The first of the Class 805 trainsets ordered to replace Avanti West Coast’s Voyager sets has left Hitachi Rail’s Newton Aycliffe factory for two months of dynamic testing at Network Rail’s Rail Innovation & Development Centre in Melton Mowbray. The order financed by Rock Rail and Aberdeen Standard Investments includes 13 five-car Class 805 electro-diesel trainsets for the London to North Wales route and 10 seven-car Class 807 electric sets for services between London, the West Midlands and Liverpool. Entry into service is planned from 2023.
LNER is undertaking a three-month test with Kadfire display screens on two platforms at Doncaster station to provide information on train layouts and where to wait. The operator hoped this will make boarding simpler and smoother to enhance punctuality.
HS2 Ltd has commissioned a network of conveyors in West London to carry more than 5 million tonnes of spoil from its construction sites to the rail-served Logistics Hub at Willesden Junction, avoiding the need for more than 1 million lorry movements. BBVS JV will use the conveyor to remove 1·5 million tonnes of spoil excavated from the Old Oak Common station box, while spoil excavated by the two TBMs boring the Northolt Tunnel East will be moved from late 2023. A branch from Atlas Road will be transport spoil from the logistics tunnel which will eventually serve the Euston tunnels site.
The Railway Industry Association has called for clarity on the Integrated Rail Plan for the North & Midlands on the first anniversary of its publication. ‘A year on from the publication of the Integrated Rail Plan for the North & Midlands, the railway industry and rail passengers are still awaiting further details of the specific schemes in this plan, and remain in the dark about likely scope and timescales’, said RIA North Chair Justin Moss.
Northern is seeking proposals for specific projects to share £250 000 from second round of the Northern Accessibility Innovation Scheme to improve access to stations and services. Previous projects included a pilot scheme at Buxton station to improve station signage for those who are suffering from dementia, an initiative to reduce social isolation, tactile wayfinding for people with visual impairments, and virtual 360° tours of Manchester Victoria and Blackburn stations.
c2c has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and adopted the Employer Recognition Scheme for the employment of reservists and veterans.
Automated external defibrillators have now been installed at all 164 stations and 17 depots on the Southeastern network.
Govia Thameslink Railway now offers Advance tickets on its Thameslink services in addition to those operated under the Southern brand.
This year Royal British Legion Industries is to supply HS2 contractor EKFB and subcontractor HW Martin (Traffic Management) Ltd with temporary signage worth £80 000 for use at construction sites.