Network
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East Midlands franchise taken over by Abellio
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AUGUST 18 saw the take over of the East Midland franchise by Abellio, with the brand name East Midlands Railway replacing East Midlands Trains (EMT), the Stagecoach brand. EMT had run services since November 2007 Abellio formally launched the franchise and new brand in Derby the following day, unveiling reliveried ‘Meridian’ set No. 222104 in a…
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Torrential rain and landslips closes West Highland line
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SCOTLAND’S West Highland line was closed on August 4 after heavy rain caused serious landslips at Glen Falloch, south of Crianlarich, which left the track in mid-air. There was also a ballast washout near Tyndrum Lower, with heavy rain flooding the line at Arrochar. After Network Rail had carried out a detailed geo-technical and aerial…
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Loss of brakes on Caledonian Sleeper adds to operator woes
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THE loss of control of the train brakes during the operation of the ‘Lowlander’ Caledonian Sleeper service on August 1 on the approach to Edinburgh Waverley station is being investigated by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). Starting as the 23.36 from London Euston the previous evening, the Glasgow and Edinburgh portions divide at Carstairs…
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‘Azuma’ makes Scottish debut as LNER ponders extra trains
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By Ben Jones LNER introduced its first Anglo-Scottish ‘Azuma’ diagram on August 1, with more services expected to move over to the new trains in mid-September. LNER’s daily 06.48 service from Glasgow Central-King’s Cross and 15.30 return will also switch to the new trains from September 23. Class 800 IETs are currently restricted to one…
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Levenmouth area to rejoin Scottish passenger network
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By Ben Jones A £75MILLION scheme to reconnect the Levenmouth area of East Fife to the rail network was approved by the Scottish Government in August. The five-mile line from Thornton Junction will serve reopened stations at Cameron Bridge and Leven. Passenger services ceased in 1969, but the line remained open for freight until 2001,…
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TransPennine ‘Nova 3’ enters passenger service after extensive testing
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A TRANSPENNINE Express ‘Nova 3’ train finally entered passenger service on August 24 after extensive testing and a start to driver and crew training. Each ‘Nova 3’ set comprises of five CAF Mk5a coaches powered by Class 68 locomotives, and have been working regular test runs across the Pennines in the lead up to the…
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First and Trenitalia to run West Coast Main Line
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By Tony Miles OPERATION of the West Coast Partnership (WCP) will be in the hands of First Group and Trenitalia from December 8, under what will be the first of a new franchise partnership model. With a 70/30 partnership in favour of First, the pair will end Virgin Trains’ domination of the flagship route, which…
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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…
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Asset Monitoring: Looking after the rail infrastructure
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Many RM readers will have seen the yellow Network Rail trains around the country, but what do they do and why are they operated? Andrew Royle, who was a technician on the trains, explains their crucial role. The yellow-liveried test trains of Network Rail, or ‘Infrastructure Monitoring’ (IM) trains to use the correct description, feature…
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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…
