FIRST TFW CLASS 230 REACHES ITS FUTURE BASE
THE FIRST Vivarail Class 230 unit arrived in Wrexham from Long...
Rhodri Clark
Six programmes on NR’s Project Speed shortlist
Network Rail has identified six programmes where it is aiming to halve the time and slash the cost of delivery, in response to Government’s ‘Project Speed’ challenge to accelerate infrastructure schemes.
‘745s’ make Stansted debut
Greater Anglia’s Stadler-built Class 745 EMUs were introduced on Stansted Express services on 28 July, although an inauspicious debut saw multiple failures on their first day in traffic.
First ‘345’ reaches Heathrow
A Bombardier Class 345 carried its first passengers to Heathrow Airport on 30 July in a further step towards the opening of the Elizabeth Line.
Fawley fact-finder trip as reopening mooted
South Western Railway ran a special service on the Fawley branch line in Hampshire on 28 July, more than 50 years since regular passenger services on the line ceased.
UP3 helps Southeastern speed up Delay Repay
Southeastern has selected UP3’s Rail Compensation product as its new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution, speeding up the time it takes to handle compensation claims by streamlining back-office processes.
Covid causes further Crossrail delay
A summer 2021 opening of the central section of Crossrail between Paddington and Abbey Wood is no longer achievable, Crossrail Ltd has announced.
Ambition for full Trans-Pennine electrification
The Government has released £589 million of funding to begin work on upgrading the Trans-Pennine line between Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester. It is also to establish a new Northern Transport Acceleration Council, dedicated to accelerating vital infrastructure projects and better connecting communities across the North’s towns and cities.
Breeze hydrogen trains to be Class 600s
The Breeze hydrogen trains being developed by Eversholt Rail and Alstom are to be Class 600s, the companies have confirmed. They say the first converted trains could enter service in 2024.
ETCS for EMR bi-modes
The bi-mode trains ordered by Hitachi for East Midlands Railway’s Midland main line services will be fitted with European Train Control System (ETCS) following a £12 million investment announced by Government.
PHILIP SHERRATT