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  • It’s crunch time for HS2 as Government review considers costs and scope

    It’s crunch time for HS2 as Government review considers costs and scope

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    By Ben Jones NEW Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has thrown the future of High Speed 2 (HS2) into doubt with a new review that will challenge the £56billion project’s scope, design and affordability.  Doug Oakervee, a retired engineer, former HS2 Ltd chairman ,and ally of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, will lead the review, assisted by…

  • Calls for HS2 building works to continue despite being over-budget

    Calls for HS2 building works to continue despite being over-budget

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    The building of HS2 should continue despite being behind schedule and over-budget, a business group has claimed.

  • HS2 railway to be delayed and exceed budget

    HS2 railway to be delayed and exceed budget

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    HS2 could cost up to £22 billion more than its previous budget and be delayed by as many as seven years, the company building the railway said.

  • GBRf names loco Made in Sheffield

    GBRf names loco Made in Sheffield

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    GB Railfreight has reliveried Class 66 No. 66747 in branding to mark its growing relationship with Yorkshire-based haulier and logistics company Newell & Wright.  The loco was named Made in Sheffield at the London Gateway freight terminal on July 9, two years after running the first service for the company.  GB now operates trains, including…

  • Rainbow branding for Thameslink Class 700

    Rainbow branding for Thameslink Class 700

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    GOVIA Thameslink has added rainbow vinyls to set No. 700155 in connection with the Brighton & Hove Pride event from August 2-4. It is seen passing Brockley on July 16 with the 14.35 Bedford-Gatwick Airport train. The unit is the first to carry any branding other than its white base livery.  GTR revealed the livery…

  • TransPennine accepts first Hitachi-built ‘Nova 1’ set

    TransPennine accepts first Hitachi-built ‘Nova 1’ set

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    TRANSPENNINE Express has accepted the first Hitachi Class 802 bi-mode train into its fleet. Dubbed ‘Nova 1’, TPE received the set following approval from the Office of Rail and Road.  TPE has ordered 19 five-carriage ‘Nova 1’ trains, each containing 342 seats, an extra 161 compared to its current Class 185 trains.  They will be…

  • First Class 91 withdrawn to become spares donor

    First Class 91 withdrawn to become spares donor

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    LNER Class 91 No. 91108 became the first of the 31-strong class to be taken out of service on July 22. Withdrawal of Class 91s was anticipated following the introduction of the Hitachi ‘Azuma’ trains on LNER services, and is in line with LNER’s plans to hand locos back to the leasing company.  The operator made…

  • Heathrow Express Class 387s external livery revealed

    Heathrow Express Class 387s external livery revealed

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    THE first units of a fleet of Class 387s that will take over Heathrow Express services by December have been returned from Bombardier Ilford with a new external livery. GWR is taking over responsibility for the 15-minute frequency operations, and the current Class 332s, now more than 20 years old and not fitted with TPWS,…

  • GWR gives ‘Castle’ names to its HST power cars… and revives Class 255 designation

    GWR gives ‘Castle’ names to its HST power cars… and revives Class 255 designation

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    GWR has unveiled a series of new cast nameplates with ‘Castle’ names that will be applied to its HST power cars.  The HST power cars are used on the shortened 2+4 formations, which run between Bristol and Penzance. The plates are of a new design and feature the outline of a 2+4 HST set as…

  • UK Railtours unveils Christmas charter line up

    UK Railtours unveils Christmas charter line up

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    Although summer is currently in full swing, charter operators have already turned their thoughts to the end of the year. UK Railtours is no exception and has announced a trio of days out by train visiting Christmas markets in Manchester, Lincoln and Beverley during December.  On December 7, UKR will run a train from London…

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