Marcus' Model Railway Journey

Journey times from west London through Paddington Elizabeth Line station will also decrease, including reduced journey times between Reading and Paddington and improved journey times for customers travelling west to central London.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Delivering the Elizabeth line has been transformational for our city, with hundreds of thousands of Londoners and visitors now enjoying the fast and reliable trains each day.

“The introduction of the final timetable next month marks the last milestone of the Crossrail project and will enable the Elizabeth line to provide even more frequent, speedier journeys and better connect the capital.”

Andy Lord, London's Transport Commissioner, said: “The Elizabeth Line has transformed the lives of Londoners and the experience for visitors to the city in just under a year of TfL operating the service.

“With this new timetable, those travelling through central London will have a train arriving around every two and a half minutes, those using Heathrow Airport will have more regular services, and time will be shaved off many journeys from Reading, Heathrow and into central London. Those on the east will also benefit from twice hourly services to the airport, linking Essex and west London on the line for the first time.”

The full Elizabeth Line timetable is available on the TfL website at https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/elizabeth-line/elizabeth-line-timetables

24th April 2023

Watercress Lines Spring Steam Gala to see GWR 5205 Class No.5239 “Goliath” visit!​

The heritage railways Spring Steam Gala is taking place from the 29th of April to the 1st of May​

5239 “Goliath”

The Water Cress Line, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, will be running its three-day annual Spring Steam Gala,and will get underway on Saturday the 29th and run to Monday the 1st of May.

The exciting event will see GWR 5205 Class No.5239 “Goliath” visit the Gala from the Dartmouth Steam Railway.

The locomotive was built in Swindon in 1924.

Class 5205s were used as heavy coal trains in Wales and 5239 saw its working life spent at Neath ahead of being taken out of service and sent to scrap at the infamous Barry scrap yard.

Dart Valley Railway rescued the locomotive from the scrapper's clutches in 1973 and it later entered traffic in 1978.

Also visiting the event will be GWR Castle No. 4079 Pendennis Castle from the Didcot Railway Centre.

The castle's visit marks the first time the class has run on the line since 2014.

4079 Was the 7th of 171 Castle Class locomotives built at Swindon during 1924 and would work 16-coach trains on the East Coast Mainline from London Kings Cross, the locomotive was also proudly exhibited at the British Empire Exhibition in 1925 alongside ‘Flying Scotsman'.

‘Pendennis Castle' was withdrawn from service in 1964 and was purchased for preservation initially by Mike Higson and later by the Hon. John Gretton and Sir William McAlpine.

It was based at Didcot before it became the Railway Centre we know today.

The locomotive was sold once again in 1977 4079 was sold to Hamersley Iron in Australia, where the locomotive undertook excursions on its 240-mile ore-carrying railway.

2000 saw ‘Pendennis Castle' offered to the Great Western Society in the UK where a deal was struck for the Society to pay for the repatriation and to restore the magnificent locomotive back to main-line running order which took place on the 2nd of April 2022.

Home fleet locomotives at the event include:

• 53808 7F
• S15 Class 506 thanks to the Urie Locomotive Society.
• 41312 ‘Ivatt'

Other activities taking place during the Spring Steam Gala include:

• Behind the scene tours of Ropley workshops
• Driver experiences with ‘Kilmersdon' at Ropley yard from 10.30am to 3.20pm. Tickets can be purchased on the day at Ropley shop for £15.
• Steam crane demonstration at Ropley.
• Queen Mary brake van rides will be available on the Goods Train. However, these are limited
• Society stands and displays at Ropley station.
• West Country Buffet at Alresford station and Ropley's T-Junction for hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks.
• The gift shop in the Old Goods Shed at Alresford station will be open and selling a fantastic array of gifts, stationery, toys, books and more.

The Spring Steam Gala will be open each day from 9am to 6pm and the timetable is available to view here.

To find out more about the Gala or book tickets, please visit: https://watercressline.co.uk/special-days/spring-steam-gala/

24th April 2023

West Lancashire Light Railway invites youngsters to meet Friendly Engines​

The West Lancashire Light Railway (WLLR) is holding a ‘Friendly Engine' event this Sunday (30 April) between 11.30am and 4.30pm.

Friendly Engine Sunday is part of the Railway's 2023 season of events. It is aimed particularly at younger railway enthusiasts, who will have the change to see WLLR's Friendly Engines, Paddy, Monty and Hudswell as well as many more little engines.

The family afternoon of railway fun will include ‘Drive a diesel' and a live steam model railway.

The tearoom will be open, serving delicious teas, coffees, and cake.

The Railway is located on Thornton Drive, off Station Road, Hesketh Bank, about ten miles south of Preston, Lancashire.

It operates narrow-gauge passenger steam trains on a short run of about 400m from Becconsall station through woodland between the village and the Douglas river, to Delph station.

At Becconsall, it has a tearoom and a shop selling railway-themed gifts, plants and books.

The West Lancashire Light Railway offers a family-friendly venue for visitors interested in live-steam railways and the preservation of industrial heritage.

As well as five steam engines, it has more than twenty small diesel, petrol and battery locomotives rescued from defunct industrial undertakings.

The Railway is a registered charity operated entirely by volunteers.

Tickets can be purchased on the day or on the West Lancashire Light Railway website

24th April 2023

East Somerset Railway to hold Dementia Friendly Day​

The railway's event will cater for a small group of people so booking is essential, and will see activities carried out by dementia-friendly trained staff​

5637 and 46447

The East Somerset Railway is set to host a Dementia Friendly Day on Sunday the 7th of May.

The event will see activities run by dementia-friendly trained staff and will include:

• Guided tours for those wishing to partake
• Activities with Dementia
• Train ride (or two) in a quiet carriage

Booking is essential for the event as it is only available for a small group.

Tickets cost £11 per person

To find out more about the Dementia Friendly Day, please get in touch by email using education@eastsomersetrailway.com or call 01749 880417.

The heritage railway which opened way back in 1858, operates a 1-mile line between Cranmore and Mendip Vale and is a Brunel railway and originally featured Great Western Railways broad gauge track until its conversion to standard gauge in 1874 which was also when the East Somerset Railway sold the line to GWR due to ongoing financial constraints.

The railway supported passenger services, quarry works and milk over its years of operating until 1964 when it closed for business with the line operating Foster Yeoman stone trains for the following four years.

David Shepherd, the well-known wildlife artist, was looking to house his two locomotives Black Prince and The Green Knight and found the perfect spot at Cranmore and purchased it.

The 1st of August 1974 saw the East Somerset Heritage Railway opened to the public which to this day is run by an enthusiastic team of volunteers and is a well-loved tourist attraction which saw a lottery grant awarded which is supporting the rebuilding of the down platform.

To find out more about the East Somerset Railway and its events, please visit:

East Somerset Railway | Family Attraction through the Mendip countryside

The East Somerset Railway is a preserved Steam Railway running through the Mendip countryside.

eastsomersetrailway.com

24th April 2023

GTR’s Class 387 to be retrofitted with ETCS in-cab signalling equipment​

Govia Thameslink Railway's first Class 387/1 Great Northern Electrostar train has been retrofitted with the European Train Control System (ETCS) in-cab signalling as part of the East Coast Digital Programme, designed to reduce delays and give passengers a more reliable service.

ETCS is the train control component of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).

387 hauled by GBRf Class 56

In 2020, Porterbrook, Siemens Mobility and Bombardier agreed a new approach to the fitment of ETCS technology onto existing Electrostar trains.

GTR claims that the Class 387 is the country's first major commuter fleet to have the technology retrofitted, although ETCS is in use on other services, including the Cambrian Line in Wales and Class 387s on the Heathrow Express.

The operator believes that the retrofitting lays the foundations for the upgrade to be applied to the rest of the UK's Electrostar fleet, for future expansion of ETCS across other routes.

Unit 387101 was installed with the latest iteration of ETCS in the UK (BL3 R2, which is also referred to as version 3.6.0), which includes equipment that allows the in-cab signalling system to function.

Each new component was tested with powered-down electrical testing to ensure correct installation of the system.

In-cab ETCS aboard Class 387

On 13 April, the train was hauled by GB Railfreight (GBRf) from Worksop to Alstom's Litchurch Lane manufacturing site in Derby, where Train Control Management System software will be installed and the onboard ETCS system (Alstom ATLAS 3) commissioned, ready to start static testing, expected to take around five weeks.

The unit will then be taken to Network Rail's Rail Innovation and Development Centre (RIDC) test track at Melton Mowbray for dynamic testing.

This ‘first-in-class' unit is set to return in December 2023, after which GTR will fit the remaining 28 387/1 units at its in-house depot in Hornsey, north London.

The Government-funded East Coast Digital Programme will see traditional signals removed from the tracks on the Northern City Line to London Moorgate and the East Coast Mainline from London to Stoke Tunnels, south of Grantham.

They will be replaced with state-of-the-art digital signalling technology. This will improve reliability, providing a better-performing rail service for passengers using this key route.

In-cab signalling provided by ETCS Level 2 operation supplies continual speed information and movement authority to the driver via a computer screen in the driver's cab, rather than relying on fixed lineside signals.

The equipment installed to allow the in cab-signalling system to function included:

• a new digital driver's dashboard
• a new Automatic Warning System (AWS) / Train Protection Waring System (TPWS) system
• Doppler radar and ETCS antennae beneath the soleplate
• a European Vital Computer – the main computer – fitted at the body end of the first carriage
• onboard ETCS software, in line with the latest revision of the ETCS standards

In addition to the Class 387s, GTR operates two further fleets of train which will eventually be run under ETCS as part of the East Coast Digital Programme:

Class 717s

• GTR's twenty-five Great Northern Class 717 trains operate the Northern City Line, which runs from the East Coast Mainline at Finsbury Park to London Moorgate, where Network Rail has installed digital infrastructure as part of the East Coast Digital Programme.
• The trains came fitted with ETCS B3MR1 (also referred to as version 3.4.0), but GTR will be upgrading the software to 3.6.0 and, this autumn, will be testing the latest version of ETCS ahead of upgrading the software on the entire fleet early next year.
• The trains have been dynamically tested on the route and GTR has been given authorisation from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to use them in passenger service. Driver training will begin in passenger service once the infrastructure receives similar sign-off.

Class 700s

• All 115 of the Thameslink Class 700 trains, which are already fitted with ETCS, will be upgraded to the latest version of BL3 R2 (also referred to as version 3.6.0).

GTR's ERTMS Fleet Project Manager Aaron Meakin said: “We're delighted that our Class 387 train is the first commuter train to be retrofitted with the latest ETCS system – a key milestone for both us as GTR and the East Coast Digital Programme as we move towards digitally signalled operations on some of our key routes. We're looking forward to seeing how it performs in static and dynamic testing in the coming months.”

Aaron Weeks, Project Director for Alstom said: “Alstom is proud to be supporting the East Coast Digital Programme and our partners at GTR and Porterbrook as they transition to a new, digital railway. It is an important project milestone for the Alstom team completing the fitment of the ATLAS equipment on the first-in-class unit. We are now looking forward to static and then dynamic testing in the coming months, which will validate the system and give us the evidence required for authorisation of the unit.”

Ed Akers, Principal Programme Sponsor, East Coast Digital Programme, said: “The Class 387 is the largest passenger fleet requiring retrofitting for the ECDP, so the move into static testing is an important step forward in the delivery of digital signalling on the East Coast Main Line and an enabler for future deployments across the network. Collaboration across all parts of the industry is enabling progress towards the benefits this will deliver for passengers and users.”

Ben Ackroyd, Chief Operating Officer at Porterbrook, which owns GTR's Class 387 fleet said: “This critical project plays a key role in the transition to a digital railway, enabling a more reliable service with fewer delays, improved safety and reduced costs through the removal of lineside infrastructure. We're delighted to be playing our part in supporting Network Rail on this and commend the excellent collaboration across the industry to retrofit the UK's first commuter train with digital ETCS in-cab signalling equipment.”

25th April 2023

RMT re-ballots London Underground members to continue strikes​

Tube workers to keep battling cuts in jobs and pensions​

Illuminated London Underground sign at Piccadilly Circus

RMT is re-balloting over ten thousand London Underground workers from today, so that the union can continue its strike action in a dispute over jobs and pensions.

The dispute has now been running for over a year, with RMT's most recent strike taking place on 16 March.

The union, which represents members in all grades of Underground staff, has been challenging Transport for London's and the Mayor's plans to cut six hundred jobs on stations with many more across train operations and maintenance to follow.

Recently-revealed plans for Tube workers' pensions have raised the prospect of workers losing over 30% of their pensions.

The Conservative government is pressurising London Mayor Sadiq Khan to cut one billion pounds from TfL's operating budget.

However, TfL has forecast a £75m surplus on budget this year and passenger numbers are recovering from the pandemic faster than forecast.

RMT has repeatedly urged the Mayor to stand alongside the Tube unions to resist rather than implement what it calls “ideological” cuts.

The ballot will run from 25 April until 23 May.

Under legislation introduced in 2016 designed to curb strikes, successful industrial action ballots give a mandate for only six months.

RMT's current mandate runs out in June. This is now the third ballot that RMT has conducted in this dispute, having previously renewed its mandate in December last year.

Speaking as the re-ballot opens, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our members have taken several days of strike action over this last year and remain as determined as ever to get a just settlement on jobs, pensions and their working conditions.

“The Mayor is under pressure from central government, but he must join us in resisting them and refuse to allow ideologically motivated financial constraints to be used as an excuse to attack tube workers.

“TfL has healthy revenue streams and our members are among the thousands of tube staff that make it a successful transport provider.

“This re-ballot is vital to maintain the pressure on TfL and I urge all our members to vote yes in the postal ballot.”

25th April 2023

Alstom awarded €900m contract by Quebec City for 34 Citadis trams​

The world-renowned leader in smart and sustainable mobility will supply the vehicles for the Canadian city as part of its tramway project.​

2117 Tramway Laurier Vue

Alstom has won a €900m contract to supply 34 Citadis trams for Quebec City's tramway project and will include the design, supply, and maintenance for 30 years alongside an option for a maximum of five trains, including maintenance.

Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom in the Americas, said: “We are honoured by the trust placed in us by the administration and elected representatives of Quebec City, and are committed to working in partnership with the City to offer a high-quality and reliable product, a solution designed and assembled by our teams in Quebec, serving Quebec.”

The Citadis trams will offer the Canadian city a reliable mobility solution which will be designed and manufactured in Quebec with development taking place by Alstom engineers at its Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville headquarters in Montreal.

Manufacture of the trams will take place at Alstom's La Pocatière plant, which is located in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region.

Alstom Citadis Trams for Quebec City

The development of the trams will include adaptation to both climatic and topographical conditions of the region and will see passengers benefit from comfortable, modern and spacious trains which operate on 100% electricity.

Once built, the trams will operate on a 19km line, which is central to the improvement of public transport in Quebec City.

Further benefits of the Citadis trams will see a reduction in road congestion, which in turn will support the environment with improved air quality.

Michael Keroullé also added: “We are very proud to have been chosen by the City of Quebec to supply and maintain the trams for this signature mobility project for the Capitale-Nationale region.”

Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom in the Americas said: "We are honoured by the trust placed in us by the administration and elected representatives of Quebec City, and are committed to working in partnership with the City to offer a high-quality and reliable product, a solution designed and assembled by our teams in Quebec, serving Quebec.”

The Citadis range sees a modern low-floor tram which has been extremely popular with a good number of urban renewal projects across the globe and provides improvements for both passenger experience and driver ergonomics.

The impressive trams also provide low energy consumption and optimised life cycle costs, which have led to over 3,000 vehicles sold to 70 cities in 20 countries across the world.

26th April 2023

Thousands visit Great Central Railway diesel gala to see vintage locos​

Unusual and unique diesel loco visits line for first time.​

Thousands of enthusiasts packed trains at the Great Central Railway (GCR) in Loughborough, Leicestershire, as vintage diesel locomotives starred at its April gala event last weekend.

Steam was sidelined for the weekend as different diesel locomotives dating from the 1950s and 60s impressed visitors.

Some locos from that era did not last long. Among those which did not make the grade was the Class 17, which was star guest at the GCR gala.

Built in the 1960s, they had a distinctive central driving cab and low bonnets covering the engines.

The plan was for the driver to be able to see in both directions clearly.

However, they were not a success and all but one was scrapped.

As guest of honour, on its first ever visit to the GCR, the one surviving loco attracted a lot of interest.

Great Central Railway General Manager Malcolm Holmes said, “Diesel locos have their own generation of fans, These machines represent a time when lots of different ideas for modernising Britain's Railways were being tried out. Some when on to have long careers, others were retired quickly!

“As diesels get older, they are just as important a part of our heritage railway story,” continued Malcolm. “When enthusiasts come to the line for our events, they boost the whole local visitor economy and we're delighted to play our part bringing people from all the country to Leicestershire.”

Over the weekend of 17 and 18 June 2023, the Great Central will celebrate fifty years of running heritage trains, hauled by steam and diesel traction, with another special once-in-a-lifetime gala event, featuring a fifty-wagon freight train.

Full details will be published on the GCR website shortly.

26th April 2023

Network Rail awards Loram a three-year extension for its Infrastructure Monitoring Fleet​

The rolling stock maintenance specialist will continue to maintain the 65 dedicated vehicles which make up the Infrastructure Monitoring Fleet​

Network Rail has extended its contract with Loram for the maintenance of its Infrastructure Monitoring Fleet, which is made up of 65 dedicated vehicles which carry out measurement and analysis of track structures right across the country.

The fleet allows route-based asset management teams to efficiently plan maintenance work alongside renewal programmes.

The fleet is currently made up of re-purposed passenger vehicles, which are fitted especially with state-of-the-art measurement and monitoring equipment from performance and safety-based solutions companies such as Omnicom Balfour Beatty, Sperry and One Big Circle.

Loram's contract initially began in April 2022 and was set to run for a two-year period, thanks to Network Rail extending the contract will now run to 2027 which will also support its Asset Information Systems' broader aims to advance the future of Infrastructure Monitoring services as the current fleet reaches its end of working life.

The ‘IM Programme' sees Network Rail already working with an array of suppliers which includes Loram in order to discover how the supply chain will support the future needs of its Regions and Route via the provision of intelligent data on the condition of infrastructure.

Andrew Watson, Director of Business Development at Loram UK, said: “I am delighted that we can continue to support today's IM Fleet as we work with other members of the supply chain to see how we can cost-effectively deliver the next generation of infrastructure monitoring.”

“Today's announcement reflects the skills and expertise of Loram's engineers and support teams who maintain this diverse and ageing fleet. It also shows that Loram is committed to working closely with its customers and supporting their vision for the future of our railway.”

Loram is an industry leader in its field and is based in Derby. The contract with Network Rail supports 40 existing jobs.

27th April 2023

Alstom to supply sixty more new-generation trains for Île-de-France​

Alstom has revealed that it is to supply sixty additional new-generation trains for the RER (Réseau Express Régional or Regional Express Network), for lines RER D and RER E of the Île-de-France network.

The new generation double-deck rolling stock will be deployed on the RER D and RER E lines operated by Transilien SNCF Voyageurs for Ile-de-France Mobilités, in order to improve the level of comfort and regularity of these lines.

Financed wholly by Île-de-France Mobilités, the public authority that controls transport in the region, the order is worth a total of almost one billion euros.

It represents the first option under the framework contract signed in 2017 between SNCF Voyageurs (commissioned by Île-de-France Mobilités) and Alstom, for an estimated requirement of 255 trainsets.

The firm tranche of the RER NG contract included the delivery of 71 trains; this new order brings the number of RER NGs (New Generations) ordered to 131.

The contract is part of Île-de-France Mobilités' policy to modernise all the rolling stock on the Île-de-France network.

The RER NG is specifically designed for the dense urban areas that characterise traffic in the Île-de-France region. Île-de-France is the most populous of France's eighteen regions, and contains the capital city, Paris.

Alstom boasts that these trains will bring more capacity and accessibility, as well as being more comfortable, reliable and efficient.

The train has been designed, both in terms of overall architecture and interior design, to optimise capacity and passenger flow. It has open architecture and wide doors, allowing more fluid entry and exit of passengers.

It offers three distinct travel spaces, with each passenger choosing their space according to the length of their journey.

For example, passengers making very short journeys can select areas for standing ln the train, while low mixed areas (standing or seated) would suit a journey of less than twenty minutes; on the upper level, spaces with regional-type comfort and more seats are available for longer journeys.

In each of the end cars, platforms allow wheelchair passengers direct and rapid access to their dedicated areas.

The train includes air conditioning, LED lighting adapted to the time (whether day, night or stopover at stations), USB sockets, and numerous screens allowing passengers to quickly access relevant information.

Seating has been arranged to maximise comfort.

Alstom developed the RER NG design from its urban and suburban equipment solutions and took account of customer feedback.

As a result, the company is confident that the RER NG will provide high levels of availability, reliability and safety.

Each train will be able to carry up to 1,860 passengers in its seven cars.

Several innovations mean that the train will consume 25% less energy than previous generations.

The RER NG has eight motor bogies which provide better acceleration and deceleration performance (under regenerative braking) than previous generations, an advantage for operations.

The first trains delivered are currently enabling SNCF Voyageurs to carry out the first integration tests on line RER E. Tests on line RER D will start soon.

Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud, President of Alstom France, said, “We are delighted with this option, which demonstrates the renewed confidence of SNCF Voyageurs and Île-de-France Mobilités in Alstom's RER NG trains. This new generation train will improve the travel experience of all Île-de-France residents by providing greater comfort and reliability,”

27th April 2023

Rail strikes to return this May and June​

Train drivers union, ASLEF, has said it has rejected a pay offer from 16 train companies, and has announced further rail strikes in May and June.

The proposal was for a pay rise of 4%, which ASLEF says its not acceptable with inflation running above 10%.

Drivers will now take strike action on Friday 12th May, Wednesday 31st May and Saturday 3rd June.

The 16 train operating companies include: Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway; Great Western Railway; Greater Anglia; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; London North Eastern Railway; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway; SWR depot drivers; SWR Island Line; TransPennine Express; and West Midands Trains.

ASLEF, the train drivers' union, has rejected a ‘risible' pay offer from the 16 train companies with whom we are in dispute – our drivers not having had an increase in salary at these companies since 2019.

‘Our executive committee met this morning [Thursday] and rejected a risible proposal we received from the RDG, a pressure group which represents some of the train companies, and lobbies on their behalf, late on Wednesday afternoon,' said Mick Whelan, ASLEF's general secretary, today.

‘The proposal – of just 4% – was clearly not designed to be accepted as inflation is still running north of 10% and our members at these companies have not had an increase for four years.

‘The RDG, in turn, rejected our proposals to modernise Britain's railways and help them run more efficiently, for passengers and for businesses, in the 21st century.

‘Consequently, we have today announced three more days of strike action – on Friday 12 May, Wednesday 31 May, and Saturday 3 June – at the companies with which we are in dispute, and which are letting down passengers, and taxpayers, so badly.

‘We are also withdrawing non-contractual overtime from Monday 15 to Saturday 20 May inclusive, as well as on Saturday 13 May and Thursday 1 June.'

‘We have been discussing specific issues for a national resolution and arrangements – and principles – for additional, and separate, bespoke TOC by TOC talks,' explains Mick.

‘We do not want to go on strike – we do not want to inconvenience passengers, we have families and friends who use the railway, too, and we believe in investing in rail for the future of this country – but the blame for this action lies, fairly and squarely, at the feet of the employers who have forced our hand over this by their intransigence.

‘It is now up to them to come up with a more sensible, and realistic, offer and we ask the government not to hinder this process.'

27th April 2023

Watchdog calls on Transport for Wales to improve its rail services​

After months of disruption for passengers, Transport for Wales has been called upon by Transport Focus to deliver a more reliable rail service urgently.

For a number of months, passengers have faced significant disruption, including services being cancelled at short notice, services stopping short of their destinations, and in some cases trains being replaced by rail-replacement bus services.

The resultant disruption has caused significant overcrowding on popular routes, uncomfortable journeys, and unacceptable delays in dealing with complaints from passengers.

As there has been little sign of improvement for passengers, Transport Focus has written to Transport for Wales calling for it to take action to ensure its services for passengers are improved as soon as possible.

During the past few months, Transport for Wales has experienced major operational issues with some of its trains, that have resulted in a detrimental effect on passenger services.

These include trains being out of service for essential repairs, whilst some trains on the Cardiff to Holyhead and Cardiff to Manchester routes have been unreliable.

In Transport Focus's latest survey, Transport for Wales was rated by passengers in joint bottom place for overall satisfaction alongside TransPennine Express.

Just 69 per cent of passengers expressed satisfaction with the punctuality of their journeys.

According to the Office of Rail and Road, Transport for Wales was also recorded as having significantly more cancellations than other major operators, with 12 per cent of trains being cancelled in March.

David Sidebottom, director at the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “Passengers need services which are reliable and that they can depend on. Transport for Wales needs to take urgent action to get more trains moving and deliver certainty for its passengers.

“At a time when people are being encouraged to use public transport, this situation is untenable. Transport for Wales needs to put a robust plan in place outlining how they will restore services and get things back on track for passengers.”

27th April 2023

Steam locomotive 7029 Clun Castle to visit North Wales this Saturday​

GWR Castle No. 7029 Clun Castle will visit Llandudno this Saturday (29th April 2023) as part of a Vintage Trains tour.

Departing Birmingham New Street at 08:26, the locomotive will pass through Wolverhampton (09:01), Penkridge (09:16), Stafford (09:25), Crewe (10:47) and Chester at 11:27.

At Chester North Junction, a diesel locomotive leads the train, with 7029 Clun Castle on the rear. Heading for Llandudno, the train will pass through Flint (11:55), Rhyl (12:15), Llandudno Junction (12:39) and Llandudno at 12:54.

After time in Llandudno, 7029 Clun Castle will depart at 16:50 and will pass through Llandudno Junction (17:00), Abergele and Pensarn (17:20), Prestatyn (17:33), Flint (17:51), Chester (18:10), Crewe (18:58), Stafford (19:55), Penkridge (20:08), Wolverhampton (20:23) and Birmingham New Street at 21:22.

27th April 2023

North Yorkshire Moors Railway celebrates 50 years in preservation​

Next Monday, 1st May, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) will celebrate its 50th Anniversary as Britain's most popular heritage railway.

The celebration will be spearheaded with a recreation of the first official passenger service with the same two locomotives that were used in 1973 and three of its original service volunteers.

Returning as footplate crew will be Chris Cubitt and Terry Newman and John Bruce will be operating the signal box on the 13.30 departure from Grosmont station, which replicates their roles on the same day 50 years later with the same locomotives.

Another long-standing volunteer is John Hunt who has written a book about the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Golden Jubilee and will be signing copies of this, his latest book, which describes a journey along the entire original route from Whitby through to Pickering.

Accompanying illustrations provide a comparison of the original railway to how it is today.

The book is dedicated to the 50 years of progress and the many hundreds of people who have been involved along the way.

Ron Pickering, who is a renowned historian and expert on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, will also be presenting a captivating talk ‘Celebrating 50 Years' of the railway line.

The talk is free, but it is necessary to pre-book tickets.

A link to the talk is available online at https://www.nymr.co.uk/Event/celebrating-50-years.

This year the railway has launched a new Unlimited Annual Pass that allows passengers to pay for one day and then benefit from travel for the following 12 months.

Also, Kids Go Free in 2023 allows any child between 0-15 years old to travel completely free.

The Headline Fare for travel along the length of the line between Pickering and Whitby is £40 and valid for 12 months, but single-use Shorter Journey tickets are available for £15.

The railway is inviting all of its loyal visitors and new guests to take part in this year's 50th celebrations.

On the train, visitors can savour the breathtaking scenery of the North York Moors National Park.

Goathland railway station is known to millions as a filming location for the iconic Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and ITV's police drama series Heartbeat.

The railway was used as a location for filming the latest films in the Mission: Impossible and Indiana Jones franchises.

Over 300,000 visitors experience the delights of the railway every year and are served by a dedicated team of full-time staff and over 900 active volunteers who run and maintain the 24 miles of heritage railway.

For further information about the railway, to purchase tickets, and to support the North Yorkshire Moors Railway through another 50 years please visit www.nymr.co.uk.

Chris Price CEO said, “Celebrating 50 years of the railway is an incredible achievement. We are so grateful to each and every member of staff and volunteers who continue to spread the joy and knowledge of steam trains to all of our visitors.

“For some of the team this anniversary is extra special because they have worked at the NYMR since the first day in 1973 when the Duchess of Kent officially opened the railway.

“John Bruce, Chris Cubitt, John Hunt, and Terry Newman are still working full steam ahead as the NYMR continues its journey. The preservation of the railway means future generations can enjoy it for years and years to come.”

27th April 2023

Research shows most businesses are not choosing rail travel​

Rail Delivery Group tries to attract businesses to the greener travel option​

Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), will today (27 April) outline the rail industry's claim to be focused on delivering improvements for passengers in a speech at the Institute of Travel Management (ITM) conference.

Referring to new research into business travel and sustainability, she will explain how the organisation is working towards the Green Travel Pledge, a rail industry initiative that aims to “develop and provide granular industry data to help inform journey choice, influence travel decisions and enable robust reporting”.

After speaking to businesses and consumers during the research, she will say that businesses are aware of the greenest option for travel but are still not prioritising it.

However, the research shows they do want to be able to make green choices and want an easy way to compare carbon emissions of the various modes of transport.

Research with the business travel community shows that:

• only 2 in 5 (40%) businesses factor in sustainability when planning business travel
• a slightly higher proportion (42%) know what the green choice is
• travelling by car for business is still the most popular choice at 44%; less than 3 in 10 businesses (just 28%) report that train is the most popular
• over 4 in 5 (82%) of respondents said that having an accurate way to compare carbon emissions between different modes of travel would benefit them.

Starr will also say consumers planning a trip do consider the environmental impact of their journey.

Over half (54%) of people surveyed said if they were planning a trip for leisure, the environmental impact of their travel would be important to them when making their decision.

The research from consumers shows that:

• nearly half (47%) of respondents said the primary reason they travel via rail is for leisure or business purposes
• just over 3 in 5 (61%) of those surveyed are likely to choose one option over another based on their efforts to make their business travel more environmentally sustainable
• over a quarter (27%) of respondents said that travelling by car (petrol/diesel) makes them feel guilty in relation to their carbon footprint, and more than 3 in 10 (32%) said that travelling via plane makes them feel guilty
• 3 in 10 (30%) surveyed said travelling via train makes them feel proud in relation to their carbon footprint.

Previous research carried out by the RDG also noted the need to change the mindset of business passengers who have previously favoured air travel due to the supposed quickness, although the research said many air travellers do not enjoy the airport experience.

While rail journey times may be longer, the overall length of the trip is likely to be quicker than driving or flying , which allows the traveller to be more productive.

The research looked at the perception and mindset of the business travel sector, and companies noted travellers took pride in choosing rail for its green credentials.

27th April 2023

South Western Railway to restore full West of England timetable tomorrow​

Full service to run from 28 April​

South Western Railway (SWR) has confirmed that it will reinstate the full West of England timetable on Friday 28 April.

The operator put an amended timetable in place last Friday (21 April), because of a problem related to the fuel used by the diesel trains that operate services in the Basingstoke, Exeter, Romsey, Salisbury and Yeovil areas.

The problem is still under investigation, and caused fuel filters on a number of trains' engines to become blocked, impacting their acceleration and top speed.

Engineers at SWR's Salisbury train care depot have carried out enhanced maintenance on all affected trains in order to allow services to be restored.

Fuel tanks at the depot, which provide 35,000 litres of fuel to the diesel fleet every day, have been deep cleaned and are using fresh fuel.

These steps have restored train performance, allowing services to gradually be restored.

On Tuesday 25, SWR reinstated hourly services between Salisbury and Southampton Central via Romsey, followed by direct services from Basingstoke to Exeter St Davids on Wednesday 26, removing the need passengers to change at Salisbury. On Thursday 27, some direct services from London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids were restored.

Journey planners are up to date and passengers can check their journeys on this webpage.

Neil Drury, SWR's Engineering Director, said: “We're sorry for the disruption that customers in the Basingstoke, Exeter, Romsey, Salisbury and Yeovil areas have felt since last Friday. It was a difficult decision to amend our timetables and we have worked hard to restore services as quickly as we can.

“We have taken a number of steps to mitigate the problem, which we believe is related to the contamination of diesel fuel. Many of our trains have returned to the levels of performance that we expect and while there is still work to do, we are pleased to be able to restore the full timetable on Friday 28.

“Once again we're very sorry for the disruption and grateful for the continued patience of our customers.”

Chris Loder, Member of Parliament for West Dorset, said: “It's been a tough week for train users locally and throughout the whole line. But I've been engaging closely with SWR to find a prompt solution and am pleased they have worked quickly to restore a full service in time for the bank holiday weekend.”

28th April 2023



NetworkRail:

Delight for community as level crossing improved and made safer​

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


A community in Ty Ddu, Radnorshire, are now benefitting from an improved and safer level crossing after Network Rail installed new miniature stop lights – the first of its kind on the Heart of Wales line.

The new lights, or Miniature Warning Stop Lights (MSL), are designed for foot crossings or private roads where the user has to operate the barriers or gates themselves.

Despite being in a rural area with a small number of authorised users, the crossing has a high number of daily users – sometimes more than 50 people have used this crossing per day in recent years.

The MLS upgrade will reduce risks from potential sun glare when looking in each direction and other factors such as vegetation growth that may hinder sight of oncoming trains.

It will also reduce waiting time at the crossing as the new lights will inform crossing users when a train is approaching.

Prior to this upgrade, crossing users would sometimes have to wait for up to 30 minutes to cross the railway, due to its location on the line and the long signal section – meaning signallers could not provide crossing users with the exact location of the train between Knighton and Llandrindod Wells, so users would have to wait until the train passed through the whole section.

Feedback from crossing users at Ty Ddu has been overwhelmingly positive.

All who have encountered the new MLS crossing have expressed how much safer and confident they feel when using the crossing, as well as applauding the reduced waiting times.

On Wednesday 19 April, authorised users, local councillor Geoff Morgan and Network Rail celebrated the commissioning and opening of the new MSL system.

Rhodri Evans, level crossing manager for Network Rail Wales & Borders, said: “It’s great to see this level crossing enhancement installed at Ty Ddu. I have engaged with the authorised users and local community for many years, and they have all wanted a safer way to cross the railway in order to get to their homes and businesses.

“It’s a real statement from Network Rail, that we are committed to safety and efficiency across the whole route, including this rural line. I would like to thank everyone involved in making this happen, and I hope all who use this level crossing will feel safer and more confident when doing so.”

WATCH:
To watch video click the link: https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/zd3h4dofn3

28th April 2023

Statements released as new RMT strike date announced​

Avanti West Coast train at Manchester Piccadilly on RMT strike day December 2022

The RMT has released a statement regarding the ongoing dispute over pay and conditions, with a number of organisations sending in statements.

Mick Lynch has released a video statement (watchable below) and says that they have rejected documents for both guards and driver members after changes were made by the Rail Delivery Group.

In doing so, they have announced a new strike date set for the 13th May 2023 and comes just hours after ASLEF, the train drivers union, announced a fresh round of strike action.

However, Mark Harper has released a statement saying that the RMT are ‘snubbing' passengers after announced a strike when the UK hosts the Eurovision song contest for the first time in 25 years.

Steve Montgomery, Chair of the Rail Delivery Group has said that nothing has changed in the offer that was agreed two weeks ago.

Here are some reaction statements that have been sent in.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Passengers have been forced to endure the RMT's strike action for almost a year, yet the RMT executive is intent on continuing to force its members to lose even more pay. That's despite having a best and final offer, similar to the pay offer their Network Rail members recently voted to overwhelmingly accept.

“By yet again denying their members a chance to have a say, and then striking over the UK's first Eurovision event in 25 years – hosted for Ukraine – the RMT are simply further snubbing the very passengers they serve.”

Steve Montgomery, Chair of the Rail Delivery Group said: “We are blindsided by the RMT executive's announcement – nothing has changed in the offer agreed two weeks ago by the RMT leadership in the negotiating room.

“The RMT are negotiating in bad faith, again denying their members a say on a fair pay deal, needlessly disrupting the lives of millions of our passengers, and undermining the viability of an industry critical to Britain's economy.”

28th April 2023

London Tube station to close for up to one year to allow for essential improvements​

Both of the station's 26-year-old escalators will be replaced as part of the project starting from Monday the 26th of June.​

Transport for London has revealed that Kentish Town Tube station will close for up to one year to allow a programme of essential improvement work to be carried out.

The closure will begin from Monday the 26th of June and will allow the full replacement of the current escalators which were first installed in 1997 and were made specifically to fit the station which has made the sourcing of parts very difficult which impacts both maintenance and repair work.

The current escalators have also been identified as the most unreliable on the network and in order to prevent further last-minute station closures will be replaced with new high-performance machines.

The new escalators are the same model as those used across the London Underground network, which will make sourcing parts for maintenance or repair much easier.

The new escalators have an approximate life span of 40 years.

The escalators used in the Elizabeth Line and London Underground stations are heavy-duty machines which can operate in both directions for up to 20 hours each day.

The vital machines weigh approximately 40 tonnes, feature around 15,000 moving parts and typically have a 15-metre rise.

Kentish Town Tube station's new escalators will use more efficient motors and drivers, which will reduce the use of electricity required to operate them.

Whilst the escalators are not being used, they run at a slower rate, which saves further energy and alongside other energy-saving work such as the installation of LED lighting for the station's ticket hall will support the Tube network's sustainability.

The programme of work will also include an array of station improvements, including:

• Removal of a redundant ticket office
• Realignment of ticket barriers
• Further tickets gates added
• Painting of the station alongside a deep clean
• New floor and wall tiling
• Improved signage

Whilst the programme of improvement work is ongoing, Kentish Town Thameslink station will be open as usual for customers alongside nearby Tufnell Park Tube station, which can be reached using the local bus network or via Kentish Town station, which is an 11-minute walk away.

“We are using the opportunity while the station is closed to make many other improvements, which will make the station more spacious, easier to use and more welcoming for our customers.”

No major work is set to take place on alternative routes whilst the Tube station is temporarily closed.

Esther Sharples, Transport for London's Director of Asset Performance Delivery, said:

“I'd like to thank our customers in advance for their patience while we replace the escalators at Kentish Town station. They are the most unreliable on the Tube network and this essential work will improve journeys through Kentish Town station for many years to come. We explored all possible options to keep the Tube station open during this work but safety considerations and space constraints meant it wasn't feasible.”

Thameslink station platforms can be accessed via the out-of-hours entrance, which is around 20 metres from the Tube station entrance on Kentish Town Road.

The station will not be able to sell tickets and Oyster top-ups due to the main concourse being closed.

Customers travelling with Thameslink will need to purchase tickets or top-ups in advance online or via a nearby Oyster ticket outlet.

Customers will also need to remember to touch their Key card, Contactless or Oyster card using the validators which can be found at the temporary entrance/exit in order to avoid an incomplete journey charge.

Due to the temporary closure, Kentish Town Thameslink is anticipated to be busier than normal during peak hours.

Passengers are advised to include more time than usual in order to access their platform.

Kentish Town Thameslink station is expected to be busier than usual, especially during peak hours, passengers are advised to allow extra time to reach or leave their platform.

It is also anticipated that Thameslink services and Thameslink station in central London could be busier than usual due to Tube customers using alternative routes.

Jenny Saunders, Thameslink's Customer Services Director, said:

“We're sorry for the inconvenience during this major TfL project, and I'm grateful to passengers for their patience. Please allow an extra few minutes to get to and from your Thameslink platform as the station will be busier than normal, especially in the evening peak, and the temporary access route is narrower. If you usually buy your ticket at Kentish Town, remember to buy it in advance while the ticket machines aren't available. And please don't forget to tap in and out when you're using the temporary entrance.”