In The News | 2nd March 2023 | Latest Rail News

Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Thursday, 2nd March 2023

InTheNews: The latest rail news on Thursday, 2nd March 2023

Protests have erupted in Greece over the rail crash which killed 43 people, with many seeing it as an accident that had been waiting to happen.

That’s according to an article on the BBC website that says rioters clashed with police outside the headquarters of Hellenic Train in Athens – the company responsible for maintaining Greece’s railways.

The Greek Prime Minister said “tragic human error” was to blame for the disaster.

A 59-year-old station master in Larissa has been charged with manslaughter by negligence. He has denied any wrongdoing, blaming the crash on a technical fault.

Rail union members believe safety systems were not working properly, with repeated warnings about this over many years.

In protest and mourning, rail workers are planning on striking on Thursday at what they say is official neglect of the railways.

In other news, Knorr-Bremse has acquired service provider Westcode from Unipart Rail.

The company says the deal unlocks promising opportunities as Knorr-Bremse looks to develop its already service business in the UK, supporting train technologies such as braking, climate control and entrance systems.

The expansion will allow Knorr-Bremse’s UK business to service and maintain more train subsystems –and so contribute to enhancing the availability of the region’s rail transportation.

Click here for more details.

One of the world’s most famous and historic steam locomotives arrived wrapped in a blue tarpaulin on the back of a low loader at Shildon

An article on the Northern Echo says the layers of protective packaging were slowly removed to reveal Rocket, built by Robert and George Stephenson in Newcastle 195 years ago. It had come to take up residence at the Locomotion museum.

It took its place alongside Sans Pareil, the engine built in Shildon by Timothy Hackworth which it famously – and some say suspiciously – beat in the 1829 Rainhill Trials.

Photo credit: Hellenic Red Cross

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