into them.
I mentioned this to Network Rail friend and the plates were recast with the correct 43m 0c on them, which I noticed in October 2005.
In October 2008 Network Rail decided to change the style of the structure plate from the cast aluminium ones to corporate standard "road sign" material with a reflective backing and the incorrect 42m 80c returned!
Nearly three years on the "wrong" plates are still there.
Presumably attention to detail on today's railway is now optional?
UPDATE: This from Steve Strong...
Why isn't there a bar code, or some other scanable identity recognised by the Asset Register, on the last one?
UPDATE: This from The Man by the Photocopier...
Actually, the latest plate suggests that the primary distance is 42 metres, according to SI.
Since the railway will have to change to metric units as ERTMS spreads (and the Rule Book has already largely been converted), perhaps we should bite the bullet and consign these increasingly irrelevant Imperial... (Sadly, owing to pressures of space, Eye is unable to reproduce all the rabid Metric rantings of The Man by the Photocopier)
This from Dreaming Spires...
Much raising of Oxford mortar boards when Lord Adonis announced in July that his alma mater should join the electrified network.
Indeed the Noble Lord rushed back from cabinet in Cardiff to confirm the good news in person!
However, judging by this ATOC faux pas, at least one Oxon alumnus needs to try harder.
Produced by ATOC's press office to promote additional electrification schemes, it suggests that Didcot to Oxford is now relegated to a 'proposed route'.
Let's hope that St Benets Hall is suitably forgiving of M Roberts MA.
Telegrammed by Leo Pink
What ever happened to right first time?
Pre-Qualification Questionnaire
Specialist Advice and Support in Connection with DfT’s Duties as ‘Operator of Last Resort’
Date: First issue: 04 August 09
Rev 0.1: 07 August o91
Clearly three days is a long time in DfT Rail politics.
The Department for Transport's reputation for attention to detail is legendary.
So The Fact Compiler thought he'd pay a quick visit to the DafT website to see who will be serving in the new team under Gende Homo.
Alas, Whitehall web wonks can't yet be arsed to update their site, which still lists Tom Harris as Minister of State - a mere 18 hours after one eyed Gordo gave him the black spot.
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