AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR RAIL USERS No 149 £1.50 October 2016

London’s Bridge to the future SEE PAGE 2 PAGE ONE PICTURE THE CAMPAIGN FOR RAIL FREIGHT The new London Bridge Big league Passengers returning from their and first opened in 1836 and the August bank holiday walked five-year rebuilding project has blinking into a bright new Lon- been complicated by train opera- rail freight don Bridge station. tors and the Government being

embroiled in a dispute with rail Picture: ROBIN PATRICK

To be precise, two-thirds of Picture: NETWORK RAIL the new concourse at Britain’s union RMT which objects to driv- fourth-busiest (but not very ers being made responsible for for Ireland lovely) railway station opened. closing train doors. By Lee Davies Our front page picture shows the Many people think it is a simple [email protected] view from the platforms looking matter of extending practices We do not hear much about the down the escalators to the new which operate elsewhere without concourse. problems. railways of Ireland but here is some good news. The picture (right) shows the But former BR chief Alan Mar- view from the concourse looking shall believes that the situation Iarnrod Éireann (Irish Rail) has up to the platforms. has changed since driver-only now completed a series of three operation was introduced more freight train trials that will enable Four years of enormous effort than 30 years ago. Passenger loads to be increased by 50%. has gone into rebuilding the numbers have trebled and new grimy old station and realign- The final trial in June was a mul- 12-car trains are running that can ing tracks as part of the £6 billion timodal service operated from carry 1,100 people. Thameslink project which will be Dublin Port (North Wall) to County Mayo in the north west AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE ROAD JUGGERNAUT: This freight train, hauled by two class 86 completed in 2018. He highlights a Rail Accident electric locomotives, is on its way from Felixstowe, Essex, to Trafford Park in Manchester. It is Investigation Branch report into of Ireland. Until now trains on It will transform rail travel much better than the containers going by road but if the Government and Network Rail could a “trap and drag” incident which this route have been operated through a wide swathe of the agree to complete the upgrade of lines from Felixstowe through Ely to Nuneaton, as advocated occurred last year when a wom- with a maximum of 18 wagons south east of England, with (carrying 36 standard containers) by Railfuture, the environmental payback would be even greater improved connections to more an’s hand became trapped in a train door at Hayes and Harling- and this trial has now pushed the destinations including Cam- Dublin Port. Subject to the suc- n Midland Quarry Products South Shields to build a 75,000 ton station. limit up to 27 wagons (carrying bridge and Peterborough. 54 containers). cessful conclusion of trials, the Cliffe Hill Quarry (Leicester- tonne storage facility, three She sustained hand, head and company expects to commence shire) enclosed conveyors and transfer Network Rail is also untangling The train, hauled by a class back injuries, with the driver the operation of longer freight n towers, three silos, a rail loading the track on the approaches to 201 General Motors diesel, the Hanson Aggregates Dagen- unaware of what had happened trains for customers from the silo and other works. London Bridge station, as well as most powerful to operate in Ire- ham Wharf (East London) building new flyovers. and no despatch staff on the plat- fourth quarter of 2016. form. It was only later that Great land, was 440 metres long with n Avonmouth Docks (Bristol) The Port of Tyne is contributing a trailing load of 1,110 tonnes. £13 million to this huge proj- There have been well-publicised Western safety managers, view- MENDIPS FREIGHT The trains split into two or three problems for passengers though The train, operated on behalf of ect with most of the investment ing CCTV images, realised the smaller trains in West London, to because trains have been can- International Warehousing & DB Cargo has renewed its con- being made by LPL. seriousness of the incident. deliver aggregates to their final celled and delayed as Network Transport of Dublin, is the lon- tract to deliver aggregates for destination with greater effi- Mr Moffat said: “The fast Rail and train operators strug- The RAIB’s report highlights gest commercial freight train to Mendip Rail for a further five similar previous incidents at ciency and a reduced environ- approaching end of coal imports gled to cope with the 56 million operate over the Iarnród Éireann years. has been challenging for all UK passengers who use the station Huntington, King’s Cross, Brent- network. Recently a trial of an mental impact. wood and West Wickham. DB Cargo delivers more than 100 ports that have been handling every year. Most of the passen- 18-wagon, 390 metres long, 1,100 trains of aggregates every week The products delivered include this cargo, but the strategy of gers have been far from happy. The report draws attention to “a tonnes pulpwood train also oper- from quarries in Somerset to aggregates for use in concrete diversification at the port ensures Dyan Crowther, Govia Thames- lack of awareness among opera- Part of the new London Bridge station concourse which opened ated successfully between Limer- London and the south east. and asphalt and rail ballast for that we are not reliant on any one tional staff of the limitations of at the end of August. The project will be completed in 2018 ick and Waterford. the London Underground net- link Railway’s chief operating The class 59 “jumbo” locomo- sector. officer, said: “Our passengers existing train door interlocking Longer trains on the network work. technology, and the importance tives haul the heaviest trains in “We have been at the forefront of are benefiting from the newly NEWS IN BRIEF will boost the competitiveness of the UK, which are 44 wagons DB Cargo has also introduced developing expertise and facili- unveiled escalators, stairs and of the final safety check when rail freight to industry. The envi- a dedicated management team, despatching a train.” Pilning station is losing its 60 miles of the Settle-Carlisle long and can carry over 3,300 ties to handle the renewable fuel, lifts and will be impressed by footbridge as part of the Great ronmental benefits of rail freight tonnes. with joint management reviews wood pellet, and I am delighted Mr Marshall concludes: “The line despite a landslip at Eden the new concourse. We are look- Western electrification pro- would also be enhanced by oper- held daily at the Mendip Rail that LPL have chosen the Port of default position might become Brow. A replacement bus oper- Mick Tinsley, head of building, ing forward to the completion of gramme with the result that ating higher capacity services offices at Merehead in Somerset. Tyne as a key partner in this sig- that the drivers release the doors, ates over 12 miles of the route infrastructure and construction the station in 2018, with its new some people will have to travel – currently moving freight by Mendip Rail has also hired 130 nificant development. as they do already on Pendolinos between Carlisle and Arma- at DB Cargo said: “I am very track and signalling, allowing the to Severn Tunnel Junction sta- rail instead of road reduces emis- freight aggregate wagons from and Voyagers, but reponsibility thwaite. The whole line will be pleased to see our long-term rela- “The project will provide new return of a new and improved tion and back again before they sions up to 75% per container, VTG Rail UK, which will be in for closing might vary according back to normal in March. tionship with Mendip Rail being jobs, and support jobs indirectly, Thameslink service.” can alight or board. Campaign- and longer trains could see emis- use on the Somerset to London to characteristic of service, type An experimental rail service will be extended further. Our proven both in construction and in oper- When Thameslink is complete ers want a better deal. Details: sions reduced to one-tenth of the route this summer. of train and station layouts.” introduced between Taunton and road equivalent. ability to reliably deliver the high ation, for many years to come. in 2018, passengers will benefit [email protected] volume requirement of the con- from new, longer and more spa- The RAIB has also called for roll- Bishops Lydeard in May next year, “The port has been investing in The cost of reinstating five miles of Iarnród Éireann’s general man- tract is a major factor in Mendip TYNE UPGRADE cious trains running every two ing stock companies to redouble to connect with the West Somerset building a strong, diverse busi- track to Wadebridge, Cornwall, is ager for freight, Glenn Carr, said Rail choosing to continue work- to three minutes through central efforts to equip train doors with preserved line to Minehead, thanks ness for almost a decade. £54 million, according to consul- that Iarnród Éireann is currently ing with DB Cargo UK. Andrew Moffat, chief execu- London in the peak. sensitive edge technology to to an initiative by Taunton Deane “We had a challenging year in tants for Cornwall County Council. working with existing custom- ensure that – if even the flimsi- Borough Council. “Over the coming years we are tive of the Port of Tyne, has 2015 which also included restruc- The new concourse at Lon- The cost should actually be £15 mil- ers as well as freight forward- announced the start of building est item is trapped – the traction The Rail Delivery Group was ers, ports and the Irish Exporters jointly committed to meeting the turing the business, winning don Bridge will be bigger than lion, based on other rail reopenings. new facilities to handle, store interlock is safeguarded. planning to hold a “summit” Association to identify further increasing demands of the busy new business and ensuring that the pitch at Wembley stadium, Railnews September 2016 and transport wood pellet for increasing passenger capacity by Mr Marshall believes an inquiry in September to bring together opportunities and trends for South East construction market.” customer service remained top Only two models of car deliver Lynemouth Power Limited. 65%. London Bridge is London’s into the dispute should look into passenger train operators and rail freight development within DB Cargo serves 33 depots for priority. their advertised fuel economy oldest surviving rail terminus, all these issues. the government “to tackle some the Irish and European market. Mendip Rail, loading materials LPL is making good progress when driven on the road, “With the ongoing support and of the complexity around rail In 2015, 96.4 million tonne kilo- at seven points: with its plan to convert the power commitment of our employees Government will deliver HS2 ‘as planned’ according to Emission Analyt- fares and ticketing.” metres of freight were clocked up n station in south east Northum- ics. Diesel cars are emitting Aggregate Industries Torr and all of our stakeholders, we Rail Minister Paul Maynard said by rail in Ireland. berland from coal to biomass. The Government gave an assurance in September that work on High many times the official limit for Quarry (Somerset) look forward to working together in August that an extra £20 mil- Principal rail freight traffic on the n The Port of Tyne has secured the to deliver our future strategies Speed Two from London to the West Midlands through Warwickshire nitrogen oxides. Hanson Aggregates Whatley agreement to handle, store and will start next year, after the Commons public accounts committee lion will be made available to reopen Irish network currently includes Quarry (Somerset) to ensure that the Port of Tyne Using the train between Manchester rail stations. Up to 75% of the cost transport up to 1.8 million tonnes continues to be a vibrant and questioned whether there was a realistic timetable for the scheme. containers from Ballina to Water- n and Leeds is impossible for disabled of a station can be provided from ford and Dublin Ports, pulp- Aggregate Industries Isle of of wood pellet every year once sustainable port and an impor- Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told the BBC: “We aim to deliver as people, said Declan O’Neill of Old- the New Stations Fund which has wood from Ballina and Westport Grain Wharf (Kent) conversion is complete. tant economic driver and enabler planned in the middle of the next decade the first stage and we will, later ham in a letter to The Guardian. already been used for Ilkeston and to Waterford Port, and zinc ore n Hanson Aggregates Machen Construction has begun on the for the regional and national this autumn, be setting out some detail, the remaining routes.” Trains are continuing to run on Kenilworth. from Tara Mines in Navan to Quarry (South Wales) port’s estate at Tyne Dock in ­economy.” 2 railwatch October 2016 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Railfuture Birmingham conference on 12 November 2016 railwatch October 2016 3 LOCAL ACTION THE CAMPAIGN FOR RAIL FREIGHT

and Leicestershire Rail Strategy, welcoming its Ketton Cement Works near Stamford, as well East Anglia positive tone but suggesting further additions as opening up opportunities for new east-west Pellets from USA for British power stations By Paul Hollinghurst to the Action Plan. We want to see promotion of passenger services. By Lee Davies [email protected] the Leicester to Burton-upon-Trent reopening Ilkeston station New faster trains in East Anglia franchise which will require significant infrastructure [email protected] work including reinstating the west to north Work is continuing on the new Ilkeston station, The Port of Tyne recently The winner of the East Anglia Rail franchise was curve at Knighton Junction, Leicester (see item with the old footbridge demolished and a recorded the largest ever cargo finally announced on 10 August with Abellio below). The county council also needs to work new one installed. Opening of the much- of wood pellets ever handled in a continuing to run services until 2025. We are with other authorities to reopen the Castle delayed station, at one time programmed for single shipment – the bulk cargo pleased by the planned 2019 replacement of all Donington line. In addition, there is potential 2014, is now projected for the start of the new vessel MV Agnes delivered a the trains with electric and bi-mode units, built for new stations on existing lines. The county’s timetable in December 2016. record 57,845 tonnes of wood by Bombardier and Stadler. The new trains will poor rail connectivity to other regions could be www.railfuture.org.uk/East+Midlands+Branch pellets. Picture: ROBIN PATRICK be a minimum of three carriages which will be improved by reopening a disused dive-under Twitter: @RailfutureEMids The wood pellets are destined for a relief to passengers suffering overcrowding. at Nuneaton to provide a direct Leicester- Free wifi will be available to all passengers. one of the UK’s largest energy Coventry service. Direct services from Leicester Yorkshire producers Drax Power based in Service upgrades are promised, including to the Thames Valley could be introduced North Yorkshire. London-Ipswich in 60 minutes, and Norwich in using the planned East-West Rail link from By Chris Hyomes [email protected] 90 minutes (on some services), the extension Bedford. New services could also be provided Arriving from Virginia in the of Norwich-Cambridge services to Stansted along a circular route from Kettering via Corby, United States, at 225 metres long airport, and through trains between Lowestoft Oakham and Melton Mowbray to Leicester and the MV Agnes is also the largest and London. The Ipswich-Peterborough service back down the Midland main line, with the wood pellet vessel ever handled will be increased to hourly. Abellio will serve potential for reopened stations at East Goscote, at the port. the new station at Cambridge North with two Thurmaston, Kibworth and Desborough. Steven Harrison, the port’s chief trains an hour. Nearly £60 million will be spent Leicester-Burton needs more promotion operating officer said: “The port on improving stations, with major schemes at was the first to work in part- Broxbourne, Cambridge, Cheshunt, Harlow and A report commissioned by Leicestershire nership with Drax in handling Southend Victoria. County Council and North West Leicestershire large volumes of wood pellet KEEPING FREIGHT OFF THE ROADS: A train to Knowsley, Merseyside, from Wilton, near Redcar, District Council has concluded that reopening as it began to convert from coal We are disappointed there is only one the line from Leicester to Burton-upon-Trent being hauled by a class 66 diesel loco in July photographed near York additional morning peak service from Ipswich derived electricity generation to would not be financially viable. Upgrading on the Humber has been holding Merseyside, after a decade of serves the chemical, agricultural, to Cambridge. It means Newmarket has only a renewable energy in 2010. the freight line for 75mph passenger trains regular roundtable discussions closure. The service recently pharmaceutical and food indus- fraction of the trains to Cambridge that similarly “The significant investments in would cost £175 million according to the welcomed its first train since tries. It has offices in Droitwich, sized Ely has. The franchise announcement had the port’s infrastructure in recent with Port of Tyne, ABP Ports and consultants, with an estimated economic Moorsbus director Helen Gundry and Ely, York, Ripon and Selby, as nothing to say about reopening to Wisbech so years have enabled us to accom- Peel Ports. 2006 and has since resumed benefit of only £340,000 per year. This would TPE’s Charlie French at Thirsk ­operations. well as its Knowsley operation. Railfuture East Anglia will be continuing the not meet the Government’s requirements for modate some of the world’s They have brokered a ground- Train links boosted by Moorsbus Welcome back Sunderland campaign for this important scheme. We also a viable business case. Railfuture East Midlands largest cargo ships and the MV breaking pact, announced in Network Rail has reconnected Train-to-bus connections to some of Yorkshire’s want to see the line to Haverhill reopened. is disappointed by this conclusion and the Agnes represents a milestone Liverpool, to pursue a Northern the Potter Logistics terminal DB Cargo UK has sealed a con- best countryside are being promoted by http://www.railfuture.org.uk/ low gross value-added figure quoted in the in terms of our ability to handle Ports Strategy, work together to to the West Coast main line at tract with scrap metal merchants TransPennine Express and Moorsbus. Moorsbus East+Anglia+Greater+Anglia county’s draft rail strategy. We have drawn such large cargoes on the Tyne.” create new jobs in and around Wigan, which serves as a link to Ward Bros (Steel), a customer buses met trains at Thirsk over the August bank Cambridge CyclePoint biggest in Britain attention to the success of the Robin Hood The MV Agnes was unloaded in ports, and boost investment in the rest of the UK and Europe via new to rail freight. Ward Bros holiday to link to North York Moors national the Channel Tunnel. The official opening of Cambridge CyclePoint Line in neighbouring Nottinghamshire, which six days. The wood pellets will be an East-West freight supercor- transports materials from its has many similar characteristics and also park, including Helmsley for Rievaulx Abbey, stored at the port’s purpose-built ridor with improvements to rail Trains are stopping at the termi- scrap processing facility at the was performed on 26 June by transport and Sutton Bank. The Moorsbus network minister Robert Goodwill. The building, next to had to overcome significant infrastructure facility and supplied on demand infrastructure being the ultimate nal twice daily during the week Port of Sunderland to the CELSA difficulties. The Leicester-Burton line is a was saved from closure three years ago by a to Drax via the port’s direct rail priority. and once on a Saturday, with Steel’s UK works in Cardiff. the station, holds around 3,000 cycles on three group of volunteers who set up the Moorsbus floors and is the largest in Britain. Mr Goodwill crucial missing link in the county’s and the terminal – eliminating road miles While 95 per cent of British goods the service being used initially The trains carrying the metal are Community Interest Company. and congestion and reducing the said: “This superb new CyclePoint will help get wider regional rail network. It also offers a More info: http://moorsbus.org/ come and go through ports, the to move freight from Knowsley the first to run out of the Port of people out of their cars and make cycling the degree of compensation for areas of North- carbon footprint. region is home to 24 per cent of Industrial Park to the North East. Sunderland since 1998. Route changes to HS2 for Sheffield natural choice for short journeys, improving West Leicestershire that will be affected by the Peel Ports Liverpool bulk termi- the UK population but trans- The proposed High Speed Two station at Potter Logistics managing direc- As scrap metal is not compacted, health, air quality and cutting congestion.” The construction and operation of High Speed Two nal is also fully operational for ports 56 per cent of the UK’s rail Meadowhall has been abandoned in favour of tor Matthew Lamb, said: “We the length and size of the MBA Cycle Point has a cycle shop and hire facility but will not directly benefit from HS2 stations. the import of biomass for Drax tonnage, 35 per cent of road ton- serving Sheffield Midland by a spur from near are delighted that the Knowsley wagons means that a heavy on the ground floor. It is open 24 hours a day There is better news from across the county nage and accommodates 35 per Mansfield over existing lines. The proposed Northern ports strategy train terminal connection has weight of material can still be and is free. It could be improved by a direct boundary, with the South Derbyshire Local cent of total port throughput. alignment has also been modified so the high reopened, which allows Potter carried, despite its large size. link to the station footbridge for which passive Plan safeguarding land with the potential to PD Ports has signed an agree- speed line stays closer to the M1 and M18. ment with other major ports However, 60 per cent of freight Logistics to further extend its rail DB Cargo UK is operating one provision has been provided. be used for railway stations at three sites. Two destined for the North is deliv- activities. http://www.railfuture.org.uk/East+Anglia+ of these, at Castle Gresley and Drakelow, are across the North of England in an service per week for Ward Bros, Loco-hauled trains to boost capacity ered to southern ports, lead- “Freight trains into Knowsley Cambridge+Railway+Station on the Leicester-Burton line, while the third unprecedented collaboration to carrying around 1,250 tonnes of TransPennine Express’s Chris Nutton explained ing to unnecessary motorway represent a significant milestone West Anglia upgrades needed to match rival is at Stenson Fields on the main line between ensure its unified voice is heard material on each train. how its new franchise would benefit by Government to improve traffic, delays, pollution and for the terminal and open up the Cambridge’s transport links are being held Derby and Burton, an area of recent housing passengers, at a Railfuture Yorkshire June ­inefficiency. The scrap metal is processed at development. freight and transport links. adjacent terminal land for rail the CELSA steel works to make back by the limitations of the West Anglia main meeting in Huddersfield. Loco-hauled trains Freight terminal reopens freight usage.” line, according to the West Anglia Task Force Corby disruption vital for future growth with five coaches are to begin running in The award-winning ports and finished metal products, includ- report on the London, Stansted and Cambridge 2018 to increase capacity. A new timetable in logistics company with opera- Potter Logistics has reopened its Founded in 1965, Potter Logistics ing reinforced steel bars used in The line between Kettering and Corby closed tions at Teesport, Hartlepool and rail freight terminal in Knowsley,­ is a specialist company which the construction industry. corridor. Irregular services, long journey times for six weeks during September and October December next year will improve links from and unreliability are obstacles to growth. Huge for works on bridges and viaducts, with a Huddersfield and all stations to Leeds. capacity increases on the West Anglia main replacement bus service being provided. The Experience pays with Pacers and electrics line are needed. Railfuture East Anglia wants Government backs rail freight with new strategy blockade is part of the £103 million project to Former Railfuture Yorkshire president Gerald West Anglia services to Ely, March and Wisbech re-install double track (the line having been Egan has died. Gerald, as station master The Rail Freight Group issued an significant private sector investment being are working to deliver growth in new developed to match the King’s Lynn-King’s singled in 1986). Railfuture’s David Fursdon has immediate welcome to the Government’s made by rail freight operators, customers, and existing markets and to be fit for the Cross corridor. at Leeds, had to cope when the “dreaded kept the Evening Telegraph and radio stations 141 Pacers” were forced on Harrogate line new rail freight strategy on 13 September. ports, terminals and the supply chain, future. This strategy will help to provide www.railfuture.org.uk/East+Anglia+Stations updated, pointing out that the disruption is passengers. Developed with input from the industry, the Government aims to provide a stable the stable and supportive environment www.railfuture.org.uk/East+Anglia vital to ensure improved services on the line in Later when the line to Leeds was electrified, the strategy sets out the case for environment for growth, including network they need.” Freightliner’s Russell Mears Twitter: @RailfutureEA future. With the cooperation of Corby MP Tom Gerald had to reassure dubious railway supporting rail freight, and highlights capacity and track access charging. said: “It sets out a clear vision for how Pursglove, he has also helped to ensure that the professionals doubtful that the service would where action can unlock barriers to The strategy also talks of helping the rail freight can continue to grow and East Midlands booking office and Loco Coco cafe remained be viable. As most Railfuture members know, growth. Rail minister Paul Maynard said industry in key areas such as developing identifies opportunities for partners to open while the work was done. if you improve the service, passenger numbers By Anthony Kay the Government has estimated that rail skills, innovation and communication, innovate in order to help deliver increased [email protected] North of Corby, Railfuture would like to see a grow. The Leeds-King’s Cross service is now so freight generates around £1 billion from which are all vital for future success. environmental and air quality benefits.” south-to-east chord built at Manton Junction, popular it is twice as frequent as when it was improved productivity and contributes RFG’s executive director Maggie Simpson The strategy is available at www.gov.uk/ County rail strategy needs to aim higher which would improve connections to the east launched. £600 million by reducing road congestion, said: “The rail freight sector is changing government/publications/rail-freight- Railfuture East Midlands submitted a detailed from the southern part of the Midland main www.railfuture.org.uk/Yorkshire+Branch carbon emissions and air pollution. With and freight operators and their customers transport response to the county council’s draft Leicester line. This would particularly benefit freight from Twitter: @RailfutureYorks 4 railwatch October 2016 Twitter: @railwatch www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Nigeria opened a new 115-mile rail line between Kaduna and Abuja in July railwatch October 2016 5 LOCAL ACTION Franchises Hackney Downs is a proven success. The London and South East walkway sees more passengers than over 80% By Roger Blake [email protected] of British stations. The figure is 25% more than delayed Lea Bridge station proves popular the number Transport for London predicted for 2020. Railfuture believes such cautious Newly reopened Lea Bridge station is attracting business case modelling, also known as large numbers of passengers and there are “pessimism bias”, regularly underestimates the RailBy Roger Blake Stars plans to build 300 new homes nearby. Based by Brexit value of new facilities for passengers. [email protected] on passenger numbers in the first 10 weeks By Phil Smart since opening, the station is expected to attract Railfuture London and South East’s quarterly Thirteen rail user groups have [email protected] 250,000 in its first year, well up on predictions. newsletter railse can be found at www.railfuture. submitted 16 entries for the fifth Railfuture hopes the station will attract a org.uk/London+and+South+East+branch+news annual awards contest. The contest for the East Anglian million passengers a year fairly soon. Capacity Twitter: @RailfutureLSE The winners will be presented franchise went to extra time and will be improved when Network Rail instals an with framed certificates by penalties but, in a Government extra track on the line north to Tottenham Hale Scotland Railfuture president Christian announcement on 10 August, and Angel Road which will serve the Meridian By Jane Ann Liston [email protected] Wolmar at Railfuture’s autumn was finally awarded to Abellio. Water housing development. Abellio East conference in Birmingham on That was two months after it Anglia has committed to provide a train every Borders line reopening celebrated Saturday 12 November. The Borders line reopening conference was was expected, following the 15 minutes during its new franchise. The groups reflect the submission of tenders in Decem- hosted by Railfuture Scotland, appropriately broad spectrum of local rail Big results for London’s small stations at Newtongrange, one of the new stations on ber by Abellio, First Group and development campaigning for National Express. Cambridge Heath and London Fields were the line. David Spaven and Ann Glen gave an the benefit of passengers, with closed after fires in the 1980s. Both reopened outline of the history of the campaign, the But in February, the Govern- interests as diverse as opening ment announced a referendum but London Fields was “temporarily” closed for construction of the new line, its successes a new station or being friends nearly five years! Twenty years ago Railfuture and shortcomings. The conference also heard on European Union membership of existing stations, improving would take place in June and the campaigners set up Cambridge Heath and from advocates of new rail services in Fife, train services and station London Fields rail users group and have carried at Levenmouth and St Andrews. Railfuture Brexit result threw the franchise facilities on existing lines or competition in doubt. out twice-yearly passenger counts ever since. Scotland has also attended model railway lobbying for new passenger They have published an 11-page illustrated exhibitions at Perth, Cupar and Glasgow. services. Most rolling stock is priced in progress report, supporting research by the Seamless West Coast journeys needed BORDERS STAR: Author Ann Glen on board one of the Euros and even those from UK official watchdog London TravelWatch. The The two most sought-after factories are assembled from Railfuture Scotland responded to the inaugural trains on the Borders Railway. Ann was one of many data have been used to support lobbying for awards this year are for Best imported components. The bids British Government’s InterCity West Coast who campaigned for years for the line to reopen and she was improved services and station facilities but also Website with five nominations all included replacement of up consultation. Railfuture is keen to see “seamless guest speaker at the Railfuture Borders celebration conference to challenge the Office of Rail and Road usage and Best Newsletter with to 1,000 new vehicles at about journeys” and community development, at Newtongrange in June estimates. Read more: http://bit.ly/2ceaoSY Councils have offered to increase their six. Other awards available £1 million each. although the franchise will serve only big cities. contributions for East Coast main line station are for Best Campaign, Best Because of the drop in the value Railfuture backs another small station There is still much uncertainty over the route of reopenings at East Linton (to £3.44 million) Campaigner, Best Social Media, of Sterling, around 15% was High Speed Two to Scotland and how it could and Reston (to £2.84 million) if the Scottish and Best New Group. Bricket Wood is the only station on the Watford added to the cost of new trains. Junction-St Albans Abbey line with an intact affect local and freight train services where it Government takes on the risk element as well Seven of the rail user groups original building, albeit boarded up. Railfuture uses “upgraded” classic lines. It is to be hoped as its already promised 50% of construction submitting entries are from the Of greater concern was the has contributed to a trust aiming to restore it that this will not be an excuse to postpone costs. Rail Action Group East of Scotland, East North West of England, with impact on projected revenue for local community and passenger use. other train service improvements. Lothian and Scottish Borders councils and the two from London and the South with many economists forecast- Beattock in trio of reopening studies South East Scotland Transport Partnership East and one each from Wales, ing a slowdown. The Govern- Out and about as Railfuture takes a stand to Railfuture Scotland for all 1 Best Newsletter - Gold and ment can give financial support The battle for a reopened station at Beattock have appealed to Minister for Transport Humza Wessex, the North East and those who had contributed over Silver awards Yousaf to take on the risk (optimism bias) to franchisees if there is an eco- Taking Railfuture’s campaign messages out has made significant progress in 2016. A study Yorkshire – a very clear leaning the decades to the campaigns for and about is a vital part of gaining influence element of Network Rail’s costings. RAGES has this year towards northern 2 Best Website - Gold and Silver nomic turndown but this fran- initiated by the volunteer-led Beattock Station reopening the Borders Railway and recruiting members. The Railfuture stall also linked with the South East Northumberland England! awards chise required a bail out before it Action Group and undertaken by Peter Brett on the former Waverley line. had even been awarded. with its banner and publications went for Associates offered several options. The South Rail Users Group to campaign for a better local A group of Railfuture vice- 3 Best Social Media Promotion rail service on the East Coast main line between Bookings for November’s the fifth year to Uckfield Festival’s Big Day in West Scotland Transport Partnership’s board presidents will be the judging 4 Best Campaign Negotiations took place and the July, and to Haywards Heath station’s 175th meeting on 15 July decided that an official Newcastle and Edinburgh. panel, under the ever-watchful conference are still being taken final agreement could prove 5 Best Campaigner (Railfuture anniversary in September. In November we examination under the Scottish Transport See also pages 14 and 15 eye of President Christian but the closing date for RUG expensive for the taxpayer. will be contributing material, as all branches Appraisal Guide system will be undertaken. Wolmar. award entries has now passed. members only) This is not just East Anglia’s are entitled to do, to the national stand at the The estimated cost of a so-called STAG 1 report company Diageo to switch its freight to rail. The RUG Awards for 2016 will be 6 Best New Group problem either, because recent annual rail exhibition in Birmingham’s NEC. They can also make a Judges’ is around £15,000 plus. Dumfries & Galloway campaign argues that the improved Fife Circle Special Award. Last year it went given for: 7 Judges’ Special Award awards for East Coast, ScotRail, New target for high-speed Hastings Council will be expected to pay up, as part of rail services have helped combat deprivation in Northern and TransPennine may Electrification of the Ashford-Hastings its ongoing bid for money from the Scottish the Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly area. also need bailing out in the post MarshLink route, as a part of improvements to Government’s station fund. SWESTRANS also Election year potential for St Andrews An American rail enthusiast ... in Oban Brexit climate. called for a STAG 1 examination for reopening deliver quicker journeys to Bexhill and Hastings The St Andrews Rail Link campaign made By Allison Cosgrove rail services but the Reagan administration Railfuture believes the responsi- and stimulate their fragile coastal economies, stations at Thornhill (Dumfries) and Eastriggs [email protected] underfunded publicly run Amtrak and trains bility must lie with the Depart- (between Gretna Green and Annan). a coherent case for St Andrews to the chief was ruled out by Network Rail at a local MPs’ executive of Fife Council. Next year’s council I was delighted to meet Alan Yorker, a past were seen by politicians as unnecessary. Alan ment for Transport and the Trea- transport summit in March. Now Network Rail Despite a report that South Lanarkshire Council elections may provide an opportunity for president of the USA’s National Association of asked Congressman Newt Gingrich in 1992 if he sury – not passengers – and there has told the local rail user group in Bexhill would fund a STAG report into reopening generating the necessary political will. As extra Railroad Passengers, and his wife Janie when would support Amtrak funding and received the should be no compromising on that the MarshLink upgrade programme Symington station on the West Coast main encouragement for the politicians, StARLink they came to Oban for a holiday in July. response “My constituents use the airline. They train fleet specifications. will be spread over a much longer period. line, no funding source has been identified. is also about to commence fund-raising to Alan has been a long-time member of Railfuture don’t use the railway”. The only service improvement Railfuture and other local campaigners are now Reopening Symington and Beattock would beyond those specified in the commission a STAG pre-appraisal. (and an admirer of the Railfuture lottery) with Four years later, Gingrich was Speaker of the concentrating efforts on lobbying to secure return rail services to the largest rail-less area in invitation to tender, is the dou- Scottish Rail Contacts a particular interest in Scotland as his mother’s the two most critical parts of the package. We the British Isles. South Lanarkshire will however House of Representatives and Amtrak faced bling of the Ipswich-Peterbor- Rail Action Group, East of Scotland (RAGES) family came from the Western Isles. Over a want the service to be run by bi-mode Javelin- fund a £250,000 station car-park at Carstairs, collapse. Gingrich called an emergency meeting ough service frequency to hourly. www.rages.org.uk/ cup of hot chocolate we discussed railways, at 11 pm the day before the Budget deadline to type electro-diesel trains procured through the now imperative for the successful Railfuture- including Alan’s favourite station, Glenfinnan. process for the next South Eastern franchise backed reinstated rail service to Edinburgh. Beattock Station Action Group (BSAG) give authorisation for Amtrak funding. He did The timetable improvements will www.beattockstationactiongroup.org.uk/ Alan explained that NARP was founded in 1967 which is due to start in June 2018. That will Should local councils have to fund STAG have to wait a further year (until St Andrews Rail Link (StARLink) campaign in response to concerns that passenger services not want to be the Speaker responsible for the also require track work at Ashford International inquiries and station car parks, after nine years 2020) once the new trains have www.starlink-campaign.org.uk/ were in the charge of private owners. collapse of the country’s railway! Before that, been delivered. station to allow trains to travel from High Speed of Scottish Government funding cuts? LevenMouth Rail Campaign there had been an unwritten understanding that Railway use was dropping and President We understand that some infra- One on to the MarshLink route. We want direct Rail reopening would aid Fife regeneration www.lmrc-action.org.uk/ the railways would be abandoned at some stage Eisenhower had authorised a programme of services to start running as soon after 2019 as Capital Rail Action Group (CRAG) but under Amtrak the railway became more structure improvements in the Levenmouth Rail Campaign believes reopening highway building after seeing Germany’s bid were not taken up, and cam- possible but by 2024 at the latest. www.capitalrail.org.uk/ popular. stations at Leven and Cameron Bridge would post-war autobahn construction. America’s paigning must continue for faster Hackney interchange is a passenger success Newburgh Train Station campaign stimulate economic recovery in the area across newburghtrainstation.org.uk/ long-distance rail travel was waning and freight Alan said Barack Obama had given public journeys between Ipswich and After only one year in use, the step-free the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh. A station Forth Rail Link use decreasing. Alan said there was a “total transport a higher focus, partly because he had Cambridge and the reopening to walkway between Hackney Central and at Cameron Bridge would also enable drinks www.forthraillink.com bias” against rail. NARP worked hard to save used it as a student in New York. Wisbech. 6 railwatch October 2016 Twitter: @RailfutureScot www.railfuturescotland.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ You can join the Railfuture lottery at www.railfuture.org.uk/lottery railwatch October 2016 7 Your views Euston Cross is vital but present plans fall far too light rail scheme for Oxford need to be better connected, So, the new facility appears checks. The responses have short of this ideal. We could do a (Tramways & Urban Transit and single track sections of to be working OK, from my been markedly different. As a member of the informal lot better. 929, June 2015), and a similar the railways linking Inverness, Thomas and a 2016 dispute limited experience. I would be One company (75 minute Camden HS2 group, I have At Stuttgart and Vienna, system for Cambridge need not Aberdeen and the Central Belt interested to hear from others journey with frequently no been rather concerned that in terminus stations are being go underground. are unacceptable in the 21st who have used this new facility checks), the response: “We take recent months the Euston Cross replaced by through stations Martin Smith, Bath Street, century.” what their experiences have this seriously and will act.” I still scheme has been downplayed, which deliver three major Abingdon OX14 1EA “Unacceptable” is very strong been so that I can report back rarely have my ticket checked. as I believe that connectivity [email protected] to the Interrail folk that we met benefits. They are more efficient language and rail improvements From the second company (two- with HS1 is one of the most last year in Utrecht. Ultimately to operate the services, requiring were their second priority, after hour journey), I always receive important considerations, and we will be in a position to update less space. They cost less to Night trains faster broadband, for improving an in-depth reply, expressing indeed would regard a Euston the web page on the Railfuture build in areas of the highest the Scottish economy. concern and promising action. Cross type link between Old I was very interested to read the website on travel using Interrail. property value as a result. And Railwatch 148 article “A Future The Highland main line is Again nothing material happens. Oak Common and Stratford, with they open up new markets Donald Payne for Night Trains”. also dependent on the single [email protected] If a ticket inspector on a two connections with other inter-city Cartoons: @PhilLucas beyond the buffer stops of the track link to Edinburgh via routes out of London, as more It is very important for a new or four coach train cannot be terminus, increasing passenger Newburgh. Because of delays important than the rest of HS2. economic and financial case to Machine failures bothered to check tickets on numbers and revenue. Terminus on the HML, on 8 August, the stations on high speed lines are be made for night trains for both a 75/120 minute journey, the I was therefore heartened to see TransPennine connection at With respect to the article in railway will continue to lose the map in Ian Brown’s article in last century’s technology. Britain and Europe, since they have advantages over airlines. Edinburgh was lost and next Railwatch 148, my local station millions in fare evasion. Railwatch 148 as evidence that In the 1980s, most people north day, the 10.45 from Inverness Barnt Green is unstaffed Railfuture is still pursuing the of Watford, including myself, I am all too familiar with the was later still and terminated and, according to Network I offered my services (free of idea, which is also mentioned in used trains only for journeys to effects of aviation since I live at Perth because of the lack Rail statistics, it has 250,000 charge) to both companies as a Graham Nalty’s letter. London and used their cars to under Heathrow’s flightpath. of capacity on the Newburgh passenger entries/exits a year. “mystery shopper” to check the Simon Norton all other major cities. HS2, with Furthermore, aviation is one line. This happens regularly. There is one ticket machine diligence of inspectors but did Cambridge CB4 3AG its parkways and city centre of the major causes of global We should not underestimate which does not even accept not receive a reply. [email protected] terminus stations, appears to warming and climate change. Martin Garvey, Sydney Road, the inconvenience and future While most Railfuture members groaned at the industrial cash. It is on platform 3 which Wollaton, Nottingham NG8 1LH be far more appropriate to the European sleeper services deterrent to through passengers. disputes on the railways, comedian Phil Lucas saw the is not convenient for people [email protected] HS2 for 21st century transport needs of the 1980s could be revived, especially if A loop would be helpful at funny side with the help of the Reverend W Awdry’s creation, travelling to Alvechurch or than the present day. Redditch. It takes at least Ian Brown’s article on “Making they connected with Eurostar Newburgh, but better still Thomas the Tank Engine, and some words of his own 45 seconds to complete a HS2 choices progress towards a bigger and Railfuture should speak louder services and Channel Tunnel would be to adopt Transform transaction and is not adequate better railway” in Railwatch 148 on the concerns of rail travellers Shuttle services at Calais. Scotland’s Inter City Express As a member of both Railfuture at busy times. What’s more, the suggests that the Euston Cross of the 21st century on HS2. Ian Simon Barber, Kingsmead, proposal to rebuild a direct and the Chiltern Society, I have Richmond, Surrey TW10 6HT machine is often not working. station is a better solution than Brown is right in suggesting that link from Perth to Edinburgh always been torn as to whether joined-up thinking is required in [email protected] via Kinross using some of the election. He further states their energy costs would be Some conductors issue tickets HS2 is really worth it. Following the present proposal for an on the train, while others do not. enlarged Euston. I agree. South Yorkshire. What has been former trackbed. Currently trains that whoever wins the next three times that of diesels? the recent political happenings, I announced by HS2 Ltd since Invest in renewables from Perth to Glasgow take 55 general election, the railway As far as cost is concerned, a As well as enforcing revenue am definitely of the opinion that From my perspective at Derby, Ian’s article is even less joined- electrification plan will become a huge amount of money would HS2 is not worth it. Will the next We should celebrate the fact minutes for the 62 miles, but protection policy, the company getting to central London is fine, up than before. 78 minutes for the 57 miles to victim of “low carbon” policies. be saved, thanks to the health should also look at how easy it is government still want to commit but going beyond to business that electric trains are popular Graham Nalty, Alvaston, Derby Edinburgh via Newburgh. He appears to take a cynical benefits alone. to buy a ticket. £50 billion of extra expenditure customers in the greater South and, providing the power is [email protected] view of low carbon policy but it is James Knight, Church Road, Simon Richards, on the railways over and above East often requires a lengthy from renewable sources, are Opening a fast 50-mile direct necessary to combat dangerous Basildon SS14 2LD [email protected] what Network Rail spend in the and inconvenient rail journey non-polluting, with no climate- route would save 30 minutes Curb the cars first climate change. The subject upcoming control periods? across London, although damaging carbon dioxide between Edinburgh and Perth of climate change is too often Global tickets East West choices Spread out over several control Thameslink is very good for I am fairly sceptical about emissions. This is important as and also to stations north to pushed under the carpet and periods, sums of £5 billion destinations it serves. Railfuture East Anglia’s support globally 2015 was the hottest Inverness. It is imaginative In May I made a trip to Germany Network Rail has now published there are many climate sceptics. per period would be welcome for a light rail tunnel under year ever. I would therefore development not penny-pinching using an Interrail Global pass. its Summary Report on the While the majority of passengers It is time everyone woke up additions to the monies spent. Cambridge city centre. A similar counter G P Brown’s scepticism which is required for Scotland’s Apart from the fact that I saved options for the Central Section on HS2 wish to go to central to the issue and our leaders I am sure readers from all proposal has been made in about wind power (Railwatch strategic railways. a little on travel from Brussels to of East-West Rail at https://www. London, quite a large number stopped burying their heads in over the, currently, United Oxford for a tunnel under the 148) by noting that being located R J Ardern, Southside Road, the German border at Aachen, I networkrail.co.uk/East-West- will travel beyond. For HS2 Inverness the sand over the issue. Kingdom could draw up local to achieve the maximum gain High Street – for buses! next to the Atlantic, we always was also able to take advantage Rail-Engineering-Summary- I would not be surprised if a of the newly introduced facility to requirements lists. to the UK economy, journeys An underground line for a city have the benefit of useable wind Rail for Maldon Report.pdf. It seems to have John Armytage, Highfield, Kings the size of Oxford or Cambridge somewhere. No country can cut future government did drag use a Global pass in your home attracted very little attention. beyond London need to be A rail link worthy of consideration its heels over electrification, Langley WD4 9JT cannot be justified, on grounds off the supply. country for travel to/from your No consultation is planned [email protected] speeded up, not only by faster for reinstatement must be that which frustratingly is the current of cost and accessibility. We need politicians to talk port (or station) of exit/entry. until the “line-on-the-map” is HS2 trains, but also by more between Maldon and the Great situation. But let us not be too Boarding a tram at street level less about “subsidy” for the I was therefore able to travel finally announced, which is a efficient interchange between Eastern main line at Witham, pessimistic. Think positively, Directors’ thanks HS2 and trains from London is much easier than going industry and more in terms of from Tipton, West Midlands, to shame, as several possible Essex. The population of keep campaigning and live with Euston, and back again. serving the South Coast. underground, and city centre “investment” in our future energy Maldon has grown over recent options seem to have been We would like to say “thank you” tram stops can be much closer hope. to members who voted to return On this basis, I consider it to be security – and to power our years and a lot of people drive to London Midland did not check glossed over. East-West rail has together. If public transport is David Bailey, North Lodge Close, us for a further three-year term far more important for HS2 to trains. Witham to commute to London, Dawlish, Devon EX7 9QD tickets on the trains to and from the potential to solve existing plagued by inner city congestion, as directors of Railfuture. We link with Thameslink, by quick John Davis, Harpenden AL5 5UD causing parking problems in [email protected] New Street. Virgin trains had operational problems if the the answer is not to put it [email protected] are also grateful to Chris Page platform to platform walk, in the Witham. a quick check on the way to options are assessed sensibly. underground, but to restrict London but did not bother to clip Roger Smith, Meppershall for stepping up to take on the manner of the Euston Cross Add to this the relatively poor private motor traffic in principal Electric benefits the ticket. No problems so far. ,Bedfordshire SG17 5LX challenges and opportunities of proposals, than with Crossrail. Double tracking road links from Maldon and the streets used by public transport. On the return journey my friend [email protected] being Railfuture’s national chair. need for a rail link is apparent. In reply to Rex Hora’s letter in To make HS2 effective at the Why should trams be banished Mike Bond is right to highlight and I were waved through the Such a link could not follow the regard to my letter in Railwatch We now look forward to working London end, it really needs to underground, leaving more the huge capacity and reliability barrier at Euston. There was original trackbed as much of it April 2016 about an all-electric Fare evasion with him and our fellow directors, split into three directions. The space for motor traffic in the benefits from the recent double railway, he says railway no ticket check on the train. local branches, national groups, first and most obvious is to streets above? tracking of the Cotswolds line has been built on but I am sure I was interested in the article on that this could be overcome. electrification will come to a affiliated rail user groups and link with HS1 (with platforms (Railwatch 148). In contrast, fare evasion (Railwatch 148) all members to adapt our In many European cities it is Roger A Smith, Station Road, grinding halt after the 2020 and how it is tackled in one area. at Stratford under the existing accepted that pedestrianised David Dixon seems to forget general election whichever party Send your letters­ organisation to changing times. main line station as Stratford about freight, charters, traffic Witham, Essex CM8 2FP streets can be shared with public wins. I think that he is wrong I travel regularly on two routes The next three years will be International is too remote). growth and diversions on and emails to: transport. Freiburg-im-Breisgau about that, indeed it would from Nottingham – run by exciting times, with eight new the Highland main line in his Positive charge The Editors, 4 Christchurch The second is to link with is an example of an ancient be very strange indeed if that different companies – and franchises to be awarded and assertion that it does not need Square, London E9 7HU Gatwick airport and Brighton. university city comparable I would like to respond to were to be the case. He says am regularly amazed by the the preparations for Network doubling (Railwatch 147). Email: [email protected] The third is to serve Heathrow to Oxford or Cambridge, Rex Hora in Railwatch 148. paradoxically that electrification complete lack of ticket checks Rail’s next five-year control Railwatch also welcomes during these journeys. and Portsmouth, with where light rail is successfully The Scottish Chambers of He believes electrification of will become a victim of low ­articles and pictures period 6 from 2019. connections to Southampton integrated with the old city Commerce issued a press our currently diesel operated carbon policies again. I think I have contacted the managing Please use email if possible but Allison Cosgrove, Scotland; Chris and Bournemouth. Some of centre. Nicholas Falk and Reg release in April which said: sections of service will come to he is mistaken about that too. include your postal address directors of both companies to Hyomes, Yorkshire; Roger Blake, these requirements may conflict, Harman have published a viable “Scotland’s northern cities a grinding halt after the 2020 How does he know whether identify journeys with no ticket London & South East 8 railwatch October 2016 Twitter: @railwatch www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Opinions do not necessarily reflect Railfuture policies. Letters may be edited railwatch October 2016 9 NEWS IN BRIEF London pollution Railfuture on the right track to raise our profile Mayor of London Sadiq Kahn is creating five low emission By Chris Page Roger Blake will ensure that our zones to cope with toxic air Railfuture Chair key campaigns are pursued pro- quality hot spots, caused by road [email protected] fessionally and effectively. traffic. He has however backed My vision for Railfuture is of Stewart Palmer is our gov- the expansion of City Airport, an independent non-political ernance director, assisted by despite 1,409 objectors, on the organisation whose views are Wendy Thorne, who ensures that grounds of supporting business, respected by the rail industry, to Railfuture operates ethically and even though 85% of all flights which decision makers come for complies with legal obligations. are for leisure. Research by Fight advice, and which rail users are Our finance director Jerry Alder- the Flights shows that people proud to join. son has taken responsibility for living near the airport suffer worse noise pollution than those The Railfuture board has our information technology but will continue to ensure that Rail- near Heathrow. London is top endorsed that vision and agreed of the UK league for exceeding that to achieve it we must raise future meets its financial commit- ments and operates efficiently. pollution limits. More than our profile. Having senior rail 9,000 early deaths in London industry people such as Ian Finally we need a membership are attributed to air pollution. Brown and Stewart Palmer on director to increase active Railfu- Most A-roads are over pollution our board and among our vice- ture membership, but none of the limits. For more information: presidents increases our cred- present board has the necessary www.hacan.org.uk and www. ibility, but more is needed, so skills or affinity with the wider londonair.org.uk ­Railfuture must change. variety of people that we need to While our individual views may attract to Railfuture. If you know Scottish pollution a potential candidate or a source differ, externally we must speak of potential candidates, with the Air quality safety standards are with one voice. What we propose right experience, either inside or being breached in 32 pollution must be feasible, viable, realistic, outside Railfuture, please get in zones in Glasgow, Aberdeen, well informed and relevant. touch. Dundee, Edinburgh and smaller In the wake of the European towns such as Crieff and The board works well as a team Linlithgow. Road traffic is the Union referendum, it is clear that to manage Railfuture, but the the Government must show con- main source of air pollution. directors cannot do everything In Scotland 2,500 people a year fidence by continuing to make themselves. We need members to the big rail investment commit- suffer early death because of recruit friends, colleagues or rel- toxic pollution, compared to 200 ments which promote economic atives – and welcome new mem- deaths in road crashes. growth. bers into their branch to make I set out our top ten recommen- them feel at home. Lorry cartel dations for rail in an open letter You can support Railfuture Europe’s biggest lorry makers to Chris Grayling, the new Trans- actively just by writing an arti- have been fined £2.5 billion by port Secretary. cle for the website or Railwatch the European Commission for [An edited version of the letter – last year 21 different contribu- operating a price-fixing cartel, can be found on page 13] CHRIS PAGE: Railfuture’s new chair explains his vision tors wrote articles for the web- run by MAN, Volvo, Daimler, However this only scratches the site but we need more. You can Iveco and DAF. “Unfortunately take photographs of railway surface. There are many other year, Ian Brown will introduce responses to consultations are none of the money has been issues facing the rail industry. best practice and submit them dedicated towards remediation some of the key issues, on which well regarded by the Department for our Go & Compare cam- To agree on what we propose, of environmental damage,” said attendees will then decide and for Transport, Network Rail and paign at www.railfuture.org.uk/ we must work together produc- Jos Dings of the campaigning agree our position. I would like others. The media come to Rail- Go+and+Compare. tively. At Railfuture’s branches as many active Railfuture mem- future for quotes on rail issues ALLISON COSGROVE: Railfuture’s vice chair, with her 11-year-old grandson Callum and Barrie group Transport and and groups day in October this bers as possible to attend and which impact upon the travelling Help us by assisting at a Railfu- Forrest, promoting Railfuture with a stall at the preserved Aln Valley Railway Environment. ture stand at a public event or have an input, so that we are all ­public. Level crossing threat committed to Railfuture policy. representing a Railfuture cam- Our Annual Review, distributed paign. Ask for extra copies of Network Rail has withdrawn Our membership is stable, but with the previous issue of Rail- Railwatch, leaflets and theAnnual its plans to close the pedestrian that is not enough. We need watch, was structured by what Review to take to meetings and level crossing at Halesworth more active members with the we do, not by our organisation, events of other organisations station. The decision came in time and inclination to lobby to reflect better how we are seen which you attend, to spread August after a stormy meeting and campaign actively and by others. If we are seen to be awareness of who we are and in July. Network Rail still wants effectively, as it is by campaign- working together effectively, what we do. Take note of your to close 13 level crossings in ing that we raise our profile and Railfuture will have more influ- achievements on behalf of Rail- Suffolk, as well as others in influence, so that people find out ence and so gain more active future, so we can publicise them Cambridgeshire and Essex. In about us and consider joining. members. to the media and in our Annual Japan, modern technology is We must widen our appeal to As chair, the first step I have Review for 2016. used at many pedestrian level existing and potential rail pas- taken to change Railfuture is that As Railfuture’s new chair, I want crossings, which have lights and sengers of all ages and back- almost all board directors now a successful rail industry that automatic gates linked to the grounds, by focusing on service- have specific roles. The board grows sustainably, so I support signalling system. related topics which interest rail elected Allison Cosgrove as vice initiatives which make rail ser- users in Britain, for instance bet- chair, and she will take the lead vices more attractive and enable Trains and buses for the rich ter services as well as a bigger in helping branches to grow and rail network expansion. In my “A developed country is not a network. campaign effectively. election statement I committed place where the poor have cars,” Railfuture has recently entered Ian Brown continues as Policy to include members in agreeing said Gustavo Petro, mayor of into a collaboration agreement Director. His role is to define the a realistic position on key issues, Bogotá. “It’s where the rich use with Young Rail Professionals, Railfuture position on rail issues. promote our position profession- public transportation.” which encourages young peo- STEWART PALMER: As communications director, ally, and improve our internal ple to consider a career in the Chris Hyomes is then responsible communication to make Railfu- Train factory Railfuture’s governance rail industry. The next step is for communicating that message ture more successful. In return I Spanish train builder CAF is to director, pictured in 2007 to engage with them at branch consistently across all channels ask that members work together open a train factory in Britain at Weymouth when SWT level and to organise joint events via press releases, social media, actively to campaign, increase IAN BROWN: Railfuture’s director of policy pictured in the centre when he was London’s rail after winning £850 million introduced a new improved and attract members. We have website, Railwatch, and Rail User our influence and grow our chief, with London Assembly member Jennette Arnold and Hackney Councillor Guy Nicholson contracts to build trains for clockface timetable received feedback that our Express. As campaigns director, membership. when major improvements were introduced at London Fields station Northern and TransPennine. 10 railwatch October 2016 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ France reopened a 14-mile stretch of line to Bedous in the Pyrenees in June railwatch October 2016 11 LOCAL ACTION Railfuture’s top ten recommendations a regular service which it intends to publish in Severnside November. West Midlands By Nigel Bray www.railfuture.org.uk/Severnside Branch Coventry fights for its inter-city trains Railfuture wrote to new Trans- [email protected] Twitter @RailfutureSSide The possibility of cuts to Coventry’s inter-city port Secretary Chris Grayling welcoming him to his new job service to increase the capacity of services to New authority will aid public transport and suggesting discussions on other stations prompted councillors to respond A Greater Bristol combined authority is Wessex the following top ten recommen- By Tony Smale to the Department for Transport’s consultation likely to be created next year to include dations for rail. [email protected] on the future of the West Coast main line the area currently covered by Bristol City, 1. A growing railway to meet Railfuture advice to SW franchise bidders franchise from April 2018. South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East social, economic and regenera- Somerset councils. The Bristol Post reported Stagecoach and the joint venture of First New franchise for West Midlands Picture: NETWORK RAIL Group and MTR were invited in June to tion objectives and passenger on 25 July that the councils had signed up to In the same month, the DfT named two aspirations the plan as part of a devolution deal offered bid for the South Western franchise. The shortlisted bidders when they issued invitations by the Government. The combined authority, Invitation to Tender from the Department for to tender for the West Midlands passenger Priorities n to be headed by a Metro Mayor, would not Transport came late – at the end of June. The franchise which from 2017 will cover local and Fairer, simpler, easy to pur- be a merger of the three councils but would successful bidder will be named in February inter-regional services centred on Birmingham chase, flexible, more integrated have responsibility for housing, planning and and the franchise should start in June. The ITT and along the West Coast main line. London fares with good information. transport, making decisions currently made provides for a speeding-up of services, more & West Midlands Railway is a joint venture by Value for money fares capacity, reduced dwell times at stations, a by central Government. The deal, which would Govia and Keolis while West Midlands Trains is n Passenger growth to be better passenger experience and a “more offer Greater Bristol £900 million over a 30- a subsidiary of Dutch-owned Abellio, with East encouraged not priced off. Ade- sustainable” future for railways on the Isle of year period, awaits approval by Parliament quate train and system capacity Wight. Railfuture chairman Chris Page and Japan Railway and Mitsui as minority partners. in October but has the potential to make a The West Midlands rail consortium of 14 local to give a reasonable expectation substantial improvement to the local rail and Wessex committee member David Brace met both bidders before and after the ITT. First authorities worked with the DfT to specify the of having a seat bus network. n Group was not forthcoming with its proposals franchise, and will be involved in overseeing Investment in the digital rail- Mayor backs area-wide station study on confidentiality grounds but Railfuture it. But one rail campaigner commented: “It is way to increase capacity and Roger Bealing, secretary of the Friends of reminded First what improvements passengers a scandal that the two bidders are being given resilience, and provide high qual- Ashton Gate Station, has received a very want. Stagecoach required Railfuture to sign a carte blanche to renege on any commitment ity passenger information. This positive response concerning the proposed confidentiality agreement and, in return, told to support reopening of lines and stations or includes retro-fitting rolling stock station on the Portishead line at a meeting with Chris and David of a number of proposals it provide more and longer trains, but rather to with wifi and power sockets ELECTRIFICATION UPGRADE: Trains between South Wales and London are being diverted until a Bristol City Council officer. A feasibility study would adopt if it won the franchise. We now rip out loos and seats and make even more n Better facilities on stations 24 October while electrification work is carried out in the Severn tunnel carried out in 2015 produced a disappointing have to wait for the DfT decision. people stand in cramped discomfort for their including adequate shelter and benefit-cost ratio for the station but had not journeys. Not good enough!” seating, plus affordable car and n considered the potential traffic from nearby Isle of Wight rail campaigners celebrate Network Rail planning for 114% growth bike parking to maximise the benefits to the Cardiff: Integrated Welsh Val- Southampton, Surrey, South premises such as Babcock Engineering, Imperial Rail campaigners on the Isle of Wight sent a regions of the huge investment ley transport system West London and HS2 Consultation closed in September on Network n A more sensible approach to Tobacco International, University of the West of strongly worded letter to the Secretary of State Rail’s draft West Midlands and Chilterns Study in the London area n Bristol: Formation of an Inte- n Increased rail capacity to Gat- England Arts faculty and Ashton Gate stadium. allowing mobility impaired peo- for Transport on 28 July, giving formal notice of which was issued in July. The study expects 4. Invest in new links to reduce grated Transport Authority wick, including additional peak The stadium is being rebuilt and Bristol Sport ple and people with prams and their intention to seek a judicial review of the 114% growth in West Midlands rail use over the dependence on London’s exist- n and diversionary route for South claims it will be the largest conference venue Invitation to Tender document for the South luggage to use public transport Northern cities: Powers to next 25 years and envisages development of n ing rail network for passengers Coast services in the South West. Roger Bealing understands Western franchise. Campaigners joined forces Better rail access for areas of invest in and integrate the the “Midlands rail hub” with chords at Bordesley and freight n that the new Bristol mayor, Marvin Rees, will last year under the banner Keep the Island Line social deprivation, including North’s rail system Capacity and speed upgrade be seeking a full study of all Bristol suburban in Franchise (KILF) to fight a proposal in the and extra platforms at Moor Street and Snow Wearside, Teesside, Skelmers- Priorities n Cost-effective solutions of rail link to Stansted Airport stations including those proposed on the draft ITT which required rail services on the Hill stations. Electrification is proceeding dale, Wisbech and Lincolnshire n Realise the potential of Cross- including light rail for smaller n Capacity works at Stansted between Walsall and Rugeley as well as Barnt Henbury loop. island to be a self-sustaining business – and n Better rail access to Britain’s rail 1 by providing a link to the economic growth areas such as Airport station for improved Green-Bromsgrove (up the Lickey incline) outside the SW franchise. They argued that national parks and resorts West Coast route in West London Oxford and Cambridge service to Cambridge, Norwich, Hub may help rail passengers get the bus but future electrification (possibly in the the IoW Council did not have the resources n 7. Scotland: Organise for con- Peterborough and the Midlands Work has started on the Gloucester 2020s) could also include Bristol-Birmingham, 2. Integration of HS2 into Construct further cross-Lon- or expertise to work with the Department for tinued investment in Scotland’s n transport hub, approved as the last act of the Birmingham-Derby, Leamington-Coventry and regional transport don rail routes, eg Crossrail 2 Provide a track link from Transport to create a self-sustaining business n railways and economy includ- Luton Airport to Luton Airport Gloucestershire Local Transport Board, which or to take on running the line. They also the Birmingham-London Chiltern line. Priorities Realise the potential for was dissolved in April. The new bus station, ing better links to England Parkway questioned why the Island Line was required to n A review of the Euston HS2 sta- Thameslink and the London although still on the opposite side of a dual Combined authority with lots to do Overground by developing stra- Priorities 9. Regional airport development be self-sustaining when no other branch line in The new West Midlands Combined Authority tion development with its huge carriageway from the railway station, will at Britain was required to break even. tegic transport interchanges for n Formation of a Network Rail riorities has now taken over responsibility for transport footprint and poor interchange, P least give a better impression of the city for When the ITT was published in June, there was orbital journeys (Scotland) including transfer to n and has posted its initial priorities. It is planning with a view to better connectivity Create a regional network people arriving by train. We hope to seek ways anger and amazement when the campaigners n Creation of a London pas- Scotland of Network Rail’s elec- for tram extensions to Edgbaston, the airport in London and the South East via based on Manchester Interna- of improving interchange in a consultation on discovered that the unworkable requirement senger and freight bypass trification and upgrade projects the adjacent King’s Quarter redevelopment. and Wednesbury to Brierley Hill. It also wants to West London, Euston and East tional Airport (Ordsall chord and had been copied across in its entirety from the London (Stratford) through key economic growth from their current base in York see Coventry station redeveloped to include a better link to north Manchester Railfuture wins speedy action from GWR draft document. In its letter to the Secretary n areas Oxford/Aylesbury-Milton n new bay platform for Nuneaton services. A reappraisal of regional con- Complete the Edinburgh- and Yorkshire) Information about bus connections from of State, KILF questioned the intention of the Keynes/Bedford/Cambridge nectivity at non city centre sta- Glasgow (EGIP) upgrade to n Rail link into Glasgow Airport, Kemble station is now clearer thanks to prompt DfT to treat Island Line differently without any New Street gets its Metro connection at last tions with a view to better city 5. Invest in freight on rail by integrate the Central Belt with Railfuture was pleased to see the Metro matching improvements at Edin- action by GWR to a request from Railfuture justification. At this point, Railfuture Wessex centre access and regional con- improving capacity from ports Glasgow and Edinburgh stepped in to suggest that KILF could apply for burgh that the Onward Travel poster be moved from extension to New Street station (Stephenson nectivity, including Birmingham to increase efficiency and com- n a grant from Railfuture’s Fighting Fund to help Improve regional links n inside to outside the ticket hall, which closes Street) open. We have pointed out potential International, Toton, South York- petitive freight train operation Rail connection from North with the cost of the ongoing campaign. This between Scotland and Eng- at 13.30, because buses to Cirencester and trip dangers from high kerbs. A temporary shire options and links to the Wales and Chester into Liverpool was not necessary because, within a couple Priorities land (Borders Line extension to Tetbury run until early evening. GWR station fence however has forced passengers to take West and East Coast main lines John Lennon Airport of weeks of receiving KILF’s letter, the DfT n Carlisle, Edinburgh-Newcastle manager Richard Morrish, based at Gloucester, a longer route than necessary. Railfuture was n Felixstowe-Peterborough track n Local rail link from Leeds into resolved the problem within 24 hours of being backed down and the offending paragraph was also pleased to see improvements suggested HS3 – needs to be properly capacity regional service) n Leeds/Bradford Airport approached. amended so that the need to become “a self- by us being implemented at New Street. linked into the north’s regional n Improve links between Scot- rail system and HS2 Freight spine: Oxford-Bletch- 10. Railway organisation. sustaining business” was watered down to read More information screens and better seating ley (for West Coast route), Bed- land and HS2 to facilitate eco- Link to heritage line boosted by survey “a more sustainable business.” The DfT claimed Improve the cost and the effi- are helping to make passengers’ lives better. 3. Electrification: Complete ford (for Midland main line) nomic ties between Scotland, Minehead Rail Link Group, which is affiliated that KILF had misunderstood the meaning of ciency of Britain’s railways to Railfuture will be monitoring the final stages of Great Western and Midland n Northern England and the West to Railfuture, recently surveyed 180 the phrase “self-sustaining”, but said it would main line schemes and increase Liverpool across the Pennines Midlands aid investment in growth businesses in West Somerset, nearly all of the upgrade at platform level. to Hull be amended anyway to “remove any scope for focus on value-for-money incre- 8. London airport development: Priorities whom wanted to see regular train services confusion.” Walsall-Wolverhampton campaign goes on mental schemes to cut costs and n Buxton Quarries to Midlands n between Minehead and Taunton over the West Railfuture is now targeting the campaign for Provide upgraded rail capacity Devolution of the sponsorship KILF campaigners were delighted that the DfT increase capacity. and London capacity upgrade to serve any additional runway of rail services and projects Somerset Railway. The group and Minehead had dropped its discriminatory Island Line a restored Walsall-Wolverhampton passenger Chamber of Commerce believe this would help service, with proposed stations at Willenhall , Priorities 6. Devolve city transport net- location chosen by government n Passengers want to see costs objective, saying that it was both indefensible n works to cut costs for integrated and to enable more rail travel at West Somerset reverse the decline in visitor and inequitable. They added: “This is a victory Darlaston and Portobello to be a priority. Incremental electrification in minimised but a safe service heavy and light rail transport other airports serving London numbers and help retain younger people for all those Island Line users who made Railfuture West Midlands contact: North West and North East Eng- This an edited version of the in the area by improving access to jobs in representations to the DfT on this point but had [email protected] land including TransPennine Priorities Priorities Railfuture letter to Mr Grayling. Taunton and beyond. Bath Spa University is been ignored until now.” www.railfuture.org.uk/West Midlands Branch n Implementation of a proper n London: Further development n Rail links from Heathrow The full text can be seen at www. undertaking a study into the business case for www.railfuture.org.uk/Wessex+Branch Twitter @RailfutureWMids cascade of electric rolling stock of the Overground system to the West of England, Wales, railfuture.org.uk/display1338 12 railwatch October 2016 Twitter: @railwatch www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Join Railfuture online at www.railfuture.org.uk/join railwatch October 2016 13 LOCAL ACTION Fresh vision for railways in the North East Thames Valley has decided that future development should would be well placed to provide good access By Peter Kenyon take place east of Witney which will bring more for new homes in the area to key destinations [email protected] FLYING SCOTSMAN ‘SPECIAL’ MAY BE PRELUDE TO RAIL REOPENING By Martin Smith passengers to Hanborough and ultimately around Exeter and beyond. [email protected] A new overview for rail services strengthens the case for restoring the rail link. Tavistock reopening plans in the North East has emerged Forward thinking from Oxfordshire Railfuture has supported an appeal relating to Devon County Council is considering land with the creation of the North Oxfordshire County Council has urged Network housing development adjoining Hanborough East Combined Authority. station. acquisition and design options to extend rail Rail to give a firm commitment to the £75 services from Bere Alston to Tavistock. The authority envisages £1 bil- million rebuilding of Oxford station, including www.railfuture.org.uk/Thames Valley Branch www.railfuture.org.uk/Devon and Cornwall Branch lion of investment in both Tyne two extra through platforms, to be completed Twitter @RailfutureTV and Wear Metro and main line before 2024. Included in the county rail strategy Twitter @RailfutureDC services over the next 20 years. are the restoration of quadruple track from Devon and Cornwall Oxford to Radley, reopening the Cowley branch North East The Metrofutures vision, which By Philip Shelton Picture: TREVOR WATSON By Peter Kenyon [email protected] includes reopening freight lines to passenger traffic, a flyover east of Didcot, and [email protected] through trains between Oxford and Heathrow Development plans for the region and building new stations, was via the proposed western access to Heathrow. explained to Railfuture North Cullompton station for 10,000 new homes Tobyn Hughes, transport manager for the The county proposes the development of a East by Tobyn Hughes, transport Cullompton is one step closer to having a new North East Combined Authority, gave an transport hub at Culham, serving housing manager for the new authority, railway station as money has been pledged illustrated address to Railfuture North East in development on the airfield site, and new in an illustrated address in July. to develop early plans. Mid Devon District July. He explained how the new authority, with stations at Grove (Wantage) and Heyford Park Council, Taunton Deane, and Cullompton and an elected mayor, will spearhead development The new authority, with an (Ardley) which we had not expected. Former Wellington town councils have committed in the region. elected mayor, will spearhead Chiltern managing director Adrian Shooter had development throughout the £100,000 for a feasibility study. With 10,000 Confusion over plans for Metro and rail suggested some years ago reopening Ardley to homes planned in Cullompton, the town region whose identity was serve development at Upper Heyford airfield. council knows that traffic problems will The South East Northumberland Rail Users “shaped by railways”. Both Chiltern and Great Western Railway have increase. The Devon & Somerset Metro project Group has tried to persuade the media not The regional transport agency expressed an interest in running to Cowley group, which is behind plans to see railway to conflate all the development proposals Nexus will be submitting a (Oxford Business Park). The county’s strategy developments in Cullompton and Wellington, mentioned above as Metro extensions. The detailed business case this year. is welcome, but the big question is, how will it will now invest the money to commission early plans include reopening the Ashington line by be funded? It is regrettable that electrification 2020, with a direct route to Newcastle Central There is urgent need for a new studies. Engineering design work can then be fleet of trains to run services on to Oxford is not being co-ordinated with used to lobby the Government. Railfuture is rather than using the existing Metro line which rebuilding Oxford station and quadrupling to has 13 intermediate stations. SENRUG and the 78-kilometre Metro network MORPETH: Flying Scotsman coming off the freight-only Ashington, Blyth and Tyne line represented on the group, which is chaired by which could also replace Pac- Radley. We trust that overhead line masts will Tiverton and Honiton MP Neil Parish. Rail Action East Scotland are jointly launching not be installed where they could obstruct a campaign for a new Newcastle-Edinburgh ers on the electrified national The famous steam locomotive Flying Scotsman Survey to assess rail improvement proposals future developments. service with Beal and Belford stations reopened ­network. ran over the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne line in Backward thinking from South Oxfordshire south of the border, and with Reston and East The NE Combined Authority Northumberland on 11 June. Linton in Scotland. believes there is a good case for South Oxfordshire District Council has rejected The steam special could be the prelude to the Northumberland County Council surprise dual voltage vehicles capable of reopening of the freight line for passenger services. proposals for housing development south operating on the 1500v DC sys- of Oxford, because it would be in the Green Northumberland County Council has sprung tem on the Metro lines and the Flying Scotsman was hauling a charter trip from Belt. However Railfuture believes the site is a surprise by buying the shopping centre 25kv AC Network Rail standard Cleethorpes to Morpeth which included running on sustainable, near to employment locations, in Cramlington, a new town created by the the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne line. system. Picture: JOHN BRIERLEY easily served by the Oxford bus network and council in the 1960s. SENRUG’s campaign to Proposals for improvements for rail passengers This would allow the re-electrifi- Despite no announcement of the run, spectators close to stations on the Cowley branch. Instead, in Lostwithiel (logo above) put forward by the move Cramlington station to a site next to the cation to main line standards of were out in force and also used the platforms at the council proposes building 3,500 houses on town council’s portfolio holder for transport Tim shopping heart of the town has become more the lines from Pelaw to Sunder- Northumberland Park Metro station where the train Chalgrove airfield in open countryside, which Hughes, include a new footbridge, reopening relevant and it is hoped the county council will land, currently wired for 1500v ran parallel to the Metro line. Metro drivers were will lead to many additional car journeys on the branch line to Fowey and converting take it over. An improved train service with a DC, and facilitate the future elec- instructed not to obscure the view! the local road network, with a B road giving the clay train sidings into a car park. Cornwall 30-minute frequency is essential. BEDLINGTON: The 2008 campaign train trification of the whole Durham only connection to the outside world. County Council has agreed to carry out a The campaign to see passenger services restored took Bonanza for Morpeth as Virgin responds coast line. Worries over Great Western plans door-to-door survey in Lostwithiel to assess a significant step forward in 2008 when Railfuture- Morpeth is set to enjoy a boost to its inter-city Electrification south from Sun- affiliated local rail user group SENRUG chartered a There are several concerns for the Thames what improvements should be prioritised. rail services as Virgin Trains announced they will derland, through Ryhope and special train to run round the line. See picture right. Valley area following GWR managing director The local councillor is also campaigning for double the number of weekday services from Seaham towards the Horden/ Mark Hopwood’s reported plans for the more passenger trains to stop at Lostwithiel, London calling at the station from December. Chartered from Northern Rail with sponsorship Peterlee area, would allow these from Wansbeck District Council, the train made franchise. As electrification will go only as far as including the sleeper to London. Rail Freight Picture: NEXUS The two existing direct evening services from centres of population and busi- Newbury, there will be a reduction in through Group chairman (and Railfuture vice-president) three trips round the line, with each trip including London to Morpeth at 16.30 and 18.30 will ness to be served by a Metro- services to London from Kintbury, Hungerford Lord Berkeley who lives locally is supporting both the Morpeth-Choppington-Bedlington and reopening the branch to passenger trains. be augmented by a morning service leaving style service. It could also facili- the Northumberland Park-Newsham-Bedlington- and Bedwyn. We knew Henley and Bourne End London at 09.30 and an early afternoon service would lose through services to Paddington Railfuture expects current use of the sidings to tate better long-distance links Ashington sections, both of which have been the be investigated before conversion to a car park at 13.30, giving four trains from the capital from cities and towns along the subject of reopening studies. John Brierley’s picture because the branches will not be electrified. to Morpeth every weekday. It also means However there is no mention of the proposed is considered. Durham Coast line to other parts shows the train passing the disused platform at Morpeth will get additional trains to Edinburgh of the North. Bedlington station. Tickets were completely sold out chord at Bourne End which would enable New station for Marsh Barton at 12.57 and 16.57. New direct services to The new fleet of trains, together within days of release, indicating the high level of PELAW: The overgrown Leamside line can half-hourly through services between Marlow Construction of the new Marsh Barton station London will leave Morpeth at 15.15 and 19.56 with the necessary upgrades to local support for the reopening scheme. be seen going under the Metro line and Maidenhead. Although Didcot-Oxford is is expected to start in autumn 2016 with trains every weekday. SENRUG’s Dennis Fancett said: not expected to be wired until June 2019, fast on the Paignton-Exeter-Exmouth route serving “These new train services at Morpeth are the the signalling system, electrical services can be operated by new AT300 bi- the station from winter 2017-18. An interim culmination of lengthy negotiations between supply system and depot facili- at Northumberland Park on the of finding a new operator to take Authority, the Tees Valley, Cum- mode trains. Existing diesel Turbos will probably stopping pattern at the station is planned from us and Virgin Trains. We are pleased that Virgin ties, has an estimated price tag of Metro. This would realise the over from April 2019. Develop- bria and North Yorkshire. Arriva, provide the service for Appleford, Culham and December 2017 to December 2018 because of listened.” SENRUG has also been promoting bus some £550 million. ambitions of the South East Nor- ments in the governance and operator of Northern Trains, will Radley in the interim. constraints caused by the current timetable. links to Morpeth station. Plans by the Greater Clearly the North East is going thumberland Rail Users Group. administration of transport in the create a business unit dedicated Rail in reserve for Witney improvements This will result in a less than hourly frequency Morpeth Development Trust for the station are to need some of the millions we The mothballed Leamside line region are also anticipated. to the area. could provide both Metro and Oxfordshire County Council has decided to at some times of the day but with a reasonable a step nearer fruition. The impressive portico were encouraged to expect from Rail North Ltd, a new body The NE Combined Authority local rail services for Wearside extend the A40 dual carriageway three miles peak service. A better calling pattern is will be opened up and a new toilet, cafeteria the Brexit process. made up from 25 local transport area, formed from urban and to the east, to a park-and-ride bus station at planned from December 2018 to coincide and ticket office included, providing a station Development of new Metro and and Durham, realising the long authorities across the North of rural authorities and stretch- Eynsham, as well as providing bus lanes along with the rewrite of the timetable, but capacity worthy of the town. conventional routes is cleverly held aspirations of Railfuture England, which at present works ing from the Scottish border to the whole route from Witney. Although not a constraints may mean that a half-hourly Coastliners community rail partnership proposed by the improvement North East. The overgrown in partnership with the Depart- County Durham, covers a popu- rail option, this scheme would not inhibit the frequency may not be achieved at all times of Coastliners users group is in the process of of the existing freight-only lines Leamside line goes under the ment for Transport, is expected lation of almost two million. The long term ambition of reopening the Witney the day. changing its status to improve its service to the in the area, and reopening some Metro line at Pelaw. in the next seven years to take development of efficient trans- branch. Railfuture has held a meeting with New homes could lead to Cranbrook East Durham Coast passengers. The group advocates abandoned colliery routes. The current concession with control of decision making and port links is essential for future officers of West Oxfordshire District Council, A study has been undertaken to establish the introducing a service from Yarm and Eaglescliffe Initially diesel and subsequently Metro operator DB Regio will financial planning for rail trans- economic growth . stressing the importance of improved bus feasibility of creating a second station east of direct to Sunderland. electric trains could run from end in March next year, after port in the north. A North East More info: www.nexus.org.uk/ links, and also of protecting the line of the old the 2015-built Cranbrook station. The economic www.railfuture.org.uk/North East Branch Ashington to Newcastle Cen- which Nexus will take opera- Rail Management Unit will be sites/default/files/Metro%20 railway in the Local Plan. The district council case for Cranbrook East is positive and rail Twitter @RailfutureNEast tral, via a passenger interchange tions in-house, with the intention created for the NE Combined Futures%20brochure.pdf 14 railwatch October 2016 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Rail User Express can be downloaded from www.railfuture.org.uk railwatch October 2016 15 LOCAL ACTION Association, based on one held in 2008. To Footbridges with lifts have been installed Tram-train solution for Leeds region North West keep fares low, the organisers are seeking at Llandaf and Radyr but the lifts await By Arthur Thomson sponsorship of £25,000. In December 2017, commissioning. By Paul Abell [email protected] the Manchester-Chester Sunday passenger [email protected] service increases to hourly so it will be difficult Long way round for Severn Tunnel closure The Severn Tunnel is completely closed from The refusal in May by the then Cumbrian Coast connections improve to fit a stopping steam train into the service Transport Secretary Patrick Sufficient rolling stock for the Barrow-in- pattern. So 2017 is a golden oppportunity. 12 September to 21 October for electrification work. Railfuture Cymru Wales first raised its McLoughlin to approve further Furness line has become a major issue and was Please contact the CRP’s Sally Buttifant (sally_b_ work on the Leeds trolleybus highlighted in Railfuture North West England’s [email protected]) or MCRUA chairman concerns about replacement services in May but were not provided with the complete scheme may have a silver lining most recent newsletter. Arriva was proposing John Oates ([email protected]) if you for the people of the Leeds City picture by Great Western Railway until August to replace an existing 08.50 departure from have ideas for sponsorship of the Steam Day. Region. at a stakeholders meeting. Only a few of Barrow with one at 09.17, but since then has Previous events generated lots of excitement Railfuture’s suggestions were taken forward Unusually, the Department for abandoned that proposal in favour of keeping and attracted thousands of people. and at the time of the meeting GWR had not Transport has permitted West the 08.50, which provides a better connection www.railfuture.org.uk/North West Branch Yorkshire to use the £173 mil- from the Cumbrian coast line. Through journeys provided printed timetables showing the Twitter @RailfutureNW replacement services. When Bristol Parkway lion earmarked for the trolleybus from Barrow to Manchester are down to two scheme for other transformative a day (one on Saturdays) and apart from one was closed on 29 August, GWR did take note of our suggestions. For the tunnel closure, transport improvements in the train from Millom only, none of them connects Cymru Wales region. with incoming coast line trains. The Copeland the services provided by GWR were reduced By Rowland Pittard by 75% between Cardiff and Newport. Rail Users Group is assured this is a problem The All Party Parliamentary [email protected] CrossCounty was making some additional stops only until 2018 when there should be eight Light Rail Group, which use- at Severn Tunnel Junction station. Morning through trains a day to Manchester. The fully is chaired by Leeds North Contrast in campaign for Cambrian stations commuter services from Swansea to Newport group recognises that since Arriva took over West MP Greg Mulholland, has Railfuture is a member of the Cambrian Rail and return were also reduced even though all Furness line trains in April, staff are getting pointed out that this funding Partnership which is seeking additional services sufficient trains are available at Swansea. An better at holding connections at Barrow. gives Leeds a rare opportunity to and stations on the Cambrian line. There has ATW Cardiff-Cheltenham service was truncated start a modern light rail network, Furness line at Gloucester, thus removing an alternative been little progress towards a new station at the most transformative trans- THE OLD WAY OF DOING THINGS: A Pacer on a York-Leeds service in 2009. A tram-train would Staffing levels are being increased following Carno, near Newtown. But more than 40 miles service into South Wales during the closure. port improvement imaginable allow new flexible services to Harrogate and other Yorkshire destinations while sharing the the doubling of funding for community rail along the line, the prospects for a reopened for Leeds. existing line that serves Harrogate with both main line services and freight trains station at Bow Street, near Aberystwyth, were Bus hub Pembroke Dock boasts one bus partnerships. CRP officer Jim Trotman told the A new train-bus interchange called The Hub has Experience in other British cit- Furness Line Action Group AGM that there discussed at a Ceredigion Council meeting and ies has shown that it is prudent The need to accommodate the the less-busy section between through Pudsey back to Leeds. exhibition. opened adjacent to Pembroke Dock station but are now four staff, rather than two. A new at present it is served by only one bus service. to start with a single route to main line trains on the Har- Harrogate and Poppleton), with Another corridor crying out for umbrella website covering all the Cumbrian Infrastructure changes for new franchise establish light rail in public con- rogate-Leeds-London service new stops at a number of places improved rail transport is from lines is planned, plus a Twitter account. The line Railfuture Cymru Wales responded to a Bus integration confusion at Ruabon sciousness, so the APPLRG has means that such a light rail ser- including Horsforth Woodside Leeds to the Five Towns around has seen improvements, with one new shelter consultation started in July by the House of When Arriva was awarded its infamous “no put forward the present Leeds- vice would have to be provided and Arthington (where a park Wakefield. Transferring services at Kents Bank and two at Dalton. The cost of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee on the growth” Wales & Borders rail franchise in Harrogate-York railway as a suit- by tram-trains, a proven concept and ride site has already been to a city centre loop from the Dalton station buildings refurbishment for use new Wales and Borders franchise. We urged 2003, some public transport users consoled able basis for a light rail service in Germany even if the repeated identified). congested platforms of Leeds by Community Groups has been reduced from themselves that at least modal integration that sufficient funds are made available for the to get the ball rolling. delays with the long-awaited To the airport and Bradford station would free up space for the initial £250,000 down to £28,500. Two new expansion of rail services, not repeating the would improve. As Wales’ biggest bus Rotherham pilot have marred its long-distance services, and HS2 The importance of this line is Poor access to the Leeds Bradford Friends groups have been formed along the mistakes in the 2003 award of a “no growth” operator, Arriva would naturally understand shown by the fact that it was image in this country. when it arrives. It was no coin- Airport at Yeadon is recognised line at Silverdale and Kents Bank, with the latter franchise. The new franchise is expected to be the importance of coordinating rail and bus included in the most urgent The routing flexibility offered by cidence that my train into Leeds as a problem, to the extent that seeking to provide seating on the foreshore. awarded by the Welsh Government following a services in a country where many towns were Tier One lines for electrification light rail would make it attractive taking me to the APPLRG launch Jim also revealed that £4,000 had been raised transfer of powers from the UK Government. removed from the rail network in the 1960s. in the Northern Sparks report for the York end of such a route to improving road access comes of this scheme was held up out- towards the £15,000 cost of preparing a The current franchise operated by Arriva Trains In the event, Arriva placed bus and rail produced by the North of Eng- avoid the busy East Coast main with a price tag of £40-75 million. side Leeds station while a couple funding bid for investigation into the Staveley- Wales expires in 2018 and in anticipation of the in separate silos because of competition land Electrification Task Force in line and help to promote the new A trip to Newcastle shows how of other trains departed. Burneside passing loop to increase capacity on devolution of powers, the Welsh Government regulations. Even during unplanned railway March last year, but clearly the York Central development, then Metro access to the airport is a The need for congestion relief the Windermere branch. closures, Arriva rail tickets were not accepted has set up an arm’s length organisation called present delays in railway elec- extend to Askham Bar and Cop- much smarter alternative. North York and Leeds both suffer A greener gateway for Forest of Bowland Transport for Wales to manage the process. on Arriva buses. trification schemes mean that manthorpe. At the Leeds end the of Leeds a link could very conve- Undaunted, the Taith transport consortium greatly from traffic congestion, New information boards have been installed Expressions of interest from bidders are it would be rather optimistic to tram-train gives the chance of niently be built from the Harro- especially in peak periods. The currently being sought and an initial shortlist installed a bus turning circle and bus stop expect Network Rail to do the job freeing up space at Leeds station gate line at Horsforth, giving the at Giggleswick, Clapham, Bentham and immediately outside Ruabon station, railhead 21st century, light rail solution Wennington stations recently, which highlight will be drawn up in December 2016. Bids have any time soon. by leaving the Harrogate line chance of an extension through offered by the Leeds-Harrogate- to include proposals for operating the South for the popular tourist town of Llangollen. south of Burley Park station and Shipley into the centre of Brad- the opportunity to explore the Forest of GHA Coaches ran its Wrexham-Llangollen Conveniently, the details of a York route is too good to miss. Bowland. Lancashire Councillor Albert Atkinson East Wales Metro, an integrated public transport Leeds to Harrogate and York following the Kirkstall Road cor- ford, and hence also giving that The diesel rolling stock on the network covering Cardiff and the Valleys and buses through the interchange, and when ridor and Wellington Street into city easy access to its airport. In and Karen Booth of Northern unveiled one of GHA went into receivership in July 2016 a light rail scheme were considered line, Sprinters and Pacers, is the large information boards at Clapham. As extending from Chepstow to Maesteg. Bidders some years ago by the transport the city centre. Naturally there Bradford itself there is a clear coming up for replacement in have the opportunity to propose a light rail local independent stepped in, again serving would be an interchange with need (recognised more than a well as a map and photographs, these boards the interchange. The longer distance rail authority (before the cancelled any case and there is a chance to solution on some of the valley lines to replace Leeds station, while a city centre century ago) for a direct rail link show suggested walks and cycling routes, plus replacement bus service to Bala and Barmouth trolleybus scheme became the prompt significant modal shift the current heavy rail services. loop would serve the Headrow, between Forster Square station local places to visit, eat or stay. never used the interchange. imposed flavour of the month), by offering passengers attractive Another innovation is that infrastructure will bus station and Vicar Lane areas. and Bradford Interchange, then Gerald Townson of the Bentham line Simultaneously another bus operator launched while Mr Mulholland can add vehicles which will tempt them be the responsibility of the franchisee on the local knowledge because the line The frequency envisaged is four it would be relatively straight- community rail partnership, at the Clapham a service competing with the existing out of their cars and take them busier valley routes, rather than Network Rail. passes through his constituency. to six trains per hour (two on forward to continue the loop closer to where they want to go. ceremony, commented: “The Bentham line The route network and services of the new Wrexham-Llangollen services but omitting makes it easy for people to visit the forest franchise will be similar to the existing one, Ruabon interchange. That operator is … you and help keep their journey environmentally operated by Arriva Trains Wales. Railfuture guessed it, Arriva! Light rail link to Blackpool North is on target for 2019 friendly.” He added: “This is the start of a good Cymru Wales is pleased to receive this news Big train meets little train underpass to train services at North Station. Enterprise Partnership around the end of partnership with our friends in the Forest of as there had been reports that certain cross- As a student, Railfuture vice-president Paul A new guide called Big Train Meets Little Train Bowland area of outstanding natural beauty border services could cease to operate, Abell worked on the Blackpool trams for three Construction of the new 500-yard line was 2017, it is hoped that construction of the line was launched in August to promote public and follows on positively from the A Day in requiring passengers to change trains at summers as a conductor. Now he is happy to approved by Blackpool Council on 29 June, will start at the beginning of 2018 and trams transport to visit the 11 preserved narrow the Life of Bentham photographic project last stations such as Chester and Shrewsbury. report the latest development of the operation. and an application for a Transport & Works Act will be running to North station by April 2019. gauge lines in Wales. The guide was a winner in summer, initiated by the Friends of Bentham Express longer-distance bus services are to be Order covering it was submitted on 13 July. A peak 10-minute frequency is proposed, a competition sponsored by the Department The ongoing electrification of the Preston- station. This initiative is part of the much larger part of the Metro network but local bus services with alternate trams continuing northwards for Transport. The guide can be viewed and Blackpool North line is to gain a direct link Commendable foresight meant that the Rail to Trail scheme launched last summer, will not be included. Railfuture is concerned along the Promenade towards Bispham or downloaded at http://bigtrainlittletrain.owenf. with the modernised Blackpool & Fleetwood points necessary to connect the Promenade being developed by the CRP in conjunction that full integration of public transport services southwards towards the Pleasure Beach. info tramway. A new bus and rail interchange tramway with a line up Talbot Road are with the Lancaster and Skipton rail users and will not be achieved. A new £2.2 million station is to be built at around North Station is to have a light rail already in position. They were included in the Two more five-section Flexity 2 trams have Northern, to encourage walking and cycling component after the completion of a line up from all the stations on the line. Several steps forward as stations improve Caernarfon by the Ffestiniog and Welsh modernisation of the Promenade tramway in been ordered from Bombardier to augment The new footbridges with lifts at Port Talbot Highland Railway. Building is expected to start Talbot Road from North Pier. 2011-12. Providing the Transport Secretary the fleet of 16 which was delivered for the 2017 Steam day at MCRUA and Ystrad Mynach have been completed and in March and the station should be open by An island platform tram terminus on the site makes a favourable decision on the TWAO modernisation of the Promenade tramway. A Mid Cheshire steam day is planned for opened. Port Talbot has a new ticket office on 2018. of the present Wilko store will give convenient within around 12 months, and final funding The last trams to serve Blackpool North, via next year, organised by the community rail the bridge, and at Ystrad Mynach a new ticket www.railfuturewales.org.uk and level access through the existing approval is forthcoming from the Lancashire Dickson Road, were withdrawn in 1963. partnership and Mid Cheshire Rail Users office has been built on the down platform. Twitter @RailfutureWales 16 railwatch October 2016 Twitter: @railwatch www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Please remember Railfuture in your will: http://tinyurl.com/3qtdzj7 railwatch October 2016 17 What a difference a day makes and a challenge for Railfuture By Ian Brown encourage this. Increasingly the delivery. Road schemes have listened to. The populist agenda of new initiatives in Britain. [email protected] emphasis is at regional level with long been subject to a “prepara- is less productive. It seems to The opportunity is there but the Railfuture, with its web pages, the role of Railfuture’s branches tion pool” approach and can be infer transferability. There is no decision process is not stable on has covered Brexit pretty com- in liaising with bodies such as added to the roads programme evidence for this. Ditch HS2 and account of popularism. prehensively, and to the credit integrated transport authorities. when funding allows. At the reopen my favourite branch line This is an opportunity for Rail- of the organisation this has been This is a major opportunity for most recent AGM, Railfuture in effect means ditch HS2. future to make a difference, pro- done this in a timely way with- all Railfuture members to get members voted to continue our On reopenings, Railfuture has vided we are seen as informed, out taking sides. It has proved involved with our work, actively support for electrification, but established strict criteria with a constructive and aware of the a useful approach as most other engaging in the process of foster- for future schemes increasingly view to focusing our campaign- many forces around us. commentators have preached ing improvements. to focus our campaigning on ing on proposals that are deliver- Have we the capability to do this nirvana or doom depending on a smaller incremental schemes Railways at the heart of the able and have a strong business for our members? The answer is particular perspective. that are more deliverable and can political agenda – joining the case. This increases our credibil- yes if we take the organisation bring benefits earlier. The Gov- In the context of our wish to see big three ity with stakeholders and impor- as a whole with active branches ernment’s previous approach to big investment in the railways, Education, health and the econ- tantly, our chances of success. supported by Railfuture Group North West England electrifica- the good news is that the fran- omy traditionally dominate the Oxford to Cambridge and to Wis- engaging with stakeholders tion, although delayed in terms chise process did not falter with political agenda as national elec- bech are two strong examples. and responding to rail consulta- of implementation was an excel- the East Anglia franchise award, tion issues. This changed with tions. This infers active involve- lent example of this approach. The role of Railfuture resulting in complete renewal of the election of a Mayor in Lon- ment by a growing number of Each relatively modest stage Rail is now high up on the politi- the whole train fleet and, impor- don, where transport was a key members with a broad range of brought significant regional ben- cal agenda, whether it is argu- tantly, capacity provision for issue. Nationally other issues age, skills, experience and social efits, starting with Manchester to ing about HS2, nationalisation continued growth in passenger such as immigration have been background. numbers in an important region added. Transport is now in this Newton-le-Willows giving Man- or concerns about reform of rail I cannot think of a better time in of the UK. category, with HS2 being the chester to Scotland electric ser- operations such as the role of the vices, then to Liverpool giving guard. There is no guiding mind recent history to campaign for a Other recent pre-Brexit awards issue that has placed transport Liverpool to Manchester Airport, such as a strategic rail authority bigger, better railway in Britain. also contained massive commit- alongside these other issues at then to Wigan, etc. The Northern for our railways, and the role of n Ian Brown CBE FCILT is ment to expansion of new rolling the top of the political agenda. Electric scheme, albeit using old Brussels has receded in terms ­Railfuture’s director of policy stock and passenger amenities. Lamentably the environment, a cascaded trains, has been mas- key issue for Railfuture members Indeed our own campaigning on sively popular, particularly as ISSN 0267-5943 www.railwatch.org.uk in wanting sustainable transport, the Thameslink rolling stock has passengers and politicians have has been largely ditched as a resulted in serious consideration seen the benefits. Even with railwatch political imperative, now con- is edited by Robert Stevens and Ray King, 4 Christchurch Square, of retro-fitting of passenger ame- this excellent scheme the initia- signed to the “we will attend to London E9 7HU Tel: 020 8985 8548 [email protected] nities such as wifi and tables. tive has been lost, with delays to climate change when we have [email protected] The East Anglia news was good, THE BENEFITS OF ELECTRIFICATION: Three electric former Thameslink trains at Liverpool Lime the later Manchester to Bolton, sorted out all these other issues”. Printed by Print-Out, High Street, Histon, Cambridge CB4 4JD coming so closely behind the Street with a Pacer on the left. The 319s are already providing more capacity and comfort for Wigan, Preston and Blackpool Brexit vote, but the bigger test passengers travelling from Liverpool to Wigan and Preston. As electrification spreads across the We have therefore lost a key cam- Tel: 01223 232709. Railfuture members receive ­Railwatch free. paigning tool. sections. will be the following franchises north west of England, more of the unloved diesel-powered Pacers will be displaced Disappointingly, the populism Non-members can subscribe online at www.railfuture.org.uk/shop or by such as the West Coast main line We might think that rail rising sending £8 (cheque payable to Railfuture) to: Alan Cocker, 11 Derwent up the agenda would be a good agenda is increasing in domi- when more time is available to Secretary of State for Transport transport cause, from an addi- normal industrial negotiation, Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QR. thing. In some respects this is nance. HS2, which re-established study the consequences of Brexit, tional runway at Heathrow to the safety card has been played – Chris Grayling – and a new true, particularly now that provi- railways on the political agenda, particularly in the context of pro- major new investment in road and replayed and the whole saga Copy deadlines: For the next issue, published in December, copy must team of ministers. We have writ- sion of rail projects is now firmly is a case in point. The populist curement – of the franchise itself has descended into a populist be emailed to [email protected] by 26 October. Paper copy can be ten to Chris Grayling with key capacity. associated with the economy agenda is to shout “ditch HS2 and also in terms of new equip- campaign on abolishing fran- sent to 4 Christchurch Square, London E9 7HU but must arrive earlier. Railfuture demands and will be There are also our MEPs. Brexit rather than the environment. The and spend the money on other ment for growth. chises, with a view to bringing Advertising: Full page: £190. Half page: £95. Quarter page: £45. following this up early next year may take two years to execute, business case for big rail projects projects” as chosen by the pro- So far so good, giving an impres- back BR. The passengers are the Small ads are free to members. Otherwise: 30p per word. with a session to brief MPs, fol- but the influence of MEPs in lob- was built upon contribution to ponent. Railfuture was very sion of little change. Two things last set of people to be consid- lowing consultation with mem- bying Brussels for a bigger better the economy. Crossrail in Lon- unhappy about HS2 when it was Please report any problems with the delivery or condition of your copy of have changed – politics and the bers, on key areas that concern railway in Britain disappeared ered in such a scenario. don was justified on this basis, conceived solely for speed to Railwatch to [email protected] or to the E9 7HU address above. politics of railways. Railfuture’s members. Our case overnight, so reducing any effect Similarly the Jeremy Corbyn as are the Edinburgh-Glasgow single unconnected end points, A different political scenario for investment in a bigger, bet- of European Union checks and “sit on the floor in” might have Improvement Project and the airline style. There is still work Railfuture Politics did change. We have a ter railway in Britain will have balances on the UK government been a contrived populist stunt, Northern Hub in Manchester. to be done, but generally the but one performed against the consultation process has resulted is independent and voluntary. It is the campaigning name of the Railway new government team, a new to stand alongside every other in terms of the rail industry. The difficulty here is the ability ­Development Society Ltd, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. background of a very real issue – of the industry to deliver. Main in a realisation that HS2 should We have reformatted Railfu- be about system capacity and Registered in England and Wales No 5011634. ture’s international activity to overcrowding on the East Coast line electrification, set against main line. Was it successful? Yes ­resilience. ­Registered Office: 24 Chedworth Place, Tattingstone, Suffolk IP9 2ND. strengthen our knowledge of other criteria including rolling it was, whether the actual event best rail practice overseas so as to stock replacement, is more dif- Better solutions are emerging to Media enquiries Join Railfuture was contrived or real. That mat- You get four copies of Railwatch magazine a year and the be able to bolster our arguments ficult given project delays and integrate HS2 north of London, ters less. However populism Bruce Williamson, 29 Granby Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4LT. for campaigning in the UK. We cost overruns. People are get- in the West Midlands (Moor chance to help make Britain’s railways great again dictated that the “let’s provide Tel: 0117 9272954 Mobile: 07759 557389 will not be campaigning in Brus- ting impatient that the benefits Street proposals and light rail), Membership is £18 per year for an individual (special offer price) more capacity” message was are not being accrued in a timely Sheffield (city centre access) and Email: [email protected] n sels but we will be strengthening Pensioners, students and unemployed £14 eclipsed by “let’s nationalise the way. The weakness here is that Leeds (moving the HS2 station n User groups, community and parish councils: Please use this form to our links with politicians in Brit- railways.” Membership £18 per year (special offer). ain, both at national level and, other transport capital schemes nearer to Leeds station). The two ask for group rates such as road schemes can be per- Pensioners, students and unemployed: £14. through the Railfuture branches, Railways have become more big gaps of serious concern to ceived as delivering similar ben- User groups, community and parish councils: Please apply for rates. at regional level. political with polarised argu- our members are the lack of con- You can join using PayPal via www.railfuture.org.uk or by post, please Name ...... ments replacing the core needs efits and are capable of ­effective nectivity in London from HS2 on A different railway approach ­contact Railfuture Membership, 1 Queens Road, Barnetby le Wold, North of investment in more capacity, to the rest of the rail network and Lincolnshire DN38 6JH. Email: [email protected] Address ...... Brexit in the UK and Donald more resilience and an overall Railwatch welcomes HS1 and the need to properly Trump in the US have spawned better passenger experience. Rail- articles and pictures plan HS3 between Manchester ...... Postcode ...... popularism, replacing traditional future will continue to campaign from rail users and and Yorkshire in an integrated Renewals and other membership queries: political thinking along party for our aims of seeing the railway way, so bringing earlier and Use PayPal on the website or send a cheque to Email ...... lines. Railways have got caught improve. Being non-party politi- rail user groups greater benefits to the Northern Railfuture Renewals, 24 Chedworth Place, ­Tattingstone, Suffolk IP9 2ND. up in this too which is danger- cal and increasingly informed region as a whole. Branch cam- Email: [email protected] Send to Railfuture, 1 Queens Road, Barnetby le Wold, Send your material to: The ous in the context of Railfuture’s and engaged with stakeholders Editors, 4 Christchurch Square, paigning by Railfuture in voicing North Lincolnshire DN38 6JH remit of campaigning for a big- is a key strength for Railfuture. London E9 7HU these concerns and tabling ideas Elections Board elections held annually. Nomination forms can be Please make cheques payable to Railfuture obtained from www.railfuture.org.uk/tiki-index.php?page=Elections Email: [email protected] ger, better railway in Britain. Members join Railfuture because Email: [email protected] and solutions has been signifi- The bitter dispute about the role they want to see a bigger, better Please use email if possible but cant. This is why people join Rail- Who’s Who Many other useful contact details can be found on the OR JOIN ONLINE USING PAYPAL AT www.railfuture.org.uk of conductors on Southern is an railway and we must continue include your postal address future. We can make a difference ­Railfuture website: www.railfuture.org.uk example of this. Long gone is to ensure we have the skills to and we are increasingly being 18 railwatch October 2016 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ European Rail Timetable available at http://www.europeanrailtimetable.eu railwatch October 2016 19 Trains still vital in post-Brexit Europe People will continue to travel by train to Paris, Brussels and other European cities even after the Brexit vote. Despite the uncertainty, Railfu-

ture will also continue to cam- Picture: SIEMENS paign to make those journeys easier and cheaper for both Brit- ish travellers and those coming to the UK. Railfuture’s new chair Chris Page was invited by Rail Profes- sional magazine to explain what Brexit means for the railways. He warned that higher prices for imported rolling stock and com- ponents could affect decisions on whether to buy new or refurbish existing trains. Brexit could also have the effect of delaying some rail projects. While reminding readers of some of the concerns, Chris reminded them that transport is recognised as the key to economic growth and that priority should be given to projects which will stimulate Germany’s new high speed fleet is launched growth. He also welcomed Transport The latest European high speed train was An ICE 4 is around 100 tons lighter than a Secretary Chris Grayling’s launched in September by Siemens which is comparable ICE 1, but has a higher seating announcement that investment currently also supplying new trains for Eurostar. capacity and large windows provide good views. in the future must continue. The ICE 4 was shown off to the public in Berlin, The 300 new trains will gradually replace DB’s The full article can be read at with Siemens announcing that the train would Intercity and Eurocity fleets, some of which date https://issuu.com/railpro/ allow Deutsche Bahn to usher in a new era in back to 1971. Gradually the early ICEs will be docs/sept_issue/67 long-distance travel. replaced by ICE 4s. The trains are expected to generate around 70% Britain was earlier than other Passengers will be able to sample the first two of DB’s revenue. European countries in introduc- ICE 4 trains over the next few months but they ing passenger rights, franchising will not enter regular service until New Year. Railfuture members will remember that an ICE and the separation of operation made an appearance at London St Pancras in from infrastructure. One of the aims is to provide more flexibility, 2010, amid hopes that DB would introduce direct Railfuture has also welcomed with five different carriage types and 24 different services between London and Berlin. European Union investment in train configurations. Following the Brexit vote, we may have to wait a British railways. There are six power cars, for example, for a 12-car long time before the next DB ICE glides into St We have promoted the London ICE 4 with a top speed of 155 miles per hour. Pancras. CIV or Euro High Saver ticket which enables Eurostar travellers from outside London to buy one international level, as do manu- Non-EU Switzerland had an The European Passengers Fed- ticket which includes the British facturers such as Siemens, Bom- even higher rate of rail use. eration will hold its 2017 confer- ence and annual general meeting journey to London and London bardier and Alstom.Coinciden- In the EU, passenger rail’s share tally, in the same month as the in Rotterdam, on Friday and Sat- Underground links. of the overall market increased Brexit vote, the European Com- urday 17-18 March. Railfuture’s David Allard has mission announced £4.2 billion by 0.3% while rail freight was warned that the phone booking Bookings will start in December of funding for 88 rail projects as static. Research commissioned facility for the London CIV ticket at www.epf.eu. part of its Connecting Europe by Germany’s Alliance for Rail has been withdrawn, but it can At the end of September, a party Facility. It was also revealed in however shows that Germany still be bought on the Eurostar rates poorly for rail investment of Railfuture members went website by clicking on “Lon- July that Austrians travelled fur- by high speed train to western per capita. British invesment in don”. This leads to a list of Brit- ther by rail than the residents of France for a four-day break, stay- ish provincial destinations. any other EU countries in 2015. rail looks better. See chart below. ing at St Nazaire, near Nantes. Railfuture and its predecessors In 2017 it is planned to return to have a long history of interest German-speaking Europe, with and involvement in international a week-long trip to Innsbruck in travel and cooperated in 2002 Austria, in April or May. with similar bodies in nine other For more details, contact Trevor countries to form the European Garrod, 15 Clapham Road South, Passengers Federation which Lowestoft NR32 1RQ (trevorgar- includes non-EU states. [email protected]) British involvement is also likely to continue in multinational bod- Graph: ALLIANZ PRO SCHEINE Graph:

ies such as CER, UNIFE, UIC per inhabitant invested Euros and UITP which represent train operators, rail manufacturers or

urban and regional public trans- Italy Spain France port providers. Austria Sweden Companies such as Abellio, Germany Denmark Switzerland Netherlands Arriva and Veolia operate at an Britain Great