News

Now freshly repainted in DB red, the cut-down former coal hopper has gained a new 12-digit number and is currently being trialled in service for a possible follow-on fleet. FORMER HTA bogie coal hopper No. 310711 – which has been reduced to around 80% of its original length by the removal of one hopper bay…

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OUT of traffic since 2015, Mk.2a TSO No. 5366 has been returned to traffic by Riviera Trains. It made its first appearance on June 17, when it was included in the formation of Pathfinder’s ‘Welsh Central Liner’ from Burton to Shrewsbury and back. The vehicle had previously been offered for sale by Riviera Trains, but…

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GB Railfreight is offering a large amount of Class 20 mileage in July at a bargain fare. NOW a welcome (and commendable) part of the railway calendar, GBRf’s charity railtours offer both good value and a great day out. The latest one announced, ‘The Charity Chibble’, runs on Sunday, July 16, and is a one-way…

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Eurostar puts its Class 374s into service on the London to Brussels route as a first step towards expanding to Amsterdam and beyond. By Paul Bickerdyke EUROSTAR has introduced its Class 374 ‘Velaro’ sets to the St Pancras to Brussels Midi route, the first working being the 08.04 from St Pancras and 18.56 return on…

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A DRS Class 88 topped the list of 17 visiting locos for the Severn Valley Railway’s recent three day gala, an event which marked 30 years of dedicated diesel events at the heritage line. THE Severn Valley Railway’s diesel gala on May 18-20 once again proved to a highlight on the heritage calendar. No less…

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The focus on the next Wales and Borders franchise could be on Cardiff, to the detriment of the rest of the principality. By ‘Industry Witness’ STAKEHOLDERS have expressed concern that draft proposals for the next Wales and Borders franchise will be withheld from the public and only revealed when the 15-year contract has been awarded…

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By Simon Bendall THE final weekday of the winter timetable, May 19, saw Chiltern Railways cease using its two Class 121 ‘Bubble Cars’, and with it came the end of First Generation DMUs with a main line operator. For the final day, Chiltern commendably chose to operate a number of additional services between Aylesbury and…

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