In The News | 23rd May 2022 | Latest Rail News

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InTheNews: The latest rail news on Monday, 23rd May 2022

ScotRail’s reduced timetable got underway today, with more than 700 services cut across the country in what could cause “travel misery” to commuters.

The article in the Daily Record says a dispute with the Aslef union, whose members are refusing to make themselves available for overtime, has led to a third of daily services being halted.

The reduced timetable was confirmed on Wednesday, with Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth later saying it would provide passengers with greater certainty.

About 60 people had to be evacuated from a train after a fire broke out on board.

An article on the BBC website says emergency services were called to the train near Craven Arms railway station in Shropshire at about 10.30 on Sunday evening.

British Transport Police said the fire is thought to have started after the train hit a large object on the track.

Ground-breaking work on a £145 million rail reliability upgrade between Manchester and Sheffield will start later this month.

This essential work will remove several bottlenecks on the Hope Valley line to allow passenger trains to overtake slower freight trains and improve reliability, helping people get to their destinations on time.

On Sunday 29 May, and every weekend throughout July, Dore & Totley, Grindleford, Bamford and Hathersage stations will be closed to allow Network Rail and contractor VolkerRailStory Joint Venture to begin building an additional railway line and make key station improvements.

For the first time, 21 furry friends were allowed to roam free in a special pet-friendly carriage on Saturday, as part of a trial by Japan Railways (JR).

Dogs must usually travel in a carrier when riding the high-speed trains which speed all over the country.

The dogs, which included Corgis and Pomeranians, boarded at Tokyo’s Ueno station, and made the hour long journey to the mountainous town of Karuizawa, north west of the capital.

As well as plastic covered seats, staff also put air purifiers in the carriage and said it would be cleaned afterwards to remove all traces of dog hair.

Photo credit: Network Rail

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