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I couldn't give a toss who owns the trains, but the new owners have promised ?750m more money to HM Gov and they'll have to increase capacity and cut costs to do it?!

Coach companies seem like a good investment for the next few years.

I think that the 'Fat Controller' should run things. He always seemed to be on the ball in Thomas the Tank Engine....

Mant years ago, in the early days of the run up to privatisation, and when I was a train guard, Branson on TV opined that;

**'Pay the drivers a bonus and trains would not run late'.**
(paraphrasing, not quoting).

I'll type it again - Pay the drivers a bonus and trains would not run late.
No you didn't misread it, nor did I mistype it. That's what he said. Unbelievable!

This dickhead actually thought that loco drivers please themselves about what speed they drive trains at, or how long they'll wait at a red signal, or perhaps they'll only set off from a station when they're good and ready, or maybe on a nice day they'll slow down to enjoy the scenery.

This was the fatuous, vacuous, infantile reasoning that John Major gifted UK railways to.

Well I know a train driver and if he wants to get back on time or a little earlier he will drive faster. He controls the speed of the train. Obviously he has to obey signals and speed limits where they apply. Baring holdups or track repairs the crew know that when he turns up to drive back to the terminus they know they will be home on time.
Surely you must know that !
As for Branson mentioning bonuses, what the fuck is Crow going on about if it isn't bonuses, or extra payments during the Olympic fortnight for example?

Sigh!

What's the point of discussion with people who have no knowledge of;
# Class 1 trains
# Class 6 empty stock trains
# Mandatory timetables
# Delay slips
# Complaints by passengers left at a station, if platform staff let a train leave early
# Train times recorded in signal boxes

Pay attention now.
# If a train leaves a station early, the driver, platform staff and guard, will likely be asked for a report;
# If a train loses time in any section of track, the driver will likely be asked for a report, but not for known circumstances like booked engineering works.
# It used to be the guards who had to answer for delays, and they carried guard's delay slips for that purpose.

If the crew of a class 6 empty stock train purge to get to the depot as soon as possible, while keeping within the regulations of the Rule Book, General Appendix, Sectional Appendix, Monthly Notices, Weekly Notices, Day's Notices, and Special Traffic Notices, the driver will likely NOT be asked for a report.

But empty stock trains are not what dickheads like Branson are thinking of when they witter on about bonuses for drivers.

As I wrote, if my friend leaves on time and baring track works or unexpected holdups he will get to the terminus on time. Perhaps I should not have used the word "early"
Branson may have been generalising or was misquoted. I don't know. But Crow seems to be banging on about bonuses and extra pay for drivers for doing their jobs.

But Crow seems to be banging on about bonuses and extra pay for drivers for doing their jobs.

You mean a bit like bankers then?

You could say that.

So Branson announces starting up a plane service between Manchester / Glasgow and London ! Excellent this is what we need competition and a way to get cheap quick access to London.

Nothing to do with losing the franchise but boy if he does make it work it will be a serious thorn in the west coast line.

Branson couldnt not compete with first, on any level - yes he had good press and that was a change you felt that virgin cared where as first couldnt give a monkey. Have travelled with Branson a few times and the service was excellent and above average. This is what he does very well - gives service that is above the average and cultivates that market.

Wonder what it was that made the government go against Brandson ? Probably the fact that he was a labour kid ?

The others bid more than Virgin. Seemples !!