UK passenger train operator news – Page 2
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NewsBranson promises ‘Virgin magic’ to shake-up cross-Channel train services ‘for good’
EUROPE: Virgin Group has set out more details of its planned Channel Tunnel high speed train services and its funding partners, with founder Sir Richard Branson saying ’it’s time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route’.
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Rail Business UKVirgin Trains granted depot access paving the way for launch of Channel Tunnel high speed services
UK: The rail regulator has approved Virgin Trains’ application for depot access which it needs under its plans to launch high speed passenger train services from London through the Channel Tunnel to Paris and Brussels from 2030.
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Rail Business UKBeaulieu Park station opens to support Chelmsford housing development
UK: The £175m Beaulieu Park station on the Great Eastern Main Line has opened to support the Chelmsford Garden Community development of more than 10 000 new homes.
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Rail Business UKFirstGroup announces Cardiff – York open access plan and tries again to serve Rochdale
UK: FirstGroup has made initial submissions of three separate applications to the Office of Rail & Road for new and extended open access passenger train services which would be operated under its Lumo brand.
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Rail Business UKTfL highlights national supply chain as production of 10 Elizabeth Line trains gets underway
UK: The production of the first of 10 additional electric multiple-units ordered to increase capacity on London’s Elizabeth Line is underway at Alstom’s Derby factory.
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Rail Business UKIntegrated rail leadership shows early promise
UK: Integrated leadership teams are being set up across publicly owned passenger train operators and Network Rail routes to increase collaboration and accountability.
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Rail Business UKc2c reports rebound in commuter travel amid pay-as-you-go roll-out
UK: South Essex to London train operator c2c reports that it has seen a ‘robust resurgence’ in commuter travel, with passenger volumes now at more than 80% of pre-2020 levels.
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Rail Business UKPendolino toilet overhaul contract awarded
UK: Alstom has awarded Knorr-Bremse Rail Services (UK) an eight-year contract to repair and overhaul 510 toilet systems fitted to Avanti West Coast Class 390 Pendolino trainsets.
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Rail Business UKNationalised Greater Anglia to be a benchmark for other train operators
UK: The operation of Greater Anglia passenger services transferred from Transport UK to the public sector on October 12.
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Rail Business UKElectric trains now running daily on the Coryton and Penarth lines
UK: Services on Transport for Wales Rail’s Coryton and Penarth lines are now being worked by Stadler Class 756 tri-mode electric-diesel-battery multiple-units following the completion of work to install discontinuous electrification on the routes.
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Rail Business UKKnorr-Bremse completes c2c Electrostar door overhaul
UK: Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems has completed a ‘significant’ interim door overhaul for the c2c Class 357 Electrostar EMU fleet in a prpject that was ’a significant challenge, both in scale and complexity’.
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Rail Business UKEast Coast Main Line mobile connectivity boosted
UK: On-train mobile phone and wi-fi connectivity on the East Coast Main Line has been improved with the installation of additional phone masts between Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed.
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Organisations
Great British Railways (GBR)
Future state-owned rail operator to be established under the prospective Railways Bill due after 2026.
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Rail Business UKDigital ticket trial goes live between Leeds and Harrogate
UK: The latest phase of the Department for Transport-sponsored digital pay-as-you-go ticketing trial programme has gone live on Northern Trains’ Harrogate to Leeds route.
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Rail Business UKRichmond’s 1937 Art Deco station restored
UK: A major refurbishment of the 1937 Art Deco station at Richmond in southwest London has been completed, reversing later alterations and addressing weathering which had degraded the building’s distinctive appearance.
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Rail Business UKMark Hopwood named next Chair of the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators
UK: Great Western Railway Managing Director Mark Hopwood is to succeed Iarnród Eireann CEO Jim Meade as Chair of the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators in October.
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NewsBletchley depot reopened following £80m modernisation
UK: Bletchley Traction Maintenance Depot has been officially reopened by Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy following an £80m modernisation programme.
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Rail Business UKTrain operator offers tickets with mystery departure times
UK: Great Western Railway has worked with Seatfrog to launch Secret Fares, offering savings of up to 50% on ticket prices in return for ‘mystery’ departure times.
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Rail Business UKAvanti West Coast seeks inclusive and sustainable on-board catering options
UK: Inter-city operator Avanti West Coast and its food supplier Foodbuy Group have called for small socially conscious businesses to pitch inclusive and sustainable food and drink products for possible inclusion in its onboard menus.
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Rail Business UKTransport for Wales introduces virtual reality train manager training
UK: Transport for Wales has introduced virtual reality training technology for train managers, enabling them to experience scenarios from a classroom before moving on to practical training.