Letters


offer better returns than a glitzy new high speed scheme to Scotland. I’m surprised the power generators have not allied themselves with Network Rail, the Tocs and the catenary suppliers in some form of packaged finance to promote electrification with some form of long-term leasing position on the kit, which would probably yield good and stable returns for decades. This could be a win-win for


all concerned. The naïve belief that diesel prices will remain largely as is seems to be another massive misjudgement by the DfT and others who should know better.


Phil Mortimer Trucktrain


You are not alone, Mr Sparks! Fear not Paul Sparks in your despair for First Capital Connect (August 2010 issue), as in Kent we have similar problems with South Eastern Trains, a puppet regime of the Department of Transport. Passengers who complain or


criticise the current disastrous timetable receive bog standard replies from SET in that they are complying with the dictate of the DfT. Letters to the DfT receive the reply ‘nothing to do with us, SET’s responsibility’. Thus between them, SET and the DfT have created the perfect Catch 22 and passengers just cannot win.


In fact, the sheer arrogance


of SET was revealed in a recent one line reply to passenger suggesting that he should find an alternative mode of transport! Privatisation rules OK.


The irony is that Atoc recently published a glowing report on the decline in the number of passenger complaints, but with companies such FCC and SET that is


We’ve got no beef with Northern


My boyfriend and I spent a weekend in the Lake District and we thought it sensible to take the train, rather than get stuck in interminable traffic jams. The journey home on Sunday 8 August was from the picturesque station in Carnforth, Lancs (where Brief Encounter was filmed). The two-carriage Northern Rail diesel train


turned up shortly after 3pm. It chugged along the track for a few minutes whereupon there the driver furiously sounded the horn and slammed on the brakes. A few moments later the conductor informed us that the train had struck a cow and that the impact had punctured the air brakes. The unfortunate creature was well and truly dead and lodged under the train. About an hour later four Network Rail men


in full hi-vis gear and hard hats turned up to inspect the deceased bovine. They looked at it quizzically, talked about it and declared that there was nothing they could do.


no surprise. Passengers have reached the point that they no longer bother, because whatever they say just falls on deaf ears.


John Cherry Chatham


Where were the other 41 members? Your account of the Network Rail AGM (August 2010 issue) reported that 59 of 100 members attended. Shouldn’t the industry and public be informed who the 41 members were that didn’t participate and their reason for absence?


David Phillips Derby


Keep up-to-date with rail industry events


For synopses and links to all the major events, go to:


www.railpro.co.uk/events Please quote ref: RP/02/10 Shortly afterwards we transferred to


another train that took us about 200 metres to the next station whereupon we waited around for another half an hour or so for a replacement bus service. The bus wended its way over the picturesque North Yorkshire hills and dales until we got to Skipton station. Everyone onboard the bus decamped to the train for Leeds where we changed for the London King’s Cross train. During the entire episode, the Northern Rail


staff onboard the train (driver and conductor) kept us informed, gave us realistic expectations and arranged onward travel. At no point did we feel abandoned by


Northern Rail. I would like to pay tribute to the conductor and the driver for handling this bovine misadventure with humour and professionalism.


Christina Wortley Cambridgeshire


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