Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Wednesday, 10th January 2024. Sponsored by Petards Rail
InTheNews Sponsored by Petards Rail: The latest rail news on Wednesday, 10th January 2024
The first of a £1 billion fleet of trains has completed its inaugural journey – over four years behind schedule.
The article on the BBC website says an Arterio train carried South Western Railway (SWR) passengers between London Waterloo and Windsor for the first time on Tuesday.
The high-capacity trains were initially due to run from December 2019 on SWR routes to Reading and Windsor in Berkshire.
Software issues and the pandemic have been blamed for the four-year delay.
Network Rail has commissioned the signalling system on the new £116 million Levenmouth Rail Link – meaning trains can use the line.
The signalling was successfully tested and brought into use over the weekend (January 6/7) and ScotRail will now be able to begin training drivers on the new route.
This will see a significant number of trains on the track in coming weeks as drivers develop their knowledge of the new section of railway between Thornton Junction and Leven Station.
Shrewsbury could be set for a new railway station under plans to take traffic away from the town centre.
An article on the BBC website says the new Shrewsbury Parkway station would see a rail stop on the east side of the town, aiming to reduce traffic at the main station.
It is part of a wider transport scheme for the town, which also includes a new hop-on, hop-off “water taxi” service to operate along the River Severn.
A public consultation on the plans will start later in January.
The UK’s largest rail operator is once again teaming up with Samaritans to flip ‘Blue Monday’ on its head and turn what is commonly believed to be the most difficult day of the year, into something positive.
Replacing ‘Blue Monday’ with ‘Brew Monday’ on 15 January, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is teaming up with Samaritans volunteers to hand out teabags, biscuits and leaflets to Thameslink passengers travelling on the East Coast Main Line.
Being hailed the ‘Brew Train’, the Peterborough to London service will be joined by volunteers from GTR and Samaritans, as well as other partners including British Transport Police (BTP), Stevenage Football Club and dedicated suicide prevention charities, Andy’s Man Club and The Jordan Legacy.
Photo credit: Network Rail
