Tuesday 10 November 2009

DafT in denial - again

Telegrammed by the Archer
Eye readers might be interested in the following DRES lecture on the Management of Rail Projects.

The lecture will focus on the way in which DafT has managed procurement of new trains.

DRES Poster - 2009.12

But what's this?


No reference to the failed procurement of new DMUs.

Obviously no lessons need to be learnt there then!

UPDATE: This from Leo Pink...

Has the Derby Constabulary been alerted to Mr Dillon's lecture?

There is a strong possibility of a break down of public order if local rail firms attend.

The presence of the riot squad might be worthwhile to separate Interfleet - recipient of squillions of DfT largess on Thameslink rolling stock procurement and Porterbrook non-recipeint of even a brass farthing.

Add in the mass demonstration from Litchurch Lane praising Marshall Dillon for booting Alstom out of the Thameslink contest and Brush, from down the road, joining Porterbrook in demanding life extension of IC125 to the end of the century to ensure the binning of IEP and we have the making of a bar room brawl beyond even the dreams of the great western film director John Ford.

Or perhaps the well known artist Mr Firth might add the lecture to his works such as 'Derby Day' and the 'Railway Station'.


UPDATE: This, allegedly and somewhat surprisingly, from Brian Sewell...

My dear Fact Compiler

My very old and dear chum Leo has committed the most egregious solecism in miss-spelling that minor Victorian painter Frith, noted for his scenes of public venues.


May I add in passing how much I was disturbed by the decorated HST power car portrayed in your eximious blog.


Surely the imposition of a faux Hurst spot print on that masterly icon of railway velocity is akin to erecting Tracey Emin's tent on a Bentley convertible.

UPDATE: this from 5741 Duck...


Maybe Matt Dillon has been spending too much time in the Long Branch Saloon with Miss Kitty.


UPDATE: This from Globetrotter...

Shurely any talk by DafT's IEP sponsor in Derby risks inflaming the locals, regardless of which side they are on?

More significantly, my colleagues have pointed out that Leo Pink's attribution of said paintings needs clarification.

Is he perchance referring to the well-known efforts of one Mr FRITH, or has HMRI's former inspector of light rail systems (Stephen Firth, of that ilk) found a new direction in life?