Marcus' Model Railway Journey

Chairman of the East Lancashire Railway, Mike Kelly, comments:

“We fully appreciate that sitting outside through the winter season is not possible every day.

"So, While the railway is closed in January and February for important track maintenance works, we brought up a couple of vintage carriages ensuring there is an additional welcome place for for people to enjoy a drink in a unique setting

“We put in extra heating and set the carriages in both platforms where the customer feedback has been a big thumbs up!

“It was the pub staff who had the idea and it has been a joint effort to get it in place, so a big thank you to all our staff and volunteers who have made it possible.”

15th February 2023
Arriva calls for rethink on open access


Arriva UK Trains, which is owned by Deutsche Bahn and was the last private sector operator of Northern, has called for an industry summit about the future of open access.

Arriva’s move has followed the George Bradshaw Address last week, in which transport secretary Mark Harper spoke of the government’s commitment to reform, including the possibility of more open access services.

Arriva UK Trains managing director David Brown said:

‘We have long called for reform which builds on the very best of what the rail industry does and delivers cost-effective, modernised services for customers and communities.

‘It is welcome news that the focus has moved from diagnosing well-understood challenges to delivering action for the post-pandemic age, including through change that doesn’t require legislation and ensures customers quickly experience improvements and the taxpayer benefits. Arriva are ready and willing to help the railways grow and generate revenue to reduce taxpayer subsidy through our commercial expertise and understanding of what customers want.

‘It is particularly pleasing to see government commitment to supporting more open access services where it benefits passengers and taxpayers. We know through our stewardship of Grand Central and by watching other open access operations, the innovation and customer-focused improvements that can be delivered through such services.

‘We are calling for an Open Access Summit bringing together government, the regulator, industry, Network Rail and the Great British Railways Transition Team to collectively work through the barriers and blockers and agree practical steps for unleashing more of these innovative services, including through making best use of unused capacity on the network.’

The original plan for railway privatisation in the 1990s had envisaged a ‘right of access’ which could have meant almost unlimited open access, but this idea was abandoned at a very early stage in favour of ‘moderation of competition’ to protect those operators who had a government franchise.

Arriva UK Trains owns open access operator Grand Central.

It also currently operates Chiltern Railways and CrossCountry under risk-free contracts with the government after franchises were abolished in September 2020, during the Covid pandemic.

15th February 2023
OO Gauge Model Railway News Announcements

Dapol OO Class 73 'Electro-Diesel' - Available Now​

A huge range of Dapol's highly detailed Class 73 'Electro-Diesel' locomotives are now available, catering for this unusual but proactive class throughout its lifespan, from early BR liveries right through to current privatisation colour schemes.

Features:

• Highly detailed model with separately fitted parts including handrails, horns, etched grilles, pipework, cables, underframe details and more
• Digital & Sound capability - 21-pin socket
• Diecast chassis
• 5-pole 'Supercreep' motor with twin flywheels
• Directional, cab & headcode lighting
• All-wheel drive and pickups
• Detail pack included with additional parts

The Class 73s are highly unusual electro-diesel locomotives built between 1962 and 1967, that can operate either from an on-board 600hp diesel engine or from 650/ 750V DC third-rail.

Until the introduction of the Class 88, the 73s were unique in their electro-diesel functionality following the withdrawal of the Class 74.

They produce significantly more power when on third-rail, so rarely leave the Southern regions - however, some are currently used on the Caledonian Sleeper service in Scotland.

Later in life, some were converted to the 73/9 subclass which provided them with the AAR system for multiple working as well as new engines.

Many are still in service to this day, whilst eight have been preserved.

Dapol 4D-006-018 Class 73/1 73120 in BR Blue

15th February 2023



Update on closure of railway between Oxford and Kingham following landslip

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Western | Wales & Western

Following a wall collapse and landslip at Yarnton near Oxford on Friday evening, part of the railway line between Oxford and Worcester is closed while Network Rail undertakes emergency repairs to the bridge and surrounding land.


On the evening of Friday 10 February, a side wing wall of the road over rail bridge at Yarnton, Oxfordshire, collapsed onto the rail line serving Oxford to Worcester.

Network Rail was on site immediately to repair the damage and put in place protective barriers to protect the rail line, however further land slips have continued to occur in the embankment adjacent to the bridge, and as a result the railway between Oxford and Kingham is currently closed.

Network Rail’s team of engineers has been onsite investigating options to stabilise the embankment so that the road bridge and railway underneath it can be safely reopened to traffic.

The ground is currently extremely unstable and poses a significant risk to the stability of the road and utilities in the road.

The landslide has also exposed a gas main, and works are required to protect the pipeline as well as the ground around it.

Network Rail engineers are now working with specialist civil engineering contractors Balfour Beatty to design and install sheet piling to act as a retaining wall to support the embankment and road and make it safe to undertake long term repairs.

The detailed design work is currently being completed off site, and materials are in the process of being moved to the bridge in order for the sheet piling wall to be installed, starting this Friday (17 February).

Once the sheet piling retaining wall is in place and secure, engineers will work to fully reopen the railway to passenger services under a speed limit from next Wednesday (22 February).

Following this further works will be undertaken to reinforce the structure and ground before removing the speed limit once the bridge and surrounding area are identified as fully secure.

Click this link for video https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/f0dfrlqjxj

Nicky Hughes from Network Rail, said:

“We have been working closely with our specialist civil engineers and Southern Gas Networks to identify the best plan to stabilise the ground to support the embankment and road over it as quickly and safely as possible.

“We have now agreed the supporting structures that need to be put in place, and later this week, once we have the detailed designs, we’ll be on site to erect substantial sheet piling to provide a retaining wall to support the ground above.

“When we are confident that it’s safe to do so, we will reopen the railway under a precautionary speed limit on Wednesday 22 February, which our teams will be working tirelessly to achieve.

“We’d like to thank passengers and the local community around Yarnton for their patience, and GWR for providing rail replacement bus services for passengers between Oxford and Kingham.”

Until this section of the railway can be reopened there is an amended train service operating as follows:

• During peak times, London <–> Worcester train services will continue to divert via Swindon
• A replacement bus service is operating between Oxford and Kingham, calling at Hanborough, Charlbury and Kingham
• A shuttle train service is operating between Worcester/Great Malvern and Charlbury – passengers for onward travel should change at Kingham.

For the latest travel information, please visit: https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/check-your-journey, or https://www.nationalrail.co.uk.

15th February 2023

Provisional test run dates confirmed for steam locomotive 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe​

The mainline return of GWR ‘Castle’ No. 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe has moved closer this week, with test runs within Tyseley Depot completed.

Test runs at the depot took place on Saturday 11th February and were deemed a success and on the 14th February, the locomotive received her statement of vehicle conformity.

This means that the locomotive is now deemed suitable for the national rail network and will be registered as operational in the Rolling Stock Library.

Further tests were also completed on the 14th February with no issues found.

The next step in the mainline return of 5043 is light and loaded test runs out on the mainline.

These are expected to take place on the Saturday 25th February 2023.

A light engine test run will take place between Tyseley and Stratford-upon-Avon and a loaded test run will take place between Tyseley and Leicester.

If no issues are found on the test runs, 5043 will officially be back as a mainline locomotive, with its first mainline tour expected to take place on the 4th March, double heading with 7029 Clun Castle to Didcot, where they will join up with 4079 and 5051 for the Four Castle Line Up.

15th February 2023

Hope Valley Railway Upgrade moves forward with a new passing loop​

Work to provide faster and more reliable rail journeys for passengers on the Hope Valley railway line between Manchester and Sheffield has moved forward with the first 340 metres of track for a new ‘passing loop’ being laid at Bamford.

The work forms part of the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade to remove several bottlenecks and upgrade stations along the line.

Installation of the new track required closure of the line while engineers worked around the clock with machinery that included heavy lift excavators, a dozer, and a tamper.

Since the start of the year, work has taken place at Dore & Totley to extend a bridge to accommodate a second track, over 700 metres of new track has been installed, and a new platform and accessible footbridge have been installed at Dore & Totley station.

The main improvements included in the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade are:

• a new platform and accessible footbridge with lifts at Dore & Totley station;
• a 1km-long railway loop between Bamford and Hathersage;
• replacing the existing foot crossing at Hathersage West with a new footbridge to improve safety;
• improvements to the signalling to improve its reliability;
• extending station platforms to accommodate longer trains with more carriages.

Rail Minister, Huw Merriman said:

“These vital improvements will transform journeys on the historic Hope Valley line, making services faster and more reliable for passengers in the North.

“Backed by £137 million Government funding, the upgrades will boost connections between two thriving Northern cities while ensuring our stations are inclusive and accessible for all.”

Graeme Whitehead, Senior Sponsor for Network Rail said:

“Installing the first pieces of track for this important passing loop is a major milestone for the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade.

“The upgrade of this popular route will help to alleviate historic bottlenecks, bringing faster and more reliable travel to local passengers and long-distance travellers.”

Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express said:

“The work at Bamford was a key step in the Hope Valley Route Upgrade.

“I would like to thank customers for their cooperation whilst the important work took place.”

15th February 2023

DB Cargo invests in new vans to assist with railway breakdown and recovery​

The investment will bring improvements in effectiveness of operations for one of the UK rail industries leading providers of breakdown and recovery services​

DB Cargo UK has taken delivery of a fleet of brand-new welfare vans which will provide improvements in the company’s effectiveness when working out in the field.

As one of the UK’s leading providers of breakdown and recovery services for the rail industry, the new fleet of vans will soon be out in action throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

The vehicles are specially adapted Ford and Iveco vans which feature onboard toilets, catering and cleaning facilities which allow DB Cargo UK’s recovery teams to create a base even in very remote areas of the UK rail network.

The rail logistics company’s team of breakdown and recovery specialists are called out to over 100 incidents each year, ranging from minor derailments to major accidents.

The ability to offer a rapid and effective response as a recovery service is essential to keeping the UK’s rail network on the move.

Based at Didcot, Wigan and Millerhill, DB Cargo UK’s emergency teams are operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Jon Harman who is the company’s Head of Asset Management and Maintenance described the team’s work as both physically and mentally challenging with recovery often taking place in difficult environments and in harsh weather conditions.

Jon also spoke about how the welfare vans would support and improve the working environment and well-being of his colleagues.

Jon also said:

“This is a significant investment we’re making in our breakdown and recovery service which plays a pivotal role when things go wrong on the rail network. The new welfare vehicles provide a safe, dry and warm sanctuary for our colleagues out in the field who are often called to locations where there are little or no on-site facilities,”

Sean Coulby, DB Cargo UK’s Breakdown and Recovery Manager spoke about how some incidents require teams to be on site for a good number of days, sometimes weeks and that the new welfare facilities would make life a great deal easier for his colleagues.

Sean also said:

“The tragic passenger train derailment at Stonehaven in Scotland in 2020 and last year’s derailment of a freight train at Petterill Bridge in Cumbria are just two examples of the type of challenging incidents our teams respond to,” said Sean.

“On each of these occasions, we were on site for several weeks, leading the recovery effort and directing operations. This can be exhausting and stressful work so we want to do all we can to improve the on-site experience for our frontline colleagues,” he added.

“The new vans are comfortable and practical and we can’t wait to deploy them out into the field.”

15th February 2023

The anniversary of the Tebay tragedy marked by RMT​

The tragedy saw the lives of four rail workers lost on the 15th of February 2004​

The 15th of February marks the 19th anniversary of the fatal Tebay tragedy which saw 4 rail workers lose their lives.

The incident took place on a night shift when an out-of-control 16-tonne steel wagon rolled down the West Coast Main Line achieving speeds of 40mph ahead of striking several track workers.

The tragedy saw four rail workers die and a further 5 injured.

Mark Connolly who was the head of rail maintenance company MAC Machinery Services and Roy Kennett, a crane operator were tried at Newcastle Crown Court with charges of manslaughter caused by gross negligence following the incident.

Mr Connolly also saw prosecution for breaches in health and safety law.

Both men were found guilty with a majority verdict.

Mr Connolly received a sentence of nine years imprisonment and Mr Kennett received a two-year sentence.

RMT has blamed the incident on the fragmentation and privatisation for the tragedy and maintains its commitment to fight for the protection and improvement of safety standards throughout the network.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said:

“We remember these tragedies not only as a mark of respect for our comrades but in order to campaign for proper safety standards, to ensure this never happens again.

“Privatisation and fragmentation is inherently less safe than a joined-up publicly owned railway.

“However, despite these tragedies and others, we are having to resist further attacks on safety with 50% planned reductions in scheduled maintenance tasks, hundreds of job losses and more unsocial shifts.

“The cost-cutting agenda posed by Network Rail’s plans under so-called modernising maintenance represents a threat to safety standards, our member’s well-being and to the travelling public.

“Make no mistake, RMT will resist threats to safety standards on our railways.”

Tebay rail accident​

The Tebay rail accident occurred when four railway workers working on the West Coast Main Line were killed by a runaway wagon near Tebay, Cumbria, England in the early hours of 15 February 2004.

The accident happened after a wagon laden with lengths of steel rail ran away from a maintenance location on the line at Scout Green because it did not have properly working brakes.

Wooden chocks had been placed in front of the wagon to stop it moving because the hydraulic brakes had been disconnected due to a fault; however, they had not been repaired or replaced.

As a maintenance worker began using an excavator's "log grab" in an attempt to drag sections of scrap rail from the wagon, the action caused the wooden blocks to dislodge.

Slowly the wagon began to move downhill gathering momentum on the 1 in 75 gradient from Shap Summit.

In darkness, the 16-tonne steel wagon rolled down the West Coast Main Line, reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour (60 km/h).

Running almost silently and without any warnings, it struck and killed four railway workers who were carrying out overnight work 3.25 miles (5 km) further down the main line.

Five men were also injured.

The wagon continued to travel for almost 4 miles (6 km) until stopping.

Tebay report and recommendations

Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has issued its formal inquiry report into the circumstances that led to the fatalities of four track workers and injuries to five others at Tebay in Cumbria on 15 February 2004.

The formal inquiry was convened with an independent panel and included observers from the involved parties and trades unions.

As with all such inquiries the panel's task was to establish the immediate and underlying causes of the accident and make recommendations to prevent or reduce the risk of recurrence.

Sequence of events

A work party was engaged in removal of scrap rail following rail renewal work.

This task involved the use of a road-rail excavator and two rail mounted trailers.

The vehicles had been put on the line earlier and had been loaded with scrap rail.

On return to the access point at Scout Green the excavator was taken off the track and commenced unloading of the trailers using its ‘log grab’.

Attempts to drag the first length of rail off the trailer caused it to move slightly.

This caused pieces of timber being used as chocks, to fall or be dislodged from the railhead.

The trailer started to roll south on the 1 in 76 falling gradient towards Tebay.

Attempts to stop the trailer were unsuccessful and it ran out of the Scout Green worksite, then out of the possession, gathering speed.

No warning reached a gang working at Tebay, the next worksite, some 3.25 miles (5.22km) to the south of Scout Green and in a separate possession, before the runaway trailer arrived.

Members of the gang working on the track at Tebay did not detect the approach of the trailer.

Several were struck, resulting in four fatalities and four others suffering injuries, in one case serious.

The trailer also collided with two trolleys in use at the Tebay worksite and these eventually brought the trailer to a halt some miles further on.

The emergency services were notified and attended, together with HSE/ HMRI, and the injured were taken to Lancaster Infirmary.

Conclusions

The formal inquiry panel concluded that the immediate cause of this accident, and the consequent death of the four track workers, was that a trailer ran away from a worksite in an adjacent possession due to the absence of functional parking brakes on the trailer when left unattached on a 1 in 76 falling gradient.

The panel also concluded that the following were deemed to be underlying causes:

● The disturbance of the trailer whilst being unloaded, which permitted the means of chocking it to fall off the railhead
● The disablement of the brakes resulting from an earlier application of an excessive hydraulic pressure
● An absence of clear, explicit and practical instructions for checking the effectiveness of trailer parking brakes both before leaving the depot and before commencing operation at Scout Green
● A lack of awareness on the part of the machine controller or 18 August 2006 operator, of the magnitude and length of the gradient at Scout Green
● The pressures arising from the use of very short lead times during the final stages of the planning process leading to an unwillingness to refuse to supply plant when approved and serviceable plant was not available.

Recommendations

The report makes recommendations for improvements in a number of key areas and these are summarised as follows:

● Development of clear instructions for use of trailer parking brakes on the track, coupled with a functional test whenever trailers are first placed on the track
● A system should be developed to pre-determine validity of engineering acceptance certificates for usage of on-track plant, to avoid the necessity for on-site verification
● Engineering acceptance certification should be automatically withdrawn if re-certification for mandatory modifications has not occurred by compliance date
● A database or library should store relevant compliance and certification details for all road-rail vehicles and trailers, and other wheeled attachments capable of moving unaided when on the track ● A simple preventative system should be introduced to mitigate the risk of coupling road-rail vehicles and trailers where the hydraulic pressure produced by the road-rail vehicle exceeds the safe working pressure of the trailer
● Hydraulic delivery pressures should be checked at regular 3- month intervals after any changes to the system, with results recorded
● Arrangements should be introduced to provide supplementary monitoring and mentoring of newly qualified machine staff
● Arrangements for common competence standards for machine controllers and operators should be implemented
● The process for assessing small and newly established companies wishing to be considered for work should be reviewed, with the scope of audits more closely defined
● Systems for the supplementary monitoring and mentoring of new suppliers of hire plant in the early period of their use should be introduced
● A study should be carried out to identify tools and guidance for managing safety interfaces between companies with a view to producing practical tools and good practice guidance in this area
● The Hazard Directory should contain gradient details where the severity and/or length of these merit attention.

Rail Safety and Standards Board has issued a full copy of the report to each member of the Railway Group and the other organisations involved in the accident.

All recipients of the report need to review the findings and recommendations and take actions where appropriate to address identified deficiencies within their own systems.

Rail Safety and Standards Board will track the industry's response to this report.

15th February 2023

Serious injury to a passenger alighting from a train at Loughborough Central station,
Great Central Railway​

Investigation into a serious injury sustained by a passenger alighting from a train at Loughborough Central station,
Great Central Railway, 14 January 2023.

From: Rail Accident Investigation Branch
Published: 15 February 2023

Photograph taken during a reconstruction of the incident.

At around 11:49 hrs on 14 January 2023, a passenger lost their footing and sustained a serious injury while alighting from a train at Loughborough Central station on the Great Central Railway.

The Great Central Railway is a heritage railway and the passenger train involved was formed of historic rolling stock.

The accident occurred just after the train had stopped and as the passenger was alighting from the leading door of the train’s leading coach.

The train stopped in a position which meant that this door was adjacent to the ramped part of the platform, which is not intended for public use.

The passenger lost their footing and sustained their injuries while they were stepping down from the coach and onto the platform ramp.

Our investigation will seek to identify the sequence of events which led to the accident. It will also consider:

• the actions of those involved and anything which may have influenced them
• the methods of working used when trains call at Loughborough Central station, including the status of the platform train interface
• the arrangements in place to manage and control the risks associated with passengers boarding and alighting from trains on the Great Central Railway
• any underlying management factors.

Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.

We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation.

This report will be available on our website.

15th February 2023

Steam locomotive 7812 Erlestoke Manor is Somerset bound for 2023!​

GWR ‘Manor’ No. 7812 ‘Erlestoke Manor’ is to move away from the Severn Valley Railway and run at the West Somerset Railway for the 2023 season, the Erlestoke Manor Fund has confirmed.

As part of the mutual agreement between the Severn Valley Railway and the Erlestoke Manor Fund, the locomotive will move to the West Somerset Railway after the SVR’s Spring Steam Gala on the 14th – 16th April 2023.

The EMF says that the locomotive will return to the Severn Valley Railway in autumn to take up duties in the run up to Christmas.

Adrian Hassell, Chair of EMF, said:

“With an April launch at our SVR home, followed by our return in the autumn, we see an extended summer visit of 7812 to Somerset as beneficial to the SVR, WSR and the EMF, in aligning with both SVR and WSR steaming requirements, and helping generate valuable income for the Fund’s future projects.

“With 2023 being the 50th anniversary year of the EMF and 7812 fresh from its full overhaul, we’re delighted that the summer season hire will help maximise the opportunities for supporters and the wider public to enjoy the sight and sound of 7812 in action.”

Duncan Ballard, Head of Steam Engineering of SVR, said:

“This is an excellent opportunity for the SVR to continue our close working relationship with the WSR, and builds on the arrangement some years ago when the-then WSR-based Raveningham Hall spent an extended period in service at the SVR.

“7812 will be of considerable benefit to the WSR during their peak summer season. If it remained at the SVR, we would find ourselves over-supplied with steam engines for our anticipated requirements.”

Jonathan Jones-Pratt, Chair of WSR also commented:

“We are thankful to the EMF and the SVR for allowing this freshly restored Manor to visit our line for the 2023 season. We are preparing for a busy summer again and adding an extra Manor to the home fleet will certainly help bolster our operating capability! We are looking forward to seeing three Manors operating on our line too which will provide something special for all concerned!”

15th February 2023

Up to 18 compulsory redundancies as the Severn Valley Railway begins consultation period ​

Helen Smith, Managing Director of the Severn Valley Railway, has confirmed that a consultation period over compulsory redundancies is about to start.

Costs need to be reduced in the coming year, and Helen Smith says that the railway has found a number of ways to achieve this.

For the first few months of the 2023 season, trains will run less frequently and on less days (this is going to be reviewed in mid-May).

March will see trains running between Kidderminster and Highley only due to engineering work taking place on the northern end of the line – tickets have been reduced due to the shortened journey.

The full line will reopen on the 1st April for the Open House Weekend where the public can gain access to behind the scenes at the railway.

Utility costs are also being reduced, and only essential work being carried out on rolling stock and infrastructure.

Adding 2022 and 2023 together, the SVR says that it needs to save £600,000 in staff costs – this has been reached by not filling vacancies and redeploying existing staff to cover roles.

The board of directors have also tasked the team with saving £300,000 in staff costs in 2023 – and Helen Smith says that they are about to begin a consultation period for compulsory redundancies, likely to be up to 18 paid roles across the railway.

In her full statement, Helen Smith, Managing Director, said:

"We need to reduce costs in the coming year, and will achieve this in a number of ways. For the first few months of our season, we will run on fewer days than last year, with fewer departures. We will review this in mid-May.

We’re running between Kidderminster and Highley only for the weekends in March because engineering work is taking place at two locations north of Highley. Ticket prices have been reduced because of the shorter journey that will be available. We reopen the full line on Saturday 1st April, with our exciting Open House Weekend, when people get chance to glimpse behind the scenes, at areas of the railway not normally accessible to the public.

We will also undertake an ambitious reduction of utility costs, and only carry out essential work on rolling stock and infrastructure. Additionally, we will make a large-scale reduction in salary costs.

Taking 2022 and 2023 together, existing measures mean we will have identified a saving of £650,000 in staff costs. This has been achieved by not filling vacancies, and redeploying existing staff to cover. We are also having to allow for a significant statutory increase to minimum wage levels.

Additionally, we’ve been tasked by the board of directors to make an additional £300,000 of savings in staff costs this year. This means we are about to begin a consultation period for compulsory redundancies, likely to affect up to 18 paid roles, across the Railway and at all levels.”

15th February 2023

Next week will see rail replacement buses operate in place of trains from Okehampton and Barnstaple​

Track maintenance work will see trains unable to operate between Exeter, Barnstaple and Okehampton from the 20th to the 24th of February​

Rail replacement buses will replace trains between Exeter, Barnstaple and Okehampton from Monday the 20th to Friday the 24th of February in order to allow Network Rail to carry out essential track maintenance work.

The vital work will support the ongoing maintenance of an important stretch of railway and will involve the replacement of track for the Crediton area which sees services travel to Barnstaple and Okehampton.

Rail replacement buses will run from Exeter St Davids to Okehampton and Barnstaple throughout the period of work and this will see travel time extended by around 30 minutes.

A shuttle bus will also be in operation between Crediton and Yeoford.

Passengers who need to travel on the buses between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple are advised to add extra time to their travel plans and where possible to choose alternate travel options, this is due to double-decker buses not being able to be used because of a road diversion which in turn will limit capacity for the route.

To find out more or to check individual journeys, please visit www.gwr.com/check.

Mark Chorley, GWR Regional Station Manager, West, said:

“This work is important to ensure we can continue to maintain and improve resilience and we thank customers for their patience in advance.

“We have been working hard to provide as many replacement buses as we can, but we ask our customers to plan carefully and travel at quieter times to avoid peak-time services which are likely to be very busy.”

All other train routes from Exeter St Davids including Exmouth will continue to run, however, a reduced service will be in place between Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central.

Great Western Railway is advising its customers travelling during the period of work to check their travel plans ahead of making their journey.

Dan Parkes, Network Rail Senior Programme Manager, Capital Delivery, said:

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding next week while we complete vital maintenance to support the continued safe and reliable running of the railway.

“This is an important and highly popular stretch of railway and our work to replace some of the track in the Crediton area will ensure passengers continue to enjoy smooth journeys between Exeter, Barnstaple and Okehampton.”

To find out more about the engineering works, please visit GWR.com/Upgrade.

16th February 2023
GWR takes over battery train project


Battery trains ++

Great Western Railway has bought equipment from battery train manufacturer Vivarail, which went into administration in December.

The purchase has included rolling stock, FastCharge systems and other items.

Nine former Vivarail staff have also joined GWR, as it continues to prepare for using a battery unit on the West Ealing to Greenford branch.

GWR engineering director Simon Green said:

‘There have clearly been some setbacks that mean we will need to review the existing plans and timescales, but we will continue to work with Network Rail and the Department for Transport to get the project back on track.’

Cheaper tickets ++

Govia Thameslink Railway has launched two initiatives in a bid to attract more passengers during the traditional rush hours on Mondays and Fridays.

GTR’s division Southern is offering peak hour Advance tickets on these two days discounted by up to 15 per cent between East Croydon and London Victoria, and also from the Eastbourne and Chichester lines as far as Three Bridges.

GTR said that on Monday mornings around 40,000 fewer people (210,000 in all) catch rush hour trains compared with the middle three days of Tuesday (250,000), Wednesday (230,000) and Thursday (240,000).

The new tickets can be bought up to the day before travel, but the number is limited. GTR has also launched a loyalty scheme, which will provide points for every pound spent on fares which can be used for various rewards, such as cinema tickets.

On average, travel by Southern commuters remains at 70 per cent of the total before the Covid pandemic.

Modal shift ++

Midlands Connect has unveiled new research about railway improvements which it says would boost rail travel in the Midlands by 48 million kilometres a year.

The scheme, to improve connections from Birmingham to the east Midlands, the south west and south Wales, could reduce car travel by almost the same amount.

The Outline Business Case for the Midlands Rail Hub was sent to the government by Midlands Connect and Network Rail towards the end of last year.

The £1.5 billion project would include two new chords in Bordesley and the reinstatement of platform 4 at Snow Hill, which is no longer needed for trams.

There would also be new freight loops between Nuneaton and Leicester to increase the capacity of that route.