Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Monday, 3rd April 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Monday, 3rd April 2023
Railway history has been made today on the Borderlands Line between Wrexham and Bidston as Transport for Wales (TfW) introduced the first battery-hybrid trains used in regular passenger service in Wales.
The long-awaited first service operated by one of TfW’s Class 230 trains left Wrexham Central at 07:31, following months of testing and crew training.
TfW own five three-carriage Class 230 trains, which each having over 120 seats and with capacity for over 420 customers – a significant increase over previous trains.
The metro-style trains, which were repurposed from former London Underground trains, provide a more efficient and environmentally friendly service using diesel and batteries.
A railway enthusiast who rode on the last British Rail train to travel on the Swanage to Wareham railway at the age of 13 is returning 51 years later to drive a newly restored passenger service on the picturesque route.
An article on the Belfast Telegraph says volunteer Peter Frost, who was one of the first to help renovate and rebuild the Dorset line following its closure in 1972, will be working as a conductor-driver on the trial service to reconnect the Isle of Purbeck stations with the mainline.
The Swanage Railway will be using its restored and upgraded 1950’s heritage diesel trains, used by British Rail across its network from the 1950s to the 1990s, to operate the 11-mile service from Swanage.
It includes a one-mile stretch on the Network Rail main line from Worgret Junction into Wareham station.
A train station platform closed for more than a month over safety concerns has reopened.
An article on the BBC website says the eastbound platform at Brandon, in Suffolk, was closed on 1 March amid concerns the roof of a former ticket office which was shut in 1978, could collapse.
Greater Anglia passengers heading towards Norwich were affected.
The operator said “works to enable safe public access” had been completed and trains were now able to stop.
Giuseppe Marino has begun work as the new Group CEO of Hitachi Rail, as the business enters an exciting new chapter delivering innovative digital technology and sustainable transport around the world.
In his new role, Mr Marino is set to lead expansion of capability and capacity at Hitachi Rail, which is already delivering rail transport in 38 countries and making 18 billion passenger journeys possible every year.
He rejoins the company after four years, having previously been Hitachi Rail’s COO of Rolling Stock, where he was responsible for the company’s manufacturing of high quality trains around the world.
Photo credit: Transport for Wales
