Unipart Rail is continually bringing new products to the rail sector, and has recently strengthened its New Products team with three new recruits joining the existing team and reporting to Marketing Director Jake Rudham. Paul Morris MAPM AMICE Paul joins as Senior Research and Innovation Manager and is supporting our internal innovation
Tag: London
Rail industry experts call for green investment post-pandemic
A new report from leading rail industry professionals calls for the government to put rail at the heart of a green post-pandemic economic recovery. The Building Back Better report, written by industry experts from the High Speed Rail Group and the Rail Delivery Group, calls for major investment into high speed
CoMech Celebrate RISQS Success
We are thrilled to announce that CoMech Metrology have passed the latest RISQS (Rail Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme) audit with flying colours. This is truly a wonderful achievement, as it means we can continue to be recognised as a capable and trusted provider of products and services to the UK’s railway
Deadline approaches for fate of franchises
THE Government must decide the fate of most English rail franchises by Sunday, when the Emergency Measures Agreements which came into force on 23 March run out. However, transport secretary Grant Shapps refused to reveal what could happen when he was questioned by the Labour/Co-op. MP for Oldham West and Royton,
Franchising is Dead
A Conversation with Gareth Dennis In March 2020 the UK Government suspended rail franchise agreements, instead putting in place Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs), paying franchisees a 2 percent management fee to run trains, due to a collapse in passenger numbers as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. These EMAs due to
DfT declares war on railway graffiti
TRANSPORT secretary Grant Shapps has announced a new campaign to tackle the ‘blight’ of graffiti on railways and roadsides. In a letter to the rail industry, the transport secretary has called for long-term plans to tackle the issue in addition to action which has already been taken, including a review of
The Aln Valley Railway – then and now
Monday essay: is franchising finished?
All the franchises in England were transferred to Emergency Measures Agreements in March this year, to coincide with the start of lockdown. The EMAs essentially removed commercial risk for the operators, who neither pay the bills nor keep the revenue but simply receive a management fee. At the time, the
PREVIEW: September EDITION OF THE RAILWAY MAGAZINE
Britain’s best-selling rail title The Railway Magazine is back for another month of award-winning photos, news, features and exclusives from the rail industry, past and present. This month’s The Railway Magazine covers the recent derailment tragedy in Scotland, historic Kerr’s Miniature Railway closure and much more… Headline news Three people died following the
Grand Central abandons Blackpool plans
OPEN access operator Grand Central has scrapped its plan to run services between London and Blackpool. In a statement, the company said: ‘Following months of exploring all options to launch the proposed expansion of services to the North West route as planned, it is not now viable due to the economic
Grand Central’s North West route between Blackpool & London abandoned
A First Look at New Trains for Birmingham Cross-City Line
West Midlands Trains has published some first pictures of the new electric trains that will operate on Birmingham’s Cross-City Line. The train operator will introduce the new electric trains under its West Midlands Railway (WMR) brand to run between Lichfield, Bromsgrove and Redditch. The West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, inspected the new
Monday essay: knowing when to stop
They are not too happy in Kent, because Eurostar has announced that its trains are not expected to call at Kent’s two international stations at Ashford and Ebbsfleet again before 2022. Sim Harris wonders whether they will ever return. THE reason, says Eurostar, is that it must ‘take action to reduce
Graffiti vandals paralyse Island Line service
THE Island Line timetable was suspended on Monday morning, after the only serviceable train on the route was sprayed with graffiti. Passengers were being diverted to buses until the graffiti could be removed. The Island Line was already hampered by a fault on a second train, and passengers had been warned
HS2 heralds ‘formal’ start of construction
HS2 Announces Formal Start of Construction
HS2 Ltd has today (4 September 2020) announced the formal start of construction on the high-speed railway line. This follows the DfT’s approval for HS2 Ltd to issue the Notice to Proceed to the project’s four Main Works Civils Contractors to begin full detailed design and construction of Phase 1. Today’s
Network Rail urges passengers to plan ahead over Bank Holiday weekend
Trips with a difference: 40 years of rail ale rambles
Dave Richardson recalls more than 40 years of connecting railways with beer festivals and brewery visits, organised by former Salisbury area BR manager Gerald Daniels. REAL ale and rail travel somehow go together, especially with heritage railways, which often hold beer festivals at stations or on board trains. Both interests appeal
Rail Mounted Concrete Mixing Plant for London Underground
In 2013 Blend Plants took part in an important project to create a plant for London Underground requirements. Our mobile mixing plant for concrete production was chosen because of its new technological versatility: a special automated plant of 17 m length, 11 tones weight and 15 m3 capacity. The project planning was
New London Underground Slab Track Cast In-Situ
Crossrail delayed until 2022 and needs extra £450m
Obituary: R H N HARDY
1923-2018 RICHARD Hardy, who died on February 18, aged 94, was one of the last remaining professional links with the ‘Big Four’ and a railwayman who commanded as much respect in the preservation era as he did during his illustrious career with the LNER and British Railways. Known affectionately in his autumn
Remembering Richard Hardy
Crossrail delayed until 2022, while costs are set to rise still further
ANALYSIS: Let’s be clear: there has been no decision about rail fares
Hull Trains to restart this week
Hydrogen train trial for UK by 2020
Following the recent announcement of the Government’s intention to remove diesel trains from the network by 2040, KEITH FENDER looks at how Alstom has developed a hydrogen-powered train that will lead to a trial in the UK within two years. In early November, Alstom and the government of the German state
Railway children urge passengers to wear face coverings
South Western Railway staff are using an unlikely voice to spread a message about face coverings. New station announcements have been recorded by two staff member’s children to call on passengers to wear face coverings and keep their distance from each other. The announcements are now being played across the South
Three dead in derailment near Aberdeen
IT is now known that three people were killed in the derailment near Stonehaven in north east Scotland this morning, and six others have been taken to hospital with mainly minor injuries. The ScotRail driver was among the three fatalities.The train affected was an early morning service from Aberdeen to
Siemens Completes 2-Year Signalling Upgrade Project
Siemens Mobility has commissioned a new signalling system at Hither Green, south-east London. The Hither Green Area Resignalling Project has undergone its final commissioning. The new signalling technology will increase the reliability of trains running through that section, such as into Lewisham, Central London and Kent. Network Rail is funding a 250
BREAKING: Passengers injured in train derailment
BREAKING: At least one reported dead in Scottish derailment
Updated 12.45, 13.10, 13.15, 13.21, 13.23, 13.29, 13.31, 13.41, 13.50, 14.13 PASSENGERS on board a train at Stonehaven between Dundee and Aberdeen have been injured in a derailment, and at least one fatality has been reported. If so, it will be the first fatality in a British train accident since 2007.
At least one reported dead in Scottish derailment
Updated 12.45, 13.10, 13.15, 13.21, 13.23, 13.29, 13.31, 13.41, 13.50, 14.13 PASSENGERS on board a train at Stonehaven between Dundee and Aberdeen have been injured in a derailment, and at least one fatality has been reported. If so, it will be the first fatality in a British train accident since 2007.
HS2 launches race for high voltage power supply systems
Following on from the government’s green light for construction, HS2 have begun the search for contractors to deliver the high voltage power supply systems. The systems will transfer electricity to the UK’s new high-speed rail link and allow millions of people to enjoy low carbon journeys between Birmingham, London and
HS2’s giant tunnelling machines prepare for New Year launch
HS2 Begins Search for High-Voltage Power Supply Systems Contractor
HS2 Ltd has started looking for a specialist contractor to supply the high-voltage power supply systems for the line. The high-voltage power supply systems contract is worth around 523 million GBP and will involve the winning bidder designing, manufacturing, supplying, installing, testing, commissioning and maintaining the systems. There will be around 50
Monday essay: an open cheque book?
The government has just announced a new round of funding to support English tram, light rail and bus services outside London, but Sim Harris suggests that the final reckoning, along with the billions already allocated to National Rail, will be a high one. FINANCIAL support is needed because of the continuing
Life after COVID-19: Lessons from past pandemics
£40m Stevenage station platform opens for services
Photo: Network Rail Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris has announced the opening of a new £40 million platform and track at Stevenage station. Construction work on the project has been accelerated and delivered more than a year ahead of the revised schedule. Rail passengers will benefit from more frequent and reliable services as
Knorr-Bremse Wins London Underground Contract
Knorr-Bremse has signed a contract with Siemens Mobility to supply the entrance systems for 94 trains for the London Underground. IFE, a subsidiary of Knorr-Bremse, has won the biggest contract in its history. Starting in mid-2021, it will deliver the door systems for London’s Piccadilly line. In total, IFE will deliver
MOVING IN, MOVING ON, MOVING OUT
Britain’s biggest train flee transformation since the 1950s
A Class 385, destined for ScotRail, inside the production hall at Hitachi, Newton Aycliffe, on November 20, 2017. CHRIS MILNER Words: The Railway Magazine Britain’s train fleet is undergoing its biggest transformation since the 1950s, with around 5,700 new vehicles being delivered or on order. Ben Jones looks at what we’ll be
Britain’s biggest train fleet transformation since the 1950s
A Class 385, destined for ScotRail, inside the production hall at Hitachi, Newton Aycliffe, on November 20, 2017. CHRIS MILNER Words: The Railway Magazine Britain’s train fleet is undergoing its biggest transformation since the 1950s, with around 5,700 new vehicles being delivered or on order. Ben Jones looks at what we’ll be
London Transport Museum appeal for donations
The London Transport Museum is appealing for donations towards maintaining its future as it looks to reopen in the autumn. The museum, which was forced to close its doors in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has announced losses of £1.5 million and counting. London Transport Museum needs you It costs £25,000 each
Crossrail abandons hopes of opening next summer
THE Crossrail board has admitted that the Elizabeth Line cannot open as soon as next summer. The section across central London should have been launched in December 2018, but the project has been the victim of repeated delays. These have been attributed to various factors, including problems with software. The coronavirus
£589 million to kick-start rail upgrades across the North
Improvements to rail services in the north of England will get a £589 million kick-start, the government has announced. The cash injection will go towards electrifying the line between Manchester and Leeds, and doubling the number of tracks on the most congested sections in and around Leeds and Huddersfield. The most
Livery Design: Giving the railway the ‘WOW’ factor
While many transport companies look to external agencies and specialists to develop and maintain their brand and image, some undertake the activity in-house. Virgin Trains was one of the companies that until recently had its own design unit. Steven Knight speaks with creative designer Sam Jessup, whose artistic talents were
Transpennine boost as £589m budget is announced
THE Department for Transport has announced a budget of £589 million to launch work on upgrading the Transpennine main line between Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester. A Northern Transport Acceleration Council is being set up today, which will be ‘dedicated to accelerating vital infrastructure projects and better connecting communities’ in the north
Crossrail costs rise again, and new delays are likely
THE price of Crossrail has risen by another £140 million, and rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris described the further increase as ‘very disappointing’. It also seems likely that completion of the project will be delayed yet again. The extra funding is needed to complete the surface sections in east and west London,
RMT threatens all-out Underground strikes in driverless row
Monday essay: a long road ahead
Corby electrification delayed by pandemic
Stobart leaves rail to concentrate on air in £1,000 sale
Apollo 11: The Mission to the Moon
This Thursday (16/07/20) marks the 51st anniversary of the Moon landing and AllMyReads has the perfect book to discover the story behind one of the most important events in space exploration. Check out this preview from the fantastic bookazine, Apollo 11. Lift-off occurred at 9.32am local time, 8.32am in Houston or
Key Kent commuter lines to be closed for signal upgrade
A KEY section of the commuter network from Kent is to be closed from later this month so that signalling can be upgraded. Network Rail said Hither Green, Lee, Mottingham, New Eltham, Grove Park, Sundridge Park, Bromley North, Elmstead Woods and Chislehurst stations will all be closed for nine days from
Monday essay: look, no driver
Boris Johnson risked re-igniting a storm when he advocated driverless trains on the London Underground while on a visit to Siemens’ future train-building works at Goole. Rail unions are not in favour, but recently-designed new trains for the Underground include provision for automatic and even driverless working. Sim Harris describes
Avanti West Coast release Tales from the Track film series
Avanti West Coast has released a new video giving people an insider-look from the unique viewpoint of a train driver. In an eight-part video series, Tales from the Track, Avanti showcase the West Coast Main Line from inside the driver’s cab of an iconic Pendolino – filmed during lockdown. Using a front-mounted
New CEO named for MTR in Britain
Eurostar Amsterdam to London treaty formally signed
THE treaty allowing full customs and security procedures for Eurostar passengers at Amsterdam and Rotterdam has been formally signed, said the Department for Transport. The first demonstration train for invited London-bound guests which avoided the need for a change of train at Brussels ran on 4 February, and at the time
Driverless Underground trains row flares after Prime Minister’s visit
THE Prime Minister Boris Johnson has suggested that introducing driverless trains on London Underground should be part of the autumn cash settlement for Transport for London. One senior union figure has condemned his remarks as ‘outrageous’. The government had not been funding TfL for some years, but the finances of London’s
Construction Start for Siemens Mobility Goole Rail Factory
Construction has begun on the new Siemens Mobility rail factory in Goole, UK. After detailed planning proposals were submitted to the council of East Riding of Yorkshire in February 2020, the 200 million GBP development is now under construction. 250 people will work on the construction of the site. The start of
Network Rail to celebrate 72nd birthday of NHS
Open access comes out on top in National Rail survey
OPEN-ACCESS operators have again proved to be the most popular with their passengers. The National Rail Passenger Survey from Transport Focus for Spring this year found that 95 per cent (19 out of 20 passengers) on Grand Central were satisfied with their journeys, while Heathrow Express (operated by GWR) and
Overhead line suppliers sought for HS2 in £300m deal
HS2 Ltd has begun the search for specialist contractors to supply overhead power equipment for the high speed line.The contract is worth an estimated £300 million. The successful bidder will be responsible for additional stages of design as well as manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the systems. This
Eurostar back on track as routes reopen
New Trains for Old: From Upminster to Upcycled – Vivarail’s D-Train
Ben Jones visits Long Marston to find out how redundant District Line trains are being rebuilt to provide cheaper and greener alternatives to brand new multiple units – and how Vivarail is looking to the future with new methods of propulsion. SOMEWHERE deep in rural Warwickshire, a former London Underground ‘D
Open access operator Grand Central announces ‘measured’ restart
New design standards laid out for local stations
A NEW report commissioned by Network Rail and now published by Design Council is set to change the way smaller stations are designed, with the aims of making them welcoming to all passengers and supporting the communities in their catchment areas. Other ambitions include reflecting local character and heritage, achieving
More trains will run next week as restrictions ease
Monday essay: brave new world
Glasgow Subway operator SPT meets today over cash crisis
GLASGOW SUBWAY operator Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has sounded a warning about the Subway’s finances as a result of the pandemic, and members of SPT are meeting today to discuss the growing cash crisis. SPT said it had been calling on the Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland for help since the lockdown
From the archive: Experimental Vehicles – Ro-Railers: Ahead of their time or overtaken by events?
‘Near collision’ at Chalfont & Latimer probed by RAIB
Government confirms digital go-ahead for East Coast Main Line
FUNDING worth £360 million for the replacement of conventional lineside signalling with digital train regulation on the southern section of the East Coast Main Line has been announced by transport secretary Grant Shapps. The Department for Transport says it is ‘new investment’. The installation of ETCS (European Train Control System), the signalling
East Coast Main Line Becomes First Digital Rail Link in GB
The East Coast Main Line, which connects London with Edinburgh, will become the first mainline digital rail link in Great Britain, following a 350m GBP investment to install electronic signalling equipment. The new electronic signalling system – the European Train Control System (ETCS) – will make operations more efficient, thereby cutting both
Covid-19 transport funding total reaches £7bn
THE Department for Transport has drawn £7 billion from the government’s contingency fund, partly to support train operating companies through the Covid-19 crisis. Transport secretary Grant Shapps said the money will pay for Emergency Measures Arrangements on the railways, which are known to have cost £3.5 billion so far. Funding has
Porterbrook Receives Funding for Emissions Reduction Technology
The purpose of this trial is to see if this technology can bring about a reduction in carbon dioxide, particulate matter, hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide emissions in these trains, bringing about an environmental benefit without replacing rolling stock. Passengers, staff and communities will also benefit from the improved air quality. This
Transfesa Logistics to Renew European Container Fleet
Transfesa Logistics is renewing its freight container fleet that it operates on European routes. The freight operator, which is majority-owned by Deutsche Bahn AG, will put the 122 freight containers into full circulation at the end of June 2020. They will transport Ford’s production components to the UK and Germany. Transfesa is
From the archive: A narrow gauge railway under south London
Keith Fender reports on the construction of the Northern Line extension to Battersea, which has necessitated the construction of a narrow gauge railway under south London – albeit a temporary one. MAJOR tunnelling projects are normally accompanied by construction railways using locos designed for mining and tunnelling – by their nature
Vivarail confirms expansion after borrowing £1.5m
TRAIN rebuilder Vivarail’s plans to expand have received a boost after it was able to secure a loan worth £1.5 million. The company was founded five years ago and bought many former District Line cars from London Underground. Their aluminium bodies, although some 40 years old, are still capable of being
Face coverings become mandatory aboard English trains
Borders Rail campaign ‘vindicated’ by HS2 report
CAMPAIGNERS who are calling for the Borders Railway to be completed between Tweedbank, Hawick and Carlisle say they have been ‘vindicated’ by a new report from the High Speed Rail Group for submission to the National Infrastructure Commission, which recommends the completion of the railway on the grounds of ‘economic
HS2 Reveals First Images of Chiltern Tunnels Launch Site
From the archive: COUNTDOWN – Getting Farringdon ready for the Elizabeth Line
ARCHIVE: Getting Farringdon ready for the Elizabeth Line
Keith Fender has been given an exclusive tour of Farringdon, one of the major interchange points on the £16billion project. On December 9 the tunnel section of the Elizabeth Line under Central London will open to passengers, with services between Paddington and Abbey Wood via Canary Wharf running 15 times an
TfL restarts work on major projects
WORK on major Transport for London projects has restarted, with strict Covid-19 precautions being enforced to protect the staff. The projects now active again are the capacity upgrade at Bank station, the Northern Line extension to Battersea and the rebuilding of a roundabout at Old Street. All the sites have
Work on new Thameslink station moves forward
DEVELOPMENT of a new Thameslink station between London and St Albans has taken another step, with the appointment of an engineering consultancy to work on the project. Main contractor Volker Fitzpatrick has named WSP as its choice to produce the multidisciplinary design of Brent Cross West, which is connected with
Monday essay: is nostalgia out of date?
London–Cardiff Electrification Fully Completed
The electrification of the railway line between London and Cardiff is complete, with wires now running through the Severn Tunnel. On Friday, 5 June, passengers were able to travel between London and Cardiff on a fully electrified service, following Network Rail’s completion of the overhead wiring in the 7km Severn Tunnel. Installing
YOU can name the new East Midlands Railway Class 810 fleet
Photo: East Midlands Railway East Midlands Railway (EMR) has launched a competition to name its new Intercity Class 810 bi-mode trains. Hitachi is building 33 five-car trains for the operator. They will enter traffic from April 2022. EMR says entries must reflect train heritage, history or character of the East Midlands, or technological
Finally wired up: Severn tunnel electrification is energised
A LONG battle by engineers to electrify the Severn tunnel between England and Wales has been won at last, completing the electrification of the Great Western Main Line between London and Cardiff (Caerdydd). The 6.5km tunnel has always been a difficult part of the railway to manage, partly because more
Facemasks to be compulsory on English trains
THE transport secretary Grant Shapps has announced that a face covering will be compulsory on all public transport in England from 15 June. He has also said that passengers on trains, trams, buses and ferries who ignore the new rule will be fined. Labour shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon said: ‘This is
Rail passenger numbers fell ‘dramatically’ in March, says ORR
Police close case of rail worker Belly Mujinga’s COVID-19 death
Belly Mujinga, mother to an 11-year-old daughter, died after testing positive for coronavirus. Photo: Family Handout British Transport Police (BTP) says no further action will be taken in relation to the death of Belly Mujinga, who contracted COVID-19 after being spat at while on duty at London Victoria station. Belly Mujinga, 47
Sacked HS2 whistleblower claims his ‘life was ruined’
Tube stations begin phased return
Photo: Nick Ansell/PA Wire More London Underground stations will begin reopening from Monday (June 8) as lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted. When lockdown measures were introduced in March, many Underground stations were closed with only key stations remaining open. TfL announced on May 18, following discussions with the Government before the announcement of
