Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Friday, 22nd September 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Friday, 22nd September 2023
Jeremy Hunt has given the strongest indication yet that the HS2 high-speed rail link will controversially stop in Birmingham and never reach the North of England.
An article in the i news says the Chancellor revealed that discussions “are happening at the moment” with Rishi Sunak on the future of the line as he warned about costs “getting totally out of control”.
Industry sources have told i that they now expect HS2 phase two – from Birmingham to Manchester – to be cancelled, with an announcement as possible as early next week.
But senior Government sources said they were not aware that any final decision had been taken, with it likely to rest with Mr Sunak.
A heritage railway is to work in partnership with Network Rail to share expertise and resources.
An article on the BBC website says Severn Valley Railway, which runs trains between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, said it would receive spare materials, trackside equipment and track components.
In exchange, Network Rail will be able to train its teams on the railway.
Tens of thousands of detailed tests are taking place to get the new Tyne and Wear Metro train fleet ready for customer service, in what is one of the most important projects in the network’s history.
Stadler, the Swiss train building company, is working with Metro operator, Nexus, on this latest phase of the £362 million programme, known as testing and commissioning, which covers nearly every single component on the trains.
ScotRail will celebrate its 40th birthday today, marking four decades of progress and transformation since the brand’s inception on 22 September 1983.
During the past 40 years, Scotland’s Railway has undergone remarkable transformations, ushering in a new era of rail travel in Scotland.
As part of its celebrations, ScotRail has unveiled exclusive footage of some of the nation’s most iconic rail bridges illuminated with stories of its customers and colleagues from over the years.
Photo credit: Tyne & Wear Metro
