It's not just network rail

From the London Evening Standard comes a story of a nasty 'bodge job' on the London Underground

"The repair to the northbound Victoria Line at Victoria has been carried out by bolting a length of hardwood into a section of conductor rail - which is already welded in several places. The upper surface of the wood is not flush with the top of the rail, which has been either crudely ground down in an attempt to achieve a match, or has simply been worn down by train wheels"

Train wheels? Conductor rails? Not a very good example of journalism, and a little on the hysterical side.

Not very good maintenance, but not very good journalism either. But they are taking quotes from experts on the matter.

"Islington housewife Mary O'Neil said: "It is like sticking a plaster on something and hoping it will be all right. I seriously wonder if I should be getting on this train."

Update: A correspondant tells me this is acutually quite common practice to protect pickup shoes from damage where there's a break in the third rail, pending a proper fix. Not sure if it's right to leave something like that for four weeks, though.