Network Rail to introduce regional phonetic alphabet

[GusB]

Good idea! I wonder what the localised phonetic alphabets would be like in other regions.

Railnews - Network Rail introduces new regional phonetic alphabet

railnews.mobi

Network Rail has made a bid to improve communications between signal panels and boxes within each region by devising new phonetic alphabets which draw on local culture and language.

A notice sent to signallers and seen by Railnews says: ‘Following consultation it has been agreed that the London and South East Region (LaSER) Region Specific Phonetic Alphabet (RSPA) will become active from 0001hrs Saturday 1st April 2023. The RSPA will work concurrently with standardised Alphabet as per Rule Book Section G1.

‘The introduction of the LaSER RSPA is a culmination of many hours of work to bring forward a tangible legacy to “2023, British Year of the Dialect”. This RSPA embraces local dialectic idiosyncrasies.

‘As I'm sure your teams are aware, Network Rail have been embracing dialect and local customs in our bid to remain Diversity Relevant in the modern era. The homogenization of language, while ensuring clarity, is diluting cultures nationally and internationally.

‘Network Rail’s policy of multiple RSPAs should go live following a successful trial of LaSER.’

The new alphabet for the London area draws inspiration from the classic BBC comedy series, ‘Only Fools and Horses’, and reads:

A = Arfur; B = Boycie; C = Cushty; D = Denzel; E = Earner;F = Freddie; G = Geezer; H = Hooky; I = Incometax; J = Jubbly; K = Khazi; L = Liquor; M = Marlene; N = Nagshead; O = Occhetti; P = Plonker; Q = Quack; R = Rodney; S = Sullivan; T = Tea; U = Uncle; V = VAT; W = Wally; X = Xwife; Y = Yuppy; Z = Zebedee.

Network Rail added: ‘It is important to note this can only be used for rail communications wholly encompassed within LaSER. In ALL other circumstances users must apply G1 SA.’

 

[Bald Rick]

Brilliant!

 

[Spartacus]

Shouldn't R be Dave?

Guess they'll be inspired by Emmerdale or Heartbeat for LNE, Corrie or Life on Mars for LNW, River City or Rab C. Nesbitt for Scotland, Pobol y Cwm or Gavin & Stacey for Wales, East Anglia must be inspired by Alan Partridge...!

 

[Bald Rick]

East Anglia must be inspired by Alan Partridge...!

Potential for confusion though…
A - Ah ha!
R - Rrrrr - ha!

 

[edwin_m]

It will also be compulsory to say "while" instead of "until" when in Yorkshire.

 

[Ken H]

One ding on the block bell will mean 'Ay up' in Yorkshire

 

[Macwomble]

.....and today is??????

 

[pokemonsuper9]

.....and today is??????

Saturday

 

[Taunton]

Very good. Best of today.

Am I really the only one left who remembers "Reflections on the Ruritanian State Railways" in Railway World, April issue, late 1960s?

 

[Peterthegreat]

Very good. Best of today.

Am I really the only one left who remembers "Reflections on the Ruritanian State Railways" in Railway World, April issue, late 1960s?

No. I remember it too.

 

[stuu]

There was a model magazine one I remember from when I was 10 or so, early 80s, of someone who had built a model of the Circle Line under his floor, with perspex viewing windows at the stations. I remember being quite disappointed it was an April Fool

 

[Whistler40145]

An absolute wonderful April Fool

 

[duncanp]

Good idea! I wonder what the localised phonetic alphabets would be like in other regions.

Railnews - Network Rail introduces new regional phonetic alphabet

railnews.mobi

You do realise what today's date is?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

My favourite April Fool was 31200 renamed Railtour Enterprise and all the other fictitious names in Rail Enthusiast magazine in the 1980s

 

[GusB]

You do realise what today's date is?

Oh no! It's the 1st of April. More fool me for being taken in by such a silly article.

 

[Bluejays]

Oh no! It's the 1st of April. More fool me for being taken in by such a silly article.

Thank god he was here to tell you . I'd edit your post before you look daft

 

[Skie]

Though I’ve caused some chuckles when I brainfart and say Unicorn. It’s just stuck in my head and try as hard as I can it’s the only U word that comes out, so I’d welcome a binning of Uniform.

 

[YorksLad12]

Surely "G" should be "Gary". Or "Gaaary".

Regards,
Gary

 

[High Dyke]

.....and today is??????

Saturday

TISWAS day.

 

[midland1]

Very good. Best of today.

Am I really the only one left who remembers "Reflections on the Ruritanian State Railways" in Railway World, April issue, late 1960s?

I remember it as well, someone wrote a letter in to the Mag. saying they were from their embassy and complaining about it that it was not very fair on the railway.

 

[Taunton]

I remember it as well, someone wrote a letter in to the Mag. saying they were from their embassy and complaining about it that it was not very fair on the railway.

Oh yes. I think the letter was signed "K I Lenurb". Well over half-a-century on I have been known to still use this occasionally ...

 

[Russel]

Reading this on Monday the 3rd and wondering NR would waste so much money, then I saw the date it was posted.