Annoying / amusing use of completely irrelevant stock photos to illustrate press articles

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

The image is regularly used by the Bath Chronicle along with an image of a Wales and Borders 158 arriving into Bath Spa whenever they run a rail related story on their website.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Likely a special (43125 is up front), an ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) move after a special, or just an ECS move getting stock where it needed to be after some chopping and changing. I've looked into the image to see if it can be dated or whether there's any accompanying info about the set the day the pic was taken, but I've drawn a blank.

I think it's this one:

It was 2007 before FGW^▸ (First Great Western) settled on their final corperate livery, and so launched livery eight since 1996, on the 17th Janaury 2007. 43125 and 43021 were paired up on a shortened rake for a press run on board the 1Z30 from Plymouth to Paddington. The colourful combination with full MTU^▸ (Motor Traction Unit) operation is seen passing 40 Steps, Taunton.
(Photo: Jeff Treece)

The 'tauntontrains' image itself is copyright restricted, but you can view it, about halfway down the above page link. 

[JayMac]

I considered that it might be that set as featured on the 'Taunton Trains' website. My research also dug up that picture. Correct formation with 43125 leading and a TRFB^▸ (Trailer Restaurant First Buffet (Mark 3 coach type)) and TF to the rear. Initially I though that perhaps the January 2007 press run was also a speed run from Plymouth to Paddington. That would have meant going via Castle Cary rather than Bristol TM^‡(resolve). But perhaps the run was just to highlight the new livery and the MTU^▸ (Motor Traction Unit) engines, so it could have gone past Flax Bourton with esteemed members of the Fourth Estate aboard. The more I think about it the more I think that's the case.

It'd be nice to know if anyone out there can confirm the route that 1Z30 took on January 17th 2007.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Another annoying example, from the Bristol Post, trying to cover the sad fatality at Slough this morning:

Trains in and out of Bristol delayed for hours after person hit on the line


Trains in and out of Bristol are delayed by an hour on Wednesday morning. Stock image of a First train.

"Stock image of a First train."  That'll be why it says Manchester on the destination board, then. 

Is it beyond the ability of a Bristol journalist covering train disruption in Bristol to find a 'stock image' of Bristol Temple Meads, for example? 

[JayMac]

Is it beyond the ability of a Bristol journalist covering train disruption in Bristol to find a 'stock image' of Bristol Temple Meads, for example? 

They could ask me. I've got plenty and my fee is very reasonable. A pint will do. 

In the recent past the Bristol Evening Post's (as was) go to image for a rail story affecting their coverage area was a Virgin Crosscountry liveried Voyager, regardless of the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) involved. The best that can be said for this latest effort is that they at least got the parent company right.

[Chris from Nailsea]

They could ask me. I've got plenty and my fee is very reasonable. A pint will do. 

They could also have asked me: my fee is the same, and I can offer them such interesting images as this:



 

[Brucey]

They could also have asked me: my fee is the same, and I can offer them such interesting images as this:

Imagine the headlines: "local train company eliminates overcrowding by removing passenger carriages".

[Chris from Nailsea]

"We've also eliminated excessive dwell times and intermittent problems with selective door opening at stations," said a spokesperson. 

[JayMac]

They could also have asked me: my fee is the same, and I can offer them such interesting images as this:



 

I can't beat back-to-back power cars but I can offer up this rather fetching sun-dappled image of a power car at Swindon:


(A little sharpening done, but otherwise as it came off my phone camera.)

[Rhydgaled]

From another topic:

From South Wales Evening Post:

Man killed after being struck by a train at Baglan Railway Station

Maybe not a completely irrelevant picture, but clearly not Baglan as the train appears to be either a Voyager or the 'Pretendolino'.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Another sad incident, reported by the South Wales Evening Post:

Man killed after being hit by train on Port Talbot to Bridgend line


First Great Western services are facing delays tonight following a death on the tracks near Bridgend.

A man has been killed in a collision with a train, closing the main line between Port Talbot and Bridgend.

Nowhere near Bristol Temple Meads, though. 

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Western Gazette:

Train delays after vehicle hits rail bridge


First Great Western

Passengers travelling on the Heart of Wessex line this afternoon are advised there are delays to services after a vehicle struck a rail bridge.

A spokesman for First Great Western said: "Due to a vehicle striking a bridge between Westbury and Trowbridge, all lines are closed. Services may be altered or delayed by up to 30mins."

The line serves passengers in Yeovil, Castle Cary and Bruton.

Shortly before 3pm a spokesman for First Great Western said: "Lines have reopened following a vehicle hitting a bridge Westbury & Trowbridge. Services are returning to normal but with some delays."

Now we're getting stock images of Bristol Temple Meads, whether they're relevant or not! 

[Timmer]

Well the summer Saturday Weymouth Wizard is operated by an HST^▸ (High Speed Train)...I'll get my coat.

[LiskeardRich]

Somebody's been gathering stock photos at Bristol temple meads then?

[grahame]

From the Western Gazette:

Passengers travelling on the Heart of Wessex line this afternoon are advised there are delays to services after a vehicle struck a rail bridge.

A spokesman for First Great Western said: "Due to a vehicle striking a bridge between Westbury and Trowbridge, all lines are closed. Services may be altered or delayed by up to 30mins."

The line serves passengers in Yeovil, Castle Cary and Bruton.

Shortly before 3pm a spokesman for First Great Western said: "Lines have reopened following a vehicle hitting a bridge Westbury & Trowbridge. Services are returning to normal but with some delays."

Now we're getting stock images of Bristol Temple Meads, whether they're relevant or not! 

The story's incomplete too. Delays to some Cardiff / Portsmouth and Bristol / Weymouth services ... and cancellations between Westbury and Swindon, leaving a gap in departures from Westbury from 11:47 to 16:15, and from Swindon from 12:47 to 17:36.   It is, of course, up to the Western Gazette to decide with limited space which parts of the story to cover, and reasonable for them to conclude that the most newsworthy parts are the ones that happen least often!