AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR RAIL USERS No 143 £2 April 2015

‘New’ trains for northern England See page 2 and back page Pictures: NORTHERN RAIL Pictures: NORTHERN Page one picture LOCAL ACTION For 25 years the train pictured on page one expected to be available at half the cost of Yorkshire was crammed with commuters on the Bed- new diesel trains. ford-London Thameslink route. By Chris Hyomes Rail expert Paul Salveson said the con- [email protected] Now it is being refurbished and will enter verted trains could be a useful addition service in the north of England in May on to the regional fleet, and could be used n n Harrogate triumph the newly electrified route between Liv- on many local lines across England and The new Virgin-Stagecoach erpool and Manchester via Newton-le- Pictures: VIVARAIL Wales. franchise for the East Coast main Willows. He added: “As far as I can see its main line includes seven trains a day each Six of the dual-voltage class 319 trains will problem is the 60 mph maximum speed. way between Harrogate and London be based at Allerton depot in Liverpool However, there are quite a few routes on Kings Cross, just as Railfuture where the trains will be maintained. which the D-Trains would be appropri- proposed in a detailed submission ate and that have 60 mph maximum line The trains are being refurbished inside and to all three bidders, the Department speeds, including some quite long routes. out at Wolverton works in Buckingham- for Transport and the Office of Rail If acceleration is as good as it is claimed shire by Knorr-Bremse. New passenger A graphic produced by the Department for Transport when Regulation. This news comes after to be, the trains would give journey time information screens have been fitted inside it issued the invitations to tender for the Northern and five years of extensive research and improvements.” the coaches, along with reupholstered TransPennine franchises. campaigning to upgrade Harrogate seats. Mr Shooter told RAIL magazine: “We are For the Northern franchise, the bidders are: Abellio Northern, rail services. As a result, Railfuture’s creating a train that is, in all important Arriva Rail North and Govia Northern. triumphant Brian Dunsby was The first train has already been seen on respects, as good as new. interviewed by both BBC Look North and BBC Radio York. driver training runs in the Liverpool area. For the TransPennine Express franchise the bidders are: First The 319s will also be used on services “We most certainly intend to produce a TransPennine Express, Keolis Go-Ahead and Stagecoach n n New stations plan for Elland and Leeds pass the test between Preston and Liverpool later this train which is perceived by passengers to TransPennine Express Trains. Two stations in Yorkshire, Elland and East Leeds Parkway, year. In total 20 class 319 trains could be be just like a new train.” could be reopened following an analysis by the transport However, the Government will be wary of transferred to take over services on other committee of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Halifax being acccused of foisting old southern electrified lines in the north west of Eng- Railfuture lottery winners & District Rail Action Group has spent 30 years campaigning land. trains on the north of England. You do not need to have multiple Recent prize winners are: for Elland station, and Calderdale Council gave £50,000 n n There are reports that Wolverton works One advantage of the cascade of the entries to win with the Railfuture May 2014 P Rowland, E Holland, R Gor- towards a feasibility study, after more than 2,000 people Thameslink trains is that diesel trains can may be knocked down to make room for Lottery. ing, P Yates, S & S Boulding, M Savage. signed a Give Elland a Railway Station petition. Elland be freed for services elsewhere. Diesel 300 new homes. June R Gibson, R King, A Marsh, Labour councillor Angi Gallagher, a founder of Give Elland trains are in acutely short supply. Property owner St Modwen has proposed One lucky couple have won a Railway Station, told the Huddersfield Daily Examiner: “A prizes three times in the past A Carr, I Clatworthy, R Blake. The north of England may also get rebuilt houses and shops should be built on the new station will give a massive boost to both the economy eight months! July W Emmerson, GD Smith, F Gold- 30-year-old London Underground District 37-acre site, according to a BBC report in ing, S Hutchings, M Hill, R Shaw. and the community of Elland.” Further studies are planned. February. line trains. Although built for electric run- Vivarail’s new-for-old D-Train, above. There are six prizes each month August A Carr, E Holland, E Smith, J n n New track for Sheffield-Rotherham tram-train network ning, the D78 trains are being rebuilt by Lower picture: A seating and glazing unit St Modwen, which has owned the land and a current top prize of £40, Moorhouse, C Palmer, D Brady. Network Rail is applying for a Transport and Works Act order Vivarail at Long Marston, Warwickshire, as which replaces the sliding door entrance on since the 1990s, said it would build new with half of the money raised September G Smith, M Breslin, A & H diesels. premises for Knorr-Bremse to ensure the returned in prizes while the Everett, M Breslin, G D Smith, M Kneen. to build a 150-metre chord linking the heavy rail network to the original trains Sheffield Supertram. Tram-trains are expected to provide a Vivarail is headed by Adrian Shooter, the survival of the works. remainder, after expenses, goes October R Dodd, J Ward, P Pass, direct service, improving journeys between Sheffield city M Edgell, N Bramhall, P Clark. former boss of Chiltern Railways. will be fitted with underfloor five-cylinder But rail campaigners say the sheds, home into Railfuture funds to help our centre, Rotherham Central and Parkgate retail park. They will Mr Shooter wants them to be used as Ford engines which will power electric to the royal train for 150 years, should be campaigns. November J Cuff, A Cosgrove, S Hutch- use the Supertram route between Cathedral and Meadowhall replacements for the despised “Nodding traction motors. The prototype is expected preserved. So you can help us and help ings, R Blake, A Hill, J Ward. South and then run on to the rail network via the new chord Donkey” Pacer trains. The D-Trains will be to be completed this year. Eventually 75 Knorr-Bremse moved into Wolverton after yourself by joining the Lottery. It December H Prickett, A Davies, (to be built in 2016) to Parkgate. stripped of their ­electrical equipment and carriages could be converted and they are Railcare went into administration. D Peters, S & S Boulding, C Burns, R costs just £1 per entry per month Burrows. n n Service boost plea for pretty Esk Valley line and you can get more details by January 2015 B Buttigieg, M Lloyd, writing to Railfuture Lottery, 24 G Chandler, S & S Boulding, R King, Modern Railways writer Alan Williams was one of three Chedworth Place, Tattingstone, M Edgell. speakers at Railfuture Yorkshire’s AGM in York in January Big step forward for rail in north of England Suffolk IP9 2ND, or email lot- and called for service improvements on the “pretty” Whitby- February J Vokins, GD Smith, J Fan- Middlesbrough Esk Valley line. Richard Gibson of Arriva In the December budget train, based on a 379 unit (see Sunday services (Cumbrian invitations to tender specify the [email protected]. court, C Palmer, J Barfield, P Clark. CrossCountry said the operator had been concentrating statement, Chancellor of the page 4). The tender also requires Coast, Esk Valley, Hope Valley). minimum required from the IN BRIEF + IN BRIEF + IN BRIEF + IN BRIEF + IN BRIEF + IN BRIEF on improving time keeping. David Pennie described how ­Exchequer George Osborne said every train to be fitted with free “There is scope for the use of new franchisees, and Rail North campaigners are seeking government funding for a £100,000 that new trains would be speci- wi-fi and power sockets or USB substantially refurbished trains will continue to push for greater feasibility study into reopening the 34-mile Beverley-York n Ian Crighton, a modest stal- doning further work on reopen- fied in the Northern franchise to charging points by 2020. to make them ‘like new’. enhancements in future years line with stations at Market Weighton and Pocklington. The replace Pacer trains. which will help deliver regional wart of Railfuture died of can- ing the western rail corridor even local enterprise partnership will be asked to back the plan. Also specified are fixed or fold- “So existing Northern diesel cer in January. Ian was a found- though the Limerick-Galway sec- Three months later, the invita- economic growth by helping Peter Hemmerman of the Minsters Rail campaign told the ing tables at a minimum of units, as well as the ex-London ing member of RDS which was tion has been successful. tion to tender for the new North- people get to jobs faster, in com- Bridlington Free Press that the line should be rebuilt as part 90% of seats, air conditioning D-Trains, are in the frame. There formed in 1978 from the merger n ern and TransPennine franchises fort and affordably.” China opened its longest heavy of the Government’s £15 billion transport master plan for the and heating systems as well as is very strong commitment to of the Railway Invigoration Soci- included an announcement that However, RMT general secre- haul coal line in December, the north of England. upgraded luggage space. community rail, with extra funds ety and Railway Development tary Mick Cash said: “Any new 755 mile long Shanxi south cen- n n the north of England would to support community rail part- Association. One of his many Railfuture helps rail users to make their case to Abellio On TransPennine, the Depart- trains are light years away, with tral railway. receive a fleet of “newly built” nerships. There are new funds to volunteer activities for Railfuture ment for Transport also wants to passengers forced to endure the n Railfuture coordinated a Leeds meeting in January with 10 diesel or battery powered trains encourage innovation and sta- was helping to despatch Rail- The final link in the 575 mile by 2020. see options for new services such misery of the clapped-out Pacers, long Iran-Turkmenistan-Kazakh- rail user groups and Northern franchise bidder Abellio. The as links between Liverpool and tion development. watch before we switched to a key themes that emerged from the day were: the rolling stock The document requires the new and the ancient London Under- stan line was completed in Scotland, Crewe to Manchester “The ITT for Northern tells bid- professional despatch company. shortage and the short-term need for diesels, the need for franchisee to modernise the fleet ground rolling stock that’s head- December. Airport and extending ­Newcastle ders that they should move n Turkey Railways has ordered more Sunday and late night services, and disabled access of Northern trains, replacing the ing north, way off into the future. n Alstom is to build Guadala- services to Edinburgh. towards ‘driver-only operation’ an extra 10 Siemens Velaro high improvements. Pacers and bringing into service “These plans are being spun by jara’s 12-mile long line 3 metro during the franchise but ensure speed trains for its Ankara-Istan- n n a minimum of 120 new carriages Rail expert Paul Salveson com- Nick Clegg and the Tories in a in Mexico. New heavy rail line proposed for Leeds-Bradford airport mented: “There is lots of good an additional member of staff bul service. for non-electrified routes. pre-election stunt that they claim n Polish railways launched its Railfuture continues to believe a parkway station on the news in the invitations to tender. is on the train to carry out cus- n Rail campaigner and co- The tender for Northern says: will modernise rail services in first Alstom Pendolino service Harrogate line plus a shuttle bus is the best option for Many routes get additional ser- tomer-facing duties. founder of Friends of Riccarton “These must be newly built (not the North when in reality they in December, after receiving improving public transport links to Leeds-Bradford airport, vices and there is a very welcome Junction Geoffrey Evison died at re-using components from exist- “There is no requirement to will condemn passengers to poor £53 million from the European despite this idea being dismissed by a consultant’s report proposal to reinstate passenger reduce staffed station booking quality, unsafe and de-staffed Annan Hospital in January. commissioned by the Government. The consultants favoured ing rolling stock) and, unless the n Union. The 125 mph service bidder intends for them to be services between Newcastle and offices, but lots of encourage- services for years to come.” The European Investment links Warsaw, Gdansk, Gdynia, an expensive new heavy rail link from Guiseley via the Airport Ashington. ment to make better use of sta- Bidders have until 26 June to Bank has provided Hungary Krakow, Katowice and Wroclaw. to Horsforth. The proposed direct rail link with a 30 minute hauled by a locomotive, must frequency would require new paths into Leeds station and be capable of operating under “There will be dancing in the tions, as I have been arguing long make their submissions to the with £133 million to support the Trains are equipped for 3 kV DC, and hard.” rehabilitation and reconstruction through Armley and Shipley Junctions which are currently their own power for significant streets of Blyth, Bedlington and DfT. The winning bids will be 15 kV and 25 kV 50 Hz and the not available. distances on non-electrified Ashington when that comes to Sir Richard Leese of Rail North announced towards the end of of the country’s railways. train control systems needed to routes.” It could open the way pass. Several ‘community rail’ said the tender was only the the year with both franchises n The Irish Government operate in Germany, Austria and for ­Bombardier’s battery test routes get better or brand new beginning. He added: “The starting on 1 April 2016. announced in January it is aban- the Czech Republic. 2 railwatch April 2015 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ You can buy our book Britain’s Growing Railway online at www.railfuture.org.uk railwatch April 2015 3 LOCAL ACTION Make it simple for our would-be rulers By Ian Brown LOCAL ACTION Scotland [email protected] By Jane Ann Liston [email protected] Our current Parliament will be North West dissolved on 30 March, followed By Arthur Thomson by a general election on 7 May [email protected] which will send 650 MPs to the House of Commons. n n Blackpool fight goes on On the same day, the public will choose councillors in 36 Picture: BOMBARDIER With passenger numbers on metropolitan boroughs, 194 dis- the South Fylde line increasing, trict authorities and 49 unitary the Blackpool and South Fylde authorities. Five directly elected Rail Users Association is keen mayors will also be chosen. to get a passing loop installed, preferably at Lytham, to allow Local elections will thus be tak- IAN BROWN two trains per hour. The group ing place in all parts of England believes the business case for it with the exception of six unitary is obvious but are stepping up n n Labour’s new team gives a boost to Glasgow Crossrail authorities, seven districts and informed. We must also be aware efforts to convince Network Rail that winning the election is their Former transport minister Lord Andrew Adonis (a Railfuture boroughs and importantly the 32 and the train operator of the need. vice president) has been asked to report on how the Glasgow London boroughs. The mayoral key goal and if this means build- The group is also pressing for Crossrail project could be implemented. Scottish Labour’s election in London is next year. ing on or adopting ill-informed winter Sunday services along the prejudices or bandwagons – this branch. Customer information screens are to be installed at new leader Jim Murphy gave his backing to the project which Many of those representing us at would see the opening of three new stations. The cost of the is all fair game when seen from all but two of the South Fylde stations. Only Squires Gate and national and local level will be their viewpoint. Modern technology will keep electric Ansdell & Fairhaven miss out. “missing link” is estimated at up to £200 million, according to new to the role. The calibre and a 2008 report (see map above). Railfuture’s Ken Sutherland is planning to give Scottish Labour’s new transport spokesman attention span of many is likely trains rolling over a bigger network During Blackpool North’s long closure from December 2016 to be mixed. David Stewart a presentation about Crossrail. This is Bombardier’s battery train in trial running on the to May 2017, as part of the upcoming electrification scheme, Railfuture’s task in advocating Manningtree-Harwich line in January and February. Bombardier the eight platforms will be bulldozed, and in their place will n n St Andrews’ Courier features Starlink’s reopening plan the sustainable development of be six, longer and straighter ones. The group has called on says the adapted class 379 Electrostar is the first battery- Network Rail to consider full canopies on the longer platforms The campaign to reopen the line to St Andrews was featured our rail network is made more powered train to operate a passenger service in Britain for more to protect passengers from bad weather. Network Rail seems in both The Courier and the St Andrews Citizen in January. difficult by some of the antics than 50 years. It uses lithium iron magnesium battery cells in keen to use the closure as an opportunity to remodel the A 2013 study estimated the cost at £76 million and the inside the industry at present. the underframe. layout at Poulton-le-Fylde and remove the connection to the campaign was given backing last year by Lord Faulkner of These are giving credence to erro- mothballed Fleetwood line to increase line speeds, but the Worcester. Railfuture believes the line is one of 23 short The project is being supported by Abellio Greater Anglia, neous claims that rail managers group notes that the curves are very tight here and thinks branches which should be reinstated to make the Scottish rail FutureRailway and the Department for Transport. Campaigners are unreliable and incapable of little can be achieved. It is making the case for the retention of network more fit for purpose. believe it could have many uses, operating over sections of delivering projects and manag- the link, especially as millions of pounds were spent renewing non-electrified line. n n Restored station building available as a holiday venue ing engineering possessions. The Our messages need to be simple, it just a few years ago. coherent, easy to express and One gap it could fill is on the East West rail link to avoid the Helmsdale station on the Far North Line has been restored easy for candidates to adopt. n n Stockport rail strategy causes concern as a community rail partnership project. Self-catering need for new diesel trains for the Oxford-Bedford service. At the Many a manifesto has involved moment, planners are being told that Oxford-Bletchley will be holiday accommodation in the old office and stationmaster’s “cut and paste”. Railfuture North West has seen the proposed Stockport Rail quarters, a reopened waiting room, restored platform features electrified from the start but electrification of Bletchley-Bedford Strategy and is very concerned this has not been thought and a photographic darkroom are included in the £170,000 Railfuture as an organisation might be delayed. through. The basic proposal includes the introduction of project. Any surplus generated from the accommodation is has its ears to the ground. Our tram-trains from Manchester to Rose Hill Marple with existing donated to local community projects and is used to promote branches cover the country and on the Railfuture website for you n A professional, cost-efficient railway alignments converted to tram use. The tram-trains the Far North Line and support community rail partnership we are also regularly in touch to adopt, personalise and use. railway would also be extended to Stockport via a connection to the projects in Scotland. Volunteers are needed for various roles with politicians at national and Stockport-Stalybridge line. n to keep the station business running, with discounted use of local level. I have received a vast number of A sustainable railway accommodation in return. For details of accommodation see n Our key resource is our abil- ideas which we have, through A growing railway with invest- This would go through Stockport on street to reconnect with www.helmsdalestation.co.uk. For details about volunteering, the Stockport- Altrincham railway line, connect with Metrolink ity to listen to what people discussion, honed down into 10 ment in infrastructure and skills contact Michael Willmot: [email protected] fiasco of the Christmas engineer- subject areas. n at East Didsbury and with the Metrolink Manchester Airport ing overruns for instance was want and communicate back to A fair railway line at Baguley. But the strategy does not mention how These themes come up repeat- n n MSPs given update on electrification project broadcast far and wide. ­stakeholders. n An accountable railway – existing rail services would be accommodated. For instance edly, representing what our The Scottish Parliament cross-party rail group was given an Fortunately the reality is that This is potentially very valuable accountable for its actions, where do the Chester-Knutsford-Altrincham-Stockport- update on the Edinburgh-Glasgow electrification project in to candidates as it gives them members are saying: We need accountable to the electorate. A Manchester trains go? At one point in the document it the number of rail journeys has this if we are to achieve a bigger, November. Martin McKinlay, head of rail technical services at increased by 50% over the past well-informed opinion on what railway accountable to its cus- mentions replacement of class 101 rolling stock which is long Transport Scotland, also outlined the plan for an Edinburgh the electorate wants on our sub- better railway. tomers and responding to their gone. Railfuture North West is liaising with local user groups 10 years, over the safest-ever net- to respond. Gateway station, with a link via tram to the city airport. work. There were also 400,000 ject – rail. Obviously, local issues dominate, clearly expressed needs. so any manifesto needs adapting n n more trains last year than in 2009. What can we all do? n n Record rip-off Rochdale fares are 73p per mile Revolt over changes to Lanark train services to the geographical area in ques- With an election pending, how- There was an outcry from passengers in December after tion, for example on line reopen- Please look at the website for ever, perception is important, Support the Oldham-Rochdale-Manchester line (STORM) the timetable change which saw Lanark line trains diverted ing campaigns. Railfuture’s Manifesto for Rail. even if not supported by facts. Personalise it and enter into believes Rochdale has the highest peak return rail fare from Glasgow Central Low Level into the High Level station. into its nearest city than anywhere else outside the The changes are good for many passengers but others have If we are to be successful in The top 10 Railfuture Manifesto dialogue with your election themes London and South East area. One member has compiled a been inconvenienced by badly timed connections with other advocating the development of ­candidates. table which compares the cost per mile from the main city train services and buses at Lanark Interchange. Passengers our rail system with potential Each of these themes will be devel- Let them know that rail is an station. Rochdale to Manchester city centre before 09.30 complain that there was little or no consultation. candidates, we need to focus on oped on the Railfuture website. The important issue. Let them know costs £7.70 (73p per mile), compared to St Andrew’s Road to n n Rail campaign contacts about 10 key issues which can be headings are: that rail is key to many other Bristol £3 (30p per mile). adapted to meet the specific situ- n Rail Action Group, East of Scotland (RAGES) A coherent revitalised national objectives such as the economy, http://www.rages.org.uk/ ation and geography. rail system jobs and health. Other comparable peak return fares: Hazel Grove to For example, with clear and sim- n Manchester £6.40 (69p), Bolton to Manchester £6.40 (60p), Beattock Station Action Group A railway as an agent for city If I were cynical I would observe Wolverhampton to Birmingham £7.50 (59p), Castleford to http://www.beattockstationactiongroup.org.uk/ ple messages on reopenings and economic growth that this election has so far seen capacity, our suggestions could Leeds £5.90 (55p), Wigan to Manchester £9.30 (50p), Newport Capital Rail Action Group (CRAG) n an almost total lack of coherent to Cardiff £5.10 (47p), Newstead to Nottingham £4.50 (44p), be lifted straight into candidates’ An intermodal railway working https://sites.google.com/site/capitalrailactiongroup/ with other transport ­providers transport policies. If an optimist I Sunderland to Newcastle upon Tyne £4.60 (38p). draft policies. Railfuture is not a political would see this as a major oppor- St Andrews Rail Link (Starlink) campaign n http://www.starlink-campaign.org.uk/ We need to communicate to a organisation, its manifesto is to A freight logistics railway serv- tunity. Let us go for it! The full table can be seen at http://www.railfuture.org.uk/ campaign for a “bigger, better very broad range of candidates ing a developing and growing n Ian Brown CBE FCILT is Rail- Rochdale+Train+Fares Newburgh Train Station campaign railway”. http://newburghtrainstation.org.uk/ with national and with local British industrial base future’s director of policy. He is LevenMouth Rail Campaign issues. We need to recognise that We have compiled our own non- n A resilient railway – not consis- a former managing director of http://www.lmrc-action.org.uk/ ­candidates’ knowledge of rail political Manifesto for a bigger, bet- tently in the headlines for service London Rail and was awarded a might range from nil to quite well ter railway which will be available or project failures CBE for services to railways. 4 railwatch April 2015 Twitter: @railwatch www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Railfuture Bristol conference 7 November 2015 www.railfuture.org.uk/conferences/ railwatch April 2015 5 Rail User Group awards LOCAL ACTION By Roger Blake is earlier than last year. As usual LOCAL ACTION [email protected] we plan the judging panel will Thames Valley Wales Fancy a visit from a Railuture be made up of Railfuture vice- By Rowland Pittard Picture: EUROSTAR vice-president? Then start think- presidents. By Chris Wright [email protected] [email protected] ing about your nominations The 2015 RUG awards will be for Railfuture’s 2015 Rail User presented at Railfuture’s autumn n n Funding for the future n n Walkway station for Magor Group awards and get them in conference in Bristol on Saturday Funding choices for 2019- before the 1 September deadline 7 November. Railfuture Wales is supporting so that our vice-presidents can 2024 and as far ahead as 2043, campaigners aiming for a Magor arrange their diaries to visit you Book now at www.railfuture.org. are outlined in Network Rail’s & Undy walkway station. The western route long-term planning while on their travels. uk/conferences to benefit from Magor Action Group on Rail the Railfuture members’ early- study. Possible services include (MAGOR) is raising money RUG awards for 2015 will be given one train per hour from Oxford A publicity image for the new Eurostar route to Marseille bird discounted Bristol confer- through a Crowdfunder appeal for: ence fee of just £25 (includes to Bath and another Reading to and it is also applying for a 1 Best newsletter. Gold and Sil- Nottingham and Leicester train financial contribution from the refreshments and buffet lunch). ver awards. Not available to last via the proposed East West rail Railfuture fighting fund. The Offer expires on 31 August. link. It envisages that proposed campaigners want a site in the Another Eurostar link year’s winners Be in Bristol to collect your 2015 Heathrow-Oxford services could centre of the village which can 2 Best website. Gold and Silver be extended over the East West By Trevor Garrod ­Parliament. EPF has called for RUG award - a framed certificate be walked or cycled to from all awards. Not available to last signed by Railfuture’s president link while existing Gatwick- [email protected] action by the European Com- areas of the village within 20 minutes. Car parking is available year’s winners and chairman – and have the cer- Reading could be extended to Oxford. Pressure on capacity at Severn Tunnel Junction station. The group wants to raise Following an experiment two mission, urging it to set up an at Oxford is a concern from 2019, when EWR services to years ago, Eurostar will start run- independent fact-finding study 3 Best campaign emonial occasion photographed £20,000 towards £40,000 required for a feasibility study for a for your own local publicity. Reading are expected to start. Grade separation at Oxford Magor and Undy station. ning a daily service between Lon- on the economics of international 4 Best new group North Junction and Didcot East is suggested, as well as new night trains and their social, Award winners also receive their http://magorstation.co.uk don and Marseille in May. 5 Best campaigner. Railfuture platforms at Oxford. The potential to use the track bed to economic and environmental http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/magor-and-undy-walkway- If you use this service before the members only next year’s membership sub- the former station site at Rewley Road seems to have been railway-station/? end of June, please record your benefits, as a first step towards scription free as a bonus! If you ignored. Oxford-Didcot four tracking is an option depending improving them. 6 Best social media promotion. on funding. experiences on the questionnaire are not a winner or even entrant n n £230 million electrification gets under way in South Wales More info: www.epf.eu New award for 2015 on Railfuture’s website www. this year, come to Bristol any- n n Cowley may be added to Chiltern’s rail network 7 Judges’ Special Award way to learn from others and be Network Rail was setting up electrification depots in South railfuture.org.uk International trains The Cowley-Oxford branch saw, in November, Chiltern inspired for next year! Wales in March with bridge work in Cardiff already under way. Thank you to all the members Some international train services The closing date for submissions Railways run a Special Clubman train to show stakeholders the potential of a service. Stations are proposed at the A new accessible bridge will be installed at Severn Tunnel who have responded to this ques- are deteriorating, despite the is Tuesday 1 September 2015. Full details to appear soon in Rail Junction between June and December. Note that this year’s closing date User Express and on the website. science and business parks. It is likely that Chiltern’s new tionnaire with details of journeys introduction of more high speed half-hourly London service will be extended to Cowley from made by Eurostar to Lille, Brus- services. n n Road priority in national transport plan 2020. A detailed study is under way. sels or Paris since last summer. To work out what can be done to n n New Marylebone service a major achievement for Chiltern Railfuture Wales is responding to the Welsh Government’s Please continue to do so up to improve matters, the European Chiltern Railways published a draft half-hourly timetable for draft 2015 national transport plan. There is only one rail the end of June. We will publish Passengers’ Federation hosted its Oxford Parkway-Marylebone service which starts in the reopening scheme (the extension from Ebbw Vale Parkway a report in the autumn. a breakfast event for MEPs and summer. Chiltern responded positively to representations to Ebbw Vale Town, which is already under construction), Night trains transport professionals in Brus- from Railfuture and the Oxford and Bicester Rail Action whereas 22 expensive road schemes are proposed. sels in January. British visitors to the Continent Group to improve the service pattern at Islip. Services n n Railfuture meets Welsh Government rail chiefs find night trains can be an excel- As EPF chairman, I explained have still been cut from 11 to 8 and some gaps remain. lent way to travel. that in some areas – such as Railfuture however congratulates Chiltern on its approach Railfuture Wales officials met rail programme director between Germany and Poland or and achievements including the replacement bus with Nathan Barnhouse in Cardiff in January along with the In October I took an evening Austria and Italy – cross-border cycle provision, Boxing Day services from Bicester North director general of the Department for Economy, Science and flight from Norwich interna- services had deteriorated. to London, new locos for main line services and platform Transport James Price, as well as Gareth Morgan, deputy tional airport to Amsterdam, lengthening. Oxford-Bicester upgrade work is on schedule. director of delivery. used a local train and then caught Sometimes this deterioration Railfuture attended the East West Rail All Party Parliamentary the sleeper from Amsterdam to could be reversed at relatively Group update meeting for stakeholders in November and was n n Public join discussions over future of rail services Munich. low cost, by reopening sections delighted with the level of support and progress being made. of track or smarter working prac- n n Planning ahead for a successful East West rail link The Welsh Government has started consulting with rail Now though the German-oper- tices. More customer-friendly user groups on the future of rail services in Wales. The first ated night train no longer runs ticketing also had a role to play. Steeple Claydon will have passive provision for a station at of a series of three meetings was held in Shrewsbury in on Dutch metals, and has been Queen Alexandra Road included in the EWR plans. Thus, if a More info: www.epf.eu. January with subsequent meetings in Cardiff and Swansea. cut back to Oberhausen, the first business case can be made in future, the infrastructure will Railfuture was well represented at these meetings. The Welsh large city in Germany. We British Meanwhile Railfuture member be ready. Buckinghamshire County Council wants a station Government’s response to the enterprise and business can though still go by rail from Ian McDonald and Pro Bahn as part of HS2 mitigation and to serve the HS2 depot. committees’ recommendations for tourism was published in London via Brussels to Cologne member Michael Bienick have n n Rail solutions for garden cities of the future November in which many of Railfuture’s recommendations and pick up the sleeper there. produced a discussion paper A Milton Keynes Future City presentation was attended by were included. on how EuroCity services can The European Passengers’ Fed- Railfuture. Planners Wei Young presented their Wolfson n n be developed to provide better Prize entry. This proposed new garden cities along the Train services needed to link Great Western Cities eration complained to Deutsche international links on routes not Bahn and in its detailed reply, DB Southampton-Milton Keynes-Felixstowe axis. Ann Limb, chair Railfuture has contributed to the suggestions for a large served by high-speed trains. This pointed to the competition from of the South East Midlands local enterprise partnership noted cross-border economic region, Great Western Cities, paper was launched at EPF’s the transforming role of EWR and the national significance including Bristol, Newport and Cardiff, by recommending low-cost airlines, the effects of annual conference in Budapest of the route. EWRC updated the meeting on EWR progress. that improved rail services are required including services faster day-time trains and also on 21 March. In December, four leading Cambridge entrepreneurs, in linking Swansea with Bristol Temple Meads and beyond. It is referred to higher track access “Connect People”, suggested the need to build infrastructure essential that the section of line between Filton Abbey Wood charges in France, engineer- Dutch timetable to link growth clusters. The need to improve links from and Patchway is electrified. ing work in Denmark and new Thanks to the efforts of Railfu- Cambridge to London and Oxford was highlighted. Bicester technical requirements in the ture’s Dutch sister organisation has been designated as a site for a Garden Town with £100 n n Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire ferry service axed ­Netherlands. ROVER, there is again a paper Holidays with a rail flavour million of funding allocated. Local MP Tony Baldry welcomed the news and sees the town as benefiting from good east Stena Line has announced that the Holyhead to Dun Taking these factors into account, version of the train timetable for Railfuture board member Allison Cosgrove wants members to west and north south rail links. Laoghaire ferry service will not operate this summer. This it is more difficult and expensive all of the Netherlands, plus some come up with ideas for holidays that are railway themed. For n n will result in the closure of Dun Laoghaire as a ferry port. It to operate international over- international links, in addition to example, she and her grandson stayed at the station cottages at Councils expect rail to offer more travel opportunities was the most convenient service for foot passengers with night trains. Most of DB’s night the online version. Kirkby Stephen on the Settle to Carlisle line “where we had Oxfordshire County Council and the Vale of White Horse excellent transfers between rail and ferry at both ports. Stena services therefore now operate The Het Spoorboekje has an ini- a fantastic holiday”. She added: “I’m sure other people travel Council want to see Bedford-Oxford-Bristol fast services and Irish Ferries provide services between Holyhead and just within Germany itself. tial print run of 5,000 and is on about the country as I do by train and stay at interesting places developed, which could serve reopened stations such Dublin Port which require bus transfers. EPF has put the case for night sale at station bookstalls. that others might like to try out. We particularly want to hear as Grove/Wantage Road. An Amersham-Watford service, from women who are often the organisers of the family holi- following the completion of the Watford-Croxley link, has also trains to the Community of Euro- Railfuture has suggested the 2016 been suggested by SW Herts MP David Gronke. www.railfuturewales.org.uk pean Railways and the trans- version should include the Hoek day.” Send suggestions to [email protected] port committee of the European van Holland-Harwich ferry. 6 railwatch April 2015 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Republicans failed to kill off Amtrak in a March House of Representatives vote railwatch April 2015 7 Your letters

then, we have had a new sort. The only spending that is highest fares in Europe”. transport minister and I now obviously increasing is that on I suggest that one reason for the have great pleasure in telling enhancements and we should all increase in usage has been the you that she has just confirmed welcome that. development of cheap advance- that she is going for a not-for- We have the bones of what purchase tickets which were profit, arm’s-length, government- could be one of the best railways started by BR. owned company when the in Europe. In a recent European

What is important is J ODELL Picture: P franchise runs out in 2018! In passenger satisfaction survey, other words, Victory! accountability. The franchised Britain was in the top 6 (out of train operating companies However, it is likely that they will 26) in all categories, just ahead are ultimately accountable extend the ATW franchise period of France and Spain and well to central government which slightly to give the Government ahead of Germany. awarded them the franchises time to complete the planning To be fair the survey did not and there is now an encouraging Logic and dogma to hear what other members of process. include overcrowding, but we level of consultation before the society think. I recommend that the are well on top of resolving this new franchises are awarded. May I say how much I agree Michael Paine, Willingham by dissatisfied member goes to our issue with about 3,000 new Of course there should be a with the sentiments of the Stow, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire Railfuture Cymru website and coaches on order. similar level of accountability anonymous writer in Railwatch DN21 5LD opens up our new Development It is true that our fares are and consultation if services are 142, concerning his decision to Editors’ note: According Plan for Wales, On track for high compared with the rest provided by the state. to a YouGov poll, 66% of the 21st century, and turns to resign from Railfuture. of Europe but I would suggest Railfuture should certainly not British people support public page 97 where he can read Government policy should be that this is more a matter slavishly follow the policies ownership of rail. more details of how and why logical, pragmatic and evidence- of government policy, such of whatever government is in based. That on the railways we want an end to the franchise as allowing above-inflation ‘Victory’ for Wales system here, at least, in the power. It should take as its very clearly is not, as witnessed increases, rather than a result of first instance, for the Wales and benchmark “What matters is by the recent East Coast main I was saddened a member feels privatisation. On the other hand, HEAVY METAL: Two new class 20E electric locos (right) at Kimberley, with, on the left, South Border services currently run by what works” and be pragmatic, line refranchising fiasco, and is he must resign from Railfuture advance fares promoted by train Africa’s standard branch line class 35 diesel, built by America’s General Motors in the 1970s ATW – and NR Wales. putting the customer viewpoint predicated purely on political (Railwatch 142) because it operators now provide some of to whoever is running, or wants John Rogers the best bargains in train travel dogma, that is privatisation willy refuses to back an end to the chairman, south branch of to run, the service, in the private Chinese electrics line up in South Africa nilly. disastrous privatisation of our Railfuture Cymru in Europe. or public sector. Railfuture should be supportive rail network. I am hoping that [email protected] Whatever money has been Trevor Garrod, Clapham Road In the days of empire, South Africa bought most of The locos are appearing at a fast rate with when it thinks the railways are he might re-think if he reads my squandered in the past has gone South, Lowestoft NR32 1RQ its railway equipment from Britain. number 76 seen at Kimberley in early March, being organised and run well, letter to him – assuring him that Best in Europe? and we must look to the future. [email protected] Now new Chinese-designed electric locomotives although there is no sign yet of two blue-painted not every part of Railfuture GB are working ore trains on South African railways. locomotives which will reportedly be used on the but severely critical when this is Oh, and by the way, Network Eventually 95 of the dual voltage class 20E locos prestige passenger Blue Train which runs through not the case. thinks the same way. An anonymous correspondent in Rail, which accounts for Electrification delay Railwatch 142 clearly has strong will be used on freight trains for Transnet Freight Kimberley from Pretoria to Cape Town. Railfuture Cymru/Wales has about half the cost of running Rail. Instead, it just seems to go views against privatisation. I The Scotland report in Railwatch The locos have regenerative braking, a maximum publicly opposed privatisation the railways, is in fact now They have been acquired to haul manganese and along with what is government regret the way the various parts 142 should have said that Abellio speed of 60mph and are designed to work in for several years and called for a nationalised. iron ore trains from opencast mines at Sishen, run multiple at the front, middle and rear of long policy at any given time, of BR were sold off cheaply and is planning to use refurbished by AngloAmerican, as well as Postmasburg and basically that we should “just phasing out of this complicated, Roger Hand, Woodhill, Stoke St InterCity 125 trains between freight trains. costly nonsense. Railtrack’s distastrous regime, Gregory, Taunton TA3 6EW Hotazel, 150 miles north west of Kimberley, to Port make the best of a bad job”. The not to mention the bidding fiasco Glasgow and Edinburgh Elizabeth on the Indian Ocean and Saldanha Bay They can be used on South Africa’s 3kV DC lines Vicar of Bray would have been This came about when, for the East Coast main line [email protected] to Inverness as well as to on the Atlantic coast. and also on the modern 25kV AC lines. very proud! frustrated that I could not (as franchise in 2012. Aberdeen. This popular train will The first 10 electric locomotives were built in Initially railway workers reported that the new China by the Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive That this is the wrong attitude for chairman of the south Wales Politically neutral presumably be a stop-gap prior locomotives needed so much power that they branch) speak and write openly Whether or not the costs Company, a subsidiary of China’s leading train were “tripping” all the substations. the society to take is obvious. to electrification. manufacturer, the China South Locomotive and that I opposed privatisation, I of running our railways are I was general secretary of South Africa is suffering from a general power Privatised railways – at least Those who remember Shap and Rolling Stock Corporation. devised a plan for a government- now higher than in BR days RDS at the time when we shortage with frequent power cuts. It is building the modern British version of Beattock before the wires will The remaining locomotives are being built in owned, arms-length Rail Wales without good reason is very campaigned against the dangers several coal-fired power stations to provide more them and probably the original know that the time-saving effects Koedoesport, South Africa by a consortium (or whatever name) to replace much an “apples and pears” of privatisation. I was very power. post-Stockton-Darlington ones of electrification over the long of CSR Zhuzhou and the South African black the franchise system when the debate, masked by significant concerned to read the letter from economic empowerment company Matsetse Chinese technicians are helping local maintenance as well – do not work. steep gradients of the Highland agreement with Arriva Trains increases in enhancements a long-standing member saying Basadi. staff to keep the locomotives running. main line will be dramatic. The They are bureaucratic, Wales ends in 2018. This was and the spending on “catch-up” that he was resigning because North of Scotland Hydro Electric expensive and sclerotic in debated and passed by the maintenance and renewals. Railfuture is “not calling for full Board proposed that the line a result of these delays and of view. Why maintain a delayed every service for trains to and decision-making and planning. committee and then agreed as What we do know is that the renationalisation”. should be electrified in the 1950s the routine early termination and poorly run service in the from Wick and Inverness. These By falling in with such policies, our policy by Railfuture members net subsidy to train operating Some of the worst aspects of when it was developing its hydro or complete cancellation of so Highlands when much more stations are in remote areas the society is not furthering the in Wales. companies is now reducing privatisation as proposed in the power schemes alongside. It is a many services, I have no doubt money can be made operating without a bus/taxi service and cause of British railways. year on year; in fact they are early 1990s were toned down. When the policy was adopted, pity we have had to wait so long! ScotRail finds its already thin delayed and poorly run services serve a wide area of passengers Where I differ from the with some good media publicity now producing a small net I suggest this was as a result margins on this line are further down south? Even the ScotRail across the Far North Highlands premium. The Network Rail Richard Ardern, anonymous letter writer is that in Wales, very few organisations of campaigning by Railfuture squeezed by compensation Caledonian sleeper service to who often arrive at stations in cost of maintenance and Inverness. rather than resign from an had taken a stand on this but and other bodies. We were claims. London Euston. family cars. organisation which is not in renewals has also been steadily “politically neutral” then just as over the years, the situation Far North failings Yet how much money will be But, I feel we must see this I hope the Dutch rival Abellio accordance with my views, I try has been transformed – though decreasing for several years we are now. The motivation of saved by removing what are move for what it is, and fight to can run a better, reliable to stay and fight my corner. I cannot say that we are 100% and there is no reason why it the then government, however, I am appalled to learn that already request stops? Given keep every station on the Far and comfortable service that responsible! should not continue to do so. was purely ideological. ScotRail is intending to make Rarely is there an issue of I doubt that there is a railway that trains rarely do more than North line open and available on provides value for money to Private Eye magazine without At a government conference The aftermath of the 1994 passengers suffer for its own slow down slightly on approach, customers along the entire anywhere in the world that does privatisation did reduce the inability to operate an efficient someone in the letters page in Cardiff two years ago, not need a subsidy of some how will their banishment from northern rail route when it takes threatening to resign/not attended by just about every rail number of reopenings and new service. these schedules serve any over the franchise on 31 March. resign because they disagree/ organisation you could think of, lines or stations, but they have Along, I am certain, with useful purpose? I fear that Send your ScotRail’s Caledonian Sleeper since increased, as a glance agree with one of their stories, only ATW and Price Waterhouse many regular travellers on the answer may be that this Service is handed over to Serco cartoons or comments! Cooper opposed the idea of a The next issue of the Rail Action at our book Britain’s Growing the far north line between is merely the beginning. If it ­letters to: from 15 May. Railway will show. The Editors, 4 Christchurch Incidentally, the Eye’s “Signal government-owned, vertically e-zine will appear in May. Rail Inverness and Thurso/Wick, reduces services so far that Square, London E9 7HU Mr J Atherton, The Firs, Forsinard, Failures” column is by far the integrated Welsh rail company. Action can be downloaded from Your correspondent refers I have lost count of the hours no one can sensibly use them, Email: [email protected] Sutherland, Scotland KW13 6YT best source of accurate and The Minister himself made it the Railfuture website but it will to benefits, and rail usage is spent awaiting replacement then they can claim that this Railwatch also welcomes up-to-the-minute gen on what clear that he wanted the meeting be emailed to you direct unless certainly on the increase. It crew at Wick or hoping to see lack of use warrants complete ­articles and pictures you have requested it not to be. is taking place on Britain’s to look at how this could be might have gone up anyway, the Wick train approaching closure. One can, of course, see Please use email if possible More letters: Page 18 railways. It would be interesting achieved, rather than if. Since but gone up it has, despite “the Forsinard from Inverness. As things from First Group’s point 8 railwatch April 2015 Twitter: @railwatch www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Opinions do not necessarily reflect Railfuture policies. Letters may be edited railwatch April 2015 9 2015 – A GREAT YEAR FOR RAILWAYS IN SCOTLAND Station reopenings Milestone in the Scottish Borders exceed forecasts A cold journey to the Far North By Chris Austin By Allison Cosgrove Golspie station other than a very Inverness where medical treat- [email protected] Demand for rail travel [email protected] inadequate bus shelter. ment for the north-east is now continues to grow, despite the When I became chair of Railfu- centred. The final rail in the £350 million economic doldrums. For five people on a cold Decem- ture Scotland, I decided I would ber afternoon, this was not an A three-hour bus journey was Borders Railway was clipped ScotRail’s annual passenger like to get out and about to visit into place on 12 February. enjoyable experience as we had difficult to say the least, com- total has reached an all-time our affiliated rail user groups. to take turn about in the bus pared to the freedom of being Keith Brown, the infrastructure record of 86 million journeys For many people in remoter shelter to keep warm. able to move about on the train. cabinet member of the Scottish and and is claiming an parts of Scotland, it is easy to This was a particular problem Government, was given the increasing share of the overall Eventually the train arrived an feel as far away from Edinburgh hour later, with a welcome trol- for patients suffering from mus- honour of completing the relay- transport market. as from London, and I thought ing of the line from Edinburgh ley service for us to have a hot cular injuries, cancer, neurologi- Passenger use on reopened I would meet user groups at to Tweedbank. cup of tea. cal conditions or anyone with a lines has exceeded official first hand, hear about their cam- We proceeded to Thurso, at walking aid. One month and 46 years since ROJECT Picture: BORDERS RAILWAY expectations. paigns, and see if Railfuture the Waverley route from Car- one stage going backwards at “Not a suitable journey for sick Edinburgh-Bathgate which could help in any way. lisle to Edinburgh closed, the Georgemas Junction, apparently people” was a comment made, in 1986 was forecast to carry Below is an account of my visit railway is back, at least over the normal procedure. although too often it was a jour- 260,000 passengers a year to Inverness-Thurso to see the 30 miles at the northern end of It was now well after 18.00 and I ney they had to make. exceeded one million per North Line Action Group, a dis- the line. was relieved to get to the warm After a thorough discussion of annum by 1989. tance of well over 300 miles. The public opening of the line is and welcoming Station Hotel the issues, and agreement on When Edinburgh Park station My journey started at 08.04 in Thurso. I found it hard to ways to take matters forward, planned to take place on 6 Sep- leaving Drem, my local station. tember. opened in 2003, the predicted believe that after 10 hours travel I made my way back to Thurso passenger use was 130,000 a Little did I realise that it would I was still on the Scottish main- station, only to find that all Completion of the Borders Rail- year but by 2010 there were be more than 10 hours before I land. The unfortunate people trains on the line were cancelled way scheme will be a real mile- 459,000 a year. arrived at Thurso that night! because of “bad weather”. stone for rail campaigners, pas- going on to Wick still had a Predicted use of the Larkhall Everything started well until I further half an hour journey to In vain did I point out that there sengers and the people of the arrived at Perth, when the train I Borders. line which reopened in 2005 undertake. was no bad weather in Thurso. It was 225,000 a year but by 2007 was on was suddenly cancelled. was actually quite a fine sunny Not only is this the longest Next day I met with Mark the actual patronage was 53% We passengers were directed to Norton, the North Line Action day but it had been decided reopening so far implemented higher, at 344,250. the next train which, however, elsewhere that the weather in Britain, but its justification Group convenor, as well as local Scottish government minister Keith Brown, left, lends a hand with the golden spanner as project The Alloa line reopened in 2008 would be too late to meet the community councillors, a rep- necessitated cancellation of all was not just based on the trans- director Hugh Wark symbolically fixes the final rail in place with some of Network Rail team Inverness-Thurso train at 14.00. services and that was that. port benefits that the railway with a patronage forecast of resentative from the Caithness will undoubtedly bring. 155,000, but by 2011 the actual Not to worry. We were assured Transport Forum, and group Bad weather was expected on it. If the planned half hourly ser- patronage was 423,000 a year. that transport would be pro- members campaigning for a bet- the west coast, so trains on the Rather it was based on the eco- vice needs augmenting, it would vided at Inverness. It duly was ter rail service. east coast were cancelled as nomic benefits it would bring to not be difficult to add capacity Laurencekirk station was and the remaining passengers They described the service as well. an area which has few employ- subsequently, particularly if it is reopened in 2009 and the heading north piled into two being “totally run down” with I was directed to the service bus, ment opportunities. part of a project to extend it fur- business case suggested a patronage of 36,000 but by 2011 taxis at Inverness station. 22 cancellations between June along with many others who Skilled workers are currently ther south. the figure was almost 75,000 a Instead of taking us to Thurso and September this year, cancel- paid an extra £19 for this privi- separated from the big jobs Melrose is only a couple of year. though, we were unceremoni- lations which often did not have lege with no information given market in Edinburgh by a lack miles further on, Hawick just ously dumped at Golspie, to any rail replacement service. how to reclaim the unused por- of adequate transport. It is quite clear these new 15 beyond that, and then it is 38 rail routes and stations have await the Inverness train which Reasons for cancellations dif- tion of their return ticket. In environmental terms the rail- miles to reconnect with the West been an outstanding success was some distance behind us by fered, from weather to lack of The three-hour bus journey way will score too, providing YELLOWLEES Picture: JOHN Coast main line near Longtown! and have demonstrated the now. staff or signalling problems. encountered no bad weather, car-free access to an area that is latent demand for rail travel in Because the rail line does not There seemed to be a signifi- had a quick stop in Dornoch as it going to be popular with tour- Scotland. have the advantage of a Dor- cant lack of engagement from was ahead of time, and arrived ists. Right: People in Galashiels Another two stations, at Reston noch Firth crossing, the train has ScotRail in listening to local con- in Inverness promptly. What a It runs through some remote watch as the rail train passes and East Linton, are expected to to make a long detour, serving cerns and in attempting to rec- shame the train could not have and beautiful scenery, with through the town for the first several small towns on the way. tify the problems on the line. done so as well. a spectacular glimpse of the reopen in December next year time on 3 February It consequently takes far longer Members also recounted the The North Line Action Group Tweed near the southern end on the line from Edinburgh than the road journey. difficulties that local people is now gearing up to encourage of the reopened line and will to Berwick although station No facilities were available at had using the bus service to more involvement from local also bring visitors to Sir Walter design and funding details are not yet complete. Platforms politicians to highlight the inad- Scott’s home at Abbottsford and equacies of the rail service. the National Mining Museum may have to be long enough to Site for another new station at Newtongrange. cope with six-car trains. I felt that this could only be a The stations and a new good thing. This is a very pic- The railway has made good turesque line which could be use of the former Waverley timetable for the line are included in the new ScotRail promoted through tourism as route formation and has been a scenic highlight, yet the fre-

Picture: BARRIE FORREST franchise which starts in April. skilfully threaded through quent cancellations and reports Galashiels where more recent The new stations will mark a of poor infrastructure need to be development had encroached great success for RAGES – Rail addressed. on the old alignment. Action Group East of Scotland. I was reminded of the descrip- Work remains to be completed The group has regular meetings tions of the Waverley route in on stations and signalling in Work under way: An engineering train on freshly laid track and workers lay rails with East Lothian Council in Picture: BARRIE FORREST the Borders in the years before June, leaving time for crew Haddington . closure, when services were can- training, but it looks on track to Infrastructure Minister Keith celled and withdrawn in order be opened on time. n The campaign to reopen Beattock Station on the West Coast main line was Brown said the stations would to make the line unsustainable While concerns have been boosted last year by a visit from the then Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown, be a “huge step forward”. and more suitable for closure. expressed about the capacity of now the infrastructure minister. Beattock Station Action Group presented the case He said: “Scotland’s railways I hope the same fate is not in the railway to deliver the bene- are a driver for economic store for the Far North Line as its fits expected, it is a bold project for reopening the station. “Reopening Beattock Station would greatly enhance rural regeneration, tourism and commerce,” said the group’s chairman Martin Brown. regeneration and can bring beautiful scenery deserves more and all credit goes to Scottish jobs, investment and new study attention, as well as the essential Government for backing it and The minister said he was impressed by the group’s enthusiasm and organisation. and social opportunities for Reston on the Edinburgh-Berwick section of the East Coast service it provides to the small to Network Rail for delivering communities.” main line. See story left. communities on its route.

10 railwatch April 2015 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Uzbekistan is to build a £1 billion 78 mile long railway into the Ferghana Valley railwatch April 2015 11 No to a Crewe hub LOCAL ACTION LOCAL ACTION By Graham Nalty If we look at the recently pub- [email protected] lished station “entries and exits”, Severnside North East In Railwatch 142, I gave several we can find very few stations By Nigel Bray reasons why Stoke-on-Trent was with ‘parkway’ in their name DAWSON AV Picture: By Peter Kenyon [email protected] [email protected] a far better location for a High that attract large volumes of traf- Speed Two northern interchange fic. n n Gloucester improvements n n Leaders of tomorrow than the proposed Crewe hub. Bristol Parkway is the most Improvements have been Railfuture North East chairman Now I will explain why building successful, but its passenger implemented at Gloucester Trevor Watson met representatives an impressive looking new sta- throughput is no greater than station, and more could follow at from all six bidders for the tion two miles south of Crewe is medium-size towns on the same both Gloucester and elsewhere. Northern and TransPennine a very bad idea for rail transport. line that would not be large Railfuture Severnside’s meeting franchises as a preliminary This has all the marks of the enough to be considered for at Stroud on 8 November was to working with the winner of intermediate station stops on a addressed by Dan Button, the contract. In January seven Grand Project that Sir Rod Eddington was advising the Gov- genuine high speed line. The MV Lone Star at Middlesbrough’s north sea supply base. one of First Great Western’s members of the branch committee Gloucester-based customer attended a workshop session ernment to avoid and it seems to Luton Parkway has a large num- The 12,500 tonne heavy lift ship is the longest and widest be more about public relations vessel to have used the facilities ambassadors, whose roles organised by New Rail at Newcastle ber of passengers, but many pas- include advice to passengers University. After a lecture and hype than a serious attempt to sengers are commuting a mere 30 who might have problems on the discussion about possible meet the needs of rail travellers. miles to London, a journey too Rail-ship freight terminal day, and increasing community baggage handling developments The Crewe “hub” is a parkway short to be relevant to high speed involvement with the railway. on long-distance trains, led by a station which will attract fewer lines. Examples of the latter included meetings with Gloucester representative of the Technical University of Vienna, students A £3.2 million investment at modal specialist AV Dawson has passengers than either the pres- Warwick and East Midlands Middlesbrough has cleared docked its largest ship to date Rugby Club to discuss promotion of Gloucester station as a gave short presentations about their rail study projects. ent Crewe station, or Stoke. gateway to tourist attractions, with Cheltenham racecourse Railfuture members have been invited to act as mentors in Parkways are modestly success- the way for large ships to use a on the North Sea Supply Base in ful, but still have fewer passen- freight terminal which includes to improve transfer of passengers, and with the Royal the development of these studies. I estimate that in the first year of Middlesbrough following a £3.2 Agricultural University to maintain the garden at Kemble HS2 operation, the Crewe hub gers than nearby town centre an intermodal rail terminal. million investment in its facili- n n Manors station shows definite signs of improvement stations. station. He emphasised that although customer ambassadors will attract three million station The deepwater quay is one of ties last year. The facility’s larg- encouraged voluntary work at stations, they were in no way a Once a busy station with several platforms, Manors was “entries and exits” compared to In short, the proposed Crewe several recent investments made est conventional cargo arrived substitute for ticket office or train despatch staff. served by infrequent Northern trains after the adjacent Metro Crewe at five million and Stoke’s hub would have substantially by AV Dawson, including the in December when 9,300 tonnes service began. It is close to the Northumbria University ten million, largely as a result of fewer passengers than the pres- £2.6 million intermodal rail ter- of maize was unloaded. “Our The conclusion of a two-year campaign by Railfuture saw a campus and recent improvements in the calling pattern by the the larger Stoke population. ent Crewe station would have investments are already pay- roof installed on the station footbridge at Gloucester in late minal, which provides freight November. This had been denied to the structure built under Newcastle-Morpeth services, accompanied by the provision The Crewe hub will not create because it would not attract as firms with a direct link to the ing off,” said managing director of a waiting shelter, have resulted in a welcome rise in use. the Access for All scheme because the previous footbridge many jobs and job creation will many local Crewe people. East Coast mainline. Gary Dawson. did not have one. It is gratifying that common sense n n Morpeth matters and now its station is looking better be very slow and much fewer Building a parkway station in The company also opened a AV Dawson is the only British arguments based on usage of the station (1.3 million recorded than in city centre areas where green fields close to a main road new state-of-the-art £6.5 million company in the north of England journeys in 2012/13), high local rainfall and the forthcoming Following a meeting involving Railfuture, South East there are the service industries to Rugby World Cup events in the city, have prevailed. Northumberland Rail Users Group and Northern Rail will not create jobs in the man- automotive steel distribution to offer multimodal distribution help businesses to grow. ner that Lord Deighton’s growth centre in February which will logistics by road, rail or sea from management, Morpeth station has been partially painted and n n the leaky subway repaired. The Crewe “hub” would also taskforce would wish. support the work of Tata Steel its own facilities. It is equipped to Metro West set to bring more rail services for Bristol area reduce connectivity. Preceding the station by commer- and car makers Nissan. Multi- handle off-shore wind turbines. A Metro West update meeting at Worle on 17 December, n n Mystery PA comes to life after two year’s silence n There will be a temptation to cial development would make attended by representatives of Railfuture and local Long-line public address announcements have at last been terminate trains from Shrews- the location highly car depen- Action needed on rail freight campaigning groups, heard James Willcock, project manager introduced at Morpeth station. South East Northumberland bury and Stoke at the new station dent. Even with expensive grants for Metro West phase 1, outline the procedures required to Rail Users Group has been asking for this for years, but has and expect passengers to change and developer contributions, Planners need to unlock the number of lorries using the shut- complete a development control order for the scheme. The earliest completion date for the order is autumn 2017, with always been told “no”. One day in December however the for onward journeys. high-value knowledge-based potential for more rail freight tle was revealed in January when booking clerk at Morpeth was startled when a maintenance construction starting in December 2017. Some preliminary n Journeys from Cardiff to Man- industries will not be attracted by clearing the way for more a fire in a lorry on a shuttle train work on the Portishead line was imminent, such as vegetation engineer turned up to service the system. “We don’t have because of a lack of the service rail-linked distribution centres. caused disruption of the Channel one,” she said. “Oh yes you do,” was the reply. The York chester will be slowed by 10 min- clearance and a topographical survey of the disused section utes and the service may termi- industries, like banks, together Railfuture’s freight group issued Tunnel to both freight and pas- west of Portbury Junction. While phase 1 did not include a operations centre was contacted where it was confirmed that with legal, marketing and design PA announcements for Morpeth had been made for two years nate at Crewe to avoid conflicts a report in January calling for senger trains for several days. station at Ashton Gate, provision was being made for a site. even though no one on the station had ever heard them! A of movement as has happened at companies, which are readily action. Elsewhere in Britain, there are A Bristol City Council spokesman added that Ashton Gate flick of a few switches, a check of a few wires, and the system Nuneaton for through Coventry available in city centres. “We need government, business, improvements to the freight did not yet have a business case or funding in place and crackled into life. to Leicester and Nottingham ser- Property development near the local enterprise partnerships, loading gauge, albeit often piece- was therefore unlikely to open until after the Portishead line vices. “hub” station would be slow to councils and the rail industry meal. Ian Jackson reported that itself in 2019. Use of the station for football specials could n n Students make an impact down the line at Westminster be examined when preparing the business case. An Ashton n Stoke services to North Wales bring any financial returns. to sit round the table and plan Network Rail is planning to a sensible way forward,” said enlarge the loading gauge from Gate campaign group was expected to be set up in January. Dennis Fancett of South East Northumberland Rail Users and Liverpool will be lengthened What’s worse, the hub’s location Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Dan Group took a party of students from Hirst Park Middle School, by 10 minutes. Track rationalisa- seriously disadvantages Stoke- Railfuture freight group’s Philip the south on the Chase Line Bramwell by email at [email protected] Ashington to Westminster in December. The students won tion at Crewe may even mean on-Trent and its opportunities Bisatt. through Birmingham to Ruge- the competition to promote reopening the Blyth and Tyne that through services from Stoke because it will reduce the quality “The knowledge is out there. ley but only as far as the new line and were able to meet the local MP and present him with rail-served Pentalva intermodal Ashton Gate station, a copy of their winning video disc. After touring Parliament, to Liverpool may no longer be and content of connections avail- We have identified a number of possible. able from Stoke itself. brown field sites and existing depot at Cannock. Centro is con- left, was last used in the students visited Northern Rail’s operations centre at York. sidering various other schemes 1984. This event took place soon after the 50th anniversary of the Using the original Crewe station Like several other proposed HS2 industrial complexes where rail freight could have been used had for freight, including upgrad- Picture: www. closing of the Blyth and Tyne service. as an interchange would present stations, it is located at a place no ing the Stourbridge-Walsall line, thedutchfamily.co.uk passengers want to go. proper provision been made at n n ‘Cuts’ at East Coast change into service expansion problems for connections into which will free up paths on other HS2 trains going north. the planning stage.” In a commons written answer, Rail Minister Claire Perry The cost of building the new sta- lines. Although it is very desirable to tion would also be high. It does On a positive note, there are plans warned that the new franchise holders Stagecoach/Virgin to expand rail freight through The Newport to Shrewsbury would reduce services to Morpeth and other stations. achieve this, the high cost of the not appear to be included in the Marches line bypasses the West Christina Biggs from Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways Crewe hub cannot be justified. current HS2 budget. the Channel Tunnel by devel- However Stagecoach emailed South East Northumberland oping the Euro Hub at Barking Midlands but long signal sections queried the size of operating subsidies (estimated between Rail Users Group and others saying it had no intention It would be better for the number However the promoters of the into a terminal for car-carrying mean heavy freight trains and £0.7 milllion and £1.8 million per year) said to be required for of cutting the service, but hopes to provide an additional Metro West, bearing in mind the dramatic growth in usage of of passengers involved, to make Crewe ‘hub’ are indicating that trains, Railfuture’s freight group passenger services delay each southbound Sunday train from May. a connection north of Crewe the building of the station might other. Rowland Pittard called Bristol suburban stations. Replies from two of the officers reported in January. But the con- claimed that not all new stations had exceeded expectations, n n Teesside does not want to be left out of transport future from the West Coast main line attract foreign investors who tinental loading gauge on High for more signalling, including into HS2. want to invest in HS2. bi-directional, for this important quoting one example from the South East of England where The Hartlepool Mail claimed recently that the newly launched Speed One to Barking needs to route, to clear the way for more proposed housing development had not occurred. This is Transport for the North body includes no representative from It is unclear what will happen In such a situation, there is the be extended to reach other parts despite the evidence from Railfuture’s Britain’s Growing the five Tees Valley boroughs which are busy consulting to the existing Crewe station if danger that investors might be of Britain and the freight carried freight and to eradicate delays Railway that the overwhelming majority of rail reopenings about establishing a combined authority. Coastliners Users’ the Crewe “hub” is built. The offered a deal that guarantees on lorries which use the Euro- for passenger and freight trains. have proved very successful and would suggest that the Group is concerned about this and also future consultation proposed station is a parkway them a return and transfers the tunnel shuttle trains should be More info: www.railfuture. small number of disappointing cases is being given undue about the future of rail transport in the area. station at a location remote from real risk to the UK Government switched to intermodal freight org.uk/tiki-download_file. weight in official projections for rail schemes. any centre of population. – and us as taxpayers. trains. The problem of the large php?fileId=873 12 railwatch April 2015 Twitter: @railwatch www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Join Railfuture online at www.railfuture.org.uk/join railwatch April 2015 13 LOCAL ACTION Fast line to the future LOCAL ACTION Devon and Cornwall London and South East By Gerard Duddridge By Roger Blake [email protected] [email protected] n n Possible Dartmoor station Railfuture has stepped forward to n n Consultations a-plenty call for the former station site at Railfuture supported Transport Ashburton in Dartmoor National Park for London’s proposal for a Picture: NETWORK RAIL to be protected for possible future new Old Oak station to link reopening. We learnt in December London Overground with HS2, that the park planning authority but opposed its plan to extend wishes to develop the site. The the Bakerloo line as far out as town is about two miles from the Lewisham and Hayes, instead existing track of the South Devon advocating a double-ended heritage railway at Buckfastleigh. We terminus station at the Peckham said: “The growing use of the local Rye hub. Network Rail were railway network in Devon suggests JAM BUSTER: The first train heads over Network Rail’s sent five responses to its route new £45 million Reading flyover on 4 January. It is part of Finalist: Bystrup Architecture, Design & Engineering’s High that Ashburton with a population of Speed T is designed to be placed between twin tracks studies for Western, Sussex, just over 4,000 and Buckfastleigh around 3,600 together have the £950 million upgrade to ease congestion in the area Anglia, and Wessex, plus a future potential to support a daily rail service. This could be including three extra lines through the rebuilt station case study of East Anglia titled every two hours to Totnes, Ivybridge, Plympton (new station) Improving Connectivity, a Swiss- and Plymouth, Assuming a 45 mph top speed between Chris Austin reviews Network growth in number of passen- style approach to infrastructure Ashburton and Totnes, the journey time to Plymouth could be Rail’s Long Term Planning gers is to be accommodated, enhancements driven by the needs of improved frequencies 50 minutes.” This would open up employment, educational Process particularly on routes to Lon- and connections. The Department for Transport heard from and leisure opportunities for local residents going to don, as well as the huge growth us on safeguarding the tunnelled route for Crossrail 2, and, Plymouth and also give them convenient access to London Network Rail has published five draft long-term plans for in freight on routes from the in conjunction with East Anglia branch, on the franchise and northbound trains at Totnes. specification for the next Anglia franchise. We gave Govia Western, Sussex, Anglia, Wes- major container ports. There n n Bus links to station threatened by council cuts are some innovative ideas too, Thameslink Railway and c2c feedback on their proposed sex and East Midlands. Even- timetables for December 2015, GTR attracting most comment Bus services are at risk across Devon because the county tually there will be seven more. like reopening Portishead, Henbury and the Brentford on Brighton main line services. Our responses can be found urgently needs to save money. Buses connecting with in www.railfuture.org.uk/Submissions the summer Sunday Exeter-Okehampton rail service are These are serious, thought- and Cowley branches. ful, long-term proposals to n n potentially threatened, as well as the summer weekend Regular services on the Trans Campaigners fight on for link to Sussex coast Transmoor link that connects rail passengers from Exeter increase the capacity on our burgeoning railway, and to Wilts (Melksham) line and Local campaigners met in Crowborough on the Uckfield line St Davids with Moretonhampstead and Princetown across on the final day for submitting responses to Network Rail’s Dartmoor to Plymouth. Also at risk are evening buses on equip it to meet future needs hourly services between Bris- over a 30-year period. tol and Yeovil are welcome Sussex Area Route Study. The poor start to 2015, with many routes such as Plymouth-Tavistock, Exeter-Crediton and services delayed, cancelled, terminated short of Uckfield, or Exeter-Cullompton. Comments to Devon County Council can developments, as are the num- The work is transparent, with ber of new stations planned. short-formed, only served to highlight the need for sustained be made until 20 April 2015. “options for funders” being There is general welcome for investment in the route. As well as longer platforms for longer Website: https://www.toughchoices.co.uk shown, together with a price increasing most East Anglia trains to give everyone a seat, the route’s extension to Lewes guide and evaluations to Finalist: COBE’s Tomahawk design reduces overall height and for connections with Sussex coast towns will make far better n n Exeter to Plymouth via Okehampton is a good start local services to two trains an enable value for money to be uses modern materials and manufacturing techniques use of the asset by opening up direct links especially with hour. Within days of the anniversary of the sea washing away the judged. Brighton, a city about the same size as Edinburgh, Cardiff or Exeter-Plymouth line at Dawlish in February 2014, another Our responses have, of course, Belfast. Sensibly, the plans have been British main line was closed, asked for more schemes to be See www.railfuture.org.uk/article1539-Wealden-Rail-Rally developed to build on renew- this time by a landslip at considered. We have made a als of track and signalling that n n Transport minister boosts MP’s rail summit at Hastngs Harbury Tunnel between strong case for reopening the will be required anyway. Banbury and Leamington Spa. Okehampton route between Transport Minister Claire Perry headed Hastings and Rye MP Both incidents could have They also aspire to meet the Amber Rudd’s second rail summit in January, following last been eased by rail reopenings, Exeter and Plymouth as well latest European Union stan- as the Wealden Link extension March’s visit by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin. Both particularly if politicians visits underscored the “absolute commitment” given to spark dards as well as rising public between Uckfield and Lewes, and planners had followed expectations on safety and economic revival in Bexhill and Hastings by reducing journey the advice in the 1996 six- both of which have strategic environmental protection. times to London, by extending HS1 services from Ashford page RDS publication Bring significance far beyond the across an upgraded MarshLink. Earlier we had emphasised Back Our Tracks (see right) For the members of Railfu- restoration of the local pas- the benefits of the East Sussex Javelin in response to which can be downloaded at ture’s infrastructure and net- senger service. Similarly, we research commissioned by the county council. http://www.railfuture.org.uk/ works group, it has been a have pressed the case for put- See www.railfuture.org.uk/article1456-High-Speed-Hastings RDS+pamphlets relentless programme of report ting Wisbech back on the rail n n Transport for London shrinks Greater Anglia At least now the Okehampton reading, consultation with network. line reopening is looking branches, debate and writing We have been critical where Railfuture support for devolved control of local rail services stronger, while some voices responses. bears fruit on West Anglia from 31 May. London Overground we believe the proposals are Rail Operations Ltd will operate services and most of the still maintain that it would be Every opportunity is being inadequate such as on the a slow Exeter-Plymouth route. Finalist: Moxon Architects with Mott MacDonald. The design stations from Liverpool Street to Chingford, Enfield Town taken to provide a critical overcrowded and important aims to minimise the visual ipact on the landscape and Cheshunt via Seven Sisters. From the same date MTR We consider it an excellent Cardiff-Bristol-Southampton- diversionary route and our appraisal of each study reflect- Crossrail Ltd will take over the Liverpool Street-Shenfield modelling shows journey ing the views of the organisa- Portsmouth line. local services, the first step towards Crossrail - long- times equal to those of the tion so that we can influence Similarly, we have criticised Electrification looks good championed by Railfuture. the shape of the final reports. Dawlish route. No major city the proposal to reduce the n n Officials undermine case for rail with skinny figures should be reliant on a single This is important as these stud- space allowed for each stand- Electrification is one of Architecture, Design and route. The 2014 Dawlish rail ing passenger on the busy the best ways to make the Engineering of Denmark for The Office of Rail Regulation is still underestimating station ies will form the basis of long- use in urban areas. Passenger counts undertaken by closure cost the economy £1.2 term planning, but also will Thameslink route with its railway more efficient but the its HST design, COBE of billion, according to the Devon overhead infrastructure can Denmark for its Tomahawk Cambridge Heath and London Fields Rail User Group point to inform the investment pro- many lengthy journeys, and annual footfall of about 650,000 at Cambridge Heath and over Maritime Forum. gramme for control period 6, we have pressed for four track- look ugly. design and Moxon Architects n n with Mott MacDonald for their 1 million at London Fields. The latest ORR figures? About AGM at Plymouth in April from 2019 to 2024. ing the Lea Valley line. In an attempt to devise more 360,000 and 620,000 respectively! aesthetically pleasing designs integrated OLS design. Railfuture Devon and They will also form the basis Our responses are on the Rail- n Cornwall’s AGM is at the for Britain, a competition was The finalists were invited More local news in Railfuture London and South East’s of the planning for both Gov- future website and will be quarterly newsletter railse at: Unitarian Church, Notte ernment and the Office of Rail posted on the Network Rail organised by FutureRailway, to use development funding www.railfuture.org.uk/London+and+South+East+branch+news Street, Plymouth PL1 2HG Regulation in looking ahead website at a later date. Further in conjunction with HS2 to undertake detailed on Saturday 18 April 2015 at to 2043. Inevitably, much of progress will be reported in the Ltd and the Royal Institute technical development of their 13.30. the focus is on how the huge next issue of Railwatch. of British Architects. The designs and devise ways to finalists were Bystrup market them. 14 railwatch April 2015 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Rail User Express can be downloaded from www.railfuture.org.uk railwatch April 2015 15 Government wins privatisation battle LOCAL ACTION LOCAL ACTION The Government won its ignored by the Government. changes in April 2017. Before the heart of the railways. He West Midlands battle over rail franchising East Coast Trains had surprised handover, Labour said it would also criticised bus and rail East Midlands when Stagecoach/Virgin took many commentators by introduce more public control of company Stagecoach for n n CENTRO looks to future By Anthony Kay over running the East Coast running a successful railway, the railways but will not bring opposing Labour plans for bus At a meeting with CENTRO in January, the future shape of [email protected] main line on 1 March from providing a good return to the back the 1980s style British Rail. regulation. His remarks are a the London Midland franchise was discussed. The current and Roger Bacon the publicly owned Directly Treasury, treating their workers Railman’s son Michael Dugher hardening of tone compared to franchise expires in April next year and it is expected that [email protected] Operated Railways. well and running the best rail said Labour would abolish the his predecessor Mary Creagh a direct award will be negotiate for the period to June who addressed Railfuture’s 2017. CENTRO is considering what improvements should n n National Forest line Campaigners who wanted booking website. rail delivery group and put the current franchising system “in AGM in Sheffield in 2014. be included in the franchise extension which will include more public control over the Complaints that Stagecoach the opening of the new rail station for Kenilworth on the Railfuture has been in contact railways had been fighting to now has a near-monopoly the bin”. The Government is also selling with Leicestershire County Coventry-Leamington line. Work has started on the £11 delay the handover until after position, controlling most trains “It is time to rip up franchising off its share in Eurostar to a million station to be built on the site of the previous one Council, Andrew Bridgen (MP for Canadian pension fund for NW Leics), and transport minister the general election when they going north from London, on as it stands today,” said Mr which shut in the 1960s as part of the Beeching cuts. After Baroness Kramer regarding hoped Labour might win – and the West, East and Midland Dugher who is MP for Barnsley £750 million. years of campaigning, the station received Government both High Speed Two and the allow a state-run operator to main lines, have also been East and also the party’s The RMT union’s Mick Cash support in December 2013. CENTRO will continue to work on proposed National Forest Line continue as a comparator with dismissed. transport spokesman. said: “The French and Belgians plans to electrify the Chase line to Rugeley. between Leicester and Burton the private operators. However, the French Keolis “The only people who have think we are insane knocking n n Shrewsbury link suggestions upon Trent. Local politicians in Some had been hoping Labour and Eurostar consortium that no voice at the moment in the off such a valuable and Railfuture West Midlands held useful talks in January Leicestershire have opposed HS2, running of the railways are the strategic infrastructure asset. with Virgin Trains. We welcomed the start of the London- which is seen as causing upheaval in the north west of the would bring back British Rail bid unsuccessfully for the East or an updated version. But Coast franchise is planning to passengers themselves.” “It is another short sighted, Shrewsbury service but asked for a different operating pattern county without yielding benefits to local people. The county to generate more custom. We suggested that a fast Super council has also considered the £50 million cost of reopening the series of demonstrations bid next year for the West Coast He said there should be a pre-election act of public sector backed by the RMT union were main line franchise which passenger voice right at the destruction.” Voyager from Euston could split at Stafford with one section the National Forest line to passengers as too expensive. running to Crewe, Chester, Wrexham and Shrewsbury and via However, the possibility has now been raised that it might the Oxley chord back to Stafford. At Stafford it could rejoin drop its opposition to HS2 in return for Government funding the other section which would run in the reverse direction to reopen the line. We have also raised the possibility of new round the loop. passenger services on the Lichfield-Burton route and the n n route from Willington to Trent Junction via Castle Donington. Devon is way ahead Cotswold line to be redoubled n n Network Rail is preparing a detailed business plan to Center Parcs backs plan for reopening Ollerton line complete the long-awaited dualling of the Cotswold line. The Support for reopening the line that connects Ollerton and In future issues of Railwatch, I Devon County Council and Government has confirmed that the work will be carried out Edwinstowe to the Robin Hood line at Shirebrook has come will highlight where in Britain will be transferred to Network between 2019 and 2024 on the Oxford-Worcester stretch. The from Center Parcs, whose Sherwood Forest holiday village community rail is excelling. Rail on completion. move follows intense lobbying by West Worcestershire MP is less than two miles from the line near Edwinstowe, while I will highlight best practice to Harriett Baldwin. Transport minister Baroness Kramer has Cranbrook, between Pinhoe written to Mrs Baldwin confirming that the Government is its head office is in Ollerton. Center Parcs CEO Martin Dalby encourage members who may and Whimple on the former pointed out that the company employs 1,750 people in the looking at how to fund the project. Mrs Baldwin said: “I am live in less enlightened parts of Southern route to Exeter, pleased that the Government is looking to develop critical area, as well as the many guests arriving at the holiday the country. village. Mark Spencer MP for Sherwood supports the plans will serve new housing and projects such as this and it is crucial that we develop a and has asked the Chancellor for money for the project. In Devon, the county council business developments and is long-term economic plan which will help to fund these major has adopted a proactive close to Exeter Airport. It will infrastructure plans.” n n New Northampton station opens as old faces demolition approach to rail development also accommodate park and n n Tram lines possible but road building likely Northampton’s new £20 million station opened in January, over many years. ride passengers. Both stations Picture: ROB COUSINS are expected to open around Birmingham City Council wants to build three tram lines over three months late. Visitors on day one included Transport It has an effective strategy for the next 20 years as part of a £4 billion transport plan which Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, two local MPs and the leaders expansion, increasing rail’s role Easter this year. would depend on grants from the Government, the European of county and borough councils. The old building will be in moving passengers in and A future station is being Union and local businesses. Sadly much of the plan involves demolished, and a multi-storey car park built on its site, with out of Exeter and Plymouth planned for Marsh Barton, road building and road tunnels. a lift and bridge to give passengers access to the new station. and more recently, Torbay. between Exeter St Thomas and n n Light rail hub proposals for Dudley town centre n n Flood fears force planning changes at Ilkeston station The Devon and Cornwall Starcross on the Bristol and Proposals Exeter main line. It will serve a Derbyshire County Council has had to submit three new Rail Partnership is based in to reopen the geography department sprawling retail and business the rail planning applications for revised plans for the new Ilkeston development which is poorly NEW STATION TAKES SHAPE: The platform supports are station. Changes include shorter platforms and a smaller of Plymouth University and constructed at Newcourt with a train to Exmouth passing in line for a benefits both from this link and served by existing public £20 million car park, because costs have had to be cut due to the extra transport and in consequence January. The platform surface is now in place expense of flood-prevention works that are now required. the willing help of students in light rail various volunteer projects. local roads are gridlocked for link from n n Improved passenger links needed in north Notts most of the day. to EU transport policy. The be required in the longer term, Dudley to First Great Western is next big step for Devon will and the prospect of a service Edginswell, between Dudley Railfuture is campaigning to improve connection times an effective partnership be the move to Devon Metro, to Okehampton remains a Port, on between Robin Hood line trains from north of Nottingham, member, and on each line the Newton Abbott and Torre a branded network of good possibility while the county the West including Mansfield, with Lincoln to Sheffield trains at partnership is supported by a on the Paignton line, near quality, frequent local services council is sponsoring the Coast Worksop. The typical wait at Worksop before travelling on to committed rail user group. Kingskerswell closed in 1964 around Exeter. This would extension of the Tamar Valley main Sheffield is 41 minutes, and on the return around 30 minutes. although it served a significant Last year marked a milestone see a half hourly service from line to Tavistock. Restoration line, were residential area. n n Withdrawal date for Midland main line’s IC-125 trains in securing European funding Paignton through Exeter to of the entire route via published in December. Dudley Council and Warwick for the development of the Now though the line service Exmouth and a half hourly Okehampton to Plymouth, as Manufacturing Group (part of the University of Warwick) want The 10 IC-125 trains leased by East Midland Trains will not is much more frequent, with service between Exeter St described last year in Railwatch to build a national centre for light rail innovation (artist’s be modified to meet the Passengers of Reduced Mobility Exeter-Paignton Riviera line, impression above) on the site of the old station in the town while this year two new a half hourly service between Davids and Axminster. One by Gerard Duddridge is on the (Technical Specification for Interoperability) deadline of 1 Newton Abbott and Paignton agenda. (See Gerard’s latest centre. Railfuture is worried the plan could jeopardise future January 2020, meaning that they are set for withdrawal. Spare stations will open in the county, train each hour would run heavy rail use of the line. the first for 20 years. Two more thanks to the Riviera Line between Barnstaple and article on page 14 of this issue). parts for these VP185 engined units are becoming scarce and n n Councillor Eric bids to preserve rail line for future expensive and owners Porterbrook has no plans to undertake are at an advanced stage of Project. Additional trains were Axminster. Devon demonstrates the core the necessary compliance work and expect them to be planning. funded as part of a European Longer term plans are being Railfuture contention, that a Councillor Eric Carter of Telford and Wrekin Council has replaced by electric trains before the deadline. Union project called Interreg. well-planned and marketed met Staffordshire County Council officials to seek ways of Newcourt, between Digby drawn up for an even more preserving the track alignment of the 14-mile long former n n and Topsham on the Exeter- Interreg embraces Lancashire, frequent service on the busy service will be justified by No news on main line electric trains increased ridership, and Stafford-Wellington which closed in 1966, after an application Exmouth Avocet line will serve Pays de la Loire, Aachen and Avocet line which would for housing development west of Stafford. The route is Transport Minister Claire Perry told the Commons no a new housing development Limburg, and will test the require restoration of some become an alternative to car. currently used as a cycle link. He said: “A lot of people in decisions have been taken regarding the procurement of in an area where bus services benefits of a more frequent double track to Topsham on The Avocet line, for example, Newport would like to see that rail route reopened.” electric trains for the Midland main line. She told Kettering are thin. The station also serves local service effectively the section singled in 1976, and has doubled patronage over MP Philip Hollobone in October: “This will be a matter for the Sandy Park, the home of Exeter marketed. The results will be probably a loop at Lympstone. 10 years and now carries 1.7 n n Regional West Midlands contact: train operator. An announcement will be made in due course.” million passengers each year. Chiefs rugby club. Unusually, shared among the Interreg On the Exeter-Salisbury line, [email protected] the station is being built by partners and form an input further doubling or loops will Next time: Lancashire

16 railwatch April 2015 Twitter: @railwatch www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Please remember Railfuture in your will: http://tinyurl.com/3qtdzj7 railwatch April 2015 17 railwatch ISSN 0267-5943 www.railwatch.org.uk is edited by Robert Stevens, John Stanford and Ray King, 4 Christchurch LOCAL ACTION Square, London E9 7HU Tel 020 8985 8548 [email protected] Your letters extra [email protected] [email protected] East Anglia Printed by Print-Out, High Street, Histon, Cambridge CB4 4JD Tel: 01223 By Paul Hollinghurst 232709. Railfuture members receive ­Railwatch free. have bought my ticket to London [email protected] International CIV from the Non-members can subscribe online at www.railfuture.org.uk/shop or n n Anglia’s rail future in focus by sending £8 (cheque payable to Railfuture) to: Alan Cocker, 11 Franklin booking office at Cardiff Central. Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 9DX. At your local station, you may Railfuture East Anglia contributed to Unexplained misery have to provide evidence that the Department for Transport’s East Copy deadlines: For the next issue, published in July, copy must be you are travelling by Eurostar, Anglia rail franchise consultation emailed to [email protected] by 17 April. Paper copy can be sent to Thousands of people had misery such as a ticket or invoice. and Network Rail’s Anglia Route 4 Christchurch Square, London E9 7HU but must arrive earlier. inflicted upon them over the If your domestic journey is Study. These both feed into plans Christmas period when Network which will significantly shape the Advertising: Full page: £190. Half page: £95. Quarter page: £45. delayed, it is still sensible to get Rail engineering over-ran at future of railways in our area. Our Small ads are free to members. Otherwise: 30p per word. an endorsement from the train King’s Cross and signal failures manager. This will make it easier aspirations include new high quality Please report any problems with the delivery or condition of your copy of inter-city trains for the London- meant trains had to be hand to persuade Eurostar that there Railwatch to [email protected] or to the E9 7HU address above. signalled by trackworkers using Norwich main line and more diesel is a genuine reason for you trains for non-electrified lines pending electrification. We flags. Network Rail’s chief being late. Railfuture executive Mark Carne described also want to see an hourly Ipswich-Peterborough service the delays as “regrettable” – a While tickets to London and a half hourly minimum frequency between major is independent and voluntary. It is the campaigning name of the Railway towns, improvements in journey times on all routes, better massive understatement. International CIV may be more BERLIN HAUPTBAHNHOF: High speed start point to Seville ­Development Society Ltd, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. expensive than the cheapest “final service of the day” from key centres, and a minimum Registered in England and Wales No 5011634. I wonder if the many hard- possible tickets to London, they Dream Euro trip high speed track is from Berlin standard of passenger facilities including car and cycle ­Registered Office: 24 Chedworth Place, Tattingstone, Suffolk IP9 2ND. pressed staff who worked over are cheaper than the equivalent to Seville in south west Spain, parking. their Christmas holidays could For many years I have been including an overnight stop in Media enquiries ticket just to London. Having http://www.railfuture.org.uk/East+Anglia+Greater+Anglia have explained it better. CIV protection won’t remove the travelling – if not literally then Montpelier in Southern France? Bruce Williamson, 29 Granby Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4LT. Kenneth M Bryant, Grays Road, in my imagination – around stress of a potentially long delay, It runs as follows: Berlin 09.35, n n CrossCountry’s late evening services need a boost Tel: 0117 9272954 Mobile: 07759 557389 Farncombe, Godalming GU7 3LT Europe with a copy of Thomas Frankfurt 14.05, Karlsruhe [email protected] but at least you won’t have to Email: [email protected] pay twice for the same journey. Cook’s European Rail Timetable. 15.15, Lyon Part-Dieu 20.10, Railfuture East Anglia published aspirations for the Editors’ note: The closure of This excellent publication now There is far more information Montpellier 21.56. Montpellier CrossCountry franchise following a request for ideas for Membership £18 per year. Family: £18 plus King’s Cross was partly to has a new publisher: European improvements. There may be an opportunity for additional on this at the Man at Seat 10.37, Barcelona Sants 14.00- £2 for each extra person. Pensioners, students enable the new Thameslink Rail Timetable Ltd, 28 Monson investment during CC’s current franchise extension. Our 61 website – see http://www. 1550, Sevilla 21.15. I would like and unemployed: £14. User groups, community and parish councils: tunnels to be connected, Way, Oundle, Northants PE8 short-term aspirations focus on overcrowding, reliability and seat61.com/UKconnections. to hear from anyone who has Please apply for rates. although Network Rail took 4QG. Tel: 018832 270198 punctuality, comfort and late evening and Sunday morning htm#.VL6jT9KsV8E Good done this journey in whole or in You can join or renew membership using PayPal via www.railfuture.org.uk advantage of the closure services. CrossCountry operates the majority of services international rail travel agents The growth of high speed part. or by post, please contact­ David Harby, 6 Carral to undertake other work at to March with the final evening service from Cambridge should also be able to help. railways makes timetables Edgar Locke, 3 Langton Court Close, Lincoln LN5 9BD Worthing, West Sussex departing at 21.01 compared to over three hours later at the same time. The historic Julian Langston, Cardiff extremely useful. Did you know, Email: [email protected] importance of this event was BN14 7BZ 00.10 to Ely, which is a similar size town and only 12 miles [email protected] for example, that the longest away. On Sunday mornings the first services from March are Renewals and other membership queries: Railfuture Renewals, not reported by any of the rail journey predominately on [email protected] 24 Chedworth Place, ­Tattingstone, Suffolk IP9 2ND. Email: renewals@ 11.00 to Peterborough and 13.18 to Cambridge. The service mainstream media. It is not should be developed with rolling stock better suited to a railfuture.org.uk clear whether Network Rail Luggage in advance taking shape, the situation is Pancras with line improvements long distance service and providing more capacity and faster Elections Board elections held annually. Nomination forms can be explained this to the media. I am trying to find out when the ripe to start the HS2 airport to reduce journey time. journeys. obtained from www.railfuture.org.uk/tiki-index.php?page=Elections luggage in advance service, station now and drive the Eurostar tips so useful for holidaymakers I call on all supporters of http://www.railfuture.org.uk/East+Anglia+Cross+Country Who’s Who Many other useful contact details can be found on the new line southwards through and students, was abandoned public transport to lobby MPs ­Railfuture website: www.railfuture.org.uk It can be extremely stressful Cheshire, the West Midlands to n n by British Railways. Does any who oppose of HS2 but are Wisbech link vital for future of north Cambridgeshire worrying about making Birmingham. connections on to Eurostar Railwatch reader know? supporting new roads in their The prospects for reopening the March-Wisbech line (Railwatch 142) and I have Peter Kenyon, 19 Ridgely Drive, It would also be a major benefit respective constituencies to continue to improve with the publication of an Infrastructure great sympathy for Mr Whiting. Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne to all parties to commence the point out that new roads are for Growth document which highlights the link as a It is, however, worth knowing NE20 9BJ proposed line from the airport far more environmentally key contribution to the vision for the future of north LOCAL ACTION that there are ways of booking [email protected] (the third largest in the country) destructive than new railways. Cambridgeshire. Railfuture East Anglia has contributed domestic train tickets that give into city centre Manchester It’s a disgrace that MPs should to this document and is a named partner. The project is Lincolnshire International Conditions of Road building where a new terminus, next to press for new roads to be built in currently at Network Rail’s GRIP 2 feasibility stage with By Don Peacock [email protected] Carriage (CIV) protection for the existing main line Piccadilly their own constituencies. a GRIP 3 option selection stage being done in parallel. It is disappointing that the station, will be built. J Berry, Prescot Road, Aughton, The branch continues to work advising and encouraging onward Eurostar journeys. Chancellor of the Exchequer n n Railfuture meets bidders for TransPennine franchise Lancs L39 5AQ organisations to promote the scheme. The first and easiest is to book has announced a massive road Why do we have to wait a minimum of 18 years before it http://wisbechrail.org.uk/ Committee member Mike Savage has arranged a series of your through journey with building programme. But we Bristol’s problems Eurostar. In order to get the best should not be surprised. After reaches Manchester when the meetings with prospective bidders for the TransPennine project is already planned and n n Express franchise in The No 1 Pub on Cleethorpes station. price, however, it is usually best all, this is the same Government Bristol suffers from not having an New station at Addenbrooke’s in south Cambridge to buy Eurostar tickets as soon that keeps refusing to put up the costed? George Osborne wants effective suburban rail service First Group and Stagecoach have already attended with Manchester to be the northern Cambridgeshire County Council has reaffirmed that the Keolis expected in March. as they become available, which cost of petrol and is cutting the but stations could be built on powerhouse, so this project council is “very keen” to see a station built in the south of the is four months in advance. By cost of people getting a driving the Henbury loop to serve city, said Graham Hughes, the council’s executive director n n Network Rail set for resignalling update contrast, domestic UK tickets licence while being happy to let would be a major signal of the the northern parts of the city. present Government’s intent. for economy, transport and environment. The council’s view are normally available only three train fares rise. Driving into the city is a horrid is that the station to serve Addenbrooke’s Hospital should be Network Rail is offering to provide a meeting about on the months in advance. Tim Mickleburgh, Boulevard Peter Wellman, experience, although Temple Knutsford, Cheshire built as part of the East West Rail project. North Lincolnshire resignalling project, following Railfuture’s Avenue, Grimsby, DN31 2JP Meads station in the centre is a Construction of a northern station – at Cambridge Science meeting with NR, arranged by Mike Savage, last year. To get round this problem, you [email protected] can book your domestic ticket [email protected] delight. Park – is about to commence. Already under construction is a bus access road to the station. Railfuture East Anglia is n n Station lighting could clear way for evening trains (separately to Eurostar) to HS2 route One of my relatives prefers to London International CIV. We cannnot wait drive to Bristol Parkway to get campaigning for an unused Network Rail access road to be I do not like the idea of out- a train to south Wales rather converted to pedestrian and cycle access. Lighting is being provided at Grimsby’s New Clee station for Eurostar is obliged to honour I have been following the High The council’s local transport plan supports other new and which Friends of the Barton Line have been campaigning. It of-town stations in the East than endure the trip into Temple the CIV ticket and put you on Speed Two story with great Midlands and Sheffield for HS2, reopened stations in the area at Cherry Hinton, Fulbourn, could clear the way for services to call there during the hours the next available train if your interest over the past few Meads. We need more projects Soham and line reopenings to Wisbech and potentially to of darkness. nor do I like the idea of terminus to improve the railways, not domestic train is late. The same years. It seems logical to me stations in Birmingham and Haverhill. applies to your return journey. to commence building from the just electrification, to offset the n n Farewell to rail campaigner Brian Leeds. Both should be through isolation of many communities http://www.railfuture.org.uk/East+Anglia+Cambridgeshire As a destination, London Manchester end of the line now. stations. Sheffield, Derby and Railfuture Lincolnshire members paid tribute to former branch caused by the rail closure frenzy n n Keep in touch at: www.railfuture.org.uk/East+Anglia International CIV – which is not This would have enormous Nottingham would be best initiated by transport minister chairman Brian Hastings who died in February. The funeral the same as London St Pancras cost and time benefits. With the served by retaining their existing was in early March. Ernest Marples in the 1960s. – does not seem to be available £1 billion Airport City project stations and continuing to use J H Evered, Goylands Close, n n Twitter: @RailfutureEA on most booking websites. So I at Manchester Airport already the existing Midland route to St Llandrindod Wells, LD1 5RB 18 railwatch April 2015 www.railfuturescotland.org.uk www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Railfuture conference in Newark on Saturday 20 June 10.00 to 17.00 railwatch April 2015 19 The Northern Sparks report to the Government from Rail North which called for all the lines in tiers 1,2 and 3 (illustrated above) to be electrified in addition to those being electrified now or already agreed by the Government for electrificaton Ever more demands for electrification A total of 32 rail routes in the Westgate (Dearne Valley), Hazel “I want to see a rolling plan for Electrification of the North Wales north of England were recom- Grove-Buxton, Warrington- further electrification and this rail network is “vital” to reduce mended to the Government in Chester. study will have a vital part to severe road congestion, Wrex- early March for electrification. Tier 2 play in setting the agenda for ham MP Ian Lucas told a parlia- 2019 and beyond. Network Rail mentary meeting in January. Design and business case devel- Manchester-Sheffield and south opment on the 12 routes in Tier will take the task force’s findings Delyn MP David Hanson added: east Manchester local services, into account as it develops its 1 should begin at once, accord- York-Scarborough, Bishop Auck- “There is a pressing need for a ing to the Northern Sparks report nationwide plan to improve the land/Darlington to Saltburn and plan for rail to serve both North by a Rail North task force. They nation’s railways.” Sunderland, Barnsley-Hudders- Wales and North West England.” should be considered for action The task force was set up in field, Sheffield-Lincoln via Ret- Electrification of the North Wales in the period 2019-2024. The December 2013 to provide advice ford, Chester-Crewe, Burnley- line from Runcorn, Warrington routes are: on the next steps for electrifica- and Crewe to Holyhead would Colne and Kirkham-Blackpool tion in the North of England. Tier 1 South, Knottingley-Goole. bring benefits of £1.5 billion, and It was supported by experts from Calder Valley (Leeds-Manchester Tier 3 another £500 million in other and Preston via Bradford and Rail North, the Department for economic benefits, according to a Brighouse), Liverpool to Man- Barrow-Carnforth, Pontefract- Transport and Network Rail. Greengauge 21 report in Septem- chester via Warrington Central, Church Fenton, Hull-Scarbor- The report is so positive towards ber last year. ough, Ormskirk-Preston, Carl- Southport/Kirkby to Salford rail electrification that one Elsewhere in England, Chancel- isle-Newcastle, Skipton-Carlisle, Crescent, Chester-Stockport, ­cynical campaigner commented: lor George Osborne asked Net- Northallerton-Middlesbrough, Barton on Humber, Cumbrian “One wonders if there might be work Rail in February to look at Leeds-York via Harrogate, Selby- Coast, Doncaster-Gilberdyke, an election coming sometime the case for electrification of the Hull, Sheffield (Meadowhall) to Cleethorpes-Thorne (Doncaster), soon!” Bristol-Birmingham line. Middlesbrough to Whitby. Leeds via Barnsley/Castleford Full details can be found at www. & connections, Bolton-Clitheroe, The much-delayed Midland The report was launched at Shef- railnorth.org/electrification. main line electrification is now Sheffield-Doncaster/Wakefield field station by Transport Secre- A series of routes in the north of expected to get started soon. ISSN 0267-5943 tary Patrick McLoughlin. England are already being elec- Network Rail expects the over- 4 3 It was handed to him by cross- trified and on the day the report head wires to be energised on the party task force members MPs was published (5 March), pas- Bedford to Kettering and Corby Andrew Jones (Harrogate), Julie sengers made the first journey on section by the end of 2017, with Hilling (bolton West) and Ian an electric train between Liver- Kettering to Market Harborough Swales (Redcar) together with pool Lime Street and Manchester and Leicester following by 2018, Bradford Councillor Dave Green Airport on Thursday. Demands and Derby/Nottingham at the 9 770267 594000 and Warrington Councillor Terry for electrification elsewhere in end of 2018. Sheffield will have O’Neill. Mr McLoughlin said: Britain are coming thick and fast. to wait until 2020.