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Sam Hewitt

  • Former UK electrics have mixed fortunes in Bulgaria

    Former UK electrics have mixed fortunes in Bulgaria

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    BULGARIA remains the main user of ex-BR built electric locomotives, but the competitive nature of freight operations has led to mixed fortunes for the Class 86, 87 and 92s exported there. Operator Bulmarket has work for its well-maintained Class 87s (Nos. 87009/17/23/25), however its Class 86s, which are around 10 years older, are reported to have…

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  • Vivarail battery hybrid trials underway

    Vivarail battery hybrid trials underway

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    TRIALS using a Vivarail Class 230 battery hybrid multiple unit were operated on September 9-10 between Evesham and Moreton-in-Marsh. In addition to diesel power on its converted trains, Vivarail can harness battery power, with hydrogen eventually planned. The company is building on tests undertaken in 2018 when its development set No. 230002 ran 60 miles between…

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  • ‘Plain Jane’ look for ‘Pendolino’

    ‘Plain Jane’ look for ‘Pendolino’

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    THE end of Virgin Train West Coast franchise is just two months away, and an on-going repaint programme has led to the release of the first unbranded Class 390 ‘Pendolino’ set.  The repaint work is part of the interim maintenance regime, which began in June 2017. Set No. 390137 was released from Alstom’s Technology Centre, at…

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  • Hull Trains reveals new fleet name

    Hull Trains reveals new fleet name

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    THE five Class 802 bi-mode trains that will begin work with Hull Trains (HT) are to be called the ‘Paragon’ fleet.  HT says it has significance in Hull from when Paragon station first opened in 1848, with the dictionary definition defining paragon as ‘a model of excellence’. In addition to the fleet name, HT has…

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  • Factory commissioning of Merseyrail Class 777 begins

    Factory commissioning of Merseyrail Class 777 begins

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    STATIC factory-based testing of the first of 52 Stadler Class 777 four-car EMUs for Merseyrail has started in Switzerland.  When engineers are satisfied, the set will be moved to Germany for dynamic testing on Siemens Wildenrath test circuit, before the first completed set is delivered to Merseyside later in the year.  The first trains of…

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  • Anglia ‘FLIRTs’ get formal launch

    Anglia ‘FLIRTs’ get formal launch

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    By Ben Jones GREATER Anglia’s (GA) rural services are beginning to see a radical transformation as new Class 755 bi-mode ‘FLIRT’ units enter service.  There was a ‘soft launch’ into passenger service on July 29, with GA officially introducing the new Stadler-built trains at Norwich on September 4.  No. 755413 worked return trips to Great Yarmouth…

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  • ‘Aberdonian’ success prompts return in 2020

    ‘Aberdonian’ success prompts return in 2020

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    TORNADO Railtours’ series of Edinburgh to Aberdeen day trips concluded on September 7 after a successful first season, with dates having been announced for next year’s trains.  The tours are hauled by ‘A1’ No. 60163 Tornado and will operate on July 23, September 3 and September 10, offering passengers a diverse selection of off-train excursions as…

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  • Big Pacifics dominate RTC autumn/winter tours

    Big Pacifics dominate RTC autumn/winter tours

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    THE Railway Touring Company’s regular summer operations are over for another year, but there is a tempting selection of railtours for the autumn and winter months.  October 12 sees one of its regular ‘Cumbrian Mountain Express’ trips from Euston to Carlisle, utilising electric No. 86259 Les Ross as far as Carnforth, where one of the West…

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  • Tornado set for ‘Great Britain’ debut

    Tornado set for ‘Great Britain’ debut

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    CONTINUING co-operation between West Coast Railways and The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust means Peppercorn ‘A1’ No. 60163 Tornado will make its debut on the ‘Great Britain’ landcruise train in 2020.  The 13th edition of the Railway Touring Company’s grand tour of England, Scotland and Wales will roll out of London King’s Cross behind the ‘A1’ on…

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  • Five locos add even more power to Turkish open access operator fleet

    Five locos add even more power to Turkish open access operator fleet

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    TURKISH open access freight operator Körfez Ulaştırma (KU) took delivery of five DE36500 Wabtec (formerly GE Transportation) ‘Powerhaul’ locos this summer. KU is the rail freight subsidiary of Tüpraş, Turkey’s largest oil refinery. The locos were ordered in 2018 and assembled by Wabtec’s Turkish partner Tülomsaş, in Eskişehir.  They will be used alongside five similar DE36000…

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