Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Wednesday, 28th April 2021
The latest rail news on Wednesday, 28th April 2021
South Western Railway (SWR) says it is disappointed to announce that, due to challenges with the delivery of the new fleet of class 484 trains, the reopening of the Island Line will be delayed.
Rolling stock manufacturer Vivarail had been set to deliver all the trains to the Island well before Easter, but complex software issues mean the fully refurbished trains are yet to be delivered.
As a result, SWR says it is with regret that it will have to push back the reopening of the Island Line to later this summer.
New research has shown that the rail freight sector delivers billions in economic and social benefits around the UK and could play a major role in supporting the country to reach net-zero carbon emissions.
In a new report published by the Rail Delivery Group, based on independent research, analysis shows that rail freight delivers £2.5billion in economic and social benefits to the UK annually, with the north of England, Wales and Scotland among areas benefitting most.
The Rail Delivery Group’s Robert Nisbet says: “Rail will play a central role in levelling up Britain and rail freight is already doing some heavy lifting, supporting businesses and jobs across the nations and regions.”
Greater Anglia is recycling and reusing components from some of its old trains which are being sent for scrap as they are replaced by brand new state-of-the-art trains.
The potential for this green approach to train maintenance was spotted by Greater Anglia’s engineering team at Ilford depot during the introduction programme for the company’s new electric Alstom commuter trains.
Components such as traction motors, which can cost tens of thousands of pounds, have been reused and fitted to Greater Anglia’s other Class 317 trains on the West Anglia route, saving time, money and benefitting the environment.
Finally, and the first visitors to the Locomotion railway museum can now book their tickets online ahead of the museum’s reopening on Wednesday, May 19.
An article on The Northern Echo says visitors will be able to see the original Locomotion No.1 on display in Shildon for the first time in more than 170 years – close to the site of its first historic journey at the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825.
Also on display will be Railway Heroes, a photographic exhibition which celebrates the vital role played by railway key workers during the pandemic.
Photo credit: Rail Delivery Group
