News
-
TPE accepts first ‘Nova 2’ CAF set
Posted
by
By Tony Miles TRANSPENNINE Express accepted the first ‘Nova 2’ Class 397 EMU into its fleet on July 25, meaning units from all three new ‘Nova’ train types have now joined its fleet. The first sets to be delivered are still being used for type testing, and require some final rectification work by manufacturer CAF,…
-
Northern and Greater Anglia increase use of new trains during August
Posted
by
NORTHERN and Greater Anglia (GA) introduced more new trains to their routes throughout August. GA’s bi-mode Class 755 No. 755410 made a low-key debut on July 29, between Lowestoft and Norwich, with services having now expanded to include Great Yarmouth and the busy Norwich-Ely-Cambridge route. Units on test and undertaking platform gauging checks have visited stations,…
-
Northern withdraws first batch of ‘Pacers’
Posted
by
NORTHERN has withdrawn the first its Class 142 ‘Pacer’ units – 11 months later than planned. The first was scheduled for retirement in September 2018, but late delivery and acceptance of replacement units gave the ‘Pacers’ a stay of execution. Unit No. 142005 was ‘retired’ on August 12, with Northern holding a ceremony at Manchester Victoria…
-
‘Duchess’ demolishes Devon banks record
Posted
by
STANIER Pacific No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland put in a storming performance on August 4’s ‘Royal Duchy’, using its immense power to set a new record time for steam on the Plymouth to Exeter leg. The 50 miles, including steep climbs to Hemerdon and Dainton and numerous curves and speed restrictions, were reeled off in just…
-
Branch Line Society and Vintage Trains team up for West Midlands ‘Balti bash’
Posted
by
VINTAGE Trains and the Branch Line Society are offering an opportunity to enjoy the tasty combination of rare track, Class 20s and a curry – all on the same train! Starting from Solihull, the September 22 tour will run to Shrewsbury via Warwick, Sutton Park and the Ironbridge branch. After a break in Shrewsbury, the…
-
Three Type 3s – to the sea!
Posted
by
THREE Class 37s at the head of a heavy freight train used to be a regular sight in South Wales and around Glasgow in BR days, but such a trio has always been a rare event on passenger trains. On August 11, the Branch Line Society completed its two-day ‘Type 3 to the Sea’ trip…
-
Stanier pair celebrate Conwy Valley reopening
Posted
by
NETWORK Rail and Transport for Wales Rail Services hosted a special main line steam trip on August 3 to celebrate the reopening of the Conwy Valley line in North Wales. ‘The Conwy Quest’, double-headed by West Coast Railways’ Stanier ‘8F’ No. 48151 and ‘Jubilee’ No. 45690 Leander, ran from Chester to Blaenau Ffestiniog. At Llandudno Junction there…
-
Rail operator MARC using new and rebuilt locos for Maryland commuters
Posted
by
MARYLAND commuter rail operator Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) has recently taken delivery of eight Siemens-built SC44 ‘Charger’ diesel electric locos. These are currently largely used ‘under the wires’ between Baltimore and Washington DC on Penn Line services. MARC has replaced all of its older AEM7 electric locos with the new diesels, but has refurbished…
-
Chicago’s Metra adds diesel locos
Posted
by
CHICAGO commuter rail operator Metra is buying 24 former Amtrak California diesel locos, and has ordered 15 rebuilt freight locos to replace older diesels. Metra bought 24 F59PHI locos from Amtrak in 2018 and is currently overhauling and repainting them into its livery. They have entered service in 2019, mainly operating from Chicago Union on…
-
Battery-fitted trams for Oklahoma
Posted
by
THE new light rail system in Oklahoma City opened on December 14, 2018, and is operated as two loops: a 7.8km north-south Downtown Loop, which also shares tracks with almost all of the route used by the 3.2km Bricktown Loop in the Bricktown entertainment district. The system is electrified at 740V DC except for several short…
