BBC headline open to misinterpretation

[PG]

Spotted this on the BBC news website and my first thought was what's going on with the old Southern region network?!!

Rush hour test for third rail timetable
Posted at 9:59 16 Jul

Govia Thameslink Railway says the interim timetable starting this week will be "more reliable".

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yep, I read it as "timetable for trains powered by the third rail" as well

 

[pdeaves]

Well, I suppose the 'wrong' interpretation is true, too, given the area in which (most of) GTR operates.

 

[ungreat]

Just be grateful it wasn't the Sun....it would have probably read "Love Island babe slams door on commuter companies third attempt"........

 

[DarloRich]

Just be grateful it wasn't the Sun....it would have probably read "Love Island babe slams door on commuter companies third attempt"........

Or: Its the Sun wot fixed it.

Your supersoaraway Sun has finally fixed the south east timetable issue that seemed beyond the control of incompetent railway fat cats.........

 

[PaxVobiscum]

I thought this article was unfortunately titled by the BBC and also several newspapers in their coverage. Would the BBC or any quality newspaper have referred to a “France” train crash or a “Germany” train crash?

Perhaps the BBC are just further along the downward slope of literary standards than I had realised .

 

[gazthomas]

I would say standards are slipping, especially proof reading. I'm looking at a screenshot I took on my phone during the World Cup, were Phil McNulty, Chief Football Writer at BBC Sport wrote "Gareth Southgate's side will now face either Croatia or holders Russia". I appreciate that holders should read hosts and a simple mistake, but it does change the context and history somewhat!

 

[70014IronDuke]

Yep, I read it as "timetable for trains powered by the third rail" as well

It is not a good headline, IMO, but it should be hyphenated ie 'third-rail' if it were to mean how you initially interpreted it.

 

[MotorcycleAlan]

I am sure the general public, being the majority of BBC news readers, just think a train is a train, and would not think of a third-rail train. They might just get the concept that some are diesel and some are powered by electricity, but they have little interest in how the electricity gets to the train. And as for a diesel-electric, well try explaining that.

 

[Chris999999]

I am sure the general public, being the majority of BBC news readers, just think a train is a train, and would not think of a third-rail train. They might just get the concept that some are diesel and some are powered by electricity, but they have little interest in how the electricity gets to the train. And as for a diesel-electric, well try explaining that.

Or even electro-diesel bi-mode.

 

[70014IronDuke]

I am sure the general public, being the majority of BBC news readers, just think a train is a train, and would not think of a third-rail train. They might just get the concept that some are diesel and some are powered by electricity, but they have little interest in how the electricity gets to the train. And as for a diesel-electric, well try explaining that.

I think most southern region commuters do know it's a third-rail system, actually. Outside that area, and maybe a few pockets, I'd agree with you.
Whatever, it seems perhaps someone at the Beeb reads this forum - the headline has been changed to a far better solution
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-engla..._from_url=&link_location=live-reporting-story

Govia Thameslink Railway introduces third timetable in two months