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November 2021
Out of the
Darkness! Llangollen Railway Trust reveals its plans for the future
Model Spot
Gas Turbine 18000
PLUS D1015 suffers failure on main line test run
Preservation: 125 Group profiled Lowdham signalbox restoration Pioneer Class 14 sold to new owner
East Coast operator LUMO set for October 25 launch
Welcome to Railways Illustrated
Jubilation after despair!
T
his issue of Railways Illustrated profiles two heritage organisations that have effectively been reborn after traumatic periods in their respective histories. Last month I travelled to the Llangollen Railway in North Wales – the first time I had visited the heritage line for a number of years. One of my last visits there was when one of the huge ‘Steal, Steam & Stars’ events was taking place, with a mouth-watering selection of steam locomotives hauling services along the line throughout. I also attended a couple of diesel events at Llangollen in the days when the railway boasted a large home fleet of locomotives, and those special events always seemed popular and well attended. However, the Llangollen Railway of 2021 is a vastly different heritage railway to how it was back then. Physically, the railway is just as attractive as always, passing through an area of outstanding natural beauty. But following the much-publicised collapse of Llangollen Railway PLC into receivership earlier this year, the Llangollen Railway of today is a much slimmed down version of its former self. Thankfully, the railway has managed to emerge from the shadows and has now been reopened – under new management! We should be thankful for the determination of the volunteers who weren’t willing to give up and walk away when, arguably, that would have been the easiest thing to do. Had it not been for the efforts of the supporting Llangollen Railway Trust (LRT), this popular heritage line could have closed and been lost forever. While it is clear that many mistakes were made in the running of the now-defunct PLC, green shoots have emerged from the scorched earth. Services have now begun again under the auspices of the LRT, and the Llangollen Railway has effectively been reborn. Many locomotives, coaches and items of plant have departed, but at least the line has survived. There are clearly lessons for other heritage lines to observe from the plight of the North Wales heritage railway, but I wish the LRT, its staff and its volunteers every success in rebuilding the reputation of this picturesque line. It would have been a tragedy had it been lost. Following on from the feature in the last issue of Railways Illustrated about the future use of the remaining HST fleet, in this issue we profile the history and work of the 125 Group, which has quickly established itself as one of our leading modern traction preservation groups. But, like Llangollen, it hasn’t always been plain sailing. Custodians of the National Railway Museum’s prototype HST power car,
41001, which the group restored to working order between 2011 and 2014, it was dealt a bitter blow almost exactly two years ago when it was announced that 41001 was being recalled to the NRM – effectively ending its association with the group that had returned it to operational condition. Now back on display at Locomotion in Shildon and requiring engine repairs (that were being planned by the 125 Group but had not yet been carried out prior to it being recalled to the NRM), 41001 seems destined to remain a static museum exhibit rather than a roving operational representative of the National Collection. However, the proactive nature of the 125 Group and the respect it has gained from within the rail industry saw leading railway leasing company Porterbrook respond to the NRM announcement by generously pledging to donate two Class 43 production HST power cars to the 125 Group when they were taken out of service with East Midlands Railway. Two years on, the 125 Group is now the owner of four Class 43s and a fleet of 13 Mark 3 coaches, including nine HST trailers. The group is also preparing to operate its first railtour using its preserved HST, as all of its vehicles remain registered for running over Network Rail metals. The group has gained a reputation for its can-do attitude, and the speed it has built up its fleet is impressive. Visiting both the Midland Railway – Butterley and the Nottingham Heritage Railway to view their power cars and coaches and to speak to two of the groups’ trustees, it is clear that the 125 Group is a preservation group with a bright and exciting future. I suspect it will be making headlines in Railways Illustrated for many years to come, and the preservation of HST power cars and coaches is welcome, as the fleet has played an important part in the history of our railways. While the introduction of the HSTs wasn’t widely welcomed by many railway enthusiasts when they first entered service in 1976, time has seen attitudes towards them soften and many enthusiasts are now mourning the slow decline of the HST. Often replacing the more traditional locomotive-hauled services, the demise of the Deltics, Peaks and other classes saw many enthusiasts blame the HST for the loss of their favourite locomotive designs on the BR network. While the HST story is far from finished, I do wonder if future generations of railway enthusiasts will mourn the demise of the Hitachi Intercity Express Trains that have replaced them on some of our main InterCity routes in the same way, as their operating days draw to an end many years from now?
Elsewhere in this issue, we pay a visit to a small railway signalling museum that has been established at Lowdham, Nottinghamshire, where villagers have preserved the signalbox that has stood in their community since 1896 but which was closed by Network Rail in 2016. But all is not as it seems, as the signalbox is no longer in its original location and was moved to a new home alongside the privately-owned station building just a few yards from where it had stood for 124 years. Lowdham Railway Heritage shows that even the smallest of preservation schemes are worthy of attention, and the standard of work done on this relic of 19th Century Midland Railway signalling in such a short time is truly impressive. A well-known name in the railway photography community is Terry Eyres, who has been a regular at the lineside for many years. For the latest in our popular 10 Pictures feature, Terry presents ten of his favourite images from an extensive collection. Since taking over as editor of Railways Illustrated three months ago, I have had the biggest reaction by far to 10 Pictures. It is clear that our regular photography-based feature has captured the imagination of many of our readers and we have now had a number of submissions to appear in future issues. To ensure it is fair to all contributors, we are allocating the submissions from the point at which they are received. They will appear in forthcoming issues of the magazine and I will endeavour to inform contributors as to when they can expect to see their selection in print. While the waiting list is growing longer, if you believe that you have 10 outstanding images with a bit of a back-story to them that you would like to showcase in the magazine, please contact me at rieditor@mortons.co.uk and we will try to make it happen in a future issue of the magazine. As ever, I welcome your comments, contributions, news updates, feedback, suggestions and anything else that you feel may be of interest to other readers. Please do get in touch. I hope you enjoy this issue of Railways Illustrated – it’s certainly been a busy month on the railways – and welcome aboard.
Andy Coward Editor
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November 2021 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED
3
ON SALE DATE: First Thursday of the month THIS ISSUE ON SALE: October 7, 2021 NEXT ISSUE ON SALE: November 4, 2021 EDITOR: Andy Coward 01507 529566 ART EDITOR: Kelvin Clements PUBLISHER: Tim Hartley PUBLISHING DIRECTOR: Dan Savage EDITORIAL ADDRESS: Railways Illustrated, Mortons Media Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6LZ WEBSITE: www.railwaysillustrated.com EMAIL: rieditor@mortons.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS: Bill Atkinson, David Barnsdale, Simon Bendall, David Bissett, Ben Bucki, Phil Chilton, Bob Cragg, Kevin Delaney, Steve Donald, Pip Dunn, Terry Eyres, Robert Falconer, Keiran Fallows, Stuart Fowler, Andy Galpin, Chris Gee, Dave Gilbert, Alistair Grieve, John Hales, Chris Hopkins, David Hunt, Cliff Jones, Brad Joyce, Gordon Kirkby, Martin Loader, Matt Lowcock, Tom McAtee, Phil Marsh, Andy Mason, Graham Nuttall, Dean Parsons, Mark Pike, James Pilbeam, Bill Pizer, Rob Reedman, Lee Robbins, Noel Slack, Jeremy de Souza, John Stephens, David Sterry, Robin Stewart-Smith, Matt Stoddon, Steve Stubbs, Martyn Tattam, Nigel Valentine, Andrew Watts, Kevin Whitehurst ADVERTISING ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Craig Amess 01507 529537 camess@mortons.co.uk Fiona Leak 01507 529573 fleak@mortons.co.uk GROUP ADVERTISING MANAGER: Sue Keily skeily@mortons.co.uk
Contents Regulars
3 6 16 25 32
Welcome News Fleet Review Heritage News What’s Happening To… ?
36 40 44 68 80
From the Front Coach Pictorial Steam News Reviews Railwayana
FRONT COVER: The Llangollen Railway has undergone probably the most turbulent period in its history over the last year, but began operating again in July under the auspices of the Llangollen Railway Trust. A1A Locomotives Llangollen-based 31271 Stratford 1840-2001 heads a train of ballast hoppers at Llangollen station during an East Midlands Railway Photographic Society charter on October 12, 2019. Phil Chilton THIS PAGE: 57605 Totnes Castle passes Camborne while working 1A50, the 21.45 Penzance to London Paddington Great Western Railway ‘Night Riviera Sleeper’ on August 20, 2021. Tom McAtee.
CUSTOMER SERVICES General Queries and Back Issues 01507 529529 Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm Answerphone 24H help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazine.co.uk MORTONS MEDIA GROUP LTD SALES AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Carl Smith MARKETING MANAGER: Charlotte Park COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Nigel Hole ARCHIVE Enquiries Jane Skayman 01507 529423 jskayman@mortons.co.uk ORIGINATION AND PRINTING Printed at Acorn Web Offset Ltd, Normanton, UK. DISTRIBUTION Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PU ENQUIRIES LINE: +44(0)207 429 4000 EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS Contributions to this magazine should be clearly typed and ideally sent by email. Please contact the editor by email with any possible feature ideas before submission. Photographs submitted to Railways Illustrated are accepted on the basis that they are the copyright property of the person submitting them, or after they have received suitable permission from the copyright owner. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor, or publisher. © MORTONS MEDIA GROUP LTD All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Advertising deadline October 14 4 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED November 2021
50 Llangollen: A new beginning
56 High Speed Preservation www.railwaysillustrated.co.uk
SU B 50 Llangollen: A new beginning
Andy Coward visits North Wales to find out how the Llangollen Railway Trust has taken over the operation of the popular heritage railway following the collapse of Llangollen Railway PLC earlier this year, as well as its plans and hopes for the future.
56 High Speed Preservation
In less than two years, the 125 Group has gone from despair after losing the custodianship of the National Railway Museum’s prototype HST power car to now owning four production Class 43 HST power cars and no fewer than 13
Mk.3 carriages. We profile the amazing history of this leading preservation group.
62 10 Pictures: Terry Eyres
For this issue of Railways Illustrated, Terry Eyres takes a look through his extensive collection of images to present his favourite 10 Pictures.
70 Model Spot
Simon Bendall reviews the new Heljan OO Gauge models of the unique Gas Turbine locomotive, 18000, which are being released exclusively by Rails of Sheffield.
E AV
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76 A moving experience
Andy Coward meets David Moore from Lowdham Railway Heritage to find out about the preservation of the village signalbox that has been preserved and restored as a small signalling museum.
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NEWS
Lumo set for October launch
FIRSTGROUP’S NEW open-access operation, East Coast Trains, has been rebranded as Lumo, with its new services along the East Coast Main Line (ECML) between London King's Cross and Edinburgh set to start on October 25. Initially the company will operate two daily trips (one on Saturday) between the two cities in each direction, with the frequency increasing gradually to five journeys in each direction from early next year. The company is boasting single journey fares from as little as £14.90 in a bid to encourage greener and more affordable travel between the capitals. During the initial launch period between October 25 and December 1, the company states that every seat booked up to one day before travel will cost £19.90 or less for a single journey. The operator is keen to promote its environmental credentials, with Lumo using a fleet of five newly-built Class 803 Hitachi electric trains on its services, and is targeting the low-fare domestic airline customers. The company hopes to encourage flyers to move to rail, stating that its trains are designed for comfort and ease, are suitable for people who need to work on the train or who are travelling for leisure. Railway stations are also generally more centrally located for business travellers than the nearby airports. Rail travel generates six times fewer carbon emissions than travelling by plane, according to the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy UK Government Reporting Emission Factors 2021. Lumo will run its services on the ECML, calling at Newcastle, Morpeth and Stevenage (although only one evening service calls at this stop Sunday to Friday from launch in the London direction), which it claims will help improve regional
A pair of the new Hitachi Class 803 trains, 803002 and 803001, pass through Claypole on the East Coast Main Line with a test run on July 15, 2021. Five Class 803s have been purchased for Lumo services and are set to be launched into service on October 25. Bill Atkinson
connectivity while offering alternatives to Newcastle and Luton airports. Lumo managing director Helen Wylde said: “Travelling in the UK should not cost a fortune and it certainly shouldn’t be the planet that pays. “Whatever your preferred mode of transport, we are likely to be more affordable and kinder to the planet. “We believe everyone has the right to travel in style. We are empowering people to make green travel choices that are genuinely affordable without compromising on comfort.” The company says it has invested £15 million on digital and IT infrastructure and £100 million on the manufacture and maintenance of its fleet of five Hitachi Class 803s. Financing for the train fleet was supplied by Beacon Rail.
LEFT: The Lumo branding applied to the company’s train fleet in advance of the launch. Lumo
The trains do not feature first class accommodation and offer “a blueprint for low-carbon, affordable long-distance travel in the UK, with seats ergonomically designed and tested for longer journeys”.
The operator is also promising a new at-seat catering service from high street brands called LumoEats, where passengers can order food on a smartphone app that will then be delivered to them.
Lumo initial timetable from October 25 London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley Station London King's Cross
Monday to Friday
Saturday
Sunday
10.45, 14.36
10.25
10.23, 16.24
Stevenage
–
–
Newcastle
13.47, 17.49
–
13.25
13.16, 19.20
–
–
Morpeth
13.59, 18.01
13.37
– 19.32
Edinburgh Waverley
15.17, 19.15
14.57
14.40, 20.54
Edinburgh Waverley to London King's Cross Monday to Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Edinburgh Waverley
Station
09.11, 16.12
08.49
10.53, 15.45
Morpeth
10.30, 17.26
10.06
12.03, 17.00
Newcastle
10.51, 17.47
Stevenage London King's Cross
10.22
12.19, 17.16
20.21
–
– 19.58
13.48, 20.47
13.17
14.56, 20.21
–
6 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED November 2021
From September 20, GWR began operating driver training services over the Dartmoor Line between Crediton and Okehampton in preparation for the reopening of the former heritage line as part of the national network. An extensive programme of upgrade works on the line has been undertaken by Network Rail as it has been prepared for the resumption of regular passenger services. On September 20, GWR 150246 departs the delightful station at Okehampton with a driver training trip. David Hunt
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NEWS
Northern Line extension opens TWO NEW London Underground stations have been added to the iconic Tube map, with the opening on September 20 of an extension to the Charing Cross branch of the Northern Line. The new stations are Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station, which are both within Zone One, and are step-free and fully accessible. A peak-time service of six trains per hour currently operates on the new extension. This will increase to 12 trains per hour by mid-2022. There are five trains per hour during off-peak period, set to double to 10 each hour next year. Andy Lord, managing director of London Underground, said: “It is with enormous pride and excitement that we welcome our first customers. “This is the first major Tube extension we've opened this century and the first new stations to open on the Northern line for 80 years. “It has been a monumental effort during the most challenging of times, but the opening of the Northern Line extension could not have come at a
The new version of the iconic London Underground map now includes the new Northern Line stations at Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station. TfL
more vital moment as London's recovery from the pandemic gathers pace and people continue to return to the Tube network for work and leisure.” Major construction on the 1.9 mile twin-tunnel railway between Kennington and Battersea Power Station, via Nine Elms, began in 2015. Despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, the construction remained on target and TfL states the overall project has been delivered at £160 million under budget.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, were among the dignitaries and passengers to travel on the newly completed Northern Line extension to Battersea Power Station on September 20. TfL
D1015 freight working ends in despair for DTG THE MAIN line debut of D1015 Western Champion following extensive engine repairs ended in despair for the Diesel Traction Group (DTG), when the locomotive suffered an engine seizure to one of the Maybach MD655 engines fitted inside the Class 52. The locomotive had been due to work a main line charter for Pathfinder Tours on the ‘Champion Torbay Express’ on September 25.
Following extensive works to the BR blue liveried ‘Western’, it was arranged for D1015 to be used piloting a GB Railfreight on a cement empties train on September 17, accompanied by 66719 Metro-Land. The use of the Class 52 on a freight service has to be THE freight working of 2021, although it has now been overshadowed by the failure. D1015 ran light engine from Kidderminster to Avonmouth,
where it then powered 6M42 from Avonmouth to Gloucester, before the diesel-hydraulic locomotive was detached and returned to its base at Kidderminster TMD on the Severn Valley Railway, where it was announced shortly afterwards that the locomotive had suffered a seized engine during the trip. As we prepared to go to print, DTG chairman Tom Sawyer told Railways Illustrated: “I can’t give much
information except that the engine seized during the loaded test run. We won’t know the extent of the damage until the engine is removed, allowing our engineers to begin investigations. “We are all, of course, hoping that it isn’t too serious.” Following the failure of D1015, Pa t h f i n d e r a n n o u n ce d t h e locomotive would be replaced on the charter with the Class 50 Alliance’s 50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance.
An unexpected sight on a freight service in 2021. On September 17, D1015 Western Champion leads 66719 Metro-Land past Gossington, hauling 6M42, the Avonmouth Hanson to Penyffordd cement empties. D1015 headed the train as far as Gloucester Yard as a loaded test run after its lengthy overhaul. Sadly, the locomotive suffered a seized engine during the trip and will now need repairs before it can return to the main line. Dean Parsons
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November 2021 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED 7
NEWS
Flooding brings more delays in Island Line reopening plan
A DATE for the reopening of the Island Line on the Isle of Wight has still not been confirmed – more than nine months after the line was closed for upgrading works in preparation for the introduction of a new train fleet. The line was closed in January for what was originally expected to be a three-month period while a number of infrastructure improvements were carried out on the route. This was to accommodate new trains being introduced to replace the previous fleet of Class 483 ex-London Underground 1938 stock, which had become increasingly unreliable, being more than 80 years old by the time the final examples were stood down at the start of the year. The latest setback in the reopening of the route has been due to flooding in August that caused damage to a number of locations, leading to further delays in South Western Railway’s (SWR) attempts to reintroduce services on the line. A spokesman for SWR told Railways Illustrated: “We had been aiming to reopen the Island Line in the first Providing a much more modern appearance than the trains they have replaced, 484004 stands at Sandown on Island Line half of September, but heavy rainfall during testing of the trains on August 25. James Pilbeam in early August caused flash flooding in many areas, with the running Stock, provided by Vivarail. Four of infrastructure works on Island Line “However, this remains a very water having a significant impact on the converted trains – 484001-484004 are largely complete, with only snag- complex undertaking. several areas of the Island Line track, – have now been delivered to Island ging issues remaining to deal with, “The safety and reliability of our service remains the number one and our depot at Ryde St John’s was Line for commissioning and test- according to SWR. also flooded. As a result, 16 sites on ing, with the fifth expected to follow The SWR spokesman added: “The priority for SWR and Vivarail, and the island required urgent attention, shortly. process of testing, by its very nature, both organisations are working hard requiring 200 tonnes of ballast from Vivarail told Railways Illustrated that is designed to identify problems now, to ensure all the problems are fully the mainland.” while the software issues have not before the trains enter passenger resolved.” One of the main reasons for the yet all been resolved, the company service and, depending on the probSWR has stated that once it delays to services being introduced is expecting a final software update lem, will take a variable amount of announces a date for reopening the earlier has been software glitches on from its suppliers shortly, which is time to fix. line, it wants to ensure that it is confithe new five-strong Class 484 train hoped will solve the remaining issues. “Teams from the train supplier dent it can be achieved. fleet, which themselves are converted Good progress has been made Vivarail continue to work through the This is to provide certainty for the from former London Underground D with the testing of the trains and the software issues for the new trains. “ railway passengers.
BELOW: 484003 stands on Ryde Pier on the Isle of Wight’s Island Line on September 9, during testing of the trains and infrastructure on the line. This is one of five new trains being provided by Vivarail for Island Line services, with four of the trains now delivered. James Pilbeam
8 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED November 2021
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NEWS
TPE’s Scarborough Depot closes overnight
OVERNIGHT CHANGES are being applied with regards to the servicing of the TransPennine Express (TPE) Nova 3 train fleet at Scarborough Depot following complaints about overnight noise levels on the depot from residents living nearby. The depot, which only opened in March 2019 at a cost of £8 million, will now no longer be used overnight except in exceptional circumstances, and will only operate between 7am and 11pm each day. The move follows a campaign by local residents about the amount of noise generated by the depot in Seamer Road, which is operated by Arriva Traincare, while the Nova 3 trains and Class 68s were being fuelled and serviced. Paul Staples, fleet director for TPE, said: “Working with the local council, we’ve now introduced some operational changes to the way we use our trains at Scarborough to reduce the level of noise experienced by residents living close to our depot. “Hard work has gone in to making the changes, which will mean some trains in Scarborough will no longer stay for maintenance overnight. “The depot remains an important facility for us, which provides jobs for
Changes to overnight servicing and fuelling arrangements of TransPennine Express’s fleet of Class 68 and Nova 3 trains at Scarborough are being introduced due to noise complaints from residents living near to Scarborough Depot, which only opened in March 2019. On April 5, 2021, 68021 Tireless and 68031 Felix stand at the head of TPE services at Scarborough station. Andy Mason
local people. For the time being, staff from the depot are doing work for us at the station, and we are now looking at plans for how we use the depot going forward. “Crucially, the changes we have made allow us to continue operating our Nova 3 trains in and out of the
town, providing vital connections for customers and supporting the local economy.” Scarborough Depot was opened to much fanfare two-and-a-half years ago in March 2019, and was hailed for the investment and local jobs it brought to the North Yorkshire town.
Overnight plans are currently for the trains to be serviced and refuelled in Manchester, while the last trains to arrive at Scarborough are stabled in the station overnight and serviced on the station, ready for the resumption of the first services on the following mornings.
Vivarail gains new American train contract
ONE OF the Vivarail demonstrator trains which was originally converted by the company at Long Marston has been purchased by Railroad Development Corporation and exported to America, with another due to follow in the near future. Two-car battery-powered 230002 has been purchased by RDC, which has seen a market opportunity in America for Pop-Up Metro systems, where it will be able to quickly install a train and platform onto an existing freight line to determine ridership and take-up levels of a new rail service. This makes it easy for cities and authorities to decide whether to invest in such a service. Initially, two trains supplied by Vivarail will be based in America; one in Rockhill and the other in Pittsburgh. The second train has yet to be exported but is expected to make the trip shortly, and the company hopes that the concept attracts further orders in the future. Vivarail has now successfully converted several trains from redundant London Underground D Stock. In the UK, the company has supplied trains to West Midlands Railway, South Western Railway and Transport for Wales.
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Class 91s are back in favour on the East Coast Main Line, with an increasing number back in service with LNER as the rail network gets busier following the lifting of coronavirus restrictions earlier in the summer. InterCity liveried 91119 Bounds Green InterCity Depot 1977-2017 awaits departure, ready to haul 1D21, the 16.03 London King’s Cross to Leeds service on September 16. Brad Joyce.
November 2021 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED 9
NEWS
Successful ‘Staycation Express’ season for RCS
THE NINE-WEEK summer season of the Rail Charter Services ‘Staycation Express’ came to an end in early September with the company buoyed by another successful operation, despite a few challenges during the earlier part of the season. This was the second year that RCS operated its ‘Staycation Express’ services over the scenic Settle & Carlisle route, but this year they were run using a refurbished all-First Class fivecoach HST set belonging to Locomotive Intercity Ltd, but painted in RCS’s distinctive racing green and silver livery. For the 2020 season the company had previously used locomotive-hauled trains hauling ex-Greater Anglia Mk.3 coaches.
RCS director Adrian Quine told Railways Illustrated: “This year was an improvement on 2020 in terms of passenger feedback, owing to improved rolling stock, catering etc. “The expanded route to Carlisle, along with mix-and-match tickets, also gave far more flexibility for passengers.” One of the biggest differences with the 2021 season has been the opening up of foreign travel after the relaxing of coronavirus restrictions. When asked if he believed this had any effect on demand for the services, Mr Quine explained: “It had very little effect on us, with strong demand particularly on the Skipton or Settle to Carlisle morning service and the
early afternoon return, with some trains running full.” The train was not without its problems, as platform availability at Carlisle saw services start from Appleby to Skipton in the morning and terminate in Appleby in the afternoon, before the HST ran empty back to Carlisle for stabling each evening. Mr Quine is hoping that the train can start and finish each day from Carlisle in the future. The company withdrew its Sunday services midway through the 2021 season, as demand was far lower than on any of the other days it operated. Problems with local catering suppliers were also experienced during the earlier part of the season,
although RCS introduced changes to its suppliers to overcome the issues that affected it during the first couple of weeks. The train is back on the Settle & Carlisle line during the October halfterm holiday, with the same operating arrangements that were in place during the summer. Mr Quine said the company is looking at other possible operations for its services, but nothing has been confirmed yet. He also stated that the HST would generally be restricted to RCS use only, and would not routinely be used by Locomotive Services Ltd. RCS is evaluating its operation and marketing for the 2022 season and hopes to announce its plans soon.
Signalling works completed on Werrington dive-under IN EARLY September, Network Rail commissioned the signalling system on the new section of track north of Peterborough, known as the Werrington dive-under, ready for freight trains to be diverted beneath the East Coast Main Line. The project aims to cut congestion on the busy inter-city route, improve reliability for both passenger and freight traffic, and increase capacity in the area.
The dive-under is part of the £1.2 billion East Coast Upgrade, and the signalling installation is the final stage of the project prior to testing of the new line, which should come into use before the end of the year. Work began in summer 2018 and an 11,000-tonne tunnel – which was built onsite as trains continued running on the East Coast Main Line – was pushed into place in January 2021.
About five miles of track on the diversionary route which runs through the new tunnel has been installed, and work was completed to connect the new track to the existing Stamford lines and put signalling equipment in place during the summer. Ed Akers, principal programme sponsor for Network Rail’s East Coast Upgrade, said: “We’ve completed vital signalling work which will allow
freight trains to begin using the new tunnel and divert underneath the East Coast Main Line, rather than crossing it, from later this year. “Our teams have completed the vast majority of this project without impacting on train services. “It will bring faster, more frequent and more reliable services for passengers travelling between London, Peterborough, the north of England and Scotland.”
Almost ready for freight services to start using it is the newly completed Werrington dive-under and tunnel, which has been constructed north of Peterborough to divert freight trains beneath the East Coast Main Line. This project is part of the £1.2 billion East Coast Upgrade. Network Rail.
10 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED November 2021
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NEWS
Class 777 on public display ahead of Merseyrail launch
THE FIRST of Merseyrail’s new 53-strong fleet of Class 777s has been handed over from manufacturer Stadler to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which has purchased the new fleet. The fleet is a key part of the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor’s plans for a London-style transport network that seeks to make it quick, easy and reliable for people to travel around the region by taking greater local control of public transport and linking different modes of transport together. Unit 777010 was displayed at Birkenhead North on two days in September, when the public were invited to view the new train, providing a glimpse of the future of travel on the Merseyrail network. The four-coach trains feature sliding step technology to provide step- free access, improved facilities for wheelchair, pram and cycle users, better passenger information screens, and on-board wi-fi. Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham said: “These trains are a near half-billion pound investment in our region’s transport network and will transform the way people get around in our region. “They are a major part of my vision for a London-style transport system that will make getting around our region quick, cheap and reliable. “They will be the greenest and most accessible trains in the country and, best of all, they’re owned by us. We’ve designed them around the needs of local residents, who I’m sure will absolutely love them.”
LEFT: The future of train operations on the Merseyrail network is Stadler’s new fleet of Class 777 EMUs, which are expected to enter service over the coming months. On September 9, 777010 was displayed at Birkenhead North in the first of two public events to showcase the new trains. Bob Cragg
IN BRIEF Work to replace trackwork inside Summit Tunnel on the Calder Valley line between Rochdale and Hebden Bridge is taking place during a nine-day closure from October 23-31. Almost two miles of track is to be replaced as part of Network Rail’s Great North Rail Project. DB Cargo’s recently unveiled ‘I am a Climate Hero’ liveried 66004 was displayed at Glasgow Central station on September 15 in connection with the Scottish Government’s Climate Week, showing how the railway is tackling its environmental impact. 66004 is one of several Class 66s operated using hydrotreated vegetable oil rather than conventional diesel fuel. Tours of an underground tunnel linking Birmingham New Street’s platforms and the former Royal Mail sorting office for 30 members of the public took place as part of Birmingham Heritage Week on September 10. The sorting office building – once the largest in the city – closed in the late 1990s and is now the Mailbox mixeduse facility.
Catching the sun’s rays, 508126 arrives at West Kirby with 2W31, the 4.19pm circular service from West Kirby via the Liverpool central loop. At 42 years old, these units, together with their Class 507 cousins, are among the oldest EMUs still working on the national network, having been built in 1979-80. Jeremy de Souza
The trains have been undergoing extensive testing and commissioning prior to their entry into traffic, with driver training now expected to increase ahead of them entering service over the coming months.
Once sufficient Class 777s have entered traffic with the operator, Merseyrail will be able to withdraw its existing fleet of Class 507 and Class 508 EMUs, which have been in service for more than 40 years.
A handmade Brio model of an HST, based on the final East Midlands Railway service, has been sold in a silent auction for £650, with proceeds going to the National Autistic Charity. The model was created by Mike Gray, of Graystone Group Ltd, and his son, and was donated to EMR. South Western Railway has installed increased cycle parking facilities at six Dorset stations, as well as providing e-bikes for onward travel. The improved facilities can be found at Weymouth, Dorchester South, Wareham, Parkstone, Bournemouth and Gillingham. An increase in activity on the Dartmoor Railway as it prepares to be reopened for passenger services between Okehampton and Exeter has seen Network Rail issue a warning to local people about an increase in trains operating on the line from September 20 to deter trespassing. It is hoped that the line will be reopened before the end of the year.
LEFT: The light from Knaresborough’s Down Section signal illuminates 97304 John Tiley as it idles inside Knaresborough Tunnel with 3Q93, the 9.56pm Knaresborough to Doncaster West Yard Network Rail test train on September 2. Chris Gee
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November 2021 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED 11
NEWS
Thanks for the memories!
GBRf Charity Railtours signs off with GBRf2021
One of the highlights of GBRf 2021 was the return to use of Locomotive Services Ltd 86101 Sir William Stanier FRS, which has not worked a passenger train since being sold by Electric Traction Ltd in November 2019. On September 3, the Class 86/1 heads through Berhamsted while working 1Z27, the 7.45pm Acton Lane Reception Sidings to Mossend Up Yard as far as Crewe, where it gave way to 92032. Noel Slack
THE LATEST epic four-day charity fundraising charter operated by GBRf Charity Railtours took place from September 2-5, raising vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK, which is the current charity partner of GB Railfreight. ‘GBRf 2021: This Time It’s Personal’ was the third time the freight company put its weight behind such an ambitious tour programme, with the train travelling the length and breadth of the country, operating traction from various operators. The tour saw a number of operational challenges after a sickness bug
broke out on board the train, which affected a number of passengers who were travelling aboard. Despite the on-board problems, the tour continued for its duration. While the total sum raised by the train has not yet been announced, it is expected to have raised in the region of £100,000 for the cancer charity. The charters have also brought about many examples of cross-industry co-operation, with competing operators willingly supplying locomotives and hence helping to make the tours so memorable.
On the second day of the marathon GBRf tour, the 1Z26 Marchwood MoD to Acton Lane Reception Sidings is pictured entering Eastleigh East yard, where 08683 and 08511 were attached for a short distance of Class 08 haulage from the No.1 reception siding where the train was berthed and to allow removal of 59003. Steve Stubbs
The organiser has stated that GBRf 2021 will be its final tour, bringing down the curtain on what have been some of the most memorable UK rail charters in living memory while also raising significant sums of money
for various worthwhile charities and good causes. ➔ Please see From the Front Coach on page 42 for further details on GBRf 2021.
Making a rare passenger outing on Network Rail metals, BR blue 31128 leads West Coast Railway’s 33029 through Burton Salmon at the head of 1Z24, the Carnforth to Scarborough ‘Scarborough Spa Express’ on September 16. The Class 31/33 combination was used by WCRC to mark the final SSE of the season. Dean Parsons
12 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED November 2021
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