News
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Conwy Valley devastation as Storm Gareth wreaks havoc
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TRAIN services on the 28-mile Conwy Valley line will remain suspended for several months after the line was substantially damaged by Storm Gareth on March 16. Detailed inspections of the branch line by Network Rail using a drone have revealed multiple embankment washouts, lineside equipment flooded, and track, embankments, bridges, level crossings and stations requiring…
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Vivarail Class 230s ready for work
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The first use of Vivarail Class 230 DMUs on the main line is just weeks away, according to the company’s chairman Adrian Shooter. The three production sets for West Midland Trains – Nos. 230003-005 – have been involved in driver-training duties on the Marston Vale line between Bletchley and Bedford over the past few weeks. The…
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Class 333 refurbishment unveiled by Northern
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NORTHERN has begun a refresh and refurbishment programme on its fleet of 16 Class 333 EMUs.
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‘Duke’ will return in 2020 – but only if £100,000 shortfall can be met
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A FINANICIAL shortfall of more than £100,000 could delay the return to service of unique BR ‘8P’ Pacific No. 71000 Duke of Gloucester. This follows a series of unforeseen but necessary repairs were highlighted at Tyseley Locomotive Works (TLW). The BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust had been working to a forecast cost of £620,000 to…
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Electrification back on the agenda as costs could be slashed by up to half
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The cost of electrifying UK railways could be slashed by between a third and one-half of recent schemes.
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Williams: “Only car dealers are trusted less than the rail industry”
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By Phil Marsh KEITH Williams, who is leading the Government’s ‘root and branch’ Rail Review, outlined his first five months progress at the annual George Bradshaw lecture on February 26. Mr Williams explained the public had lost trust in the industry to deal with change and it must put passengers at its heart to be…
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New hope for Green Arrow and ‘J52’ as NRM sets out its long-term operating strategy
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THE National Railway Museum has published its long-awaited new strategy for operating rail vehicles from the National Collection over the next 15 years. The 20-page report sets out how the Science Museum Group (SMG) plans to operate its fleet, and which vehicles will be available for main line use, operation within its NRM, Shildon and…
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First Group’s open access plans move forward
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FIRST GROUP’S aspiration to run open access services on the East Coast Main Line from Edinburgh to London took a big step forward when an order for five Hitachi AT300 trains was confirmed. The services will begin in autumn 2021. The Class 802 electric-only trains will be worth £100million and are being financed by Beacon…
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Class 50s unveiled in GB Railfreight livery
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THE close and growing relationship between the Class 50 Alliance and GB Railfreight has been underlined with the repainting of two of the former’s locomotives in GB colours as part of an on-going hire agreement. No. 50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance were unveiled on March 20 at Eastleigh Works after the repaint by Arlington Fleet Services.…
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New ‘radical’ vision for Birmingham Moor Street unveiled
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STRIKING new images of a radical but respectful transformation of Birmingham Moor Street station have been revealed by West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE). The images are part of proposals to redevelop the station and improve links with Birmingham New Street and HS2 services at Curzon Street. The concourse area would double, two additional platform faces…
