The Railway Hub’s weekly round-up of the latest railway news. Here are this week’s top stories…
Rail workers to stage second Saturday strike in row over staffing
Rail workers will stage the second in a series of strikes on Saturday in a dispute over staffing on trains.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union on West Midlands Trains will walk out for 24 hours, disrupting services for passengers including workers, shoppers and sports fans.
The union has accused the company of refusing to pull back from a threat to “bulldoze through” driver-only operation, which the train operator denies. Read the fulls story.
Election 2019: What are party promises on Britain’s railways?
It has been a week of promises and revelations with the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives releasing their manifesto spending pledges.
The Conservative Party sort-of pledge to build Northern Powerhouse Rail, the planned network of rail links across the north, although the Tory manifesto commits to between Leeds and Manchester, before stating the government will then “focus on Liverpool, Tees Valley, Sheffield and Newcastle.” Read the full story here.
Avanti West Coast unveiled as new operator to replace Virgin Trains
Avanti West Coast will be the name of the new InterCity West Coast rail franchise, new operators FirstGroup and Trenitalia announce.
FirstGroup and Trenitalia will, from December 8, take over the operation of InterCity West Coast rail services, paving the way for a more comfortable, reliable and greener service.
The service will link London to cities and towns across England, North Wales and Scotland, serving as a “vital economic artery bringing cities and people closer together”. Read the full story here.
Class 66 locomotive carrying The Railway Magazine name given makeover
The Class 66 locomotive which carries the name of The Railway Magazine has been given a brand new look.
No. 66503 in Freightliner’s fleet, the 20-year old loco, which works intermodal trains from ports to inland terminals, was given a sparkling coat of Freightliner’s new orange and black livery by Arlington Fleet Services at Eastleigh Works.
The loco’s livery is based on the colour scheme used by America’s Genesee & Wyoming railroad company, Freightliner’s parent company. Read the full story here.
Protesters lose legal challenge against HS2 rail line running through woodland
Environmental campaigners opposed to the HS2 rail line running through a woodland area in west London have lost their latest court fight.
HS2 bosses complained that protesters were unlawfully occupying a path at a construction site in Hillingdon and asked Judge David Holland to grant them “possession”.
Protesters had raised a number of environmental concerns, including water pollution fears, disagreed and opposed HS2’s possession application. Read the full story here.
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