Bob Horton, First Chairman of Railtrack Dies
An appreciation from Phil Marsh.
We keep our ear to the ground and you updated with all the exciting rail news and events in 2011. Check this section out regularly to stay up to date.
An appreciation from Phil Marsh.
The overhaul of the National Railway Museum’s iconic LNER locomotive Flying Scotsman has been followed with more than usual interest following the discovery of cracks as the engine was about to return to service.
The first British Rail Standard Locomotive No. 70000 Britannia has been back in service for 7 months and is now back at Crewe where it is to be repainted into BR green.
The newly enlarged and improved Farringdon station was opened marking a major part of the first phase of the Thameslink project being completed, coinciding with the commencement of the Winter 2012 timetable.
Life for any passenger using Blackfriars, but having to go to the Southbank area of The Thames was made considerably easier with the opening of Blackfriars’ new southern ticket hall and entrance/exit on December 12.
A selection of December news from heritage railways.
A round up of upcoming special steam events on heritage lines.
One of the most viewed news stories featured on rail.co.uk has been that of the failure of GWR King No. 6023 King Edward 11 with thousands of people accessing it, so this is the update concerning the repairs.
Network Rail (NR) is requesting permission to remove the York locomotive turning triangle known as the ‘Engineers’ Triangle’ after the Olympics to create space for building works.
A summary of notable workings for week 49 (December 5-11).
A trio of station developments at narrow gauge railways are in the news this month: one revived, one hoping for HLF funding, one secures planning permission.
We look at Britain’s “Sleeper” trains, which run between London, Devon, Cornwall and Scotland.
The 15in gauge Evesham Vale Light Railway will have new operators from January 3.
The NRM has announced the 15 locomotives – all steam - booked to appear at its June 2-10 ‘Railfest 2012’ event, the largest railway event in the UK next year.
A new heritage railway takes shape in the capital.
UK Rail fares are set to increase by an average of 5.9% in January but this is 2% less than originally announced in mid-August.
A round up of November news from heritage railways.
The Office of The Rail Regulator (ORR) had warned Network Rail (NR) that the railway infrastructure company was not performing well with delays attributed to infrastructure growing, while punctuality targets were being missed by some distance.
The long running but crucial Thameslink project is now about to deliver some key outputs with the introduction of 12 car trains from the start of the winter timetable on December 11.
The Thameslink project has had a huge impact on passengers using Farringdon for the last few years with no weekend or late evening services due to reconstruction upgrade works.
Railtour company Pathfinder are providing a Christmas treat for rail enthusiasts who enjoy the combination of different traction and rare routes.
Britain’s third largest Rail Freight haulier has beaten off competition to operate the main line rail requirements of a steel plant, being re-opened on December 8.
A 32 feet high Christmas Tree was erected at St. Pancras International on November 24 made from 600,000 pieces of lego, including the decorations!
The West Somerset Railway and First Great Western are jointly promoting a Christmas shopping train calling at many stations between Minehead, Bristol and Cardiff on December 10th.
We’ve all heard about ’Leaves on the line’ and moaned about it, but we look at how they affect rail services and how Network Rail keeps those seasonal delays down.
In an interesting announcement, it has been revealed that First Great Western (FGW) will be offering 9% more seats on their services to and from Paddington next year.
The popular preserved Hastings Diesel Unit could be leading people “Up the Garden of England Path” on a charter with a difference.
A train comprised of Gresley designed and built carriages ran away from Grosmont station on November 15 and became derailed blocking the Network Rail line to Whitby.
It appears that two steam locomotive headlamps belonging to the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Preservation Trust (SNGLPT) may have been stolen.
Network Rail has announced the award of two key contracts for the rebuilding of London Bridge station and associated track and signalling to remove a large bottleneck on the Thameslink route.
But “Tangmere” is beset by issues arising from a seemingly bumbling Network Rail.
The latest member of The Class 390 “Pendolino” fleet arrived on Wednesday November 16 after being delivered from Italy via the Channel Tunnel.
Network Rail returns two of four “GLV” coaches ahead of the predicted snow.
The summer peak is over and the autumn steam gala events have finished, but there is plenty of steam action to look forward to on Britain’s heritage lines.
Direct Rail Services, (DRS) - one of Britain’s freight operating companies, has reduced the size of its modern Class 66 fleet allowing Freightliner, Britain’s second largest freight operating company, take on the locomotives with immediate effect.
The first of a regular weekly rail-freight service to use the High Speed 1 rail route, the only European sized railway in the UK has commenced.
The autumnal increase in the Class 60 fleet sees the first of the overhauled locomotives face their first leaf fall season.
Arriva PLC, the German owned UK Subsidiary, has taken over Grand Central, the East Coast main line Open Access Operator making it the largest UK rail operator by far.
DB Schenker, Britain’s largest freight company, has put the final nail in the coffin of its Class 56 fleet, “Grids”, as engines stored at Eastleigh are finally cleared out for scrapping.
Vintage Trains, the Tyseley based Railtour operator, are gearing up to operate what may be a contender for the unusual steam charter train of the year.
A summary of notable workings for week 41 (10-16 October).
UK Railtours “Mine of Serpents” puts Hither Green’s heritage traction back on the running lines.
Railtour follows route of classic named train.
The world’s most famous steam railway hosts a Sunny Southern Gala.
One of Britain’s leading “Enthusiast” Railtour Operators to take Class 50s from Preston to Edinburgh on November 19.
The cause of the only serious accident involving a Class 390 Pendolino train operated by Virgin on February 23, 2007 has now been announced.
The Vintage Trains’ Pannier Tank No. 7752 will be undertaking a test run on November 10 between Hall Green and Stratford on Avon running as London Transport red liveried No. L94.
Virgin Trains will operate three services in December to take people to and from Christmas Markets in Chester and Manchester
GB Railfreight commits to increasing and maintaining its fleet of heritage Class 73 Diesel Electric locomotives
Network Rail is leading a huge £500m project centred around Reading station on the Great West Main Line (GWML) which will also provide a new flyover and reinstate a dive-under allowing more trains to operate.
Virgin Trains has at long last been awarded the franchise extension by The Department for Transport (DfT) that they had been lobbying for over the last few years.
Kent’s Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway made a late decision to hold an October 30 Autumn Steam Gala with pre-event publicity anticipated steaming at least five locomotives.
The Spa Valley Railway goes from High Weald to North Downs for one week only!
Two train operating companies have announced that they have made changes to their top teams with Elaine Holt and Andy Pitt leaving their posts.
Britain’s biggest freight company has had to restore many electric locomotives for work being cheaper to operate than their diesel fleet.
Direct Rail Services (DRS) started a new container service from the Teesport PD Ports’ container terminal using an innovative wagon to transport what are known as ‘high-cube boxes’ to areas of the UK previously inaccessible by rail.
The railways in 1951 were changing due to the implementation the Government’s plans following nationalisation in 1948, but of course this meant that political interference grew – especially in the finance area.
The end of London Midland using the Class 150 train will be marked by a special train from Snow Hill to Worcester, Bridgorth and Stratford on Avon via the Lickey on November 12.
Construction of what is claimed to be the largest piece of artwork in the World and the UK’s largest sculpture named Orbit, reached a major milestone on October 28.
Three Pacifics move to Mid-Hants Railway
Five Class 55s haul trains at the ELR.
‘Mallard’ and ‘Duchess of Hamilton’ on show together.
Tuesday October 18th was not a good day for passengers using Liverpool Street services after the overhead wires came down at around 5am near Bethnal Green.
The Minister of State for Transport (Theresa Villiers) announced in a written statement that Abellio Greater Anglia Limited has been awarded the Greater Anglia (Short) franchise.
The Warley Model Railway show is the largest exhibition of model and miniature railways in the UK and takes place on November 19 and 20.
Avon Valley Railway holds biggest ever gala event over two days featuring four locomotives.
The East Lancashire Railway celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the “Deltic” (BR Class 55) of locomotive with an ever-popular Diesel Event dedicated to the type.
The final preserved railway tranche of steam galas will be held on the last weekend in October and the first weekend in November.
The Perrygrove Railway, just south of the Forest of Dean town of Coleford, is a 15in gauge line opened to the public in August 1996.
The blue liveried Great Western Railway ‘King’ No. 6023 King Edward 11 is at the centre of a blazing row at Didcot following boiler leaks.
The Leighton Buzzard narrow Gauge Railway celebrated two anniversaries recently by holding a Gala event which took visitors back to the line’s roots.
Unique gathering of Class 55s and their prototype.
A convoy of five “Deltic” locomotives has left many enthusiasts in awe, 30 years since the withdrawal of the type from front line service.
The purchase and overhaul of the National Railway Museum’s Iconic steam locomotive, No. 4472 Flying Scotsman now looks as though it could cost up to FOUR MILLION POUNDS.
Whilst we may associate world famous sculptor Martin Jennings with John Betjeman at St Pancras International, a new seven foot bronze statue of a Plumbers Apprentice at London's Cannon Street terminus has been inveiled.
Following the fires in the Doncaster area on September 2 caused by former Southern Railway ‘King Arthur’ No. 30777 Sir Lamiel, Network Rail (NR) has taken draconian action and banned all steam trains on the East Coast Main Line on weekdays with immediate effect.
30 years since independent railway closed.
Class 379 EMU named ‘City of Cambridge’.
First of modern fleet arrives.
George Hinchcliffe has died aged 89 marking the end of a remarkable career including managing and rescuing Flying Scotsman from its American tour in1973.
The Autumn steam gala season carries on over the middle weekend on October in Buckinghamshire, Wales and the north.
Three in steam plus DEMU in use.
A small factory alongside a house and garden amid the rolling hills of Herefordshire is maybe not the most obvious location for a significant railway business.
A summary of notable workings for week 38 (19 - 25 September).
A couple of new freight line tours have been announced to take place this month making this Autumn somewhat of a freight line frenzy!
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) which now runs Sellafield and 18 other UK nuclear sites has placed an instant ban on steam charter trains using their Sellafield facilities.
A summary of notable workings for week 37 (12 - 18 September).
Rail Blue Charters has announced that it is to suspend operations for the rest of the year at least, following six consecutive charter train cancellations.
Cruise Liner Express trains are operated by Direct Rail Services for passengers embarking on a cruise from Southampton Docks or returning from their cruise.
The partial redoubling of the 51 mile Oxford to Worcester Cotswold route was completed in September by Network Rail in conjunction with First Great Western, Gloucestershire County Council and the Department for Transport.
Chiltern Railways has introduced direct competition to Virgin with their London to Birmingham services running under the ‘Mainline’ banner introduced last month.
A summary of notable workings for week 36 (5 - 11 September).
Do you want a taste of American railroading without travelling there? Experience in the heyday of the famed 2ft gauge networks of Maine (USA) near Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales in the Brecon Beacons.
Freight operators DB Shenker has offered for sale 33 of its Class 56 diesel fleet currently stored at Crewe, Toton, Warrington, Barrow Hill and Eastleigh.
The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway brought stirring sights and amazing sounds of hard working industrial steam during its September 17-18 Autumn Gala.
The Autumn steam gala season progresses over the second weekend in October at two popular preserved steam railways when up to 20 steam engines may appear!
South West Trains has a good reputation for operating an efficient service on one of the busiest routes in Britain and has just been voted the best Passenger Operator in the UK.
A summary of notable workings for week 35 (29August – 4 September).
'Battle of Britain' No. 34070 Manston, owned by Southern Locomotives Ltd and based at the Swanage Railway, is the headline guest for the West Somerset Railway’s September 29-October 2 Autumn Steam Gala.
North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway bills no less than NINE engines for their Autumn Steam Gala between September 30 and October 2.
Joan and Jack enjoy a steamy weekend on the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway and Rhiw Valley Light Railway news.
Experience 1943 Wartime living conditions and steam train travel between Whitby, Grosmont and Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors and Esk Valley Railway this Autumn.
In late September it looked increasingly unlikely that iconic steam locomotive No. 4472, Flying Scotsman would be steaming anywhere this year with indications it could be well into 2012 before the A3 turns a wheel under its own power.
A massive 25% discount is now on offer to anyone booking a table of four on the CLIC Sargent Train of Hope scenic charity railtour. That’s buy three get one free!
It's all change at Chinnor as 999 arrives.
A summary of the most relevant rail news this September so far...
Taking a look back at the railway scene 70 years ago.
All the Charter news from September 2011.
Network Rail News Roundup.
All of the heritage steam news from September.
The first series of National Railway Museum (NRM) promoted shuttle trains between the York NRM and its Shildon Locomotion northern base.
Join the UK’s premier railway-based beer festival from September 6 to September 10 inclusive!
A summary of notable workings for week 34 (22 - 28 August).
A summary of notable workings for week 33 (15 - 21 August).
Swanley Park was purchased by the local council from a Farmer 30 years ago and very soon opened for public use as a civic amenity. It now celebrates its 25th anniversary.
August did not bring the best of news for two prestige locomotives carrying blue livery.
Get ready for another train-tastic weekend in Coventry, as Electric Railway Museum throw its doors open for visitors to explore its rich collection.
A summary of notable workings for week 32 (8 - 14 August).
Early August news roundup.
A summary of notable workings for week 31 (1 - 7 August).
Take a look back at the railway scene 100 years ago.
The latest GWR news.
Read on for national collection updates.
Spitfire Railtours announced their intention to run two “Routes & Branches” railtours from London.
All the charter news from August 2011.
A selection of exciting rail news including record breaking and free ice creams!
One of the fastest and most influential trains in the world is being welcomed into its new home at Coventry’s Electric Railway Museum.
A roundup of July's steam heritage news.
Llanberis Lake Railway's 40th birthday is celebrated in style.
Eliot Andersen reports on Grand Central.
Phil Marsh takes an objective look at the High Speed UK rail debate.
All the charter news from July 2011.
Find out more about the Duchess' plans to possibly return to the main line.
A summary of this month's exciting rail news so far.
A summary of notable workings from week 27 (July 11-17).
Find details here on how to visit the biggest and best steam gala events by rail.
The 4-4-0 Maunsell designed ‘Schools’ Class V s once again inside Eastleigh Works being overhauled.
A summary of notable train workings from July 4-10.
An update on the progress of the European Rail Traffic Management System.
Adrian Shooter has announced his intention to retire at the end of December.
Read all about Phil's experiences at Baldock Station.
A summary of railway news from July 1st.
The East Anglian Railway Museum (EARM) have taken an important delivery!
Taking a look back at the railways scene 30 years ago.
Events for end of June/early July
A roundup of of all Network Rail projects currently underway in June 2011.
Dave was honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list and was awarded an MBE for his work. It is well deserved.
Read on for a roundup of June's heritage news.
Notes and News from June 16th.
Notes and News from June 9-15th
Notes and News from June 4-8th.
Notes and News from June 3rd.
A trio of UK-based narrow gauge steam locomotives crossed the channel to star in a major gala in Picardy over June 2-5.
The Great Western Society’s steam Railmotor No. 93 has entered service at Didcot Railway Centre.
Notes and News from June 2nd.
Notes and News from 1st June.
A report from the Isle of Wight steam gala on May 28.
All the steam news for May
Bedfordshire’s 2ft gauge Leighton Buzzard Railway aimed to set a new world record for the number of ‘Coffee Pot’ locomotives in one location over May 14-15.
The system has been introduced on the Cambrian and ends steam operations.
Ffestiniog celebrates its 175th anniversary and completion of revived Welsh Highland Railway
Notes and News from May
Chiltern Railways unveil new train and finish station upgrade project.
Current news from the rail world.
The end of full dining services on the national network.
Notes and news from the rail world
Behind the scenes of the Great Britain 4 UK Railtour - April 2011
Crewe-Warrington-Wigan-Preston-Shap-Carlisle-Settle-Crewe
A look at the railway scene in Spring 1971
Finding a real Eccles cake in Eccles
A man tried to take a pony for a train ride on May 14 on the 1902hrs Holyhead service at Wrexham General station.
An in-depth rail news roundup for May.
Railway round up from March and April 1961
Severn Valley Railway unveils The King's Royal Saloon
The award winning Isle of Wight Steam Railway is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.