‘Compromise’ timetable agreed in Manchester as policymakers demand investment commitments
UK: Following fraught political negotiations and public consultation, agreement has been reached on the introduction of a post-pandemic timetable for the Manchester area from December 2022.
Glasgow Queen Street station rebuild completed
UK: The completion of a £120m four-year project to rebuild Glasgow Queen Street station was officially marked on October 4, with a celebration attended by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Virtual reality simulation aims to ‘empower people to use public transport’
UK: A virtual reality simulation is being developed to enable disabled passengers to take simulated journeys where they can experience trains and stations, and interact with on-board staff to find out about the support available.
Hull Trains MD appointed
UK: David Gibson has been appointed as Managing Director of open access operator Hull Trains with effect from October 1.
Operator of Last Resort to take over Southeastern after ‘£25m breach of franchise agreement’
UK: The Department for Transport’s Operator of Last Resort is to take over the running of Southeastern services after Govia’s current management contract expires on October 16.
ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper Emergency Measures Agreements extended
UK: The Scottish government has extended the Emergency Measures Agreements for the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchises until December.
Thameslink test confirms ETCS backwards compatibility
UK: A significant milestone has been reached in the East Coast Digital Programme, with the testing of a Great Northern Class 717 EMU over the Thameslink core between London St Pancras and Blackfriars stations using ETCS Level 2.
On-train air quality standards to be reviewed following RSSB research
UK: The Department for Transport has ordered a review of regulations governing exposure to air pollution on trains and at stations, after research commissioned from the Rail Safety & Standards Board found that air quality was ‘poorer than desired’ on some trains using diesel power.
Direct awards agreed with Greater Anglia and West Midlands Trains
UK: The Abellio-led Greater Anglia and West Midlands Trains businesses have agreed directly-awarded National Rail Contracts with the Department for Transport, ahead of the expiry of their Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement contracts on September 19.
Fatigue and stress led to Hitachi train cracks, finds ORR
UK: Both fatigue and stress corrosion led to the cracks that resulted in Hitachi-built Class 80x trainsets and Class 385 EMUs being withdrawn from service earlier this year, according to an interim review released by the Office of Rail & Road.
Digital upgrade for Siemens Mobility’s Class 185 DMU fleet
UK: The 51 Class 185 diesel multiple-units which TransPennine Express leases from Eversholt Rail are to be equipped with Siemens Mobility’s Railigent cloud-based reporting tools, which are expected to improve reliability significantly while reducing overall maintenance and whole-life costs.