Archive
MARCH 2004 ISSUE: CONTENTS
To view the contents of any section of the current magazine, just click on the relevant 'Download' link to access a PDF file of your chosen pages. If you prefer to download the whole magazine at one go - beware, it's a 1.3Mb file! - then click here.
POINTS AND SIGNALS: ANDREW GOODMAN
Under Richard Bowker, the franchise programme may appear to have moved on apace. But on the east coast, chronic franchise fatigue appears to have set in and the results are worrying - not least for the incumbent operator, GNER [Download - includes contents page]
NEWS ANALYSIS: WATERLOO SUNRISE?
The first of nine integrated control centres is up and running at Waterloo, writes Paul Clifton, with a single team in charge of operating both track and trains. Is this the first step towards a 'happy-ever-after' of a more publicly-owned merger of responsibilities? Well, do you believe in fairy tales...? [Download]
NEWS ANALYSIS: DEVOLVING RAIL
Peter Plisner argues that in the past, Passenger Transport Authorities feared that in making railway planning more strategic, they might lose powers to control local rail services. But now comes news that the Government might give them more responsibility. It's all part of Alistair Darling's review of the railways, announced last month [Download]
NEWS ANALYSIS: FINDING THE FUNDS FOR FREIGHT
Just £50 million will upgrade a key freight route from the south coast to the Midlands. The environmental and economic benefits look blindingly obvious... so why the lack of commitment, asks Paul Clifton? [Download]
NEWS ANALYSIS: HITTING BACK AT THE 'TAGGERS'
Graffiti vandals cause millions of pounds' worth of damage every year. Nowhere seems safe from the taggers these days and the situation on the railways has been getting worse. Now, Central Trains is installing the rail equivalent to the speed camera, in an effort to control the problem at one of its depots. Peter Plisner investigates. [Download]
OPINION: FIGHTING FIT?
It depends on who you agree with, but the industry is entering either a new phase of a stable financial future or, alternatively, the fight of its life. Alan Whitehouse argues through the seemingly conflicting prognoses of Messrs Bowker and Winsor [Download]
THE RAIL PROFESSIONAL INTERVIEW: CHRISTOPHER GARNETT
Still in the hot seat
GNER has become a favourite with passengers and the industry alike. With a new competition on the east coast franchise now taking place, the company should be well placed to win again. But, as Andrew Goodman discovers from Christopher Garnett, things are not quite as advanced as they might be [Download]
INSTITUTION OF RAILWAY OPERATORS
What makes for good, safe punctuality?
Article by Clive Evans, Operations Focus Team leader for Network Rail's performance enhancement programme. Plus members' news, and IRO diary [Download]
INDUSTRY PLATFORM: HOLDFAST CARPET TRACK
Will this make tram systems affordable?
HoldFast Level Crossings Limited has formed a new company, HoldFast Carpet Track Limited, to launch HoldFast Carpet Track - which, the company believes, will dramatically reduce the cost of installing tram systems in the UK and worldwide [Download]
PEOPLE
On the move this month are Jeremy Long, Dean Finch, Chris Kinchen Smith, Alison Forster, Cath Proctor, Steve Murphy, Tim Clarke, Mark Hopwood, Paul Bunting, Sean English, Paul Whitehead, Simon Bradbury, Lee Doggett, Neil Bennett, Roger Tunnicliffe, Ron McAulay, Robbie Burns, John Curley, Mark Phillips, David Pape, Dave Ward, Barbara Barnes, Jim Bellingham, Andrew Hinton, Jim Syddall, David Wilks, Brian Timms, Duncan Mills, Steve Arrant, Chris Strong, Reece Bailey and David Wells. [Download]
CAREER RAIL
Job opportunities from top operators including Wessex Trains, Transport for London, Central Trains, Anders Elite, South Central, Beresford Kane, South West Trains, Chartwell, and Resourcing Solutions [Download]
