Network

Bombardier to fit ETCS kit on Heathrow Express ‘387s’

by

Sam Hewitt

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2nd March 2019

PORTERBROOK has signed a contract with Bombardier Transportation to fit ETCS digital signalling equipment to Great Western Railway Class 387 EMUs, which are being converted for Heathrow Express services. The investment by Porterbrook is valued at £11million. GWR is having 12 Class 387s converted for the airport express work, with No. 387140 having already been…
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Late start for new trains puts ‘Pacer’ withdrawal months behind schedule

by

Sam Hewitt

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2nd March 2019

PLANS to withdraw the first Northern Rail ‘Pacers’ at the end of September 2018 have missed their scheduled date by four months. The plan, published by the DfT, was for five two-car Class 144s to start the ball rolling on the withdrawal programme back in September, with all two-car sets out of traffic by January…
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Pathfinder announces triple dose of Tornado trips

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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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Freight tonnage slumps to lowest point since 1996/97

by

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

by

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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Last Fowler diesel loco in UK industry still operational

by

Sam Hewitt

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27th February 2019

PLASMOR Ltd continues to use a smart and well-maintained Fowler Class 422 0-4-0DH (4220038 of 1966) at its Heck Works, Great Heck, North Yorkshire. This is believed to be the last remaining Fowler-built diesel loco in industrial service in the UK. Fowlers were once very numerous in industry, right across the UK, and could be…
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Mangapps expands its collectionwith former Network Rail Class 31s

by

Sam Hewitt

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27th February 2019

THE Mangapps Railway, Essex has acquired two former Network Rail Class 31s – Nos. 31105 (D5523) and 31233 (D5660). The privately owned railway has lost all of its big diesels of Classes 31, 33 and 47 in recent times, after being transferred to new homes with longer operating lines. The Class 31s are in good condition,…
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