Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Friday, 27th October 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Friday, 27th October 2023
The elected mayor for the West Midlands expects to put his alternative proposals to the cancelled HS2 Birmingham to Manchester line to ministers next summer.
Andy Street also insisted that HS2 ‘bullet trains’ will still run to Manchester using the existing mainline, although they would be subject to speed limits north of Staffordshire.
He said he was working with a number of private companies about drawing up an alternative scheme, which could potentially involve the construction of a new railway line between the West Midlands and the North West.
Mr Street – who considered quitting the Conservative Party over the cancellation of the HS2 northern leg – said the Prime Minister had assured him he would look at his alternative proposals.
Merseyrail has benefited from the pandemic bounceback after announcing record sales for the year to January 7, 2023.
An article on The Business Desk says the rail operator, jointly owned by Serco Group and Transport UK, reported a pre-tax profit of £15.136m for the year, compared with £2.751m the previous year, on turnover of £185.683m, up from £163.005m in 2022.
On January 7, 2023, Merseyrail said its cash balance was £33.2m, compared with £28.9m on January 8, 2022.
A heritage railway is helping to end the frustration of cut-short calls and internet black-outs on trains.
An article on the BBC website says North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is trialling how “next-generation” technology can improve connectivity.
The three-week trial, led by software firm CGI, will see a test train, packed with equipment, run on the Pickering to Grosmont line.
NYMR bosses said CGI was keen to test the technology “in a railway environment” ahead of mainline trials.
The steepest funicular railway in the country has reopened to the public and “restored to its former glory” after refurbishment works have been completed.
An article on ITV news says the East Hill Lift in Hastings Old Town, closed in October 2022 following an examination of the track, which showed repairs were required.
The repairs took more time than originally expected due to the nature of the railway and because more work was needed.
Photo credit: Merseyrail
