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February 2017 • £4.40
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Wester rn Requiem Heyday of the
2017
Class 52s
PUSH & PULL
THE BRAKE TENDER STORY
FIVE BULLEIDS
FOR SWANAGE GALA
TORNADO TO HAUL UL SETTLE-CARLISL SETTLE-CARLISLE SERVICE TRAINS
The
EDITORIAL
Editor: Chris Milner Deputy editor: Gary Boyd-Hope Senior correspondent: Ben Jones Senior designer: Kelvin Clements Designer: Tim Pipes Picture desk: Paul Fincham and Jonathan Schofield Publisher: Tim Hartley Editorial assistant: Sarah Wilkinson Sub-editor: Nigel Devereux Consultant editor: Nick Pigott 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 © 2017 Mortons Media ISSN 0033-8923
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This issue was published on February 1, 2017. The next will be on sale on March 1, 2017.
Merger plan for policing in Scotland a ‘bad idea’ A
T A time where stories of industrial relations’ disputes are headline news, it is rare to find a topic that the unions, rail industry and stakeholders all agree upon. The British Transport Police (BTP) does a superb job and is widely recognised for its specialist knowledge of railways, the underground network and tram systems. Its officers understand the industry’s safety culture and operation. They know the hotspots and are considered part of the ‘railway family’. Around 95% of funding for the force comes jointly from the train operating companies – Network Rail and London Underground – yet the Scottish Government is hell bent on wanting to merge the BTP north of the border with Police Scotland as part of its ongoing devolution plans. The rail unions and Police Federation are – quite rightly – very much against the plan, as are the respective train operating companies, which operate both local and Anglo-Scottish services. There are genuine concerns that officers who currently police the railway will be dragged away to non-railway duties leaving the network
diluted and under resourced, a potential haven for opportunistic thieves as well as a target for terrorists. Conversely, a Police Scotland officer being the first responder to a major railway incident could be facing unnecessary risks because they are unfamiliar with railway safety protocol. The net result of what would be a complex and expensive merger is that expertise will be lost and there is no advantage to be gained by it. BTP Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock said: “If it’s not broken, what are we trying to fix?” He is absolutely right and I support his view. Let’s hope that MSPs in Holyrood also realise it’s a bad idea and drop it.
TRAIN OF THOUGHT
Editor’s Comment
Treating the disabled as second-class customers THERE are times when I wonder if passengers in wheelchairs or who have other disabilities are really being made as welcome as they should be by the railway industry. Some years ago Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson had to crawl off a train after no one was on hand to help with her wheelchair, though assistance had been booked in advance. Last month, another British Paralympian, Anne Wafula Strike, was left humiliated and embarrassed because there was no functioning accessible toilet on a CrossCountry Nuneaton to Stansted service. Apparently, train crew suggested she got off the train at the next station, use the disabled toilet and wait an hour for the next train! Apart from being extremely patronising, it was hardly the right solution, not even an offer of the train waiting a few minutes for a toilet stop. It also turned out there were no staff at Harlow to help her off the train after such a nightmare journey. So zero points to two train operators for a complete lack of customer service. There have been many cases where disabled passengers have faced problems with trains – luggage and shopping stowed in the wheelchair space on carriages; passengers with booked tickets and reservations being refused boarding because of overcrowding and no wheelchair space; finding reserved seats occupied by able-bodied passengers who refuse to move; new trains being built with no accessible toilet; stations with no step free
access; and allegations of unhelpful staff. The power of social media means such incidents are broadcast widely and rapidly, and perception of a normally caring rail industry declines. The Office of Rail and Road is responsible for ensuring train and station operators have policies and practices in place to protect the interests of older and disabled passengers and to empower passengers to make journeys with confidence. But how well is it policing and enforcing these policies? Just why train operators are treating disadvantaged passengers in this way is unclear, but they are treading a fine line and risking prosecution. Which leads to another vital point. How will disabled passengers in wheelchairs be able to conduct their travel when the service is driver-only operated? There are growing suggestions that there will be an increase in DOO operation in future franchise awards. Although there is a ‘passenger assist’ system to book help in advance, the lack of a second person on a train or despatch/station staff on hand for the full station opening hours will take away the spontaneity as well as the encouragement for passengers with disabilities to travel when they want to in the same way able-bodied people can. This second-class treatment of passengers with disabilities has to stop.
CHRIS MILNER, Editor
February 2017 • The Railway Magazine • 3
Contents
February 2017. No. 1,391. Vol 163. A journal of record since 1897.
Headline News
On the cover
MAIN IMAGE: 40 Years ago:‘Western’D1062 Western Courier outside Swindon Works‘A’Shop in May 1977. PETER ZABEK
INSET 1: Steam and diesel locos with brake tenders. Full brake tender story on p28. W J NAUNTON DB Cargo ‘92’ arrives with first China-UK freight – p7.
Tornado to haul scheduled steam trains on the S&C; Southern strike talks resume; BR blue 'King' due back on the main line in May; first through freight from China to UK; HS2 rolling stock procurement process starts, Alex Hynes is new managing director of ScotRail Alliance.
INSET 2: 92 Squadron will be one of five Bulleid locos to appear at the Swanage Railway gala see p64. KEVIN WILKINS
Track Record The Railway Magazine’s monthly news digest 62 Steam & Heritage Railways report record passenger figures for 2016; £1.1m grant for Bluebell museum; FIVE Bulleids for Swanage; John Cameron's 'A4 and 'K4' to become static exhibits.
68 Industrial Steam 70 Steam Portfolio 74 Narrow Gauge Talyllyn celebrates 150 years of passenger trains; Caernarfon station rebuild begins; Heywood's Katie steams after 90 years.
76 Railtours 78 Classic Traction Glos-Warks Class 117 DMU completed; Bo'ness Class 37/7 in BR blue; two DB Cargo Class 08s for Ruddington.
80 Metro 82 Network £49m Shotts line electrification approved, NR hails success of £100m Christmas blockades.
86 Traction & Stock Bi-mode for Northern Class 319s; More Colas Class 70s en route; first DRS Class 88 electro-diesel lands in UK; Colas buys two DB Class 67s.
Final runs for‘flat top’GWR Prairie - p62.
88 Stock Update 90 Traction Portfolio 91 Irish News 95 World 98 Operations Our round-up of news from the train- and freight- operating companies.
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Regulars 12 Multiple Aspects With Lord Berkeley.
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34 Readers’ Platform Your thoughts on the topics that matter to you.
35 Reviews A selection of the latest book reviews.
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Great Central Railway recalls the Western Region’s ‘Britannias’ - Panorama - see p56.
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56 Panorama
Railway society meetings near you – all the details.
Our monthly gallery of the best railway photography.
54 From The RM Archives
104 Heritage Diary
Find out what The RM was reporting 20, 50 and 100 years ago.
114 Prize Crossword and Where Is It?
Details of when heritage railways and centres are open.
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LOOKING very much like a model railway, the compact terminus at Ventnor on the Isle of Wight is bathed in morning sunlight as Adams ‘O2’ 0-4-4T No. 35 Freshwater departs with a northbound train in August 1965. This southern section of the island’s railways closed on April 18, 1966 and steam operation ceased in December that year. PETER ZABEK
Features 14 Western Requiem
28 Push & Pull: Diesel Style
45 Return to Amberley
Marking 40 years since the class was retired by BR, this month's Practice & Performance looks back at the Western Region's 'Western' diesel-hydraulics in their heyday. John Heaton FCILT analyses several runs from the 1960s and 1970s.
With the Great Central's replica diesel brake tender nearing completion, Nick Pigott looks back at these unusual and short-lived vehicles, introduced to improve the safety of diesel-hauled, unfitted freight trains.
Mark Smithers makes a return trip to this fascinating museum railway in Sussex to see how it has progressed since his first visit almost 30 years ago.
38 Railway Personalities: George Dow
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22 Fatal Signals at Stechford Fifty years ago, BR experienced a number of serious accidents. Fraser Pithie starts a new series looking back at 1967's events by recalling a largely forgotten collision between a freight train and an EMU at Stechford in Birmingham.
WESTERN GLORY: Practice & Performance – p14
Robert Humm considers the remarkable career of this supreme railway communicator, talented historian and ground-breaking author, who rose through the ranks from trainee clerk to divisional manager.
ACCIDENT REPORT: Stechford collision 1967 – p22
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KNOW YOUR QUARRY: Return to Amberley– p45
February 2017 • The Railway Magazine • 5
HeadlineNews
ASLEF suspends Southern strikes as new talks begin THREE days of strikes by 1,000 ASLEF union drivers that would have impacted Southern services on January 24, 25 and 27 were suspended following an agreement by both parties to hold fresh talks. The union had offered to suspend the strikes provided that Southern agreed to‘engage in intensive talks’. After more than eight months of disputes over the extension of driver-only operation (DOO), the move was greeted by both sides with cautious optimism that a solution can finally be found. The talks began on January 18 and were jointly hosted by Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC and Andy Meadows, group HR director for Abellio. Mick Whelan, general secretary of ASLEF, said:“ASLEF believes that the best way to resolve the dispute at Southern is for all parties to engage in meaningful talks – without preconditions – aimed at finding an agreed way forward.” He added that he was asking the Secretary of State for Transport to support this new process, which Chris Grayling has done. GTR chief executive Charles
GBRf takes over ‘silver bullet’ train GB Railfreight (GBRf) has won a contract with Belgian rail freight company B Logistics to move china clay slurry between Belgium and Scotland. B Logistics took over the contract from DB Cargo on January 3. It will run for 12 months and involve moving the slurry from Antwerp to Scotland The service is nicknamed the ‘silver bullet’ train – even though the wagons are no longer a shiny finish – and will employ a Class 92 from Frethun Yard to Carlisle, with a Class 66 taking over for the final leg to Irvine. ■ See picture p90.
Southern Railway Class 313 and 377 units pass over the River Arun at Ford, West Sussex, on January 17. JOHN VAUGHAN Horton said:“We’ve always made clear our willingness to engage in meaningful talks with ASLEF to find a route forward to end their dispute.
“So, together with our passengers and businesses, we warmly welcome their decision to suspend next week’s planned industrial
action. This is an important and significant development for the travelling public and the regional economy, and our focus and efforts now will be on
DfT finds £300million for Brighton line improvements AN ADDITIONAL £300million emergency fund for improvements to the London to Brighton line has been confirmed by the Department for Transport. The extra money is intended to increase the ‘resilience’of the infrastructure along the route and reduce delays and cancellations. Work will include replacement of worn-out signals, track and points, rebuilding of bridges, improving drainage in tunnels
to prevent water damage to electrical equipment, further measures to increase security and prevent trespass, and shoring up of embankments and cuttings to reduce the risk of landslides. Network Rail and train operators will form new co-ordination teams to manage the upgrade work, identify pressure points and respond to incidents more quickly. NR’s performance figures show that infrastructure issues
account for 59% of delays on Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) routes, of which the London to Brighton line is the busiest. In September 2016, the DfT allocated £20m to address what Transport Secretary Chris Grayling called “unacceptable disruption” on the Southern network, and created a new project board to oversee the improvements, headed by former Virgin Trains managing director Chris Gibb.
productive talks with the union and trying to find a solution and a way forward.” The RMT, which has a separate dispute affecting a number of guards and 12 drivers, went ahead with industrial action on January 23. It did ask the TUC to be involved in discussions with ASLEF, but was excluded. Prior to the agreement to fresh talks, Southern’s legal advisors had been preparing an application to go to the Supreme Court to block ASLEF strike action, but has suspended this move pending the outcome of the discussions. On the same day the new talks were announced, a document dated December 2011 between GTR’s predecessor, First Capital Connect, and the ASLEF union was leaked to the media. In it, ASLEF agreed to drive and operate 12-car Class 377s and the Class 700s under DOO on Bedford to Brighton services. Responding to the document, Mr Whelan said that union had “always been against the policy” and wished they had fought it harder, but the economic situation at the time meant they had no other option and were forced into the move.
Tanks taken through Tunnel THE British Army has conducted secret tests to take five Challenger tanks through the Channel Tunnel should there be future hostilities in Eastern Europe. Testing took place on January 17 with tanks being loaded on to wagons and taken to France and back as part an exercise to evaluate the viability of using the rail link to get vehicles and equipment into Europe. Army bases at Bicester, Kineton, Ashchurch and Longtown still retain connections to Network Rail and the Channel Tunnel. In the event of a crisis, the tunnel could be commandeered by the Ministry of Defence.
ScotRail boss Phil Verster quits to take over East West Rail
In: Alex Hynes
SCOTRAIL Alliance managing director Phil Verster is stepping down to take up the managing director’s role on the East West Rail project that will reopen the railway from Oxford and Bicester through to Bletchley and Bedford. Mr Verster, 53, took over the Alliance role in May 2015 when the partnership
6 • The Railway Magazine • February 2017
between Network Rail and Abellio ScotRail was formed. However, he has been under political attack from critics because of missed targets and poor performance, particularly on the recently opened Borders Railway. An improvement plan outlined last year has had the desired effect. Just two days later came
the announcement that the new ScotRail MD will be Northern’s highly rated managing director Alex Hynes. Mr Verster takes up his new appointment in the spring. Mark Carne, chief executive of Network Rail, said: “Phil has done a great job setting up the ScotRail Alliance and overseeing the delivery of one of the
largest programmes of rail modernisation in Scotland since Victorian times. “I am delighted that a leader of Phil’s calibre will be heading up the new East West rail project.” ■ The East West Rail project will be the first vertically integrated railway since Privatisation, building, operating and maintaining its own line.
Out: Phil Verster
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‘Silk Road’ freight train from China arrives in London By Keith Fender
transferred from standard HISTORY was made at DB’s gauge Chinese wagons to London Eurohub terminal in 1,520mm-gauge wagons for Barking (the old Ripple Lane the journey across Kazakhstan, site) when the first container Russia and Belarus. train from China to the UK The containers were arrived on January 18. transhipped again just inside The train was operated the EU at Małaszewicze, near by the InterRail Group, Terespol in Poland, and moved a multi-national transport to Duisburg, Germany. Here, the operator based in Switzerland, containers had to be transhipped on behalf of Chinese Railways a final time to subsidiary CRIMT (China Railway DB-operated wagons (a mix of International Multimodal UK-registered container flats and Transport). 36 from leasing company AAEC) The train left Yiwu, in the that are approved for use in the eastern Chinese province Channel Tunnel and on HS1. of Zhejiang, south-east of In total the train travelled Shanghai, on January 1 and through seven countries reached Barking, in east London, (Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, after a 7,736 mile (12,451km) Poland, Germany, Belgium and journey. France) after leaving China The train was then prepared before arriving in the UK. for a ceremonial ‘arrival’ later The operation over HS1 was that day at 13.00 in front of based upon the procedures used invited guests and a large for the regular Ford trains from number of media organisations Valencia, with the train being from around the world. split into two parts at Dollands As the Eurohub site is not Moor and running on HS1 as electrified, the train, with two trains. This is because the No. 92015 at the head, was maximum freight load permitted actually propelled through a on HS1 is 1,100 tonnes due to banner by 66136. Both locos the gradients on the route. Class had special ‘Yiwu-London’ 92 locos were used on HS1. branding on them. Freight trains carrying The 34 containers on the train containers from China to Europe were loaded primarily with have been operating for much consumer goods and clothing of the last decade following test and textiles. trains in 2008. The UK is just the The train was routed from latest destination added to the Yiwu to Dostyk, in Kazakhstan, China-Europe rail link. The train just over the border with China, is initially being operated as a and here the containers were test train.
Propelled by Class 66 No. 66136, No. 92015 breaks the ceremonial banner at Barking freight depot.
London is one more international connection for the InterRail Group, which already operates container trains linking Chinese cities with Duisburg, Madrid, Afghanistan and Riga (Latvia). Rail transport is around 18 days from China to the UK and is about one-tenth of the cost of air freight (which would typically take three days). However, it is more expensive (at around $5,000 per container) than the slower option of using a container ship, which takes around 36 days and costs around $1000 per container.
Major delays hit return of ‘Brighton Belle’ to mainline THE 5BEL Trust saw its hopes dashed of returning the‘Brighton Belle’to service in the same year that Flying Scotsman finally reemerged on the main line. After a frustrating year, beset by problems with the complex re-wiring of the motor third carriages, the trust reluctantly took the decision to leave its home at Barrow Hill, a process which cost almost six months of productive activity. Spokesman Neil Marshall paid tribute to the ground-breaking work carried out by Rampart Engineering.“They were able to achieve what everyone said was impossible and Paul Ramsden has created a national centre of excellence for heritage railway restoration at Barrow Hill. “Our problem with hitting our stretching targets has been one of capacity – the ability to work on at least four cars at the same time.” The new home for the project is at W H Davis at Shirebrook, where all of the‘Belle’cars have components and spares sat next to each car in racked-out shipping containers. “We’ve moved up a gear by virtue of the massive space available to us – we’ve finally
Inside its new home, Pullman car No. 91 on jacks inside the W H Davis workshops. 5BEL TRUST
managed to apply lean manufacturing techniques to the project with all the assets to hand instead of being stored at multiple locations in the Chesterfield area. It’s a game changer,” said Mr Marshall. The professionalism of W H Davis management has allowed an excellent working relationship to be quickly established. The trust has access to a large in-house engineering team to accelerate completion of the project. Mr Marshall added:“Thankfully, problems with the complex
wiring systems apart, all of the engineering challenges have been fully resolved and we are satisfying all of the conditions set by the Rail Regulator. “This final phase is essentially a production line. After relaunching a four-car‘Belle’unit, the speed of the completion of final two cars will be determined by the rate at which we can pull in the funding.” The trust is crossing its fingers that mainline testing can be completed by the end of the year, allowing excursions to be run before spring 2018.
Branding of the various partners involved in the running of the train on the side of No. 92015. PICTURES: KEITH FENDER
Japanese ‘first’ as Mitsui buys 40% stake in Greater Anglia ABELLIO, the Dutch subsidiary of Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), is selling a 40% stake in its Greater Anglia franchise. The agreement to sell a stake means that it is the first time that a Japanese company has taken a major interest in a train operating company in the UK. Abellio managing director Dominic Booth said:“We are delighted to have reached
agreement with Mitsui, fulfilling our long-standing objective of running the franchise as a 60:40 joint venture.” The deal needs sign off from the Department for Transport, which it will do once satisfied that passengers will benefit. Mitsui is also involved with Abellio and the East Japan Railway as a shortlisted bidder for the new West Midlands franchise.
First Class 88 arrives in UK THE first of a fleet of 10 bi-mode locomotives for Direct Rail Services was unloaded in Southampton on January 22. No. 88002 Prometheus was taken by road to Kingmoor depot from where training and commissioning will begin.
It is a Stadler-built electric loco with a last-mile diesel, based on the Class 68, and with many similar components. The locos are rated at 5,400hp (4,000kW) on electric power, with the diesel unit producing 950hp. The first Class 88 – No. 88002 – on the back of an Allelys low loader at Redbridge, Southampton, on January 23 en route to Carlisle Kingmoor. IAN KNIGHT
February 2017 • The Railway Magazine • 7
HeadlineNews
‘Jacobite’ operation extended WEST Coast Railway Company will further extend its scheduled Scottish steam operation after the success of its Christmas ‘Jacobite’ trains. In 2017, the season will start with ‘Easter Eigg’ specials on April 14-21, with the main operation running from April 24 to October 27 (weekdays) and June 17 to October 1 (weekends). A break in November was originally planned but strong bookings from Scotland and beyond mean that steam will continue to operate right through to the Christmas season, which officially runs from December 4-22 and 27-29. ‘Jacobite’ locomotives confirmed for 2017 will include Ian Riley’s ‘Black Fives’ No. 44871 and 45407 and Peppercorn ‘K1’ No. 62005.
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'Black Five' No. 45407 climbs towards Glenfinnan station during one of the main line 'Santa Specials' on December 21. EIKE SEKINE
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Tornado returns scheduled steam-hauled services to the Settle-Carlisle TIMETABLED steam-hauled passenger trains will return to the national network in mid-February for three days only when ‘A1’ No. 60163 Tornado ‘Plandampfs’ the Settle & Carlisle (S&C) between Skipton and Appleby. The new-build Peppercorn Pacific and a rake of Mk2 coaches will deputise for Northern’s usual DMU on
the 10.45 from Skipton to Appleby on February 14, 15 and 16, returning on the 15.07 ex-Appleby, and will be supplemented by morning and evening extras, running in reverse order. These ‘I ❤ S&C’ trains will be the UK’s first scheduled passenger trains to be worked by steam in half a century, and the first to copy the German-
style ‘Plandampf’ operation, using steam to haul timetabled passenger trains. The notion of running a British ‘Plandampf’ has been floating around for several years, but the landslip at Eden Brows last February, and the subsequent severing of the S&C, provided a window of opportunity to do something special before the line reopened and timetable
Grayling kick-starts search for HS2 rolling stock supplier TRANSPORT Secretary Chris Grayling has launched the search for the company that will build and maintain the fleet of trains to be used on Phase 1 of the High Speed 2 network. The Department for Transport has indicated that up to 60 trains will be required, each capable of carrying 1,000 passengers and running at 225mph, in a procurement process worth £2.75billion. There will be an industry event on March 27 where interested companies can find out more about the bidding requirements, followed by the launch of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) pack, which will provide further details of the specifications for the trains. Hitachi Rail Europe (HRE) and Siemens immediately expressed their intention to bid for the lucrative deal. HRE sales director Nick Hughes said:“Our HS2 trains would be built in Britain, for Britain, and combine worldleading Japanese Shinkansen technology with British
manufacturing know-how.” network control centre. Gordon Wakeford, managing Chris Grayling said: director of Siemens Mobility, “Launching the hunt for a said:“Siemens welcomes manufacturer of these trains the DfT’s announcement of is a major step towards Britain the start of the procurement getting a new railway which process for the rolling stock will carry over 300,000 people for HS2. a day, improve connections “A manufacturing contract of between our great cities, this scale is not only exciting generate jobs, and help us news for the UK rail industry build an economy that works but will undoubtedly have a for all. positive impact on the wider “Hundreds of jobs will UK supply chain. HS2 presents be created in building a great opportunity to the and maintaining these industry and in particular the trains, representing a great next generation of engineers opportunity for British-based who will ultimately deliver the businesses and suppliers. project.” “In total 25,000 jobs and 2,000 Other bidders are expected apprenticeships will be created to include Bombardier, Alstom, during HS2 construction, and CAF and China Railway Rolling we have held discussions with Stock Corp. UK suppliers to make sure they The DfT will shortlist bidders, are in the best possible position with formal invitations to to win contracts.” tender issued in 2018, and a Royal Assent for the Phase contract awarded near the end One hybrid Bill is expected of 2019. shortly and building work is The successful bidder will be due to start on the Birmingham required to maintain the fleet to London section of HS2 in from the dedicated rolling stock the spring. depot planned for Washwood Future contracts will provide Heath in Birmingham, which trains for the second phase of will also be home to the HS2 the project, opening in 2033.
8 • The Railway Magazine • February 2017
capacity diminished. The resulting trains are being operated in conjunction between Northern, Network Rail, DB Cargo, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and the Friends of the S&C, and will provide a perfect taster to a full reopening at the end of March. “What better way to celebrate the reopening of the Settle & Carlisle Railway than with
England’s first scheduled steamhauled main line passenger trains for 50 years,” said Mark Allatt, chairman of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust. “We are delighted that Tornado will be hauling these special ‘I ❤ S&C’ trains over this iconic railway… an experience not to be missed!” Tickets bought in advance or from National Rail ticket offices will be permissible for travel.
Opposition mounts to BTP Scotland merger plans A SCOTTISH Government devolution of transport policing. proposal to merge the British “Some train operators are of Transport Police (BTP) with the view that the transfer of Police Scotland has come under transport policing away from the attack from train operating BTP is not the best way to serve companies, Network Rail, Rail the interests of the travelling Delivery Group, rail unions, the public. Police Federation and other “The BTP and its authority stakeholders. have jointly set out alternative Legislation has been put proposals, which operators forward by Ministers at Holyrood believe should be considered.” that if passed would lead to Those alternative proposals the amalgamation of the BTP include the creation of Transport in Scotland with the national Police Scotland. Scottish force. Andy McDonald, Labour’s UK There are widespread and shadow transport secretary, said: genuine concerns that BTP “Similar proposals in London to officers could be taken from merge the Metropolitan Police their duties patrolling the with the BTP were rejected with railway network to support good reason. Police Scotland, leaving it “We already have a system that vulnerable to attack and works and serves us well and this affecting public safety. There move would risk the expertise are additional concerns about that is central to the cross-border inconsistency in cross border nature of the transport police.” policing of the railways. Transport Salaried Staffs’ Currently, around 95% of Association general secretary funding for the BTP comes from Manuel Cortes has called on the rail industry. Nicola Sturgeon, transport The Rail Delivery Group has minister Humza Yousaf and said the change is not needed, justice secretary Michael and in a statement added: Matheson to scrap the plan. “Passenger safety and security are “No-one involved in the rail a top priority for rail companies industry wants this merger,” who are working with both he said. governments to address the challenges posed by the ■ See Comment on page 3
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Vivarail loses trial funding after train fire
FUNDING that would support Leamington Spa to Kenilworth. the trial of the prototype After discussions with Vivarail Class 230 DMU has signalling staff, the plan was been withdrawn following a fire to get to the nearby loop and on the train at Kenilworth on avoid a line blockage, but falling December 30. brake pressure forced a stop at There were 10 staff on the the new Kenilworth station site. train and all were evacuated Warwickshire Fire and Rescue safely, with the incident being attended the incident, and reported to RAIB by West Coast after isolation of the damaged Railway Company, which was vehicle, the train made its own crewing the train. way to Coventry yard, from D-train unit No. 230001 had where it was removed by road been working from its base at some days later back to Vivarail’s Tyseley Locomotive Works to Long Marston workshops. Nuneaton, ahead of a run to By January 16, Vivarail’s Coventry to test run the route Andy Hamilton had produced it was to have been trialled on an interim report into the fire during January. However, the and its cause, with forensic fire, subsequent damage and examination to take place that delay to the trial, means there week on the damaged genset is insufficient time to consider and Ford power unit. the D-train proposals within With a full report due on the timescale for bids for the January 31, the initial findings next West Midlands franchise. reveal that by the time the train As a result, the West Midlands had halted (13.02), fluid from Smoke billows from the fire on the last carriage of the Vivarail prototype train No. 230001 at Combined Authority (WMCA) the genset was dropping on Kenilworth on December 28. FRASER PITHIE has withdrawn financial support. the ballast, and despite using The WMCA has said that a hand fire extinguisher, was investigation is to be carried out. long-term impact on our plans. opportunities “for this line and re-igniting, so the fire brigade Vivarail said that damage is “We entirely understand the other routes in the region where were called and remained on superficial, and the fire barrier position of our partners in the shortage of available rolling site until 15.00. performed well. However, the relation to the trial, especially stock is impacting on capacity The fire has damaged wiring design target of being able to with regard to the franchise would be discussed with Vivarail and piping in the vicinity of the continue running for 15 minutes timings. We are very grateful to at a future stage”. genset, with slight body panel after the fire alarm sounded was all the partners for the support The fire broke out on vehicle rippling, and at Long Marston not met, the unit halting after they have given, and continue No. 300101 in one of the train’s the vehicle was raised on jacks four minutes. to give us as a local company. ‘gensets’ that provide current for a fuller examination. Because Disappointed by the setback, “It is business as usual at our to the traction motors while the Ford engine powering the Vivarail CEO Adrian Shooter said: end and we are confident in the The damaged genset following on the single-line section from genset was new, more detailed “We do not foresee it having any future of the Class 230.” removal. VIVARAIL
National Express sells c2c franchise to Italian Railways RM 2016 Index By Ben Jones
TRENITALIA, the national passenger subsidiary of Italy’s Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FSI), has agreed to pay £70million to acquire the Essex Thameside franchise from National Express. The franchise, better known as c2c, operates commuter services from London Fenchurch Street to Tilbury, Southend and Shoeburyness. National Express is reducing its UK rail activities to focus on other areas, where it sees more potential for growth, while FSI is actively expanding outside Italy
as part of an ambitious 10-year, £82billion (€94bn) industrial plan for 2017-26. With 12 years to run, 42 million journeys each year and annual turnover of around £174m, the Essex Thameside franchise is the Italian group’s first venture into UK rail operation. Trenitalia CEO Barbara Morgante said:“We are confident that British customers will benefit from our skill and capabilities developed in the highly competitive Italian market. “We are closely monitoring the Railways Franchising Programme as we intend to participate in
HITACHI CLASS 385 OUT ONTEST
TESTING of Hitachi’s new Class 385 EMU is under way in Scotland. One of the AT200 series of trains – set No. 385102 – has made overnight runs to Gourock working within a line possession. Prior to this, on January 10, the unit (pictured) was hauled to Gourock by Class 66 No 66115 for clearance checks. Testing of the unit to Wemyss Bay is also planned ahead of introduction to service later this year. PICTURE: JONATHAN MCGURK
tenders issued by the DfT to strengthen our presence in UK.” The current management team will be retained by Trenitalia, which plans to invest in improvements to customer service. Nicknamed‘The Misery Line’in the early years of privatisation, the former London Tilbury & Southend (LTS) route has been transformed over the last decade with a new fleet of 74 Class 357 ‘Electrostar’EMUs, helping c2c to top national reliability and punctuality tables. Six Class 387/3 units, leased from Porterbrook, have just been
added to the fleet to increase peak-time capacity. A further 68 additional EMU vehicles are expected to enter service by 2019. ■ Trenitalia and First Group have confirmed they have set up separate companies to bid jointly for the West Coast Partnership franchise that will run HS2, together with the West Coast Main Line from 2019, and also the East Midland Trains franchise, which is due to end in July 2018. Trenitalia has considerable experience in high-speed rail and says it will work closely with HS2 Ltd with its proposals for both the WCML and new HS2 services.
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Maybach engine appeal launched THE only diesel hydraulic passed for main line operation – Class 52 No. D1015 Western Champion – has been withdrawn from traffic for an engine replacement, writes Peter Nicholson. The‘Western’worked Pathfinder Tours’Swindon to Scarborough‘Yuletide East Yorkshireman’tour on December 17 last year, but suffered a problem with its‘B’engine on the return journey from Scarborough, and moved to the Severn Valley Railway for inspection. This has revealed a serious problem that needs an engine replacement. The owners, the Diesel Traction Group (DTG), has been in contact with a company in Germany regarding a replacement
Maybach MD655 engine, as the alternative would be retirement from main line operations. The cost of acquiring and installing a replacement engine is in the region of £50,000. In order to raise this money an appeal has been launched. Although small donations are welcome it is hoped more shareholders can be attracted. Any amount of more than £1,000 will automatically buy shares in DTG Ltd, with the donor becoming a part-owner of the loco. The minimum shareholding is 10 shares of £100, but there is facility to pay for these by instalments. Payment can be made online to DTG Trading Ltd, Bank of
Scotland, account No. 02089165, sort code 12-24-82. If making a payment this way, please notify the DTG by email to: info@ westernchampion.co.uk. Payments can also be made by cheque payable to DTG Trading Ltd and sent to 44 Helen Avenue, Feltham, Middlesex TW14 9LB. The DTG is optimistic Western Champion can return to the main line later this year. Its next working was due to be Pathfinder’s‘Western Glory’ railtour on February 25, which will now be rescheduled. The operation of No. D1015, in conjunction with steam loco Tornado, to Penzance on May 29, will require a replacement diesel loco.
February 2017 • The Railway Magazine • 9
HeadlineNews SIDELINES Volunteers open day at Wirksworth THE Ecclesbourne Valley Railway will be holding an open day at Wirksworth for prospective volunteers on February 18. There will be guided tours of the site through the day, an ideal opportunity to see behind the scenes. The railway is embarking on a very active year, as 2017 is the 150th anniversary of the opening of the line.
£800,000 fine for Network Rail NETWORK RAIL has been fined £800,000 at Guildford Crown Court as a result of multiple serious and life-changing injuries a trackworker suffered at Redhill. The ORR, which brought the prosecution, said when trains approached the track the workers’ability to get into a place of safety was materially compromised
Seven million trees to be planted for HS2 THE Department for Transport has said that the HS2 project will lead to the creation of 650 hectares of new woodland between London and Birmingham. Seven million trees and shrubs will be grown and supplied by Crowder’s Nurseries, which is based in Horncastle, Lincs, where the The RM is produced.
One million up for Virgin East Coast FOR the first time, more than one million passengers a year have travelled between London and Edinburgh with Virgin East Coast. At the end of 2016, passenger numbers showed an 8% increase. The operator aims to increase market share to half the air and rail market by 2023.
NR aims to raise crossing awareness IN A bid to raise awareness of crossing safety, Network Rail has released footage of a couple climbing a locked six-foot high crossing gate at Seamer, and handing a young child from one to another before running over the tracks to catch a train.
Main line ‘King’ in May as 6023 prepares for West Somerset trials
DIDCOT’S blue Collett 4-6-0 No. 6023 King Edward II could return to the network in early May. This will be the first time in five years that a Great Western ‘King’has graced the main line, and almost 60 since the bark of a single-chimney example was heard in full cry, The Great Western Society is aiming to have the ex-Barry ‘King’ available to work two legs of the Railway Touring Company’s nine-day ‘Great Britain X’railtour that kicks off April 29. The loco is currently scheduled to haul the Bristol to Plymouth leg on May 6 (with No. 34052 Lord Dowding), which precedes a (hopefully) Main line this May? The Great Western Society’s ‘Express Passenger Blue’‘King’ No. 6023 King Edward II triumphant return to Paddington displays its reduced-height boiler fittings at Didcot during the testing of the new blastpipe arrangement the next day when the ‘King’ on August 27, 2016. GARY BOYD-HOPE works the ‘GBX’from Falmouth. Whether the cut-down ‘King’ cannot be effectively achieved years after the loco first returned 2012/13 and further tests it has meets this target will be largely on Didcot’s short demonstration to steam following its ‘Mission been confined to Didcot. dependent on its trials, which line. If all is successful, the plan Impossible’ restoration led by Here, it has had its reduced are expected to begin next is that the ‘King’then works its Dennis Howells. height cab roof, whistles, safety month at the West Somerset loaded main line test run from Firebox staying issues valve bonnets and chimney Railway. The purpose of the visit the WSR back to Didcot. side-lined it after just 1,500 miles fitted, together with OTMR/ to the Minehead branch will be The main line return of the during its running-in trials at the TPWS apparatus and a portable primarily to test the new four-jet ‘King’has been a long time Mid-Norfolk Railway in 2011, and GSM-R radio, along with the new blast pipe under load, which coming for the GWS, occuring six after repairs at Loughborough in blastpipe.
Great Central to bridge Midland Main Line this summer AS THIS issue of The Railway Magazine went to press the Great Central Railway was just days away from signing the final documents to enable construction to begin of its bridge over the Midland Main Line at Loughborough. Signing of the Asset Protection Agreement (APA) with Network Rail was completed on January 24, and GCR chief executive Andy Munro told The RM that completion of the final land transfer and other agreements between Loughborough-based PreciSpark, Charnwood Borough Council, Network Rail and the East Midlands Railway Trust was
“a week to 10 days away”. Once the ink is on the paper, specialist rail contractor MPB will move in to complete the abutments and preparatory work in readiness for lifting the bridge deck into place during the summer. The lift itself will be performed over three consecutive weekends using a 1,000-tonne mobile crane, one of the largest in the UK. Overall, the contract is expected to be completed within 30 weeks of the paperwork being signed, with the handover taking place during late August/early September. Funding for the bridge is
€3.75bn SNCF order to consortium for RER E services are planned, replacing older trains on FRENCH Railways (SNCF) has line D and enabling western awarded a framework contract expansion of Line E (8km of to an Alstom/Bombardier new tunnels are currently consortium to build 255 being built in the west of new high-capacity EMUs for Paris). lines D and E of the Paris/ Alstom call the new design Île-de-France Réseau Express ‘Xtrapolis Cityduplex’ – its Régional (RER) network. ‘Xtrapolis’ single-deck model The deal is worth around has been sold around the €3.75billion. world, but the new Paris trains The first firm order, worth are partly double deck. €1.16bn and entirely funded by Each of the new trains has Paris/Île-de-France transport single-deck driving vehicles authority STIF, is for 71 trains; at each end and double-deck 15 at 130m in length, and 56 intermediate vehicles. Most of 112m-long EMUs. Eventually, the seating is upstairs as the 130 trains for RER D and 125 trains are designed to be able by Keith Fender
10 • The Railway Magazine • February 2017
to carry heavy crush loadings in central Paris. The 130-metre length EMUs are designed to carry 1,861 people. The new trains will be built in France and delivered from 2021; from 2022 they will be used to extend RER line E services west from Haussmann St-Lazare to Nanterre using the new tunnels under construction. From 2024 the new trains will be used to extend RER line E services as far west as Mantes-la-Jolie, replacing many loco-operated services on the classic Mantes to StLazare route in the process.
being provided largely from the £1.154million in public donations received through the GCR’s Bridge to the Future appeal. This figure has subsequently been rounded up to £1.2million by the David Clarke Railway Trust, which has also pledged an additional £200,000. “It has been a 40-year wait to see this bridge finally realised, and we are delighted that it is finally happening,” said Mr Munro.“It is a really exciting time for the railway and we are looking forward to seeing it completed.” Installation of the bridge is the keystone of the GCR’s
Bridging the Gap project that will ultimately link the northern and southern sections of the preserved line to create an 18mile railway. Reconnecting the two sections of the railway will also require the refurbishment of two girder bridges over the Grand Union Canal and the A60, the installation of a bridge over Railway Terrace using existing decks (ex-Reading), and rebuilding the embankment. However, no work will be carried out on this until every piece of planning permission and consent is in place, which could take a further two to three years.
Tweedbank gets passenger facilities
SOME 15 months after opening, the Borders Railway terminus of Tweedbank received its shop and coffee bar, and also toilet facilities. Called a ‘customer hub’, the much-needed facilities are open seven days
a week and have created two full-time jobs. Funding was jointly provided by Transport Scotland, ScotRail, and the Scottish Government, through the Borders Railway Blueprint. PICTURE: IONA BUTLIN