In The News | 22nd February 2021 | Latest Rail News

Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Monday, 22nd February 2021

The latest rail news on Monday, 22nd February 2021

Rishi Sunak is considering sweeping reforms of the railways to entice private train operators back to the network and avoid renationalisation.

That is according to The Sunday Telegraph that says Keith Williams is expected to reveal a new overhaul at an industry conference on Thursday alongside Chris Heaton-Harris, the Rail Minister.

Operators were moved on to fixed-fee contracts, prompting speculation that ministers would ultimately renationalise Britain’s rail network.

The article says Mr Williams will this week set out fresh proposals designed to convince private train operators there are returns to be made.

Tata Steel and DB Cargo UK have successfully trialled the use of 100 per cent renewable Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil in a Class 60 locomotive transporting products from Wales to the West Midlands.

The ‘carbon-busting’ locomotive carrying some 2,500 tonnes of steel coil was the first Class 60 powered purely by the environmentally friendly fuel to travel on the mainline UK rail network.

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A long-distance railway operator has launched an alternative to traditional paper tickets.

Passengers travelling on Avanti West Coast services can now store their tickets on a smartcard.

An article in The Herald features comments from the Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris, who says the system offers passengers “a modern alternative to the paper ticket, providing simpler journeys and reducing time spent in stations”.

Finally, and RBD, the company behind railbusinessdaily.com and Rail Director magazine, has agreed to take over Rail Insider in what is one of the biggest rail industry media mergers in recent years.

The deal is worth an expected £1.5 million to RBD over the next five years.

Rail Insider will be operated by RBD’s managing editor, Nigel Wordsworth, who joined railbusinessdaily.com at the beginning of February.

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Photo credit: DB Cargo UK

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