Ever Thought The Trains Ran For Your Benefit...?

Do you ever wonder when travelling by train that perhaps you’re something of an inconvenience getting in the way of the railway being run efficiently?  Any early birds commuting from Manningtree as I do will be familiar with the sometimes-cancelled 05:54. (Currently 05:53 to account for the autumn leaf fall timetable, which mysteriously sees the train run more on time anyway, so why not stick to that time all year round?) I digress.

There is sometimes an announcement, usually on a cold morning, that the 05:54 has been cancelled due to something or other.  We are then resigned to catch a slower service that is due to leave some 15 minutes later calling everywhere, but more importantly, with uncomfortable seats.  Often though, before this slow lumbering service arrives, the ‘cancelled’ 05:54 speeds through the station with its tail on fire.  Not only does it not stop at Manningtree but it usually skips Colchester too.

What could possibly be the point of running a service but cut out certain stops, leaving passengers stranded at those stations and, I know for a fact, catching out passengers already on that train who want to get off!

Well there is a theory to explain all this.  Not one the train company will ever admit to of course but well accepted by us commuters as being the case anyway.  Train journeys are considered to have arrived on-time if they arrive at their destination within 5 minutes of their advertised time (10 minutes in the case of Inter City services).  Note – this only applies to the destination, not the intermediate stops.  So, if there’s a chance of getting the train to its destination ‘on time’ and therefore keeping the reliability statistics looking good then why not take steps to speed it on its way.  One way is, where possible, to get other trains to pull over out of the way but then there’s the danger of making those trains late too.  The alternative of course is to avoid making all those annoying stops that slow everything up. 

That way, the train arrives on time – albeit half empty – and the statistics look good. 

A similar tactic is sometimes employed in the evening.  My train is supposed to go to Ipswich but often lately when it has been running a bit late they decide to terminate it at Colchester.  The commuter theory is that a train that doesn’t even reach its destination somehow scores more brownie points than a late one.  And of course the return trip is less likely to be delayed to its destination, skewing the figures.

All theory, of course.  But a good one.  And you thought they were running the trains for you?

Published in The Gazette "On The Rails" 14th November 2014

One Year On...

Well, today is the first anniversary of my cancer treatment proper, starting.   I had already had a number of ops to confirm the cancer but my radiotherapy and chemotherapy started this day last year.  I had intended to write a blog of my experiences but, well, those experiences kind of took over and before you know it a year has passed.

It’s been quite a ride but the good news is that I’m in remission and slowly recovering from the treatment.  I say recovering from the treatment, as rather bizarrely I had no symptoms from my cancer.  No pain, no discomfort.  I had rather naively approached the prospect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy as the former making my hair fall out and the latter being a simple, painless process.  In the event, the chemotherapy I had – there are many different types – was not one that makes your hair fall out.  But it does make up for that in other ways, the main symptom for me being projectile vomiting which, if it was an Olympic sport would have seen me winning gold regularly, every three hours.  The actual process of administering the chemo took 14 hours.  Done overnight, it involved various plastic bottles of saline and other liquids being slowly injected into my system.  Ironically, out of the 14-hour process only one hour is for the actual chemo application.  Once it had finished I felt fine and really did wonder what all the fuss was about having heard the stories of the effects of chemo and having read the pamphlets given out on the subject.  I went for my second radiotherapy session straight afterwards and headed home for the weekend, stopping off on the way to do some grocery shopping.  Still nothing.  Got home. Had something to eat.  Still nothing.  Then, without any warning whatsoever the sickness started.  Sickness like I have never known.  Violent and relentless.  Fortunately the effects only lasted for 72 hours or so, in time for me to get on with my ongoing radiotherapy sessions, which were to be daily (Monday – Friday) for six weeks.

The actual process of radiotherapy is totally painless but as the days and weeks progress the effects begin to make themselves felt.  As my cancer was in the neck and throat region the treatment concentrated in that area.  The ability to produce saliva properly disappears fairly early on.  I was told this would probably happen but didn’t really appreciate the implications of this.  Saliva is a wonderful thing that should never be taken for granted.  Without it, it is very difficult to swallow and chewing food takes forever, as there is nothing to break it down.  Then my sense of taste and smell disappeared.  My throat succumbed to the constant barrage of radiotherapy and eventually eating became all but impossible and my diet consisted of only milk and milky energy drinks – even without any taste they weren’t pleasant!

Perhaps it’s a blokey thing but I was constantly fascinated by the technology used in the radiotherapy treatment.  For most cancers I believe patients have dots tattooed on them at the affected area for the equipment to be aligned correctly.  They don’t do this for head and neck patients but instead a mask is made up that covers your head and shoulders with holes cut out for eyes and nose.  The equipment is then aligned to marks made on the mask to ensure the same area is treated each time.  When you lie on the ‘table’ you are effectively bolted down via the mask, unable to move.  This may sound like something not for the faint hearted but not once did I feel constricted or claustrophobic.  My treatment took 15-20 minutes each time and with music always playing in the background I almost dozed off on more then one occasion.

Four weeks into my radiotherapy treatment I had my second and final dose of chemotherapy.  At this stage I was coping with the treatment ok – I felt very weak and tired but was aware of what was going on.  However, after my second dose of chemo my ability to deal with pretty much anything reduced considerably.  I was staying in London during the week, coming home at weekends.  However, starting at week 5, travelling more than the relatively short distance from the hospital to the flat I was staying in became impossible, so I stayed in London.  The last 2 weeks saw me sleeping most of the time and I remember very little.  I do remember my last radiotherapy session as I wanted to keep my mask as a souvenir so made that extra push to stay with it long enough to ask the nurses if I could.  It now sits by my desk as a reminder.  Weird perhaps, but I don’t want to forget.

Radiotherapy is a cumulative thing insomuch as it continues to work after the treatment stops.  So much so that you actually feel the worst about 2 weeks after the treatment actually finishes.  So really I remember very little over a 5 or 6 week period – out for the count completely.

So, since the end of last May I have been slowly recovering.  My taste is slowly coming back, as is my ability to make saliva.  It may never come back fully but it will be another year or so before I’ll know for sure.  Eating is still a chore and will be a while before I regain the 2 stone I lost.  Actually I’m not sure I want to put the weight back on although I do now have a wardrobe of clothes that don’t fit.  My dental regime has changed forever as I cannot afford to lose any teeth.  As my jaw is effectively dead(!) the hole left by a tooth is unlikely to heal leading to a significant risk of infection.  Worst case would see bone from my leg being used to plug the hole!  So I have two different toothpastes I have to use twice a day together with mouthwash after meals.  Never a moment goes by when I’m not minty!

The support I received before my treatment has only increased and I have been truly humbled by the good wishes from family, friends and even people I don’t know.  I have seen a side to people that really does restore your faith in the kindness of people.  And that from a cynic such as me!

To the staff at The Royal Marsden, what can I say?  A more professional, friendly bunch I could not have hoped to meet.  Without exception they made me feel I was their number one priority all the way through.  Something they do with all their patients of course.  I shall forever be grateful for their care.

Cancer treatment is a very variable thing in the way it affects people.  I was told of a couple of chaps who had the same radiotherapy treatment as me who breezed through it with very few symptoms.  Others, I know, suffer in ways different to me.  We’re all unique and we react in different ways, so to anyone about to start treatment my message is simple – it’s worth it.  Believe me, it’s worth it.

An eventful start to the year....

Sometime around Christmas - I can't remember for sure exactly when - I noticed a lump on my neck.  As you do I assumed it was a temporary thing and ignored it.  Into January it hadn't gone and I actually began to see it in the mirror so I decided to visit my GP simply so he could say "it's perfectly ok - nothing to worry about" or words to that effect.  Unfortunately his opening question was "is there a history of cancer in your family?"

Two months on and three operations later I am about to start my treatment proper to get shot of a tumour I have somewhere at the back of my tongue.  I will be having radiotherapy 5 days a week for six weeks and a dose of chemo on the first day and another sometime towards the end.  To say I am apprehensive would be putting it mildly but I take comfort from being treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London - the specialists in cancer care in the UK.  The preparatory work that I have been through so far at the Royal Marsden together with treatment at The Essex County Hospital and The Oaks Hospital in Colchester has shown me that healthcare in the UK is alive and well and I could not have been better looked after thus far.

Also, if good wishes alone were a cure for this thing then I would be home and dry already.  I have been truly humbled by the good wishes of friends and family and from people I barely know.  Actually, from people I don't know, as well!  I have seen human nature at its absolute best.

Anyway, tomorrow I start my journey and I am conscious that today is the last day of normality for me with nothing ever being quite the same again.  Having said that, a positive mental attitude is being adopted here so let battle commence!

OH BRITAIN, where did we go wrong?

Been sent this. Shocking if true

We're "broke" and can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless etc.,??????

The British Government provides the following financial assistance:

BRITISH OLD AGED PENSIONER Weekly allowance £100
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS / REFUGEES LIVING IN BRITAIN Weekly allowance £250

BRITISH OLD AGED PENSIONER Weekly Spouse allowance £25
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS / REFUGEES LIVING IN BRITAIN Weekly Spouse allowance £25

BRITISH OLD AGED PENSIONER Additional weekly hardship allowance £0.00
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS / REFUGEES LIVING IN BRITAIN Additional weekly hardship allowance £100

BRITISH OLD AGED PENSIONER TOTAL YEARLY BENEFIT £6,000
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS / REFUGEES LIVING IN BRITAIN Total Yearly Benefit £29,90

After all, the average pensioner has paid taxes and contributed to the growth of this country for the last 40 to 60 years.

Sad isn't it?

Should Capello Go?

To be honest I don't know, but I do have concerns as to his suitability. Firstly let me say I don't really have an issue with an non English manager - it's a shame that homegrown talent isn't thought up to the job but well, there you are.

Let us also for a moment consider the history of England as an international team. In the history of the game England has only won one competition worth talking about - for those of you from Mars it was the World Cup in 1966 (A tournament where every game for England was a home tie played at Wembley, so ours to lose really). Whatever the media say before each tournament about this one being the one, England have never succeeded as promised. So to blame Capello for this latest failure would seem wrong - he is just the latest in a long and distinguished line of managers who has failed to deliver for whatever reason.

So I don't think that he as manager is necessarily bad at the job - far from it. However I do have one major concern over his appointment. After a period of time in the job he still requires a translator to help him out at press conferences. How can you possibly effectively manage anything, but especially a football team that requires quick communication in the heat of the moment, if you don't even share the same language as those you are managing?

So, a message to the FA. If you do decide to replace Capello, perhaps a pre-requisite of his successor should be the ability to speak English?

The Football Sin Bin

The recent furore over Thierry Henri's blatant cheating in the World Cup Play off game between France and ireland has again reminded me of the changes to the game that have come about since I used to play. In my day if you, for example, pulled somebody's shirt it would result in the awarding of a free kick and possibly a booking for the offender. Nowadays it seems as legitimate an action as kicking the ball. Standard procedure in the rough and tumble of the goalmouth scramble.

Actually, at this point I should point out that also in my day the metatarsal didn't actually exist. We wore boots that you could safely stand on without so much as a twinge being felt by the wearer. Since the introduction of ballet shoes into the professional game, shoes that offer no protection whatsoever, a part of the foot called the metatarsal has been invented. Easily identifiable as the bone that breaks should somebody tread on your ballet shoe.

Anyway, I digress. Cheating, for that is what it is, has become more and more prevalent in the modern game. I don't understand why more progress has not been made in the introduction of electronic gadgetry in football as has successfully been adopted in cricket, rugby and tennis to name but three. Video playback and additional officials monitoring the game seem perfectly logical to me. Especially in these times when so much can be lost because of a bad decision. It's not as if the game can't afford it, at least at the top level where after all most is at stake.

Much as I find shirt pulling and the introduction of the metatarsal to be particularly frustrating the thing that really hacks me off is the play acting that the overpaid prima donnas in the game adopt. This usually comes about when your £100k per week superstar trips over a blade of grass and claims to have broken his leg in three places. He gets his free kick and then makes a miraculous recovery. Let's be clear here - it's cheating.

My solution to this particular problem is simple. A sin bin. If a player goes down and claims to have a life threatening injury he should automatically go to the sin bin for ten minutes. If he is genuinely injured he will be grateful for the opportunity to get it seen to. If he's faking it then ten minutes off the pitch seems to me a suitable punishment for cheating.

The other affliction affecting the game adversely is the appalling behaviour of some players. Of particular concern is the way players harass the referee following a decision they don't like. Have you ever known a ref to change his mind following protestations from players? No? of course you haven't because it never happens. The answer? Send any protesting player to the Sin Bin!

Now I do appreciate that introducing such an idea into the professional game would result, at least in the short term, in the Italian national side rarely having 11 players on the pitch at any one time. So be it. They and others like them must learn that their performances that would in the acting profession earn them an Oscar nomination will not be tolerated in football.

National Express Lose East Anglia Franchise

So it is confirmed that National Express (NX) will lose their East Anglia franchise at the end of March 2010. This was actually the original end date but there was the promise of a three year extension to 2014 should National Express East Anglia (NXEA) meet certain performance targets. What must be galling for NXEA is that they have actually met the required performance targets and then some. However they have lost the franchise as a consequence of the NX Group losing the East Coast business because they committed to paying too much money for the privilege.

Judging by the reaction to this news, there will be few tears shed at the departure of NXEA. Why is this?

A brief history might be in order. (Rail privatisation is a complex business so concentration will be required at this point). Following on from privatisation, services out of Liverpool Street were split into three franchises. Firstly services out towards Cambridge and the west of East Anglia including the Stansted Express were awarded to West Anglia Great Northern (WAGN) - a National Express company. Services from Liverpool Street to Ipswich and Southend and all stations and branch lines in between were awarded to First Great Eastern - A Firstgroup company, famous up to that point for running bus services around the UK and actually called Firstbus. Lastly, rural services out of Norwich and Ipswich and the Intercity route from Norwich to London were awarded to Anglia Railways - owned by GBRail, a company created specifically to run this franchise.

To be fair I cannot comment on the WAGN service as I don't think I ever used it. However to the onlooker they did become infamous for having filthy looking trains. More on this later.

First Great Eastern (FGE) went on to become the second most reliable service in the country. The most reliable service being the Island Line on the Isle Of Wight. So, lets be honest FGE were the most reliable grown up railway in the country. They were also the only franchise to pay a premium to the government. So, in short they did everything that was asked of them and then some.

Anglia Railways became popular in Norfolk and Suffolk for the services they provided on the rural branch lines and for the services they introduced such as Norwich to Cambridge which went on to become very successful. Although I'm sure many would disagree I didn't regard their InterCity service as that great. The trains themselves were almost prehistoric and as such broke down with monotonous regularity. Anglia was also heavily reliant on government subsidies.

After a while the government came to the conclusion that too many franchises had been created across the country and that this created something of an administrative nightmare. For example, Railtrack, the predecessor of Network Rail would need to have contractual arrangements in place with each franchise and this would cause unnecessary red tape in the running of, say, Liverpool Street. The government decided therefore to consolidate franchises where possible and as such companies were invited to bid for the Greater Anglia franchise which would effectively be an amalgam of the WAGN, FGE and Anglia businesses.

The body responsible for the allocation of rail franchises was the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) headed up by one Richard Bowker.

Now it is here that the wheels begin to fall off. FirstGroup - those you remember responsible for running the second most successful franchise in whole of the UK in the form of First Great Eastern - were not even allowed to bid for the new franchise. The official reason was that they had incorrectly completed an application form. Extraordinary and to be honest totally unbelievable.

The shortlist of companies bidding for the franchise came down to Arriva, GBRail (Owners of Anglia) and National Express (Owners of WAGN). To ensure that FirstGroup stayed in the race they bought GBRail.

To the surprise of many including it is thought, National Express, the latter were awarded the franchise and so 'one' was born. It is still not clear where the name 'one' came from. Some say it stood for Operated by National Express and others that the word 'one' signified one franchise instead of three. Whatever the reason it was a disaster. The name was ridiculed from the start, as was the corporate look that was adopted by the company. Then came the introduction of a new timetable. This was a requirement of the franchise and whoever had won would have been required to do it. (Basically the timetable had to be made more 'robust' by adding delays into it). However 'one' made an absolute Horlicks of this new timetable which in my view set the tone for the remainder of the 'one' / NXEA franchise. I believe that they were on the backfoot from this point on.

During the 'one' franchise a certain Richard Bowker became chairman of National Express. (As chairman of the SRA he had blocked FirstGroup from bidding.) The SRA ceased to exist and the Department for Transport became responsible for overseeing the railways. Soon afterwards NX undertook a rebranding exercise which saw them adopt a single look and feel to their coach and rail operations. Out went the 'one' brand and in came National Express East Anglia. However, the stigma attached to the 'one' brand remained.

An observation made by many is that NX don't seem to take care of their trains. I mentioned earlier that WAGN trains always looked filthy and sadly NXEA trains have gone the same way. After 5 and half years there are still trains with FirstGroup colours on them. Indeed there are currently five different liveries on use.

In fairness to NXEA a lot of the issues attributed to them are not actually their fault at all. Most delays are caused by infrastructure issues which are the responsibility of Network Rail. And, as mentioned earlier punctuality is the best it has ever been. However, such is the dislike that passengers have for the brand it doesn't matter. In a TV news item last night one gentleman was blaming NXEA for a 2 hour delay at Ipswich caused by a lightening strike!

And so with the demise of NXEA surely it is time to draw a line under it all and start afresh? The new incumbent, whoever that may be, has the opportunity to start with a clean sheet of paper and a sixth livery for our trains.

(Can I ask that they put in for some new trains for the London Norwich route as a top priority. East Anglia deserves better than the hand me downs we have had to endure in the past.)