Barry Doe's Column

[Deerfold]

Put it this way Paul, some cities get a daily morning paper (e.g. Yorkshire Post in Leeds), some get a daily "evening" paper (e.g. Sheffield Star), some get a weekly paper... press companies print to suit the market.

Or even two a day in some cities!

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/

 

[tbtc]

Or even two a day in some cities!

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/

True.

You don't see complaints from people in Leeds about the publisher raking it in by forcing people to buy twice as often...

(incidently, I think that the price of RAIL/ RAIL Express went down when it was slimmed to a fortnightly publication?)

 

[Greenback]

Your response, plus all the other responses, in answer to my query regarding a railway magazine with a fortnightly publication date, have certainly answered any questions that I might have had on this matter. It does seem a pity to me that enthusiasts have to pay more per month by this method to ensure that they are kept up to date. Still, this is their choice to do so and I for one would be the last to criticise anyone willing to spend that amount of money per month. It seems that the revenue of this particular rail magazine, knowing that it must have a strong readership base, must be quite considerable.

I shall retire back to the quiet and "company-based" magazine known as Modern Railways, which is decried by many on this forum, but I am more interested in the content of that particular magazine, for the specific content material it carries. We all have different tastes, as was proved by a thread on Railway Magazines (which incorporated a poll) that appeared on this forum not so very long ago.

I do buy Modern Railways occasionally, if it has an article I'm interested in. I do generally tend to find it too focused on infrastructure, engineering and technology these days though.

As you say though, Paul, each to their own, I think it's good that there is such a wide choice of titles these days - something for everyone, you could say! Mind you, I;m still surprised that there is room in the market place for all of them!

At least I am not a lone voice in the wilderness. I do actually remember RAIL magazine taking the decision many years ago to go fortnightly, which annoyed a good number of their readership at the time.

Many forum members will be too young to remember Hughie Green and his television programme "Double Your Money", but I do remember a reader writing to the editor at the time, castigating him for the decision to make the readers pay twice the monthly amount for this magazine and quoting in his letter, the signature tune of that programme, to signify the greed of the publishers:-

Double your money and try to get rich
Double your money without any hitch
Double your money, it's your lucky day
Double your money and take it away....OLE!!

My take on things (at the time) was that the decision to move to fortnightly was taken to help differentiate Rail from it's competitors. In that pre internet time, there was a demand for more up to date and frequent news, and it was a good marketing ploy to be able to be first with info on stock allocation and so on, particularly as Rail was a lot more focused on that area of interest in those days.

True.

You don't see complaints from people in Leeds about the publisher raking it in by forcing people to buy twice as often...

(incidently, I think that the price of RAIL/ RAIL Express went down when it was slimmed to a fortnightly publication?)

I think they did reduce the price a little. But of course, even with this it was still addiitonal outlay to buy two magazines a month instead of one, and I do a remember a couple of people commenting to this effect at the time!

On the other hand, no one was forcing them to buy the extra copy...!

 

[Goldfish62]

I think you'll probably find that their fleet is better than most, particularly the suburban operations. Have you travelled much on Northern's, for example?! Or closer to home, Southeastern?! Their Sprinter fleet is without exception the best in the country, not only in terms of reliability but also cosmetic upkeep. The 458's have apparently been totally turned around in terms of reliability thanks to the efforts of SWT after they decided to retain them.

I have to say I think the refurb of the 455 fleet was excellent, though like junglejames I'm not a fan of the Desiro-spec hard seats. The trouble with the London 'metro' network is that whatever rolling stock you use, no matter how nice it might be, it will quickly get trashed by the lesser elements of the travelling public. There is only so much money that a TOC can reasonably allocate to removing graffiti and repairing cosmetic damage like etched windows etc, particularly when it will without any doubt eventually reappear again. Sadly this can give the impression that nobody cares, but in reality I don't think that's the case at SWT. As for cleaning though, only they can answer any questions about problems with that, perhaps you could bring it to the attention of one of their managers through the various channels available?

I do agree with a lot of what you're saying, but I wasn't actually talking about vandalism of trains, rather SWT's cleaning regime. They have readily admitted on their live online chats that they now only wet-clean train interiors once a year.

Yes, I've had the misfortune to travel on Northern. As for SouthEastern, the Networkers are in no worse condition than the 458s, many of which, for example, have had the nappy-changing table boarded up with a sheet of wood, which is crudely painted white! In breach of RVAR, I believe.

450/0s, 444's and 158/9's are in good nick, though.

 

[ole man]

Not even Rail Express or Today's Railways?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I too like Modern Railways, but at times I feel there is too much content for me to actually bother to sit down and read it. It is quite useful for trackbashers as the have 'Trackwatch' and, in some issues, future track plans.

Definitely Not Rail Express, though Today's Railway is hit and miss, so most times i have a quick flick through to see if it has anything intresting.

 

[theblackwatch]

(incidently, I think that the price of RAIL/ RAIL Express went down when it was slimmed to a fortnightly publication?)

I think you've got a bit confusd by names - 'Rail' was previously 'Rail Enthusiast', 'Rail Express' is the mag that was originally set up by four former 'Rail' employees (which I remember one person said wouldn't last more than 3 issues...issue 178 will be out in the shops next week!).

 

[tbtc]

I think you've got a bit confusd by names - 'Rail' was previously 'Rail Enthusiast'

YEs, you are right, apologies

 

[ole man]

Rail Express is probably the weakest of the Rail magazines in my opinion, it's just full of pictures and no intresting news.
Is it edited by Pip Dunn?

 

[BestWestern]

I do agree with a lot of what you're saying, but I wasn't actually talking about vandalism of trains, rather SWT's cleaning regime. They have readily admitted on their live online chats that they now only wet-clean train interiors once a year.

Yes, I've had the misfortune to travel on Northern. As for SouthEastern, the Networkers are in no worse condition than the 458s, many of which, for example, have had the nappy-changing table boarded up with a sheet of wood, which is crudely painted white! In breach of RVAR, I believe.

450/0s, 444's and 158/9's are in good nick, though.

Fair point, I must admit the vast majority of my SWT journeys are on the Desiro stock, or when I'm working one of their shiny 158s! on hire! I guess a wet clean on something with plush seats and a carpet isn't really something you'd miss, but on spartan lino-floored stock I can see why it'd be noticeable when if it isn't happening. Again though, I suppose they might argue that the suburban units will always look a bit ratty thanks to some of the herberts who use and abuse them, particularly bearing in mind that much of their network is in ticketless territory. I have to say though the 455s always look good on the outside!

I'd be interested in your point about the baby change facilities, FGW's 158 fleet has been missing them now for a good few years, they were all removed wholesale and have never been replaced. Not brilliant on a 3 and a half hour journey

 

[martinsh]

Rail Express is probably the weakest of the Rail magazines in my opinion, it's just full of pictures and no intresting news.
Is it edited by Pip Dunn?

No, thats Railways Illustrated

 

[ole man]

Ah thank you, thats one i will never buy either, it does cost a lot these days to read all the railway magazines on offer.
Back to Railway Illustrated me thinks Mr Dunn loves Class 20's as every other picture is a 20

 

[martinsh]

Back to Railway Illustrated me thinks Mr Dunn loves Class 20's as every other picture is a 20

Well, judging by this months editorial he certainly doesn't like LMS 10000/1 !!

 

[TUC]

At least I am not a lone voice in the wilderness. I do actually remember RAIL magazine taking the decision many years ago to go fortnightly, which annoyed a good number of their readership at the time.

[/I]

It does seem to be indicative of a certain section of the rail community that they would be annoyed by a magazine increasing its frequency. People wold usually regard it as a bonus if their favourite magazine came out more often!

 

[Prometheus]

Actually, many service industries have "watchdog" type systems where they pay for impartial observations, obviously hoping for a good report, but happily taking the bad reports because they help improve their product. This is the same concept as the "secret shopper". A journalist can still be seen as impartial, and will attract sponsorship so long as he maintains that reputation.

'Mystery shoppers' tend to be near to completely unbiased and objective. Why, instead, would a TOC choose to hire a rail journalist who often appears biased and subjective, and seems enthusiastic about TOCs who sponsor his web site?

Why indeed.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

My take on things (at the time) was that the decision to move to fortnightly was taken to help differentiate Rail from it's competitors. In that pre internet time, there was a demand for more up to date and frequent news, and it was a good marketing ploy to be able to be first with info on stock allocation and so on, particularly as Rail was a lot more focused on that area of interest in those days.

The advent of information now available on the internet has most certainly made an enormous difference these days, compared to the availability of such information when that magazine went fortnightly. I do concede the points made about RAIL magazine offering a very wide of interests to its readership.

 

[Schnellzug]

I do agree with a lot of what you're saying, but I wasn't actually talking about vandalism of trains, rather SWT's cleaning regime. They have readily admitted on their live online chats that they now only wet-clean train interiors once a year.

Yes, I've had the misfortune to travel on Northern. As for SouthEastern, the Networkers are in no worse condition than the 458s, many of which, for example, have had the nappy-changing table boarded up with a sheet of wood, which is crudely painted white! In breach of RVAR, I believe.

450/0s, 444's and 158/9's are in good nick, though.

the 450/5s are maintained along with all the others by Siemens at Northam, aren't they? Maybe Wimbledon has different standards.

 

[Flamingo]

I think you've got a bit confusd by names - 'Rail' was previously 'Rail Enthusiast', 'Rail Express' is the mag that was originally set up by four former 'Rail' employees (which I remember one person said wouldn't last more than 3 issues...issue 178 will be out in the shops next week!).

Splitters!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb_qHP7VaZE

 

[ole man]

I see from the latest Barry Doe column in RAIL magazine that he as apolgised to all readers regarding his previous publication of EC 1st class food.
He says that EC knew all along that he was making a surprise visit, and that he has been misled.

Another surprise is that he mentions this forum, though not in name, and this thread was brought to his attention.
So beware the EC member of this forum your employers will be looking for you!!

 

[johnnychips]

It is very surprising, in this day and age, for someone to publicly admit they were wrong. Barry must be one of the old school. Wish others could do the same.

 

[BestWestern]

Another surprise is that he mentions this forum, though not in name, and this thread was brought to his attention.
So beware the EC member of this forum your employers will be looking for you!!

I've not read that issue so far, what exactly does he say about us all?!

 

[ole man]

He says that he had emails regarding his comments on EC 1st class food, and that a member of the forum who worked for EC catering staff told him what was being said.

 

[142094]

Will have to look at a copy next time I'm in Smiths. Quite suprised that Barry doesn't get himself on here (unless he is here but not telling anyone).

 

[Greenback]

Will have to look at a copy next time I'm in Smiths. Quite suprised that Barry doesn't get himself on here (unless he is here but not telling anyone).

Exactly - how do you know I'm not him?!

Seriously, he may just read the forum - you don't have to register to read the threads!

 

[martinsh]

Exactly - how do you know I'm not him?!

The lack of unstinted praise of SWT gave you away !

 

[Old Timer]

It is very surprising, in this day and age, for someone to publicly admit they were wrong. Barry must be one of the old school. Wish others could do the same.

I wonder if his critics on here will now post an apology ?

 

[Darandio]

I must say, I do follow his (Barry's) piece in RAIL every fortnight and before he went on the trip, I did send a lengthy email to him regarding the EC offering among other things, mentioning the issues raised in this thread amongst other general issues.

To his credit, he did email me back a few days later, quite a lengthy reply stating that he would be using the service on invitation from EC, but that they wanted him to be accompanied so they could "answer his questions" (his words). He also stated that he would make independent trips to verify without their knowledge.

I really like the guy, not on agreement with everything he writes, but have full appreciation for what is written.

 

[amcluesent]

(unless he is here but not telling anyone).

I am Spartacus, err I mean Barry:roll:

 

[142094]

Exactly - how do you know I'm not him?!

Seriously, he may just read the forum - you don't have to register to read the threads!

Well I can say for certain that I'm not him (or can I )

 

[graham43404]

I have to say even though EC knew he was coming I still think he was a bit harsh on them in the last edition.

I know a few people on here have had some problems but in 12+ first class journeys on EC over the last 6 months we can honestly say we have been very happy with the quality of service, food and the amount of food we have had. The quality has been far better than on Virgin and the amount allowed has been more than enough for us and in our opinion very fair.

Even at the weekend the service has been spot on and not once have we been told to make our way to the to the buffet car to get complementary drinks like we had a few times with Virgin before we gave up travelling with them altogether.

 

[tbtc]

It is very surprising, in this day and age, for someone to publicly admit they were wrong. Barry must be one of the old school. Wish others could do the same.

Its a rare thing nowadays. Even public "apologies" these days aren't real apologies (they are more along the lines of "I'm sorry if anyone was offended by..." rather than "I am sorry I did..." - its more "I'm sorry I was caught"!).

Credit to Mr Doe.

Will have to look at a copy next time I'm in Smiths. Quite suprised that Barry doesn't get himself on here (unless he is here but not telling anyone).

I guess if anyone "famous" "outed" themselves on here they'd never be able to post freely - everyone would be analysing every little point they made, asking lots of questions etc.

If I were Barry Doe, I'd not post under my real name

Exactly - how do you know I'm not him?!

Because I am. Oh, no, wait, I'm Justine Greening

I am Spartacus, err I mean Barry:roll:

I am Amcluesent, and so is my wife...