Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Thursday, 26th January 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Thursday, 26th January 2023
Network Rail is to be prosecuted for failings over the Carmont rail crash in which three people were killed, The Scotsman has learned.
The article on the paper’s website says the infrastructure body will face charges over health and safety shortcomings that led to the fatal ScotRail train derailment near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire in 2020, it is understood. However, it is believed no corporate homicide charges will be brought.
One industry source said: “Network Rail has been told it will be prosecuted”, while another said: “The Crown Office is quite far along in building a case, although no papers have yet been served.”
The article says the Crown Office has not confirmed the expected move but said the police investigation into the deaths of train driver Donald Dinnie, conductor Brett McCullough and passenger Christopher Stuchbury was complete and being considered by its officials.
The first of Transport for Wales’ (TfW) brand new £800 million fleet of trains was officially launched by Lesley Griffiths MS at a ceremony in North Wales today.
Built in Wales by leading train manufacturer CAF, the 77 (51 two-car and 26 three-car) new Class 197 trains will become the backbone of TfW’s services across the length and breadth of the Wales and Borders network in the coming years.
Hitachi Rail has published a major new report investigating attitudes towards public transport and smart mobility in eight cities around the globe.
The first-of-its-kind study finds that three-quarters (75%) of people would choose a better-connected public transport system, rather than driving.
The report finds a strong global demand for smart transport solutions to deliver enhanced cost, convenience and comfort, with a willingness to pay for improvements through increased taxes on private transport.
A mural celebrating one of the UK’s first female train drivers has been unveiled in London.
Avanti West Coast commissioned the image of Karen Harrison at Euston.
Her sister said she hoped Ms Harrison, who was born in Glasgow and grew up in Finchley, north London, would continue to “inspire women to consider train driving”.
Photo credit: Hitachi Rail
