tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433144336299288135.post8256835388152385087..comments2024-03-26T13:27:26.499+00:00Comments on Zelo Street: CPS Backs Nationalised RailwayTim Fentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726447899972084146noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433144336299288135.post-22218076281347110962015-01-09T19:06:32.398+00:002015-01-09T19:06:32.398+00:00SteveB: IANAE, but aren't the new trains sched...SteveB: IANAE, but aren't the new trains scheduled to be used on the ECML the Hitachi IEP, chosen by the Department of Transport, not NR, under a process started under Labour and controversially completed by this government?<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercity_Express_Programme<br /><br />Whether the IEP ends up being a wise choice is an interesting question. I have some rather grave doubts ...David Cottonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17662508558674678268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433144336299288135.post-42144991550239806042015-01-03T11:27:13.172+00:002015-01-03T11:27:13.172+00:00When exactly was Alliance Rail (part of Arriva Gro...When exactly was Alliance Rail (part of Arriva Group, "a DB Company") prevented from running? Everything they say suggests their 2016 start up will happen - assuming they can import their foreign trains from Italy by then. Most of the initial access deals were done before the ECML announcement and my info was that it was Network Rail that was obstructing developement not the ORR. This being the same Network Rail that kept blocking Virgin from Shrewsbury. <br /><br />They may have a temporary point about the Stagecoach grip on London- North traffic but miss a vital point. The WCML doesn't have a franchised TOC at present, the current Virgin-Stagecoach partnership are managing it under a special short term contract and when the DfT actually gets around to sorting out the franchise it is far from certain that the current arrangement will continue.<br /><br />He also misses that DB-Arriva were bidding for the ECML franchise and had they won all their free-market, open-access ideals would have been binned!<br /><br />The biggest scandal, also missed, is that when Alliance started up their plan was to use a new design of train which would have been mostly built in a new British factory. Now because of NR delay and obstruction, that plan isn't viable and the different trains will be imported.SteveBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4433144336299288135.post-80450241279672501022015-01-02T14:40:18.891+00:002015-01-02T14:40:18.891+00:00Patrick Mcloughlin on R4 Today @ 8.40. Defended th...Patrick Mcloughlin on R4 Today @ 8.40. Defended the rail companies to the hilt and threw crumbs to the passengers. His explanations about East Coast were woeful.<br />http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04vqsh9Bobnoreply@blogger.com