The new, improved DfT is evidently keen to get really 'up close and dirty' with industry colleagues.
As well as actually getting out and about on the network, the railway's mandarins have now gone so far as to enter a team for the Railway Children's 3 Peaks Challenge.
Colas and Network Rail have honoured the founder of the Railway Children.
Possibly the best picture on the internet you will see today!
This from Eye's friends at the Railway Children...
Cycle India takes place 8th to 17th November 2012.
It’s a 480km bike ride from the Taj Mahal to Jaipur.
On day 1 we’ll take you to visit one of Railway Children’s projects, a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand how your fundraising benefits the children. The next day you will move on to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal where you can explore the monument before your biking challenge begins.
Your bike will take you to more remote locations than most other modes of transport, bringing you in direct contact with the country and its people. Once in Rajasthan the region offers dramatic desert landscape, fantastic wildlife, exquisite forts, bustling cities and rural life that seems frozen in time.
Your ride ends in Rajasthan's capital city, Jaipur.
For more information: phone: 01270 757596 or email: events@railwaychildren.org.uk
This from John Gelson over at East Coast...
I thought Eye readers might be interested in East Coast's support for the Railway Children's MAD Day - passenger reaction has been fantastic!
Here customer Alistair McKenzie buys a cake at the café-bar counter for the Railway Children charity from (left to right) Customer Service Assistant Jason Armstrong; Head of Catering Mark Tarry; and East Coast Chairman Michael Holden.
Michael said: “We’re delighted at the wonderful support for today’s Railway Children fundraising from our customers and our staff. It’s also been a great opportunity to work alongside some of our fantastic people, and see at first hand their work to help passengers as they travel.
“Together, we’ve raised funds for a very important cause and had a lot of fun at the same time. My thanks go to everyone who has helped with this memorable and enjoyable day.”
Good effort!
Charitably minded readers can donate to the Railway Children here.
UPDATE: This from East Coast...
Train company East Coast is thanking thousands of passengers who helped raise £10,000 in just one day to make a difference to children living on the streets.
This from the soi disant 'veteran' observer...
Eight days on a mountain versus a lifetime on the streets
As you read this an intrepid group of 25 railway men and women are beginning their ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for the Railway Children.
All those participating have paid for the cost of this trip themselves so any sponsorship money they raise will go direct to the charity.
The climbers are:
Tim Brawn, Robbie Burns, Dan Cole, Dyan Crowther, Samantha Davis, Jerry England, David and Jo Franks, Steve Frost, Peter Hobbs, Michael Holden, Sarah Kendall, Arthur Leithley, Arith Liyanage, Sean Maserson, Richard Molloy, Darran Moss, Mac Motraghi, Adam O'Connor, Alan Ross, Anthony Smith, David Taylor, James Vickers, Paul Watson and Mark Wilson.
Many of you will already have sponsored the individuals undertaking this arduous hike.
If you haven't made a donation yet and would still like to there is a Virgin Money Giving page where you can sponsor all the participants as a group.
Thank you.
Please consider doing so - it's for a very worthwhile cause. Donations can be made here.
Oh how the mighty have fallen!
The Fact Compiler has received this plaintive email from Wolmar:
Please can you put this on your website:
Engines of war: Launch lecture for the Railway Children
I am giving a lecture on behalf of the University of Aberdeen at the German Gymnasium on September 28th on my new book, Engines of War, how wars were won and lost on the railways.
The drinks at the lecture are being kindly sponsored by Bircham Dyson Bell and all profits will go to the Railway Children.
Doors open 6 for 6 30pm
There are only a limited number of tickets available at £15 each which includes £5 discount on the purchase of the book and you can be sure of a place now by clicking here:
So what, I hear you say, nothing new in Wolmar rattling the Railway Children collection plate.
Indeed so.
But surely it can't have escaped Comrade Wolmar's notice that his lecture is taking place in London at the very same time that the Labour Party Conference will be in full flow almost 200 miles away!
Eye suspects that with Lord Adonis now a mere backwoodsman none of the Smelly Socks can be bothered to sign off Wolmar's delegate pass...
This from a Mr Houghton...
Dear Fact Compiler
Would you be willing to mention that Railway Vehicle Engineering Limited participated in the Three Peaks Challenge by Rail this weekend (24th - 26th June).
Hopefully the following vaguely humourous picture of our team scaling the heights might amuse your readers:
If any of your readers feel generous then donations can still be made here.
Eye is happy to support the Railway Children - if you haven't yet please do donate. Any more teams want a mention?
This from Captain Deltic, via MMS....
All credit to toyshop chain, the Early Learning Centre, who are leading the fight back against anthropomorphic tank engines with this recognisable A4 in garter blue:
A very timely suggestion. The Fact Compiler is just popping into town...
UPDATE: Captain Deltic adds...
I should have mentioned for those of the Stanier persuasion there is also a stream-lined Coronation in maroon livery.
However, grand-daughter naturally preferred Sir Nigel's design.
This from the Railway Children...
The search is on for people in the rail industry to take part in a unique challenge.
Railway Children, a charity helping children living on the streets, is looking to recruit 50 teams of four people to take part in a mountain expedition.
It involves climbing the three highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland – travelling between the mountains on a special train.
The aim is for each team to raise a total of £3,500 for the charity – to fund outreach projects with street children in the UK, India and Africa.
To enter a team of four in the June Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Railway Children, please call Katie on 01270 757 596 or email Katie.mason@railwaychildren.org.uk
Take a look at the website for more information – www.railwaychildren.org.uk/events
...please spare a thought for those whose Christmas will be less than festive.
Help the Railway Children reach out to a child on our streets this Christmas by making a donation today.
www.railwaychildren.org.uk/donate
Are there no end to the talents of First Group's Mary Grant?
On Friday rail boss Mary enchanted the industry, and raised loads for street children, by doing a winning turn (or two) at the annual Railway Children fundraiser.
Eye understands that Mary was so taken by the roar of the crowd that she has decided to release a sung apology to furious FuCC commuters suffering a shortage of trains...
For those unable to view YouTube a hard copy of Mary's apology can be found here.
This from UK Fundraising...
Supermarket Tesco will donate £1 from the sale price of every 'Slumdog Millionaire' DVD and donate the money, expected to reach up to £200,000, to Railway Children, a charity working directly with children on the streets of India.
Good effort.
Remember - every penny counts.
Anyone know what happened to Mad Day on the railways?
Just wondered, that's all.
Oh, and Mr Maidment is asking for your support again this year.
If you are doing something to support the Railway Children let us know.
UPDATE: Captain Deltic observes...
Surely, as Eye demonstrates with unfailing reliability, every day is Mad Day on Britain's railways.
And has been since 1 April 1994.
The Fact Compiler raises his bowler to FCC's Elaine Holt and Roger Perkins.
Who were both out yesterday evening, rattling the collection pot for the Railway Children, as the last Thameslink service left Moorgate.
A nice piece of PR that means even The Fact Compiler is struggling to find fault.
Time for a nice lie down in a darkened room to recharge the vitriol levels.
***Jade Goody helps Railway Children***
Max Clifford in action is something to behold!
Should Wolmar stick to the day job?
Friday night saw the Railway Children Annual Ball at which the great man acted as celebrity auctioneer.
Despite valiant efforts Wolmar was faced with an industry that mostly sat on its hands whilst the bids were called.
Fortunately NRM nemesis, Richard Bowker, manfully stepped up to the crease and shelled out a whopping £18k for a signed Banksy print (pictured).
The well known 'graffiti artist' (don't you mean 'vandal'? Ed) had donated the print especially and specified all monies raised should go directly into Railway Children funds.
Even so the catalogue had to describe the lot as a "blue tank engine with a face" - for copyright reasons. A situation not unknown to our Heritage Railway friends, despite their doing so much to promote and develop the Thomas the Tanks Engine brand.
Perhaps Railway Eye shouldn't be too hard on Wolmar, as he gave his time for free.
Unlike many of those at the bash, who seemed freer with expense accounts at the bar than their own cash at the auction.
Christian Wolmar has emailed to thank those Railway Eye readers who sponsored his half marathon on Sunday.
"I ran the half marathon in just over two hours - not bad for an old timer!" he writes.
Here is our man in action.
Judging by the marks on Wolmar's knees he left nothing to chance, beseeching the help of Higher Powers for his Sabbath breaking run.
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