Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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GWR 3rd Class Clerestory Brake Coach '3379'

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8th March 2023

Class 73 locomotive to debut at Cynheidre Gala​

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73130 is seen being shunted into the shed at Cynheidre on the 4 November 2022

The Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway has announced that Class 73 Electro-Diesel No. 73 130 will make its debut in passenger service at the new season launch.

This locomotive was previously used by European Passenger Services to haul Eurostar units.

The Railway will host a Mixed Traction Gala on the weekend of 18 and 19 March, with highlights including (subject to availability):
  • first services with recently-arrived Class 73, which will be used for brake van rides in the morning and afternoon
  • inaugural services by ex-Great Western Pacer No. 143 612, which is on loan to the Railway from the Vale of Berkeley Railway
  • ex Transport for Wales Pacers 142 006 and 143 607 in service
  • short rides in ex-MOD 4 wheel railcar No. AD9117, subject to completion of overhaul
All available traction will feature in service, subject to availability, including:
  • Sentinel 0-4-0 DM Shunter No. 10222
  • Class 143 Pacer Railcar No. 143 612 & TFW sets 142 006 / 143 607
  • Ex. MOD 4-wheel Railcar AD9117
  • Class 73 Electro-diesel No. 73 130
Gates open at 9.30am with the first departure at 10am, then frequently through the day until 3pm.

A range of single trip and rover tickets will be available.

Full details and timetables will be available nearer to the date and updates will be posted on the Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway website and Facebook page.
 
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Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway, Cynheidre, 15th October 2022, 143606, 143607, 143612, 142006, 690 (NS), Sentinel 10222, 483008 & 40088 are visible in this view

The railway is uniquely home to both types of Pacer train, which until recently operated the majority of services for Transport for Wales in the South Wales Valleys.

These units will be on view and ex-Great Western sister unit no. 143 612 will make its inaugural service trips during the weekend.

Along with 73 118 , 73 130 was one of two Class 73s selected for modification to work for European Passenger Services.

The modification required the full rebuilding of both the buffer beam and front end to accommodate a coupling adaptor which could be lowered into position to enable the locomotive to be coupled to a Eurostar set.

The locomotives were required to act as both rescue engines in the event that a set failed in service on the UK side of the Channel Tunnel or if vehicles needed to be shunted within North Pole International depot.

Sentinel Wagon Works (Rolls Royce) 0-4-0DM diesel shunter No. 10222 was built in Shrewsbury in 1965.

This locomotive spent many years at ARC Penderyn Quarry in Hirwaun and later at Machen Quarry.

It was donated to the railway by Hanson Aggregates and transferred to Cardiff Cathays as works pilot in return for free storage.

Hanson donated paint and transfers to aid the restoration of the locomotive, which was completed in 2011.

It has since been the prime mover at the railway for both shunting and working passenger trains with the vacuum braked former goods brake van.

A selection of items from ‘The South Wales Cab Yard’, a collection of 35 loco and multiple unit cabs currently based at a private site in Bridgend, will also be available for inspection, and the railway’s other rolling stock will also be available to view with access to the main stock sheds and heritage centre.

Light refreshments and a range of souvenirs will also be available to purchase.

All advertised attractions are subject to availability on the day.

The railway is a charity run totally by volunteers.

It is hoping to grow into a major tourist attraction for the Llanelli district and in order to reach our goals it is appealing for more volunteer help in all departments including operational, maintenance and restoration, and administration.

If you could spare a few hours for what is a most enjoyable pastime and worthwhile cause do not hesitate to get in touch via the railway’s website or Facebook page.
 
9th March 2023

Great Blizzard of 1891​

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A train derailed in England due to the ferocious snowstorm of 1891​

Between March 9th and 13th, 1891, parts of England were hit by an extremely ferocious snowstorm.

Snowdrifts as large as 15 feet buried trains and the passengers within them for days, ships were left stranded along the coast (such as the Bay of Panama, which was wrecked on the rocks of the Cornish coast, killing 23 people) and the telegraph system failed.

Cornwall, Devon and Somerset were the worst affected areas, as roofs collapsed under the weight of snow and many people were trapped.

Many workers trying to restore railroad lines and telegraph poles froze to death in the extreme temperatures.

In all, some 6,000 animals and more than 200 people were killed across England during the four days of blizzard weather.
 
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9th March 2023

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RDG urges RMT to cancel strikes as fresh pay talks start​

The Rail Delivery Group has invited the RMT to fresh talks today, following the announcement that strikes at Network Rail had suspended following a new pay offer.

The terms of the offer have now been published by the union.

Network Rail is offering a salary rise of between 14.4 per cent for the lowest paid grades to 9.2 per cent for the highest, plus an additional 1.1 per cent on basic earnings and increased back pay, which will be paid as a lump sum.

It does not depend on any changes to working practices.

Meanwhile, the RDG invited the RMT to new talks today on condition that strikes at train operators next week are cancelled, but the union has declined to do this.

Last night, the RDG said:

‘We have invited the RMT leadership to meet tomorrow for further talks and have made clear we are always open to dialogue. However we have also made clear to that meaningful progress can only be made if they remove the threat of strikes hanging over our passengers before it is too late to avoid disruption. We urge the RMT leadership to engage with us in good faith and resolve this dispute.’

As things stand the RMT is still set to stage walkouts at 14 English train operators on 16, 18 and 30 March, and also on 1 April.
 
9th March 2023

Direct Rail Services open day to become biennial event​

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Direct Rail Services Class 68 locomotive 68023 'Achilles' ​

Direct Rail Services (DRS) has decided that its open day should now be held every two years so that more time can be spent on planning the events.

Over 3,500 people attended its last open day, held at Direct Rail Services’ Gresty Bridge rail depot in Crewe.

It was also a family fun day that raised £39,000 for DRS’s sponsorship and donations fund to help deserving causes across the UK.

A feature of the open days is that there was plenty to keep the whole family entertained with the opportunity to sit in a real locomotive cab, observe working engines from close hand, see a heritage locomotive start, and charity auctions.
 
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Unveiling the Max Joule nameplate at the 2022 Open Day​

During last year’s open day, Class 66 locomotive 66422 was named Max Joule as a tribute to one of Direct Rail Service’s founders and its Managing Director until his tragic death in 1999, and 66424 was named Driver Paul Scrivens, who was a driver with Direct Rail Services for over 20 years until his untimely death earlier in the year.
 
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Colleagues and friends of Paul Scrivens with his sister Emma, centre after unveiling his nameplate​

The next open day is scheduled to take place in 2024 at the Direct Rail Services depot at Kingmoor in Carlisle.

Further information about the event will be available nearer to the time on the Direct Rail Services website at https://www.directrailservices.com/

Julie Nerney, NTS Interim Managing Director for Rail said:

“The open day of 2022 was a huge success, with around 3,500 attending and raising over £39,000 for our sponsorship and donations fund.

“We want to ensure that our next event is even better and to offer the best experience for our guests, that planning takes time, and a switch to a biennial schedule allows us to do that.

“I want to thank everyone for their continued support and look forward to welcoming them to our next event.”
 
9th March 2023

Trial train service from Wareham mainline into the heart of the Isle of Purbeck​

Swanage Railway will operate the trial service using a heritage diesel train and is sharing a message to leave the car at home and travel by train!​

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Swanage Railway Class 117 heritage diesel train Corfe Castle​

Swanage Railway is working in partnership to bring the trial service to people making their way to the Isle of Purbeck with the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund, the Department for Transport, the former Purbeck District Council, Dorset Council, British Petroleum, Perenco, Network Rail and South Western Railway.

The project aims to encourage people to leave their cars at home and take a train to the heart of the Dorset peninsula.

The service will operate from April to September this year, with tickets available to buy via mainline operator South Western Railway enabling passengers to include travel for Corfe Castle and Swanage to mainline tickets.

The landmark trial will mark the first mainline ticketing facility for travel to Swanage in 51 years, since the last British Rail passenger service made its way between Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage on the 1st of January 1972, prior to the line’s controversial closure.

The well-loved heritage railway will also be using its restored and upgraded 1950s heritage diesel trains, which were originally used on the British Rail network up to the 1990s.

The trains will run the service, which is an eleven-mile journey, including one mile on Network Rail mainline from Worgret Junction to Wareham station.

The trail will be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and will start on the 4th of April, continuing each week until the 10th of September.

The first train departure will be at 11.19am at Wareham and the last train will leave Swanage heading to Wareham at 4.20pm, which provides visitors a good four hours to enjoy Swanage and Corfe Castle.

On special events days, the timetable will be subject to change.
 
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Swanage Railway Class 117 heritage diesel train Corfe Castle​

Gavin Johns, the volunteer chairman of the Swanage Railway Trust, said:

“This trial train service is the result of working in partnership with the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund, the Department of Transport, the former Purbeck District Council, Dorset Council, British Petroleum, Perenco, Network Rail and South Western Railway.

“I would like to thank our valued stakeholders for their far-sighted investment of £5.5 million to re-connect Swanage and Corfe Castle with the main line at Wareham which included £1.8 million from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund so we could restore and upgrade our 1950s heritage diesel trains for running on the main line directly into Wareham station,” added Gavin who is also a volunteer Swanage Railway signalman.

South Western Railway’s regional development manager, Andrew Ardley, said:

“SWR is proud to support the Swanage Railway by giving customers the ability to buy tickets through to Corfe Castle and Swanage from any one of the 189 stations on our network. This is a historic moment for the Swanage Railway and we look forward to seeing the results of this highly anticipated trial.”

The trains will be operated and staffed by West Coast Railways for Swanage Railway as one of the countries leading mainline charter and special train operators.

Four services will operate each day out of Wareham each day and will be made up of a three-carriage heritage Class 117 diesel multiple unit which can also have a one-carriage heritage Class 121 diesel multiple unit added when capacity requires, providing 292 seats.

Swanage Railway has used specialist contractors to restore and upgrade both of the heritage units and has seen the fitting of technical, signalling and safety equipment as fitted on all other trains operating on the national rail network.

Trevor Parsons – the volunteer chairman of the Swanage Railway Company, which operates trains for the Swanage Railway Trust, said:

“I would like to say a big thank you to our valued stakeholders for their invaluable help and patience with a complicated and detailed project that has been as ambitious as it has been challenging.

“This trial train service would not be possible without the former Purbeck District Council committing £3.2million from housing developers’ transport improvement contributions for re-signalling improvements between Wareham, Worgret Junction and the Swanage Railway as part of Network Rail’s Poole to Wool re-signalling scheme in 2013,”

Trevor is also a volunteer with Swanage Railway taking up the position of signalman and train guard alongside his duties as Swanage Railway Trust director.

Mike Whitwam, chairman of the Purbeck Community Rail Partnership said:

“This trial train service to Wareham marks an important opportunity to return to a fully-functioning and sustainable rail service that meets the needs of local communities, visitors and businesses.

“The trial service holds the prospect of Isle of Purbeck residents travelling anywhere possible by rail, leaving their cars at home and taking traffic off the congested A351 road,” added Mike who is a Swanage Railway Trust trustee and Swanage Town councillor.

Summer 2017 saw Swanage Railway operate a 60-selected day trial train service from Wareham using diesel locomotives and carriages which were hired in, operated and staffed by West Coast Railways.

It was hoped that the summer of 2018 would see a 90-day trial undertaken.

However, this was delayed and further planned trials were caught up in challenges created by the pandemic.

Tickets will be available to buy from Monday the 13th of March via Swanage Railways website.
 
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9th March 2023

South Devon Railway Engineering finishes contract work on HST Power Car​

South Devon Railway's contract engineering arm has now completed an extensive repair and repaint of HST power car no. 43277​

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43277 in Colas livery breaks cover on 2 March 2023 working from the RTC to Barnetby and back as 0Z10. The return leg seen is passing Attenborough.

South Devon Railway’s contract engineering arm South Devon Railway Engineering has now finalised a major contracted repair and repaint for railway infrastructure services company Colas Rail UK on HST power car 43277.

The contract with Colas Rail marks the first time that South Devon Railway Engineering has undertaken work on a HST, which included:
  • Bodywork repairs
  • Underframe attention
  • Electrical cubicle component repairs
  • Mechanical and electrical cab equipment repairs
  • Full repaint in Colas Rail UK livery
 
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HST power car 43277

Rob Evans, manager of South Devon Railway Engineering, said:

“This was a tremendous project to work on and we were delighted to have won this business from Colas Rail UK. It has been a great achievement for South Devon Railway Engineering and all our great team of skilled engineers, as we continue to branch out into new areas of work, expanding the business’s commercial profile. We are looking forward to continuing extending our capabilities in the future.”
 
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43277 Dave Cunningham and Tony Shaw two of the overhaul team

The end of February saw the power car leave South Devon Railway and head to Colas Rail UK’s Rugby depot where the locomotive will be displayed as part of its launch and where the power car was named Safety Task Force by Nick Millington MBE of Network Rail.

Some minor engine repair work will be carried out on 43277 and once this is complete it will move back into service as part of a number of HSTs, which are part of a fleet that Network Rail uses to inspect tracks right across the country.

Further to holding the nameplates, the locomotive will also carry a plate celebrating its refurbishment by South Devon Railway Engineering.
 
9th March 2023

International Women’s Day marked in Birmingham with tram naming​

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Tram named after 'Theresa Stewart'​

Timed to coincide with yesterday, Wednesday, 8th March being International Women’s Day, a West Midlands Metro Urbos 100 tram was named after the late Theresa Stewart, who during the 1990s, was Birmingham City Council’s first and so far only woman leader.

This is the second tram in Metro’s fleet to have been named in her honour, as a previous tram that bore her name was withdrawn from service in 2015 when the fleet was renewed and has since been scrapped.

The current tram named Theresa Stewart followed a request from Birmingham City Council’s current leader, Cllr Ian Ward.

Theresa Stewart, who died in 2020, had a long and distinguished career in local politics.

She led Birmingham City Council from 1993 to 1999, was the Lord Mayor of Birmingham for the year 2000-2001, was a member of the Passenger Transport Authority, which was the Transport for West Midlands (TfWMs) predecessor organisation, and played a crucial role in lobbying Government for funding for the West Midlands Metro line during the 1990s.
 
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West Midlands Metro tram in Broad Street

Theresa Stewart was a great advocate and campaigner for women’s equality and representation, including founding the Birmingham Pregnancy Advisory Service to support women.

Her name was unveiled on the tram by her proud daughters Selina and Lindsey, who were accompanied by their husbands Philip Hunt and James Wells and their children and grandchildren.

Selina, speaking on behalf of her family, said:

“We are delighted that Transport for West Midlands is naming a tram for Mum. This honours the commitment she always had to public transport as a politician and also as an individual. She used public transport all of her life as neither she nor our Dad had a car and she appreciated how important buses, trams and trains are for people in general but particularly for women and children.”

Theresa Stewart follows in the footsteps of comedian Jasper Carrott, rocker Ozzy Osbourne, and footballer Cyrille Regis in having a West Midlands Metro tram named after them, while last week, renowned Black Country-based developers Roy and Don Richardson were similarly honoured.

The people of the West Midlands will have the chance to help choose the next person to have a tram named in their honour.

Cllr Ward, who is also West Midlands Combined Authority portfolio lead for transport, said:

“Theresa Stewart left behind a wonderful legacy in Birmingham, having dedicated her life to public service. I am delighted that Birmingham will now have a tram bearing her name, and that her legacy will continue in this unique way. To be announcing this on International Women’s Day is fitting, as Theresa was a trailblazer who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of women in Birmingham.”

Naming the tram on International Women’s Day after such a well-respected equality campaigner has also been welcomed by Anne Shaw, executive director of Transport for West Midlands, and Sophie Allison, the first woman to lead West Midlands Metro.

Sophie said:

“Light rail is traditionally a male-dominated sector, but it now offers a wealth of career opportunities for women, and many are already enjoying success in very senior roles. In our own team, we have women represented in all departments, and they come from a diverse mix of backgrounds.”
 
9th March 2023

Tyne & Wear Metro line closure for overhead line renewal​

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A busy section of Metro line in Newcastle-upon-Tyne is to close for five days for a £1.6m programme of overhead line renewal work.

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, will close the line between South Gosforth and Airport from Monday March 20 until Friday 24 March (inclusive).

The five-day closure will deliver new overhead line along a 3km section, forming part of a £36.4m wire renewal programme that started in 2011 and is expected to run through to 2025.

A total of 106 kilometres of wire is being replaced in a rolling programme, making it one of the biggest maintenance projects undertaken on Metro.

Overhead lines conduct electricity to trains, and have been used on the Tyne and Wear Metro since it was built.

The renewal work is essential to keep the trains running.

Passengers will be provided with a frequent replacement bus, 900, service during the closure, calling at or near all Metro stations on the affected route.

The line will re-open with its usual service on Saturday 25 March.

During the major line closure, the Fawdon level crossing will be closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and diversionary routes will be signposted.

A shuttle taxi service will be in service for pedestrians on each day of the closure to transfer customers to each side of the crossing.

Metro Infrastructure Director, Stuart Clarke, said:

“This is vital investment in new Metro infrastructure ahead of welcoming our new trains.

“The work to replace such a long stretch of overhead line can only be carried out safely during a major line closure. This will be in place for five full days, March 20 to March 24.

“Customers travelling through the affected area are advised to plan journeys in advance and allow time to make their journeys.

“I understand this causes some disruption, and we always try to make closures as short as possible and to provide a good replacement bus service when there are lines affected, but it is necessary to make sure that the Metro system is fit for the future.”

He added:

“This is the same wire that was installed 40 years ago when Metro was first opened so it has become worn and more prone to failure.

“If it fails then that becomes disruptive to the services that we provide, so by renewing the wire this is an investment in helping to ensure that the Metro stays as reliable as possible for years to come.

“The work involves the old wires being unclipped and then taken down and then the new wire is put up. We then do a process called registration which involves getting the wire into the precise locations that it needs to be in before we do tests and assurances so that we can allow the trains to start running again.”
 
9th March 2023

Strike action will impact Northern train services this March​

The rail operator is advising customers to check journeys before travelling as RMT takes further strike action on the 16th and 18th of March​

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150001, the first prototype Sprinter train built by BREL in 1984, and now operated by Northern Trains, departs Bromley Cross station for Clitheroe on 19th July 2021.​

Northern is advising customers travelling on Thursday the 16th and Saturday the 18th of March to ‘check before you travel’ as the RMT takes further industrial action on rail operators.

The RMT has suspended strike action by its members who work for Network Rail. However, members who work for train operators including Northern will still remain in force.

During the strike action, Northern will operate an amended timetable on both strike days with a 12-hour operation in place on some routes from 7am to 7pm.

To find out more, please visit: www.northernrailway.co.uk/strikes

Further strikes are also planned by the RMT on Thursday the 30th of March and Saturday the 1st of April.

Strike action has an impact on fleet displacement for rail operators and because of this, Northern’s services on Friday the 17th and Sunday the 19th of March will start later than usual.

However, once up and running, services will return to the full timetable.
 
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Northern Train

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:

“We’re expecting the skeleton services we can run to be very busy – so customers should plan ahead and check before they travel.

“Given the reduced timetable only runs until 7pm, I’m very keen to stress that people should check their ‘last train home’ on those dates – so that customers don’t find themselves stranded at the wrong end of the line as a result of this action by the RMT.”

As the UK’s second-largest rail operator, Northern operates almost 2,500 services each day to over 500 stations across the North of England.
 
9th March 2023

Cumbrian coast: Historic Harrington station footbridge restored​

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Harrington station bridge after it's renovation, March 2023​

Today (9 March), the footbridge at Harrington station reopened after a four-month restoration project.

This has secured the future of the Victorian railway footbridge on the Cumbrian coast line between Workington and Whitehaven.

Network Rail invested £450,000 to strengthen and fully repaint the original structure back to its Victorian splendour.

The work, which began in October 2022, was planned over two phases of overnight shifts when trains weren’t running to avoid disrupting train passengers.

The six-tonne bridge was moved using a hundred-tonne crane and taken off site to be repaired and restored by specialist firm Taziker.

On Saturday night, engineers lifted the new bridge in by crane for passengers to use from today.

Reece Holland, Network Rail scheme project manager, said:

“It’s really important for Network Rail to protect and conserve structures on the railway network – like this one at Harrington and previous restorations at Flimby and Wigton – which give historic stations their unique charm and character.

“The vital investment now means the railway crossing will be safer and more reliable for passengers for generations to come.”
 
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Harrington station bridge deck after sandblasting and repainting in traditional colours​

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said:

“It’s fantastic that, in partnership with Network Rail, we are able to provide our customers with modern facilities without losing our proud railway heritage.

“The refurbished bridge is testament to the commitment of all in the rail industry to build for the future while respecting the past, and I’m delighted that our customers will be able to benefit from this painstaking work.”

Mark Jenkinson, MP for Workington, said:

“I am pleased to see this important refurbishment work completed, giving this piece of Harrington’s railway heritage a new lease of life.

“I have always been a staunch defender of our heritage from the Duffield Beacon to Christ Church in Maryport. Indeed, the campaign to save Grade I listed Workington Hall was what encouraged me to get involved in politics in the first place.

“It is particularly welcome the fact that works to the bridge have been carried out with such obvious care and sensitivity.”
 
9th March 2023

Merseyrail cancels trains on Friday due to snow warning​

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New Class 777 in service with Merseyrail​

The first early-morning trains on all Merseyrail lines will run without passengers on Friday 10 March, due to the Meteorological Office issuing a warning of snow.

If snow were to accumulate on the powered third rail, this would prevent trains from making electrical contact, so to ensure the track is safe, the very first trains on each line will run without passengers.

Merseyrail hopes to be able to run a full service following this, but some disruption is still possible.

Passengers planning to travel tomorrow or over the weekend are strongly advised to check the Merseyrail website, app or social media channels before starting their journey.

The following changes will be in place from the start of service:
  • Southport line: 05:37 (Southport – Hunts Cross) starts at Sandhills at 06:21. The 05:59 (Sandhills – Southport) is cancelled.
  • Ormskirk line: 05:49 (Ormskirk – Liverpool Central) will start from Sandhills at 06:16.
  • Kirkby line: 05:43 (Kirkby – Liverpool Central) will start from Sandhills at 05:55.
  • Hunts Cross line: 06:01 (Hunts Cross – Southport) will start at Liverpool Central at 06:24.
  • West Kirby line: 05:51 to Liverpool Central is cancelled.
  • New Brighton line: 05.53 to Liverpool Central is cancelled.
  • Chester line: 05:39 (Hooton – Liverpool Central) will start from Birkenhead Central at 05:59.
  • The 05:55 (Chester – Liverpool Central) will start from Hooton at 06:09.
  • Ellesmere Port line: 06:17 (Ellesmere Port to Liverpool Central) will start from Hooton at 06:26.
Merseyrail has put mitigation plans in place overnight and in the morning as it takes steps to protect commuter services.

Tracks on the 75-mile Merseyrail network will be treated overnight to protect them from snow build-up, while station staff will ensure that platforms and car parks are well gritted, so they are safe for passengers.

Greg Suligowski, Head of Customer Service at Merseyrail, said:

“The Met Office weather warning for snow across the region means that we need to take immediate preventative measures to ensure that we can start services at the earliest time possible tomorrow.

“Our teams will be working closely with colleagues from Network Rail both overnight and in the morning to get passenger services moving. However, further disruption beyond the cancellations announced is possible.

“We apologise for the disruption this will cause and would recommend anyone planning to travel tomorrow or over the weekend checks our social media channels, app or website for the latest advice before starting their journey.”
 
9th March 2023

Inside The Train Shed

Made some progress today.

It was 4°C with heavy rain at times, outside.

The shed was about 5°C inside and felt very cold, I can see why I always insisted on working at 10°C.

Still, I managed to stay active with some sawing and tightening screws.

All the wood has been sawn to length for the upper baseboard assemblies and I assembled one upper baseboard.

Preparing to saw the last piece of wood
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Putting the roof support joists to good use, storing the 'leg' wood off the floor.

It'll be good when all the stuff is organised and stored out of the way, under the baseboards.

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10th March 2023

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Warnings from railway industry in response to HS2 delay​

Construction of HS2 north of Birmingham to Crewe is to be delayed by two years, in a bid to contain the costs of the project.

Transport secretary Mark Harper said £40 billion will be invested in ‘transformational’ transport schemes over the next two financial years around the country, which would help to ‘level up’ local communities and fulfill one of the Government’s five priorities to enlarge the economy.

He added that: this includes continued investment in HS2 from London Euston to Manchester.

However, ‘in recognition of inflationary pressures and to help balance the nation’s books, the next two years will be used to rephase construction and optimise future delivery of Phase 2a between Birmingham and Crewe so this is done in the most cost-effective way’.

He continued: ‘The Government will take the time to ensure an affordable and deliverable design at Euston, with a view to delivering the station alongside high-speed infrastructure to Manchester, while the High Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill continues through Parliament.’

Before Mr Harper made his announcement, there had been speculation that he could have been set to announce changes to Phase 1, between Old Oak Common and Birmingham, but construction on this section will continue.

Transport for the North reacted by calling for the complete London to Manchester scheme to go ahead.

Its chairman, the former transport secretary Lord McLoughlin, said:

‘This is a disappointing announcement. But I was reassured by the transport secretary that we are still getting HS2 to Manchester, and the recommitment to NPR [Northern Powerhouse Rail] is welcome.

‘However, it needs to be understood whether or not these cost savings can be realised while still achieving the same desired outcome and conditional outputs. The government needs to avoid being penny wise and pound foolish, as delays don’t necessarily lead to savings, and in fact can drive costs upwards.

‘Nevertheless, the political leaders of the North who sit on our Board have made their collective position very clear – we must transform the North by building both HS2 and NPR in full.’

The Railway Industry Association, which represents hundreds of companies in the supply chain, warned that delaying the Birmingham-Crewe section could be an ‘inefficient use of taxpayers’ money.’

RIA chief executive Darren Caplan said:

‘Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced just last November that he was committed to delivering HS2. This was welcome news following the scrapping of both the Eastern Leg from Leeds to Birmingham, and the cancellation of the Golborne Link, to enable high speed trains to get from the Northern Leg of HS2 to Scotland.

‘So it is clearly disappointing to hear of this delay, which seems to prioritise short-termism over a structured, long-term strategy for what is Europe’s biggest infrastructure project. The delay postpones the immense benefits the project is set to deliver for the country, including extra capacity, more economic growth, improved connectivity – driving levelling up – and hundreds of thousands of jobs specifically in the Midlands and the North, and also to other parts of the UK more widely.

‘This stop-start approach to a project is an inefficient use of taxpayers’ money, and could ultimately drive the project's costs up, which is the opposite of what the Government is trying to do. We strongly urge the Government to push on with delivering the full HS2 scheme, including the Eastern Leg and the Golborne Link, or its replacement, as soon as possible.’

The Labour Party was also critical. Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said:

‘Tens of thousands of jobs, and billions in economic growth are dependent on this project. The North is yet again being asked to pay the price for staggering Conservative failure. Conservative chaos and chronic indecision is holding back jobs, growth and costing the taxpayer. This is the biggest project in Europe and delays pile costs up in the long-run. Ministers now need to come clean on precisely how much their indecision will cost taxpayers and the North.’

The private operators’ lobbying organisation Rail Partners echoed the cost concerns voiced by other critics.

Chief executive Andy Bagnall said:

‘While inflationary pressures make infrastructure projects more challenging, it is critical for Britain's economy and meeting net zero targets that large sections of HS2 are not delayed which will ultimately increase the overall cost.’
 
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10th March 2023

New heritage locomotive collaboration announced​

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Didcot Railway Centre and the Vintage Trains Charitable Trust have announced that they are to work together to develop and promote the market for heritage trains in Britain.

The collaboration will focus on:

1. expanding the market for Railway Heritage experiences at both Didcot Railway Centre and Tyseley Depot, Using the experience of DRC in tourism and visitor entertainment and Vintage Trains’ knowledge of running heritage trains on the mainline;

2. expanding the market for main line tours utilising both organisations’ databases; building market penetration in the Midlands and Home Counties, together with promoting Vintage Trains charter trains and adding boarding locations in the Oxford, Didcot, Swindon and London areas;

3. Tyseley Locomotive Works assisting Didcot Railway Centre in engineering on their extensive engine restoration program by becoming a preferred supplier;

4. Didcot Railway Centre assisting the Vintage Trains Charitable Trust in improving its museum and archive development.

Didcot Railway Centre is a living history museum of the Great Western Railway set in 21 acres alongside Didcot Parkway Station.

From Brunel’s Broad Gauge to the modern trains running past, Didcot Railway Centre’s unique collection of buildings, locomotives, carriages, wagons and other artefacts shows how the Great Western Railway developed to be the premier railway company of the 1940s.

The founders of Vintage Trains Charitable Trust were world pioneers in establishing heritage railways and its main line operations.

Based at Tyseley Locomotive Works in Birmingham UK, the charity boasts that it “has established a thriving heritage engineering workshop delivering first-class services nationwide, whilst preserving the skills of the steam age and training young people in manufacturing”.

Vintage Trains established a Community Benefit Society to establish and develop its own train operating company in 2017, licensed to run express steam trains nationwide, offering an existing range of tours including:
  • the Shakespeare Express in Shakespeare’s County between Birmingham and Stratford
  • the Polar Express Train Ride from Birmingham at Christmas
  • Diesel Explorers to popular tourist destinations and seaside towns
  • Express Steam Trains running at up to 75 mph on the main line railway
  • private Special trains offering tailor made tours.
 
10th March 2023

Camps Viaduct near Motherwell to see strengthening project get underway in March​

Network Rail is set to start work this month on the £6m vital improvement works for the railway structure​

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Camps Viaduct near Motherwell​

Network Rail will begin work on the 23rd of March at Camps Viaduct and will be ongoing for 13 months as essential improvement works are carried out which are expected to complete during April 2024.

The vast programme of work will see teams carry out vital repair work, which will future-proof the structure by increasing its lifespan.

The impressive Camps Viaduct is approximately 160 years old and at 35m in height, towers over the River Clyde between Ferniegair and Motherwell, supporting trains travelling between Glasgow and Motherwell.

The engineering teams will carry out:
  • Repairs to metalwork
  • Painting
  • Masonry repairs for all piers including underwater where required
  • The installation of rock armour on the riverbanks to prevent erosion.
Local residents have been made aware of the work, which will include noisy ‘rivet-busting’ and ‘grit-blasting’ as part of the process.
 
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Camps Viaduct​

Suzanne McKay, Scheme Project Manager at Network Rail, said:

“Vital maintenance and renewals work such as the work at Camps Viaduct helps Network Rail continue to run a safe and reliable railway.

“This essential work will not only greatly improve the look of the structure but will extend its lifespan for up to two decades.

“We appreciate the impact of our activity will have on those living closest to the bridge and while we will do all we can to minimise this, we are limited in terms of what measures can be put in place to mitigate against some the nosier elements generated by the heavier engineering.

“We are grateful to the community for their patience while we complete this vital improvement work.”

The project is part of a broader bridge modernisation programme which is focused on protecting and improving Scotlands Railway and will see an investment of more than £4 billion in order to support an increase in reliability and performance.

The modernisation programme saw work get underway on a 150 year old wrought iron rail bridge in central Glasgow last summer.

For the most up-to-date information and progress updates, visit Camps Viaduct improvement work here.

Over the coming weeks, a community drop-in event will be organised, giving people a chance to meet members of the team and discover more about the work set to take place.

Details of the event will be shared with lineside neighbours and will also appear in local press and on social media as well as via the project portal at Camps Viaduct improvement work.
 
10th March 2023

West Midlands Railway advises passengers of upcoming strike action​

The rail operator is advising passengers to plan their travel ahead as strike action will take place on the 16th, 18th and 30th of March and the 1st of April​

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West Midlands Railway Class 196​

West Midlands Railway is advising its passengers to plan their travel ahead as industrial action is set to take place on:
  • Thursday the 16th of March
  • Saturday the 18th of March
  • Thursday the 30th of March
  • Saturday the 1st of April
The planned action set to take place by RMT members at Network Rail has now been suspended, however, RMT will continue with planned strike action for train operating companies.

All four strike days will see West Midlands Railway operate a limited timetable and will see no trains run before 7am with last services set to take place in the early evening.

Days between strikes action will also be affected in the mornings and, once again, passengers are advised to check their travel plans ahead of making their journeys.

Other rail operator’s services will also be impacted by the industrial action and services which are able to operate are anticipated to be extremely busy.
 
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West Midlands Railway train​

Jonny Wiseman, WMR customer experience director, said:

“It is disappointing that industrial action is continuing to affect our passengers’ journeys.

“I would like to remind passengers to plan their journeys carefully as services will be heavily limited on strike days and morning services will be affected on the following days.

“Anyone holding a ticket for travel on a strike day can use their ticket on a different day or claim a full refund.”

To find out more about the upcoming strike days and for details regarding tickets and refunds, please visit www.wmr.uk/industrialaction
 
10th March 2023

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Tilehurst station set for step-free access​

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


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Tilhurst 3D main rendering​

Rail passengers are set to experience a more accessible Tilehurst station following confirmation of a £4m investment which will see new lifts and walkways installed at the Berkshire station, ensuring all platforms are fully accessible for the first time.

More than half-a-million passengers use Tilehurst station every year and the upgrades will help even more people to use the railway.

Tilehurst is a seven-minute train journey from Reading and a key station to link a semi-urban location to mainline services.

Work to install the new lifts and walkways is due to begin this spring, subject to a prior approval planning application, with the project planned for completion in autumn.

The scheme is the latest investment by Network Rail in the Reading area and provides further improvement to Tilehurst station.

A new footbridge was installed as part of the Great Western Mainline modernisation and this latest work will contribute even further to the Thames Valley Berkshire Strategic Economic Plan.
 
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Tilhurst 3D rendering​

Alan Gough, Network Rail project sponsor, said: “This project continues our improvements to Tilehurst station and will ensure even more people can use our railway.

“It’s the latest scheme in the Reading area to deliver sustainable travel, reduce congestion on the roads and provide cleaner air in the Thames Valley.

“We will work closely with our partners at Great Western Railway and with the local community to ensure disruption to passengers and local residents and businesses is kept to a minimum during the work.”

Sir Alok Sharma, Member of Parliament for Reading West said: “Having campaigned for many years for funding for Tilehurst station, I am absolutely delighted that final funding for construction at Tilehurst station has been approved.

“Working with Network Rail and Great Western Railway, I have lobbied the Department for Transport extensively to ensure that funding is provided for the installation of lifts. This is vitally important for many local commuters, particularly wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs and buggies, so I am delighted that we are one step closer to finally improving accessibility at Tilehurst station.”
 
10th March 2023

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Balls back on the pitch for junior football club thanks to Network Rail​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders​


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Rt Hon David TC Davies MP with Network Rail and Sudbrook football club​

A customer complaints team at Network Rail collected and returned footballs to a South Wales football club after they were kicked from the pitch onto the railway

The team collected 12 footballs that were stuck in hedges on the railway and returned them to Portskewett and Sudbrook Junior Football Club in Caldicot, South Wales.

Adjacent to the railway, the club was established in 2019 and now has more than 196 members.

The local club offers free access to football for children aged between three- and eight-year-olds and provides highly subsidised access for children aged nine to 16.

Coaches and committee members are all volunteers as the club runs on a shoestring budget.

A recent arson attack saw hundreds of pounds worth of equipment destroyed, so collecting the footballs to save on spending was a lifeline for the club.

Each 12-pack of footballs cost the club £80, and the club spends £900 on footballs each year.

Network Rail has pledged to continue helping the club by returning any lost balls found within the railway boundary every four months.

Originally, Network Rail was asked to grant access to the railway for the coaches so that they could collect the footballs in a safe and monitored manner.

However, as safety is Network Rail’s number one priority, the customer complaints team offered to collect the balls themselves.

The team then tidied up some hedgerows that were encroaching on to the football pitch from the railway.

In addition to this, they repaired a lineside fence that contributed to the pitch becoming waterlogged during heavy rain.

Barry Hadley, infrastructure maintenance protection coordinator at Network Rail, who organised the football collection, said:

“We are really happy to have helped this junior football club in Caldicot. We had no idea that there were that many footballs stuck in the hedges!

“Our job is to maintain a safe and reliable railway and to also be a good neighbour; if that means returning footballs and trimming back some vegetation so a community can continue to play football, then I say that’s a job well done.”

Secretary of State for Wales and Member of Parliament for Monmouth, The Rt Hon David TC Davies, contacted Network Rail and stressed the importance of the club to the community.

The MP also attended a visit to the club with Network Rail to see the balls returned.

Mr Davies commented: “I am really proud of the work carried out by Network Rail; it’s fantastic that they are happy to support the community by helping this junior football club.

“Not only have Network Rail helped on this occasion, but they have committed to returning three times a year to return footballs and help maintain the pitch by trimming back hedges from the railway.”

Michael Panacci, secretary at Portskewett & Sudbrook FC, added:

“With the support of Network Rail, we have been able to make savings on match and training ball purchases. Last season the club spent over £900 on footballs, which for a grassroots football club, is a lot of expense.

"Also to note, that due to the pro-active work that has been completed by Network Rail, the condition of the pitch has improved by the new fence as it has helped prevent the pitch from becoming waterlogged.”
 
10th March 2023

Strike action to cause significant impact on Chiltern Railways timetable​

The rail operator is warning customers to check their travel plans ahead of making a journey as industrial action takes place on the 16th and 18th of March​

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Chiltern Railways is warning customers of significant disruption due to RMT strike action taking place on Thursday the 16th and Saturday the 18th of March and will see its timetable substantially reduced.

Both strike dates will see no Chiltern Railway services operating north of Banbury, however, CrossCountry will operate services to and from Birmingham New Street to Leamington, Banbury and Oxford, enabling travel into London.

The days between strike action (Friday the 17th and Sunday the 19th of March) will see minor late-night alterations for a small number of services.

A line closure will be in place between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury on the 18th of March due to Network Rail engineering work.

Throughout the 18th of March, no rail services will operate between the two stations, however, a rail replacement bus service will operate hourly.
 
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