Railways Illustrated April 2022 - Preview

CLASS 91 TO AID 89001 REVIVAL

NRM’S D6700

TO MOVE TO GCR THE RAILWAY WORLD – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

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£4.95 Issue 230 April 2022

A Class Act The preserved Class 47s in focus

Model Spot

PLUS

Bachmann’s Freightconnection Class 90s

Chiltern Railways launches HybridFLEX Class 168 The post-pandemic passenger railway Preservation: The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway East Kent Railway secures Class 365 vehicles

FirstGroup seeks new locomotives for TPE and GWR

Welcome to Railways Illustrated

The announcements now departing!

T

ravelling recently to London to attend a press event, I found myself aboard an LNER Azuma on the East Coast Main Line.

This was the first time I had travelled any distance by train since it was announced that the Department for Transport was looking to cut down the number of on-train announcements.

Anyone who has travelled by train over the last few years can’t have failed to notice the increase in the number of announcements made both on trains and platforms.

Destination and next station stop announcements (also shown on passenger information display screens inside railway carriages), which were introduced as part of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations, are essential to rail users who may have sight or hearing impairments. Announcements about ticket inspections are also useful, as passengers can have their ticket or pass ready for when staff come through the train, rather than searching through every pocket when asked on-spec.

Other regular announcements are probably not as important, but they are still read out by staff on most services. If there are too many, people stop listening and then don’t actually hear the important things because they have zoned out.

The problem then is which announcements get dropped – all of them serve a purpose, even if the amount can be a little irritating.

I believe that in this situation it is a case of quality over quantity – use good quality, pre-recorded messages. Some railway staff are excellent and make very clear and concise announcements, but others obviously don’t like it and mumble the required information with audible reluctance.

Having pre-recorded messages also means that if on-board staff need to make an announcement due to an incident or situation that has occurred, the chances are that passengers will pay attention because the voice coming out of the speaker is different to the one they are used to hearing.

In the case of my LNER journey, I heard no irrelevant announcements. They were delivered with the usual friendly professionalism we have come to expect from the East Coast Main Line operator.

I welcome the announcement that the Department for Transport is reviewing announcements (see what I did there!), but I do wonder if there are more pressing issues that should be getting attention when it comes to our railways.

In our December 2021 issue, we ran a feature on the unique Class 66 liveries that had been carried by various members of the fleet, particularly those operated by GB Railfreight (GBRf). Since taking over as editor of Railways Illustrated last

summer I have been trying to focus the covers of the magazine on heritage modern traction locomotives, but December 2021 featured a quartet of Class 66s on the front.

The freight locomotives now dominate much of the UK railfreight sector, with DB Cargo, Freightliner, GBRf, Direct Rail Services and Colas all using the Class 66s as core members of their fleets.

It is now approaching 24 years since the first Class 66 arrived in the UK and, while GBRf is still adding imported locomotives of the same type, many of the DB Cargo and Freightliner Class 66s have now been in service for well over two decades.

In terms of their operating history, the Class 66 design has now been in everyday use on the national network for longer than some iconic former BR designs, such as the ‘Deltics’, which lasted a mere 21 years in traffic with BR before being retired. In his The Social Side column this month, Richard Clinnick asks – can we finally consider the Class 66 to be ‘heritage’ modern traction?

It’s an interesting argument and while they are still derided by some enthusiasts – mainly because their introduction spelled the end for some of our other favourite ‘heritage’ locomotive designs – the Class 66 has helped transform the rail freight industry and have been largely a successful design. It seems likely that the Class 66 will be around for many years to come, and it will be interesting to see just how many enter preservation when the end finally arrives. But are the Class 66s a ‘heritage’ design now? Let me know what you think.

An interesting aspect of the railway is how it is constantly evolving, with new fleets being introduced and old, familiar designs disappearing off the network to make way for the new order.

Later in this issue, Richard Clinnick takes a look at how dramatically our train fleets have changed since the start of the first coronavirus lockdown two years ago – and it’s a fascinating story. While the days of lengthy locomotive-hauled trains are largely in the past, the constant changes to our railway landscape means that it is still far from boring to those of us who observe it.

Later this year it will be the 60th anniversary of the entry into traffic of the first Brush Type Four – or Class 47, as it is more commonly known, with D1500 entering traffic. That particular locomotive is still with us, preserved in excellent order by the 47401 Project on the Midland Railway – Butterley.

Ultimately, the Class 47s became one of the most successful locomotive designs to emerge onto the UK railway network and, albeit in much smaller numbers, a number of Class 47s continue to be used across the national rail network

and in preservation on our heritage railways.

In this issue we take a look at those Class 47s that have survived in the preservation sector, in the first of a series of features marking their 60th anniversary.

We also present another stunning selection of railway photography, with our 10 Pictures feature, this issue coming from the lens of Ian Edmondson. Ian has come up with a diverse collection of images, focusing mainly on dramatic landscapes that show our railway off to good effect.

I am incredibly proud of 10 Pictures and we have had some truly outstanding submissions.

We still have a number awaiting publication in future issues, but if you have a keen eye for railway photography and think you have 10 Pictures that tell a story about your love of railways and rail photography, please do consider submitting them to us for use in a future issue of Railways Illustrated.

Our heritage feature this month focuses on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in Derbyshire – a railway that has grown from very humble beginnings back in 1992 and continues to attract the headlines each month. It had been a number of years since my last visit when I went to the line in early February, and I was impressed by how much the railway had been developed since.

Due to the amount of material contained in this issue, I have decided to hold the feature on Regional Railways that was originally scheduled to appear in this issue; it will appear in a future Railways Illustrated.

In the past few weeks I’ve had a couple of readers contact me to say they have struggled to get hold of a copy of Railways Illustrated from their usual outlets. Hopefully this is a sign of the popularity of the magazine rather than any supply issues, but it is worth remembering that if you enjoy the magazine, the best and cheapest way to get a guaranteed copy sent directly to you each month – often ahead of the on-sale date – is to take out a subscription, or you can buy individual copies of the next issue direct. Visit www.classicmagazines.co.uk or scan the QR code below using a smartphone to take you straight there.

I hope you enjoy this issue and I welcome any comments, contributions, ideas, observations and feedback at rieditor@mortons.co.uk

Andy Coward Editor

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April 2022 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED

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ON SALE DATE: First Thursday of the month THIS ISSUE ON SALE: March 3, 2022 NEXT ISSUE ON SALE: April 7, 2022 EDITOR: Andy Coward 01507 529566 ART EDITOR: Kelvin Clements PUBLISHER: Tim Hartley PUBLISHING DIRECTOR: Dan Savage EDITORIAL ADDRESS: Railways Illustrated, Mortons Media Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle Lincs LN9 6LZ WEBSITE: www.railwaysillustrated.com EMAIL: rieditor@mortons.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS: Mark Allatt, Steve Allen, Russell Ayre, David Barnsdale, Simon Bendall, Paul Biggs, Gavin Bland, Chris Bray, Richard Clinnick, Spencer Conquest, Kevin Delaney, Steve Donald, Pip Dunn, Ian Edmondson, Terry Eyres, Robert France, Chris Gee, Dave Gilbert, Stephen Ginn, Aaron Glover, Alistair Grieve, Martyn Hilbert, Chris Hopkins, Brad Joyce, Richard Lillie, Dave McAlone, Tom McAtee, John Majka, James Mather, Tim Moran, Graham Nuttall, Scott Paddington, Keith Partlow, Bill Pizer, Brian Porter, Rob Reedman, Ian Sinclair, James Stearn, Chandler Tilling, Nigel Valentine, Andy Walters, Andrew Watts ADVERTISING ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Craig Amess 01507 529537 camess@mortons.co.uk Fiona Leak 01507 529573 fleak@mortons.co.uk GROUP ADVERTISING MANAGER: Sue Keily skeily@mortons.co.uk

Contents Regulars

3 Welcome

36 From the Front Coach

6 News

40 Pictorial

16 Fleet Review

44 The Social Side

24 Heritage News

66 Book & Product Reviews

32 What’s Happening To …

80 Railwayana

FRONT COVER: In this issue we take a look at Class 47s that have found salvation in preservation. One of two Class 47s preserved by the Brush Type 4 Fund on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is 47105, seen here approaching Chicken Curve with a Toddington to Cheltenham Racecourse service on September 10, 2006. Tom McAtee

CUSTOMER SERVICES General Queries and Back Issues 01507 529529 Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm Answerphone 24H help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazine.co.uk MORTONS MEDIA GROUP LTD SALES AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Carl Smith MARKETING MANAGER: Charlotte Park COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Nigel Hole ARCHIVE Enquiries Jane Skayman 01507 529423 jskayman@mortons.co.uk ORIGINATION AND PRINTING Printed at William Gibbons and Sons, Wolverhampton DISTRIBUTION Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PU ENQUIRIES LINE: +44(0)207 429 4000 EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS Contributions to this magazine should be clearly typed and ideally sent by email. Please contact the editor by email with any possible feature ideas before submission. Photographs submitted to Railways Illustrated are accepted on the basis that they are the copyright property of the person submitting them, or after they have received suitable permission from the copyright owner.

Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor, or publisher. © MORTONS MEDIA GROUP LTD All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Advertising deadline March 17 4 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED April 2022

48 The post-pandemic passenger railway

52 The 47s: A Class Act!

SU 46 The post-pandemic passenger railway

Richard Clinnick takes an operatorby-operator look at how the UK train fleets have changed over the past two years and looks forward to what’s still to come.

52 The 47s: A Class Act!

2022 marks the 60th anniversary of the first Class 47 taking to the British Railways network. We take a look at those members of the Class 47 fleet that survive in preservation.

74 The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

VE SA

Features

IBE AN R C D BS

60 10 Pictures: Ian Edmondson

Another fantastic selection of specially chosen photographs, with Ian Edmondson delving into his collection for this issue to pick out his favourite 10 Pictures.

68 Model Spot

Simon Bendall reviews the two OO gauge models that have been produced by Bachmann to remember the Freightconnection Class 90s.

74 The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

Andy Coward visits the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in Derbyshire to find out about its rapid rise to become one of the country’s leading heritage railways and its plans for the future.

A subscri ption to offers gre at saving s on the price. Se cover e pages 2 2 and 23 for detail s.

Why not take out a subscription?

The easiest and cheapest way to get your copy of Railways Illustrated each month is to take out a subscription. Full details are on page 22-23. At the moment, a subscription by Direct Debit means you will beat any price rises, you usually receive the magazine earlier than the onsale date, and you won’t miss an issue.

THIS PAGE: Now consigned to the history books following the class’s withdrawal by South Western Railway in January, Class 456 EMU 456008, along with another Class 456 unit and a Class 455, pass Norbury Park, south of Leatherhead with a service for Dorking on September 27, 2021. James Stearn

NEWS

c2c tops Transport Focus rail passenger survey

TRAIN OPERATOR c2c has come out on top in an online Transport Focus rail passenger survey.

The independent transport users’ watchdog surveyed 5086 passengers across the country over 12 weeks between October 27, 2021 and January 30, 2022.

Passengers rated how satisfied they were with their overall journey, how punctual their service was, the value for money of their ticket, and a number of Covid-related safety measures.

Punctuality and reliability were highlighted as the most important factors to the majority of participants, with the level of crowding on board trains coming in next.

The national satisfaction scores were taken for the period from January 26-30, with 377 passenger surveyed, and the train operating company results judged over the 12-week period.

The survey showed that commuters are almost as satisfied with their journey as leisure passengers, with the data indicating that less crowded trains are improving the commuter experience. The easing of coronavirus restrictions are likely to see peak time crowding increase, although indications are that it will take some time before commuter travel returns to pre-pandemic levels. c2c came in at 95% for satisfied passengers, followed by London Northwestern Railway at 94%, with Great Northern, East Midlands Railway, and Merseyrail all achieving a result of 91%. LNER and London Overground both achieved 90%.

Operators at the foot of the table for passenger satisfaction were West Midlands Railway at 78% and Southern at 80%.

All other passenger operators came in with scores of between 83% and 89%.

In terms of punctuality and reliac2c managing director Ben Ackroyd bility of the services, those surveyed said: “At c2c we strive to provide our were most satisfied with Merseyrail customers with the punctual and reliat 94%, followed by c2c at 91% able service they expect from us. and Chiltern Railways at 89%. The “That’s why we’re extremely proud lowest results were achieved by West these statistics show that c2c continMidlands Railway and Southern, both ues to perform strongly across all achieving a score of 73%, with Trans- metrics. port for Wales at 75%.

“This is only possible through the For the level of crowding, c2c daily dedication and hard work of all again ranked as the best (82%), with the team at c2c.”

Merseyrail scoring well with 81% and Transport Focus’s chief execuThameslink at 80%. tive, Anthony Smith, commented: At the other end of the table, West “Passengers tell us that their top Midlands Railway scored 64%, which priority is rail services that they can was matched by Transport for Wales, depend on. with CrossCountry ranked 66%.

“Our latest survey results show a Obviously, as with all surveys, they punctual, reliable service will be key are a snapshot of experiences and to attracting people back to the railmay not represent the opinions and way as restrictions ease. views of others who weren’t included, “Frequent services with enough but they do provide the industry and space on board to meet passenger train operators with an overall view demand and fares that are good as to how it is viewed by users of the value for money will help ensure rail services. is an attractive option.”

Vivarail to supply Fast Charge Class 230 for GWR GREAT WESTERN Railway (GWR) is to trial battery-charging technology on its Greenford branch line, following the signing of a deal with Vivarail.

‘Fast Charge’ equipment will be installed at West Ealing later this year and the technology will be tested with Vivarail’s battery-only Class 230 train, which was demonstrated at COP26 in Glasgow last year. The trial will be the first time that the fast-charging equipment has been introduced into an operational setting.

The Vivarail Class 230 has a range of up to 62 miles on battery power, but in tests it has been found that the train can be recharged in just 10 minutes using the Fast Charge equipment. When the train arrives at a station, it connects automatically to the Fast Charge and the batteries receive charge while the train is being prepared for its next journey.

The trial is supported by £2.15 million funding from the Department for Transport’s Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline. The development of the Fast Charge technology has also received funding from Innovate UK. GWR managing director Mark Hopwood said: “This is underlines our commitment to reduce the carbon emissions of our train fleet with a view to removing all dieselonly traction from the network by 2040, in line with the Government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan.

Vivarail is to supply a Class 230 battery train to GWR, along with its Fast Charge technology for use on the Greenford branch from West Ealing in a trial that will start later this year. GWR

“We are looking forward to working with our rail industry colleagues over the coming months to be able to rigorously test this battery train and charger on the Greenford branch line.”

Vivarail managing director Steve McBride said: “Spearheading new green technology for rail is Vivarail’s forte, so I am delighted that we are

6 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED April 2022

working with Great Western Railway on this demonstration of battery traction and automatic fast charging.

“The Greenford to West Ealing line will now lead the UK in bringing in new emission-free battery electric trains combined with our world-leading charging system.

“Battery technology has been identified as a key part of the network’s

solution to reach Net Zero and it is the ability of our charging system that provides the key to replacing diesel trains.

“I believe it will mark a step-change in showing the innovation within our industry.

“The support from GWR, Network Rail and the DfT to get this under way has been phenomenal.” www.railwaysillustrated.co.uk

NEWS

DB Cargo’s 66160 passes Barrow upon Trent hauling 6X13, the 03.50 Dollands Moor Sidings to Toton North Yard Toyota service, on January 21, 2022. Steve Donald

Totota automotive trains launched from Toton THE LONG-AWAITED movement of Toyota cars from Toton to Dollands Moor and on through the Channel Tunnel commenced on January 19.

DB Cargo has invested £2.6 million at the Nottinghamshire depot to turn the former training area into a secure vehicle storage compound with loading and unloading facilities. This will see Derby-built Corolla hybrids

exported to the company’s plant at Onnaing, near Valenciennes, in France, as well as to the Czech Republic with the Yaris and Aygo models imported in return. Up to three trains a week are planned, each carrying up to 230 vehicles, with DB and Euro Cargo Rail providing the traction.

The flow is using newly-overhauled IPA double-deck cartic wagons, which

have received deck modifications in order to carry larger vehicles, as well as revised side protection screens and a repaint in the Groupe CAT dark blue livery, some of this work having been carried out by Arlington Fleet Services.

The inaugural and short-formed 6X11 06.58 Toton to Dollands Moor working was headed by 66183 and featured four-element sets 23 87

4375 007-3, 019-8 and 020-6, along with twin-sets 23 87 4392 692-1 and 714-3, these all being examples that had been refurbished at Eastleigh.

DB held a launch event at Toton on February 22, just after this issue of Railways Illustrated closed for press. More information on this event and the new loading and unloading facility will be published in the next issue.

SLC Operations looks to recruit qualified drivers SLC OPERATIONS has launched a recruitment campaign to attract qualified train drivers to join the Birmingham-based train operator as the company celebrates its second anniversary and looks to double its team to more than 40.

The company was formed in February 2020 by former Chiltern Railways senior managers Cath Bellamy, Adrian Shooter and Ian Walters, and offers a wide range of services to the rail industry, such as train driver and guard hire, operations training, instructor hire and rail vehicle introduction and acceptance, and rolling stock collection and delivery.

The company is seeking five fully-qualified depot drivers and two fully-qualified main line drivers to be based in the London area, along with seven fully-qualified main line drivers to be based in the West Midlands.

The successful candidates will be given the opportunity to develop their careers further, with depot drivers given the chance to train to become main line drivers and already-qualified main line drivers the chance to become driver instructors with the operator. The company www.railwaysillustrated.co.uk

is offering salaries of £62,000 for fully-qualified drivers joining them.

SLC Operations managing director Cath Bellamy said: “We set out with a vision to become a market leader in the provision of railway operational support and safety-critical training.

“Our first two years have been really successful and we are well on the way, with big plans for the future.

“The role of the train driver has never been more important and forms a core role in our business. As such, we’re looking not just to fill new vacancies, but also offering people the chance of a rewarding career and self-development within a fast-moving business.”

SLC Operations was awarded its non-passenger operating licence within its first 12 months. In that first year the company operated more than 1000 trains. A passenger operating licence was granted in October 2021, as the company looked to expand its operations.

It also operated The Rail Academy, a specialist train driver training provider, offering driver, train crew and instructor training and route familiarisation services.

The first of four consecutive weekend closures of the West of England Main Line between Exeter and Plymouth took place on February 5/6, 2022, with the Saturday coinciding with a fourth round FA Cup tie between League One Plymouth Argyle and European Champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Work was undertaken at several locations over that weekend, principally at Dawlish and near Tavistock Junction. GB Railfreight 66738 Huddersfield Town hauls a load of fresh ballast destined for the Tavistock Junction worksite, having just passed through Whiteball Tunnel with the 08.28 Westbury to Exeter St Thomas on February, 2022. Russell Ayre

April 2022 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED 7

NEWS

Chiltern’s HybridFLEX Class 168 enters service

CHILTERN RAILWAYS (CR) has launched 168329 as the first member of its diesel fleet to be converted into a HybridFLEX as the operator seeks to reduce emissions from its fleet.

The Class 168, which is owned by Porterbrook and has been fitted with a Rolls-Royce mtu hybrid power pack, entered passenger service with the operator on February 10, taking invited guests and fare-paying passengers from London Marylebone to Aylesbury. The train operated with its diesel engine running and in battery-operating mode throughout the 40-mile journey.

The power pack pairs a diesel engine with an electric unit that can function both as a motor and a generator. The technology brings a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions on every journey, while nitrogen oxide

and other pollutants are also cut by 70% and 90% respectively. The battery system stores power that is recovered during train braking.

CR says the train substantially cuts fuel usage and reduces noise by up to 75% in and around stations and urban areas. The train is believed to be the first in the country fitted with similar technology able to operate at speeds of up to 100mph.

CR managing director Richard Allan welcomed guests at Marylebone station, saying: “We believe that this HybridFLEX is the first 100mph battery train in the country.

“It has been about four years in the making and has been created from a strong partnership between Chiltern, Porterbrook, Rolls-Royce, Gemini and others to take it from concept to the finished train now in service.

“It offers a huge potential for Chiltern and the railway as a whole.

“The battery runs really quietly and HybridFLEX is 25% more fuel efficient as a train and has potential to be faster than the other diesel trains in our fleet.

“We look forward to monitoring how the train performs in service over the next year.”

Councillor Tim Mitchell, from Westminster City Council, also welcomed the introduction of the new train.

He said: “Marylebone is the only station in central London which, until today, receives diesel-only trains and we know how important the launch is for the residents who have been advocating for clean air in their community for many years.

“It’s wonderful to see what we hope will be the first of many hybrid trains

running from the station, and the de-carbonisation of our railway will ensure not only quieter trains, but also that the air our residents breathe is cleaner too.”

Porterbrook chief executive officer Mary Grant added: “The entry of our hybrid battery-diesel train HybridFLEX into passenger service is great news for Chiltern Railways and its customers.

“It’s a significant first step in demonstrating how improvements to this fleet can reduce emissions and improve air quality both at stations and other locations across the network.

“HybridFLEX is part of Porterbrook’s growing portfolio of alternative traction systems that are designed to help deliver a more sustainable railway.”

Our Verdict Railways Illustrated was invited to the launch event for the HybridFLEX on February 10 for the inaugural passenger journey of the train between London Marylebone and Aylesbury.

The operator plans to mainly use the adapted train on the Aylesbury route, although it is expected to find use on other lines across Chiltern’s network.

The train is smart and has been given a distinctive vinyl wrap, so there is no mistaking which member of the fleet has been used to trial the technology.

In normal operating situations the train is supposed to use its batteries for departing and arriving at stations, with the diesel engine normally kicking in once the train is away from station environments.

The train’s performance was impressive, with generally smooth braking and acceleration.

It is incredibly quiet when operated using its batteries.

Chiltern says 168329 will be tested for a year, and the operator is also due to operate trials of a HydroFLEX train from its fleet, using Hydrogen technology, with work on the conversion of a Class 165 from the Chiltern fleet (165004) currently progressing.

The results of the two trains will be analysed and will hopefully allow Chiltern to settle on whichever technology provides the best results for itself, as well as its passengers and also residents who live close to Chiltern’s stations.

ABOVE: Chiltern Railways managing director Richard Allan celebrates the launch of HybridFLEX 168329 at London Marylebone, highlighting one of the main motivations behind the project. Andy Coward

RIGHT: The first 100mph battery diesel HybridFLEX unit, 168329, stands at Aylesbury on February 10, having earlier worked its first passengercarrying service from London Marylebone.

The unit is adorned with a vinyl wrap celebrating its new technology.

Andy Coward

8 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED April 2022

www.railwaysillustrated.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF Northern is offering a reward of £1000 for information leading to conviction after a driver was injured by a brick thrown at one of their trains at 10pm on February 4. The incident happened as the train was travelling towards Clifton. The brick smashed the windscreen and shards of glass hit the driver in the face. The driver is recovering at home, and British Transport Police is investigating the incident.

Cappagh-liveried 60028 departs from Leicester hauling Europhoenix-owned Class 91 electric locomotives 91117 and 91120, working 0Q91 from Leicester to Barrow Hill on February 3, 2022. 91117 will be used to donate some components to aid the main line return of 89001. Rob Reedman

Europhoenix Class 91 to aid 89001 return TWO CLASS 91s belonging to spothire locomotive supplier Europhoenix have been moved from UK Rail Leasing’s Leicester depot to Barrow Hill in Derbyshire, with one destined to supply parts required for the reactivation of unique Class 89 AC electric locomotive 89001 Avocet, which is owned by the AC Locomotive Group (ACLG) and due to go on hire to Locomotive Services Ltd (LSL).

Europhoenix owns 91117 and 91120, which were originally set to be exported for use in Hungary in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic created a turndown in traffic that meant the two locomotives were not moved abroad as planned. They have remained at Leicester for the

past two years in a state of abeyance, although Europhoenix managing director Glenn Edwards is hopeful that one or both of the Class 91s will eventually be exported.

The pair will be stored at Barrow Hill pending developments on their future.

Mr Edwards, who is also heavily involved in the ACLG, told Railways Illustrated that he planned to remove some components from 91117 to aid the reactivation of 89001, but that all of the parts required were capable of being replaced if required. 91120 will remain complete in case the opportunity arises for it to be exported.

It was announced in December that LSL would fund the outstanding

works required to return 89001 to main line service, after which it will be operated by LSL for five years. The work required to recertify the Class 89 for main line use is largely being overseen by the ACLG at Barrow Hill, and it is currently unknown when it will be moved to LSL’s base at Crewe.

Europhoenix is also working on the return to main line use of Mirrlees-engine fitted 37901 Mirrlees Pioneer.

It had originally been hoped that the locomotive would be ready for service last autumn, but a number of unforeseen issues have had to be sorted.

Mr Edwards was hopeful that the Class 37 will return to the main line in the near future.

Ex-Merseyrail driver guilty following Kirkby accident FORMER MERSEYRAIL train driver Phillip Hollis has pleaded guilty to endangering the safety of passengers, in a hearing at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on February 8.

Mr Hollis was driving a Merseyrail service from Liverpool Central to Kirkby on March 13, 2021, when the train collided with the buffer stop at the end of the platform. It derailed and came to a rest beneath a bridge, causing extensive damage to the train and the station platform which separates Merseyrail and Northern’s regional services. The lead unit of the train, 507006, was written off and has since been scrapped. Thankfully, only minor injuries were suffered by the 12 passengers and guard travelling on the train.

The accident was investigated separately by the Rail Accident www.railwaysillustrated.co.uk

Investigation Branch and British Transport Police (BTP), but the prosecution of Mr Hollis was brought about by BTP after mobile phone analysis showed he had been using WhatsApp less than 30 seconds before the crash occurred.

BTP said the Network Rail speed limit for the approach to Kirkby is 15mph but the train had been approaching at 40mph – almost three times the speed limit. Examination of the train’s on-train data recorder showed that Mr Hollis had applied the emergency brakes but too late to stop the train in time.

He initially told police his bag had fallen off a cupboard in the cab and he’d stood up to retrieve it, along with a bottle of Lucozade, before sitting back down and seeing the buffers approaching. However, mobile phone analysis showed he had sent

a WhatsApp message 26 seconds before the crash. When interviewed again by detectives, Mr Hollis admitted his phone should have been turned off in the cab.

BTP Detective Chief Inspector Steve May said: “This was a complex investigation but we could be confident from our analysis that Hollis was using his phone in the seconds before crashing the train into Kirby station at high speed. I have no doubt that this will have caused him to become distracted while driving, endangering the safety of the passengers and staff on board. It was only through sheer luck that they weren’t seriously injured or worse as a result of this incredibly dangerous incident.”

Mr Hollis was dismissed by Merseyrail in September 2021 and will be sentenced at a later date.

Alstom completed the refurbishment of Class 390 Pendolino 390125 at its Widnes facility in early February. This is the first member of the operator’s 56 Class 390 trains to go through the extensive rebuilding programme. It is expected that 390125 will now undergo testing and maintenance exams before re-entering service on the West Coast Main Line. 390123 is the second Pendolino to undergo refurbishment by Alstom at Widnes.

LNER has launched an international website to make travel simpler for overseas passengers. Ten countries including China, Japan, Spain, South Korea and Italy are among the first to benefit when booking directly online. The operator’s new website offers international customers in those countries an option to purchase train tickets using their language and currency.

South Western Railway is expanding its Welcome Hosts scheme, with passengers soon able to purchase tickets from the hosts at Southampton, Basingstoke, Salisbury, and Richmond. The operator’s Welcome Hosts have a designated area which customers can see as they enter SWR stations, and are available to provide support at selected stations on Mondays to Saturdays.

Prostate Cancer UK is displaying The Prostate Cancer Memorial at Nottingham station until April 18. The 10ft mirrored steel pyramid is being displayed with the support of East Midlands Railway. The memorial is a celebration for husbands, dads, uncles, and grandads lost to prostate cancer and features about 450 engravings.

People are able to purchase an engraving to celebrate a life of a loved one who has been lost to the disease.

April 2022 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED 9

NEWS

Competition launched to decide GBR headquarters

Which town or city will become the home to Great British Railways? The competition aims to base its new headquarters in a place with strong links with the railway. Such a city in the East Midlands is Derby, as viewed from a drone on January 30, showing the Railway Technical Centre and Derby Etches Park Depot. Steve Donald

THE GOVERNMENT has launched a competition to decide which town or city will become the new home for the headquarters of Great British Railways (GBR).

The creation of GBR was announced as part of the Williams-Shapps Review published last year. The Government is keen to establish a base for the organisation away from London as part of its aims to ‘level up’ the UK, and will bring a number of highly-skilled jobs to the winning

location. Additionally, it is anticipated that local economies will be boosted by a number of new regional headquarters across the country.

Locations with strong historical links to the railway are being encouraged to state why they believe they should be the new home of GBR. The GBR Transition Team will shortlist the best applications in May, after which a public vote will determine the winner. Applications will be measured against six criteria: their

alignment to the Government’s Levelling Up objectives; how well connected and easy to get to they are; what opportunities the location represents for Great British Railways; the railway heritage of the location and links to the rail network; value for money; and the level of public support.

Speaking about the competition, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Our railways have kept this country moving for almost 200 years

but it’s time to kick-start a new age that will shape our network for the next 200.

“I’m calling on people across the country to make the case for why the true home of the railways is on your doorstep.”

Leader of the Great British Railways transition team, Andrew Haines, added: “This is the chance for cities and towns across the UK to pitch to be a key part of an exciting chapter in the history of Britain’s railway.”

Network Rail repairs damaged trackbed at Haddiscoe in under a week following washout TRAIN SERVICES were returned to the Norwich to Lowestoft line on February 5 – less than a week after part of an embankment and trackbed were washed away at Haddiscoe.

The damage was discovered on January 30 when a Greater Anglia service, being worked by Stadler bi-mode Flirt 755331, was brought to a stand by its driver, who noticed what had happened to the trackbed, leaving the track suspended in mid-air.

Network Rail stated that high tides, combined with a surge created by high winds, had led to part of the original embankment and ballast supporting the tracks to be washed

away. No one on board the train was injured in the incident, and all passengers and staff were safely evacuated from the stricken unit.

Train services were diverted onto the East Suffolk Line.

The front end of the train was left standing rather precariously on the unsupported trackwork and had to be carefully removed by engineers before work on repairing the damage was carried out.

Up to 500 tonnes of rock and ballast were used to reinstate the damaged embankment, with the track replaced in time for train services to begin on February 5, just one week after the damage occurred.

10 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED April 2022

A close-up image showing the washed away embankment and formation at Haddiscoe on January 30, with the front bogie of Greater Anglia’s 755331 resting on the unsupported track. Network Rail

Less than a week after the embankment and trackbed were washed away, Network Rail engineers have replaced the embankment using 500 tonnes of rocks. Work is nearing completion in this view, with just the ballast and track to be reinstated.

The Norwich to Lowestoft line was reopened on February 5. Network Rail

www.railwaysillustrated.co.uk

NEWS

Planning application submitted for NR’s new Forth Bridge Experience NETWORK RAIL has submitted a planning application to City of Edinburgh Council for revised proposals to install a bridge walk and visitor hub at the Forth Bridge.

The proposal includes a single-storey reception hub to the east of the iconic bridge, sympathetically positioned in the landscape and offering stunning views of the Forth Bridge while minimising the impact on the surrounding environment.

The submission of a full planning application follows a public engagement exercise in autumn 2021 to gather feedback from residents which helped to inform the final designs.

The proposal would see the construction of a bridge walk and reception hub on the South Queensferry side of the UNESCO World Heritage site, to be used for preparing those heading out on the bridge walk, as well as providing an access point to the structure. It is planned that groups of between 12 and 15 people

An artist’s impression of how the Forth Bridge Experience reception hub will look, located to the east of the iconic structure, which will host groups of up to 15 people for walks on the structure to a viewing point. Network Rail

will put on safety harnesses before being led out onto the bridge’s south cantilever, walking up to a viewing point at the top using walkways built into the structure.

Network Rail Scotland’s director of engineering and asset management, Alan Ross, said: “We have worked very hard over the past year to draw up revised proposals, making them

more affordable and more sympathetic to the surrounding environment without compromising the appeal of this project.

“The plan we have submitted to deliver a bridge walk experience will offer the public a unique chance to explore this world-famous structure and create another exciting tourist attraction for Scotland.”

100 trains digitally refurbished for Northern FOLLOWING THE delivery of 101 new Class 195 and Class 331 trains for Northern, the operator is now working to refurbish its older train fleet, with 100 out of 243 now complete.

The first phase of the operator’s fleet refurbishment involved repainting the trains into Northern’s blue and white livery, as well as fitting new seating, carpets and lighting.

The second phase – which has now been completed on 100 trains – is what the operator is classing as a digital refurbishment, with free RIGHT: An unidentified Avanti West Coast Class 390 Pendolino rushes south, exactly to time, through Nuneaton with the 1M07, the 06.30 Glasgow Central High Level to London Euston on January 19, 2022.

Graham Nuttall

www.railwaysillustrated.co.uk

Wi-Fi and CCTV being installed, the addition of enhanced and real-time customer information screens, and other on-board systems designed to improve the performance of the trains and their maintenance.

Additionally, USB charging sockets are being installed at every seat throughout the trains.

The 100th train to be fitted with these digital improvements was a Class 158 DMU. Northern chief operating officer Tricia Williams said: “It’s fantastic to be able to deliver these improvements to our customers and to be

able to offer fully refurbished trains with modern facilities. I am really proud to see this unit out on the network.

“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to delivering further improvements for our passengers to enjoy.

“I am grateful to our partners across the industry who have worked hard to deliver the refurbishments, and I look forward to seeing more and more refurbished carriages out and about on the network during the coming months.”

IN BRIEF Canary Wharf Elizabeth Line station has been transferred to Transport for London, which means the station can be fully integrated with the operational network ahead of the Elizabeth Line opening. Nine of the 10 central stations have now been transferred from Crossrail to TfL. Train services between Crediton and Okehampton, and Crediton and Barnstaple, were replaced by buses from February 19-27 while Network Rail completed repairs to Yeoford Bridge in Penstone.

Repairs were carried out to the steelwork and brickwork, and trackwork was renewed, as well as grit blasting and painting, water proofing, and drainage works.

Thameslink’s oldest employee, 82-year-old Siggy Cragwell, has been presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his excellent customer service by Railway Benefit Fund president Pete Waterman.

Passengers and colleagues voted in huge numbers for the Elstree & Borehamwood station assistant in the annual Heart Of Gold Awards, sponsored by Abellio Rail Replacement.

A man has been sentenced

by Westminster Magistrates’ Court to an eight-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, following the racist and homophobic verbal abuse of two Transport for London employees in June 2021. Jonathan Saber became abusive towards the staff members when he was asked to fold up his scooter while travelling on the escalator at Vauxhall station.

South Western Railway hosted a silent disco on the concourse at London Waterloo, and a mini music festival was held at Tolworth station forecourt on February 10. Both events were held to celebrate the 50th anniversary since music icon David Bowie debuted as Ziggy Stardust at the Toby Jug pub in Tolworth in 1972. They were organised by Tolworth notfor-profit group The Community Brain.

A £3 million project to make Northallerton station more accessible is underway. The Access For All scheme, funded by the Department for Transport, will see Network Rail install lifts and stairs on both platforms, replacing the existing ramps and subway.

April 2022 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED 11

NEWS

Midweek ‘Night Riviera’ is suspended for tunnel work

GREAT WESTERN Railway’s (GWR) Night Riviera sleeper services have been suspended every Monday to Thursday until mid-March while Network Rail constructs a 209m rockfall shelter extension north of Parson’s Tunnel, Devon.

The line between Exeter St Davids and Teignmouth has been closed overnight Monday-Thursday from January 24 until March 17 inclusive.

The temporary suspension only affects midweek services and the Night Riviera continues to run as usual on Friday and Sunday nights.

The rockfall shelter is an extension of Parson’s Tunnel, designed to protect the railway line from rocks falling from the cliff face above, which Network Rail identified as a growing risk.

The infrastructure company says that while there is temporary mitigation to this problem currently in place, the work being carried out will provide additional and permanent protection.

It forms part of the South West Rail Resilience Programme, which aims to protect the vital rail artery to the south west, helping to ensure reliable train services in the future.

Engineers working on the project identified that the condition of the ground in the area is not suitable to carry out piling works from the side of the railway. Therefore, all piling must be done by a specialist piling rig from the track itself.

GWR’s managing director, Mark Hopwood, said: “Our Night Riviera is extremely popular and provides an important link between London and Devon and Cornwall, and we are sorry for the disruption that this vital engineering work will cause.

“The rockfall shelter extension is a key piece of work that in the long run

The GWR Night Riviera service is not operating on weekdays between January 24 and March 17 due to overnight engineering work. After clearing the summit at Whiteball, GWR’s 57604 Pendennis Castle passes Eastbrook on January 31 during the second week of daytime Night Riviera sleeper ECS moves, running as 5C99, the 11.00 Reading Traincare Depot to Penzance. Daytime operation of the sleeper stock is relatively uncommon, but these ECS moves are taking place because the stock needs to be moved between depots for servicing. Stephen Ginn

will greatly improve the reliability of train services in the future.

“We always work with Network Rail to minimise the impact of its work on our customers.

“Traditionally, this might mean looking at reducing services at weekends to accommodate the extra work.

“However, with a reduced number of customers using this service at present due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this weekday overnight work will cause the least disruption.”

He added: “We look forward to this phase of the work being completed and restoring the world-famous Night

Riviera sleeper service back to full operation.”

The first midweek sleeper following the end of this phase of the works is scheduled to operate on Monday March 21. For more information, visit: www.gwr.com/travelling-with-us/ night-riviera-sleeper

IN BRIEF The team working on a project to transform the Grade II-listed railway goods shed at Llanelli into a flagship social enterprise and community hub – which will become a multiuse facility addressing social, economic, environmental and cultural issues – has been boosted by a grant of almost £16,000 from train operator GWR. The funding awarded to the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust has come from GWR’s Communities and Education Programme.

Operated by Locomotive Services Ltd, preserved main line-registered Class 40, D213 Andania hauls Harry Needle Railroad Company’s recently acquired former Direct Rail Services’ 20309, 20308, 20312 and 37703 through Kiveton Park, working 0Z78, the 13.50 Barrow Hill LIP to Worksop Down Yard on January 31. Gavin Bland

12 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED April 2022

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