Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Tuesday, 3rd October 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Tuesday, 3rd October 2023
Rishi Sunak is expected to overrule the concerns of Tory grandees, businesses and northern leaders by scrapping HS2 to Manchester in a chaotic mid-Conservative conference announcement in the city.
An article on the Evening Standard says a package appeared to have been signed off by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on Monday amid suggestions the pill could be sweetened by improvements for northern infrastructure.
Downing Street insists that “no final decisions” have been made over axing the northern leg of the high-speed rail plans from Birmingham, with Cabinet sign-off expected before an announcement.
But a spokesman for Mr Hunt set the hares running by declining to deny plans had been approved in the Treasury, carefully saying: “A decision will be announced in due course.”
The Rail Delivery Group warned operators will try to run as many trains as possible but there will be wide regional variations, with some running no services at all.
An article on the Mail Online says services on some lines could be hit this evening on Tuesday, October 3 and the morning of Thursday, October 5 because rolling stock will be in the wrong depots.
It follows an Aslef strike last Saturday which had a major impact on UK services.
The Flying Scotsman is due to have a full mechanical inspection after a low speed crash in the Highlands.
An article on Sky News says the 100-year-old steam train was involved in a “shunting incident” on Friday at Aviemore Railway Station, near Inverness.
Two people were treated in hospital “as a precaution” and an investigation was launched after emergency services rushed to the scene just after 7pm.
The world-famous steam train was scheduled to take tourists on trips at the weekend, which had to be postponed.
Trains fitted with water jets are being tested to deal with the autumnal problem of leaves on railway lines.
An article on the BBC website says Northern has fitted the technology, which tackles slippery rails by blasting water onto them, to passenger trains.
It will be used on five trains operating between Leeds, Harrogate and York.
Photo credit: HS2 Ltd
