Sam Hewitt

New owners’ expansion plan for Alaska’s White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad

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Sam Hewitt

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2nd March 2019

ALASKAN three-foot gauge operator White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad (WP&YR) is planning to expand its tourist train services during 2019 and is even considering reopening the closed section of its historic route. The development follows its sale for $290million in mid-2018 to a consortium that includes Carnival Cruise Lines. Three of the iconic GE…
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Kiwi Rail’s ‘Coastal Pacific’ back after 2016 earthquake

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Sam Hewitt

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2nd March 2019

KIWI Rail’s ‘Coastal Pacific’ passenger train between Christchurch and Picton (for connection with ferries to Wellington) restarted operations on December 1. This development follows a two-year suspension after the Kaikoura earthquake on November 14, 2016, which destroyed sections of the line. The RM has previously reported the line’s reopening for freight services after large-scale reconstruction…
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Last year for French diesel Intercités?

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Sam Hewitt

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28th February 2019

FRANCE’s remaining few diesel-hauled passenger services are likely to be history by the end of 2019. In December 2018 the last through Intercités trains from Paris to Montluçon ceased operation following the timetable change on December 9. These were operated by electric locos from Paris Austerlitz to Bourges and onward to Montluçon with a diesel…
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Pathfinder announces triple dose of Tornado trips

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Sam Hewitt

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28th February 2019

A TRIO of Bristol-based trains hauled by Peppercorn ‘A1’ No. 60163 Tornado has been announced by Pathfinder Tours. The new-build ‘Pacific’ has added the tours to its itinerary as it gets set for a return to the main line on February 9’s ‘North Briton’ from Leicester to Carlisle. ‘The Summer Cornishman’ on June 23 is a…
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Northern’s farewell to ‘37’ haulage

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Sam Hewitt

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28th February 2019

LOCOMOTIVE haulage on the Cumbrian Coast Line came to an end last month with Arriva Rail North operating a special return trip to mark the event on January 11. Displaying both ‘The Cumbrian Coast Express’ and ‘Class 37 Farewell’ headboards, Northern’s 09.52 Carlisle-Carnforth special passes Maryport. No. 37409 Lord Hinton leads the train with No. 37425 Sir…
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Pathfinder returning English Electric classics to old haunts

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Sam Hewitt

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28th February 2019

FANS of English Electric traction will have the opportunity to relive past glories over the coming months with Pathfinder Tours. March 23 sees Class 50s return to the West of England to mark 25 years since their final run under British Rail. The ’50 Terminator-Phoenixed’ is an epic day out, starting from London Paddington at…
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Flying Scotsman heads railway tribute to Sir William McAlpine

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Sam Hewitt

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28th February 2019

THE railway industry paid tribute to one of its leading figures of the past few decades on January 11 when No. 60103 Flying Scotsman hauled a special train from King’s Cross to York. ‘The Scotsman’s Salute’ ran as a memorial to Sir William McAlpine, who passed away in March 2018, and carried members of his family,…
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North Korean rail network set for major investment?

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Sam Hewitt

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27th February 2019

IN LATE-November a special inspection train operated by South Korean national operator Korail entered North Korea and carried out infrastructure inspections in co-operation with North Korean Railways on two main north-south routes. The train was run under special dispensation from the United Nations as importing diesel fuel to North Korea is currently prohibited by sanctions.…
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Freight tonnage slumps to lowest point since 1996/97

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Sam Hewitt

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27th February 2019

BRITISH rail freight operators recorded the lowest total volume of freight lifted since 1996/97 for the period between July and September 2018. Figures compiled by the Office of Rail and Road show that although the amount of freight moved increased by 2% to 4.4billion tonne-kilometres over the same period in 2017, the actual volumes continue…
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Port operator criticises ‘short-sighted’ trans-Pennine route upgrade plans

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Sam Hewitt

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27th February 2019

PD Ports, which operates Teesport in Middlesbrough, has criticised the lack of provision for freight growth in Network Rail’s £3 billion trans-Pennine route upgrade. It called the decision to upgrade the 76-mile route between Leeds and Manchester without any provision for freight traffic “unwelcome” and “deeply troubling for the economy and businesses in the North…
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Sam Hewitt

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