Passenger train services return to Birmingham’s Camp Hill line
UK: Passenger services were reinstated on the Camp Hill line on April 7, restoring a service that was withdrawn in 1941 owing to coal shortages during the Second World War. Tony Miles reports from Birmingham.
Great Western passengers feel the joys of spring
UK: Great Western Railway is testing the EcoSeat, which uses pocket spring technology more commonly found in mattresses.
Apprentice Customer Drivers qualify ahead of Lumo’s West Coast launch
UK: The first apprentice drivers for open access operator Lumo’s London to Stirling service have completed training ahead of the launch, which is planned by July.
Lumo reveals first glimpse of refurbished Class 222 trains as West Coast base opens
UK: FirstGroup’s open access operator Lumo hopes to order new-build battery-electric trainsets if it secures longer access rights to run its upcoming London to Stirling services.
Train operator trials tool to optimise timetables during unplanned disruption
UK: Inter-city train operator Avanti West Coast is trialling a timetable optimisation tool developed to boost service reliability during unplanned disruption such as speed restrictions or line closures.
Investors to fund London Overground shuttle train services
UK: Investors Yoo Capital and DFI are to fund a peak-time London Overground shuttle service between Clapham Junction, Kensington (Olympia) and Shepherd’s Bush as part of a £1·3bn regeneration of the Olympia events venue as an entertainment destination.
Investor to increase stake in Thameslink train fleet
UK: Denmark-based energy and decarbonisation infrastructure investor AIP Management has signed an agreement to acquire an additional stake in Cross London Trains, which owns the Thameslink fleet.
Engineers take advantage of emergency closure of Glasgow Central station
UK: Glasgow Central station has fully reopened following disruption caused by a major fire in an adjacent commercial building, with Network Rail having taken the opportunity of the unexpected closure of Scotland’s busiest station to undertake maintenance and renewal works that would normally have taken around 10 months to complete.
East Midlands Railway expands Secret Fare discounts
UK: East Midlands Railway has expanded the Secret Fare scheme operated in partnership with Seatfrog, which offers savings of up to 50% in exchange for being flexible with departure times.
ScotRail confirms Class 222 leasing deal to enable withdrawal of HSTs
UK: ScotRail has confirmed a deal to lease 22 five-car Bombardier Transportation Class 222 inter-city DMUs from Beacon to enable the replacement of its ageing High Speed Train fleet.
Ticket validators go live at NI Railways stations
UK: Platform validators are now live in the latest milestone in Translink NI Railways’ Future Ticketing System programme.