The February 2024 issue of Today's Railways UK is full of interesting articles and features covering all aspects of Britain’s railways, plus all the very latest news from across Britain’s railway network. This month we look in depth at new trains on Britain’s railways, but we also include all our regular monthly sections covering light rail, heritage railways, preservation and railtours, with readers’ letters and our grumpy old man also in attendance.
Feature articles this month include:
Avanti Prepares for it's New Fleet: Martin Ward, Head of Fleet Technical at the West Coast Partnership and Liam Hockings, New Fleet Introduction Manager at Avanti West Coast gave an update on Avanti's new fleet to a Derby Railway Engineering Society/Institution of Mechanical Engineers joint meeting on 6 December. Robert Pritchard reports.
777 Roll-Out Passes Halfway Point: The Class 777 roll-out in Merseyside has been picking up pace in recent months, and December saw the first 777 turn introduced on the Southport line. The oldest of the Class 507 fleet has also received a repaint into original BR blue & grey livery generating even more interest in the old fleet before it is replaced. Robert Pritchard reports on the latest developments and chats to Merseytravel Programme Director, David Powell.
Polar Express Success for Vintage Trains: During the run-up to Christmas, Moor Street station in Birmingham saw the most intensive heritage steam service of any station on the UK network. Now in its fourth season, the Vintage Trains Polar Express was expected to carry around 25 000 passengers on five daily services every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from late November until 23 December. Gary Essex looks at this year's operation and also takes a ride.
An Afternoon at Chester: Mike Reynolds continues his "afternoon at" series with a trip to the cathedral city of Chester, examining what trains can be viewed on a typical afternoon at the station.
2023 - Scotland's Year in Review: Regular TR UK contributor Stuart Fowler presents a review of the Scottish railway scene in 2023 in words and pictures.
Peak District Stone Traffic in Focus: The cement works at Hope and the quarries around Buxton mean that there is a significant amount of rail borne freight traffic to be found in the Peak District. Steve Stubbs explores the area and the heavy freight trains that can be seen operating in it.
News stories this month include:
- Street and Burnham join forces to develop HS2 alternative
- HS2 tunnel segments from Hartlepool
- New Glasgow Subway trains slip quietly into service
- Government drip-feeds TfL's capital projects
- Liverpool Street becomes Great Britain's busiest station
- Eversholt to fund three new Revolution Very Light Rail vehicles
- New open-access operator proposes Euston to Wrexham services
- Two more new stations join the network
- Barrhead electric service under way
- New TPE rail link for Castleford
- Hope Valley upgrade work on target for March completion
- Lack of trains delays TfW improvements
- Barmouth bridge work completed
- Two new advert liveries for Nottingham trams
- DB Cargo advertises the remainder of its Class 90 fleet for sale
- Network Rail bids farewell to DRS's 37s
- TPE 68s bow out
- Final South Wales GWR HST
- New routes for Class 197s
- Northern 319s given short stay of execution
- Avanti Class 805s authorised for service
- WyvernRail takes ownership of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
- Pannier tank back in traffic at Llangollen
- "The Unknown Warrior" moves to Tyseley
- DB Cargo UK denies plans to withdraw from charter train sector
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