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Issue 235 September 2022
Galas Galore The best summer diesel event highlights in pictures
Model Spot
Detailing Heljan’s Class 33s
PLUS DRS welcomes visitors to Gresty Bridge Open Day East Lancashire Railway’s Buckley Wells project West Lancashire Line: Preston to Ormskirk profiled The Class 57s: Past, present and future
DRS to sell 10 Class 37s on leaseback arrangement
Welcome to Railways Illustrated
Thanks for a great first year T
his issue marks a year since I first took over as your editor of Railways Illustrated, with the September 2021 issue being the first one under my stewardship. Although I previously spent more than 15 years contributing news stories and features to various railway titles, the vast majority of my professional working life was in light rail operations in the modern tramway industry. Becoming editor and following in the footsteps of Colin Marsden, Pip Dunn and Mark Nicholls was always going to be daunting task, and it was a brave move for both myself and publisher Mortons Media Group, which put its faith in me – but what a fantastic first year it’s been. With remote working now well-established in the publishing world, working mainly at home (apart from when I am invited to various industry events and to meet people in connection with features) took a bit of getting used to, having spent so much of my career in busy, active control rooms and offices surrounded by great people working together to get the job done. However, with Railways Illustrated I need not have worried, as even though we mostly work in separate places, I am surrounded by some great professional people who contribute so much towards making the magazine a success. Our main contributing team of writers assisting me each month is Simon Bendall, Richard Clinnick, Pip Dunn and Andrew Watts, not forgetting former steam news correspondent Mel Holley and the much-missed Alistair Grieve, who have also made valuable contributions over the past year. As well as our writers, I am also extremely grateful to our dedicated band of regular and occasional photographic contributors who help to put the ‘Illustrated’ into Railways Illustrated. At this point I must also acknowledge the brilliant behind-the-scenes team at Mortons who are equally as important in bringing the magazine to you each month, including our talented team of designers, headed by Kelvin Clements, who make it look so vibrant and attractive each month, our fantastic production editor Lucy Wood, and the advertising team of Fiona Leak and Craig Amess, who also make such a valuable contribution to making Railways Illustrated a success. As with many people who have adjusted to home working in the wake of the Covid-19 era, I now realise that you don’t need to all be together in one room to get the job done. The important thing is the calibre of those surrounding you – and I’m fortunate in having one of the best teams I could have ever wished for. I salute you all and thank you for your efforts.
Over the past year I have been privileged to meet some truly dedicated and committed people who care deeply and passionately about our railways. It has been fantastic to meet and speak to so many like-minded people in the rail industry – both on the national railway and on our heritage lines – who are always so enthusiastic about what they do. There can be few industries that invoke such passion and pride from those involved in them. I have also been honoured to have been invited to some fantastic events over the last year that show what a varied and interesting sector the railways still are. While these visits are an essential part of my job, it is something I will never take for granted and I realise how lucky I am to be able to see some aspects of the railway that many enthusiasts would love to witness for themselves. Despite the many challenges facing the industry over the coming months and years, life on the railway is never boring and we will continue to be at the forefront of reporting on this fascinating industry.
In this issue...
As ever, we have a packed issue of Railways Illustrated for you this month. As well as all the latest news and images from around the national rail network and our of heritage railways, we have, as ever, some excellent features which I hope you will enjoy. The East Lancashire Railway is the heritage line where I spent many years as a volunteer in my younger years – a line I know very well. I grew up just four miles down the road from Bury, so it was great to be able to head ‘home’ to the ELR for this issue of the magazine to discover what the railway has planned for redeveloping its huge restoration and maintenance site at Buckley Wells. While there are still a number of obstacles to overcome before work on the various phases of the project can get underway – none more so than securing significant levels of funding, what the railway and their officials have planned for the Buckley Wells site is truly impressive, with restoration of the Grade II-listed 1856-vintage Locomotive Works building central to their plans. Sticking with the Lancashire theme, author and photographer Martyn Hilbert returns with the latest of his route profile features. This month he takes a look at the West Lancashire Line, which runs from Preston to Ormskirk. As with Martyn’s previous features for Railways Illustrated, his words are accompanied by his excellent photography of the route. Over the past couple of years, a growing and varied collection of rolling stock has been
assembled at Vauxhall Carriage Sidings at Great Yarmouth, under the auspices of Eastern Rail Services. The company is regularly mentioned in these pages when vehicles are being moved to or from Great Yarmouth. This issue, Richard Clinnick has been to meet those responsible for ERS to find out more about the company and its growing fleet. It’s a fascinating look at a company that normally keeps a relatively low profile. Our 10 Pictures comes from another name that is familiar to regular readers of Railways Illustrated. North West-based photographer and enthusiast Steve Sienkiewicz has delved into his collection to bring us his favourite 10 pictures, which have been taken over a period of more than four decades. Again, it is another stunning and atmospheric collection of images that capture the spirit of our railways so well.
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Get in touch
As ever, if you have any feedback, comments, constructive criticism, or ideas for something you would like to see in a future issue of the magazine, I encourage you to get in touch. I can be contacted by email at rieditor@mortons. co.uk or to the address details overleaf on page 4. I hope you enjoy this issue.
Andy Coward Editor
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September 2022 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED
3
On Sale Date: First Thursday of the month This Issue On Sale: August 4, 2022 Next Issue On Sale: September 1, 2022 EDITOR: Andy Coward 01507 529566 ART EDITOR: Kelvin Clements PAGE DESIGNERS: Tim Pipes, Charlotte Fairman, Mike Baumber PRODUCTION EDITOR: Lucy Wood 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, Alex Ayre, Robert Batty, Simon Bendall, David Bissett, Phil Chilton, Richard Clinnick, Kevin Delaney, Steve Donald, Pip Dunn, Gordon Edgar, Ian Edmondson, Terry Eyres, Robert Falconer, Kenny Felstead, James Garthwaite, Chris Gee, Paul Hadfield, Martyn Hilbert, Chris Hopkins, Andrew Jeffery, Brad Joyce, Richard Lillie, Tom McAtee, Steve Madden, John Majka, Scott Paddington, Billy Palmer, Dean Parsons, Keith Partlow, Bill Pizer, Steve Sienkiewicz, Noel Slack, Jeremy de Souza, Jason Smith, David Staines, Henry Thomas, Chandler Tilling, Nigel Valentine, Colin Wallace, 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
18 Fleet Review
46 The Social Side
24 Heritage News
78 Book & Product Reviews
32 What’s Happening To …
80 Railwayana
FRONT COVER: After two years where the operation of major diesel events was almost impossible, the 2022 heritage modern traction gala season has seen some excellent and varied events organised across our heritage lines. During the East Lancashire Railway’s recent summer diesel event Western Region diesel-hydraulic Class 42 D832 Onslaught heads through Burrs with a Ramsbottom to Bury freight working on July 2, which also incorporated brake van rides for some of the visitors to the event. Nigel Valentine
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 Acorn Web Offset Ltd, Normanton, West Yorkshire Distribution Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PU Enquiries Line: 0207 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: August 11 4 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED September 2022
48 ELR Buckley Wells project
54 Class 57 varieties
48 Buckley Wells Redevelopment
The East Lancashire Railway is custodian of one of the oldest surviving Locomotive Works in the UK, but the 1856-vintage Baron Street Locomotive Works is crumbling and in need of extensive renovation and restoration works. Andy Coward returns to his home town to find out more about the restoration and the ELR’s plans for a major development of its Buckley Wells site.
54 57 varieties
24 years ago, the first of six Class 47s was admitted to Falcon Works in Loughborough for conversion
to a new Class 57 locomotive for Freightliner. Over the next six years a total of 33 locomotives were converted into Class 57s. Richard Clinnick looks at the history, use and possible future plans for this versatile fleet of locomotives.
60 The West Lancashire Line
Martyn Hilbert returns with another of his route profiles, this time focusing on the West Lancashire Railway, the former main line route between Preston and Ormskirk that could in the future see its status upgraded once again. As ever, Martyn’s feature is illustrated with a great selection of his photography taken on the line.
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60 West Lancashire Line
For this month’s 10 Pictures feature, we are treated to another outstanding collection of images spanning almost five decades, courtesy of the lens of North West-based photographer and regular Railways Illustrated contributor Steve Sienkiewicz.
72 Model Spot
This month Simon Bendall explains how he detailed and weathered a trio of Heljan Class 33s to produce some realistic looking models for a 1980s-themed model railway layout.
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THIS PAGE: Rail Operations Group operated 37601 Perseus and 37608 Andromeda haul 91128 INTERCITY 50 and 91122 on their final journey from Crewe South Yard to Sims Metals at Newport for scrapping on June 29, with the ensemble pictured heading through Croome in Worcestershire. The two former LNER Class 91s were latterly used by DATS in connection with the testing of the southern section of the Midland Main Line electrification scheme. Chandler Tilling
NEWS
Summer heatwave causes widespread disruption
THE UK rail network was extensively disrupted by the heatwave which hit the country in mid-July, with scores of services cancelled and Network Rail staff working hard to keep the railway open, as track and overhead electrification infrastructure struggled to cope with the record-breaking temperatures. With weather forecasters predicting the extreme temperatures well in advance, train operators and Network Rail were able to offer guidance to passengers well in advance of the two days when temperatures
were expected to peak on July 18-19, just before this issue of Railways Illustrated closed for press. In the UK we are more used to weather disruption on the railway related to storm damage, usually in the winter, but with temperatures recorded at over 40°C on July 19, Network Rail and train operators were forced to implement slower speed limits across the network, while some key routes –such as the southern section of East Coast Main Line between York, Leeds and London – were closed altogether
during the hottest part of the day. However, many of those services that were operated suffered delays and disruption, with Network Rail issuing ‘do not travel’ travel advice to intending passengers. Rail staff dealt with a number of incidents throughout the two days, with instances of buckled rails, overhead line damage, lineside fires and power failures all reported. On July 19 all services between London Euston and Milton Keynes were cancelled following a lineside fire which brought a tree down onto
overhead lines at Harrow, while services were also disrupted at Birmingham New Street following an overhead line fault. Many other parts of the rail network were also severely affected by track and overhead line faults. From July 20, temperatures across the country dropped to more usual summer levels, but a number of routes were still subject to delays and disruptions, as inspections and repairs were carried out to those sections of line that had been affected over the previous two days.
On July 13, Boden Rail Engineering Ltd’s 50050 Fearless cruises across the impressive Smardale viaduct, while hauling1Z50, the Vintage Trains ‘Cumbrian Mountaineer’ charter from Tyseley to Carlisle. Ian Edmondson
Six vie to become home to the new GBR headquarters MEMBERS OF the public have until August 15 to vote for the city that they would like to see become the home of the new Great British Railways headquarters, after the list of towns and cities bidding was narrowed down to six under the second phase of the scheme. Chosen to be put to a public vote
have been Birmingham, Crewe, Derby, Doncaster, Newcastle and York, these being the places which were announced on July 5 as making it to the next stage of the competition. The Secretary of State for Transport will make the final decision later this year, considering all elements of the process, including the
6 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED September 2022
following factors: ■ Great British Railways Transition Team’s assessment of the applicants’ Expressions Of Interest against the selection criteria ■ Understanding gained from visits (as is relevant to the selection criteria) ■ The result of the public vote
■ Other public duties (such as managing public money). 42 towns and cities around the UK originally expressed an interest in becoming home to the new GBR headquarters under the first phase of the competition. Votes can be made at https://gbrtt. co.uk/hq-competition-public-vote/ . www.railwaysillustrated.co.uk
NEWS
Rail strikes escalate as ASLEF and TSSA unions vote to take action FURTHER WIDESPREAD rail strikes were due to take place after this issue of Railways Illustrated went to print, as the RMT announced another three days of strike action, with the ASLEF and TSSA unions also instructing their members to go out on strike. The industrial dispute between the RMT union, Network Rail and 13 train operating companies – Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, c2c, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway, LNER, Northern, Southeastern, South Western Railway, TransPennine Express and West Midlands Railway – saw three days of strike action on June 21, 23 and 25 (Railways Illustrated 234), causing a significant reduction in services on the strike days and disruptions and cancellations to timetables on the non-strike days of the same week. Despite ongoing discussions, agreement has still not been reached in the dispute that centres around pay, changes to working conditions and protecting rail staff from the threat of redundancy. The RMT announced a further strike
The scene at London Victoria station on the second day of the RMT strikes on June 23, with the usually busy terminal deserted. The picture was taken at 17.12, when crowds of rush hour passengers would usually fill the station. Nigel Valentine
on July 27 – on the eve of the start of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games – with two more strike days set to take place on August 18 and 20. Additionally ASLEF has now also called on its members to strike in a pay dispute, with members working at eight train operating companies – Arriva Rail London, Chiltern Railways, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway, Hull Trains, LNER, Southeastern and West Midlands Trains – set to walk out
on July 30. The strike, which involves train driving staff is expected to be more disruptive than the RMT strikes. Meanwhile, members of the TSSA union have voted for strike action at Network Rail, LNER, c2c, East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, in station grades at Avanti West Coast and for action short of a strike at West Midlands Trains, Northern, Greater Anglia and TransPennine Express.
‘The Lackenby Looper’ raises another £18,000 for Martin House THE ONGOING partnership between the Branch Line Society and Network Rail staff has seen at least £18,000 raised from the operation of another ambitious charity fundraising charter, with the proceeds donated towards Martin House Hospice in Wetherby. ‘The Lackenby Looper’ – which took place on July 9 – is the fifth train to be organised by York-based Network Rail controller Jerry Dickinson, working alongside Kev Adlam from the Branch Line Society and route freight manager Mark Bridel. The operation of the five charters run to date has raised just under £200,000 for the children’s hospice, with the organising team aiming to exceed a target of £250,000 for the charity. The charters began in 2018 following the death of 11 year old Luca Pezzolu, the son of one of the York Control staff who had been born severely disabled and with a life limiting illness. ‘The Lackenby Looper’ was operated with the cooperation from DB Cargo, Network Rail and Freightliner, with the operators providing a range of locomotives that had rarely, or never, worked a passenger train. The almost-full train left Doncaster behind Freightliner duo 70016 and www.railwaysillustrated.co.uk
London Overground’s 2.8 mile extension to Barking Riverside is opened A NEW 2.8 mile extension of the London Overground Gospel Oak route from Barking to serve a new regeneration development at Barking Riverside was opened by Transport for London from July 18. The extension allows travel between Barking and Barking Riverside by train in seven minutes, as opposed to a 25 minute bus journey. Four trains per hour will be operated, providing Barking Riverside with connections to the District and Hammersmith & City lines into central London and c2c at Barking. The new extension and stepfree access station at Barking Riverside have been completed ahead of the projected completion date of autumn, with TfL stating the early completion was due to good progress being achieved in driver training on the extension and support from Network Rail in applying the finishing touches. The Barking Riverside development is a key regeneration project delivering over 10,000 new homes along with community, commercial and retail space. The extension and station will improve connectivity to the area, helping residents and visitors using public transport travel quicker and easily.
GB Railfreight and Freightliner Intermodal collision at Doncaster
DB Cargo’s 60092 and 66198 work 5Z64 the Middlesbrough to Tees Yard section of ‘The Lackenby Looper’ Martin House Hospice charity fundraising train on July 9. Alex Ayre
66955, with DB Cargo’s 66010 on the rear. After arrival at Tees Yard the Freightliner locomotives made way for 60092, which hauled the train to Hartlepool Pipe Mill, with the Class 60 travelling into the depths of the 20in mill until reaching the buffer stops inside the mill. The train then visited Lackenby, where not only was an industrial shunter is use to haul tour participants within the terminal, but 66010 was swapped for 66198, which would remain with the train until its return to Doncaster later in the day.
Following a break at Middlesbrough for the stock to be serviced at Tees, 66094 replaced 60092 for a visit to Redcar Bulk terminal, before 66198 took the train back to Doncaster. Sadly, just before the latest tour operated, Luca Pezzolu’s mum Charlotte, who had been an active supporter of the fundraising tours, died at the age of 45 after suffering an incurable brain tumour, with Mr Dickinson describing her as: “A brave and courageous lady whose legacy will be more of these trains to support a simply fantastic charity.”
AN INVESTIGATION is underway into a collision near Doncaster that saw a GB Railfreight operated intermodal train run into the rear of a stationary Freightliner service on July 5. The accident happened on the single-track section of line at Lovershall Carr Junction when GBRf’s 4E11 from Felixstowe to Masborough intermodal working, hauled by 66729 Derby County, collided with Freightliner’s 4E82 Felixstowe to Tinsley which was stationary on the line at the time of the incident. The accident led to 66729 hitting a number of containers on the rear of 4E82, with the Class 66 derailed and extensive damage to those containers it collided with. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch confirmed investigators had attended the site to carry out a preliminary investigation.
September 2022 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED 7
NEWS
43184 gains the Celebrity XC Factor!
CROSSCOUNTRY HAS unveiled Class 43 high speed train power car 43384 in InterCity Executive livery following repainting at Plymouth Laira. CrossCountry operates a fleet of 12 Class 43s on its services and the repainting of 43384, which has regained its original fleet number of 43184, is the first time the operator has deviated from its corporate identity on repainted rolling stock since taking over the franchise in November 2007. This has been done to celebrate the 40th anniversary of HST operations beginning on CrossCountry services in 1982. 43184 emerged following repainting on a test run on July 5, operating
back-to-back with 43303 from Plymouth Laira. The following day the pair were charged with the 12.27 Plymouth to Edinburgh CrossCountry service, marking their return to service. As 43384, the power car was last recorded as being in service in December 2020 and has been undergoing attention at Laira over the last 18 months. The repainting of the locomotive is not the first HST power car to be bestowed with a retro livery scheme, with Great Western Railway applying original blue, yellow and grey InterCity 125 livery with a vinyl wrap on first production power car 43002 Sir
The return to service of CrossCountry’s 43184 following its repaint into InterCity Executive livery coincided with a period of warm, sunny weather, encouraging scores of lineside photographers to see the retro-liveried power car in action. On its first day back in service, 43184 climbs up to Bristol Parkway at Ashley Hill on July 6, working 1S51, the 12.27 Plymouth to Edinburgh service. Chris Hopkins
Kenneth Grange and InterCity Swallow colours on 43185 Great Western, again applied via a vinyl wrap for the final couple of years of HST operations on the Great Western Main Line out of London Paddington. Additionally, East Midlands Railways also commemorated the end of its HST operations by applying InterCity Swallow livery onto 43102
A side profile of the retro InterCity Executive livery applied to 43384, which has regained its original 43184 identity, as the power car works 1S51 from Plymouth to Edinburgh on July 6, with the train passing Ashchurch in Gloucestershire. Chandler Tilling
The Journey Shrinker and EMR aubergine and white to 43274 for the final few weeks in service on the Midland Main Line prior to their withdrawal in May 2021. Of the other power cars to receive celebrity colour schemes, 43002 and 43102 are now both part of the National Collection, with the former at the Railway Museum York and 43102 located at Locomotion in Shildon. 43274 is now on lease to Colas, where it is used alongside other HST power cars on Network Rail infrastructure and test trains. 43185 has not fared as well as the others, however, having been moved to Haymarket as a spares donor for the ScotRail Inter7City HST fleet operated in Scotland. The heavily stripped power car was moved to Brodie Engineering after ScotRail had finished with it and its future is currently unknown.
Transport for Wales completes Class 153 refurbishments THE FINAL two refurbished Transport for Wales Class 153s have entered traffic with the operator. 153318 and 153382 were refurbished by Chrysalis Rail at Landore and have been fitted with accessible toilets, re-covered seats, and renewed fittings. They have also been rebranded into TfW
red and grey livery and renumbered from 153918/982. The two Class 153s were previously with East Midlands Railway before moving to TfW. The TfW Class 153 fleet was expanded from 18 to 26 units units in 2018 as it sought to boost capacity in its fleet.
Transport for Wales Class 153 fleet Refurbished Class 153/3
153303/312/ 318/320/323/ 325/ 327/329/333/ 353/361/362/ 367/ 369/382
Non-compliant Class 153/9
153906/909/910/ 913/914/921/ 922/926/935/ 968/972
Purchased for Heart of Wales
153307/328/ 331/352
TfW Class 153/9s are not fully disability compliant with their toilets locked out of use and they should be operated with a compliant train. Often the Class 153/9s are operated coupled to a refurbished and compliant Class 153/3 unit. TfW head of asset management Jerry Howells said: “It’s fantastic to be able to deliver these improvements LEFT: Transport for Wales has completed the final refurbishment of its 26 Class 153 DMUs, with 153318 and 153382 the last two members of the fleet to be refurbished by Chrysalis Rail at Landore. Transport for Wales
8 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED September 2022
for customers, which they expect to see on a modern railway network. “The work on the Class 153 fleet has been an important part of our £40 million refurbishment programme, which has also included a refresh of the Class 175, 150 and 158 trains.” Four 153s have been bought by TfW from Angel Trains (153307/ 328/331/352) and these have been moved to Landore by road from store at Potter Group, Ely. They are to be converted to provide enhanced cycle storage on the Heart of Wales in a similar move to ScotRail, which has five Class 153s for such duties on the West Highland Line. www.railwaysillustrated.co.uk
NEWS IN BRIEF
The first member of the 46-strong new train fleet for use on Tyne and Wear Metro is now nearing completion and is expected to be delivered to the UK in November, with entry into service expected in the middle of next year. Nexus
A new driving simulator has been installed at the Nexus Leaning Centre in South Shields by Stadler in preparation for the arrival of the first new trains for use by Tyne and Wear Metro. Nexus
Stadler delivers CGI driving simulator for Tyne and Wear Metro’s new trains
STADLER HAS supplied Nexus with a full-sized driving cab simulator for the new train fleet currently being built for Tyne and Wear Metro. It will assist with driver training, ahead of the fleet’s introduction into service. The simulator uses CGI to give a realistic feel for drivers of the new train cabs, as well as providing an interactive driving experience for staff who will be trained on the fleet. Metro’s 60-station network has been recreated, and changing weather conditions and potential situations can be created by trainers at the touch of a button to provide realistic scenarios. Additionally, drivers are able to learn how to use the features of
the new trains, the controls, and fault-finding and safety functions so they will be familiar with them when they are delivered to Metro. The first of 46 trains being supplied by Stadler is nearing completion and is due to arrive in the North East later this year for testing, commissioning, and training ahead of entering service on the Metro network in mid-2023. Nexus’ head of fleet and depot replacement programme, Michael Richardson, said: “The simulator is vital for getting our drivers ready for their new Metro trains. It’s a really exciting time for them to be able to use this amazing technology. “This really does mark the start of a new era in how we can train
With Todmorden’s impressive 1875-built town hall on the right, GB Railfreight’s 60056 crawls over the Lancashire and Yorkshire border town working 6M36, the Drax to Liverpool biomass empties, on June 20. Ian Edmondson
our Metro drivers and it will be in use for many years to come. “We are grateful to Stadler for supplying us with such a fantastic and immersive driver training aid. We’ve never had anything like this before. “The simulator allows the drivers to get ready for making the switch, because the new trains are much more hi-tech than the current fleet. “It provides an opportunity to get used to all the various functions and features on the new trains before the drivers get the chance to drive them for real in 2023.” The new trains will replace the existing Metro fleet, which have now been in service for more than 40 years.
TransPennine Express has introduced a new tool for small and medium companies to make rail bookings. TransPennine Express Business allows firms to book rail travel 24 hours a day, providing the lowest fares and a tailored reporting package to help monitor overall spend. Companies can add authorised users, allowing them to book tickets at thresholds set by the business, with the capability to restrict the class of travel, outline reasons for travel, and assign bookings to a cost centre. South Western Railway is providing body-worn cameras for staff on trains and stations throughout its network. Used by guards, customer service assistants, rail community officers, and revenue protection staff to deter and reduce antisocial behaviour on trains and stations, the cameras also act as a deterrent to assaults, threats, and abuse. The equipment has been supplied to staff working out of Fratton, Bournemouth, Richmond, Weymouth, Farnham, Woking, Eastleigh, Portsmouth, and Guildford, with Salisbury and Basingstoke to follow. Approximately 20 pupils from South Essex college Unified Seevic Palmers took a train journey from Benfleet to Shoeburyness as part of c2c’s first ‘Try a Train’ initiative. It is designed to encourage young people with disabilities to travel independently as part of c2c’s commitment to make the railway accessible. The students were given a tour of the station at Benfleet, including looking at the timetable boards, car parking facilities, and options for onward travel, as well as ticketing options and customer information.
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September 2022 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED 9
NEWS
Transport for Wales shows off its new Class 197 DMUs
TRANSPORT FOR Wales held an event at Chester station on July 1 to showcase one of its new CAF-built Class 197 DMUs, which are expected to become the first of several new train fleets to enter service with TfW over the next year. The trains are being built by CAF at its Newport plant and proudly carry ‘Made in Wales’ plaques by the foot tread plates at each doorway. A total of 77 DMUs are being constructed for use by TfW, with 51 two-car Class 197/0 units and 26 three-car Class 197/1s. TfW is investing £800 million in the procurement of new train fleets to allow most of the older DMU vehicles to be replaced. The operator currently operates Class 150, 153,
158, 170, 175 and 769 fleets on its services, with DB Cargo Class 67s and Mk.4 sets in use on the Cardiff to Holyhead route. It is expected that the Class 197s will initially enter service on the Conwy Valley line between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog, before being cascaded onto other routes as more of the new trains are accepted into service. A number of these will also be equipped with ERTMS equipment for operating services on the Cambrian line, and 197003 has been fitted with ERMTS for testing and commissioning of the new trains on the Cambrian route. TfW’s director of transport operations, Alexia Course, said: “At Transport for Wales we are continually
197002 stands in the parcels platform at Chester station on July 1 during a Transport for Wales event to showcase the new trains, the first of which are expected to enter service in the autumn of this year. Andy Coward
The interior of the DMS on 197002. The coach contains 74 seats, mostly arranged in pairs, with six table bays of four also included. The majority are in line with windows. Seating and carpets are finished in TfW grey with red flecks, and red carpeting by the doorways. Andy Coward
Towards the centre of the DMSL on the Class 197s is this area for use by on-board staff. The left-hand cupboard is to store the catering trolley and also contains a fresh water tank with viewing lens to check the water levels. The area also includes a store cupboard and fridge. Andy Coward
moving forward with our transformational plans to improve public transport for the people of Wales and the borders. “The Class 197 on show at Chester railway station will be an important part of the transformation of the Wales and Borders network. When they enter service, they will enable us to run more services and carry more customers in comfort. “The construction of our new trains has been four years in the making, and customers and colleagues are incredibly excited to welcome passengers onto them from later this year. “It is also important to recognise that these trains have been made in Wales at the CAF factory in Newport and the building of them has provided jobs and supported the local economy.”
At the event it was explained that the Class 197s are expected to start carrying passengers during the autumn of this year, with the Class 230 bi-mode trains and additional Mk.4 locomotive-hauled sets expected to enter service towards the end of the year, presumably currently planned for the December timetable change, although this has not been confirmed. These will be followed during 2023 by the new Class 231 ‘Flirt’ trains and the Class 398 tri-mode tramtrains, both of which are being built by Stadler Rail. The first Class 231s have been delivered to TfW and are undergoing testing and commissioning ahead of driver training, while the first Class 398 has been delivered to the UK from Stadler’s factory and is currently undergoing testing and commissioning at Old Dalby.
LNER retains iconic ‘Battle of Britain’ look on 91110
A new application of the commemorative vinyl wrap livery has been carried out on 91110 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at Wabtec Doncaster. The main difference between the original and the updated version is the purple band which ran along the length of the bodyside has been replaced with a dark grey one. The re-livery of the Class 91 electric locomotive is part of essential maintenance works being carried out on the LNER InterCity 225 fleet. LNER
10 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED September 2022
LONDON NORTH Eastern Railway have reapplied a slightly modified version of the special commemorative livery applied to 91110 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. This is part of the operator’s essential maintenance programme currently underway at Wabtec Doncaster on its InterCity 225 fleet of Class 91s and Mk.4 coaches. The newly-applied vinyl wrap features the unique design created for the locomotive a decade ago which pays tribute to those who served their country and gave their lives. The three iconic aircraft designs involved in the Battle of Britain
Memorial Flight – the Lancaster, Spitfire, and Hurricane – all feature prominently. 91110 currently holds the British railway speed record, reaching 162mph during a test run of the locomotive in 1989, although the Class 91 fleet and other trains operating in passenger service on the East Coast Main Line are restricted to 125mph in everyday use. The locomotive has also been designated by the Railway Heritage Designation Advisory Board for possible preservation as part of the National Collection once it has been withdrawn from traffic. LNER has stated that of its 12 remaining operational Class 91s, the three that have
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Opposite the catering storage area in the DMSL are three tip-up seats, which also have fastenings attached to the wall to allow two bicycles to be secured. One of the luggage stacks is also visible. Andy Coward
One of the driving cabs of 197002. Unlike the Class 195 and Class 331 CAF-designed trains, the TfW units incorporate a gangway connection. Andy Coward
The conductors’ area is adjacent to the driving cabs in each unit, and both can be closed off out of use with folding doors when the trains are coupled and the gangway connections are in use. Andy Coward
Railways Illustrated – Our Opinion The new Class 197 is an impressive-looking train from a passenger perspective and should be largely welcomed by those used to travelling on one of TfW’s existing older DMU fleets. The interiors feel spacious and are generally well laid-out. All of the two-car Class 197/0s consist of standard class accommodation only, whereas some of the three-car Class 197/1s will also contain an element of First Class seating. The facilities expected by passengers on modern trains these days are all there. Every pair of seats has access to two USB charging ports and one three-pin plug socket for the charging of laptops, mobile phones and so on, while most of the seats – but not all – also have good external visibility out of the train windows. On the Class 197/0 are 74 fixed seats in the DMS, with 42 fixed seats and five tip-up seats in the DMSL coach. The seats are comfortable and padded well, if a little firm; I am sure that this will ease once the trains have been in service for a while. They are finished in TfW’s attractive grey and red flecked
moquette and have leather headrests with TfW’s ‘T’ logo incorporated. The majority of the seats are in pairs, with extendable drop-down tables able to accommodate most laptops. There are six table bays in the DMS and four in the DMSL. Each coach contains a relatively small luggage stack for suitcases and heavier items, although the overhead storage shelves are reasonably deep and should accommodate fairly bulky items. However, on busier services I suspect these facilities could present a bit of a challenge. The DMSL vehicle contains a spacious and fully-accessible toilet, along with space for wheelchair and pushchair users and help points, and plug sockets and USB ports are provided for use by wheelchair passengers. Towards the centre of the same vehicle are three tip-up seats, with this area also containing restraints to allow two bicycles to be accommodated and properly secured to prevent them for falling over while the train is in motion. Opposite this area is the catering trolley storage cupboard, which also contains a fresh water tank above
it, a fridge and stock store for use by on-board catering staff. It was explained to Railways Illustrated that the doors of the catering trolley storage area viewed on 197002 will be replaced with roller shutters before the trains enter service. The train is carpeted throughout, with carpeting similar to the seating material in the main passenger saloons and red carpet in each door area on the train. Overall, the passenger areas are smart and have been designed well. The driving cabs are also a marked step-change from what TfW drivers will be used to with the existing fleet of vehicles in use. The presence of the gangway connection on the end of the vehicles means that the front end of the train isn’t the prettiest and the view out of the drivers cab windscreen isn’t as good as those vehicles without gangway connections fitted. Being diesel-powered, there was a fair amount of engine noise when the train was idling but no more than other designs, and the modern engines offer reduced emissions compared with existing fleets.
During a test run from Neville Hill to Peterborough on July 5, LNER’s newly repainted DVT 82225 heads coaching stock set NL17 and 91127 following repainting into the operators new InterCity 225-inspired livery. LNER
had special liveries applied – 91110, 91111 For the Fallen and 91119 Bound Green InterCity Depot 1977-2017 – will retain their current liveries. The remaining nine (91101/105107, 109/114/124/127/130) will receive the new LNER InterCity
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225-inspired livery that was unveiled last month (Railways Illustrated, issue 234). All eight rakes of Mk.4 coaching stock are to receive the new livery over the coming months. The first of the re-liveried trains, featuring 91127 and coaching stock rake NL17
was released from Wabtec Doncaster on July 1, heading back to Neville Hill prior to re-entering service. A test run of the train from Neville Hill to Peterborough took place on July 5, with the train back in service shortly afterwards.
Jo Davey has been appointed as industry projects and planning director for CrossCountry. Ms Davey has worked for the operator for the past five years as head of track access and possession strategy, and later head of planning, where she was responsible for timetable development and major possessions. She has also represented the business at industry level, working with the Great British Railways Transition Team on the Whole Industry Strategic Plan, which is the long-term strategy for the railway, including decarbonisation. Govia Thameslink Railway has launched a fund with up to £500,000 available each year to encourage ideas and activities that will strengthen links between its stations and the communities they serve. The Your Station, Your Community fund will be shared by projects that engage local people within 15 miles of a GTR station in tackling social issues. Key themes will include mental health, education, and employability skills among marginalised groups, diversity and inclusion, and environmental sustainability. An empty former parcels office at Havant station has become a community asset, after South Western Railway transferred the space to local Community Interest Company, Solent Remade. After working closely with Solent Remade, SWR agreed to lease the room, which was last used as a taxi office, to the CIC for a peppercorn rent, for use as a hub for resource repair, reduce, or reuse projects. The refurbishment was supported by Community Rail Network, Hampshire County Council and UnLtd. Northern’s Customer Experience Centre has been awarded ServiceMark accreditation by The Institute of Customer Service, the UK’s independent professional body for customer service. The team, which becomes the only UK train operator to currently hold the grading, is based in Sheffield and handles more than 250,000 contacts a year. They are responsible for all customer enquiries, including complaints, passenger assistance, and the Delay Repay scheme.
September 2022 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED 11
NEWS
First GWR Class 802 arrives at Eastleigh ahead of crack repairs THE FIRST of 220 Hitachi Class 80x trains to visit Arlington Fleet Services’ Eastleigh Works for repairs related to cracks discovered on the trains in 2021 arrived on June 27, in preparation for the start of an extensive repair project. Great Western Railway 802003 ran under its own power from North Pole to Eastleigh and will be used for preparatory works ahead of the project beginning later this year. The five-car Class 802/0 was selected as it was one of the trains found to be in most need of repairs to the cracks, which caused the widespread withdrawal of the trains in May 2021. Although most were returned to traffic within a few days, a lengthy investigation found that repairs were needed, and that this could take up to six years to complete across the fleets (Railways Illustrated issue 232). Two problems relating to cracks on trains operated by GWR and LNER were discovered, although other Hitachi designs were also identified as being at risk. Corrosion cracking was found in the jacking plates, while cracks were also found around the yaw damper brackets caused by fatigue suffered by the trains experiencing greater loads than they were designed for, with wheel wear on the trains and track conditions also identified as possible causes. Hitachi’s solution to address the fatigue cracking issues in the bolster
Great Western Railway Class 802 Hitachi IET 802003 passes Shawford on June 27, working 5X70, the 10.46 North Pole Depot to Eastleigh Arlington Fleet Services. This is the first unit to move to Eastleigh in readiness for crack repairs, to be carried out on the Hitachi-built trains in a project being managed by Arlington Fleet Services. It is expected to take six years to complete. Scott Paddington
area is to remove the affected part of the original body structure, including the longitudinal welds where the fatigue cracks have occurred and the mounting brackets. The structure will then be rebuilt using a modified design that provides an unchanged interface with the yaw damper bracket and anti-roll bar. The trains are being treated in order of priority, based on the inspections and monitoring carried out so far on
the fleets, and also through ongoing maintenance. GWR operates 800001-036, 800301321, 802001-022 and 802101-114 in its fleet and will all be treated under the repair contract, as will London North Eastern Railway’s 800101-112, 800201-210, 801101-112 and 801201230. TransPennine Express 802201219, Hull Trains 802301-305 and Lumo 803001-005 will also all visit the Hampshire facility for repairs.
Also included in the programme will be Avanti West Coast 805001-805013 and 807001-010, which have yet to be released from Newton Aycliffe, where they are currently being constructed by Hitachi. These new trains are included in the crack repair project as their bodyshells had already been manufactured before the repairs were identified. They will be treated at the end of the process.
Five DRS Class 66/3s heading to GB Railfreight
Direct Rail Services 66301 Kingmoor TMD works 6K05, the 12.46 Carlisle to Crewe, passing through Brownhills, near Ramsgreave & Wilpshire on the Ribble Valley Line in Lancashire, on May 18, 2021. This locomotive is one of five Class 66/3s that will shortly be moving to GB Railfreight to strengthen its fleet. Tom McAtee.
12 RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED September 2022
FIVE CLASS 66/3s currently operated by Direct Rail Services are to be transferred to GB Railfreight in the coming weeks as the company continues its quest to expand its locomotive fleet. The five locomotives (66301-66305) will be leased from Beacon Rail and their arrival with the operator will increase the size of GBRf’s Class 66 fleet to 105 locomotives. Railways Illustrated sources understand that while DRS was interested in retaining them, the length of the lease on offer was unattractive. They date from 2008, when they were delivered to the UK for the now-defunct Fastline Freight. They transferred to DRS in 2010 after Fastline Freight’s parent company, Jarvis PLC, collapsed into administration and was subsequently wound up. It is understood that more locomotives are being sought by GBRf,
which will be imported from mainland Europe. Documentation released by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) on December 27, 2020, revealed that approval had been granted for ‘former German locomotives’ to be imported, becoming 66734/797-799 and 66351360 under the UK locomotive numbering system. So far, only the first four Class 66s have been acquired. Meanwhile, DRS sources suggest that the company’s current workload can accommodate the loss of the five Class 66s, although there are suggestions that more traction could be needed by the operator in the longer term. As well as 66421-434, the operator also has five Class 66/0s on long-term lease from DB Cargo UK (66031/091, 66108/122/126). It has been suggested by one source that 66031 is unlikely to work for DRS, although this has not been confirmed. www.railwaysillustrated.co.uk
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