News
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First Stadler UK ‘Flirt’ unit arrives
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THE first of a fleet of 34 ‘Flirt’ bi-mode multiple units for Greater Anglia arrived in the UK on November 14. Class 755 No. 755405 was hauled from Ripple Lane to Norwich Crown Point by DB Cargo’s No. 66002 the next day. Rail Operations Group has been appointed as the test operator for the various safety, performance…
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Tyseley makes TOC debut with Birmingham ‘Polar Express’ festive trains
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VINTAGE Trains (VT) was set to return to full main line steam charter operation as an independent train operating company on November 29 with the first of its new ‘Polar Express’ festive specials from Birmingham Moor Street. The trains are based upon the 2004 film of the same name, and are scheduled to run four…
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Falkland’s veteran Simon unveils new ‘Patriot’ crest
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A NEW crest depicting a First World War ‘Tommy’ standing over the grave of a fallen comrade has been unveiled on the nameplate of new-build ‘Patriot’ No. 5551 The Unknown Warrior by Simon Weston CBE. The unveiling took place during a special Armistice commemoration event at Crewe Heritage Centre on November 10, which also provided a…
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Dual identity ‘Saint’ makes its public debut at Didcot
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CLEAR skies and late-autumn sunlight provided perfect conditions for the public debut of the Great Western Society’s near-completed Churchward ‘Saint’ 4-6-0 No. 2999 Lady of Legend at Didcot Railway Centre on November 17-18. Plenty of visitors turned out during the aptly named Black Saint Weekend to get their first glimpse of the loco, albeit static and…
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WSR to close for three-month ‘re-group’ after investigation
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THE West Somerset Railway (WSR) has made the unprecedented decision to voluntarily close for three months from January 2 to April 1, 2019 in order to ‘re-group’ following a visit by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and the issuing of its findings. As a result there will be no running during the February…
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Virgin Trains USA launched
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By Keith Fender VIRGIN group has announced it will become a minority investor in start-up inter-city passenger operator Brightline. Brightline started operation in Florida in January 2018 and will be renamed Virgin Trains USA, with rebranding starting in 2019. Brightline operates its Florida services using 10 new 125mph Siemens-built ‘Charger’ diesel locos, and has five…
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TransPennine Express delays ‘Nova 3’ introduction to May
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TRANSPENNINE Express (TPE) is delaying the introduction of its ‘Nova 3’ loco-hauled sets until next May. The sets are being built by CAF in Spain and will be hauled by Class 68s sub-leased from DRS. They had been expected to be progressively introduced from the December timetable change, but acceptance testing has produced a technical…
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Talgo picks Scottish site for UK factory
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LONGANNET in Fife has been selected by Spanish train builder Talgo as the site for its proposed UK factory. The location is currently occupied by a closed power station, and has been chosen as it is rail-connected, close to sea ports at Grangemouth and Rosyth, and in a region with a good supply of skilled…
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Railways call time on lineside photo permits
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THE days of the lineside photography permit may be numbered as a number of preserved railways blame rising insurance costs and safety concerns for their decisions to end the issuing of permits to photographers. Lineside passes have traditionally been issued on an annual basis for a set fee. Successful applicants are then supplied with safety…
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EMT gives ex-Grand Central HSTs fresh interiors
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FRESH new interiors are being given to the three former Grand Central (GC) HSTs, now part of the East Midlands Trains (EMT) fleet. The sets – with two power cars and six trailers, rather than the usual eight – were taken on by EMT to provide additional capacity as a result of enforced diagram changes…
