Alstom awarded Class 334 EMU overhaul contract
UK: Leasing company Eversholt Rail has awarded supplier Alstom Transport UK a £12∙4m contract to undertake the mileage-based overhaul of its fleet of 40 three-car Class 334 Juniper electric multiple-units which are operated by ScotRail.
First Class 484 arrives on the Isle of Wight
UK: The first of five Class 484 electric multiple-units for the Isle of Wight was delivered to the island on a Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne on November 19.
Leasing company takes on DMU heavy maintenance
UK: Responsibility for heavy maintenance, future maintenance optimisation and the enhancement of West Midlands Trains’ Bombardier Transportation Class 172 diesel multiple-units has been transferred from the operator to Porterbrook.
Turbostar reshuffle conundrum
UK: East Midlands Railway has begun using the first of the Class 170 Turbostar diesel multiple-units which are due to be transferred from other operators, marking the start of its programme to modernise its regional fleet.
Hull Trains and Grand Central to suspend services again
UK: Open access operators Hull Trains and Grand Central are to suspend services again as England enters a second period of coronavirus lockdown running for four weeks from November 5.
Aberdeen – Dundee line to reopen on November 3
UK: The line between Aberdeen and Dundee will reopen on November 3, after the completion of work to repair the railway following the derailment at Carmont near Stonehaven on August 12.
Aurora brand for East Midlands Railway Class 810 inter-city fleet
UK: East Midlands Railway has selected Aurora as the brand name for the fleet of Class 810 electro-diesel inter-city trainsets which Hitachi Rail is to supply for use on the Midland Main Line between London, Nottingham and Sheffield from 2023.
Wales & Borders rail operations to transfer to public control with new role for KeolisAmey
UK: Plans to bring Wales & Borders passenger services under public management have been announced by the Welsh Government, along with a new partnership which would see Transport for Wales continue to work with Keolis and Amey.
ScotRail’s active travel coach offers space for skis, tandems and e-bikes
UK: ScotRail has unveiled the interior of the first of the five ‘active travel’ coaches which are being produced by modifying Class 153 single-car diesel multiple-units to carry up to 20 bicycles, bulky luggage and sporting equipment such as skis.
Next Caledonian Sleeper Managing Director appointed
UK: Serco has named Kathryn Darbandi as the next Managing Director of Scotland to London overnight train operator Caledonian Sleeper.
Tendering underway for new Black Country stations
UK: Invitations to tender for the construction of stations at Darlaston and Willenhall on the freight-only Walsall to Wolverhampton line have been issued, after planning permission was granted by Walsall Council.