News

TESTING of the first of 19 five-car bi-mode Class 802 units that will go into service with TransPennine Express (TPE) has begun. Branded ‘Nova 1’ by TPE, set No. 802201 has embarked on trial runs from Hitachi’s Doncaster Carr depot, with initial tests north along the East Coast Main Line to Darlington, and more recently south…

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THE launch of the new Mk5a Caledonian Sleeper carriages into revenue-earning service will be on October 28 on the ‘Lowlander’ service from London to Glasgow and Edinburgh and in the opposite direction. By early August, 40 of the order for 75 vehicles had been delivered from manufacturer CAF to Polmadie depot, from where the vehicles…

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A CLASS 66 from the Captrain fleet in Europe has been shipped from Holland to the UK to undergo unspecified repairs. Captrain is the international European rail transport brand for SNCF Logistics. Loco No. 6601 (UIC No. 92 88 0266 001-1) arrived at Hull docks from Rotterdam on August 18, sitting on a low loader. After being…

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TOTNES station in Devon has gained a fully accessible bridge spanning both platforms and four tracks, the centre section of which was lowered into place in the early hours of July 22. Work continues to install the passenger lifts, after which the existing bridge is likely to be closed and removed.Meanwhile, on the sea wall…

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REGIONAL and long-distance train services to and from Liverpool city centre resumed on July 30 following a successful eight-week upgrade of Lime Street station. All of the station’s platforms have been remodelled and some lengthened and widened to create space for longer trains and more passengers. Two new platforms, constructed during an earlier blockade in…

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NETWORK Rail is investing £23million to rebuild parts of Feltham station in south-west London. Platforms are to be lengthened to accommodate new, longer trains being introduced from 2019, and step-free access will be provided for travellers, along with a new bridge for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the railway safely. The latter will replace Feltham…

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July saw the 10th vinyl wrap applied to a Manchester tram, three of which are for rival radio stations. No. 3043 (pictured with standard-liveried No. 3042 at Altrincham on July 20) advertises Heart FM, No. 3030 Capital Radio and No. 3103 Hits Radio.Another four trams (Nos. 3017, 3047, 3093 and 3100) carry vinyls for Vodafone,…

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A V Dawson 350hp 0-6-0DE No. 08774 crosses Depot Road in the Teesport area of Middlesbrough on July 21 during a Branch Line Society event at the private freight facility. Several trips operated during the day, covering all available track. Passengers rode in a BLS carriage, converted from a former BR ferry van, with industrial No. 01567 top-and-tailing…

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ENGLISH Electric Type 4 No. D213 Andania returned to the main line in style on August 27, powering a Saphos Trains tour from Crewe to Carlisle via Shap and the Settle-Carlisle line. It is more than 30 years since it last hauled a passenger train. The trip was the first of three booked for the immaculate…

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