Editor Richard Clinnick reveals what you’ll find in the May issue of Rail Express later this month.
Another busy month has passed in the Rail Express office, and again it’s been a hectic month reporting on the ever-changing railway scene.
We have an exclusive interview with TransPennine Express regarding the introduction of the Class 68-hauled Mk.5A sets – it’s fascinating talking to those involved in introducing new trains and learning about how new plans are being considered for the new fleet and you can read about that in RE324.
TPE isn’t the only operator introducing new trains, Transport for Wales has started bringing new fleets into traffic. I spent a couple of days with the various teams and learned how this complicated process is being undertaken. I also discovered that introducing fleets cascaded from elsewhere isn’t as easy as you may think either, you can also read that in the new issue.
Then there is the Severn Valley Railway. Like many heritage railways it has suffered thanks to the pandemic, but following a change in leadership there are plans to resurrect its fortunes. I was lucky enough to speak to its new interim managing director Gus Dunster before spending the day with the volunteers at Kidderminster to discover what goes into planning the May diesel event, which is looking to be one of the unmissable events of the modern enthusiast’s calendar.
Elsewhere, congratulations to the Crewe Diesel Preservation Group (CDPG) for winning the Heritage Railway Association Mortons Media Rail Express Modern Traction Award. I selected the CDPG for its monumental achievement in returning No. 47712 Lady Diana Spencer to the main line, with a Driving Brake Standard Open (DBSO) and completing more than 1300 miles of fault-free running over a weekend in late February.
This issue also reports on the end of Class 321 operations with Greater Anglia, the start of a trial of direct trains between Swanage and Wareham, further delays for HS2, UK Rail Leasing’s expansion of Leicester depot and the ongoing problems facing TfW’s Class 175s.
As ever, if you have any news, photographs or feedback, you can contact me at [email protected]
I hope you enjoy the issue.
Richard Clinnick
Rail Express May 2023 will be on shelves from April 21. Pre-order here or subscribe and save here.
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