BR Diesel Traction in Scotland
Latest Issue - OUT NOW
Railways Illustrated is published on the 1st Friday of every month
Recreating a scene that could have been on BR in the late 1980s, Railfreight grey 20227 drifts downhill with the 1105 Goathland-Grosmont on September 18. Mick Atkin.
LATEST NEWS
Double track for Gowerton
A £40m plan to improve the rail infrastructure between Swansea and Gowerton has been unveiled by Network Rail.
Backed by the Welsh Government and the South West Wales Integrated Transport Consortium, and jointly funded by Network Rail and the Welsh Government, the money will be used to replace Loughor viaduct and double the six-mile single track between Cockett West Junction and Duffryn West Junction. This will also see the disused eastbound platform at Gowerton station reinstated.
The scheme is to improve performance, and cater for a predicted increase in passenger numbers in West Wales by 20% by the end of the decade. The work will be undertaken in stages from spring 2012 to spring 2013.
Minister launches 12-car Thameslink trains
Rail Minister Theresa Villiers was on hand on December 12 to launch First Capital Connect’s 12-coach services between Bedford and Brighton on the Thameslink route, riding in the cab of one of the first southbound services. Eight peak trains a day will now have 12 coaches, while another four will be strengthened from four to eight vehicles.
Three Class 377 EMUs have moved on loan from Southern to First Capital Connect as part of the scheme to provide these longer trains. 377207/211/212 are being revinyled in FCC colours.
Alliance looks to new operations
Potential Open Access operator Alliance Rail Holdings has submitted a revised application for its Great North Western Railway Company (GNWR) WCML services to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). This follows a significant period of industry consultation.
Alliance is seeking to introduce 60 trains a day with new rolling stock and hopes to create almost 400 new jobs and deliver over £3.5bn of wider economic benefits to the areas it will serve.
Network Rail and Alliance have identified a significant number of train paths that could be utilised by GNWR to introduce the trains, with over 50% of the paths sought validated to prove the current position on available capacity. Further paths continue to be evaluated and it is expected that the future proposed WCML timetable recast will reveal further opportunities.
Latest News Photos
Railways Illustrated brings you great news shots from around the world...Read More