News
-
Temporary grounding for ScotRail Class 385s
Posted
by
THE introduction of ScotRail’s new Class 385 fleet was temporarily stopped after a driver reported a braking issue. It was the second such issue for the fleet and comes on top of electrification delays, software problems and windscreen issues that have dogged the upgrading of Scotland’s trains and services. In the first incident, believed to…
-
First Class 315 goes for scrap
Posted
by
OFF-LEASE set No. 315850 has been sent for scrap after a number of Class 345 ‘Aventra’ EMUs were accepted by TfL Rail for use between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield. The Eversholt Rail-owned set had been in store at Wolverton Works, but on October 20 it was hauled to Booth’s scrapyard, Rotherham by Rail Operations Group…
-
Ilford works repaint for Virgin ‘Super Voyager’
Posted
by
A FULL repaint into the revised Virgin Trains livery for Class 221 ‘Super Voyager’ No. 221101 has been completed by owner Beacon Rail at Ilford Works. Emerging in a livery emulates that being applied to the ‘Pendolino’, but a Virgin spokesman told The RM, that for the moment, it’s a one-off. The unit is due to…
-
First Siemens Class 717 makes Moorgate debut
Posted
by
THE first Class 717 destined for service on the Great Northern to Moorgate made an impromptu one-off preview service on September 28 from Moorgate to Gordon Hill. The ‘717’ is based on the Class 700 built by Siemens. The lease for the first unit – No. 717007 – had been signed the previous day. Govia Thameslink…
-
Innotrans 2018: Battery power and new technology on show
Posted
by
THE biennial Innotrans global rail trade fair saw more than 160,000 people visit from 110 countries, with more than 3,000 companies from 61 countries exhibiting. The event was held in Berlin in September. As well as the 145 different items of rolling stock on show, which ranged from entire eight-coach trains to individual freight wagons,…
-
Threat to Australia’s long-distance ‘Overland’ service
Posted
by
ONE of Australia’s iconic long-distance passenger trains is threatened with withdrawal in 2019 as politicians cannot agree on future funding. ‘The Overland’ has run between Adelaide and Melbourne since October 1887 when it was known as the ‘Intercolonial Express’. At that time South Australia and Victoria were separate British colonies. In 1926 it became ‘The…
-
Eastern European railways celebrate 100 years of independence
Posted
by
NOVEMBER marks 100 years since the end of the First World War, and for several Eastern European countries this signals the centenary of them gaining or regaining independence. The national operators in several countries are marking this major anniversary, which led to the establishment of state railway companies to replace the former Austrian, Russian or…
-
Electrified North Island main line to convert to diesel as more new locos arrive
Posted
by
FIFTEEN more DL class locomotives ordered by KiwiRail in 2016 from CRRC in Dalian, China arrived at the port of Mount Maunganui, near Tauranga, on October 10. They were transferred to Te Rapa (Hamilton) for commissioning two days later. KiwiRail now has 63 of the Chinese-built locos and eight more are on order. The 108-tonne…
-
Baldwin diesel survivors in France
Posted
by
IN SEPTEMBER there was a rare opportunity to travel in a passenger train operated by one of the 70-year-old former French Railways (SNCF) Baldwin-built diesel locos at the Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin heritage line, near Colmar, in Alsace. The train was organised by the UK-based enthusiasts behind the European Traction website. American loco…
-
Class 504 restoration project making progress at East Lancs Railway
Posted
by
CLASS 504 Preservation Society members have been progressing the restoration of EMU trailer car No. M77172 at the East Lancashire Railway (ELR). Work started early in the year outside in the sidings near the carriage and wagon shed at Buckley Wells. Several jobs had been tackled, including making the unit watertight and generally smartening its appearance. It…
