Railway Magazine - July 2019 - Preview

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BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING RAIL TITLE July 2019

A1 Trust orders TWO boilers WIN

UK Railtours Tickets See Page 11

■ ■

Brighton Belle restoration focus Abellio outlines East Midlands plans

FORGOTTEN LOCOS OF PRESERVATION

NEW TRAIN TEST: THE MK5 SLEEPERS

SPOTLIGHT ON WENSLEYDALE

■ HS2 TRAIN DESIGNS REVEALED ■ CREWE OPEN DAY RAISES £72,000

The

EDITORIAL

Editor: Chris Milner Deputy editor: Gary Boyd-Hope Consultant editor: Nick Pigott Senior correspondent: Ben Jones Designer: Tim Pipes Picture desk: Paul Fincham and Jonathan Schofield Publisher: Tim Hartley Production editor: Sarah Wilkinson Sub-editor: Nigel Devereux Editorial assistant: Jane Skayman Classic Traction News: Peter Nicholson Operations News: Ashley Butlin Narrow Gauge News: Cliff Thomas Metro News: Paul Bickerdyke World News: Keith Fender By post: The Railway Magazine, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 529589 Fax: 01507 371066 Email: railway@mortons.co.uk © 2019 Mortons Media ISSN 0033-8923

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Accepted photographs and articles will be paid for upon publication. Items we cannot use will be returned if accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope, and recorded delivery must clearly state so and enclose sufficient postage. In common with practice on other rail periodicals, all material is sent or returned at the contributor’s own risk and neither The Railway Magazine, the editor, the staff nor Mortons Media Ltd can be held responsible for loss or damage, howsoever caused. The opinions expressed in The RM are not necessarily those of the editor or staff. This periodical must not, without the written consent of the publishers first being given, be lent, sold, hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or, in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or annexed to or as part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever.

This issue was published on July 3, 2019.

The next will be on sale on August 7, 2019 .

Trespassing needs dealing with swiftly

G

IVEN the growing concern by Network Rail and train crews over trespass incidents related to the operation of Flying Scotsman, you would have thought identification by the British Transport Police (BTP) of some recently publicised offenders, using images and other footage online as evidence, would not have proved too difficult and completed quickly. You’d be wrong.

More than six weeks after the incidents near Elford (RM June, p7), ‘enquiries are still ongoing’ apparently. Even the offer of a statement by one of the train drivers involved had not been taken up either. It is very disappointing.

The wheels of justice appear to be turning incredibly slowly in bringing offenders to book despite the danger the public are placing themselves in, coupled with the mental well-being of train crew when faced with members of the public on the track.

Only last month, when ‘Scotsman’ ran through the Golden Valley, near Stroud, people actually refused a request by a signalman to move off the crossing. Warnings of prosecution for anyone caught trespassing or obstructing trains are being continually ignored, yet where are these prosecutions?

There are a significant number

Members of the public loiter around St Mary’s Crossing, between Stroud and Kemble, waiting for Flying Scotsman. Despite the best efforts of the signalman, they ignored requests to move. NICK GALLOP/TWITTER

TRAIN OF THOUGHT

Editor’s Comment

of people who have invested financially in the main line steam business so locos and rolling stock can operate every week, yet this is all placed at risk by large volumes of trespassers who ignore warnings. Worse is the fact, most have no more than a passing interest in railways.

Recent prosecutions for trespass (for steam) can possibly be counted on the fingers of

one hand. However, more criminal proceedings would lead to widespread publicity and act as a deterrent to those hell bent on standing on the ballast.

Furthermore, you don’t need to stand on the ballast to get a decent photograph.

Do we really have to wait for a fatality or serious injury before BTP start to get tough with trespassers? p

The new train ‘revolution’ is on the move THREE new fleets of trains entered service in May, two more were planned for the end of June, and there’s a strong possibly another new fleet will begin carrying its first passengers in July.

Then in August, LNER ‘Azuma’ services will start to serve Edinburgh. More fleets will follow in the autumn once testing is completed.

The rolling stock ‘revolution’ the travelling public has been promised for several years is finally happening.

While it will take time for all of the new trains to get into service – and indeed some passengers won’t get new trains for several more years yet – the speed at which changes take place can easily be

overlooked. In the late-1970s and early-’80s, I made the mistake of putting off until another day opportunities to travel on certain lines and photograph trains known to be listed for withdrawal – and realised too late they’d been withdrawn. A definite case of mañana.

So, if recording railways and its history is your forte, take the opportunity now to capture images of the ageing ‘Pacers’, Class 91s, second-generation DMUs, and even modern units like the ‘Heathrow Express’, as very quickly, some will move on to pastures new while others are destined for scrap.

Don’t let your chance slip by.

CHRIS MILNER, Editor

Blue and Bl d grey nostalgia l i FREE with this issue is a second 24-page special supplement looking back at BR’s blue & grey era, a time revered by many enthusiasts. I hope you enjoy the nostalgic journey and the pictures bring back some happy memories.

July 2019 • The Railway Magazine • 3

Contents

July 2019. No. 1,420. Vol 165. A journal of record since 1897.

Headline News

The five short-listed bidders for the £2.75billion HS2 train contract revealed their proposed designs in June. This is the joint Bombardier-Hitachi 'Great British' train design, widely regarded as the favourite to win as construction will support two existing UK factories. BOMBARDIER/HITACHI

Crewe‘All Change’open day raises £70,000, bidders reveal HS2 train designs, debut for UK's first hydrogen-powered main line train, Abellio sets out East Midlands plans, EMT passengers marooned after Corby flood, A1Trust orders two new boilers from Germany, Scottish Government considers Borders electrification.

On the cover

MAIN IMAGE: Class 35 ‘Hymek’ No. D7018 is back in traffic after an absence of 24 years.

On June 22, the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group (DEPG) loco approaches Blue Anchor with the 12.01 Minehead-Bishops Lydeard. PAUL BIGGS INSET 1: Forgotten locomotives in preservation.

INSET 2: Train test – Caledonian Sleeper Mk5 stock. PAUL SMITH

INSET 3: Preservation progress rogress in Wensleydale.

Wensleydale

Track Record The Railway Magazine’s monthly news digest 70 Steam & Heritage

Classic Traction: Weybourne Diesel Group at the North Norfolk Railway has restored the National Railway Museum’s MetroCammell DMU to a high standard.

Paired with the NNR’s own‘MetCamm’, the DMU leaves Weybourne on June 14.

‘Saint’ rolled out in full GWR livery, RPSI Slieve Gullion appeal, Dartmouth hires Churnet Valley ‘S160’, NYMR ‘S160’ unveiled for D-Day anniversary, Invicta moves to Whitstable, ‘J21’ to be restored at Loughborough, 15 locos for NYMR autumn gala.

76 Industrial 79 Steam Portfolio 80 Irish 82 Narrow Gauge 84 Miniature 86 Metro 88 Network

GLEN BATTEN

90 Freight 92 Classic Traction 96 World 100 Railtours 104 Traction & Stock

LNER starts to sideline IC225 sets, ScotRail reduces Class 314 diagrams, ORR approves TPE ‘802s’ and Anglia ‘FLIRT’ bi-modes for passenger operation, GBRf acquires Swedish ‘66’ trio.

GBRf Class 66 No. 66749 passesWorksop East Signalbox with the 09.22 Ferme Park-Worksop DownYard on June 4, taking LNER Mk4 stock for secure storage. ROBIN STEWARTSMITH

107 Stock Update 108 Traction Portfolio 110 Operations

Regulars Subscribe today to receive your monthly copies of The Railway Magazine from only £20.

Our regular gallery of the best railway photography from around the world.

68 From The RM Archives

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10 Railways in Parliament 54 Readers’ Platform 60 Subscription Offer

62 Meetings 63 Reviews 64 Panorama

The Railway Magazine's audited circulation of 34,543 copies per month makes it by far the

Panorama: BR diesel-hydraulic No. D1001 Western Pathfinder creates a smokescreen as it leaves Exeter St David’s for Penzance, while Class 33 No. 33003 waits with a train for Salisbury and Waterloo on September 5, 1975. LES NIXON

116 Heritage Diary 129 Reader Services 130 Crossword and Where Is It?

Call 01507 529529 or see page 60 for our latest offers Like us facebook.com/ TheRailwayMagazine Follow us @railwaymagazine Follow us therailwaymagazine

A once-in-a-lifetime shot for the lucky photographer as two legends of British steam meet on the main line in 2019. No. 60103 Flying Scotsman passes No. 7029 Clun Castle at Hinksey, south of Oxford, on June 15. ROBIN COOMBES

Features 16 ScotRail Progress

John Heaton visits Scotland to assess the performance of recently introduced train fleets, including the refurbished HSTs and Hitachi Class 385s.

23 Humphrey Platts: Railway Photographer Nick Piggott meets a railway photographer whose work stretches back almost 75 years.

conclusion, Andy Coward finds out what has been required to adapt the‘5-BEL’for 21st century main line operation.

36 The Wensleydale Railway Running through a beautiful part of North Yorkshire, this relatively new heritage railway has exciting plans for the future, as Graeme Pickering discovers.

if they deliver on their promise of a hotel quality experience.

50 The Metropolitan Special Andrew Royle looks back at a forgotten railtour over London Transport’s Metropolitan Line in 1954.

55 Forgotten Gems

30 Return of the Brighton Belle

43 Overnight Sensation?

As its multi-million pound restoration reaches a

In the latest of our new train tests, Ben Jones takes a trip on Caledonian Sleeper’s Mk5s to see

Mark Smithers highlights several significant industrial and narrow gauge survivors which have largely escaped public attention.

SCOTRAIL CHANGES: New train performance north of the border - p16

BRINGING BACK THE BELLE: ‘5-BEL’ restoration report - p30

MET MEMORIES: Touring LT steam lines in 1954 - p50

July 2019 • The Railway Magazine • 5

HeadlineNews

HS2 train contract bidders reveal proposed designs

By Ben Jones

BIDDERS for the £2.75billion HS2 rolling stock contract unveiled their proposed train designs in June.

Alstom, Bombardier/Hitachi, CAF, Siemens andTalgo have all submitted bids for the contract to build and maintain at least 54 trains for phase one of the £56bn project.

The contract is expected to be awarded in 2020, with the first trains being ready for testing in 1 2023 and full service from 2026.

Alstom is offering a‘classic compatible’variant of its‘Avelia’ The differing designs of train family, which is a development of for HS2 which have been its provenTGV and AGV submitted: high-speed trains.

1. Talgo's 'Avril UK' could be The French company is also keen built in Scotland. to emphasise its UK credentials, 2. Alstom 'Avelia', derived from built up over 20 years working the company's AGV design. with Class 390 trains on theWest 3. CAF’s proposed ‘Oaris’ design.

Coast Main Line.

4. Siemens’ concept inspired by Alstom says:“Our vision is its new ‘Velaro Novo’ concept. to make HS2 trains a timeless 5. The Hitachi/Bombardier design classic, with a passenger ‘Great British’ train. experience that is as smooth, calm and spacious as it is high-speed.”

Alstom’s TransportTechnology Centre in Widnes is likely to play a role in the assembly and delivery of the trains if the company’s bid is successful.

Seen by many as the frontrunner, the Bombardier/ Hitachi bid benefits from supporting two UK factories in Derby and Newton Aycliffe. The joint venture’s‘Great British’train proposal promises to be“the most 4 advanced, customer-oriented train ever to run in the UK”. further 14 sets from Hitachi Rail Italia/Bombardier.

Pioneering CAF is proposing its Hitachi is also highlighting its ‘Oaris’platform to meet the high-speed credentials, having exacting requirements set by played a pioneering role in Japan’s HS2 Ltd. world-renowned‘Shinkansen’ CAF UK director Richard Garner trains since the 1960s. Bombardier said:“ 'Oaris' has demonstrated its also has international experience capacity to operate at speeds over from building HS trains for Italy, 360kph – with proven reliability, Germany and China. comfort and safety. HS2’s ambition In 2015, the two companies is to design a transformational rail delivered the‘Frecciarossa’(Red system that is admired around the Arrow) ETR1000 for Trenitalia, world – CAF has the expertise to which operates at up to 225mph make that vision a reality.” in Italy, and is expected to start If it wins the contract, CAF plans work on the Milan to Paris route to carry out much of the assembly in summer 2020. work at its new factory in Newport, Trenitalia recently ordered a SouthWales.The company

2

3

5 currently provides design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly, testing and maintenance services, employing 800 people across the UK, which will increase to 1,000 by 2020.

It has extensive high-speed fleet maintenance experience in Spain, Turkey and Italy, where it provides technical support for the ETR500 high-speed fleet.

Talgo plans to build, rather than assemble, the 54 trains at a new factory in Longannet, Fife, if it wins the HS2 contract.

The innovative Spanish train builder plans to offer a UK version of its‘Avril’product, which has also been ordered by Spanish

national operator RENFE. JonVeitch ofTalgo UK said: “Talgo is proud to be associated with this project. It has the potential to transform mobility, and make a significant impact in many communities across the UK. “It is the kind of opportunity which societies can only take or leave once in a century.

“We humbly believe thatTalgo’s combination of experience and adaptivity is the best option for both train operating companies and taxpayers.”

Finally, Siemens unveiled a design inspired by its new‘Velaro Novo’concept, which is the latest development in a long series of

trains, including Deutsche Bahn’s ICE3, Eurostar’s e320 (Class 374) and similar trains operating in Russia, Spain and China.

The trains would be assembled at Siemens’proposed factory in Goole if the bid is successful.

A spokesman for High Speed Rail Industry Leaders, which represents senior stakeholders in the project, said:“We are pleased to see the impressive designs released by those bidding to deliver rolling stock for HS2.

“These bids demonstrate the depth of expertise in high-speed rail and the commitment of industry to delivering for the UK’s network.”

RENEWED BACKING FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL IN THE NORTH AND MIDLANDS POLITICIANS and business leaders in the North of England and the Midlands have reiterated their support for high-speed rail as an essential tool to improve transport links within and across their regions.

The support came in response to comments from several Conservative party leadership candidates that the HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) projects could be reviewed or even cancelled by

the next Prime Minister.

Former Transport Secretary and Chief Whip Sir Patrick McLoughlin MP said: “HS2 is a prime example of rail being put at the heart of our economic strategy.

Proud

“As Transport Secretary I was proud to back HS2, and every candidate running to be the next Prime Minister should back it as well. This is a crucial

6 • The Railway Magazine • July 2019

project which is delivering jobs, connectivity, and enhanced capacity for the rail network.

Frankly, I think it would be mad to consider scrapping it.”

A few days later, regional leaders in the north of England issued a unified call for HS2 to be completed all the way to the North and fully integrated with NPR to achieve the maximum economic impact.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham warned

Conservative party leadership candidates that bringing the future of HS2 into question would be “politically dangerous”.

Spending

Mr Burnham said: “The north of England needs to be at the front of the queue for infrastructure spending for the next 25 years. We are still expected to have to choose between HS2 and Northern

Powerhouse Rail. Why can’t we have both?”

HS2 Minister Nusrat Ghani MP confirmed the Government is working closely with Transport for the North on proposals for Northern Powerhouse Rail, and that HS2 infrastructure will be critical for the success of the scheme.

The minister said it is “completely false” to say the North cannot have both projects.

Have you got a story for us? Email: railway@mortons.co.uk

Abellio outlines its plans for East Midlands franchise TRAIN operator Abellio has begun outlining its plans in a series of briefings to stakeholders ahead of when it takes over the East Midlands franchise from August 18.

Abellio will brand the franchise East Midland Railway (EMR), introduce a new deep purple livery for its trains, and have three distinct strands – EMR Intercity, EMR Electric and EMR Regional.

In replacing Stagecoach, which has operated trains for almost 12 years, Abellio is proposing a gradual replacement of the entire current fleet by December 2022.

First units to go will be the Class 153s, which will be replaced by Class 156 units within the first six months of the franchise. These sets will probably come from Abellio’s Greater Anglia franchise, with the eight Class 170s also likely to move to the East Midlands.

Withdrawing HST sets from frontline service will begin from May 2020 and be complete by the December, which suggests a short-term derogation for forthcoming disability legislative changes from January 1, 2020.

Abellio has not yet indicated what will replace them, but Hull Trains Class 180s will be available.

For the electric service from St Pancras to Corby, due to start in

December 2020, rolling stock will be the Class 360/1 EMUs, which are being stood down by Greater Anglia, rather that the Class 379s previously mooted.

Looking to fleet replacements, although no orders had been announced, the franchisee plans to replace all regional diesel trains

by December 2021.

Bi-mode

On Intercity routes, with electrification only running as far as Market Harborough, bi-mode trains will be introduced, initially around spring 2022. In a timeline produced by Abellio, sets are earmarked to begin testing by the end of 2021, with all in service by the end of 2022. However, the indications are use of the sets in electric mode is not scheduled until autumn 2023.

Interest is growing in the use of hydrogen trains, and EMR has indicated trials of the still-evolving technology will be late on in the franchise, early in 2026. By the end of 2022 Abellio says it will have high quality wi-fi on all services.

From day one of the franchise, EMR will introduce‘Delay Repay 15’, which will kick in after a 15-minute delay, introduce direct debit payment for season tickets, double the funding for

community rail partnerships and projects, and embark on a major marketing campaign.

There are also plans for four new community rail partnerships during the term of the franchise.

There are plans for an all-year weekend service to Skegness, an hourly all-day service between Peterborough and Doncaster, later and earlier trains serving East Midlands Parkway, and extra regional Sunday services.

EMR will conduct gateless gateline trials at St Pancras and East Midlands Parkway, upgrade

Electrification push for Borders Railway THE Campaign for Borders Rail (CBR) says electrification of the Borders Railway south to Tweedbank could deliver major acceleration of trains and a higher frequency – but only if some essential track upgrades are delivered at the same time.

The CBR was responding to an announcement by Transport Scotland that it is considering electrification of the line, with the campaign group adding electrification could double the frequency of trains between Edinburgh and Gorebridge, but reduce the journey time from Edinburgh to Tweedbank by using ‘limited stop’trains to under 45 minutes.

Simon Walton, chairman of CBR, explained:“We had anticipated

that electrification of the Borders line might emerge as an option for consideration, particularly as the line is‘electric-ready’, with sufficient clearance for wires under bridges and through tunnels.

“However, it won’t be possible to run faster trains unless other improvements are made, so we’ve done a great deal of work to draw up proposals which will ensure electrification brings maximum advantages.”

The CBR wants Network Rail to implement the already planned upgrade of Portobello Junction in Edinburgh, including a second platform at Brunstane station, to allow trains to pass there, plus two other improvements further down the line.

Campaign member Robert

Drysdale describes the work needed as“modest”compared to that required to electrify the Edinburgh/Glasgow to Dunblane line, with a mile of doubling needed at Eskbank along with a second platform, together with a bay platform at Gorebridge to create an interchange point.

This would permit a more intensive stopping service to Edinburgh in view of extensive house-building in the Gorebridge area, while accelerating trains from Tweedbank, with calls at Galashiels, Stow, Gorebridge and Newcraighall only.

Costings have not been worked out, but the campaign would like Transport Scotland and Network Rail to build the recent electrification improvements.

ticket machine functionality, enhance train catering with a more consistent offer seven days per week, and pay staff a living wage. EMR will also provide enhancements for accessibility and inclusivity

Flexible

On ticketing, there will be a price promise of the best value through EMR ticketing channels, flexible season tickets, account-based ticketing in the Nottingham area, plus better mobile ticket options, which

aims to remove the‘ticket on departure’collection method.

The September issue will contain more details of the new franchise. ➜ On June 21, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced it will consider whether the award of the franchise to Abellio, which is involved with four other rail franchises, may result in a‘substantial lessening of competition'. The CMA deadline for comments is July 5. A decision is expected by August 23.

Virgin pursues open access bid VIRGIN Trains (VT) has the rail network and services surprised the rail industry by were busier than normal, any announcing it will make a bid passengers who couldn’t get a to become an open access seat would get a full refund. operator.

Trains would have free wi-fi This follows the shock as well as free films and TV announcement VT and its on board plus an‘at-seat’, partner Stagecoach had been on-demand catering service. disqualified from bidding for Phil Whittingham, Virgin the West Coast Partnership Trains managing director, said: franchise and were likely to “Virgin Trains has led the UK rail exit railways. industry for 22 years, but we VT has lodged an application want to go further. These new with the Office of Rail and services will allow us to take Road (ORR) to introduce a the customer experience on new hourly service between the UK’s railways to the next Liverpool and London from level and show the rest of the May 2021. The service, if industry how it can be done.” approved, would call at This initiative is separate Lichfield, Tamworth, Nuneaton to VT’s current West Coast and Liverpool South Parkway. operation and would run as The application is for 24 a partnership between Virgin, services per day.

Stagecoach, SNCF and Alstom.

VT says the service will It is expected the new be the UK’s most customerservices, if approved, will focused rail service with a seat generate around £50million of reservation for every ticket, revenue each year. and guaranteed to be at least Displaced Class 91 and Mk4 10% cheaper than tickets sets from the East Coast Main offered by rail competitors.

Line could be used as rolling If there was disruption on stock.

New Anglo-Scottish freight flow

CLASS 37 BACK IN THE VALLEYS: Transport for Wales is now hiring two Class 37/4s and Mk2 stock to operate peak trains on the Cardiff to Rhymney route, recalling the early years of Privatisation when a variety of traction was hired in. On June 21, No. 37418 passes Pontlottyn with the 17.01 Cardiff Central-Rhymney. DEAN PARSONS

FORTH Ports, together with the Eddie Stobart Group and DRS, introduced a new Anglo-Scottish intermodal weekend service between Tilbury and Grangemouth on June 28.

The trains run via Daventry,

arriving and taking retail goods, food and drink north, returning with spirits, chemicals and fresh foodstuffs.

It is expected the traction will be a DRS Class 88 loco.

July 2019 • The Railway Magazine • 7

HeadlineNews

Investigation begins after emergency stop wheel damage on sleeper train

CALEDONIAN Sleeper and carriage manufacturer CAF are investigating an incident on the evening of June 11 when the wheel sets on 23.50 LondonEuston to Glasgow/Edinburgh ‘Lowlander’sleeper service were damaged following an emergency brake application.

It is understood the brake application was involuntary, resulting in a number of the wheelsets on the train acquiring ‘flats’.

The brake application was made in the Nuneaton/ Atherstone area, and after inspection the train proceeded to Stafford at 15mph, where the

service was terminated at 05.46.

Passengers were offered a combination of road and other rail services to get to destinations. Caledonian Sleeper said passengers would get a full refund through the delay repay scheme. The stock was taken to Crewe for a more detailed inspection along with plans to re-profile the wheels, which was later carried out in Manchester.

cancelled as was one alternative workings each night until June 21 when normal service resumed.

The 75 carriages have been built to replace the Mk3s, at a cost of £150million, and should have entered traffic last year, but suffered a number of delays and problems during an extensive testing phase.

It meant the ‘Lowlander’ was launched six months late on Cancelled April 28, but in the intervening Because of the incident and period, there have been a only one set of Mk5 carriages plethora of other problems, operational, the Up Lowlander including depot and overhead on June 12 and following nights’ electrification problems, Down working were both coupling issues, shower leaks

and other niggling snags, on top of operational delays.

Anger

Then adding to passengers’ woe, on June 22, the Up sleeper (1M11) was cancelled at Acton Bridge at 06.47 after an unspecified train fault.

It was another train fault that forced the cancellation at five hours notice of the Glasgow portion of the‘Lowlander’on June 23, with passengers being offered a road coach to Glasgow or a Virgin train next morning.

The only service was the Edinburgh portion.

Passengers have taken to

social media to vent their anger at the latest series of delays, also criticising Caldeonian Sleeper for the lack of response to requests for information when boarding is late or trains are cancelled.

Scotland’s transport minister Michael Matheson claimed the wheelset incident was caused by “incorrect setting up of the train control management system”.

The introduction of the Mk5 stock on to the‘Highlander’ service to Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness planned for June 2 had already been put back to July 7.

■ See Overnight Sensation feature on p43.

Porterbrook wins hydrogen race as converted ‘319’ makes public debut

By Ben Jones

THE UK’s first hydrogen-powered main line train moved under its own power for the first time at the‘Rail Live’event in June.

Porterbrook‘HydroFLEX’ demonstrator No. 799001, extensively modified from dual-voltage EMU No. 319001, has been fitted with a hydrogen power pack, allowing it to run as normal on electrified routes, or independently using fuel cells to generate electrical current to power traction equipment.

Zero-carbon

No. 799001 has been developed by Porterbrook and the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE), and will be

tested on the main line following the successful low-speed trials.

One car of the unit has been fitted with four storage tanks, fuel cells and two lithium-ion batteries to create the self-powered train, which it is hoped will provide a zero-carbon emission alternative to diesel passenger trains.

Main line testing will be the next step towards proving the concept so Porterbrook can offer ‘HydroFLEX’trains to customers in the near future.

The project has benefited from technology and equipment developed for the Class 769‘FLEX’ project, which is adding diesel power packs to Class 319s to create electro-diesel regional trains.

Helen Simpson, head of

innovation and technical services at Porterbrook, said:“The Porterbrook team is delighted to support the testing of ‘HydroFLEX’on the main line.

Huge step

“We have been very pleased with how the train has performed on the test track and ‘HydroFLEX’ train No. 799001 during a demonstration at Rail Live. are looking forward to getting DARREN FORD on the national rail network.

Delivering the UK’s first hydrogen practical application on the using an off-lease Class 319 train is a huge step for the rail railway. to create a facility for small industry and marks a milestone The ‘HydroFLEX’project has and medium enterprises to for green transport everywhere.” recently been awarded funding promote their products. Rail Alex Burrows, director at

by Innovate UK through its First Live saw 25 suppliers exhibit Birmingham Centre for Railway Of A Kind (FOAK) competition 30 new technology, products Research and Education, called to take the prototype forward to and services on the train, and the partnership between University and Porterbrook main line testing.

Porterbrook is now calling for “a trailblazer”for academia and ■ Porterbrook has also suppliers to participate in its industry, accelerating ideas into launched its Innovation Hub, 2020 scheme.

GWR IET makes record-breaking run journey between Paddington and Oxford in 37 minutes and GWR broke the record for the 35 seconds.

Oxford to London route on GWR had achieved 38min June 12 when it ran a special 30sec in a non-passenger trial a high-speed non-stop train week before, on June 7. for invited guests as part of The previous record is celebrations for the 175th believed to be 40min 45sec, anniversary of the line opening. set in 1972 by the Class 252 The train was formed of IET prototype HST set.

No. 802005 and made the The original GWR broadBy Keith Fender

gauge line between London and Oxford opened to traffic on June 12, 1844 with a terminus station at Grandpont, south-east of the current station and south of the River Thames.

It remained in use until 1852 when the station at the current site opened to trains from London.

DB Cargo to sell its six-strong Class 59 fleet

DB CARGO is selling all six of its Class 59/2 locos.

The company has set a deadline of July 10 for offers for the locos – Nos. 59201-206 – which is says will be atWestbury for collection.

The locos were built by EMD in Canada in 1994/95 for National Power to run its own coal and

limestone trains, and were based at Ferrybridge.

Initially, NP took delivery of one loco at the end of 1994, and following trials, ordered five more, which were delivered in August 1995.

EWS took over NP operations in 1998, which saw the loco’s sphere of operation widen.

8 • The Railway Magazine • July 2019

The locos have recently been maintained by Mendip Rail at Merehead.

The fleet is technically similar to the other Class 59s, but has an advanced slow speed control, a different fire extinguishing system, and a 75mph top speed compared to the 60mph of the other sub-classes.

Coal trains cease to Cottam GB RAILFREIGHT ran its final coal train to Cottam power station on June 19.

No. 66735 handled the last train, which was a trip working from Doncaster.

At its peak, coal to Cottam came fromThoresby, Port of Blyth, Greenburn (Scotland), as well as imported coal via Immingham.

The power station is due to close on September 30.

GBRf will continue to deliver coal to the nearbyWest Burton A power station.

Unless any more gypsum trains leave the power station, the next train on the branch will be the UK Railtours‘Cottam Farewell’on September 28. CHRIS BOOTH

Have you got a story for us? Email: railway@mortons.co.uk

300 passengers stranded on HST after landslide causes ‘major incident’ AROUND 300 passengers became stranded on an East Midlands Trains HST for hours after a diverted train was engulfed in a landslide, and a rescue train sent to assist was stopped by rising flood waters.

What turned into a major rescue, involving the emergency services and Network Rail,

occurred on June 13 when the Midland Main Line south from Leicester and an adjacent road were closed after a report of a vulnerable person on a railway bridge near Knighton Tunnel.

It was the first of four incidents that combined together to severely disrupt services.

The RM spoke to EMT fleet

Corby Tunnel Entrance

director Chris Wright, who explained what happened.

As a result of the incident in Leicester, the decision was made to divert train 1D43, 14.34 St Pancras InternationalNottingham.

Many drivers were still fresh with route knowledge from diversions via Oakham weeks previously as a result of track changes at Market Harborough (see p88).

Mr Wright added the move would also ease the increasing congestion at Leicester.

As 1D43 was approaching the south entrance of Corby Tunnel (1,920 yds) at around 16.00, the last trailer car and rear power car were, at that moment, engulfed in debris from a landslide.

This stranded the train, and although debris was up to the sole bar, it was unclear whether the power car was off the rails.

Network Rail teams dug down to confirm there was no derailment.

Evacuation

Train ID43

Ponds

An overview of the incident site showing where the East Midlands Trains HST became stranded. NETWORK RAIL

The HST was stranded in a cutting with no safe route up a steep bank, and the location was beginning to flood. It had been raining heavily, and investigators are understood to be focusing their attention on two large ponds at the top of the embankment which may have overflowed and triggered the landslide (see aerial photo).

The decision was made to use a diverted southbound HST (1C52, 13.59 ex- Sheffield) to enable a side-to-side evacuation, but as HSTs do not carry a ‘bridge’to connect the two trains, passengers had to wait until Network Rail had brought one to site.

Because the HSTs have hinged doors, the evacuation could only take place between the power car guards compartments, and this slowed progress.

Mr Wight said evacuating the

Network Rail staff dig power car No. 43043 out from the mud the day after it was hit by a landslip while working a diverted Nottingham to St Pancras train, leading to a series of events that became a major incident. NETWORK RAIL

190 passengers started at 18.20 and elsewhere. By the time the and was completed 50 minutes final passengers were off the HST later. Throughout, the power cars at 23.15, the last southbound provided passengers with power, train had left Kettering, so EMT heating and lighting, plus the ran a train from Etches Park to toilets were operational.

Kettering to get passengers to With around 300 passengers London. on the rescue train, it left the It was on this train the fourth location at around 19.30 with the incident occurred when a intention of returning to Leicester. passenger was taken ill at Luton However, with flooding at Wing Airport Parkway and needed tunnel (352yds) and water over medical attention. The train the railhead, after discussion with finally arrived into St Pancras at the driver and a risk assessment, 02.30. the decision was made not to proceed as this might complicate Hotels the situation should the train fail EMT customer service teams had in the tunnel. booked hotels for passengers, which Mr Wight explained Safe and warm proved a difficult task after After discussions with Network midnight. Taxis were also Rail and the BTP a major incident provided for onward travel as was declared, and the decision required. was made to return back towards Mr Wright confirmed RAIB was Corby and attempt a lineside onsite during the incident and evacuation. While the conditions the EMT executive team worked on board were far from ideal, together through its emergency passengers were safe and warm. plan. He said a review would take Network Rail emergency teams place and any learning points cut trees and branches from the incorporated into future plans. top of the cutting in order create The HST was recovered the a path and a safe route. next day – around five tons Paramedics and of spoil had been removed by Northamptonshire fire service Network Rail – with power car provided assistance and welfare No.43043 taken to Neville Hill, facilities, with an evacuation where it was fitted with new beginning at 21.42. bogies.

Buses were provided to take The line between Corby and passengers to Corby, Kettering Manton reopened on June 17.

Vale of Rheidol festival to reveal trio of ‘forgotten’ engines VALE of Rheidol Railway (VoR) will imported by VoR in 2002. unveil a trio of steam locomotives There will be guided workshop out of public sight for decades tours to view these‘forgotten' The proposed changes at Holcombe, where the Additional sea walls are proposed at Parsons during its September 14-15 Steam engines, along with work in railway could be moved away from the cliffs.

Tunnel to protect the railway from the sea.

FestivalWeekend. progress on other projects.

Tagged Forgotten Engines 2 Rheidol services will feature all this will be the first time Hunslet three of the line's classic 2-6-2Ts 0-4-0ST Nesta (704/1899) has working an intensive six daily been seen in public since Robert trains timetable; these GWR-built Gambrill rescued it from a swamp locos will also be available for FURTHER proposals to rebuild construction of a sloping rock The proposals also include in Puerto Rico and repatriated it to ‘driver-for-a-fiver’opportunities and re-route the Exeter to buttress to stabilise the cliffs and improved access, cycling and at Aberystwyth. Hunslet 0-4-0ST Newton Abbot route between protect the railway. walking routes and new amenity Britain in 2016.

Nesta is the last remaining Margaret will offer further‘driver for Dawlish and Teignmouth have Rock falls, landslips and areas for Holcombe Beach. unrestored ex-Penrhyn slate a fiver’experiences at Devil’s Bridge. been unveiled by Network Rail. damage caused by the sea The line provides the only rail In addition to showcasing The ambitious plans include during extreme weather are link between Exeter and the rest quarry Hunslet, and will be in extensive works to protect the seen as a key threat to the of Devon and Cornwall, and was Wales for the first time since export the railway’s new station at Aberystwyth, visitors will be able line from cliff falls and landslips, reliability of this key route. closed for six weeks in 2014 after to USA in July 1965.

Also on public view for the to view progress on phases 2 and 3 as well as high seas, around To protect the realigned a landslide blocked the tracks first time in Britain will be Borsig of the Wales to the World project, Parsons Tunnel and Holcombe railway from the sea, a rock near Holcombe.

0-4-0WT 20hpType 2 No. 5913 of which in due time will include Beach. revetment or enhanced sea wall Extreme weather events are permanent displays of locomotives A 1.8km section of the will also be required to absorb expected to occur more regularly 1906, bought by VoR in 1994, and ex-German army trench railways in the railway’s collection. railway could be re-routed the energy of the waves and over the coming decades Maffei-built‘Brigadelok' 0-8-0T ■ See Forgotten Gems feature over land reclaimed from the allow the railway to be moved because of climate change and No. 4766 of 1916 (DFB No. 968), on p55. sea to provide space for the away from the cliffs. rising seas.

Revised plans unveiled to protect sea wall route

July 2019 • The Railway Magazine • 9

HeadlineNews SIDELINES West Coast closure planned by NR at Acton Grange

NETWORK Rail will be closing the West Coast Main Line at Acton Grange Jct between July 20 and August 4 for a £27million project to upgrade track, cabling, overhead lines and signalling.

Passengers travelling between Crewe and Preston will face diversions or rail-replacement coach services.

Services to Chester will also be affected.

Class 720 testing begins at Old Dalby

TESTING of Greater Anglia’s Class 720‘Aventra’EMU has started at the Old Dalby test track.

It had been expected testing would begin in January, but software issues with the train management control system has prevented this.

It was a similar problem which delayed the Class 710 EMUs into service on the Gospel Oak to Barking route.

Hull Trains bi-mode to arrive in September

THE first set of a five-train £60million order by Hull Trains of Hitachi Class 802 bi-mode units is due to arrive in the UK at the end of August.

The sets are being built at Pistoia, Italy, using bodyshells manufactured in Kasado, Japan.

The first set is expected to be in use by November.

First train on Northern Line extension

A BATTERY-powered engineering train has become the first train to run the complete length of the London Underground’s Northern Line extension from Kennington to Battersea.

The working was used to take power cables into the tunnel.

The extension is due to open in 2021.

Three Welsh narrow gauge stations open in a week

By CliffThomas and Chris Milner

THE Vale of Rheidol Railway’s (VoR) new Aberystwyth station was the first of three narrow gauge stations to be formally opened in the province during June.

On June 6, Lord Dafydd ElisThomas AM, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport andTourism, officially opened the first phase of the £2.2millionWales to theWorld transformation of its terminus (RM Dec 2018).

This has encompassed construction of new platforms to relocate the station opposite the former GWR loco shed, some 200 yards from its previous location in the standard-gauge platforms of Aberystwyth station.

The station entrance, now immediately oppositeVoR’s car park, leads into a new booking office and shop.The platforms feature a new toilet block in the style of a GWR Pagoda building, a waiting shelter and 1930’s style lamps and posts.

Striking

The project has involved significant remodelling of the track arrangement and signalling together with provision of revised water and coaling arrangements.

On June 14, Caernarfon’s striking new £3m terminus of the Welsh Highland Railway was opened

by Sir Peter Luff, chairman of the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

The station opened in a restricted form last December for‘Santa’ trains, and was fully opened in March.

The new £3m station – partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund through theWelsh Government -– is a key part of the £16mWaterfront

1

2

3

4

1. View of Vale of Rheidol’s (VoR) new Aberystwyth station. The entrance from the car park leads into the new booking office and shop, with the former GWR loco shed in the background. The VoR’s workshop facility is in the background to the right.

CLIFF THOMAS

Development Project.

In addition to museum, shop and cafe facilities opening daily, providing a new focal point for the town, the new station offers space for exhibitions and events, and will support seven full time posts.

After the June 14 opening, guests were taken toWaunfawr for a second station opening by Lord DafyddWigley.

Here, the original 19th century building was dismantled in order

2. The finished station at Waunfawr is a perfect addition to facilities on the Welsh Highland Railway.

CHRIS MILNER

3. Lord Dafydd Wigley and Dr John Prideaux (chairman of the Festiniog Railway Company and the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways)

to re-align the track to provide an island platform.The remains were labelled and stored for future use, and thanks to a donation by Mike Schumann, construction work on the new building started during autumn last year.

Contrast

The new building evokes the era of the original WHR station, but also provides a stark contrast to the 21st century

prepare for a simultaneous cutting of a ribbon to mark the opening of Waunfawr station.

On the extreme left is new FR president, Mike Schumann.

4. The contemporary exterior of the Welsh Highland Railway terminus in Caernarfon.

CHRIS MILNER

building at Caernarfon.

During the ceremony, it was announced Mike Schumann had accepted the post of president of the Festiniog Railway Company.

Mr Schumann, who first volunteered at the FfR in 1956, was heavily involved with the Dduallt deviation, and has made a substantial contribution to the railway, both financial and time served as a director of the company and an FfWHR trustee.

Railways in Parliament

by Jon Longman

£1.7billion benefits

ROMFORD MP Andrew Rosindell asked what recent assessments have been made of the potential merits of increasing the rail freight capacity for the economy.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said:“Rail freight offers benefits for the environment, helps reduce road congestion, and is extremely important to UK businesses.

“Industry estimates that rail freight delivers economic benefits, including cost savings to industry, environmental benefits and road congestion relief of around £1.7billion per year.

“The Government published a Rail Freight Strategy to provide a stable policy framework to enable rail freight to grow and achieve its potential. The Government is committed to working with the rail freight industry to support its continued success.

“To support future growth of the rail

freight industry the Secretary of State also confirmed that Government intends to continue investment in improving the rail freight network in Control Period 6 (2019-2024) as part of the regulatory funding settlement.

“The department is working with Network Rail and the freight industry to identify options for future funding, including capacity improvements.”

The Rail Freight Strategy can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/yxjpn6hf

Spotlight on freight

CLEETHORPES MP Martin Vickers asked the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate the Department for Transport has made of the potential effect on the viability of rail freight of a 25% reduction in mode shift revenue support.

Mr Jones replied:“The Government provides grants worth £15.6million per year to support rail and water freight

10 • The Railway Magazine • July 2019

services, which deliver environmental and economic benefits over road transport, but whose operating costs are higher.

This level is net of a significant efficiency saving implemented since 2015.

“Rail flows of intermodal freight continue to be healthy and the grants deliver high value for money. A research project is underway to inform decisions about future funding and operation of the grants and will consider stakeholder feedback.”

Trans-Pennine alternative

LORD GREAVES asked Her Majesty’s Government in the House of Lords, further to the announcement by the Secretary of State for Transport, whether they have commissioned further studies into the possible reinstatement and reopening of the Colne to Skipton line as part of a trans-Pennine freight line and for local passenger services; and if so, who is

undertaking those studies.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton replied: “Work is progressing and we expect to receive the results later this year to inform a decision as to whether the scheme should go to the‘develop’ stage of the Government’s Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline.

“Local stakeholders, including the local MP Andrew Stephenson, have championed the scheme, and we are working closely with Transport for the North to assess the proposed scheme and to ensure that it can be affordable, will attract sufficient traffic, and is part of the right long-term solution for cross trans-Pennine rail traffic.

“This is part of our new approach to rail enhancements to ensure we address the needs of passengers and freight, and that funding commitments appropriately reflect the stage of development of schemes.”

Have you got a story for us? Email: railway@mortons.co.uk

A1 Trust orders TWO new boilers from DB Meiningen GERMAN steam locomotive works Dampflokwerk Meiningen has been awarded the contract to construct the new Diagram 118a boiler for new-build LNER ‘P2’ 2-8-2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales.

The £1million order by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust (A1SLT) covers not only the boiler for the Gresley Mikado, but also a second identical boiler for the trust’s flagship Peppercorn Pacific No. 60163 Tornado.

The Diagram 118a boiler is an updated version of the original LNER Diagram 118 boiler, modified to incorporate modern materials, welded construction and a steel firebox.

This second batch of boilers will feature a number of modifications, which have either been fitted to Tornado’s current Meiningen-built boiler during its operational life, or planned

improvements based on future usage with the ‘P2’.

Having three boilers will enable the trust to rotate them between the ‘A1’ and ‘P2’, with two operational boilers and one ‘spare’ undergoing overhaul at any one time.

This will reduce the time out of traffic for each locomotive by around four months, increase the potential revenue earned by both locomotives during each operational cycle, and reduce the cost of their overhauls.

The first of the new boilers will be delivered in September 2020 and fitted to Tornado during its next overhaul. The second boiler for Prince of Wales will follow in July 2021.

“The decision to procure two new boilers is a major strategic move by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, and fulfils a long-held desire to have three

boilers for our two locomotives in order to reduce their time out of traffic during overhauls, and act as an insurance policy,” said A1SLT commercial director Graeme Bunker-James.

“Having a ‘spare’ boiler will greatly assist with the delivery of regular itinerary tours and ensure we are a reliable provider of locomotives to our customers as well as our direct passengers.”

The funding of the boilers is coming via the A1SLT’s Boiler Club, which was launched in October 2016 to raise £600,000 plus Gift Aid from 300 supporters each donating £2,000 in up to 40 payments.

So far more than 175 supporters have subscribed, pledging around £440,000, including Gift Aid. Additional funding for the ‘spare’ boiler will also come from recent legacies to the trust.

HRA concerned over rising ‘incidents’ HERITAGE Railway chairman Brian Simpson has issued a warning to all of the UK’s tourist and preserved railways about a rising trend of incidents, both numbers and severity.

He said while numbers are relatively small the trend is in the wrong direction.

Mr Simpson’s warning comes following a meeting with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in mid-June

Grand Union in Cardiff open access application

GRAND UnionTrains has submitted an open access application to provide services between London Paddington and Cardiff Central, and compete with GWR. Sole director of Grand UnionTrains is IanYeowart, who launched the Grand Central open access operation. His plan is for an hourly service to call at Newport, SevernTunnel Junction and Bristol Parkway, using ex-LNER Class 91 and Mk 4 sets with nine vehicles.

Trains would also call at the proposed Cardiff Parkway station.

MrYeowart is promising reduced journey times and a 50% refund to passengers who can’t find a seat.

Grand Union is working with logistics company Intercity Railfreight to carry light and urgent freight by utilising the non-passenger space in the DVT.

and the viewing of advance RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) statistics.

The ORR is increasing its resources for the heritage sector and Mr Simpson sounded a cautionary note: “While the ORR wish to be supportive, they are our regulator and have substantial powers to take enforcement action,” he said.

Heritage and tourist lines have been asked to review their operations and make sure safety management systems are up to date.

Part of the rise in incidents relates to failures of traction and rolling stock.

Mr Simpson says railways should check build and maintenance standards are up to date and vehicles are not “pushed” beyond their working life.

The Diagram 118a boiler, built by DB Meiningen, is pictured during its construction in July 2006. DAVID ELLIOTT/A1SLT

Greater Anglia Class 37 farewell tour raises £22,000 for charity

MAY 18’s ‘EACH Express 3’ raised £22,000 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

It was operated by Greater Anglia as a farewell to its locomotive-hauled trains.

Proceeds from the trip – which used two DRS Class 37s to run from Norwich to Ely,

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! P60SEFEOR FROM ONLY £20

Farewell steam specials on District Line STEAM specials were operated between Ealing Broadway and High Street Kensington as part of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of London’s District Line on June 22-23.

The event was also billed as the final opportunity to see the ‘Steam on the District’, because of planned signalling upgrades that make steam more difficult to operate.

Metropolitan Railway‘E’class 0-4-4T No. 1 worked in top-and-tail mode with electric Bo-Bo No. 12 Sarah Siddons.

The vintage rake of Ashbury’s coaches – including Metropolitan ‘Jubilee’Coach No. 353 and former Metropolitan District Railway coach No. 100 – were in between.

Three trains ran on each day.

DETAILS

WIN TICKETS

for Swanage Sunday specials

Metropolitan Railway 0-4-4T No. 1 eases through Ravenscourt Park station on June 23 with the second of the day’s‘150’specials between High Street Kensington and Ealing Broadway. PETER ZABEK

Guests had paid £150 (£180 First Class) for tickets and there was no shortage of takers.

The start of Saturday’s trains was heavily delayed after Sarah

Siddons lost its shoe gear and repairs were carried out.

Delays of around 90 minutes were down to less than an hour by the last train.

Southeastern franchise extended until November

THE Department forTransport has extended Govia’s Southeastern franchise until November 10.

There is an option for a further

King’s Lynn, on via Cambridge to London Liverpool Street, then back up the Great Eastern Main Line to Norwich – exceeded all expectations.

More than £54,000 has now been raised for EACH by Greater Anglia special trains in 2016, 2017 and 2019.

extension to April 1 next year.

Agreement for the extension has followed talks spanning two months, with the DfT having an operator of last resort on

standby had they failed.

Southeastern will introduce ‘Delay Repay 15’, make refunds easier, and provide a best fare finder on its website.

THE Railway Magazine and UK Railtours have teamed up to offer readers a chance to win one of four pair of Standard Class tickets for the‘Swanage Sunday Special’excursions.

The tours will operate on July 28 and August 4, 11 and 18.

Each ticket is worth £74.50!

The‘Swanage Sunday Special’trains leave London Waterloo at 08.45 and call at Woking and Basingstoke, returning to Waterloo at 20.55 (approximate times).

See p49 for full details.

To enter, just answer the following question: ■ In which county is Swanage?

Send your answer by email to RMcomp@mortons.co.uk or post your answer to The Railway Magazine, Swanage Railway Ticket Competition, PO Box 99 Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JZ. Closing date is July 19, 2019.

For full T&Cs visit: www.railwaymagazine.co.uk Winners will be chosen at random and contacted. UK entrants only. There is no cash alternative.

DATA: Protection of your personal data is important to Mortons. Supplied data will be stored securely and will only be used for the purpose of processing this competition. Data will be stored for a period of three months then destroyed.

July 2019 • The Railway Magazine • 11

HeadlineNews

Nameplate auction takes Crewe charity event total to more than £70,000 PREDICTED wet and windy weather failed to deter visitors from attending the Crewe diesel depot open day on June 8, which was held at the Locomotive Services Limited (LSL) site, next to Crewe station.

Charities will be benefiting from more than £72,000 raised by the event, which was backed byVirginTrains, with media support from The Railway Magazine plus AST Signs.

This sum includes more than £17,500 raised from a sealed bid auction for severalVirgin ‘Pendolino’and‘Thunderbird’ nameplates, which will be donated to the Rethink Mental Illness charity.

The seed for the event was sown following the passing of Alison Austin, daughter of Lyn Gillan and brother of Melvyn, who both work at Crewe station.

Alison lost her battle with neuroendocine cancer at the end of 2017.

Virgin‘Pendolino’No. 390115 was named Crewe – All Change, the title chosen for the event as it reflects not only the railway town’s importance as a junction where passengers change trains, but also in the future as Crewe prepares for the coming of HS2.

The Class 390 also carries Alison’s name on its cab ends.

Snapped up

The NET Patient Foundation, which supports people with neuroendocine cancer, will be one of the main beneficiaries from the fundraising day, however Rethink, Myeloma UK, St John Ambulance, the Railway Children and several other local charities stand to benefit from the money raised.

Because of the small footprint of the site, an initial allocation of tickets was quickly snapped up, but boosted by a release of around an extra 300 just weeks before the open day, taking the attendance to slightly more than 5,000.

More than 12 months in planning had gone into the

event, which was expected to have around 30 exhibits.

However, this had swelled to more than 40 locos and units following support from many train and freight operating companies, including East MidlandsTrains, ROG, DB Cargo, Freightliner, Colas,West MidlandsTrains, Northern, LNER, DRS, GB Railfreight and Network Rail.

Two Class 70s were on site, believed to be a first, and Network Rail’s plain-line pattern recognition train was providing visitors with demonstrations of its work. Inside the workshops were more than 30 trade stands,

Inside the main shed were several locos, including No. 86622, D1645 (47830) and No. 55022 Royal Scots Grey. JACK BOSKETT

Expanded

As well as the charity aspect, the day gave the public and other sectors of the rail industry an opportunity to see first hand how the former diesel depot has developed and expanded under train operator LSL and its owner Jeremy Hosking – and now rates as having the best facilities for a mainline heritage operation in the country.

The site has a new boiler shop with a 40-ton overhead crane, and a new carriage shed, but it’s the old diesel shed and adjacent buildings where there has been considerable investment both in workshop and engineering facilities as well as a new paintshop.

This investment supports the repair, maintenance and overhaul of Mr Hoskings’steam and diesel fleet, including‘Royal Scot’No. 46100 Royal Scot, ‘A2’No. 60532 Blue Peter, ‘West Country’No. 34046 Braunton,‘Black Five’No. 45231 and GWR 4-6-0 No. 5029 Nunney Castle, as well as a number of Class 47 diesels.

The depot is also the home base for the Saphos and Statesman railtour carriage fleets, and in time will be home to two HST sets and two Class 90s as LSL and Saphos enhance their offering to the rail charter market.

LIST OF EXHIBITS 08762, 08767, 20189, 20205, 37190, 37606, 37608, 43048, 43423, 47593, 47712, 47811, 47816, 47830, 47841, 47853, 50049, 50050, 55022, 55016, 56049, 57301, 57307, 66503, 67006, 68027, 70008, 70808, 73001, 73951, 73952, 86622, 88005, 90045, 91119, 92038, DMU No. W55034, 142001, 221101 and EMU No. 319433. Steam locos: 34046 Braunton, 45231, 70000 Britannia, and under repair 5029 Nunney Castle, 46100 Royal Scot and 60532 Blue Peter.

12 • The Railway Magazine • July 2019

Crowds dodge the showers to photograph the rail blue locos. CHRIS MILNER

BR Standard No. 70000 Britannia was in steam for the event.

JACK BOSKETT

A selection of the nameplates for auction which raised £17,500 in total. CHRIS MILNER

Have you got a story for us? Email: railway@mortons.co.uk 1. At the south end of the depot are No. 50049 Defiance, No. 57307 Lady Penelope, No. 68027 Splendid and No. 92038. CHRIS MILNER 2. Nos. 70808 and 70008 were provided by Colas and Freightliner. CHRIS MILNER 3. A request to Freightliner ensured No. 66503 The Railway Magazine was at the event. CHRIS MILNER 4. Just outside the event site, Virgin ‘Voyager’ No. 221101 101 Squadron was on display.

CHRIS MILNER

5. ‘Pendolino’ No. 390115 is named Crewe - All Change by Crewe Town Council Mayor Coun Ben Minshall.

1

JACK BOSKETT

Inside the carriage shed, Class 56 No. 56049 sits alongside LSL’s No. 47593 Galloway Princess. JACK BOSKETT

2

LNER provided No. 91119 for the event.

It was stabled alongside DRS Class 88 No. 88005 Minerva. JACK BOSKETT

3

Unusual visitors included Class 319 No. 319433 and Class 73 No. 73951 Malcolm Brinded. CHRIS MILNER

4

5 July 2019 • The Railway Magazine • 13

PRACTICE & PERFORMANCE

Making a big impact around Edinburgh and Glasgow are the Hitachi Class 385 EMUs. Here, set No. 385025 leads 385112 through Linlithgow at speed on May 14 with the 09.00 Glasgow Queen Street-Edinburgh Waverley.

ALL PICTURES: IAN LOTHIAN UNLESS STATED

SCOTRAIL

PROGRESS S

Scotland’s railways are undergoing a transformation. John Heaton FCILT assesses the performance of ScotRail’s new traction.

tanding on the concourse of Glasgow Central it is easy to assess how well the service is performing. There are no anxious groups waiting for departure platforms to be announced and arriving commuters march confidently towards their destination. The announcements are routine and free of constant apologies. It is 08.30 on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 – the second day of a new timetable which has inaugurated substantial changes.

ScotRail operations director David Simpson permits himself a moment of satisfaction as his phone relates the Public Performance Measure (PPM) is standing at 96% in the heart of the morning peak. To entertain The RM so early in a new timetable is his vote of confidence that the troubled start to the franchise is now over and progress is being made.

Wholesale driver migration to other train operating companies such as TransPennine Express, which is expanding from Liverpool to Glasgow via the west coast and Edinburgh via Newcastle, has resulted in massive recruitment and training programmes.

Late provision of rolling stock (witness the production problems of the ‘pocket rocket’ 2+4 HST conversion programme from Wabtec) and the Class 385s’ window curvature ‘phantom signal images’ predicament form but a small selection of the problems affecting reliability in recent months. The stop-gap Class 365s drafted in to cover for the Class 16 • The Railway Magazine • July 2019

385s required even more traction training.

The 07.59 from East Kilbride arrives on time at 08.31 to disgorge an astounding number of passengers. It is now rostered for three two-car Class 156s, a diesel vestige among a plethora of electric services and a likely candidate for the next steps in what has so far been a rolling electrification programme.

Mr Simpson’s experience stretches back to management training in mid-1980s British Rail and has recently included route manager with Network Rail Scotland when many of the infrastructure improvement plans, from which ScotRail is now benefiting, were hatched, as well as a spell with Caledonian Sleepers during its planned re-equipment.

‘Noisy and slow’

David points out there are now five routes from Glasgow to Edinburgh and everyone of them is now electrified, the latest being the Shotts route that I covered in my ‘Back and Forth’ article (RM 12/2011), and which provided such a noisy and slow Class 156 climb from Uddingston on the 1-in-100, and steeper, incline to Benhar Summit. This obstacle is now surmounted with no more than a purr from modern Class 385 electric units.

Routes such as this one, like the Bathgate line, are part of classic economic urban regeneration theory which has created paths to education and employment in a choice of Edinburgh or Glasgow from

A 2+4 HST set exits the Forth Bridge into Dalmeny station on April 29 with power car No. 43168 leading 1B32, the 13.12 Aberdeen-Edinburgh Waverley. The external branding of the sets represents the seven key Scottish cities they will serve when all 26 are in service.

de-industrialised communities that sit between the two metropolises. The latest step forward is the 8.6-mile link between the Glasgow to Cumbernauld route and the Edinburgh to Falkirk Grahamston line to provide the fifth electrified route.

The Scottish Government is running a huge budget deficit to finance packages such as improved transport – in the expectation of more employment, lower benefit expenditure and a higher tax-take. There are now 13 ScotRail through trains per hour between Scotland’s two largest cities: four on the Edinburgh to Glasgow (E&G); four via Bathgate; two via Shotts; two via Cumbernauld; and one via Carstairs.

Of course, if you want to go from the middle of Glasgow to the middle of Edinburgh, the fastest route is clearly the direct route via Falkirk High. In recent years the addition of extra stops to serve residential expansion, more trains resulting in congestion and the use of Class 170s which, despite being capable and comfortable are regrettably not the speediest

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#48

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Forty-eight Autumn 2018

OCTOBER 2018

No. 330 October 2018 £4.30 UK Off-sale date 31/10/2018

MOTO MEMORIES // TECH TALK // MONTESA COTA 200 // BULTACO MATADOR

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