Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC)
[A Government of India Enterprise]
9th Floor, Bank of Baroda building, 16, Parliament Street, New Delhi-110001

IRCTC invites applications for various positions :

1. Assistant Manager (Catering) : 17 posts (Gen -06, OBC -10, ST-1), Pay Scale : Rs. 20600-3%-46500 on IDA pattern
2. Assistant Manager (Tourism) : 13 posts (Gen -04, OBC -5, ST-1), Pay Scale : Rs. 20600-3%-46500 on IDA pattern
3. Assistant Manager (IT) : 04 posts (Gen -03, OBC -1), Pay Scale : Rs. 20600-3%-46500 on IDA pattern
4. Assistant Manager (HRD) : 09 posts (Gen -06, OBC -2, SC-1), Pay Scale : Rs. 20600-3%-46500 on IDA pattern
5. Assistant Manager (Finance) : 15 posts (Gen -08, OBC -4, SC-2, ST-1), Pay Scale : Rs. 20600-3%-46500 on IDA pattern
6. Executive (Catering) : 170 posts (Gen -88, OBC -45, SC-25,ST-12), Pay Scale : Rs. 12600-3%-32500 on IDA pattern
7. Executive (Tourism) : 21 posts (Gen -12, OBC -5, SC-3,ST-1), Pay Scale : Rs. 12600-3%-32500 on IDA pattern
8. Executive (IT) : 14 posts (Gen -9, OBC -3, SC-1,ST-1), Pay Scale : Rs. 12600-3%-32500 on IDA pattern
9. Executive (HRD) : 10 posts (Gen -7, OBC -2, SC-1), Pay Scale : Rs. 12600-3%-32500 on IDA pattern
10. Executive (Finance) : 20 posts (Gen -11, OBC -4, SC-3,ST-2), Pay Scale : Rs. 12600-3%-32500 on IDA pattern
11. Senior Supervisor (Tourism) : 10 posts (Gen -7, OBC -2, S-1), Pay Scale : Rs. 12600-3%-32500 on IDA pattern
12. Assistant Supervisor (IT) : 40 posts (Gen -22, OBC -10, SC-5, ST-3), Pay Scale : Rs. 10000-3%-22900 on IDA pattern
13. Assistant Supervisor (HRD) : 22 posts (Gen -13, OBC -5, SC-3, ST-1), Pay Scale : Rs. 10000-3%-22900 on IDA pattern
14. Assistant Supervisor (Finance) : 30 posts (Gen -16, OBC -8, SC-4, ST-2), Pay Scale : Rs. 10000-3%-22900 on IDA pattern

Application Fee : Rs 300/- by means of a crossed Demand Draft / Pay Order issued by a Scheduled Commercial Bank in favour of “IRCTC, New Deihi”, payable at New Delhi. No fee from SC/ST candidates.
How to Apply : Application are to be submitted ONLINE at IRCTC website only from 29/12/2009 to 19/01/2010. Take a printout of the  registration slip and send it with fee on or before 03/02/2010 to :

Post Box no. 31, Kalkaji Post Office, New Delhi – 110019

For more details  http://www.irctc.com/ListOfJobs.jsp

Sub Company/ Department - N.A.
City - Kota
State - Rajasthan
Region Type - Indian
Option - Tender
Work Type - Contract
Tender Number - 07/09-10
Tender Detail - The detail terms and conditions can be seen in the original tender document.
Pre-Qualification Bid - No
Product Detail - Sealed tenders are invited for the Overhauling and repairs of Cummins diesel engines.
Product Location - Kota – Rajasthan
Project Time - 30 Day(s) Month(s)
Product Note - For additional details please refer the original tender document.
Value - Rs.411,760.00
Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) - Rs.8,240.00
Document Fees - Rs.1,000.00
Mode of Payment - Please refer tender document
Payment in Favour of - Please refer tender document
Tender Release Date - 11-12-2009
Document Sale From - 14-12-2009
Document Sale To - 15-01-2010
Submit Before - 15-01-2010 Time : 1500 Hrs.
Opening On - 15-01-2010 Time : 1600 Hrs.
Signed By - Chief Project Manager
Address - Railway Electrification,
Kota-324002,
Rajasthan,
India,
Website:www.core.railnet.gov.in
Publication - Hindustan Times
Dated - 13-12-2009
Tendercity Ref. No. - 806990

© Frank H. Jump

On Flicker & elsewhere on the blogosphere:

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See Ediglyph definition on the Fading Ad Wiki.

ediglyph- a term Jump invented from the words edifice (building) and petroglyph (ancient stone wall etching). Ediglyphs encompass fading ads and graffiti. – Fading Ad Wiki

Indian Railways are always developing new ways to book ticket reservation easy and hassle free. Online ticket reservation has reduced the time to book ticket and also the long queue.

Online ticket reservation has also replaced the old tradition method of ticketing and managing the bulk record.

Now Rail tickets booking can be done through your mobile too. In another three months we are in a position to book rail tickets through mobile phones.

IRCTC has accepted the proposal and to work on the scheme. It was earlier proposed that commuters should be able to book their rail tickets through mobile phones.

Now, no need to carry rail ticket with you because after getting confirmation of the ticket, IRCTC would send SMS to customers telling them the seat and berth number.

Rail Tickets are however considered important because their absence could cause problems during the journey. Therefore, passengers would be required to get the train ticket from railway stations.

The facility enabling us to make bookings through mobile phones would definitely be beneficial for us. It would mean reservation would be at our finger-tips.

I’m reading a book about railways,
It’s ever so clever and right,
It goes on for pages and pages,
and how we should herald the sight.

The photographs aren’t that fantastic,
The prose is a bit of a mess.
There’s a thing about books about railways,
That sometimes I have to confess…

I don’t understand why you’d write one.
It’s not as though writing is fun,
Or not half as fun as the engines,
And platforms and spotting and sun.

For no matter how much I like them,
And how much I try to think through it.
It’s like rock and roll with the railways:
Don’t sit down and write it, just do it!

Those who joined the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project, long ago in 1960 or earlier, have become almost strangers in their village.

 When we, ex- employees meet, it is an occasion of great joy. We still feel an inexplicable bond, whether we are in Narora Atomic Power Station or Koodamkulam Project. There is even talk of annual get together.

Recently we went to Ujjain, where my ex-colleage in RAPP, HINTYA is settled. He was so happy that he showed us arond in varios ancient temples about which he had intimate knowledge. His hobby is to collect paper cuttings of anything relating to railways.

RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that it will be balloting members on Network Rail maintenance, and other staff affected by reorganisation plans, for national industrial action over threatened redundancies as part of the proposed axing of nearly 1500 rail maintenance jobs.

The national ballot for action will begin in the New Year with RMT also fighting attempts by Network Rail to rip up existing agreements and to unilaterally impose new working arrangements.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“The plan to axe 1500 maintenance jobs across the rail network is a reckless gamble with rail safety which would create the perfect conditions for another Hatfield, Paddington, Potters Bar or Grayrigg disaster.

We saw under Railtrack the lethal consequences of cutting back on maintenance and Network Rail now want to turn the clock back to those dark days by forcing staff out of the door in order to hit budget targets. It’s outrageous and we have no option but to ballot for action.

The past few days have shown that there are already too few staff to deal with the freezing conditions on the tracks. Many of the problems that have hit the railways have been down to not enough engineers being available to unfreeze points and tracks. The 1500 planned job cuts will hit services and safety with dire consequences for staff and passengers alike.”

RAIL UNION RMT today confirmed six more days of signallers strike action and an overtime ban in the dispute over the imposition of new rosters linked to the opening of the new South Wales Control Centre.

Following six days of rock solid action earlier this month RMT said today that members have been instructed to take strike action by not booking on for any shift that commences between 00.01 on Monday 4^th January 2010 and 23.59 on Saturday 9^th January 2010.

Additionally, members are instructed not to work overtime (with the exception of booked/rostered Sunday turns of duty) between 00.01 on Sunday 10^th January 2010 and 23.59 on Saturday 6^th February 2010.

In an escalation of the dispute RMT has also decided to put further pressure on management by arranging urgent ballots for strike action and action short of a strike at the following locations; Radyr, Radyr Relief, Abercynon, Park Junction, St Fagan’s Crossing, Little Mill, Lydney Crossing and Caldicott Crossing and this will be done as a matter of extreme urgency.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“After six days of rock solid strike action, which saw managers drafted in from England with a few hours training to run the signalling with serious consequences for services and safety, RMT members are even more determined now to stop the ripping up of agreements and the imposition of new rosters that would wreck their work/life balance.

“This dispute is all about money. It’s about cutting corners and demanding that staff are at managements beck and call regardless of the impact on home lives. Our members will not be treated as slabs of meat that the management can pull of the shelf when it suits them.

“Senior Network Rail bosses have refused point blank to negotiate a settlement to this dispute. RMT remains available for talks and we will continue to press management to get round the table and negotiate an agreement.”

Martek Introduces DC/DC Modules For Railways

A series of 120W DC/DC modules designed specifically for worldwide railway applications has been announced by Martek Power. The CMS120 Series features a very wide input voltage range, meet all relevant railway standards including EN50 155 and work across a broad operating temperature range without derating. Designed to be PCB mounted, CMS Series modules are compact, measuring 92mm x 45mm and just 20mm high – including an integral extruded aluminium heatsink.

PCB connection is by 1.5mm diameter pins. According to Martek Power, the modules can be integrated into a customer’s own power supply design using a minimum of external components. However, Martek Power can also develop a custom power solution based using the CMS120 modules as ‘building blocks’. The DC/DC modules accept a very wide range of input voltages across two versions.

The low input version has range from 12 to 50.4V DC with nominal inputs of 24 and 36V DC. The high input version has a range from 43.2 to 154V DC with nominal inputs from 72 to 110V DC. Output voltages are 12 and 24V. Operating temperature range is -40C to +85C. Under nominal conditions, the modules are 90 per cent efficient and incorporate over-voltage and short-circuit protection.

Due to its size, location, and rich history, the quantity of notable India travel destinations is incredible. India is made up of several geographic regions and each is justifiably proud of its own local tourist attractions. The ones you choose depend on your own personal interests and the time of year you plan to travel.

Why Not Begin Your Tour in Delhi?

Delhi is a perfect destination to get a flavor of the hustle and bustle of the typical crowded Indian city. Since Delhi is India’s capital, you can be sure that it has a unique blend of the cosmopolitan and the traditional elements. Humayun’s Tomb is well worth a look while visiting Delhi. This impressive structure predates the Taj Mahal. But speaking of the Taj Mahal, why not make a day trip to Agra to visit it? Built entirely of white marble, it took twenty two years to complete.

The Bahai Temple also calls Delhi home. This beautiful edifice features a façade that resembles and opening lotus flower, bringing to mind the Sydney Opera House. It incorporates dramatic gardens on the exterior and the architecture inside is a thing to behold. In the spirit of inclusiveness, the Bahai doctrine welcomes all faiths.

Yoga and Meditation Destinations

Are you looking for a spiritual vacation? India is one of those places that can make it happen and the choices are numerous. Take the state of Bihar, for example. Gautama Buddha hails from Bihar and the numerous spiritual retreats reflect the different stages of his life and spiritual development.

Rishikesh, located in the North of India and situated in the lap of the Himalayan mountains, is the principal yoga destination in the country, and by some accords, in the world. In fact, if you consider yourself to be a yoga devotee, plan on being here for the annual International Yoga Week. But make plans early, as the region is swamped with people each year during the first week of February.

Our Related tour business blogs where you can find some more important tips :-Finance and Marketing ,Ultimate Business Ideas ,Law & Justice.

India is such a vast country that is cannot be covered by roads alone. he primary mode of transport in India is train. Indian railway is one of the world’s biggest networks.

Indian Railways has a very strong network and extremely frequent and high number of trains. It covers nearly 100% of the country. The Indian railway, being such an important body, is always in news for some or the other reason.

Indian Railway news covers information on the latest trains schedules, fares, rules and regulation, services, facilities, announcements, change in policies and other relevant information about the system.

To gather Indian railway news need not to tune into television news channels, programs, radio, or then read through the newspapers, magazines, railway booklets, time tables issued by the railway ministry, railway offices, etc.

To gather information about Indian Railways, Just click once at MakeMyTrip.com

Wouldn’t you think Eurostar would change their marketing messages on Google after yesterday’s bad news and 1,316 related articles?

Eurotunnel on Google this weekend

Passengers trapped on board the broken-down Eurostar trains have been speaking of their anger. One was quoted as saying: “I’ve been hanging underneath the back of this lorry now for 16 effing hours!”

Am I the only person who finds this morning’s stories across all the TV stations of four Eurostar trains bound for London being trapped inside the Channel Tunnel at the same time in the last few hours.

Approaching the Folkestone entrance to the Channel Tunnel (c) Tony Cunnane 1999

Were there really FOUR hi-speed trains, probably doing in excess of 100 mph, following each other so closely that they all fitted into the 31.4-mile long tunnel at the same time? If that is correct, and that is what the TV news stories are implying, it seems rather frightening to me (as a person who has always had a fear of tunnels – however long or short).

How long does it take a speeding Eurostar train to come to a halt, and how quickly can following trains be brought to rest – whether they have broken down or not. We all know about nose-to-tail collisions on motorways when the unexpected happens.

While I was still working for the Red Arrows I was invited to take a cab ride on Eurostar from London to Paris and back (my sponsor knew I was a railway anorak!). Of course, I went (see image above – click to enlarge) but I felt very uncomfortable during the transits of the tunnel. My worst fears were justified on the return trip when the train came to a halt (a very gentle halt) halfway through the tunnel due to power failure. You can read about that, and see some more images, on my website here.

A railway line meanders through the Indian countryside. Pic shot in Karnataka near a trekking trail on a cool afternoon.

Source : http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_railways-to-set-up-infra-planning-panel_1322055

New Delhi: The railway ministry has decided to constitute a high-powered committee to deal with infrastructure planning, business development and monitoring of projects. The ministry is also setting up a public-private partnership implementation cell to be headed by railway board chairman S S Khurana. The high-powered committee will be headed by Shri Prakash, member (traffic), who is set to retire by the end of this month. It will have two part-time members.

“The committee will identify business opportunities and assist the ministry of railways in implementing and developing new strategies to improve market shares in existing business segments,” said an internal rail ministry circular.

The committee will be looking at infrastructure development on both short-term as well as long-term basis. According to the circular, “it will suggest strategic directions for immediate (next year) and long term (up to 2020) periods in terms of infrastructure, technology and business strategy.”

The committee will also assist the railways in speedy implementation of the dedicated freight corridor project and advise the ministry on the implementation of public-private partnership projects.

The committee has also been entrusted with suggesting measures to fast track implementation of high priority and quick payback projects. As per ministry officials, the tenure of the committee will be for a period of two years from the date of the chairman taking charge. The terms and conditions to be applied to the chairman and members of the committee will follow soon.

Another committee, serving as an interface between the railways and industry, has already been formed. One of its key recommendations of late has been the setting up of auto hubs. In line with its recommendations, the ministry has lined up 15 auto hubs in the country.

First half of 1974…..still in the Workshops…..but only just

It was around about this time that I discovered I had an extreme fear of heights and anything to do with ladders, scaffolding, or ropes that had to be climbed.  Previously I had worked at heights and although experiencing a feeling of being drawn to the edge of whatever I was on top of at the time I seemed to cope.  Suddenly that all changed and I began avoiding any task that involved taking my feet off the ground except to sit on a bar stool or get into bed .

I was to find that this phobia would haunt me many times in the years to come, but somehow I managed to defeat it through sheer single-mindedness to complete the mission or simply a sense of pride in front of my Muckers.

My last months before my National Service was due to begin were spent in the Diesel Shop (part of the Erecting Shop) where our diesel locomotives were repaired, serviced, and armoured-up against explosive devices placed on the tracks or a small arms ambush by the Gooks.  Many of these attacks occurred, especially down the Rutenga/Beit Bridge way.  The diesels were used in those areas where steam was not practical due to a lack of water for their ever thirsty boilers.  From my recollections I do not recall any steam locos being attacked by the Gooks…..they seemed to take great delight in shooting/blowing up our diesels though…….maybe because there was a lot of nice smoke and flames generated by the fuel firing up.

Working in the Diesel Shop was a kind of prestige job actually.  You didn’t just get posted to the Diesel Shop….oh no.  You had to graduate by serving time in the noisy-sooty-greasy-oily steam loco shop and dead meat wagon shop first.  I think that one of the reasons for this was that compared to other parts of the workshop complex the Diesel Shop was eerily semi-silent and clinical.  Sure there was a lot of noise and at times the strong smell of diesel fuel could be quite overpowering but nothing quite like the steam workshops.  It was like being in a different world all together.  It is worth mentioning that diesel locos also have cow-catchers and diesel fuel is inflammable so the old fire and burning meat scenario was extant.

Rhodesia Railways General Electric DE2 having a chat with a 15th Class Garrett

Rhodesia Railways DE2's in tandem-late 1950's

It was about this time we started to get involved with a strange device known as a Cougar.  The Cougar was designed to ride shotgun for sensitive freight loads and passenger trains.  I do not think they were very successful but a good try by the Rhodesians to save lives and property.

Cougar

Ocassionally we would get a real fuck-up arrive in the Diesel workshops……something that had resulted from a Garrett and a DE2 saying howzit to each other on the same piece of track.  Now its quite fine to greet one another if you are passing on different tracks.  However it is quite a different matter if you are travelling in opposite directions on the same track.  It normally results in blood and train-tickets being spread far and wide across the Rhodesian bushvelt with much wailing and screaming.  Unfortunately people normally also die in this type of incident.  Not very nice at all and blokes like me would end up cutting the wrecked iron horses into moveable bits for transportation to the the knackers yard.  The picture below shows a Garrett 15th Class and a DE2 having a close encounter that resulted in severe damage and injury.

15th Class saying howzit to a DE2

It would soon be time for me to move on and there were a number of things that needed to be done before I took a few weeks off prior to National Service.  There was equipment to be handed in, documents to sign, wills to be made out, and a place was needed to store my few belongings.  All in all I was not looking forward to leaving my little room in the Single Quarters after all.  It had become my comfort zone in more ways than one.  There were the farewells to Joe and Bella…..and expending the last of my meal coupons.  I never seemed to have much cash so there were no lavish farewells.  Just a few beers with boys, handshakes, sincere farewells, and instructions to look after myself.

On my last day at work I went over to see Mr Tyzack, said goodbye and shook his hand.  He was such a nice person, always giving encouragement at just the right time.  He told me the time would fly and I would be back before I knew it.  He was right about time flying, but as far as coming back he couldnt have been more wrong.

I walked out of the welding shop and up to the main gate, passed the steam locos being prepped for stripping, and short-cutted through the fitting shop with its spinning lathes and milling machines.  I was concious of eyes on me as I passed by and I wondered if I would ever see this place or any of these people again.

At the main gate I took my clock-card out of the holder and punched myself out.  I looked up at the sky…….it was starting to rain.

RAIL UNION RMT today announced six days of strike action by a group of signalling staff in the Wales and the Marches Operations area over the imposition of rosters at the new South Wales Control Centre due to open in January 2010.

A ballot for action delivered a two-to-one majority in support of a strike which will run from 00.01 hrs on Monday December 14 through to 23.59 hrs on Saturday December 19.

The action will involve RMT signalling grades members at the following NR signalling locations in the Wales and Marches Operations Area; the new South Wales Control Centre, Newport panel, Vale of Glamorgan (Barry Box, Barry Relief, Aberthaw Box, Cowbridge Road Box), Rhymney Valley (Heath Junction, Ystrad Mynach, Bargoed), Cardiff panel and Port Talbot panel.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“Our members are furious at the attempt to bulldoze through rosters at the new South Wales Control Centre which we believe are all about saving money and which unilaterally rip up existing agreements. Their support for strike action in this ballot shows just how determined they are to force a management rethink.

“RMT maintains that the existing 12 hour roster is tried and tested and that the 8 hour roster that Network Rail are trying to impose at the new South Wales Control Centre when it opens in January will have damaging consequences.

“We remain available for talks and would urge Network Rail to get back around the table to negotiate a settlement to this dispute.”

Earlier this year I wrote several posts about Wakefield’s two railway stations, Westgate and Kirkgate, and described them as the Good and the Bad. (Type WKK into the search box at the top of the right hand column to find all my posts about Kirkgate, the bad station.) Our local newspaper, the Wakefield Express, has  kept up its campaign throughout this year to have something done about improving safety and facilities at Kirkgate. There have been visits from  Network Rail, Wakefield Council, Metro, and even Lord Adonis the Transport Minister. There has been lots of talk and jostling for position about which organisation was financially responsible for improving things but little has actually been done so far, although just recently CCTV cameras have been installed but there is some doubt about whether or not they are continuously monitored.

Now things are set to improve early in the New Year. Grand Central is planning to introduce a new “West Riding” service from Bradford, Halifax, Brighouse, Wakefield Kirkgate and Pontefract Monkhill to Doncaster and London from May 2010.

Wakefield Kirkgate Stn in March 2008 (c) Tony Cunnane

I used to visit Wakefield Kirkgate regularly during my train-spotting years (1943-47). It was then the sole province of LMS (the London Midland and Scottish Railway) and the approach tracks into Kirkgate from the west went right past my bedroom window. My best friend and I regularly used to walk the short distance from our homes to the station. After watching the passenger train comings and goings on the three platforms, and noting the locomotive numbers in our Ian Allen ABC books, we frequently wandered unchallenged into the adjacent sheds (Code 25A) – no helmets and no Day-Glo jackets! We became well-known and were often invited onto locomotive footplates. My very first ever train ride was a day trip to Blackpool from Kirkgate just after the end of the war.

Regular readers of this Blog will know that now, in retirement, I regularly buy 14-day All Lines Rover Tickets which allow me to travel where and when I want over the entire UK Network.  (Yes, I know that’s sad – but I  enjoy it and I’ve reached an age when I can do what I want!).

I hope to be on the first Grand Central train to Kings Cross and back in May next – and I’ll write a post about the trip.

How refreshing to see the Bedford Times & Citizen (26.11.2009) headline “BRING BACK BR.” The Times and Citizen says that Bedford MP, Patrick Hall, is calling for the railways to be re-nationalised. This made me to smile because Mr Hall is a Labour MP. Labour of course is the pseudo socialist party that has become the champion of the private sector in recent times that trades under the name of New Labour.

Mr Hall’s current level of interest is driven by the level of chaos being experienced on the First Capital Connect (FCC) services running between Bedford and Brighton that includes the commuter super highway to London. The drivers are declining the offer of overtime working that is now causing the cancellation of many service due to lack of train crew. It has long been accepted that the easiest way to cause chaos for a company is not by strike action, but instead by working strictly to the company rule book. This leads me to a worrying question.

How did FCC win the franchise if they did not have sufficient staff to operate the required provision of services listed in the Department of Transport (DoT) tender document?  Surely the whole proposal was at risk if the staffing levels were based on projected overtime working. Did the experts at the DoT question this at the tender stage?

I always thought that Public Transport was transport owned by the public for the public. Apparently it now means privately owned transport for the public that supports annual dividends for fat cat shareholders. The train operating companies are making large profits subsidised by millions of pounds of public subsidy and over inflated ticket prices. It can be argued that FCC have invested a large amount in new rolling stock but who is really investing that money if FCC are claiming subsidies on missed targets?

The public subsidy is in the form of ‘Revenue Support.” This is the official term for the “cap and collar” arrangement which has been built into most of the franchise agreements. In the good years 75% of any excess profits over 25% of target must be paid back to the Government (the Department for Transport). However in the bad years the Government must pay 50% of expected lost revenue if the franchise’s turnover drops to 2-6% below targets.

How many of the 35 train operating companies (source: www.rail.co.uk/ukrail/railcomp) are paying back 75% of profits. I’m assuming that a bit of creative accounting together with inefficiency avoids that.

So do we get behind Mr Hall’s call for a re-nationalised rail network? Personally I think yes. The rail network is one of the jewels in the crown of our country and has been abused by politicians and private industry for far too long. When the Barons of Westminster had taken their interference too far to retreat with dignity they decided to pass the buck to private industry. This gave two benefits. Firstly someone else could shoulder the blame for future failures and secondly it was a healthy source of revenue in the form of franchise payments. But now it is time to reclaim the network for the British people. It is time to learn the lessons from the mistakes of the old BR. It is time to repair the damage caused by the fat cat rail operating companies. It is time to once again open the rail network to the people of Britain and provide cost effective rail travel for business and pleasure. Surely it is better to get more people onto the trains and reduce the burden on the road network, better to invest in new rolling stock than dig up fields and build more roads. And let’s not forget the freight that currently moves around Britain on our roads. If that is moved to the rail network and delivered to rail hubs / distribution centres then there’s even less burden on the road network. The Greens among us will be happy as well as less vehicles will be moving around meaning less pollution. The road transport lobby in Westminster will complain no doubt but that’s their job.

So yes Mr Hall, it is time for BR to return. Maybe in your honour we can call it New BR!

Bedford Red (Hey! That’s BR as well….)