Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Friday, 28th July 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Friday, 28th July 2023
Major investment in the Scotland’s Railway planned for next Control Period.
Network Rail Scotland published its £4.2 billion, five-year plan as it set out its ambition to deliver a safe, greener and more reliable railway.
Major investments in renewing the railway infrastructure, tackling climate change, greater use of technology, improving train performance and growing passenger and freight numbers are central to the plan.
Poor flood management led to a train having to evacuate after becoming stranded when tracks flooded, an investigation found.
An article on the BBC website says the service between Norwich and Lowestoft ran on to a washed-out section of line at Haddiscoe, Norfolk on 30 January 2022.
There had been unusually high water levels on the day, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said.
The RAIB has made a series of recommendations.
Train operator Chiltern Railways has launched vegetable oil powered trains on its network – the first instance of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) being used in passenger service in the UK.
The operator’s Class 68 locomotive-hauled trains will be powered with this innovative fuel, derived from used cooking oils, tallows and other recyclable wastes, rather than conventional diesel, drastically reducing the impact the trains have on the environment and air quality across its network.
Richard Allan, managing director for Chiltern Railways, said: “We are determined to operate a railway that is easier, greener, and better for our customers. The conversion of a key part of our fleet of trains to HVO fuel will make a big difference in terms of emissions.”
This August sees the 175th anniversary of Chester station opening with multiple activities planned to remember its chief engineer Thomas Brassey.
The main events take place on 1 August and have been organised by 3 Counties Connected, Mid Cheshire and North Cheshire Community Rail Partnerships for the area, with support of Transport for Wales, who currently manage Chester Station and Avanti West Coast.
Celebrations also include the completion lines from Chester to Shrewsbury and Chester to Holyhead which were also completed in 1848.
Photo credit: RAIB
