The Railway Magazine May 2018

FREE DVD THE GOLDEN AGE OF STEAM

BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING RAIL TITLE May 2018

‘Super Nova’ TPE shows off its new inter-city fleet

■ ‘Cromwell’ for Cotswold steam festival ■ Tiptoe through the Tulips: Eurostar to Amsterdam

MAKING A SPLASH!

A century of water troughs

SCOTRAIL ALLIANCE

Alex Hynes in the spotlight

BEHIND THE SCENES

The Dinmore Manor story

TORNADO REPAIRS TO COST £20,000 AFTER EAST COAST FAILURE

K_\

EDITORIAL

Editor: Chris Milner Deputy editor: Gary Boyd-Hope Senior correspondent: Ben Jones Designer: Tim Pipes Picture desk: Paul Fincham and Jonathan Schofield Publisher: Tim Hartley Editorial assistant: Jane Skayman Production editor: 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 © 2018 Mortons Media ISSN 0033-8923

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Surplus trains could form a niche fleet

I

N THE August 2016 issue of The RM we reported around 35 miles of siding space was needed to store the carriages being made redundant by new trains.

Further new train orders, coupled with the fact greater weighting is given by DfT to franchise bids involving new trains, has increased the uncertainty of existing and proven rolling stock.

No one, it seems, wants to acknowledge the ‘elephant in the room’ – just how and where nearly 4,000 redundant carriages will be disposed of in line with strict environmental rules: the recycling industry doesn’t appear to be geared up to handling wholesale scrapping on a scale never seen before.

The latest estimate is within the next four years, more than 52 miles of sidings will be needed to store surplus stock waiting for homes or disposal – more than the length of the St Pancras to Bedford journey. It is a space resource not currently available.

Disposing of stock well past its best-by date is one thing, but what about multiple units and carriages that become surplus, yet have some residual life remaining?

While leasing companies are working hard to find new users for its assets, between now and 2021 there will be five new franchise awards – CrossCountry, Southeastern, Midland Main Line, Chiltern and Wales & Borders. It is likely all of these will involve some new train orders to cope with growth, so the current situation of unwanted stock will merely be exacerbated.

With large quantities of decent quality rolling stock on the verge of being sent for store, here is a great opportunity for the railway industry, collectively, to ‘cherry pick’ the best of that surplus stock and keep it

in reserve for spot hire purposes.

The current ScotRail Class 385 crisis shows there are few spare trains should there be a serious rolling stock issue. Newer units, such as Class 319 or 707s, have dual-voltage capabilities, while a Class 185 is a very solid DMU and could go almost anywhere. We’ve reused and recycled the HSTs, too.

A niche fleet of, say, 20-24 trains would also provide much needed capacity for FA Cup finals, rugby union internationals, music festivals, relief trains for exhibitions at the NEC, and use on diversions and line closures, rather than buses. In four years time there is the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, too.

A small fleet would take the pressure off scheduled services and cut down the bad press rail gets from overcrowded trains for big events.

While there would be cost implications and other matters – secure storage, maintenance, crewing and route knowledge, and path availability – these are factors to be planned for and managed, plus it provides a starting point for discussions.

Would the DfT even sanction such an idea or remain laissez faire, and leave quality rolling stock to end up as scrap?

TRAIN OF THOUGHT

Editor’s Comment

Will costs kill off new station plans for West Midlands?

NEWS that West Midlands Trains has identified locations to build seven new stations in the Birmingham area as part of plans for the city to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022 are very welcome.

However, given the recent experiences of station cost overruns, construction delays and commissioning woes at Kenilworth (proposed in 2008, opened April 30), Coventry Arena, Bermuda Park and Marsh Barton (proposed in 2004 and not yet built), the work to plan, design, and build seven stations – three on a freight-only line and one on a heritage line – is a very ambitious task to achieve in four-year timescale.

Before I am accused of pouring cold water on

good ideas, I am very supportive of new stations as they benefit communities. However, there is valid concern over just how ridiculous the construction costs have become. Blocks of flats have been built for less.

For all seven proposed stations, the price will be £80-100million, and at the risk of repeating myself, if costs cannot be controlled or capped, it threatens this idea and many other potential station schemes and line reopenings. Still no one is able to offer a plausible explanation over the costings.

It is a situation not helped by the opaqueness and lack of accountability by Government and local authorities when spending taxpayers’ money.

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTION

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 May 2, 2018.

The next will be on sale on June 6, 2018.

Heart-breaking failure for ‘A1’ Tornado AFTER so much painstaking hard work, lengthy preparations, and monitored trials that reached 100mph, it was so heart-breaking and disappointing for the team of A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and its many followers when Tornado failed on its first official 90mph run.

While the reasons for the failure appear to be lubrication-based and could have occurred at 75mph, the trust has been offered a replacement part from Blue Peter, a magnanimous gesture from the ‘A2’s’ owner Jeremy Hosking (see p7).

In its moment of need, the ‘railway family’ rallied

around the ‘A1’ and dealt with the incident in a calm, professional and efficient manner, Virgin East Coast even offering passengers a free trip back to London if they wanted to abandon the tour at Peterborough.

Having followed and supported the ‘A1’ project since its launch some 27 years ago, I know the trust’s management, staff, volunteers and thousands of supporters will pick themselves up from this blow, get the loco repaired and tested, and you can be sure Tornado will return to the main line ready to pick up where it left off.

CHRIS MILNER, Editor

May 2018 • The Railway Magazine • 3

Contents

May 2018. No. 1,406. Vol 164. A journal of record since 1897.

Headline News

On the cover

MAIN IMAGE: The firstt TransPennine Expresss 'Nova 3' set, powered

by No. 68021, races around the test track at Velim in the Czech Republic on April 12.

KEITH FENDER

Porterbrook will rebuild 19 spare Class 319s as tri-mode 'Flex' electro-diesel trains for GWR routes in the Thames Valley. GWR

Tornado 90mph outing ends prematurely after costly failure, TransPennine Express unveils new Mk5 trains and gets ready to receive first Class 802 bi-mode from Japan, GWR orders tri-mode Class 769s for Gatwick and Thames Valley services, Heathrow Express operation to transfer to GWR, Fears over rising cost of HS2.

INSET 1: Water troughs: the story of a long-lost railway practice.

INSET 2: Building a better railway for Scotland.

INSET 3: Securing the future of Dinmore Manor.

Track Record The Railway Magazine’s monthly news digest 66 Steam & Heritage Broadway extension doubles Gloucs-Warks visitors, 'Cromwell' booked for Cotswold Festival of Steam, No. 46441 moves 'home' to Lakeside & Haverthwaite ahead of return to steam, new build BR '3MT' is a rolling chassis, Swanage 'U Boat' back on the main line.

72 Industrial 73 Irish 74 Steam Portfolio 76 Narrow Gauge 80 Network 82 Railtours 86 Miniature 88 Metro 90 Classic Traction 94 World 100 Traction & Stock Off-lease Class 365 moves to Scotland for possible E&G use, Caledonian Sleeper Mk5s tested on West Highland Line, First VTEC bi-modes arrive in UK, GC begins Class 180 refurbishment.

Danish Diesel: DSB's popular Henschel 'ME' locos are soon set to be replaced by new Siemens 'Vectron' electrics.

KEITH FENDER

103 Traction Portfolio 104 Operations 109 Stock Update

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36 Readers’ Platform 54 Heritage Diary

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

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makes it by far the

12 Multiple Aspects

58 Meetings 60 Panorama

TOM MCATEE

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Details of when Britain’s unique collection of heritage railways and railway museums are open.

WHISTLING SIX: All but one of the seven surviving Class 40s gathered at the East Lancashire Railway in mid-April to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the pioneering English Electric Type 4s.

Panorama - p60

64 From The RM Archives Find out what The RM was reporting 20, 50 and 100 years ago.

122 Crossword & Where Is It?

Call 01507 529529 or see page 34 for our latest offers

Features

14 Tiptoe Through the Tulips John Heaton reports from Eurostar's inaugural London-Amsterdam train – the first scheduled service between the UK and The Netherlands.

20 Making a Splash A simple invention that revolutionised long-distance rail travel in the days of steam. Nick Pigott looks back at more than a century of water troughs.

28 Delivering a Bigger, Better Railway for Scotland

38 Britain's Oldest Railway Photographer Part 2

With Scotland's railway undergoing its biggest transformation for decades, Ben Jones meets ScotRail Alliance managing directior Alex Hynes to discover how his organisation is delivering improvements at the same time as trying to maintain a reliable operation.

Chris Milner concludes his interview with Ron Buckley, who returned from National Service to find a railway preparing for Nationalisation.

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GOING DUTCH: High-speed from London to Amsterdam - p14

WHAT A SCOOP!: The history of water troughs - p20

46 Dinmore, and More and More Despite its low profile, the owning group of this popular GWR 4-6-0 has achieved some impressive feats and good reputation for reliability and performance of their machine.

Gary Boyd-Hope goes behind the scenes.

RON BUCKLEY: Part 2 of our exclusive interview - p38

May 2018 • The Railway Magazine • 5

HeadlineNews

GWR orders tri-mode Class 769 ‘Flex’ trains for Thames Valley

GWR has announced it will introduce Class 769 trains from spring 2019 that have three power sources.

The deal between Porterbrook Leasing and GWR will build on the former’s development of fitting two MAN diesel power packs into a Class 319 (as a Class 769), adding to the unit’s third rail and 25kV capabilities.

GWR will take on 19 Class 769 units to be introduced on to London and Thames Valley services. The move will allow GWR to release a similar number of Class 165/166 ‘Turbo’ units for redeployment in the Bristol area, add much needed local capacity,

as well as offering the potential for launching new routes through the city.

The tri-mode trains will operate as four-carriage sets and will be fully refurbished inside and out, with free wi-fi and power at each seat, air cooling, more luggage space, and new seat covers.

Flexibility

GWR says initially the fleet will support the introduction of Class 387 ‘Electrostar’ sets on Heathrow Express services (see this page), but will be predominantly used on routes between Reading and Gatwick, and Reading and Oxford, where

the train’s tri-mode can be used to its fullest.

However, the tri-mode nature of the train will give GWR maximum flexibility to use them in other areas of the network should they be required.

Final details on routes are still being drawn up.

■ Northern is taking 11 Class 769 units for use on the Windermere branch and other North West routes. Arriva Train Wales has opted for five to allow Class 150/2 and 158 units to be released for PRM-TSI modifications. As yet, none of the units have undergone mainline testing.

An artist’s impression of a Class 769 in GWR green livery. COURTESY: GWR

Class 332s to become surplus when GWR operates Heathrow Express HEATHROW Express Class 332 EMUs will become redundant as a result of a new 10-year agreement that guarantees the future of the fast airport service until at least 2028, with GWR running the operation under a management contract.

The current Heathrow Express (HEX) operation and the 14 train sets are owned by Heathrow Express Operating Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Heathrow Airport Holdings.

Services run under open access rules.

However, from August 2018, HEX staff will transfer under a TUPE agreement (Transfer of Undertakings [Protection of Employment] Regulations) to GWR, which will operate the non-stop express trains under contract. Ownership of the services, along with responsibility for the operation’s commercial aspects – marketing, ticket pricing and revenue – will remain with Heathrow Airport.

GWR has said a number of the

‘A’ class for Spa Valley summer stint LANCASHIRE & Yorkshire ‘A’ class 0-6-0 No. 52322 will spend the summer based at the Spa Valley Railway.

The 1896-built loco, which is owned by Andy Booth and based at the East Lancashire Railway, will work its first trains from Tunbridge Wells West on May 5 and is expected to stay in Kent until August. It will be one of the main attractions at the railway’s Summer Festival on June 30-July 1.

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recently introduced Class 387 EMUs will be fully refitted internally to suit the airport service with revised seating, high speed wi-fi, on-board entertainment and greater luggage space. A new sub-class is likely to be created. To replace the 387s, tri-mode Class 769 (ex-319) EMUs will be introduced from spring next year (see this page).

This decision suggests that as the '332s' are only fitted with Automatic Train Protection, and without TPWS (for which they have a derogation), they are incompatible for use elsewhere on the network, and scrapping is a likely option.

As Northern Rail’s Class 333s are similar, there is an opportunity to supplement spare parts supplies.

The announcement also means a new Heathrow Express depot building at Langley will not be needed. HEX was to be displaced at the end of 2019 from Old Oak Common because of HS2 construction work, but as Class 387s are maintained at Reading, it

saves the cost of a new depot.

Under GWR, HEX will remain at a four-trains-per-hour frequency, but supplemented from December 2019 by six Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) services per hour, as well as 12 services on London Underground’s Piccadilly line.

Heathrow, the DfT, TfL and Network Rail are also conducting a joint feasibility study into increasing the frequency of the Elizabeth Line service to eight trains an hour by the mid-2020s.

The plan from December 2019 is: ■ 12 Piccadilly Line trains per hour – six trains serving Terminals 2, 3 and 4 and six trains serving Terminals 2, 3 and 5 ■ Six Elizabeth Line trains per hour – four trains serving Terminals 2, 3 and 4 and two trains serving Terminals 2, 3 and 5 ■ Four Heathrow Express trains per hour – all trains serving Terminals 2, 3 and 5 As well as the connections

Work starts on EMT depot facilities at Barrow Hill Exclusive by Ben Jones

BARROW Hill’s remarkable renaissance as a main line depot took another significant step in April as construction work started on new servicing facilities for East Midlands Trains (EMT).

To overcome disruption caused by this summer’s blockade at Derby, which will limit access to EMT’s Etches Park depot, up to five trains will be serviced at the Chesterfield depot each night for 70 nights from July.

Work includes the installation of controlled emission toilet (CET) equipment, fuelling and water points on the depot’s main line connection, the relaying and realignment of three sidings on

6 • The Railway Magazine • May 2018

the former brickworks side of the shed yard, and the upgrading of two more sidings previously used to store redundant vehicles between the coaling stage and the HNRC depot.

Other facilities such as staff mess rooms will also be refurbished, leaving a longer-term legacy of improved facilities at the Roundhouse.

Up to two five-car and one seven-car Class 222s, plus two HSTs displaced from Etches Park, will visit Barrow Hill each night between duties on the LondonNottingham/Sheffield route.

The work is being funded

by Network Rail as part of the £200million Derby station track and signalling upgrade.

They may be 20 years old, but with no TPWS equipment, the future is bleak for the fleet of 14 high-quality four-and five-Class 332 Heathrow Express EMUs built by CAF and Siemens, with all due to be withdrawn by December 2019. On April 19, running as a single set, No. 332011 waits to depart London Paddington with the 14.45 to London Heathrow. CHRIS MILNER

from London, the Department for Transport will progress the development of the proposed western and southern rail links to Heathrow. These links would make it quicker and easier for people from the south and west of England, and South Wales,

to get to the airport.

New ticket readers will be installed at Heathrow and Paddington, allowing users of Heathrow Express and TfL Rail (soon to be Elizabeth Line) to use pay-as-you-go Oyster or a contactless device.

Disagreement over estimated cost of HS2 NEW concerns have been voiced that official estimates of the cost of the controversial HS2 high-speed line remain flawed.

Consultant quantity surveyor Michael Byng has – after being asked for advice by the Department for Transport – produced a 4,000 page cost analysis of phase one from London to Birmingham. His prediction on cost is £50billion, which is more than double official figures.

The £50bn includes an additional one-third for contingency funding, but excludes the price of the rolling

stock. Of greater concern is when Phase Two estimated costs are added in, the full project could be in excess of £100bn.

Railway Magazine columnist Lord Berkeley has, without success, been pressurising Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to commission an independent cost analysis report. In response, Mr Grayling has written to Lord Berkeley asserting HS2 Ltd and the DfT disagrees with Mr Byng’s costings and other assertions, while maintaining phase one costs without rolling stock is £24.3bn.

Have you got a story for us? Email: railway@mortons.co.uk KING’S CROSS TO BIGGLESWADE

‘A1’ No. 60163 Tornado passes Biggleswade on April 14 at a speed of 81mph. Less than three minutes after this picture was taken, Tornado had undertaken an emergency stop. ALISDAIR ANDERSON

Tornado comes to grief on ‘Ebor Flyer’

By John Heaton FCILT and Gary Boyd-Hope

THE bold attempt to run at up to 90mph from King’s Cross to York on April 14 with No. 60163 Tornado suffered an expensive and disruptive fate after its middle cylinder piston valve failed at Biggleswade.

The ‘A1’ took its 12-coach train up to Potters Bar on the slow line at a shade over 55mph and was subsequently checked to 49mph just before Stevenage, which was passed at 66mph. There were also some bridge restrictions of 60mph in force, one of which had been negotiated at Knebworth.

The 1-in-200 stretch down through Hitchin, easing to 1-in-400 before Arlesey, was the normal high-speed section for Down trains in steam traction’s heyday, but train timers on board wondered whether the Stevenage check might cost them the newly permitted maximum speed.

David Ashley, of the Railway Performance Society, was covering the special on behalf of

The Railway Magazine, recording a strong acceleration to reach 90mph just after Arlesey, his maximum GPS figure showing 90.4mph. See table (right).

Unfortunately, this was the end of the day’s festivities as a sharp brake application was made just before Biggleswade and the train was halted just south of Sandy. After a long delay GBRf Class 66 No. 66744 Crossrail took the whole train to Peterborough, where Tornado retired to the Nene Valley Railway for assessment.

Passengers were offered the option of returning home from Peterborough, with their railtour tickets honoured by Virgin Trains East Coast.

No. 66106 then worked the train forward at its maximum speed of 75mph to York, losing no more time, but arriving 220min late. A large number of service trains received delays of up to 70min. The southbound return was also worked by No. 66106, which ran to time.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) was informed on

the day and the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) has also been informed.

What went wrong?

GBRf Class 66 No. 66778 pilots 47749 City of Truro past Milford, Derbyshire on its way north to the revised destination of York. RAILTEC TRANSFERS

stricken train, No. 66518 initially moving the train to Derby.

GBRf’s No. 66778 then took over and continued as far as York, where the train terminated, arriving 218 minutes late.

With the lower 75mph speed of the ‘66’, the revised destination of York allowed reasonable time to clean and

April 14, 2018 0807 KGX-YRK Ebor Flyer 60163 Tornado 12, 385/420 D Ashley 7th of 13

Miles 0.00 2.44 3.33 4.00 4.88 6.38 8.26 9.09 10.48 12.65 0.00 1.75 2.83 4.96 7.59

Sch 0 6½

9.21 12.30 14.86 19.21 24.33 28.45

Timing Point KING’S CROSS d Finsbury Park Harringay Hornsey Alexandra Palace New Southgate Oakleigh Park New Barnet Hadley Wood Potters Bar a d Brookmans Park Welham Green Hatfield Welwyn Gdn City Digswell J a d Welwyn North Knebworth STEVENAGE Hitchin Arlesey Biggleswade Emergency stop

10

19 22

12 13½ 21 29½ 33

MS 0 00 6 51 8 08 8 59 9 57 11 40 13 45 14 37 16 06 19 28 21 19 3 15 4 21 6 15 8 41 10 26 20 17 23 07 26 29 28 56 32 59 36 54 39 40 42 05

mph 1L 35 44 54/56 54/52 54/52 56/55/57 56/57 56 1L 54 63 70 50 47 59 Bri res 67/49sigs 66 87/90 81

On April 15 a thorough Bri res=bridge restriction examination and strip-down of Tornado’s inside motion was carried out at Wansford in the be determined. the failure, at present we believe presence of one of DB Cargo’s Initial speculation that the high it not to be. appointed independent steam speeds were the root cause has “It probably happened slightly examiners. been ruled out, and the A1SLT earlier in the journey than if As a result of this the A1 Steam believes the failure would have running at lower speed, but Locomotive Trust has confirmed happened regardless of the it most likely would still have the middle piston valve 90mph running. happened.” overheated and seized within the The trust and DB Cargo (the Initial estimates put the cost of valve liner. certification body) are now repairing the damage at around This put significant stress on carrying out an investigation to £20,000. This will involve the the combination lever, causing determine the cause, and the boring of the valve liner, a new it to disintegrate; the lower part A1SLT has also engaged First valve head and rings fitted, plus of which was found lying in Class Partnerships to provide a replacement combination lever, the ‘four foot’, some distance an independent report into union link and crosshead. behind the train. The broken the causes of the failure and its However, in a gesture of combination lever and the union potential wider impact on the goodwill, the Royal Scot link subsequently flailed, which future operation of the ‘A1’ on the Locomotive & General Trust has in turn caused the lower part of main line. offered the A1SLT the loan of the the drop link to separate from the In a statement the trust said: inside combination lever and crosshead.

“Tornado has run many miles since union link from under- overhaul The evidence points to winter maintenance with no ‘A2’ No. 60532 Blue Peter. This will insufficient lubrication as the obvious issues in this area. enable the ‘A1’ to return to service reason for the seizure, but what “Whilst we have been asked if while the replacement parts are actually caused this remains to the higher speed was a factor in being manufactured.

GBRf Class 47 fails on seaside charter

GB Railfreight Class 47 No. 47749 City of Truro (still in Colas livery) failed with a loss of power on Old Hill bank on April 21 while working Pathfinder Tours’ ‘The York Moors Venturer’, from Newport to Scarborough.

It took more than three hours to get a rescue loco to the

Date Train Loco Vehicles, tare/gross tonnes Recorder/ Position

service the stock for the return (at reduced speed), which would not have been possible had the train continued to Scarborough.

A number of morning West Midland Railway services from Worcester, and some Chiltern services, were cancelled as a result of the failure.

RM sponsorship enables Baldwin/ Hunslet Apedale steam reunion GREENSAND Railway Museum Trust’s (GRMT) First World War veteran locomotives – Baldwin 4-6-0T No. 778 and 40hp Armoured Motor Rail Simplex No. LR2182 – will both visit Moseley Railway Trust’s July 13-15 Tracks to the Trenches event at Apedale Valley Light Railway, with The Railway Magazine helping to make it possible.

Both locos are based at the Leighton Buzzard Railway (LBR).

No. 778, restored to steam in 2000, starred at the 2014 and 2016 Tracks to the Trenches events.

A highlight this year will be its appearance alongside War Office Locomotive Trust’s ex-WDLR Hunslet 4-6-0T No. 303 (HE1215/1916).

Research has shown both locos operated near Boisleux-au-Mont, a village about five miles south of Arras, in Northern France, at about

the same time in 1917.

Their August 2009 appearance at Leighton Buzzard, when restoration of the Hunslet had yet to begin, appears to have been a reunion rather than first meeting.

Restoration of No. 303 should be completed around May/June, and this will be the first time since 1917 both have been together in steam.

The visit of No. 778 is sponsored

by The RM and sister title Heritage Railway – official media partners for Tracks to the Trenches.

Petrol-engined Simplex No. LR2182 appeared as a static exhibit in 2014 and was subsequently stripped for a comprehensive restoration, with work now in the final stages.

Whether it will be complete for the event is uncertain but it should be operational for the first time in more than 50 years even if its upper bodywork is not fitted.

May 2018 • The Railway Magazine • 7

HeadlineNews New TransPennine Express Mk5A train revealed

By Keith Fender

PLATFORM capacity at Bristol Parkway has been expanded with the opening of a new platform 1 by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling on April 13. The platform will help reduce delays for westbound trains, represents a multi-million pound investment, and is part the Bristol area signalling upgrade.

Here, a Class 220 and 800 come face-to-face in the new platform. JACK BOSKETT

‘Pendolinos’ direct from London to Blackpool VIRGIN Trains will begin a direct ‘Pendolino’ service from London to Blackpool from May 21.

With the completion of the electrification from Preston to Blackpool North due for final testing and completion in May, Virgin will offer 35 services per week between the capital and the popular North West resort.

There will also be directjourney opportunities from some intermediate West Coast stations, and in total provide

an extra 17,000 seats every week.

The extra weekday services will depart London Euston at 06.46, 08.53 and 10.36, calling at Rugby, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, and Preston. Return workings leave Blackpool North at 10.53, 13.02 and 15.00, calling at the same stations as on the outward journey.

On Saturdays, the 08.53 and 10.32 operate, but there is a new 07.32 Birmingham

New Street-Blackpool North, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western and Preston. Return trains are as per weekdays and direct to London, with no via Birmingham train.

■ Virgin’s last services from London Euston to Blackpool were in December 2014, using a Class 221 ‘Voyager’. Prior to that direct services ceased in May 2003 and were operated

by HST sets.

Better protection for passengers using ticket vending machines, claims ORR NEW and easier-to-use machines with clearer instructions are helping an increasing number of passengers buy the correct ticket for their journey, according to research by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Using the mystery shopper approach, the ORR says 91% of users would have bought the most appropriate ticket for

their journey at station vending calling on train operators machines, an increase of 11% to commit to a ‘TVM Price from the last survey in 2016.

Guarantee’ and refund the Of the 9% who might have difference to passengers who bought the wrong ticket, 6% bought a more expensive ticket. would have paid too much, The ORR says improvements down from 13% last year, and are still needed on what 3% would have got a ticket ticket types can be bought at without the necessary flexibility, TVMs, information on ticket down from 6% last year. restrictions and validities, and While these are details of what times peak and improvements, the ORR is off-peak tickets can be used.

TRANSPENNINE Express presented its new CAF-built Mk5A 'Nova 3' push-pull trains to stakeholders and media in mid-April at the Velim test centre in the Czech Republic, where dynamic testing of the new train with Class 68 locos began on April 11.

CAF is building 13 fivecoach rakes of carriages as permanently coupled sets, connected by bar couplers, as found on modern EMUs. An additional spare DTS (Driving Trailer Standard) vehicle has been ordered to provide a spare in case one of the sets hits an obstruction and is damaged.

This will allow the set to return to use within a short time, particularly if repairs are needed to the damaged DTS vehicle.

Each set – branded as a ‘Nova 3' by TPE – has a Driving Trailer Standard vehicle equipped with a cab that, internally, is a close copy of the one found in the Class 68s.

Kitchen area

There are three Standard Open vehicles per set, one of which is equipped with a storage area for four bikes or six tip-up seats if the bike space is not being used. The vehicle at the loco end of the set is a combined First Class and kitchen vehicle (TF) which will be used to provide at-seat service in First Class. The kitchen area is equipped with ovens and coffee machines plus a small food preparation area. It is also equipped with a water tank system that holds drinking water and a system to automatically fill and heat hot water urns.

The train only has one accessible toilet, located in the First Class coach, meaning that wheelchair users will

be effectively given a free upgrade.

Each five-coach set has 291 seats, 30 of which are First Class plus the six tip-up seats in the bike area. TPE's Class 185 DMUs, which the new trains will replace, have only 180 seats and are frequently overcrowded.

Trolley service

TPE plans to expand its current First Class complimentary food and drink offer, and to offer a wider range of food items to all passengers via a trolley service.

The vehicles were designed at CAF's Zaragoza factory, but are all being constructed at the company's main Besain plant (where the Caledonian Sleeper Mk5 coaches are being built) however, the DTS vehicles are being built at CAF's Irun plant, close to the French border.

By early April, 40% of the 66 vehicles on order were either under construction or complete. The vehicles are likely to be delivered by sea from Northern Spain to a port in northern England.

The Mk5A vehicle for TPE is longer (at around 23 metres) than the Mk5 variant for Caledonian Sleeper. To accommodate the extra length, the Mk5A is also slightly narrower than the sleeper coaches (which need width for sleeper berths).

Gauge clearance

Gauge clearance work for the new trains is underway using computer-aided systems.

The majority of clearance problems have been identified for the trains, which are fitted with buffers, unlike many modern multiple units.

TPE is having the gaugeclearance work undertaken for its new Class 397 EMUs, also being built by CAF, as these

Tender issued for West Coast Partnership THE Department for Transport has issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the West Coast Partnership franchise that will take on the current West Coast Main Line from September 2019.

The franchisee will also be expected to prepare for the reconfiguration of West Coast services, and work with HS2 Ltd

to provide the best model for high-speed trains from 2026.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has unveiled a new vision that could see HS2 become a fully integrated railway, with a single organisation running all aspects of the service – tickets, trains, maintaining the track and other infrastructure, such

8 • The Railway Magazine • May 2018

as signalling – with the aim of a single joined-up team delivering the best possible passenger service.

He also advocates improved accessibility, simpler fares and improved compensation for delays of 15 minutes or more.

Bids need to be submitted by July 13, with the winner being announced in spring 2019.

The view from the driving cab of a 'Nova 3' DTS.

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SIDELINES First Group shrugs off hostile US bidder TPE Mk5A set at Velim on April 12, with No. 68021 on the rear. ALL PICTURES: KEITH FENDER

have lower footsteps than the Class 350/4s they will replace.

Testing of the Mk5A vehicles at the Velim test track, which would normally take six-toeight months on the national network (assuming paths could be found), will be completed in just a few weeks.

The time saved – meaning the new trains can enter service sooner – is worth the considerable effort involved in moving coaches from Spain and Class 68s from the UK.

Test train ‘complete’

The test train is complete internally and externally, with the exception of tables in the passenger saloons and some small details such as the tip-up seats.

Once delivered to the UK there will be a series of ‘pre-service verification' tests for route specific items such as GSM-R, TPWS, and station stop board positioning.

TPE has leased a fleet of 14 Class 68s (Nos. 68019-032) from DRS to operate the ‘Nova 3' trains, which will all receive the new TPE livery with no yellow on the front end.

The 14 locos have all received

cab modifications to enable them to operate with the new stock and will work with the 13 rakes of Mk5A coaches, with 12 sets required for daily service.

To ensure the cab modifications worked and were compatible with the new driving trailers a Class 68 loco was taken to the CAF factory in Besain in 2017.

The initial design for the jumper connections to the Mk5A coaches was determined to be rather flimsy and a modified, and a more robust connection has been fitted, initially to No. 68019, which is currently in Velim.

The ‘Nova 3' trains will be based at Longsight in Manchester, where Alstom has won a contract to maintain the coaches, and DRS will maintain the locos.

Two more Class 68s (Nos. 68033/034) have received the cab modifications and will act as spares if more than two of the dedicated pool are not available. These locos will retain DRS blue livery.

To ensure there will always be a loco available to operate the test train at Velim two Class 68s (Nos. 68019/021) have been

moved to the Czech Republic.

TPE explained it is much more cost effective to have two locos at the circuit, in theory one always being available if the other failed or suffered damage in any way.

As testing slots are in high demand at Velim, the loss of any testing due to non-available trains could delay the complete testing and approval programme.

Because of delays in transit, the Class 68s arrived at Velim later than planned so initial dynamic testing on the carriages was carried out using a Siemens ‘Vectron' electric loco.

On-going strikes

The two locos were originally planned to be moved by rail from the UK to Velim, but only travelled as far as Calais Yard in France before on-going strikes meant they could not be moved any further.

To avoid further delays the locos were brought back to Dollands Moor and moved by road to Immingham, where the low-loaders, transporters and locos were placed on a Ro-Ro ferry to Cuxhaven, Germany

for onward movement by rail to Velim.

TPE has three new fleets of trains on order, branded Nova 1 to 3, taking them in order of planned introduction: ■ Class 68/Mk5A 'Nova 3' sets will enter service in autumn 2018 on the Liverpool to Scarborough and Manchester Airport to Middlesbrough routes.

Rapid introduction of additional trains is part of the plan, meaning they will all be in service by early 2019.

■ Class 397 'Nova 2' – 125mph EMUs being built by CAF for Liverpool/ManchesterEdinburgh/Glasgow services. To be introduced from spring 2019, and also based at Longsight.

The first train will be tested on the Barcelona to Madrid high-speed line, close to CAF's Zaragoza factory, in mid-2018 ■ Class 802 – 'Nova 1' – basically the same train as the GWR Class 802 bi-mode.

Entry to service will require some approval testing other than route specific verification.

TPE expects its trains to enter service from summer 2019 with all in use by December 2019.

ABERDEENBASED rail and bus operator First Group has shrugged off a hostile takeover bid from American private equity company Apollo.

First said it rejected the offer, adding Apollo “fundamentally undervalued the company and was opportunistic in nature”.

Under the UK takeover code, Apollo has until May 9 to issue a formal bid for First.

Company turnover in its last financial year was £7.5billion.

Train on fire 1 - Class 175 NORTH Wales Fire and Rescue service was called to attend a fire under the leading carriage of Class 175 No. 175107 at Deganwy on April 21. The ‘175’was working 1H82, the 06.34 Llandudno-Manchester Airport. Many services started or terminated at Llandudno Junction for around six hours.

Train on fire 2 – HST A FIRE in the engine compartment of leading GWR HST power car No. 43138 on the 14.03 from London Paddington on April 17 resulted in Penzance station being evacuated after the train shed was filled with smoke.

Five appliances attended, with the Up ‘Night Riviera' sleeper departure delayed by 52mins.

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May 2018 • The Railway Magazine • 9

HeadlineNews SIDELINES ‘Azuma’ visits Lincoln and Sunderland TESTING of a Class 800 Virgin ‘Azuma’ set during April has taken the IET train to Sunderland as well as Lincoln, and over the GN/GE joint line through Sleaford and Spalding, which will be one of the recognised diversionary routes.

Kenilworth station finally opens THE long-running saga of Kenilworth station was concluded on April 30 when the £13.6million station opened for passengers. There is an hourly West Midlands Railways service in each direction between Leamington Spa and Coventry. Report and pictures in next month’s issue.

Springs Branch depot revival NETWORK and Northern will invest £46million to create a new maintenance depot on the yard at Springs Branch in Wigan. The depot will be used to support Northern’s new fleet of CAF Class 195 and 331 multiple units from December 2019, and will provide facilities to stable and maintain 24 EMUs and eight DMUs. Around 20 jobs will be created at the depot, which will create additional capacity and flexibility for Northern’s growing fleet. Other new depots and servicing facilities are already being provided for Northern at Blackpool North, Blackburn and Allerton.

First TransPennine ‘Nova 1’ train sets sail from Japan

THE first Class 802/2 five-car bi-mode for UK testing and destined for use with TransPennine Express left Hitachi’s Kasado works in Japan on April 17, embarking on a two-month voyage to the UK. Set No. 802201 will be one of three pre-series sets being built in Japan for testing, the remainder of the fleet will be

built in Pistoia, Italy.

TransPennine has ordered 19 bi-mode trains which will enter service in 2019 on routes between Manchester and Liverpool, across the Pennines to Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Each set will offer free wi-fi, complimentary on-board entertainment, and have device charging points.

The first five-car Class 802/2 – No. 802201 – sits on a pontoon, with the Kasado works in the background, being moved to Kobe for shipment to the UK on the MV Talisman. PICTURE: HITACHI

Car and train collide on crossing near Welshpool THE elderly driver of a Chevrolet Spark escaped serious injury when their car was in collision with Welshpool & Llanfair Railway 0-6-0T No. 823 Countess.

The car suffered damage as it was pushed onto banking, with the loco receiving minor paint scratches.

The train was proceeding at walking pace and whistling over an ungated level crossing

near Cyfronydd Station on April 5 when the collision occurred. None of the train’s crew or 77 passengers were injured, but services were cancelled for the remainder of the day as investigations were carried out.

Both the car driver and locomotive driver were breath-tested, the results being negative. The RAIB was notified. PICTURE: JOHN TITLOW

Merseyrail and RMT in dispute talks THE RMT rail union has attended conciliation talks brokered by Acas in its dispute with Merseyrail over future use of driver-only operation on its new fleet. While there is no guard position, Merseyrail said its plans are for a second staff member on busy trains. Action on Northern over DOO has been stepped up.

Bala’s third model event BALA Lake Railway is holding its third model railway show at Ysgol-y-Berwyn, Bala from May 26-28. There is an added attraction of a Festival of Transport on May27-28. Model layouts include ‘N‘, ‘OO’ and ‘O’ gauges and a free vintage bus service will connect the show with the narrow gauge station at Barmouth (Penybont).

Treasure hunt winners CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of our treasure hunt competition (RM March) and thank you to everyone that entered. We had a fantastic response and the winners drawn out were: 1st: Robin Dickson from East Lothian 2nd : Nigel Colverson from Buckinghamshire 3rd : Roger Buxall from East Sussex Prizes have been posted and there will another competition in the coming months.

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3801’s return delayed again PLANS for an early 2018 comeback for Australia’s iconic ‘C38' Pacific No. 3801 have been dashed after Transport Heritage NSW chief executive Andrew Moritz confirmed the locomotive will not return to service in this half of 2018 as previously anticipated.

“Challenges with repairs” to the locomotive’s original NSWGR boiler, which is undergoing a major rebuild at Ainsworth Engineering in Goulburn, NSW, have been cited as the reason for the delay.

The boiler was due for completion in November last year. However, Mr Moritz said he remains confident of a return to steam by the end of this year.

“We are performing a major overhaul on a piece of technology from the 1940s, which sometimes gives rise to unexpected challenges,” he said.

“The contractor is well aware of our disappointment and we are working closely with

them on a daily basis to ensure the boiler’s completion in the shortest possible timeframe without compromising on quality. As soon as these repairs are complete, we will be in a better position to announce when the boiler will be reunited with the locomotive’s frame and returned to steam.”

Work on No. 3801’s bottom end continues at THNSW’s Chullora workshop.

The overhaul team recently completed an assessment of the loco’s wheel bearings in view of changes made to main line operating parameters since the overhaul began more than a decade ago.

As a result of the assessment all 20 bearings will be replaced.

“By replacing the wheel bearings now we will ensure the locomotive’s safe and reliable operation long into the future, and avoid significant maintenance work within the first two years of returning to service,” said Mr Moritz.

Severn Valley confirms ‘no decision’ over Safari Park Halt Another container theft as ‘S15’ parts are stolen from Ropley FOLLOWING last month’s report of the theft of locomotive components from a container at Rocks by Rail in Cottesmore, on April 17 the Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society became the victim of a similar theft from its base at Ropley on the Mid-Hants Railway.

Just as with the Cottesmore raid, the components, which belonged to under-overhaul ‘S15’ 4-6-0 No. 828 Harry A Frith, were stolen from within a container and included two injectors (11mm Gresham & Craven), two clack valves,

10 • The Railway Magazine • May 2018

two 4in Ross Pop safety valves, driver’s brake valve, four marine big-end shell halves, six coupling rod bushes, five slide bar oil pots, a stuffing box valve, and unknown quantities of pipe.

A JustGiving crowd funding page has been set up to raise £20,000 to replace the stolen parts. It can be found at: www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/erps828?utm_ term=Amj7J25aG Anyone with any information is urged to call 01962 733810 or email info@ watercressline.co.uk

THE Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has told The RM an April 15 announcement made by West Midlands Railway (WMR) about a new station serving the West Midlands Safari Park is premature and no decisions have yet been made.

The announcement outlines the service and station improvements West Midlands Trains plan to instigate in time for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and states: “Additionally, the train operator is looking at introducing seven new stations across the West Midlands, subject to feasibility assessments.

“Proposed sites include Darlaston, Willenhall, Kings Heath, Moseley, Hazelwell,

Merry Hill and the West Midlands Safari Park.”

The information was subsequently jumped on by local newspapers, prompting SVR general manager Nick Ralls to put out a special notice to the preserved railway’s working members.

“There have been some initial discussions but nothing further,” Mr Ralls told The RM. However, he went to say in his notice to volunteers.

“No decision will be taken in isolation and would require consultation prior to any decision being taken to the holdings board.

“For absolute clarity the SVR is not involved with any feasibility study at this time,” he added.

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

Class 50s sparkle on Cumbrian coast

Perfect sun on April 14: Nos. 50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance pass Nethertown on the single-line section between Whitehaven and Sellafield. ANDY MASON

USING a pair of Class 50s is proving a popular railtour attraction, with a second charity tour selling out in a matter of weeks, this time promoted by The RM’s sister title Rail Express, .

Working with the Class 50 Alliance, GB Railfreight, Pathfinder Tours and Riviera Trains to provide funds for The

Railway Children charity, the ‘Cumbrian Hoovers’ tour started at Birmingham International behind Nos. 50049 Defiance and 50007 Hercules on April 14, running via Wolverhampton and the West Coast Main Line to Faringdon Jct and Hellifield for a photo stop.

A steady climb over the Settle & Carlisle line, watched

90th anniversary of RCTS marked at Cheltenham THE 90th anniversary of the founding of the Railway Correspondence & Travel Society (RCTS) was marked with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque on April 12 on platform 1 at Cheltenham station.

The unveiling was performed by the society’s current president the Rev Canon Brian R Arman, who paid d tribute to the twoo founders, Aubreyy Broad and Leslie Lapper. The pair had an interest in n railways, met in a garden shed in Cheltenham, and d formed a local club in the latter half of 1927.

Following

publicity to increase membership, in early 1928 a national status was developed and the society’s name changed to the RCTS. Family members of the founders also attended the ceremony. A feature about the society in its 90th year will appear in a future issue of RM. PICTURE: RCTS

by large crowds, preceded an arrival in the border city for a two-hour break. Then it was a rare passage for the intrepid duo around the Cumbrian Coast Line via Sellafield before returning to Birmingham, with another photostop at Barrowin-Furness.

While Class 50s have visited the Cumbrian Coast Line in the

past, specifically to Barrowin-Furness from London Euston and on Huddersfield– Whitehaven/Workington TPO duties in the early-1970s, this was the first visit of a pair for more than 40 years.

The final amount for the Railway Children won’t be known for some weeks.

However, the on-board raffle

raised £2,029, helped by some excellent prizes, including a Class 50 cab ride on the Severn Valley, and model railway sets donated by Bachmann Europe.

■ Between October 4-6, the Severn Valley Railway’s diesel gala will feature around 10 Class 50s in action to mark the Golden Jubilee of the class.

Further details in the June issue.

New penalty fares rules come in to force NEW rules relating to penalty fares took effect from April 6, which will add an additional layer of protection to passengers who have made a genuine mistake.

Passengers with a genuine reason for not having a valid ticket will be able to challenge a penalty through an independent committee.

Unlike previous appeal bodies, this will not be connected to any of the train operating companies.

Once an appeal is received, the‘clock will stop’on the 21-day deadline for the payment of a penalty fare, until the outcome is resolved. There is a three-stage appeal process, but those people dodging fares will still receive heavy penalties.

The penalty fares guidance was last updated in 2002 and the revision reduces the current three documents of guidance on penalty fares down to one simple document.

A new booklet has been

produced by the Rail Delivery Group explaining the appeals procedure, adding customers should receive a certain level of customer service when they are challenged; expect to be spoken to politely and clearly; feel confident they will be given an opportunity to provide an explanation and not feel victimised.

A passenger may also ask to see ID to confirm the collector is authorised to collect penalty fares.

RAIB investigates trolley runaway at East Lancs THE Rail Accident Investigation Branch is looking into the circumstances of how an unbraked p-way trolley, loaded with half a ton of ballast, ran away and crashed into Ramsbottom level crossing

gates on the East Lancashire Railway.

One of the gates was damaged and displaced into the road, with ballast spilt onto the carriageway.

The road was open to traffic,

but no one was injured.

RAIB said pieces of ballast had been used as improvised scotches, and had been removed to move the trolley when it rolled away on a prevailing gradient.

May 2018 • The Railway Magazine • 11

Multiple Aspects

with Lord Berkeley

French strikes will only inflict more damage and create more SNCF debt STRIKES in France are a long running saga affecting the railways, ports and electricity supplier EDF. The frequency of rail strikes over the years has been one of the main causes of the drop in rail freight traffic, the reduction in passenger services, and closure of branch lines.

Now President Emmanuel Macron has announced changes to the employment structure of the railways to reduce the benefits to new employees, which currently allow drivers to retire at the age of

50 on a full last salary pension; many drivers then move to what is left of the private sector to continue driving and take home nearly double their SNCF salary. Macron wants this new structure for SNCF to prepare for competition above rail, and to allow the massive SNCF debt to be reduced by the government.

So the rail unions, most of whose members will be unaffected by the Macron changes, are striking for two days in five for a period of three months. Rail freight is the

worst affected, with only 15% of SNCF freight trains operating and the private sector operators, few though they are, also affected by signallers’ strikes.

Passenger services are in chaos too, as are a number of Eurostar ones. SNCF’s president Guillaume Pepy has estimated the strike is costing SNCF £20million a day, adding £2bn to the debt over three months! One has to wonder whether the strikers want to see a functioning rail network and services at the end

No transparency over rising costs of new stations

Flexibility not an option on HS2

COSTS of new stations are again in the news. With proposals for two sixcar long platforms, an overbridge and ramp, shelters and small car park at Marsh Barton, near Exeter, costs have risen from £4.3million in May 2014 to £13m, an increase of around 200%.

Similar increases are noted for a station at Edginswell. Network Rail refuses to explain the increases beyond saying they are because of changes in standards, but won’t say what standards! Compare this with a new £10m contract in Scotland to extend platforms 1 and 2 at Pitlochry station and modify and extend the track

I RECENTLY submitted a written question in the House of Lords asking whether the Department for Transport had any plans to allow ‘Pendolinos’ to operate on HS2 at times of maintenance or disruption.

The answer was a resounding ‘no!’ I was told: “There are no plans to operate ‘Pendolino’ trains on the new high-speed railway line. “‘Pendolino’ trains are currently limited to 200kph and operating these on a high-speed line with trains routinely operating at 330kph, and up to 360kph, would mean we would be unable to maintain journey times, and this would reduce the capacity of HS2.”

However, this fails to answer the question – if there is disruption or planned maintenance, then passengers might prefer a slightly longer journey time to travelling by bus. ‘Pendolinos’ have a design speed of 140mph (225kph) and as part of certification, the train is tested at an overspeed of 10%, so that takes it to around 250kph.

Will HS2 trains ever actually operate at above 320kph, the maximum generally used on the Continent? The time difference for these speeds (250 to 320kph)

layouts, extend the loops there and at Aviemore and upgrade the signalling at both stations.

So maybe Network Rail Western could learn from its Scottish colleagues; that is after all the purpose of NR’s devolution package – to introduce competition between the routes.

It looks as if Devon County Council needs to go a lot further, and seek bids for design, get permission and build these two stations, with the minimum involvement of Network Rail. This is after all the process that the Department for Transport is encouraging!

Missing station stops on the increase FAILURE to stop incidents are on the increase, according to The Independent.

Those on Southern have risen by a quarter in four years, while nationally, in just 10 months, more than 52,000 trains missed scheduled stops.

I have never personally experienced this but, if I did, depending on the circumstances, and whether I and others were forewarned, it would be tempting to set off the emergency alarm to

make the train stop! No doubt I will be criticised for inciting people to break bylaws, but older readers may recall the notices above the ‘communication’ chord or chain which clearly stated ‘To stop the train in cases of emergency, pull down the chain! Penalty for improper use £5’.

One could suggest that, for the person pulling the alarm, failure to stop at their intended and timetabled destination was, for them, an emergency!

of their strike, whenever that may be.

Competition above rail and some radical changes to working practices everywhere is the only hope, otherwise the roads will bear the brunt of future traffic growth, where SNCF has started long-distance coach services to preserve their monopoly even if the railway ceases to operate outside the main cities and TGV lines. So Macron must win this one, and force SNCF to introduce – and welcome – competition before it is too late.

between London and Birmingham is only some six minutes and, given that HS2 will be signalled for 18 trains an hour and there will only be 10 in Phase 1, surely it is worth trying this to introduce flexibility into the system?

And finally, reader Paul Wilson from the Birmingham area reminded me of the HS2 Curzon Street terminal’s poor location for anyone needing onward connections from New Street or Snow Hill, pointing out that very few people live near Curzon Street!

We are told this location was selected to help regeneration of the area and not the transport needs of businesses or the population generally.

But then it might have been better to improve the local lines and services, including quadrupling the New Street to Coventry line, but this is nothing like so attractive a project for those who like to spend taxpayers’ money on what has become a vanity project! berkeleyafg@parliament.uk

■ (The independent views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The RM or the Rail Freight Group, of which Tony Berkeley is chairman).

Railways in Parliament

by Jon Longman

Fare’s fair

BARONESS Randerson asked in the House of Lords, whether the full range of cheaper train fares will be available when train timetables are confirmed only four to six weeks in advance; and whether passengers will be able to claim full refunds if timetables do not subsequently meet their needs.

Transport Minister Baroness Sugg replied: “The full range of cheaper train fares should be available and it is the responsibility of individual train operating companies (TOCs) to ensure these are available for purchase through the appropriate sales channels.

“TOCs are required under their franchise agreements to inform passengers if they will be unable to operate trains in accordance with the timetable four weeks before the travel date, where possible.

“When passengers are unable to make informed decisions about their

ticket purchases, for example due to unannounced timetable changes arising from engineering works, passengers are entitled to claim a refund if they choose not to travel.

“Condition 30 of the National Rail Conditions of Travel obliges train companies to refund passengers when they are unable to honour the original timetabled journey. No administration fee will be charged for these refunds.”

Felixstowe upgrade

DR Dan Poulter (Central Suffolk and North Ipswich) asked in the House of Commons, whether plans are in place to ensure the timely delivery of the Felixstowe to Nuneaton freight link.

Transport Minister Joseph Johnson said: “The Government is investing £235million in the Strategic Freight Network, a ring-fenced fund to support investment in rail freight to improve the capacity and capability of the network.

12 • The Railway Magazine • May 2018

“This includes the installation of a second track between Felixstowe and Grimston Lane foot crossing on the Felixstowe branch line, which will allow up to 47 trains to serve the port daily in each direction, 14 more than at present.

“In April 2017, Network Rail published its Freight Network Study, presenting options to funders for enhancing the rail freight network. The study identified the Felixstowe to West Midlands corridor as a key priority for investment.

“The Statement of Funds Available for 2019-2024 includes funding for continued investment in improvements to the rail freight network, and my department will consider NR’s advice when planning future enhancements.”

Luton expansion

KARL Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) asked if the East Midlands franchise would include increased services to Luton Airport Parkway.

Mr Johnson said: “We are considering the case for additional services to Luton Airport Parkway and have been working with Luton Airport to understand their proposals. Any outcome will seek to secure the best value for money for the taxpayer, and be in the best interests of rail passengers.

“All options for rail services in the next East Midlands rail franchise are subject to analysis of the potential benefits and our consultation with stakeholders, which closed on October 11, 2017. Thus, no decisions have been made on rail services that will be specified for the next franchise, which is planned to start in August 2019.

“Invitations to Tender (ITT) are due to be issued to potential bidders later this year. The ITT will set out the minimum requirements and provide the baseline that we expect the next franchise to build on.”