Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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6th January 2023

Steam locomotive No. 92214 to stay at its Great Central Railway home!​

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BR Standard Class 9F, 92214 "Leicester City", is seen at Loughborough Central on 27th May 2022​

The Great Central Railway has revealed fantastic news for 2023 following discussions with 92214’s owner resulting in the well-loved locomotive staying with the railway.

During 2022 the loco’s owner let the Great Central Railway know that they wished to establish 92214’s long-term future, leading to a number of negotiations in order for the popular locomotive to stay with the railway.

A priority for 92214’s owner was to see the locomotive remain at the Great Central Railway where it will be well cared for and operate on the heritage railway’s famous double track.
 
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9F 92214 hauls a freight train​

Designed during the 1950s, the ex-British Railways 9F 2-10-0 tender locomotive was created to haul heavy freight trains but also saw operation on passenger services.

Until the mid-1960s, 9F’s were used extensively on the Great Central Mainline until the line was closed by British Railways.

The purchase of 92214 has been possible as the Great Central Railway supported charity David Clarke Railway Trust became the locomotive’s owner with further financial support provided by a backer who wishes to remain unnamed.

Great Central Railway Chairman, Richard Patching said:

“Negotiations can’t always be rapid and maintaining confidentiality for everyone is paramount; nevertheless, the discussions proved to be positive and cordial throughout, leading to a most successful outcome for all parties. Patience pays off and I’m sure all GCR supporters will welcome the result.”
 
6th January 2023

Siemens Mobility partners with University of York to explore use of solar energy to power UK’s trains​

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Siemens Mobility has entered a partnership with the University of York and British Solar Renewables to develop revolutionary solutions for powering Britain’s railways.

The projects are intended to demonstrate Net Zero Traction on the East Coast Main Line and a 25kv battery train charging station, and two separate funding streams have been made available.

The first project will allow the company to complete the final stages of technical development of a solution that allows solar energy to be fed directly to trains.

Funds for this development have been provided by the Department for Transport through Innovate UK’s ‘First of A Kind’ programme.

The study aims to overcome the engineering problems that have so far prevented renewable power to be used for supplying 25kV trains and supports plans to demonstrate the use of solar energy to power trains on the East Coast Mainline later this year.

The second development is exploring the feasibility of introducing a charging station that can charge on-train batteries in areas not yet electrified so that green routes can be created in which trains are powered by batteries or electricity anywhere on the network.

If the development is successful, diesel trains on non-electrified lines can be phased out and replaced by electric, to provide faster, quieter journeys, no local air pollution, and a large reduction in carbon emissions.

Both projects are due to be completed by the end of December 2023. Data from the projects will be used in the next phase in which Siemens Mobility and its partners roll out demonstration projects.
 
ECML Net Zero Traction Decarbonisation Demonstration

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This project will work with British Solar Renewables, the University of York, Network Rail, DB Schenker, and East Coast Mainline operators to research, develop, and come up with a pilot for the installation and testing of a prototype converter on the East Coast Mainline.
 
25kV Battery Train Charging Station Demonstration

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Working with the University of York, Network Rail, West Coast Mainline operators, and Angel Trains, this project will develop and install a solution that will enable charging from existing standard local power supply cables, and is compatible with all trains that are powered from overhead lines.

It is hoped that the small, low-cost design will allow diesel passenger trains to be replaced by electric on routes that are not continuously electrified.

Rob Morris, Managing Director, Rail Infrastructure for Siemens Mobility said:

“Transportation in Britain accounts for 27% of carbon emissions and electrification of the country’s rail network is vital to transform the everyday journeys for passengers and accelerate the journey to net zero.

“Our findings could revolutionise how electricity powers UK railways, opening up the possibility of a large-scale shift to green electricity across the whole country, reducing costs and creating a raft of new job opportunities at the same time.”

Piran White, Professor of Environmental Management from the University of York said:

“We’re excited to be supporting the decarbonisation of Britain’s railways. We bring a strong evidence-based approach to support engineering and design to optimise for railway demand, maximisation of solar efficiency, biodiversity gain and test the potential for combined agricultural use in a world-leading collaboration.”
 
6th January 2023

Full and standing trains as Severn Valley Railway-based steam locomotive No. 2857 has final day in service​

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2857 at Bridgenorth​

Monday, 2nd January 2023, was a significant day on the Severn Valley Railway as it was the final day of service for GWR 2-8-0 steam locomotive No. 2857.

To mark the occasion, the locomotive’s owning group, The 2857 Society, arranged that its final train would have ten carriages, giving the locomotive a weight of about 320 tons to pull.

The train comprised nine of the Severn Valley Railway’s finest ex-Great Western Railway coaches, and an ex-British Rail kitchen car, making quite a sight as the train travelled along the railway.
 
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2857 at the head of a dining car train on the Severn Valley Railway​

On board the “Severn Valley Limited” dining train were 102 diners who were treated to a stunning three-course meal as the locomotive made its final 32-mile round trip of the railway between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.

The diners had use of two of the carriages, whilst the other seven coaches of the train were filled with regular Severn Valley Railway passengers.

That portion of the train was full to standing for the entire day, a sight that had not been seen on the Severn Valley Railway on a non-event day for quite some time.

Built in April 1918, 2857 had a working career on the Great Western Railway and Western Region of 45 years, during which it recorded a total mileage of 1,276,713 miles. 2857’s boiler certificate was extended last June, whilst plans for 2857’s last day of service were announced in August.

A 2857 Society spokesperson said:

“It was fantastic to be able to give the locomotive one final send off before its boiler ticket runs out. We raised just under £2000 in donations and raffle sales which is another nice chunk of cash towards the overhaul.

“We are thankful to everyone at the SVR for their contribution and involvement in making the final day a success. If anyone wishes to get involved with the Society please contact us through our website and/or Facebook page. Details of an appeal towards the next overhaul will be published in due course.”
 
7th January 2023

Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway to convert Class 153 into community café​

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153374 arriving at the LMMR​

The Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway (LMMR) has announced plans to convert the the bodyshell of a Class 153 single-car diesel multiple unit into a unique community café and hub at its base at Cynheidre.

The railway’s plans are for the interior of the bodyshell to be fitted out professionally as a railway-themed Community Cafe and meeting room.

Once that has been completed, the railway will make it available for use as a hub by both the railway and the local community.
 
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East Midlands Trains class 153 Sprinter no. 153374 is seen at Sleaford Station awaiting to work a service back to Peterborough, 14th June 2016​

As Cynheidre is situated halfway along the busy Llanelli to Cross Hands National Cycle Network path, the railway expects the cafe to prove popular with both walkers and cyclists.

As well as providing a Community Cafe and meeting room, the converted Class 153 will also provide enhanced facilities for the railway’s volunteers and visitors with much-needed extra accommodation that is undercover, as well as being able to offer better catering options on open days.

The railway is very appreciative of the support the project has received from the local council project, both in developing the scheme and providing assistance with operating and provision of staff during the facility’s early months.

British Rail Class 153 Super Sprinters are single-car units that in the 1990s were converted from British Leyland-built two-car Class 155s.

The unit now on the Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway at Cynheidre is 153 374.

Its most-recent operational use was with East Midlands trains, but was then acquired by Transport for Wales (TFW) and transferred to Chrysalis Rail at Landore which recovered components to support Transport for Wales’ own 26-strong Class 153 fleet.

The Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway has expressed its thanks to both Transport for Wales Rail and Chrysalis Rail for donating the bodyshell so that it can have a new life at Cynheidre, where it arrived on Friday, 6th January.
 
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Friday 09/08/1991 at Paignton, Devon, and Class 155 SuperSprinter DMU no. 155324 52324 57324 is seen in original condition.

As with the rest of the first 35 members of the class, it was converted into two Class 153 cars around 1991 / 1992, becoming 153324 (52324) and 153374 (57324).

Whereas 155301-335 had been allocated solely to the Western Region for medium / longer distance Provincial services radiating out of Cardiff / Bristol (including into the Southern Region), the Class 153s were scattered widely across much England and Wales, and remain so in 2015.

Cars 57301-335 initially retained these numbers as Class 153 units 153351-385 for a time, prior to being renumbered to 57351-385 to correspond with their unit numbers.
 
7th January 2023
Is green-lighting of regional projects blunting Beeching’s axe?

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There’s barely a town in the country that hasn’t got a ‘Station Road’.

Many of them are close to town and lacking something you’d imagine would be key… a station.

Following the Beeching Axe of the 1960’s, when Dr Richard Beeching, the then Chairman of the British Railway Board reshaped the network by closing thousands of miles of railway and stations, many Station Roads are now just that, roads.

Old railway tracks are popular with dog walkers and cyclists, and many small towns find themselves reliant on connecting public transport to get them to their nearest station.

However, this may be all set to change…
 
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It was announced last year that that Mark Harper has given the green light for a new £152 million line between Portishead and Bristol, a section which has been disused since 1964.

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Mark James Harper (born 26 February 1970) is a British politician who has served as Secretary of State for Transport since 2022.
A member of the Conservative Party, he has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Forest of Dean since 2005.​

The project will include the building of a new station, car and bus interchange at Portishead, a new station at Pill, upgraded services on the Severn Beach line and improvements between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads.

But is that just the start?

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Restoring your Railway​

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Dr Richard Beeching is much maligned as the Chairman of the British Railways Board who wielded his axe, closing thousands of miles of railway and stations in the 1960s​


There have been seeds of change sprouting for a couple of years too.

And they are just starting to blossom.

Introduced in February 2020, the Restoring Your Railway Fund (RYR), overseen by the Department for Transport, was geared towards reconnecting the regions that Beeching’s axe severed all those years ago.

A £500 million pot was made available for communities to bid for a slice of the action. Bidding closed in November 2021, and projects are starting to come to fruition.

Split into three sections, the project allowed projects at different stages of preparation access funding.

The Ideas Fund was set up to provide development funding for early-stage ideas to explore options to restore lost rail connections to communities.

There were 3 rounds of the Ideas Fund, with 141 unique bids received, sponsored by 210 MPs.

Thirty-eight bids have received funding to develop a strategic outline business case.

Advanced Proposals funding was established to support lines and stations already considered for restoration and those submitted to the fund that were beyond early development.

The New Stations Fund was launched to support proposals for new stations and the restoration of old station sites.

The New Stations Fund has delivered eight new stations across England and Wales since its inception.

With Restoring Your Railway funding, six more are due to be delivered in 2024 and a further two proposals are being developed.
 
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What sort of project are we talking?​


These aren’t little local tourist trains we’re talking about.

There are some serious infrastructure projects going on off the back of the RYR project.

Thanks to £40 million worth of funding from the RYR pot, the first passenger train ran on the Dartmoor Line for over 50 years in November 2021.

Restored in just nine months, and delivered £10 million under budget, the project transformed a mothballed former freight railway to regular services.

The line links Okehampton to Exeter and officially reopened to the public for regular year-round, all-week passenger services last year.

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Grant Shapps (born 14 September 1968) is a British politician who is serving as Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy since October 2022.
He previously served as Secretary of State for Transport in the Johnson government from 2019 to 2022 and Home Secretary during the final six days of the Truss premiership in October 2022.
A member of the Conservative Party, he has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Welwyn Hatfield since 2005.​

At the time, the then Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

“By restoring the Dartmoor Line, we are undoing 50 years of damage, reconnecting a community and creating new opportunities for jobs, tourism, education and recreation."

“We have made it our mission to reverse cuts made in the Beeching era of the 1960s. The passion, nostalgia and enthusiasm for that ambition is clear right across the country."

“People love their railways and rightly miss them when they’re gone. Today – ahead of time and under budget – we’ve made a decisive step in fixing that, cutting the ribbon on a line and making a real difference to people’s lives.”

To make the restoration possible, Network Rail’s team of engineers worked tirelessly to deliver a huge programme of work to physically reopen the line in just nine months, including laying eleven miles of new track and installing 24,000 concrete sleepers and 29,000 tonnes of ballast in a record-breaking 20-day period.

Repairs have also been made to 21 structures along the route including four bridges.

Other infrastructure work has included level crossing improvements and the installation of railway communications equipment.

Vegetation clearance, earth and drainage works and fencing have also been completed and further infrastructure work will continue to take place to increase the line speed to enable an hourly service in 2022/3.

There have been 38 further successful awards from the scheme, ranging from new stations, to full reinstating of lines.

The South West is the most successful, with seven project accepted.

These include the reinstating of rail access to Devizes via a new station at Lydeway, re-opening of Wellington and Cullompton stations and Reopened lines and new passenger services at Kemble to Cirencester and Wareham to Swanage.

With transport poverty a very real concern in parts of the UK, reconnecting stations and communities will undoubtedly have a huge impact on the local area.

As projects evolve and take shape, it will be exciting to watch as Station Roads up and down the UK once again become the heart of the community.
 
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8th January 2023​

SPOTLIGHT

British Rail Class 04​


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11104 at the Mangapps Railway 26-08-17​

Supplied by the Drewry Car Company, the first Class 04 diesel-mechanical shunters were built in 1952 and construction continued until 1962, with a total of 142 outshopped over the ten year period.

The construction was subcontracted by Drewry to two companies, Vulcan Foundry building the first whilst later examples were made by Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns.

Two locomotives of the same design were built for the Central Electricity Generating Board.
 
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D2246 - Class 04 Shunter at Buckfastleigh on November 4, 2017

Featuring a Gardner engine and using a jackshaft drive arrangement, these shunters had a top speed of 27mph and tipped the scales at just over 30 Tons.

Intended for shunting duties and distributed across the British Railways regions, the Class 04 design was used as the basis of the Class 03 on which construction began in 1957.

With the changing face of the railways and reduced requirements for shunting locomotives, the Class 03 was selected as BR’s standard light shunting locomotive and so the withdrawal of the 04s began in 1967.
 
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Class 04 Shunter no. 04110 at Shackerstone depot the Battlefield Line, 21/03/2015

The last example was withdrawn from BR service in 1972 but several were granted a second life in private and industrial use.

Today, 21 examples survive in preservation, including one of the two locos built for the Central Electricity Generating Board.
 
8th January 2023

Class 73 locomotive to be based at the Bluebell Railway after restoration​

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73133 at Eastleigh Works​

Class 73 electro-diesel No, 73133 The Bluebell Railway is to be based at its namesake railway after the completion of restoration work now being undertaken at Eastleigh, where the locomotive has recently been used.

The Bluebell Railway aims to have the locomotive available in time for its spring 2023 timetable.

It will also be immensely useful for replacing steam locomotives when they cannot be used because of the danger from lineside fires during hot summer weather.
 
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Restoration of 73133 “The Bluebell Railway” underway at Eastleigh Works​

At one time 73133 was painted in Dutch livery, the first of the class to do so, and was also painted in Network South East colours and in a modified Mainline blue livery with distinctive light clusters and with improved visibility for use as a route learner.

The name The Bluebell Railway was applied to 73133 September 1990 and carried it until withdrawal.

It was originally fitted with route indicators, which the Bluebell Railway hopes to eventually restore, as well as review its lights.

However, those are not the current priorities since the main focus at the moment is to complete the necessary restoration work to make the locomotive operational.

Neil Glaskin, Bluebell Railway Operations Director said:

“we plan to use the locomotive to give us more flexibility and develop our timetable to enhance how it meets visitors needs as well as move with the times, increasingly we are seeing a place for more modern traction as it appeals to many. Though we are first and foremost a steam railway”.

Paul Auckland, leading the project to return 73133 commented:

“the locomotive complements 33052 Ashford, another diesel based at the railway being restored as well as 73133 will provide some cover for 09018 which is the stalwart workhorse right now”.
 
9th January 2023

Two Corris Railway projects in line for Heritage Railways Association award​

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Corris Railway' 'Falcon' in steam for the first time​

Two projects by the Corris Railway are in line to be recognised by Steam Railway magazine and the Heritage Railways Association.

Each year, an online vote is held by readers of Steam Railway magazine in conjunction with the Heritage Railways Association to come up with winners of awards in various categories.

Ten projects have been nominated for consideration, from railways large and small, and the Corris Railway is listed for public recognition of progress with the construction of a new steam locomotive and with the revival of the line.

Winners of the awards are decided from votes cast by Steam Railway magazine’s readers.
 
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Falcon under construction​

The two awards for which the railway has been specifically nominated are for the construction of a new 0-4-2ST steam locomotive and the
re-modelling of Corris station.

The first award is for the new locomotive, to be named Falcon and numbered 10, which is a 21st-century re-creation of a design that dates back to 1878.

The railway hopes that it will soon be running on the currently operational section of the Corris Railway between Corris and Maespoeth Junction in the Dulas Valley north of Machynlleth.

The second award is for the installation of a traverser at Corris station.
 
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Installation of new track at Corris Station and construction of a new platform​

The other contenders for awards are:
  • 6024 Preservation Society for the overhaul and rebuild of King Class No. 6024 King Edward I;
  • Bodmin & Wenford Railway for its Clay Wagon Project;
  • Cambrian Heritage Railways for the completion of its Weston Wharf extension;
  • East Lancashire Railway for the restoration of Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway ‘Pug’ No. 19;
  • Northampton & Lamport Railway for the creation of an authentic ironstone wagon train;
  • Richmond Light Railway for restoration of ‘Quarry Hunslet’ Works No. 705 Elin;
  • Severn Valley Railway for the restoration of Hagley Hall and the renovation of Bridgnorth MPD;
  • Southwold Railway Trust/North Bay Railway Engineering Services for completion of a replica Southwold Railway locomotive and returning steam to the railway for the first time since 1929;
  • Talyllyn Railway for the recreation of its Ty Dwr watering point.
 
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9th January 2023

Back to work – cheap TfW rail tickets​

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Multiflex sale​

Transport for Wales is offering customers cheap rail tickets to encourage them to make the switch to sustainable travel this new year.

Customers can buy 12 journeys for the price of six on all Multiflex tickets, providing commuters and frequent users with a much cheaper way to travel.

For those looking to make more sustainable choices this year and help in the fight against climate change, taking up this offer, leaving the car at home and choosing public transport is a great way to start 2023.

Welcoming the news, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, with a responsibility for transport, Lee Waters said:

“Today’s announcement will make a real difference to individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet as we face up to the cost-of-living crisis."

“As well as helping to put more money back into people’s pockets, this move will also provide a boost to the rail industry and encourage more people to make the switch to more sustainable travel.”

Alexia Course, Transport for Wales Chief Commercial Officer said:

“We are very aware that the cost of living crisis is affecting everyone at present and we’d like to play our part in helping our customers where we can. We want to encourage more people to choose public transport and travel sustainably and this is one of our ways to encourage that."

“We’re proud to be offering a range of cheaper rail travel deals in January and hope this will help in financially difficult times.”

Discounted Multiflex tickets (12 journeys for price of 6) available for sale 9 - 31 Jan 2023.

Tickets are valid for 3 months after purchase.

Advance Ticket Sale (40% off) available 16 - 29 Jan 2023, for journeys from 30th January to 5th March.

Local Railcard sale (25% discount) available 9 - 31 Jan 2023.

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9th January 2023

GB Railfreight announces new locomotive deal with Akiem​

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GBRf class 66​

Freight operator, GB Railfreight, has announced a new 10-year locomotive leasing deal with European leasing company, Akiem.

The new agreement will see a £25 million investment into the number of locomotives in use with GB Railfreight.

11 Class 77 and Class 66 locomotives will operate services once they arrive from continental Europe between January 2023 and May 2024.

EMD Doncaster Roberts Road will be the base for the new arrivals whilst they are converted to make them safe for use on the UK’s railways, with the first loco expected in service by Summer 2023.

John Smith, Chief Executive Officer of GB Railfreight said:

“Over the past two years we’ve seen a significant growth in rail freight, with new customers and markets coming to us for support with their supply chains. This new deal with Akiem is part of our commitment to maintain this growth and offer a more sustainable alternative to transporting goods across the UK.”

Simon-Pierre Trezeguet, Managing Director of Akiem Locomotive Leasing Business Unit said:

“We are very pleased to be adding such renown and appreciated Cl66 & Cl77 locomotives to the UK market while strengthening our partnership with GBRf. In a few months’ time, when our mainland European high-performance Cl 66 & Cl77 have been converted into locomotives perfectly adapted to the UK market, thanks to the GBRf teams technical expertise, they will greatly contribute to the development of rail freight across the United Kingdom”
 
9th January 2023

Cambrian Heritage Railways’ Weston Wharf extension nominated for award​

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The present southern terminus of the Cambrian Heritage Railway at Weston Wharf on 24 April 2022. From left, 144007, 144006 and 73129/E6036 - all in working order

Cambrian Heritage Railways has been nominated for an award in this year’s Steam Railway magazine/Heritage Railway Association awards for its work in the re-opening of a section of the long-gone but not forgotten Cambrian Railways.

The award is for the work to reinstate a two-mile section of track from Oswestry to Weston Wharf. Each year, Steam Railway magazine and the Heritage Railway Association host an award where projects from within the heritage railways sector are nominated for readers to vote and select their favourite.

The line at Oswestry in North Shropshire fell victim to the 1960s Beeching cuts, but in 1972, local heritage enthusiasts came together to keep alive memories of Oswestry as a major railway hub and formed Cambrian Heritage Railways.

In 2016, plans were announced to extend the railway from Oswestry to Weston Wharf, since when Cambrian Heritage Railways volunteers have been hard at work laying two miles of new track and building a station platform.

Following the restoration, the railway hopes that it will become the latest tourist attraction in the county.

Work is being partly funded by European grants and financial backing from local authorities.

The redevelopment of the railway is part of an ambitious plan to further extend the line towards Gobowen and Llynclys.
 
9th January 2023

New talks planned today over rail disputes​

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Rail minister Huw Merriman is set to meet rail union leaders today in a new bid to resolve the disputes with the RMT and ASLEF, but the unions have repeated their allegation that the government is blocking a settlement.

Transport secretary Mark Harper, has denied this, pointing out that he is arranging the talks between management and union representatives, while Department for Transport has added that ministers have had ‘polite, constructive meetings with a range of union leaders since taking office’.

But RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said:

‘Today I want to see the government stop play-acting because the truth, written in black and white in their rail contracts, is that they’ve been in complete control of this dispute from day one. The train operators cannot move without government say-so.

‘Passengers, workers and businesses are suffering and even rail company managers are beginning to break ranks in despair at the government’s approach. The minister cannot hide behind this fairy story that he is just a facilitator. His government can end this dispute today by taking out the conditions they put in to torpedo a resolution and let the companies make a deal.’

Today’s talks come on the heels of a new offer from the Rail Delivery Group to the drivers’ union ASLEF on Friday afternoon, which would mean pay rises of 4 per cent for last year and this. Proposed changes which are part of the deal include a Sunday Commitment Protocol, so that drivers rostered to work a Sunday shift would be contractually committed to doing so, unless alternative cover could be found.

Other reforms include reducing the time it takes to train drivers through better use of technology, changing route-learning procedures so that drivers would be assessed on their progress rather than spending a fixed amount of time on learning, allowing suitably qualified managers to drive trains if necessary and also allow employers to transfer drivers temporarily to depots which are short of drivers due to sickness.

The RDG also wants to introduce a ‘more diverse workforce’, by introducing part-time contracts and ‘more flexible scheduling arrangements’.

RDG chair Steve Montgomery said:

’This is a fair and affordable offer in challenging times, providing a significant uplift in salary for train drivers while bringing in common-sense and long-overdue reforms.’
 
10th January 2023

SPOTLIGHT

British Rail Class 05​

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Hunslet Class 05 Diesel Shunter DL26 at the Didcot Railway Centre on the 22/03/2014

The British Rail Class 05 is a class of 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunters built by Hunslet Engine Company from 1955 to 1961.

They were used on the Eastern and Scottish Regions of British Railways.

Most were withdrawn early (due to a surplus of shunting locomotives, resulting from the network cuts of the 1960s) and replaced by classes 03 and 04, with the exception of D2554, which was transferred to the Isle of Wight, in 1966, to aid the electrification of the Island Line.

Owing to its apparent suitability for working on the island, it was retained in working order and given the TOPS number 05001.

It was transferred to departmental stock in 1981, being given the number 97803, and remained in service until 1985, when it was withdrawn and sold to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

Four class 05 locomotives have been preserved.
 
10th January 2023

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Talks between the RMT and the government have not apparently resulted in any progress, and the industrial dispute is understood to be continuing.

Before yesterday’s meeting, the RMT claimed that the contracts between the Department for Transport and train operators place control of any dispute in the government’s hands.

The union’s general secretary Mick Lynch had said:

‘Today I want to see the government stop play-acting because the truth, written in black and white in their rail contracts, is that they’ve been in complete control of this dispute from day one. The train operators cannot move without government say so.’

The DfT has not responded directly to the union’s claim, but said:

‘The most important thing for passengers, businesses and the future of our rail industry, is for unions to put an end to these disruptive strikes. The rail minister will approach these latest talks as we have done since the start of this damaging industrial action – by working to facilitate reasoned, constructive discussions aimed at finding a swift resolution.’

Survey results ++ The results of a new survey published by passenger watchdog Transport Focus show that passengers are more concerned about the cost of travelling by train than anything else.

Performance came just behind, while the third priority was trains running often enough, followed by accurate and timely information about the timetable, and then getting a seat on the train.

Less important were helpful staff, clean stations and trains, and reliable WiFi, which was the 23rd category in TF’s list of 25 priorities.

Finding sufficient space for luggage was the least important factor.

Bargain rides ++ Two operators in England are offering discounted fares in the wake of the latest rail strikes.

East Midlands Railway is offering returns to London for £40 First Class and £20 Standard Class until 21 January, while Northern has announced a ‘flash sale’ running between today and 13 January, with bargain tickets selling for as little as 50p, £1 or £1.50 on selected routes.

Eurostar has also launched a sale of single tickets at £39 as part of a return booking to Paris, Lille, Brussels or Rotterdam, valid on most dates between 23 January and 24 March.
 
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