As the increasingly acrimonious dispute between Network Rail and the rail union escalates in the UK it is reported that strike action was halted because of the disappearance of a Signal Box in Aberdeen. The agreement between the two parties is only valid if all eligible signalmen vote.
Jock and Hamish, the signalmen, were off fishing for the day, on full pay, and could not be contacted. Therefore they could not vote in the strike ballot. They will return to work at 5.30 to allow the 5.40 to Auchenshuggle Tattiebogle to pass. This is the only train on their otherwise quiet day.
They usually spend their time playing scrabble and keeping fit with their Wii golf. Jock has already passed his Ph.D in cloud recognition and Hamish is working towards his A levels.
"We like our members to upgrade their skills" said a union official, "Jock and Hamish can do their job, paint their signalbox from top to bottom every summer and study at the taxpayers expense"
Meanwhile, "The Railway Children" is re-released this week.
