Marcus' Model Railway Journey

To fulfil those requests, Tyseley Locomotive Works is looking for the following engineering staff:

• fitter/machinists;
• boilermakers;
• welder/fabricators.

As well as adding to its engineering team, Vintage Trains is expanding its tourist services and requires the following additional staff:

• a Commercial Manager;
• an Accountant;
• passenger sales and marketing assistants, who should have experience with social media.

Vintage Trains is a charitable trust, and its founders were world pioneers in establishing heritage railways and its main line operations.

It is based at Tyseley Locomotive Works in Birmingham where it has established a thriving heritage engineering workshop with a reputation for delivering first-class services to heritage railways throughout the country.

At the same time is preserving the skills of the steam age and training young people in manufacturing and to keep those skills alive.

In 2017, Vintage Trains established a Community Benefit Society to establish and develop its own train operating company, which is licensed to run express steam trains nationwide, and currently offers a range of tours including:

• The Shakespeare Express providing tours to Shakespeare’s county of Warwickshire between Birmingham and Stratford-on-Avon;
• The Polar Express Train Ride from Birmingham at Christmas;
• Diesel Explorer rail tours to various popular tourist destinations and seaside towns;
• Express Steam Trains that relive the steam age running at up to 75 mph on the main line;
• Private special trains offering tours tailor-made to individual groups.

16th February 2023

Crewe Heritage Centre reveals information about a special upcoming exhibition​

The immersive exhibition will celebrate the 180th anniversary of Crewe Locomotive Works including its impact on the town​

A collaboration between Crewe Heritage Centre and Crewe Town Council has seen the creation of an immersive exhibit which will be open later in the year and has been designed to celebrate the 180th anniversary of Crewe Locomotive Works.

The exhibit also reveals how the iconic Works moulded the town.

Memories of the Works from local people are also featured in the exhibition and Crewe Heritage Centre would love to hear any stories you may have about life in and around Crewe Locomotive Works.

The Heritage Centre is holding a number of informal ‘drop in’ sessions on Wednesday the 22nd and online Zoom sessions on Friday the 24th of February in order to collect stories and memories for the exhibition.

The dates and times of the sessions are as follows:

Wednesday the 22nd of February:

• At Crewe Library, inside the Lifestyle Centre
• 10:00 to 14:00.

Friday the 24th of February:

• On Zoom between 10:00 and 12:00
• On Zoom between 18:00 and 20:00
• A link for the meeting will be shared nearer the time via the Crewe Heritage Centre Facebook Page

17th February 2023

RMT to stage more strikes in ‘sustained and targeted’ campaign​

Members of the RMT are set to walk out again on three days in March, and also on 1 April.

The union represents a total of 40,000 workers in Network Rail and train operators.

It rejected offers from the employers last week, saying ‘they did not meet the needs of members on pay, job security or working conditions’.

A 24-hour strike involving most English operators and Network Rail has been called for 16 March, with further walkouts by the staff at operators set to follow on 18 and 30 March, and again on 1 April.

There will also be overtime bans at Network Rail, which will include no rest day working and no non-rostered Sunday shifts.

Maintenance staff will take action a week at a time, from 17 to 23 March, again from 31 March to 6 April and for a third week between 14 and 20 April. Operations staff will ban overtime from 26 March to 1 April, from 9 to 15 April and from 23 to 29 April.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said:

‘Rail employers are not being given a fresh mandate by the government to offer our members a new deal on pay, conditions and job security. Therefore, our members will now take sustained and targeted industrial action over the next few months.

‘The government can settle this dispute easily by unshackling the rail companies. However, its stubborn refusal to do so will now mean more strike action across the railway network and a very disruptive overtime ban.

‘Ministers cannot continue to sit on their hands hoping this dispute will go away as our members are fully prepared to fight tooth and nail for a negotiated settlement in the months ahead.’

Transport secretary Mark Harper responded:

‘Just days after denying its members a say on their own future, the RMT leadership is now trying to make them lose multiple days' wages through yet more strikes.’

The Rail Delivery Group said:

‘This latest round of strikes is totally unjustified and will be an inconvenience to our customers, and cost our people more money at a time they can least afford it.’

The RDG is also accusing the union of ‘reneging’ on an earlier agreement that the industry needs reforms to fund pay increases.

Network Rail was also critical.

Its chief negotiator Tim Shoveller said:

‘Thousands of employees are telling us they want the improved offer that we have tabled, an offer worth at least 9 per cent over two years, rising to over 14 per cent for the lowest paid, provides job security with no compulsory redundancies and 75 per cent discounted rail travel.

‘But instead of offering members a democratic vote with a referendum, the RMT leadership is hiding behind a sham “consultation”.’

17th February 2023

Hull Trains services to terminate at London St. Pancras this weekend​

This weekend, Hull Trains’ services to London will terminate at St. Pancras International instead of King’s Cross.

As a result of the rerouting, Hull Trains services this weekend will not call at Beverley, Cottingham, Retford, or Grantham.

Also, because of the diversions, journey times will be extended.

Louise Mendham, Service Delivery Director at Hull Trains, said:

“Hull Trains are committed to maintaining a link between our local communities and London on the weekend of 18th and 19th February. We will therefore be arranging for our services to be routed to London St Pancras on these two days, to allow for the important improvement works to continue.

“We offered a similar timetable during the last weekend of engineering works in January and our customers were appreciative of our efforts to keep everyone moving.”

“It is exciting to see the East Coast Digital Programme moving forward as this will play an important role in helping us achieve our own sustainability targets. Our Paragon fleet already operates using bi-mode technology so, when running on electric power, our trains produce no emissions.

“We welcome the use of technology to encourage the most energy-efficient journeys across our operations.”

17th February 2023

Leighton Buzzard Railway to hold Gin & Whisky Festival in May​

The Leighton Buzzard Railway will hold its annual Whisky Festival during the King’s Coronation Bank Holiday weekend and to toast the new monarch it has expanded to become the Bedfordshire Gin & Whisky Festival.

The festival will take place on Sunday, 7th May, from 10.30am until 4.30pm in the engine shed at Page’s Park.

It will be hosted by knowledgeable staff who will be able to help you choose the right spirit from the about 60 whiskies, gins, other spirits, and pre-mixed cocktails that are expected to be available.

They will also be able to answer any questions you may have.

For designated drivers and accompanied children, soft drinks will be available, and a hot food stand will be there to satisfy pangs of hunger.

To supplement the Festival, an enhanced train service will operate from Page’s Park station, with trains departing every 70 minutes between 10.30am and 3.10pm.

Those locomotives not running on the day will be available to view, as will the railway’s popular guided Engine Shed Show.

Festival organiser Rocky Lancer said

‘I’m delighted that the Leighton Buzzard Railway have agreed to host the Bedfordshire Whisky Festival again in 2023.

With all the profits being donated to the railway, I’m looking forward to many customers enjoying the day and supporting a good cause at the same time.”

Train tickets are not required for wishing just to attend the festival, and spirits prices start at just £1 per taste.

Early bird entry tickets that give one-third off the price of on-the-door entry are now on sale for just £2.

Full details about the festival, including a link to early bird entry tickets, can be found at https://www.buzzrail.uk/special-events/bedfordshire-gin-whisky-festival/

The festival will open when the first train of the day leaves at 10.45 and drinks will be served until 16.00.

Drinkers will be allowed a small amount of ‘drinking up’ time.

17th February 2023

Reminder given to people to take extra care when using rail crossing in West Yorkshire​

People who use Brickyard level crossing are reminded to take extra care as more trains than usual will pass through due to the Transpennine Route Upgrade​

People in the Elland area are being advised to take extra care using Brickyard level crossing as it will see more trains use the line due to work taking place on the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

The level crossing is located between Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve and Booth Royd Lane in Elland Lower Edge.

The vital safety message to stop and check both directions for oncoming trains ahead of crossing the tracks is being reinforced as the line will see an increase in rail traffic as services between Manchester and Huddersfield will be making use of the Calder Valley line which intersects at Elland level crossing.

The change in traffic is due to work being carried out on the Transpennine Route.

Anybody using the level crossing on the following dates is urged to take extra care as more trains will be passing through:

• Weekends from the 18th and 19th of February to the 4th and 5th of March
• Weekends from the 15th and 16th to the 29th and 30th of April
• The weekend of the 20th and 21st of May

Work on the Transpennine Route Upgrade

The work will also see increased traffic through the area for a 26-day period from Saturday the 11th of March to Wednesday the 5th of April.

The work which is taking place is part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade which is a multi-billion-pound project and will see a vast number of railway upgrades which will bring a faster, more reliable and environmentally friendly railway service between Manchester and York, Leeds and Huddersfield.

The Calder Valley line has seen upgrades carried out over the last few years which will support the increase in usage and over the long term will support the resilience and capacity of the line will bring benefits to passengers who use the route.

17th February 2023

South Western Railway reveals changes to services this weekend as Hook landslip repairs continue​

Customers are advised to check travel plans ahead of making their journey as work continues at Hook and engineering work takes place in Southampton​

South Western Railway train at Waterloo station

South Western Railway is advising customers to plan travel ahead on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of February as the Hook landslip site emergency repair work continues and will see a rail replacement bus service operating between Farnborough and Basingstoke after 22pm.

Saturday the 18th of February will see last services operating through Farnborough and Basingstoke earlier than normal.

Sunday the 19th of February will see a later start for morning services than usual and once again an earlier end to services operating in the late evening.

Alongside the emergency repair work taking place at Hook, engineering work in the Southampton area will also see services between London Waterloo and Weymouth start and end at Eastleigh.

Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Eastleigh and Bournemouth and a revised rail service will operate between Brockenhurst, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.

South Western Railway customers are also being urged to add extra time to their travel plans and where possible travel earlier in the day.

Details of service changes:

The last direct services from London Waterloo on Saturday the 18th of February are as follows:

• London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour (via Eastleigh) at 22:09 (as normal)
• London Waterloo to Basingstoke (stopping service) at 23:12
• London Waterloo to Salisbury at 23:39 (as normal)
• London Waterloo to Eastleigh at 23:35

The last direct services to London Waterloo on Saturday the 18th of February are as follows:

• Portsmouth Harbour (via Eastleigh) to London Waterloo at 18:59 (as normal)
• Basingstoke to London Waterloo (stopping service) at 22:54
• Eastleigh to London Waterloo at 00:08
• Exeter St Davids/Salisbury to London Waterloo at 20:26/22:26 (as normal)

Following the last direct services, trains will terminate at Farnborough/Basingstoke where rail replacement bus services will be in operation.

The first direct services from London Waterloo on Sunday the 19th of February are as follows:

• London Waterloo to Eastleigh at 07:35 which is running 9 minutes later than usual
• London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour (via Eastleigh) at 07:54 (as normal)
• London Waterloo to Basingstoke (stopping service) at 08:07 (as normal)
• London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids at 08:15 (as normal)

The first direct services to London Waterloo on Sunday the 19th of February are as follows:

• Portsmouth Harbour to London Waterloo (via Eastleigh) at 07:17 (as normal)
• Salisbury to London Waterloo at 07:27
• Basingstoke to London Waterloo (stopping service) at 08:16
• Eastleigh to London Waterloo at 08:08

The last direct services on Sunday the 19th of February will be earlier than usual with the last direct trains operating from London Waterloo as follows:

• London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour (via Eastleigh) at 20:55
• London Waterloo to Basingstoke (stopping service) at 21:07
• London Waterloo to Salisbury/Exeter St Davids at 21:20
• London Waterloo to Eastleigh at 21:35

The last direct services to London Waterloo on Sunday the 19th of February as follows:

• Basingstoke to London Waterloo (stopping service) at 21:16
• Portsmouth Harbour (via Eastleigh) to London Waterloo at 20:17
• Exeter St Davids/Salisbury to London Waterloo at 18:25/20:21
• Eastleigh to London Waterloo at 21:31

Following these last direct services, trains will terminate at Farnborough/Basingstoke and rail replacement bus services will be in operation.

Service changes which have been in place from Monday the 13th to Friday the 17th of February will be repeated on Monday the 20th and Thursday the 23rd of February.

Further to this, the 22:05 and 23:05 services operating from London Waterloo to Bournemouth will see a diversion in place via Havant and the 23:05 service will terminate at Southampton Central.

It is expected that Friday the 24th of February will see all four lines which run through Hook open once again with the full timetable in operation, it is also possible that Network Rail and South Western Railway may be able to reinstate some services sooner.

South Western Railway Fleet

Stuart Meek, SWR’s Chief Operating Officer, said:

“As we approach the last stage of the landslip repairs in Hook there will be some service changes this weekend. We’re advising customers to check before travelling, allow extra time to complete their journeys and to travel earlier if at all possible.

“As our customers will have seen this week, the last direct services through Farnborough and Basingstoke are earlier than normal, and this will also be the case at the weekend. On Sunday, the first direct services will be later than normal as well.

“There will again be an early shutdown from Monday 20 to Thursday 23 next week before our normal timetable is reinstated on Friday 24. We will reinstate some services sooner if it is possible.

“We’d like to thank our customers for their continued patience during this disruption – which will be further complicated by important maintenance in the Southampton area at the weekend – but we are nearing the end of this challenging period.”

Mark Killick, Network Rail’s Wessex Route Director, said:

“We’d like to thank customers and residents living alongside the railway for their patience while we’ve carried out this major repair.

“Fixing the landslip at Hook has been an incredibly tough and complicated job. I’m so sorry our customers will have to endure more disruption before we can reopen all four lines. Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution, but this approach is the least disruptive to our customers overall.

“We’ve taken the difficult decision to carry out the track layout work over multiple nights because I recognise how important it is to provide a direct service to and from London and the southwest, particularly as the Portsmouth Direct Line will be closed from the 11 to 19 of February as part of a multi-million-pound upgrade that has been planned for more than two years.

“It’s crucial this work goes ahead because customers wouldn’t see the benefits soon enough and it would cost taxpayers a fortune to reschedule and cause more disruptive closures in the future.”

17th February 2023

Theresa May reopens Maidenhead station car park after £600,000 restoration​

Theresa May, officially reopens additional Maidenhead station car park

Theresa May, MP for Maidenhead, has opened additional car parking at the town’s railway station.

A depot and sidings as part of The Elizabeth Line meant that Silco Drive car park was taken out of use six years ago.

With the work now complete, Network Rail invested £600,000 in restoring the car park.

The car park has been resurfaced and relined to bring 141 spaces into use along with CCTV and Customer Information Screens showing real-time information

Silco Drive car park is a five to 10-minute walk from the station and will help to relieve pressure on the Shoppenhangers car park, which provides 171 spaces.

Mrs May said:

“I’m pleased to see the parking spaces in Silco Drive car park coming back into use. With the enhanced services of GWR and the Elizabeth line, Maidenhead is an increasingly important station. The spaces in Silco Drive car park will be a real boost for those who need to drive to the station.”

GWR Business Assurance and Strategy Director, Joe Graham, said:

“The return of this space as a car park at Maidenhead station is a real boost for customers now benefitting from more than six trains per hour to and from London.

“Shoppenhangers car park has traditionally been extremely well used and we hope these additional 141 spaces will be well received by station users."

Network Rail Industry Programme Director, Bogdan Lupu, said:

“Following the £19bn investment in the Elizabeth line, which has proved to be a vital transport link into London since opening in 2022, passengers from Maidenhead now have more opportunities to travel to a number of destinations using the line, as well as with GWR.

“We’re pleased that passengers at the station will be able to use the car park once again, opening up rail travel for commuters in the area who drive to Maidenhead station to start their journeys.”

17th February 2023

Network Rail named in Top 100 list for LGBT+ inclusive employers​

Network Rail has been praised for created an inclusive workplace where LGBT+ employees can bring their full self to work, and this has been rewarded with them being included in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2023.

Network Rail has joined a number of construction, legal, health and education firms on the list.

Over the last 12 months, Network Rail has worked towards creating an inclusive working environment.

Shane Andrews MBE (he/him), Network Rail’s diversity and inclusion manager and chair of Archway, said:

“The fact that Stonewall has once again recognised Network Rail’s work in making the organisation more inclusive for LGBT+ colleagues is a testament to us as an organisation. The fact that we’re now in the top 100 is just brilliant but we’re not complacent, we’ve got more work to do.

“I feel privileged to chair Archway the branch that represents the LGBT+ community within Network Rail and more than proud of the huge amount of work we’ve done. where we have striven to educate, empower and connect with all our colleagues.

“Archway is run entirely by volunteers, providing day-to-day confidential support to colleagues across the network. Receiving this award means that not only is the work that we’re doing being acknowledged within Network Rail but also with the wider LGBT+ community. It is safe to say that I am bursting with pride!”

Nancy Kelley, CEO of Stonewall (she/her) said:

‘It’s been fantastic to see all of the work put in by Network Rail over the past year to create a workplace where LGBT+ staff feel free to thrive as themselves.

“For many of us, the majority of our time is spent at work, so if we have to hide who we are it can take an enormous personal toll and hold us back from fulfilling our true potential. Creating environments where we can all feel comfortable makes our workplaces a safer, better and friendlier place for everyone and helps staff be proud of who they are.

“We’re incredibly proud to see so many new entrants from a range of sectors on this year’s list, who are committed to making LGBT+ people’s lives better.”

18th February 2023

SPOTLIGHT

British Rail Class 11​

The British Rail Class 11 was applied to a batch of diesel shunting locomotives built from April 1945 to December 1952, based on a similar earlier batch built by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) between 1934 and 1936.

An initial batch of twenty locomotives was built during World War II, fourteen of which were built for the War Department, with the first ten of these (70260-70269) subsequently going to the Nederlandse Spoorwegen post-war as NS 501–510.

LMS numbers 7120–7126 went straight into LMS stock, and a follow-up batch was built, 7129 being the last diesel shunter to be built for the LMS.

British Railways continued to build the class from 1948 to 1952, using numbers M7130–M7131 and 12045–12138.

7120–7129 and M7130–M7131 became BR numbers 12033–12044.

The whole class of 12033–12138 became Class 11.

Locomotives up to 12102 were built at LMS/BR Derby and 12103–12138 at BR Darlington.

Table of withdrawals

12116 was involved in an accident and was withdrawn and condemned on the 30 September1969

Preservation​

None of the LMS examples were preserved but the following BR examples of Class 11 diesel shunters are preserved:

• 12052 at Caledonian Railway
• 12077 at Midland Railway - Butterley
• 12083 at Battlefield Line Railway
• 12088 at Aln Valley Railway
• 12093 at Caledonian Railway
• 12099 at Severn Valley Railway
• 12131 at North Norfolk Railway
• A ninth example 12049 (renumbered from 12082) is preserved at the Watercress Line in Hampshire. At one time it was re-registered as 01553, in TOPS Class 01/5, carried both numbers and was owned by the Harry Needle Railroad Company. 12082 was renumbered to 12049 in October 2010 and painted in BR green with a late crest but without the yellow/black ends. This was as a replacement for the original Mid Hants locomotive 12049 that was scrapped after suffering catastrophic damage during an engine shed fire on 26 July 2010.

12052 at Caledonian Railway on July 25, 2015

Locomotive History

In 1945 the London Midland and Scottish Railway began building at Derby Works a batch of diesel electric 0-6-0 shunting engines.

By the formation of British Railways on the 1st January 1948 fifteen had been completed and construction was continued by British Railways until 1952 when one hundred and six had been built.

They were numbered 12033 – 12138 and were the forerunner of the class 08 design.

They were later classified as class 11 and they remained in service until the late 1960’s/early 1970’s.

12077 was built at Derby in 1950 and was delivered new to Saltley MPD.

It would spend part of its career at Chester until eventually withdrawn from Wigan Springs Branch in October 1971.

Following withdrawal it was sold for industrial use until purchased for preservation in 1978 and moved to the Midland Railway Centre.

12083 at Market Bosworth on March 26, 2022

12088 Alne valley Railway 1st June 2014

12093 Caledonian Railway 5th September 2015

12099 at Bewdley on October 12, 2007

Class 11 shunter No. 12131 stands idle in the sun in Weybourne yard on March 13, 2010

12049 the working shunter at Ropley on the Mid Hants Railway on April 27, 2013

19th February 2023

Station Cat Spot

Lulu & Tess, relaxing in the sun.

Station Cat No.3 - Lulu.

Station Cat No.1 - Tess.

The Lovely Lulu.

19th February 2023

Branch Line Society “Calan Mai” rail tour to North Wales on May Day​

50008 'Thunderer' heads through Hexthorpe on the 5Z57 Chaddesden-Gascoigne Wood stock move, 23rd October 2022

On Monday, 1st May, the Branch Line Society will be running the Calan Mai rail tour from Derby, Birmingham, and Wolverhampton, and along the scenic North Wales coast to Llandudno and Holyhead.

Calan Mai is Welsh for the first day of May, and the rail tour, which will be operated by RailAdventure, will consist of Mk.3 coaching stock and be hauled by Class 50 50008 Thunderer with a pair of Class 20s on the rear of the train.

Subject to operational requirements on the day, Thunderer will be at the First Class end, which will lead from Derby to Kilby Bridge.

During the journey, a wide range of hot and cold drinks, snacks, and light refreshments will be available from a charity Buffet with all profits donated to a good cause.

A selection of hand-pulled real ales and ciders will also be available from the “Lubrication Station”, served by the society’s real ale experts.

A charity raffle will also take place and all proceeds will be donated to the Railway Benefit Fund.

In North Wales, guests can opt for an afternoon by the sea in Llandudno, where they will be able to explore the delights of the Great Orme and its tramway, or stay on the tour for a late-afternoon break at Holyhead.

On the return journey, the tour will not go into Llandudno but will only stop at Llandudno Junction.

Those passengers who chose to visit Llandudno will therefore need to catch a service train for a short ten-minute journey from Llandudno to Llandudno Junction to rejoin the train, with fares payable locally.

The provisional route and timings are as follows::#

Derby P6 (07.14 PU) – East Midlands Parkway P2 (PU 07.32) – Leicester Up & Dn Goods – Leicester P4 (PU 08.06) – Knighton Up & Dn Goods – Kilby Bridge Jn (RM) – Wigston Curve – Nuneaton P5 (PU 09.06) – Up Nuneaton Chord – Coleshill Parkway P1 (PU 09.35) – Bordesley Jn – Lifford East Jn – Birmingham New Street P9 (RM / PU 10.28) – Soho East Jn – Perry Barr Dn Goods – Bescot Stadium – Wolverhampton P2 (PU 11.07) – Cosford DGL – Wellington Through Road – Shrewsbury Dn Main – Wrexham General – Chester P3 (RM) – Rhyl Dn Main – Abergele & Pensarn – Llandudno Junction P3 – Llandudno P2 (RM / SD 15.00) – Llandudno Junction P3 (RM) – Bangor Dn Main – Holyhead P1 (RM / break 16.05 – 16.45) – Bangor Up Main – Llandudno Junction P1 (PU 17.34) – Abergele & Pensarn – Rhyl – Chester P4 – Crewe P6 – Stoke on Trent – Stafford – Rugeley Trent Valley P1 – Rugeley Town – Walsall – Soho East Jn – Up & Dn Monument Lane Loop – Birmingham New Street P8 (SD 21.21) – Coleshill Parkway (SD 21.40) – Nuneaton P7 (SD 22.00) – Leicester P2 (SD 22.24) – East Midlands Parkway P1 (SD 22.48) – Derby P3 (SD 23.04)

20th February 2023

Rail Delivery Group welcomes union decision​

The Rail Delivery Group has welcomed the announcement that the TSSA is to put the latest pay offer to its members, by holding a ballot.

The union said:

‘We have fought for months on pay, job security and conditions in the face of a cost of living crisis and intransigence from government ministers.

‘What is on the table now is a result of careful negotiations and the commitment of our members in their determination to demonstrate our collective industrial strength.

’Though the offers represent progress on a number of fronts we will continue to ballot for further industrial action as the dispute remains live.’

The Rail Delivery Group responded that the union’s decision was ‘encouraging’.

It continued:

‘We hope that our TSSA colleagues will consider carefully, vote for the deal and end this dispute.

‘We listened to the union’s concerns in response to our initial offer and we have addressed them – including increasing our offer on pay. If they vote yes, TSSA members’ pay will increase by at least 9 per cent over two years – rising to 13 per cent for the lowest paid.

‘Having negotiated at length with the TSSA to agree this best and final offer, we hope that our colleagues look carefully at what is on the table and work with us to bring an end to this dispute. We can then work together to secure a thriving long-term future for a railway we can all be proud of.’

Meanwhile, members of the RMT are set to walk out again on three days in March, and also on 1 April.

The RMT rejected offers from the employers earlier this month, saying ‘they did not meet the needs of members on pay, job security or working conditions’.

20th February 2023

East Midlands Railway customers in Leicester get chance to try out new train seats​

New Aurora train for East Midlands Railway

Since last November, the bespoke seats that are to be fitted to East Midlands Railway’s new Aurora trains have been on display at Nottingham, Derby, and Sheffield stations where customers have had the chance to try them out.

The unique seats are also destined to be displayed at Leicester and East Midlands Parkway stations, so more customers have the opportunity to sample them.

Customers visiting the displays will be able to discover what East Midlands Railway has done to ensure the interiors of the new trains include everything that customers expect from a modern train, including more connectivity, luggage space, and better passenger information.

To produce the new seats, East Midlands Railway worked closely with Derby-based design company DGDESIGN to develop the proven product of a FISA Lean seat and refine it so that it offers better comfort and support.

The appearance of the seats has also been improved to match what the company believes customers expect from a seat on Intercity services.

Among the improvements to the seats has been an increase in the size of the cushions, headrests and armrests, and ensuring that high-quality durable materials such as a wool-rich moquette and leather are used throughout.

The seats also include all the practical and technological features that customers now expect, such as power and USB points, generous legroom, coat hooks, sensibly-sized seat-back tables for all airline seats, and enough space under each seat to stow a cabin bag.

The new Aurora trains also include as standard those features that passengers have now come to expect, including air conditioning, free WiFi throughout, plug sockets, and better passenger information screens.

Rachel Turner, Head of New Trains at East Midlands Railway, said:

“It has been enjoyable seeing how customers have reacted to design of the new seats.

“We have worked really hard to make them as comfortable as possible and include all the features that customers need for a pleasant or productive journey – including more storage, USB points and generous legroom.

“We look forward to showcasing them to our customers at Leicester and East Midlands Parkway.”

20th February 2023

Steam locomotive 34072 257 Squadron to visit the East Lancashire Railway​

34072 heading through Woodthorpe with the van train, GCR Winter Gala, on January 30, 2022

Southern Locomotives Ltd have confirmed that No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’ is to visit the East Lancashire Railway to boost locomotive availability in 2023.

The locomotive is expected to arrive at the East Lancashire Railway soon after the Spa Valley Railway’s Summer Steam Up in June 2023 and is 30 years since its first visit to the popular heritage railway.

34092 ‘City Of Wells’, sister locomotive to 34072, is to undergo an overhaul this year, so 257 Squadron is a natural replacement.

It is hoped that 34092 will be back in service in time for 34092 and 34072 to haul trains alongside each other.

34092 'Wells' approaches Summerseat on 25th July 2015 with the 1130 Heywood to Rawtenstall service.

20th February 2023

Engineering work to disrupt train services in the Yeovil area​

On weekdays from next Monday 27th February to Friday, 10th March, train services between Dorchester West, Yeovil Pen Mill, and Castle Cary in Somerset and Dorset will be disrupted whilst Network Rail carries out track upgrades and maintenance.

During the closure, Network Rail also plans to carry out improvements to Maiden Newton station.

Last September, the line between Yeoveil Pen Mill and Weymouth was closed whilst Network Rail renewed the track between Maiden Newton and Chetnole.

There will be no impact on South Western Railway trains serving Weymouth, Upwey or Dorchester South stations.