HS2 designers are set to more than halve the amount of embedded carbon used in one of the high-speed rail project’s viaducts. Wendover Dean Viaduct cutaway image showing double composite structure © HS2 A double composite approach will be used on the Wendover Dean Viaduct in Buckinghamshire. This involves two steel girders sandwiched
Tag: Edinburgh
Edinburgh could be served by new Paris sleepers
PLANS have been unveiled for a new set of sleeper services in western Europe, potentially including night trains between Edinburgh and Paris. Open access operator Midnight Trains is highlighting increasing public interest in greener forms of travel, and intends to compete with short-haul flights. As well as Edinburgh, its trains could run
Rail passenger numbers sink to pre-1872 levels
Network Rail and RIBA Announce Railway Station Design Competition Winner
Edinburgh-based architectural practice, 7N Architects, has won a competition to shape Britain’s future railways, Network Rail and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have announced. The contest asked architects, engineers and designers from across the world to suggest how small to medium-sized stations could improve the travel experience of millions
End of Hitachi trains crisis ‘a long way off’
EXCLUSIVE THE return of all Hitachi-built Intercity Expresses to normal service is ‘a long way off’, according to notes of an internal industry briefing seen by Railnews. The document also reveals that two types of cracking have been discovered and that welding to repair the damage will be a ‘highly specialist
Cracks in Bogies of Hitachi-Built Class 800 Trains Sees Them Withdrawn from Service
Other train operating companies are lending any rolling stock they can spare to the affected operators to help keep disruption to a minimum. Operators are also using alternative trains where suitable. For instance, LNER is bringing two InterCity 225 trains back this week. Passengers have also been given the option of
LNER to bring back older trains as IET disruption goes on
THE disruption on intercity routes between London, Leeds and Edinburgh, and also between London, Bristol, south Wales and south west England is continuing today, after cracks were found in some Hitachi-built Intercity Express units on Saturday morning. After several days of speculation, the Rail Delivery Group has said the cracks were
Rail disruption due to train cracks to last ‘for a number of weeks’
More rail disruptions due to cracks found in Hitachi 800 trains
Photo: PA Media Great Western Railway (GWR) and LNER services are being disrupted for a third day due to cracks in some Hitachi 800 trains. GWR advised passengers with tickets for long-distance journeys on Monday “not to travel” as there is “no service or an extremely limited service” between London Paddington and
Hull Trains announces restart date but also redundancies
Hull Trains Hitachi bi-mode set No. 802304 arrives into Hull Paragon station from London King’s Cross on February 3, 2020, just weeks before the first lockdown was announced. Photo: Chris Milner After suspending operations during the third national lockdown, open access operator Hull Trains has said it will restart a limited
UK engineering first as 11,000 tonne tunnel is installed
Monday essay: a high speed problem
Norfolk’s Berney Arms named Britain’s least used railway station
Story of King’s Cross station told in new Channel 5 documentary
Stonehaven derailment: Line to reopen next week
The railway line between Aberdeen and Dundee is due to reopen next week after a fatal crash near Stonehaven. It has been shut since August 12, when a ScotRail service struck a landslip, causing the train to derail. Driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie and passenger Christopher Stuchbury died in the
GEOWEB® Geocells for Permanent Way Applications
Geosynthetics combine to create stiffened trackbed and increase critical velocity of track in soft soil area. Featured Project: Borders Railway, ScotRail Edinburgh to Tweedbank Project Background: The area approaching the Galashiels Rail Station was found to have particularly wet and marshy peat ground requiring additional trackbed stabilisation. The GEOWEB® 3D Confinement System was chosen to stabilise this area of
New Scottish light rail funding is ‘disappointing’
THE Scottish Government is providing a further £4 million of emergency funding for Glasgow Subway and Edinburgh Trams in response to the pandemic and the revenue shortfalls which have resulted, but the chairman of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has described the award as ‘disappointing’. The award is the second of its
Centenarian cameraman: Ron Buckley – Britain’s Oldest Railway Photographer: Part Two
Chris Milner concludes his interview with 100-year-old photographer Ron Buckley, who returned from wartime military service to a railway preparing for Nationalisation. AFTER leaving England in 1940 and serving with the Worcestershire Regiment, Ron returned home after demobilisation in 1945 after four-and-a-half years away – and to a very different railway. The
Delivering a bigger, better railway for Scotland
Water troughs: Simple, revolutionary invention for long-distance rail travel
Making a splash: It was a relatively simple invention yet it revolutionised long-distance train travel for more than a century. Consultant Editor Nick Pigott dips into the subject of water troughs. IT’S a hot summer’s day in the steam era and you are relaxing in a Pullman car speeding along the East
Flood-Damaged Edinburgh-Glasgow Line to Reopen
The Edinburgh-Glasgow line, which sustained serious damage due to flooding near Polmont on 12 August, is set to reopen on Monday, 21 September. Due to a severe amount of rainfall, the adjacent Union Canal burst its banks, washing away large sections of track and undermining 300m of the railway’s embankments. During
Work starts to clear wreckage from Carmont derailment
WORK to clear the line and restore train services through the site of the fatal derailment at Carmont near Stonehaven in north-east Scotland last month is beginning this week. Network Rail said a 600-tonne crawler crane is being used to remove the derailed vehicles, but this could only be done after
Images reveal scale of flood damage on Edinburgh to Glasgow line
All photos: Network Rail It could take months to reinstate the Edinburgh to Glasgow line as the scale of flood damage is revealed. Network Rail will be working around-the-clock to repair flood damage on the main line near Polmont. With the flood water subsiding from the tracks, engineers have now fully inspected
Flooded Scottish main line could remain closed for months
Edinburgh-Glasgow Line Seriously Damaged by Flooding
The railway line that connects Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, with Glasgow has sustained serious damage due to flooding near Polmont. A huge amount of rainfall on 12 August caused a 30m section of the Union canal at Muiravonside to be breached. The canal water gushed down the slope, flooding the main line
Torrential rain in Scotland leaves legacy of disruption
TRAIN services on several lines in Scotland are still disrupted after Wednesday’s severe weather. Although the derailment near Stonehaven has had the most publicity, with no trains running between Dundee and Aberdeen until further notice, there are other gaps on the ScotRail network as well. One major blockage has occurred at Falkirk,
Stonehaven train derailment: What do we know?
The scene near Stonehaven. Photo: STV News An investigation has begun into the derailment of a passenger train near Stonehaven in which three people died and six others injured. The incident involved the 06.48 ScotRail service from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street, which about a mile from Carmont level crossing at
£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
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
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
Siemens wins Edinburgh trams extension contract
Siemens Mobility Wins Edinburgh Tram Contract
Siemens Mobility has won a contract to supply technology for the extension of the Edinburgh Tram from York Place to Newhaven. Edinburgh’s current tram line runs from Edinburgh Airport to York Place. The extension to Newhaven will mark the completion of Phase 1a of the city’s tram project. Siemens Mobility has been
How it’s done: Photography masterclass
Significant technical advances in digital cameras and lens quality has made possible the creation of images previously thought impossible. The editor meets professional and commercial photographer Jack Boskett, whose portfolio includes The Royal Family and celebrities. He explains the techniques used to create thought-provoking and dramatic railway photographs. Jack Basket (right)
Check out this railway photography masterclass
Significant technical advances in digital cameras and lens quality has made railway photography images previously thought impossible, possible. The editor meets professional and commercial railway photography Jack Boskett, whose portfolio includes The Royal Family and celebrities. He explains the techniques used to create thought-provoking and dramatic railway photographs. Jack Basket (pictured below)
Scottish Government concedes support for subway and trams
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
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
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
24 April: news in brief
West Midlands Metro service cut from Monday HEADWAYS on West Midands Metro will be widened slightly from Monday, with trams running four times an hour. However, evening and Sunday services will be continued so that essential workers can still travel. West Midlands Metro is one of several tram and light rail
Splitting the Difference
Phil Bulman examines the future of rail ticket pricing in Britain. Phil Bulman While the concept of ‘split ticketing’ is nothing new, the recent launch of Trainline’s ‘SplitSave’ ticketing tool could allow many more passengers to cut costs on rail journeys by finding them clever combinations of tickets. While good news
21 April: news in brief
Hundreds of retired signallers respond to Network Rail appeal NETWORK RAIL has reported that hundreds of former signallers have responded to its appeal for help during the national emergency. Retired signallers were asked to return to duty while other staff needed to step down temporarily to self-isolate. The returning staff were
The Golden Age of the ‘Big Four’
No. 6201 Princess Elizabeth near Mossley Hill, Liverpool, on an express to London Euston in 1938. The 1930s were the golden age of the ‘Big Four’ railway companies that arose from the Railway Act of 1921 following the experience of placing the country’s many diverse railway companies under government control during
Storm Ciara travel disruptions set to continue
Danny Lawson/PA Wire Parts of the UK continue to brace for blizzards and up to 20cm of snow in the wake of Storm Ciara, with travel disruptions set to continue. Trains, flights and ferries all saw cancellations and delays on Sunday, while drivers faced treacherous conditions with floodwater, fallen trees and other
£500m promised by Government to restore historic rail lines
Whisky Nine Six: LNER’s Highland Lifeline
As one of Britain’s longest distance trains prepares for the arrival of new rolling stock, Ben Jones takes a trip on LNER’s ‘Highland Chieftain’ to experience the changing atmosphere onboard as it speeds north. The Up ‘Highland Chieftain’ is seen shortly after passing Dalwhinnie on July 10. The usual stacks of
From The Archive: Sir Allen Sarle
Original article excerpt from The Railway Magazine, January 1898 Illustrated interviews: Sir Allen Sarle, General Manager, London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. The retirement of Sir Allen Sarle in the course of the next few weeks means the disappearance of an old familiar face from the management of the London, Brighton and
14 January: news in brief
Chaudhry-van der Velde to leave troubled West Midlands THE managing director of West Midlands Trains Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde is leaving the troubled company at Easter ‘to take a career break’. His replacement has been named as WMR director Julian Edwards, who is joining now and will work alongside Mr Chaudhry-van
Emergency windows on Caledonian Sleeper locked shut
ONE of the vehicles in a new Caledonian Sleeper train is reported to have emergency windows that cannot be opened. Serco, which owns the franchise, has attributed the problem with the high-tech windows to a ‘circuit fault’, but added that ‘guest and staff safety is always our number one priority’. The windows
LNER says farewell to HST sets as ‘Azumas’ sweep in
TranPennine introduces ‘Nova 2’ into service
SATURDAY, November 30 saw the third and final TransPennine Express (TPE) train fleet finally entering passenger service, when Class 397 ‘Nova 2’ set No. 397007 worked the 08.10 departure from Manchester Airport to Edinburgh. An incident-packed journey saw the train finally arriving at Edinburgh significantly behind time because of an overhead
Tornado’s 2020 tour diary takes shape
PEPPERCORN ‘A1’ Pacific No. 60163 Tornado looks set to have another busy year on the national network in 2020 as more dates are added to the locomotive’s main line calendar. The first confirmed booking is the ‘Fen & Fells Flyer’ on April 4, which starts diesel-hauled in Cambridge, running via Ely, March
New platform at Dunbar as Robroyston and Warrington West stations open
Major changes as new timetables start
THE next 48 hours are set to be critical for the railway industry, as many timetables change. Managers will be anxious not to repeat the events of May 2018, when new timetables on Govia Thameslink Railway and Northern proved to be unworkable, for different reasons, and months of disruption followed. This
LNER to say goodbye to Inter-City 125 High Speed Train
Plan to relieve Edinburgh western approaches: Transport Scotland revives project for Almond Chord
SCOTTISH Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has approved a £15million preliminary project to prepare for the construction of a new chord to the Dalmeny to Winchburgh Junction line, west of Edinburgh. The scheme will enable Transport Scotland and Network Rail to develop three options for the Edinburgh Waverley Western Approaches (EWWA) project,
New trains are ‘early Christmas present’
Virgin Trains signs off in style!
Photo: PA With the end of the Virgin Trains franchise taking place at 01:59am on December 8 after 22 years of running trains between London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh, they’re going out with a bang! To celebrate all that Virgin has achieved since it launched in 1997, the company has
Virgin Trains signs off in style with video featuring Mr Blobby
Photo: PA With the end of the Virgin Trains franchise taking place at 01:59am on December 8 after 22 years of running trains between London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh, they’re going out with a bang! To celebrate all that Virgin has achieved since it launched in 1997, the company has created
London to Glasgow passengers choose rail over air
The proportion of people travelling between London and Glasgow by rail rather than air has reached a record level, according to Virgin Trains. Some 29% of passengers making the journey between England and Scotland’s biggest cities in the 12 months to July chose to travel with the train company rather
Virgin reports record modal shift from planes to trains
24/7 Maintenance Cover for Safety and Control Systems
Rail Industry Examples Notable examples within the rail industry include 24/7 maintenance currently in place for Bombardier at their Ilford depot on their Depot Protection System. This covers both the 2 Road Paintshop Facility and the 6 Road Maintenance Shed. We have also assisted 1stinRail with Locally Operated Points Systems (LOPS) Hardware
‘Aberdonian’ success prompts return in 2020
TORNADO Railtours’ series of Edinburgh to Aberdeen day trips concluded on September 7 after a successful first season, with dates having been announced for next year’s trains. The tours are hauled by ‘A1’ No. 60163 Tornado and will operate on July 23, September 3 and September 10, offering passengers a diverse selection
5 facts you may not know about the ‘Azuma’ train
NR annual report highlights delivery successes – but debt grows again
NEW and expanded stations, electrification schemes and capacity for an additional 3,000 trains a week are all highlighted as successes in Network Rail’s 2018/19 annual report. The year to March 31, 2019, saw £7billion invested in targeted improvements to the British rail network, and although many of those were delayed, the
Caledonian Sleepers to be hit by industrial action
Railway accidents: Curve of unintended outcome
Loss of brakes on Caledonian Sleeper adds to operator woes
THE loss of control of the train brakes during the operation of the ‘Lowlander’ Caledonian Sleeper service on August 1 on the approach to Edinburgh Waverley station is being investigated by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). Starting as the 23.36 from London Euston the previous evening, the Glasgow and Edinburgh
‘Royal Scotsman’ on Grand Tour
Belmond’s ‘Royal Scotsman’ luxury landcruise train – more usually confined to itineraries within Scotland – embarks on an annual seven-night grand tour of Britain, visiting popular tourist spots in England and Wales. On the third leg from Edinburgh to Chester on July 7, No. 66746 leads the train through Carnforth.
Staff charter takes GBRf ‘50s’ back to Scotland
30 August: news in brief
Four days of strikes begin on South Western Railway MEMBERS of the RMT have begun four days of strikes on South Western Railway as the long-running dispute about the future role of guards continues. SWR said reduced services are running on its main lines from London to Portsmouth, Weymouth and Exeter,
LNER to pilot UK rail ticketing reform
UK: East Coast Main Line operator LNER is to pilot proposed reforms to Great Britain’s fares system from January 2 2020, with tickets going on sale from November 29. Announcing the trial on August 29, the Department for Transport said its aim was to ‘significantly boost customer confidence and flexibility in
A West Highland celebration
In the first of two features focusing on the West Highland line, which marks its 125th anniversary this year, Keith Farr analyses steam-hauled journeys over this scenic and demanding route. Glasgow (Queen Street) high-level terminus is being transformed. Platforms are being extended to cope with more frequent and longer trains
13 August: news in brief
Scottish line to reopen in £70m project
Planned strikes over higher rail fares
The biggest rail workers’ union is planning a series of protests on the day higher rail fares are set to be announced. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will demonstrate outside stations in more than 30 locations including Cardiff, London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Bristol and Manchester. Union activists and
Levenmouth reopening moves forward
UK: The Scottish Government has given the go-ahead for detailed design work to support the proposed reopening of the 6·5 km railway serving Levenmouth at an estimated cost of £70m, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure & Connectivity Michael Matheson confirmed on August 8. The rail link had been identified as one of
6 August: news in brief
Second station funding boost for West Midlands TWO stations in the West Midlands which were closed in January 1965 have moved a significant step closer to being reopened, with news of a £10 million grant from the Department for Transport. Darlaston and Willenhall were closed as part of the Beeching cutbacks,
Industry Insider Week 31 – 12 Must-Read Rail Stories
All the important rail news of the week, summed up for you in one place: our Railway-News Industry Insider Week 31 for 29 July–02 August 2019: Rail yard behind the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Virginia © Donnie Nunley under licence Business Stadler manufactures the Berlin S-Bahn at its Pankow site © Railway-News Stadler
Eight-Car Trains Introduced on Edinburgh – Glasgow Route
UK: On the 29 July, ScotRail launched its first eight-car Class 385 trains on the main line between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Built by Hitachi Rail, the EMUs will deliver faster journeys as well as more seating and improved amenities for passengers. ScotRail Class 385 trains © The ScotRail Alliance under license The
Azuma launches on Flying Scotsman
UK: East Coast Main Line operator LNER launched its Hitachi-built Class 800 Azuma trainsets on Anglo-Scottish services on August 1, deploying one of the electro-diesel units on its flagship 05.40 Flying Scotsman service from Edinburgh to London King’s Cross and the 17.30 return working. Class 800s have been operating between London
UK railway news round-up – August 1
Mallard to leave National Railway Museum to meet new Azuma trains
23 July: news in brief
All night trams for Edinburgh TRAMS will run all night for the first time in Edinburgh during August. The special 20-minute service between 00.01 and 05.30 will be provided on Fridays and Saturdays during the city’s festivals, which will be taking place between 3 and 25 August. Visitors to the capital
The death of Sir Nigel Gresley
The death of Sir Nigel Gresley at Hertford on April 5, deprives the railway mechanical engineering profession of one of its most distinguished personalities, and one whose career has no parallel in the locomotive history of this country. For nearly 30 years he held the chief executive position on the
Train test: Overnight sensation?
Practice & Performance: ScotRail progress
Scotland’s railways are undergoing a transformation. John Heaton FCILT assesses the performance of ScotRail’s new traction. Standing on the concourse of Glasgow Central it is easy to assess how well the service is performing. There are no anxious groups waiting for departure platforms to be announced and arriving commuters march confidently
Caledonian Sleeper Highlander services delayed again
THE launch of new Caledonian Sleeper services to the Highlands has been delayed again, as rolling stock problems continue. Transport Scotland is now preparing to levy a fine on Caledonian Sleeper for breaching its franchise contract. Services to Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William using the new coaches had already been postponed from
SRPS Railtours: Forth Bridge and Borders Steam Specials
SRPS Railtours is organising steam specials on each Sunday in August 2019, starting at Linlithgow, and picking up passengers at Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Dalgety Bay and Edinburgh Waverley. The trains will set down at Galashiels and terminate at Tweedbank (approx 12.50). Evening train crossing to terminate in Inverkeithing. The return departure at about 15.10
Bringing a Freight Line Back to Life in Colombia
From the archive: The big bird that flew too far
Words: Nick Pigott As the most powerful single-engine diesel locomotive in the world at the time, Kestrel promised a motive power revolution… but it turned out to be ‘too good for its own good’! Shunned by BR despite its 125mph speed potential, it vanished behind the Iron Curtain where it became the
From the archive: The big bird that flew too far – Part One: The British Years (1967-71)
18 June: news in brief
1960s Railtours with a difference
High Speed 2 rolling stock bids submitted
HS2 rolling stock bids submitted
UK: Alstom Reveals Its Design for HS2 Trains
Doncaster hub prepares to maintain Azuma fleet
Azuma carries first passengers to Leeds
A HITACHI Azuma train was due to carry passengers on the East Coast Main Line for the first time today The new Intercity Expresses should have started running last December, but the already postponed launch was further delayed by continuing problems with electromagnetic interference, which affected signalling and safety-critical CCTV systems. The