PUBLISHED BY RAILFUTURE – THE INDEPENDENT CAMPAIGN FOR RAIL No 158 £2 December 2018

Picture: WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL COUNCIL Picture: WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY

BRITAIN’S NEWEST STATION: PAGE 2 PAGE ONE PICTURE Our page one picture shows Railfuture rides an elevator UK’s -train arrives at last! work on the new £35 million By Wendy Thorne world-class Worcestershire Parkway rail station Key members of Railfuture from progressing well in October, across the country practised with external steelworks and condensing the long list of Rail- glazing nearly finished. future successes into a convinc- ing 90-second “elevator pitch” The station is expected to open when they attended the annual next year and connects two branches and groups day in Bir- ABELL Pictures: PAUL lines on different levels. There mingham in October. will be one platform on the North Cotswold line and two The aim of an elevator pitch is to on the Birmingham to Bristol develop a message that would BAKE OFF: Celebration cake line. persuade someone to join Railfu- ture and to do this in a very short By Paul Abell A key priority for the council, space of time, ideally the length [email protected] which is funding the project, of time it would take an elevator is to link Worcester into the to go from the ground floor to the The tribulations of the tram-train CrossCountry train network top floor in a skyscraper. project have been reported at but it also hopes the station length, but happily 25 October That is probably the same will provide quicker and more saw the public service between amount of time one might have frequent services to . Sheffield Cathedral, Rotherham to pitch Railfuture’s case to any- Central and Parkgate inaugu- The station will also feature one attending a membership rated with some aplomb by Shef- a 500-space car park and the recruitment stall. “competitive” charges will help SEEING THE LIGHT: Thames Valley’s Andrew McCallum field City Region Mayor Dan the council to pay off the loans People agreed that Railfuture develops an elevator pitch with Railfuture’s membership Jarvis and Transport Minister Jo needed to finance the station. should be organising more director Wendy Thorne Johnson (since resigned). recruitment events in future. In the city centre, Shrub Hill Railfuture was represented by station has 40 parking spaces The pledge to recruit more new ­operations are funded entirely attract, including current and president Christian Wolmar, NORMAL FOR GERMANY: But at Sheffield Cathedral the tram-train is officially ‘a pilot project’ while Foregate Street has none. members was one of nearly 50 by our members across Brit- retired rail employees up to very vice president Paul Abell and pledges made by attendees to senior level, and our focus on rail Railfuture Yorkshire committee The council was helped to ain (individual rail travellers, ­Tinsley Chord in each direction develop a programme to trans- improvements that have a busi- member Mike Rose who took develop its business case for ­affiliated local rail user groups, while the vehicle is reconfigured form Railfuture into a more local authorities/parish councils ness case, we are a credible cam- the opportunity to enjoy the start for the change between Network the station by Ian Walters of active campaigning organisation. paigning organisation and our of the new service, which was SLC Rail who was a speaker at and local businesses), and our Rail and Supertram, the two net- It was a very useful day where views are taken seriously. blessed by sparkling weather. Railfuture’s Reading conference supporters (who pay a lower works having their own commu- lots of exciting ideas were devel- in November. rate but are not members of the “At local level, for example, we As an essential part of the tram- nications systems for one thing. oped by our dedicated volun- organisation). conduct station audits, whereby train pilot to discover the impli- He said that he has helped The modern shops make Park- teers as well as a fantastic num- we suggest improvements and cations of running a tram-train gate Retail Centre an attractive third parties to achieve their ber of pledges of action. We “This funding model enables us to be entirely independent of all help leverage local author- service under UK regulations, destination, and a new purpose- rail objectives. He has been now all need to deliver on those ity funding where an operator three an hour link Shef- involved in helping to plan for vested interests, whether it is the built footpath gives easy access pledges. cannot justify the expenditure field city centre and the Parkgate from the tram-train terminus, nine new stations, with three rail industry (including unions) ­themselves. Retail Centre, using the existing while the stop at Rotherham currently being built and five or political parties or groups. Jerry’s pitch “Our consistent pro-rail lobby- Supertram Meadowhall route Central station is very conve- under development. “As a result of this independence Jerry Alderson, Railfuture’s ing over decades has helped to then the new Tinsley Chord to niently located for the station we attract members from across He said: “The railway barons of director of finance and IT, in his change the perception of the rail- the tracks through and the town centre. It was clear yesteryear used property sales elevator pitch made the follow- the political spectrum and we way in Britain so that all British Rotherham Central. on the first day of operation that to fund railways. We have to ing case: can engage with and influence all political parties now believe that The 27-minute journey serves there was much local interest in find ways of finding funds. Car “Railfuture is run entirely by levels of government in Britain. sustained investment in the rail- Meadowhall and Rotherham the new service. park revenue can be the key.” volunteers, all of whom are “Because of the wide range way network and train services town centre en route and will Unfortunately the service to Reading conference: Pages12-13 rail users, and our day-to-day of knowledgeable people we is vital.” enable the customer satisfaction, Parkgate had to be suspended on passenger numbers, reliability the first afternoon of public oper- and costs of tram-train operation ation after a collision between Chair’s column: Rail risks losing Government investment to be tested. one of the tram-trains and a For example, passengers may lorry in Attercliffe, but the route By Chris Page The growth in rail travel that we transport, pushing rail into a notice a short pause on the reopened the following day. Railfuture president Christian Wolmar (with scarf) on day one [email protected] have seen over the past 25 years downward spiral of service Rail now stands at a junction. is stalling however. This may in reductions and job cuts, just at The climate change report pub- part result from industrial dis- a time when investment in more Railfuture board takes steps to improve director competence lished on 8 October 2018 by the putes over modernising work- sustainable rail is needed to United Nations gave dire warn- ing practices making the rail reduce UK carbon emissions. By Stewart Palmer for all new directors and statement in advance of The purpose of this is not to ings of drought, floods, extreme service less reliable, and because All parties must therefore act in Railfuture vice-president any existing director the discussion, setting bar anybody from standing but [email protected] heat and poverty for hundreds the price motorists pay today for the interests of passengers and seeking re-election. In out their experience to make sure potential board of millions of people if carbon petrol and diesel is the same as the planet to reach a resolution, The Railfuture board runs the accordance with the and personal qualities members make an informed emissions are not reduced by they did in 2011 while rail fares rather than seeking capitulation. company and its directors articles of the company, that demonstrate their decision to stand, or not. have risen 25% over the same are responsible for setting 45% by 2030. Railfuture will continue to cam- any ordinary member suitability to be a board The returning officer may period. the strategic direction of the That is as close in the future as paign for sustained investment, can stand for the board. member. This will annotate a candidate’s election organisation. This is not going to 2006 is in the past! During the 1950s the govern- a reliable train service, and great Stewart Palmer enable the panel to have statement if they decide to stand ment response to prolonged customer service with value-for- In any company, directors have change. However, from a structured discussion Rail is the most energy-efficient but have not availed themselves Railfuture chair Chris Page industrial action on the railways money fares which together will onerous and specific legal now on, any member with the candidate. This will form of transport, and can be of the opportunity to have was to deregulate goods traffic promote carbon reduction, eco- responsibilities. It is therefore considering standing will be a discussion with the vice- zero-carbon if renewable elec- also be an opportunity for the technology for less-used routes on the roads, which decimated nomic growth and modal shift important that any potential able to avail themselves of the individual to explain their presidents’ panel. tricity is used. opportunity to have a structured where it may not be cost-effec- rail freight and hastened line to rail. board member has a proper understanding of Railfuture’s discussion with a panel of If you are thinking of standing A massive modal shift to rail of tive to erect overhead wiring. closures. Please take every opportunity to understanding of the policies and values and to responsibilities they will assume Railfuture vice-presidents who for the board in 2019 please people and freight would reduce But large-scale modal shift also Which route to set? Failure to tell your friends and colleagues demonstrate what they can if elected to the board and the will explain the responsibilities advise company secretary Lloyd our carbon emissions, but this requires the rail industry to resolve the ongoing disputes of our successes and encourage bring to the board. Butler by 31 December 2018 so depends on investment to elec- reduce its costs so that fares can could trigger a government those who share our campaign values and behaviours that they of a director and provide the would be expected to adopt. On opportunity to ask questions and The vice-presidents’ panel will a discussion can be arranged trify intensively used routes and be set at a level to attract people response which would switch aims to join Railfuture and add before nominations close. to develop battery or hydrogen out of cars, coaches and planes. investment to other forms of their voices to ours. 3 June 2017 the board approved provide clarity. Candidates will not be approving candidates and a new process that will operate be required to produce a written they are not board members. [email protected] 2 railwatch December 2018 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Railfuture 2019 AGM at Sport Wales National Centre, , on Saturday 18 May railwatch December 2018 3 step-free access to all platforms by adding lifts East Anglia to the existing station footbridge. The emerging Central Bedfordshire Local Plan shows there is likely [email protected] A mighty roar of approval for Derby-Crewe line to be considerable growth in the area over coming n nA dementia-friendly railway is possible years, including a new village of 1,500 homes east By Steve Jones has a Department for Transport- of Biggleswade and a strategic employment area [email protected] approved transport strategy Train operators need to be more aware of the issues south of the town. caused by dementia – that was the key message Improvements to the North Staf- which includes developing east- west routes. As well as working from Liz Withington, our main speaker at our n nScottish power wind farm proposals fordshire line between Derby Norwich meeting. Liz, who is town councillor and and Crewe via Stoke-on-Trent closely with Network Rail and member of the Sheringham Dementia Friendly Railfuture East Anglia has responded to the are a major campaign topic for West Midlands Rail, Midlands Community, told the meeting that it was in the train consultation on proposals for the East Anglia North/ Railfuture East Midlands. Connect has had discussions

East Anglia 2 offshore wind farm development Picture: PETER TRAVIS company’s own interests to make stations and trains Local business and industry with all the bidders for the next dementia friendly. Around 1 in 14 people over 65 which suggests that consideration be given to the East Midlands franchise about site, at Broom Culvert Sizewell. We welcome the agree that this strategic Mid- have dementia so every train will have passengers lands link between East and extending the North Stafford- that are affected. Ensuring such people have a fact that Scottish Power is working closely with shire service beyond Derby. EDF Energy in evaluating the suitability of this West is shamefully under-used. positive experience when they use the railway will It has massive potential as an Existing infrastructure could be result in further train use. site. Railfuture has previously given evidence to used without any new construc- the Sizewell C consultation urging that rail should intra- and inter-regional link for Although dementia is often associated with short- passengers and freight, connect- tion work. It will even have HS2 term memory loss, it does affect other aspects be used to transport construction materials and hubs at each end. potentially to provide a sustainable transport option ing, as it does, two cities and two such as sight loss, mobility and perception. major railway interchanges. Richard Bates, senior strategic­ Train companies need to make improvements at for staff who will be employed there. But it carries only local stopping planner with Network Rail, stations and have dementia-aware staff who can n nRailway safety under the spotlight expressed frustration at the frag- deal sensitively with problems when they occur. services, which themselves are crying out for improvement. The mented nature of the railway but Examples at stations include simple obstacle-free Railfuture East Anglia’s December meeting will alluded to Network Rail’s cru- coincide with the publication of Railwatch. It will be hourly single-coach railcar fre- routes between the entrance and platforms with cial role in managing this. NR is held in Cambridge on Saturday 1 December with quently proves inadequate for clear signs. Simple colour schemes with good colour developing its focus on manag- guest speaker Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of the needs of local people. contrast are also important as complex patterns ing things locally and working Railways at the Office of Rail and Road. Great Britain can confuse some people. This approach needs To launch the campaign, Rail- with local stakeholders. to continue once on the train. A good test is: Can has the safest railway in Europe with only one future East Midlands held an passengers see station name boards from the train passenger fatality in 14 years and Ian will explain invitation-only reception event Valuable local knowledge is and are they lit at night? This was a very interesting why our railway is the safest form of land transport on 23 October at The Derby essential as is the evidence and thought-provoking presentation. by far. He will also answer questions. Roundhouse, a prestigious needed to support investment. www.railfuture.org.uk/East+Anglia+Rail+Network venue steeped in railway history. There was then a question-and- n nMajor stations in need of improved access Twitter: @RailfutureEA Nicknaming the present service answer panel discussion, identi- The Government has recently announced the next “the Inter-City Kitty”, the cam- fying immediate improvements round of funding to improve access at stations, and paign asks: Shouldn’t it be a lion? and more strategic opportunities. Railfuture East Anglia has sent letters of support to CAMPAIGN LOGO: Designer Laura Buckland with Railfuture’s Ariadne Tampion at Derby To raise its profile, artist Laura Links between the clusters of cit- Greater Anglia for step-free access at Diss, Marks East Midlands ies beyond each end of the pres- Buckland depicted the train Partnership pointed to the 220% could so easily be given a direct vital artery across the Midlands”. Tey, Stowmarket and Whittlesford Parkway stations, ent Derby-Crewe service, plus in feline form. However, Rail- growth in passenger numbers at link that currently does not exist. There are 1,400 businesses with and to Govia Thameslink Railway for Biggleswade the airports, especially Manches- [email protected] future did not want simply to the line’s unstaffed stations com- 60,000 staff. They need good station. We also support the Meldreth, Shepreth Jonathan Heal from the North ter, need to be developed. and Foxton Community Rail Partnership who are present its own ideas. We felt a pared with a network average of transport. n n Staffs Rail Promotion Group sup- pressing for step-free access at Meldreth. New initiative to reopen Ollerton line light-hearted image could unite 84% over 12 years of the CRP. ported this and referred to the Freight, too, is crucial and is Much discussion and network- various interests and inspire dia- ing followed, over wine and nib- Diss station has large car parks either side of the The 2019 AGM of Railfuture East Midlands will take This major growth has been slight decline in the number of often overlooked in transport logue on exactly what improve- bles. Contacts were made, ideas railway line, but the only realistic way to get from place on 23 March at Mansfield Central Library. aided by an army of station train services on the line when campaigning. This line runs ments should be provided, for exchanged and possible follow- the car park to the platform on the other side of the The venue was chosen to draw attention to the adopters along the line. How- most routes have seen increases. parallel to the much-upgraded need to reopen the nearby Shirebrook-Ollerton whom and in what order. The up actions discussed. station is via the footbridge, which makes station ever, the trains have shrunk Connectivity has also deterio- but heavily congested A50 dual branch line which would make a major contribution image was launched at the event access difficult for many people, and there are no to single-car units, leading to rated as services have retreated carriageway road. We need The event was intended to be to regenerating a coalfield community, as well and is available at www.inter- convenient adjacent stations for mobility impaired severe overcrowding. The need to the Derby-Crewe core when improvements to rail capacity, catalytic, bringing various inter- as improving access to some of the main tourist city-kitty.com for free download. passengers to use. The station acts as a railhead for a true rail network, not just a they used to run through to quality and connectivity. ests together to allow a shared attractions of Sherwood Forest. Before that meeting for much of south Norfolk and parts of Suffolk and An audience of nearly 60 “mov- set of radial routes from London, Chester in the west and Not- Next was Sarah Spink from Mid- vision to be developed and pro- we have our informal pre-Christmas gathering at Breckland, and the Greater Norwich Local Plan ers and shakers” from across the is increasingly recognised. East- tingham and Lincoln in the east. lands Connect who observed moted. Railfuture East Midlands the Canalhouse in Nottingham at 12.00 on Tuesday indicates considerable growth in the area. regions that could benefit was west routes are being developed, He observed that, though actual that campaigning is great but Branch knew we were taking a 11 December. All Railfuture members in the region welcomed by Railfuture East including TransPennine, Cam- growth has been strong, experi- actual investment needs a busi- risk staging this event and com- Marks Tey is used by passengers travelling are welcome. from the Sudbury line towards London, or from Midlands chair Ariadne Tam- bridge-Oxford and even Lon- ence proves that if a good service ness case. The strength of this missioning artwork, but it was a pion who compered the event. great success. Colchester,but they need to use the existing n nMPs move to win support for Narborough don’s . Derby-Crewe is provided, people will use it. depends on evidence. It also footbridge when making connections. The station They heard speeches from a should take its place among The line has much greater poten- depends on everyone coming As Declan Riddell commented in is also used as an interchange point between Following a meeting with the Friends of Narborough range of influential speakers. them! Nottingham and Stoke-on- tial if developed. Declan Riddell together to speak with one voice, his speech, we now need to make trains and when the railway line is closed for Station, local MP Alberto Costa has sent a survey Mike Willmot from the North Trent are the two main conurba- from the Staffordshire Chambers which is what this event was all sure the purring Inter-City Kitty engineering work. to all residents of Narborough and neighbouring Staffordshire Community Rail tions in the north Midlands and of Commerce described it as “a about. Midlands ­Connect now turns into a roaring lion! Littlethorpe. The survey seeks residents’ views on Stowmarket has step-free access, but this requires services at the station (which are often overcrowded a 190-metre detour involving the busy level at peak hours) and improvements needed to station crossing and travelling along unpaved roads. New facilities. Earlier this year members of the Friends lifts would provide a quicker and more secure adopted the station under East Midlands Trains’ route between platforms. The current Mid Suffolk scheme. Core Strategy (2012 updated document) shows that 2,000 new homes are planned in Stowmarket n nMP Anna joins access campaign at Beeston between 2012 and 2027. Such growth will increase

The recently formed Friends of Beeston Station Picture: PETER TRAVIS use of the station and could provide Community are campaigning to improve access for people

Infrastructure Levy money to help pay for any Picture: ARIADNE TAMPION with limited mobility. Avoiding the long flights of station improvements. steps to the bridge when transferring between Whittlesford Parkway is close to a number of the platforms currently requires a 500-metre research sites employing thousands of people. detour outside the station. Local MP Anna Soubry Further development is proposed and this provides is backing the Friends’ campaign for lifts to be opportunities for Section 106 money to help pay installed, and Network Rail has said that it will bid for improvements. The station is also close to the for Access for All funding for this improvement at Duxford Air Museum, but poor access at the station the Grade 2 listed station. means that Cambridge station is used for bus www.railfuture.org.uk/East+Midlands+Branch interchange during major events. Twitter: @RailfutureEMids Biggleswade station on the East Coast Mainline has over one million entries and exits and needs CAMPAIGN LAUNCH: Railfuture members and supporters at the historic Derby Roundhouse INTER-CITY? A one-car unit at Derby on a service to Crewe 4 railwatch December 2018 Twitter: @railwatch www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ The first high speed line in Africa opened on 15 November – in Morocco railwatch December 2018 5 Oh, Mr Grayling! What should we do? Well, let’s try a Review Transport Secretary Chris Gray- sions that will be made through ­recommendations, and provide ling used Twitter in September to Spending Review 2019. fresh perspective and advice. announce “a sweeping review to What is not even mentioned in It would be more usual for such transform Britain’s railways”. the terms of reference – even a challenge panel to have a chair On the same day, his Depart- more concerning: independent of the review itself. ment for Transport issued a for- Brexit Perhaps a little too much chal- lenge is not seen as a good thing? mal statement promising that Whatever the format of Brexit, or the review would “consider Picture: JANE WOOD even no Brexit, there are poten- There is clearly quite a stress on ambitious recommendations for tially significant issues for the the independence of the exer- reform to ensure our vital rail rail industry after any transition, cise and the need to be bold and system continues to benefit pas- particularly in the procurement ­innovative. sengers and support a stronger, area, affecting major projects, the There is a widely circulating fairer economy.” supply chain and even the fran- view within the rail industry that The review was billed as the most chising process. There is no men- not involving industry players significant since privatisation tion of how this will be treated in with experience and a challenge and was launched before Profes- the review. panel with not much depth (other sor Stephen Glaister’s interim Similarly, although European GLOSS: The DfT launched its rail review using Twitter than Dick Fearn) is unlikely to report into the problems arising Union laws including open produce practical solutions. from the timetable changes in access and separation of infra- ­bodies, national and local gov- change might support necessary Being bold and innovative are May. structure from operations have ernment, Parliament, and, where reform. great words but something a The DfT reassured us that the been transferred into British law, appropriate, the devolved gov- Governance little more substantial is seen as review will take into account do we assume that these will be ernments of and Wales. required if rail’s growing pains The review will report to the Sec- Professor Glaister’s final findings changed in a couple of years time It should have a structured are to be fixed by the application when the review is to be imple- retary of State for Transport who which are expected before the approach to engagement. There of surgery. Some may say that the end of the year. mented? will keep Cabinet colleagues reg- DfT is part of the problem so how is a strong clue here in that devo- ularly updated on progress. The terms of reference Does this omission suggest that lution is probably going to be a can it find a solution? I could the review may not be quite as strong feature of the desired out- He has appointed Keith Williams hardly comment on this. The terms of reference for the to be the independent chair of the review were announced three fundamental as billed? put. An autumn 2019 White Paper review. weeks later in the House of Com- Safety Railfuture members will prob- The review ”may” publish mons by the Secretary of State, on Another worrying omission is ably have noted the reference to Keith Williams is currently chair- interim reports during the period 11 October. safety. Mr Grayling in his intro- the UK, but engagement with man of the John Lewis Partner- of its work. As Mr Grayling is ductory remarks in Parliament ship and prior to retirement was Mr Grayling said that before the WELCOME VISITOR: Transport Secretary Chris Grayling at Colne station in February with Pendle only devolved government of committed to updating Parlia- mentioned the excellent priva- chief executive officer of British 1993 Railways (privatisation) MP Andrew Stephenson, right, to discuss the possible reopening of the Skipton-Colne line Scotland and Wales, so Northern ment regularly, this would seem Act, was in seem- tised railway safety record. It Ireland appears to have been for- Airways. He will direct the work to be essential to avoid a big sur- is not mentioned in the review through a new ingly terminal decline but the Act terms of reference which call for gotten. Perhaps prise or disappointment at the brought investment in new ser- terms. Is the Government taking the Secretary of dedicated team end. delivery of: within govern- vices and better reliability. safety as a given? Safety has to be State meant Brit- The review’s final report will be a n Commercial models for the ment. The chair designed in. It cannot be an after- ain, not the UK, Government White Paper, which He added: “Privatisation has provision of rail services that pri- will have close thought. or does he know will be published in autumn reversed the decades of decline oritise the interests of passengers oversight of the and heralded the fastest expan- Structure and process something 2019. It will set out the Govern- and taxpayers about the Irish work to ensure sion of our railways since they n The Government sets constraints that it meets ment’s intentions for reform of were built by the Victorians, Rail industry structures that by saying the review should border issue that the rail sector. It is also expected promote clear accountability and we do not? these terms of delivering millions of pounds has no interest whatsoever in established to recommend the develop a comprehensive and reference and to to reflect ongoing improvements of investment and radically effective joint working for both ­recreating British Railways. most appropriate organisational relevant evidence base to inform The review’s ensure effective the Government is making to improved safety.” passengers and the freight sector its findings. This should reflect recommenda- One Twitter user’s response passenger experience during the The general reaction from stake- and commercial frameworks to n engagement. The safety point is true, but it A system that is financially analysis of the UK’s rail sector, tions must be to yet another rail review – course of the review. holders appears to be very cau- turn that vision into reality. fromTill@iamths1973 There is no men- is easy to wonder why such a sustainable and able to address the directions set by the Depart- practical and Implementation (as stated in It wants it to be comprehensive tion of who fundamental “root and branch” tious as the industry goes on long term cost issues ment for Transport’s Strategic­ deliverable. It Parliament but not mentioned hold against a rambling, even in scope and bold in its thinking, will be doing the actual review review is deemed urgent if n A railway that is able to offer Vision for Rail published in should ensure improvements in the terms of reference) political, remit rather than a challenging received wisdom November 2017, evidence from for passengers are prioritised as within the Government, presum- everything was that good, albeit good value fares for passengers, The plan is for reform to be forensic examination of what is and looking to innovate. previous reviews of elements of ably within the DfT, which is odd requiring investment in growth, while keeping costs down for soon as possible while recognis- implemented from 2020. There wrong in a growth scenario and Plenty of motherhood and apple the rail sector, and experiences in given the detail regarding the an issue very familiar to Rail- taxpayers ing the challenges of delivering is no mention anywhere of how how can it be fixed? pie here. It would be easy to other countries. composition of an expert chal- future members. n significant change within - cur the review output will be imple- interpret this as announcing an Improved industrial relations, lenge panel. This cannot be simply as a result The Government’s vision is for The review should also consider rent legal and regulatory frame- mented or by whom. This actu- integrated transport system for to reduce disruption and improve works. It should consider how to Keith Williams will also chair of the Northern and Govia the UK to have a world-class rail- reliability for ­passengers lessons from recent develop- ally may be sensible at this stage. way, working as part of the wider Britain. ments, such as the establish- reform the sector over the short, the expert challenge panel, Thameslink Railway timetable n o fiascos, as both of these are sub- transport network and deliver- I doubt we will get that except in A rail sector with the agility to ment of the East Coast franchise medium and longer term, and which will support him in test- Ian Brown CBE FCILT is ject to a separate Office of Rail ing new opportunities across the the context of encouraging devo- respond to future challenges and and Professor Stephen Glaister’s how ­legislative and regulatory ing the review’s analysis and Railfuture policy director and Road review. It is also abun- nation. The Government claims lution. These aims are not fol- opportunities. inquiry into the timetabling dantly clear that the government that the rail review has been lowed through in the published What is explicitly excluded from changes in May. We must not the terms of reference? This is simply repeat lessons learned. the most illuminating part of the And what is Railfuture’s position? The review team must effectively Railfuture and its informed membership The review needs to focus on this by implementing terms of reference as it poten- address passenger, workforce Members of the expert challenge panel tially undermines the whole understand that many of the problems currently well-informed changes including much better The rail review expert challenge panel will support Margaret Llewellyn OBE chair of Network Rail’s and community priorities and evident in the rail industry are as a result of the investment processes. Potentially disenfranchising exercise. concerns, including accessibil- the chair of the review. Wales Route Supervisory Board and a non-executive premise that privatisation was based on a no- the whole industry from this process is probably Its members will help to ensure the review The review’s remit does not ity and the needs of freight and growth scenario. dangerous as the cure may well be worse than director of the Development Bank of Wales include the infrastructure and industry. thinks “bravely and creatively” and that its Roger Marsh OBE chair of Leeds City Region Railfuture is not (at least here), speculating why this the problem. Challenge is good but it must be services that should be provided It should consider how to growth has occurred. It could be argued that the informed. recommendations can deliver the stability and Enterprise Partnership improvements that passengers deserve. by the railway. improve transport services structure of the industry is crucial or that economic We will use our established contacts to help the The published list of members of the challenge Dr Alice Maynard CBE Transport for London It will not reconsider public across the regions and devolved growth, which is directly correlated to ridership, is review focus on delivery of a bigger, better railway panel is: board member and the former chair of Scope, the investment decisions made nations, including exploring more significant. in Britain which is actually Railfuture’s remit. Dick Fearn chair of Network Rail’s Western Route disability equality charity through existing franchise agree- options for devolution of rail Growth has occurred, the pips are squeaking and We will also continue to keep our members briefed Supervisory Board Tony Poulter non executive board member at the ments, Control Period 6 commit- powers. the industry needs to gear itself up to cater for on progress with the exercise and our engagement Tom Harris former Labour transport minister DfT and Chair of the East Coast Partnership ments, and other It should engage with key stake- significant growth. with it. major projects, or spending deci- holders including industry 6 railwatch December 2018 Twitter: @railwatch www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ You can join the Railfuture lottery at www.railfuture.org.uk/lottery railwatch December 2018 7 Your views Democratic failure The empty stock could then run 1994 I discovered a letter from forward a further three miles to Eight bikes on each him in Railwatch complaining As many Railwatch readers the fully signalled Woodborough about the construction of the will know, the Minehead Rail Down sidings where it could train for the future Channel Tunnel – asking “who is Link Group is campaigning for reverse – and run a return going to use this?” the restoration of a proper train service. In his latest letter concerning service between Taunton and The cost of this – one extra train babies’ buggies on trains, he Minehead, by extending some and crew – would still maintain continues to view rail travel in a Picture: PAUL ABELL Picture: PAUL of Great Western’s Cardiff- ABELL Picture: PAUL the hourly Bedwyn service pessimistic manner. Taunton services over the West pattern as well as introducing a Somerset Railway to Minehead. If he wants to charge extra new hourly service to Pewsey. for buggies would he think it We have regular friendly This could be easily achieved reasonable that anyone who is meetings with both the WSR once electric trains run to Picture: ELEANOR KING larger than average pay more as and GWR and at the suggestion Newbury and further class they are taking up more space of GWR management we wrote 165/166 diesel multiple unit on a train? to Transport Secretary Chris trains are released. Alternatively Grayling in June to request a What about a tax on luggage, a five-car class 800 bimode train as this takes up a lot of room, short informal meeting with him could be used. or one of his team to explore or briefcases, or even laptops ways forward. It would also save Network which take up space on tables? Rail the cost of extending the We received neither a reply Melrose station waiting for On a positive note, if Mr turnback siding at Bedwyn for Mickleburgh cares to visit nor an acknowledgement, the five-car bimodes. so wrote to him again. We Scotland I am sure he will find extension It has also been suggested that received neither a reply nor an Cyclists could benefit more positivity about railways. a further extension to terminate Allison Cosgrove, Chair, Railfuture acknowledgement. When the Borders Railway reopened in 2015, Tweedbank from the European station was tantalisingly close to Melrose – about two at Westbury would be possible. Scotland, East Linton EH40 3BN We tried a third time in July, Parliament’s approval on Kilmarnock station for active travel miles. There have been more than 4 million journeys since Westbury, however, is 20 miles [email protected] this time copying in the Prime beyond Pewsey and would 15 November of the Rail the Borders Railway reopened but people who want to visit Passengers Rights Bill. Rail campaigners visited the Active Travel Hub at Minister’s Office and our local mean Great Western investing Back to the car? Kilmarnock station in October to learn about their work MP, Ian Liddell-Grainger. Yet Melrose have to cycle for 15 minutes or walk for about 40 Once the Bill is adopted minutes. The bus service is not a regular pattern. The people in three extra trains to maintain to create a healthier, greener future. The Hub says it is again we received no reply or an hourly service. I think that is by the European Council I wonder how Tim Mickleburgh of Melrose and their many tourist visitors (Melrose Abbey is the ruling will require all passionate about encouraging people to walk and cycle acknowledgement from Grayling, unlikely. expects parents with young and use in East Ayshire using the station the Prime Minister’s Office or just one of the attractions) have been without a rail service Martin James, Egham, Surrey new or refurbished trains children to travel if he does not since 1969. Ironically the Melrose bypass occupies some of the in Europe to carry at least as a jumping-off point. Volunteers help things happen on from our MP. [email protected] think they should be on trains. a daily basis, assisting with organised rides and walks or former trackbed. In its 2017 briefing, the Campaign for Borders eight cycles. Still determined to engage with It does not take a great leap attending community events. somebody in Government we Rail recommended that outline engineering studies should Bedwyn potential If it applies to Britain, of imagination to realise that if be carried out for Melrose, Newtown St Boswells, Hawick and it will be welcomed by buggies are not welcome on One visitor commented: “Absolutely over the moon with wrote a fourth time – this time by the superb build-a-bike service at the Hub. Such lovely recorded delivery – to Grayling, Longtown to confirm and safeguard the line of route. A great deal of effort is going cyclists. An unhealthy public transport, parents will go into electrifying the Berks and liaison between the back to cars, and the children friendly and helpful staff, plus a super volunteer-built bikes the PM’s Office and Ian Liddell- Railfuture Scotland news: Page 21 for my children’s Christmas. The bikes were also police Grainger in September, but to Hants line as far as Newbury, Department for Transport, will grow up into yet another car- leaving the trains terminating at train operators and train dependent generation. security tagged. I simply would not have managed it on my date still have received neither own and cannot thank them enough. They were fantastic!” acknowledgement nor reply from Bedwyn to run the last few miles builders has allowed Given that childcare is still any of them. on diesel power. The turnback many new trains to be disproportionately done by at Bedwyn is being altered to introduced into Britain women, Mr Mickleburgh’s letter sector of the travelling public. Although legislation might be Is this a record for Government accommodate new rolling stock. without proper facilities arrogance and apathy or is there also has an undercurrent of Ann Hindley, Crowle, North required, Railfuture might wish It would seem that now would for cycles. Some of Great discrimination. Lincolnshire DN17 4EX to make a start by campaigning somebody out there who has Western Railway’s new had an even worse experience be an ideal time to extend the Eleanor King, Hackney, London for British Airways, easyJet and

Picture: PAUL ABELL Picture: PAUL Hitachi Intercity Express in trying to contact Mr Grayling service beyond Bedwyn to either [email protected] Rail plus-plus Flybe to offer through discounted Marlborough or Devizes or to Trains have only two rail add-ons for rail-connected and his colleagues? I would be spaces (pictured above), For many years in Germany interested to hear! reopen Savernake and Patney No room for women? airports which they all serve. stations as park and ride stops with the cycle having and elsewhere rail passengers Nigel Perkins, Cumberland Park, Incidentally, it has been for Marlborough and Devizes to be hung from hooks In the same edition of Railwatch have benefited from discounted London W3 6SY suggested that we would be respectively. – a difficult operation as we have information on the rail fares to and from major [email protected] better off writing to the Labour for some cyclists. It is Female Railway Workers of The population of Bedwyn airports, when combined with air shadow transport spokesman, also very difficult to the World War II and Wendy is only 1,353 as compared tickets. In Britain there are only because people say that by the fit bikes with straight Thorne talking about changing to Marlborough’s 8,400 and a few examples of this sensible time Mr Grayling gets round to handlebars into the the member profile, we also Devizes’ 11,700. Although practice. Pass it on replying the present government space, which happens to have a letter advocating making TWEEDBANK STATION: A party of visitors from the Bedwyn is used as a “drive to” As the United Nations Panel of will probably be out of office and be a convenient place for charges for buggies on trains. The best way to recycle railhead, the bus service from Scientists has recently reported replaced by Labour. Association of Community Rail Partnerships inspected staff to park their catering Railwatch is to pass it on to a Tweedbank station in October Marlborough is poor for those Despite advances in that we need to reduce our friend who may be interested David Latimer, Publicity Officer, trolleys! responsibility sharing within without cars. An extended carbon footprint drastically in the in railways and tempted to Minehead Rail Link Group. households, the majority of next 15 years, this would seem [email protected] service could terminate at a new join Railfuture. Coventry. The WCML was very as its nearest railway station. He station on the edge of Devizes, would need to be extended people with buggies are women to be a good time for introducing Trent torment busy long before Virgin took asked me to check on train times or go through to Westbury, to Westbury to give Pewsey and they have as much right to such an initiative. over its running, yet this did not but I had no idea that a main in the process enhancing the a good service. The Devizes/ train travel as wheelchair users While we should also be I was interested to read the stop CrossCountry services (for line station could be so poorly Pewsey service and improving Lavington area also needs and people with bulky luggage. reducing the number of short- letters (Railwatch 157) from example Norwich-Birmingham) served. westbound connectivity for all better rail services but if We are unlikely to encourage haul flights within the UK women to join our organisation Graham Nulty and Donald from running in and out of Trent stations on the Berks and Hants the hourly Bedwyn service and Europe, we also need to On weekdays there are frequent while attitudes such as this are Payne about the current track Valley station. gaps of two-hours-plus and there line. What do others think? were extended to Westbury, encourage more sustainable Stuart Nicholls, Pulborough, West held by existing members. layout at Nuneaton Trent Valley Tim Mickleburgh, Boulevard is even one gap of four hours in it would certainly give better means of transport to and from station. Sussex RH20 2QA Space for buggies on trains is airports. Avenue, Grimsby DN31 2JP the up direction between 10.19 [email protected] connections to the West of Network Rail’s 2004 project, [email protected] and 14.23. Surely this cannot be England. an equality issue. Families with With the benefit of modern altering the connection across described as a service? I have Martin Smith of Railfuture small children need to be able computer software programs the , was a Poorly Pewsey always been taught, however, Thames Valley comments: Yes to buggies to use public transport and need it should not be difficult to link short-sighted action, precluding that if you identify a problem, you Bedwyn serves as a railhead support to do so. airline ticketing systems with later developments such as A friend contacted me recently suggest a solution. My solution for Marlborough but Pewsey What a pity that Mr Mickleburgh We should be campaigning for the UK rail ticketing system in that now suggested for a direct about a property he has just would be to extend the Bedwyn falls within the area of Wessex shows such negativity towards better facilities for everyone on the same way that this is linked More letters: Page 18 service between Leicester and purchased which shows Pewsey trains nine miles to Pewsey. branch. The Bedwyn service rail matters. From as far back as trains and not penalising one in with local bus operators. 8 railwatch December 2018 Twitter: @railwatch www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Egypt and Sudan have agreed to build a 380 mile rail link between the two countries railwatch December 2018 9 the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline, Severnside which was introduced by the Department Wessex for Transport in March as a means of funding [email protected] rail schemes from a range of sources. Our [email protected] What is the future for black gold? n nRail passengers who choose to walk response, welcoming the strategy, suggested n nTouch too soon for smart travel Heritage railways generally use Walking is the most popular way to get to a that a regular service from Taunton to the WSR It is fair to say that the Victorians built an entire steam locomotives to haul trains, railway station for those who live within a one- could be a candidate for pipeline funding as it national railway network in less time than it which are their unique selling mile radius. That was one of the facts revealed would meet at least two of the required criteria, has taken to roll out smart card technology point, attracting visitors anxious by Robert Crockford when he addressed keeping people and goods moving smoothly across public transport in Britain. When South to relive memories or to soak Railfuture Severnside’s September meeting in and safely while offering better journeys and Western Railway began promoting its Touch Gloucester. Robert is now involved with the opportunities for the future. card earlier this year, one of our members was up some of the magic of what campaign to reopen Stonehouse (Bristol Road) encouraged to give it a try for his long-distance was seen as the golden age of

n nDouble Ashchurch train service now! Picture: MIKE DUNSE station, but drawing on his earlier experience commute, only to find that journeys to obscure ­railways. working with British Rail Southern Region he Tewkesbury Borough Council was reported in destinations like … er … Waterloo were yet to In reality steam locomotives are said that on average 70% of rail travellers get October to be considering a plan for 8,000 new be covered by the scheme. SWR can give only a costly to run, have relatively to their station by sustainable means (walk, homes at Ashchurch, which would more than vague indication as to when coverage of its own poor availability and need a cycle, public transport). Robert also explained double the population in four phases over the network will be universal, and has no idea at all unique set of skills from both rail trip generation. Comparing recorded rail coming decades. 3,180 homes could be built about journeys that involve other operators. It driver and fireman to make them journeys per head of population for different by 2031 if the plan is approved. One of the would appear that seamless travel with a single work properly. towns and counties, he noted the extremely factors influencing the location is the existence smart card is forever just beyond our reach. Nevertheless, they are a core part high trip generation for Bath, where tourism of Ashchurch for Tewkesbury station. Both n nUpgraded trains fail the inter-city test of the offer to visitors and they was a major factor. By contrast, train journeys Railfuture and Ashchurch, Tewkesbury & District motivate many of the volunteers per head in Gloucestershire and rural Somerset Rail Promotion Group believe the station needs Refurbishment of SWR’s class 444 and 450 who are proud to acquire the skill were relatively low, possibly reflecting service the current service improved immediately from Desiro trains is under way. Completion was set needed to operate them, and frequencies no better than hourly. a train every two hours to a train every hour at originally promised for the end of 2018 but in the right hands, and properly maybe it is better to have it done properly than n nIs light rail best choice for Portishead? least. maintained, they are relatively done on time! Work has also begun to upgrade reliable. Light rail should be considered to reduce the n nImagine a footbridge back at Pilning the class 442 Wessex electric trains so they can cost of reopening the Portishead line. That be brought back into use on the Portsmouth Over 800 steam locomotives Pilning Station User Group has released a new is what West of England Mayor Tim Bowles line. The 442 programme will be completed remain in Britain of which over suggested to Transport Secretary Chris song and video to mark the second anniversary in two phases, the first focusing on renewing half are working or serviceable, Grayling, according to a Western Daily Press of losing the station footbridge, rendering the interiors and the second on replacement of the remainder requiring major report in October. Railfuture is concerned station one-direction-only (towards Bristol). The traction equipment, which dates back to the restoration or overhaul. that, far from being a pragmatic solution song, inspired by John Lennon’s Imagine, can be 1960s. Meanwhile, class 159 diesel trains on the Steam locomotives are fired by to cost inflation on MetroWest Phase 1, the heard at www.pilningstation.uk West of England route are being successively hand, using around a tonne of suggestion is likely to increase costs and delay www.railfuture.org.uk/Severnside Branch taken out of service for modifications to comply coal for 30 miles of running with reopening of the line because light rail vehicles Twitter @RailfutureSSide with disability requirements. This has led to a train carrying 250 passengers. would have to be specially built and the line short formations and overcrowding, prompting Coal is usually the largest single A former Somerset & Dorset locomotive is coaled and watered at Minehead on the West Somerset Railway electrified. a widely circulated apology from the operator. cost item for a heritage railway Yorkshire Unsuitable class 158 diesel trains are still the n nRail should play a bigger role in Bristol apart from staff costs, represent- mainstay of Great Western Railway’s hourly ing typically 20% of operating health and environmental bene- Positive aims of Bristol City Council’s draft n nHarrogate wins LNER pledge service between and the Solent costs and 10% of total costs for fits of this approach”. A Heritage transport strategy, such as better health, Brian Dunsby of Harrogate Line Supporters area, and all we are promised for the future the railway. Fuels Alliance has been formed public transport integration and reduced lorry Group met with LNER’s commercial director are hand-me-down Turbo trains in a 3+2 car to represent the interests of all and van traffic, were welcomed by Railfuture There is a strong financial Suzanne Donnelly in October to discuss delays formation. Yes, these will provide extra seats to incentive on railway operators heritage users of coal as well as Severnside. But we expressed concern that to the launch of the new Azuma trains being alleviate overcrowding, but they are not going railways – steamships, steam the strategy underestimates the potential to reduce smoke from steam built by Hitachi for the . She to deliver an inter-city ambience on a route engines, as this represents cars and lorries, traction engines contribution of rail in a city which already linking no fewer than seven cities: Portsmouth, assured him that LNER is fully committed to unburnt coal and is inefficient site near , which network for coal will disappear, and stationary boilers. has 12 stations, with more in prospect. We Southampton, Salisbury, Bath, Bristol, Newport operating the extra direct services to Harrogate in producing steam as well is ideal, as the Great Western particularly following the restric- The All-Party Parliamentary believe there is a compelling case for a station and Bradford every two hours, as planned by and Cardiff. and transport hub at Ashton Gate, where as attracting complaints from fireboxes were designed to burn tions proposed on the burning of Group on Heritage Rail is plan- LNER’s predecessor Virgin Trains East Coast, n nPlanning ahead for a reliable future neighbours. Welsh coal. coal in homes. ning to hold an inquiry into coal a developer proposes to build a basketball although the start date is still uncertain. arena and hotel complex close to the football Sir Michael Holden’s recently published Coal with a high sulphur content But this supply depends on the The issue is currently being con- supplies as it is so important to stadium. We are not convinced that the n nHeritage railway features on TV performance review of the South Western is not used because of the corro- coal continuing to be needed for sidered by the Department for the future of heritage lines. strategy’s suggested underground system The heritage Wensleydale Railway is expected network examines in great detail the causes of sion it causes to the locomotive’s Aberthaw power station, and Environment, Food and Rural The law of unintended conse- using rubber-tyred vehicles is deliverable and to feature in two TV programmes next year. the significant decline in service reliability over firebox and boiler tubes. the operation is unsustainable Affairs, which has been carry- quences has come into play as view it as a distraction from investment in General manager Richard Brown has been the past decade or so. It is reported that track Good quality British steam coal for the small quantities of coal ing out a public consultation a result of some well-intended Bristol’s existing rail network. We also oppose interviewed for a BBC2 series called The Dales and signalling renewals have been allowed is more expensive than imported required by steam locomotives on “cleaner domestic burning environmental legislation. of solid fuels and wood” which the Callington Road Link, which is intended to with Paul Rose and the line featured in an to slip, while “organisational turbulence” has coal but is more efficient and gen- (26,000 tonnes a year). Another regulatory stumbling closed on 12 October. The con- free up space on the A4 for bus Amazing Spaces Channel 4 programme. led to poor managerial oversight of day-to- erally produces lower emissions.­ One alternative may be to buy block is being put in front of heri- towards Bath, duplicating a MetroWest rail sultation was about domestic day operations. The analysis shows that the from suppliers to other coun- tage railways, putting additional route. On the credit side, the strategy has a n n£15m Doncaster ‘high cubes’ upgrade worst performing routes are those passing Coal supplies are a downstream coal burning rather than trans- tries including India and China, strains on the dedicated group proposal for light freight to arrive by passenger through our Wessex area to Exeter, Weymouth product from the electricity sup- port, but the loss of British mines Upgrading the Doncaster-Immingham line which are still building coal-fired of volunteers who work to keep train for onward distribution by sustainable and Portsmouth. A flyover at Woking and ply industry, and railways use would be a problem for heritage to accommodate high cube containers on power stations. steam alive and keep the heritage modes. We asked the council to pursue this normal freight wagons at a cost of £15 million track remodelling at Salisbury are especially the large lumps mined, whereas steam, and there are concerns trains running. idea with passenger and freight operators. is now under way. The project is being led mentioned as key to achieving better power stations typically require The problem here will be that over the statement in question performance, and we welcome the suggestion small coal and dust as their fur- apart from the loss of remaining 17 of the consultation that “gov- Where will it all end up? I will n nSomerset hopes for a better rail service by Network Rail with support from North Lincolnshire Council and Humber local that the bay platform track at Fareham should naces are fed by conveyor belt. British opencast sites, the whole ernment is minded to apply this report back when a clearer pic- Railfuture Severnside also responded to enterprise partnership. The project involves 29 be reconnected at the Portsmouth end to allow With Government plans to phase management and distribution to all businesses because of the ture emerges. Somerset County Council’s draft transport interventions, including alterations to station through working. The findings of this 114-page out coal-fired power stations by strategy, which has numerous aspirations for platforms. report should keep South Western Railway and 2024, future supplies for heri- Heritage railway bids for cash to link up with national rail at Taunton rail services in the county, a major advance Network Rail busy for years to come! tage railways are uncertain, as n nStation access improved on the non-committal approach of its 2011 the heritage railway requirement The West Somerset Railway has submitted a season. This follows a visit in October by Office Future Transport Policy. Key elements include n nPortsmouth for Wessex 2019 AGM Work is now under way at Hebden Bridge to represents a very small fraction bid to Great Western Railway’s customer and of Rail and Road inspectors who recommended a improving the resilience of the rail network, make the station fully accessible to people of Plans for the Railfuture Wessex 2018 AGM had of that used by the power sta- communities fund to support the running of number of changes. No improvement notice was including development of the Castle Cary- reduced mobility. New lifts are being installed to be rescheduled at the last minute because tions and other major users, such a Taunton-Bishops Lydeard rail shuttle next issued, however, and a full service of seasonal Yeovil-Exeter diversionary route, station in the shafts of the old goods lifts at this of the Beast from the East. We hope for better as steel works. improvements and support and advice for summer to improve its links with the national trains will run during December. Grade 2 listed station. Signalling of Bradford- weather for our 2019 AGM, which is booked for The remaining British coal mines local campaigns to reopen stations and Saturday 6 April in Portsmouth. network. Todmorden was transferred to the York control would not be able to sustain pro- WSR chairman Jon Jones-Pratt, in a letter lines including the introduction of main line centre in October, increasing the line’s capacity. www.railfuture.org.uk/Wessex+Branch duction just for the heritage sec- The WSR has also decided to extend its normal to volunteers, said: “We all need to support passenger services on to the West Somerset Twitter @RailfutureWessx tor. Railways such as the West winter closure by 17 days for engineering work these improvements in order to operate a safe, Railway. What is less clear is how the aspirations www.railfuture.org.uk/Yorkshire+Branch and an overhaul of its safety management professionally run railway which is now expected can be delivered. The strategy mentions Twitter: @RailfutureYorks Somerset are proud to burn coal from the Ffos y Fran opencast documentation prior to reopening for the 2019 by the regulators in the modern era.” 10 railwatch December 2018 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Greece is rebuilding and electrifying the 70-mile Kiato to Patras line railwatch December 2018 11 Campaigner RAILFUTURE READING CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 2018 Rail User of the Year Car park levy could be invested in public transport By Wendy Thorne Group [email protected] Railfuture’s Reading confer- In recognition of the dedication ence was opened by Mayor and achievements of Railfuture Debs Edwards with a ringing Awards volunteers we will be presenting the inaugural award for endorsement of rail’s contribu- Campaigner of the Year at the 2019 tuon to the importance of the Best website AGM in Cardiff. town but also to her family who Great Western Coffee Shop, The award will be presented after use trains to go to work and to a virtual rail user group at the formal business is concluded visit people all over the country. www.firstgreatwestern.info/ and will be followed by lunch and She said she was proud of the Pictures: PETER TRAVIS coffeeshop and a forum an opportunity to network. beautiful new Reading station hosted by a GWR customer. So, do you know someone who which has the backing of 94% of has contributed to the success passengers in a survey. Best newsletter of Railfuture? Someone who has Track Record from the gone the “extra mile”? The council’s deputy leader Huddersfield Penistone Perhaps they have raised the Tony Page was equally enthu- Sheffield Rail Users’ profile of Railfuture on key issues siastic about rail, which he said Association. or started a successful campaign in was key to providing for the their local area. people who would be mov- Best new group We will require a written statement ing into the 16,000 new homes The Oliver Lovell Award of no more than 500 words which will be built in the town UPBEAT: Reading mayor AIRPORT ACCESS: Network The South East Wales and identifying how the nominee has in the next 10 years. Debs Edwards opened Rail’s Anna Holbrook said West of England Business Link contributed to Railfuture’s mission www.sewweb.info/ to be the number one advocate The council was enthusiastic the conference with an that Bristol Parkway will for rail users and the rail industry about raising more money for enthusiastic endorsement of be within one hour from to develop the connectivity of and how they have enhanced public transport and had con- rail: ‘Our railway system is once the a corridor via Bristol between Railfuture’s campaigning for a sidered a congestion charge, tremendous’ western rail link is built LUNCH BREAK: Network Rail’s electric power expert Jill Poyton talks informally about the Great Newport and Weston-super- Mare. bigger, better railway. but neighbouring councils Western scheme with Railfuture Severnside’s Nigel Bray and Railfuture director Roger Blake l Nominations may be made by were reluctant to cooperate and town, other than ­bringing cars Best campaign any Railfuture member the Department for Transport in. That is our strategy for the lAll Railfuture members are The Hastings & Rother Rail refused to provide any funding next 20 years. If every car that London-Cardiff is ‘big ticket’ item of GWR electrification Users’ Alliance (Ore Transport eligible to be nominated came in to Reading was elec- l for road charging. Some of the complications of Bristol Parkway section, is a pantograph to avoid excessive Group, MarshLink Action You may nominate yourself tric, it would improve air qual- lThe deadline for nominations to So the council was now consid- electrifying the Great Western key element because it will wear on one part of it. When Group, Three Oaks and ity but Reading would still be Winchelsea Action on Rail be received is 01 March 2019 ering a workplace car park levy. main line were explained by allow trains to run at 125mph, bridges have to be lowered to congested. We need sustainable Transport, St Leonards & For further details or to submit “Every penny raised from the Network Rail’s Jill Poyton. rather than 90mph. Further travel into Reading.” allow for the electric wires, it Hastings Rail Improvement a nomination please email workplace parking levy will be electrification is dependent on The electrification scheme had involves realigning track over a Programme, Bexhill Rail Action Membership Director, Wendy reinvested in public transport The council even had to per- funding being found, because to be re-phased following the four kilometre section. Group and the Normans Thorne at: improvements, possibly includ- suade the Government to Network Rail can no longer [email protected] Hendy review in 2015 when “we Sometimes negotiations were Bay Residents Association) ing light rail or a guided bus,” extend Crossrail from Maiden- had to step back and think what raise money independently as it is now subject to Government needed with four separate who negotiated with Govia he said. head to Reading. The new sta- we could actually deliver”. It was borrowing limits. One of the Thameslink Railway an It could raise £8 million a year tion at Reading Green Park, on decided to concentrate on the landowners at each corner of the AGM notice benefits of the current scheme is innovative timetable solution and could be used for an East the line to Basingstoke, which London-Cardiff section, the “big bridge.On occasions, National new style catenary which differs to the proposed split of the Notice is hereby given that the 15th Reading mass transit scheme opens next year would have Grid had to be asked to raise the annual general meeting of Railfuture ticket” item. from the East Coast main line through Brighton-Ashford which would involve dedicated been built without canopies if height of domestic power cables Ltd (formerly known as the Railway That means Bath, Box Tunnel by having a “reduced electrical service at Hastings. bus and cycle lanes. the council had not intervened. being carried across the track. Development Society Ltd) will be and Bristol Temple Meads are footprint” and which should Only Nottingham has been The new station is unusual in Best campaigner held at The Sport Wales National still waiting for electrification. simplify future maintenance. And in Box Tunnel, eight types Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff brave enough to use powers that it has one platform in Read- The Clara Zilahi Award of bat have been found, two of CF11 9SW on Saturday 18 May 2019. granted to councils to raise ing and one in West Berkshire. SUCCESS: Danny Woodward But the associated upgrade In addition, there are many other Graham Collett, co-vice- The formal AGM will start at 11.00. funds from car parking. Mr The council is already planning of the Chinnor and Princes scheme now under way, four- complications. The live wire which are extremely rare. The chair of Yorkshire branch, Nominations for election to the board Page said: “We want to encour- to upgrade Tilehurst and Read- Risborough Railway which tracking the Filton Bank on has to be adjusted to sweep track has been lowered but there for his lead on behalf of of directors must be sent to Railfuture age every way of coming into ing West stations. restored a main line link the Bristol Temple Meads to from side to side across the are no electric wires yet . . . Railfuture in responses to two Returning Officer, 12 Valley View, important consultations by Great Bourton, Banbury OX17 1QJ the Office of Rail and Road, to arrive by Friday 1 February 2019. on improving assisted travel, Nomination forms can be obtained and on the impact of the May from the same address or from the Railfuture website www.railfuture. Crossrail sends land values soaring timetable on Northern and org.uk/elections. TransPennine services and New railways generally send land Heathrow Airport junction. Once their passengers. Election and AGM paperwork, values soaring, said Crossrail’s Crossrail opens as the Elizabeth including a booking form for Judges’ Special Award the optional buffet lunch, will operations director Howard Smith. line, Romford route control centre be produced for the printer by That was seen as a major benefit will handle the central section but Acknowledging the growing 28 February 2019 and should be when work on Crossrail started but when trains emerge from the tunnel role of preserved and heritage received by members around mid- now the line is also expected to at Stratford they will be signalled by operations for integration March. provide opportunities to solve the Liverpool Street. with main line operations, a Motions for discussion at the AGM housing crisis. At the western end, Didcot will double award this year. must be sent to the Company The existence of three different control the trains. 1. The Chinnor and Princes Secretary, 24 Chedworth Place, signalling systems has been blamed Despite these complications, once Risborough Railway for Tattingstone, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 2ND for the delay in Crossrail opening. it opens, the central section alone restoring their link into the to arrive by Saturday The all-new central section uses will deliver major improvements to Chiltern Railways mainline 4 May 2019. They should be posted station. in typed format or emailed to communications-based train London travellers. It is expected [email protected]. control, while National Rail normally that Farringdon station, for example, 2. Pat Marshall of West Coast Railways, working with local By order of the board, L Butler, uses the Train Protection Warning will overtake Clapham Junction Company Secretary. System. as the busiest station in Britain. It MP Tim Farron, for the special More info about the AGM: However the European Train Control will be one of the most important loco-hauled train service for www.railfuture.org.uk/conferences/ System “overlays” the traditional connection stations on the British Windermere in June. signalling between Paddington and rail network. ALL LINED UP AND NOWHERE TO GO (YET): New Crossrail trains at Old Oak Common depot

12 railwatch December 2018 Twitter: @railwatch www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Join Railfuture online at www.railfuture.org.uk/join railwatch December 2018 13 Thames Valley North East European Passenger Group THE CAMPAIGN FOR RAIL FREIGHT [email protected] [email protected] n nSetback for Bourne End campaign n nMorpeth station enjoys new facilities Magnificent assets in need of an upgrade Passengers travelling between Marlow and To match the promised increase in its long- Maidenhead will continue having to change distance train services, Morpeth station’s trains at Bourne End. Network Rail has decided buildings are to be restored, with a café and a not to reinstate the chord from platform 2 new booking office among the facilities. Office to the Marlow branch which would have space to let will also be part of the Greater allowed through running. Railfuture and its Morpeth Development Trust’s scheme. On the affiliate the Marlow-Maidenhead Passengers’ north-bound platform an extra waiting-shelter Association have for long been pressing for has been provided, nearer to where standard the remodelling of the track layout at Bourne class coaches usually stop. End, to permit a half-hourly service of through n n trains avoiding the need to change at Bourne Rail is key to Lynemouth development EUROPE BY TRAIN: (from left) Ian Brown, HIGH AND MIGHTY: Culloden viaduct on the largely single-track near Inverness Picture: Klaus with K/Wikimedia End. GWR managing director Mark Hopwood Harworth Estates is planning to redevelop 254 Christina Maier, Jerry Alderson and Martin Kojinkov at Utrecht in October has said that if the remodelling project did not acres of land formerly occupied by a coal mine By Lee Davies need to be learned from the Bor- coke from Woodhouse to the rail- of freight transported by rail cuts proceed, he would consider introducing a two and a coal-fired power station, as well as the By Ian Brown [email protected] ders Railway where cutbacks to head at Pow Beck Valley, south of carbon emissions by 76%. aluminium smelter at Lynemouth. The planning trains per hour service involving a change at Railfuture’s European Passenger Group has had Failure to provide effective the original design have created Mirehouse. The extension runs through a Bourne End. But he agrees with Railfuture that application includes industrial uses, residential two recent meetings. The first was a full EPG upgrades on the Highland main long single track sections lead- Australian-owned West Cum- former council-run waste facil- it is unreasonable to expect Marlow passengers, plots and a seaside holiday park. To serve all held on 5 October in Peterborough. EPG is a line between Perth and Inverness ing to poor performance. The bria Mining is seeking planning ity which will be made safe and who have already lost through peak trains from these needs, a “protected railhead” is in place. subgroup of Railfuture’s Passenger Group with is economic and environmental Scottish Government now needs Biomass trains from Tyne Dock now serve the permission for its Woodhouse landscaped. The scheme, part Bourne End to Paddington, to have to change terms of reference focused on two areas. The madness, it is claimed. to deliver on its promises with of the Great North Rail Project, twice to get to London. power station, but the spur would have to be Colliery project from Cumbria first is evaluating best practice to strengthen The largely single-track line serious investment made in the began in March 2018 and will be A study into reopening the line from Bourne upgraded to play a proper role in the site’s County Council. Railfuture’s arguments when campaigning for which goes through Pitlochry, railway to ensure there is a level completed in April next year. End to High Wycombe has produced a redevelopment. The line could be part of a It applied in May 2017 and a bigger, better railway in Britain, particularly Blair Atholl, Aviemore and playing field between road and benefit to cost ratio of only 2.06. If the revived Ashington, Blyth and Tyne rail network. is hoping for a decision early in comparing fares, passenger facilities and Culloden (and includes Drui- rail.” James Dean, chief operating idea for reinstating the line for heavy rail is next year. The mine is expected n nHorden station planned for 2020 information. The other role, supporting Ian Budd from the Friends of the officer at Network Rail, said: considered marginal, perhaps light rail should muachdar pass) needs more to be productive for 50 years. Railfuture’s Passenger Group, is to campaign double track and electrification , said: “The High- “Freight trains play an impor- be considered as a viable alternative. The line The planning application for a new station for improved links to and from Britain and The company says signalling tant role in the operations of UK and car park at Horden has been submitted to make it competitive. land main line is key to the whole from Maidenhead to Marlow and eventually mainland Europe essentially by contacts regional rail network. Slow improvements would be needed PLC.” to High Wycombe could be operated as a self- to Durham County Council. This new Durham with Eurostar and the European Passengers Only four minutes have been to cope with extra trains on the Coast station could open as planned in 2020. cut from the rail journey over journey times and unreliability Thinking bigger contained system. Federation. between Perth and Inverness Cumbrian Coast line. The Peterborough meeting focused on a 10-year period, instead of a n nEast West Rail ground works start n nCrossCountry franchise confusion have a knock-on impact and dis- Network Rail is contributing maximising potential benefits from newly planned 35 minutes at a time Longer trains £750,000 and the Tees Valley Railfuture Thames Valley welcomes the start The sudden abandonment of the CrossCountry when the parallel A9 road has courage people from switching established senior level relationships with from car to train. Network Rail is investing Combined Authority £250,000 of work on the ground to restore the western franchise competition in September, amid the Eurostar and on providing competent input seen £3 billion improvements. announcement of the Government’s review of £18 million to lengthen freight to fund a study into increasing section of between Bicester, to the EPF. We can provide extremely useful “Everyone wants to see fewer “Rail travellers are entitled to see rail franchising, has dismayed campaigners in sidings in Buxton, Derbyshire, clearances for larger containers Bletchley and Bedford, but we are concerned customer feedback to Eurostar and indeed 44-tonne trucks on the A9,” the Scottish Government deliver Teesside and Sunderland. Tees Valley Combined to speed up the transportation to be carried between Northaller- that the specification seems to have been contribute to EPF given the intense interest in said Rail Freight Group’s David on its manifesto promises and Authority had high hopes for new direct cross- of construction materials from ton, on the East Coast main line, downgraded. Transport Secretary Chris the UK rail scene at the moment with industry Spaven, “but the current very make the step-change improve- country services. Despite the uncertainty, nearby quarries. and Eaglescliffe, near Stockton- Grayling has boasted about commuter services changes and Brexit. limited upgrade to the Highland ments. What we have at the however, user group Coastliners and others on-Tees. between Oxford and Milton Keynes, but there is International travel from Britain is catered for main line offers little or nothing moment in no way equates with Extending the sidings by 430 continue to refine wish-lists, based on what no mention of using the line for CrossCountry by new booking systems including the Man for rail freight. the government’s stated trans- metres will allow freight trains to Tesco trains was submitted to the Department for Transport services (for example, between Northampton in Seat 61, Loco2 and the rapidly developing port policy.” be lengthened from 18 to 26 wag- Eddie Stobart has announced the earlier. Campaigners have been encouraged by “Indeed the worry now is that and Bristol), nor for container trains from DB website, now including more information The groups urge doubling and ons, allowing up to 2,500 tonnes launch of its first ever train - ser at least one Teesside MP preparing to lobby for rather than freight shifting from Southampton avoiding Birmingham. We do not on travel from Britain. Paper leaflets are less electrification of the Highland of materials on each train. vice from Tilbury, Essex, to the the changes we want to see. road to rail – the Scottish Gov- want to see an Oxford-Cambridge “Expressway” useful now as travel and ticketing information is main line as part of the Scottish Having longer trains helps cre- Tesco site in Daventry, and then road and question whether building one ernment’s policy objective – we n nUnstaffed ticket machines available in seconds online. will see the loss of existing rail Government’s newly started ate a cleaner environment, as on to Mossend in Scotland. Each million new homes in the Oxford-Cambridge Railfuture is not a sales outlet for international Ticket machines have been installed at traffics, as the A9 gets faster and Strategic Transport Projects Review. each freight train takes 76 lor- train can cope with between 30 arc should be seen as justification for building rail travel but campaigns for better information unstaffed Coast line stations, including Seaham, the single-track railway becomes The original review, which ries off the road and each tonne and 36 containers. an Expressway road which would encourage to foster increased travel into Britain, which Seaton Carew, Billingham and Stockton-on- increasingly congested. That is reported in December 2008, con- more car use and pollution, undermining hopes is important because of the complexity of ADVERTISEMENT Tees, but only cards, not cash can be used economic and environmental cluded that investment in the for a more sustainable option of development Britain’s rail structure. We will be producing a in them. Advance tickets cannot be bought, madness. We need longer cross- Highland main line should be based on expanding public transport and comprehensive guide for inward travel, with although pre-booked tickets can be collected. ing loops, so that freight trains one of the three investment pri- encouraging walking and cycling. a view to linking to travel websites such as We believe it will reveal that many long-distance 40% longer than at present can orities for the country. Interrail and Eurail. n nOxford Parkway gets cars off the road journeys start or finish at small, local stations. compete much more effectively Two EPG members met Eurail Group’ s This should give us ammunition to campaign for with road hauliers.” Coast to coast coal The opening of Oxford Parkway station has management team in Utrecht in October to more through trains to Teesside. encouraged a switch away from car use to discuss cooperation on Interrail, as well as Ten years ago the Scottish Gov- Six coal trains a day could be operating from Whitehaven, public transport. About 10% of the station’s n nDunston celebrates its survival potentially providing Railfuture advice on rail ernment pledged to slash rail passengers would have used their cars if the journey times from Inverness to Cumbria, to Teesside if planning Dunston station, between Newcastle Central travel in Britain to Interrail and Eurail customers. station did not exist, according to a report in Our common interest is market growth, in and Glasgow. permission is given next year for the Oxford Mail. Three years after the station and Metrocentre, has had a chequered past, an under-sea mining operation. but is now used by more passengers than Railfuture’s case attracting more members Paul Tetlaw, of Transform Scot- opened, seven million trips have been made by providing more member benefits and land, the sustainable transport Developers of the project on on the new line with 2.5 million using Parkway. ever. Local people have organised a centenary the Cumbrian coast have prom- celebration for January in Dunston Activity information. alliance, said: “A decade later the It is estimated that 250,000 car journeys have ised to use trains exclusively to Centre, near the station. The original Dunston- The EPG needs to connect with and rail journey remains on average been avoided. Bicester Village station has been deliver high quality coking coal on-Tyne station opened in 1909. It closed understand the market for international rail, around three and a half hours used by 4.5 million passengers. It is concluded to Redcar for use in steel making briefly in 1918, reopening almost at once, but and we are looking for new members with an – yet A9 journeys are getting that major economic benefits have been noted and for export. then closed again in 1926. However, once the understanding of the needs of today’s travellers faster and faster as road dualling from this “landmark improvement to regional and familiar with social media, as distinct from advances. The public were told The aim is to extract 3.2 million transport”. Newcastle-Carlisle line was re-routed after Scotswood bridge closed in 1982, Dunston wanting to recreate an earlier age. We are that there would be additional tonnes per annum and process www.railfuture.org.uk/Thames Valley Branch therefore looking to attract more diversity into Twitter @RailfutureTV was on a passenger rather than a freight route, rail passing loops and double- it at the former Marchon chemi- enabling the reopening of the station in 1984. the EPG, younger people, women and people tracking, but all that is being cal site near Woodhouse before www.railfuture.org.uk/North East Branch from different ethnic backgrounds. Please let delivered is resignalling of two taking it by train to Redcar Bulk Twitter @RailfutureNEast us know if you would like to join us. You can be crossing loops. Terminal which is able to accom- assured of a warm welcome. “With no additional track it is modate 80,000 tonne ships. More information: www.railfuture.org.uk/ display1864 highly likely we will see more It plans to use existing colliery r Ian Brown CBE FCILT is chair of Railfuture’s delays and cancellations as tunnels to mine the coal and to European Passenger Group more trains are squeezed on to build a two-mile long under- the single track railway. Lessons ground conveyor belt to take the 14 railwatch December 2018 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Rail User Express can be downloaded from www.railfuture.org.uk railwatch December 2018 15 Rewards for imagination and innovation

The annual community rail awards took place in Scotland for the first time this year. The event in Glasgow on 4 Octo- ber was hosted by Scotrail, with awards presented by managing director Alex Hynes. This year was the biggest awards event ever, and was supported by 23 organisations, including Scotrail. The Community Rail Awards has successfully established itself as a major event in the rail indus- try calendar and is highly pro- fessional in its organisation and promotion. No fewer than 180 entries were received this year in 13 catego- identified by STORM’s chairman Richard ries and 38 awards were made, Cymru Wales North West Greenwood. The new roof over platforms 1, 2 generally providing three levels and the Metrolink platforms brings no benefit in each category. [email protected] [email protected] to platforms 3-6. Because they are underneath I was privileged to be a judge this the section with the Arena, they are dark, SUN, SEA AND SAND IN THE CITY: Birmingham New Street concourse is transformed into a n nMetro & Me launched in Cardiff n nHS3 worries in Rochdale and Oldham year and was blown away by the have no toilet or refreshment facilities and are quality and imagination of each Welsh beach for the day, to promote the Cambrian lines and the Great Little Trains of Wales. The impact of the planned South Wales Metro Passengers in the Rochdale and Oldham areas affected by exhaust fumes from idling diesel entry. All were worthy of rec- This was one of the worthy winners at the Community Rail Awards ceremony in Glasgow was the subject of a report launched in Cardiff have inadequate rail services already and are trains. The extraction system has little effect on ognition, and here I can pick out in October. Metro and Me (see graphic strip likely to miss out on the benefits from future the diesel fumes. only a few of my favourites. above), produced by Cardiff University school rail expansion. Campaigners representing Richard’s letter in the Manchester Evening CRP, the Swanage Railway and Amazingly, the award for small of geography and planning, examines how passengers using Littleborough, Mills Hill News attracted a lot of interest with one South Western Railway for the projects is for those under £500 the Metro will improve regional planning, and Castleton stations are worried that HS3 correspondent suggesting that the rail unions innovative SWR summer Satur- (and you do not get much on the housing, economic development, design, planners are fixated on the benefits of building should take an interest because trains with day service between Salisbury railway for that price these days). green infrastructure and culture. As well as a high speed line as a way of speeding up engines running in stations are a health and Corfe Castle, connecting Who would not like the winner running the next Wales and Borders franchise, journeys between the cities. They believe the hazard to train and station staff as well as and with steam trains to Swanage, a in this category, the Friends of KeolisAmey will design and build the next planners are not taking sufficient notice of the passengers. great example of what partner- Ally Pally station, who decided phase of the Metro, including electrification existing demand for travel from intermediate ships can achieve. n nNorthern’s recovery plan stumbles to grow hops on platform one greatest contribution to commu- engineering blockade affecting of the core Valley Lines. First Minister Carwyn stations, let alone their future potential. The and then enjoy the beer in the nity rail. the line. Third prize went to the Avocet Jones confirmed that £119 million of European criticisms come from rail user group Support Hopes that most of Northern’s rail services Line Rail Users Group for its pub next door! This recognises their work over Positive change Union funding has been secured for the Metro The Oldham-Rochdale-Manchester, known by would be reinstated in October were dashed. solar-powered poster cases at St project. its acronym STORM. Cancellations and delays continued on the In the category of quirky proj- 10 years, including this year a The most varied category was James Park and Polsloe Bridge Kirkby and Ormskirk lines, and on Blackburn- major mural at Montpelier sta- n nLooking after the Borders STORM’s doubts centre on the promotional ects was a knitting circle at Nun- “Influencing Positive Change” in Exeter, allowing passengers to approach from HS3, , Southport services. The Ormskirk Preston thorpe station on the Whitby tion which has effectively dealt with an amazing diversity read the train times after dark. The big news for Wales was the launch in Rail North and Transport for the North. Southport Travellers Association is worried line, with a knitted tableau of the with the previous endemic prob- of entries. First prize went to October of rail services. See Volunteering STORM believes there may be insufficient that Northern and Transport for the North royal wedding, complete with lem of graffiti. Women in Community Rail, back page for a fuller report. are not getting their acts together. Tuesday demand for a new fast service with three or corgis! for the work they had done in The award for the movement’s The improvements proposed by Transport for 2 October was a re-run of the meltdown that Second prize went to the part- four trains an hour between Leeds, Bradford encouraging a better gender bal- outstanding volunteer was Wales exceed those in Railfuture’s Development occurred in May. On the Southport line, the Best community partnership nership for the work they had and Manchester. By contrast, stations in Greater ance, attracting young people, deservedly won by Neil Wil- Plan for Wales and the Borders. For example, first Manchester Victoria service was cancelled Severnside Community Rail done with Cotham school in a Manchester where considerable housing practical mentoring and promot- liams, chairman of Friends of there will be an extra two-hourly service from and the 07.17 to Manchester Piccadilly was Partnership, based in Bristol, video clip for social media pro- Glossop station, a lively group Cardiff to Liverpool, additional trains between development is currently taking place within reduced to two cars, with standing passengers scooped most awards this year duced by pupils explaining how ing best practice. walking distance of the station are being who promote and look after their Shrewsbury and Crewe and a new service from at Burscough and no one able to board from including the award for the to make journeys during a major Second prize was for Purbeck station and have links with many Wrexham to Liverpool. There will be additional ignored. Littleborough still has to suffer a Appley Bridge onwards. The evening peak was meagre two trains an hour off-peak service, other station adoption groups locomotive-hauled services with newer stock, no better, with the 17.19, the busiest service across the north of England. with Chester station getting the second biggest despite the passenger numbers justifying at from Piccadilly, formed of a two-car Pacer, so least three trains an hour, based on Transport Respect and congratulations for Chris’s winning ways Indeed, these extend as far as spend after Cardiff Central. no one was able to board at Deansgate and Lowestoft, reflecting the wartime In Wales there is concern about the large for Greater Manchester guidelines. Patronage beyond. The reasons given for delays and between Littleborough and Smithy Bridge Railfuture’s Chris Austin was presented with Authority. Chris joined the ACoRP board in link between the two when many amount of spending in the Cardiff valleys with cancellations are “ongoing problems of driver the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual 2009, always giving his knowledge and wisdom evacuee children from Lowestoft much lower spending elsewhere. A major towards Manchester is higher than the total and train shortages” . Manchester-bound figures for Todmorden, Association of Community Rail Partnerships freely within community rail circles. were brought by train to Glos- promise is improved Sunday services but these OPSTA’s chair Alan Fantom predicts continuing Community Rail Awards gala dinner in sop. Gardening, poster and leaf- have yet to be negotiated with Network Rail Hebden Bridge and Halifax added together. He has done much to bridge the gap between problems with Northern services and he is Glasgow in October, for his contribution to the let distribution and cleaning are and with the TfW rail staff. Mills Hill is the second busiest unstaffed station worried that TfN’s assessment of the situation community rail and heritage rail by active community rail movement. all part of the regular activities of in Greater Manchester and serves areas with is at odds with the still frequent cancellations, involvement in both sectors, being chair of n nRail franchise and Metro scrutiny expanding residential development in Oldham this group at the end of the for- station skipping and lengthy delays. He is Chris was a key figure from the very early the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust and mer Woodhead route. The ’s economy, and Rochdale, but still gets a mere two trains worried by the implication that two-car trains years of the community rail movement. He secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group infrastructure and skills committee in per hour. Six, soon to be seven, trains an hour are accepted as the norm. He questions what joined British Rail in 1967, initially working on Heritage Railways. He is also the author of Brief Encounters on the provided a rare November invited the Cabinet Secretary for pass through Mills Hill and Castleton, but only TfN agreed with Northern, speculates about on project planning including the Salisbury two well-respected and well-researched railway opportunity to see live theatre in Economy and Transport and Transport for Wales two stop. Castleton has the largest planned the management of the franchise and believes area resignalling scheme. By the time of rail books. to discuss the new rail franchise and contract. and potential residential development of any Northern did not have adequate resources remote communities, with per- privatisation in 1994, he was parliamentary Jools Townsend, chief executive of ACoRP, Railfuture will ensure that it is involved in place served by the Calder Valley line. STORM in October. Northern announced that it was affairs manager. formance times arranged around consultations on both future timetable asks whether Transport for Greater Manchester said: “Congratulations to Chris Austin OBE the railway timetable, allowing expecting a cascade of diesel trains from He became aware of the novel idea of consultation and new train design. really mean it when they say they support three Scotland – but not until December. More class for his tireless work in advocating on behalf of people from nearby stations to community rail being promoted by activists in off-peak trains an hour for Littleborough and 769 Flex bimode units are expected – but not the community rail movement. The efforts of enjoy the performance as well. www.railfuturewales.org.uk Mills Hill. How is it that Rail North will not agree until January. the North of England, led by Paul Salveson, and Chris and all our winners show how important Finally, and very much to my Twitter @RailfutureWales to any such improvements? was successful in getting the Strategic Railway community rail is, connecting local people surprise, the ACoRP lifetime www.railfuture.org.uk/North West Branch Authority and politicians to promote the concept. with their railways and building happier, achievement award for commu- n nDiesel pollution in Manchester Victoria Twitter @RailfutureNWest He led the first consultation on the Community more inclusive and sustainable communities. nity rail support and encourag- Problems with the refurbishment of Rail Development Strategy, which at the time Community rail work often goes unsung, but ing links with heritage railways Manchester Victoria station have been attracted a massive response to the Strategic Rail awareness and involvement is on the increase.” went to your correspondent. 16 railwatch December 2018 Twitter: @railwatch www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Please remember Railfuture in your will: www.railfuture.org.uk/legacies railwatch December 2018 17 Your views Railfuture in the media By Bruce Williamson Wasteful bimodes [email protected] I am responding to Trevor So far this year has been a good Garrod’s letter “Electric future” one for getting Railfuture’s mes- in Railwatch 157. Bimode sage and name out there. trains seem to me to be By mid-October, we had

an extraordinary waste of achieved as many appearances PUGH Picture: MATT resources. It would be more in the media as we had in the sensible to buy electric trains Picture: ROGER BLAKE whole of last year, on average

and use diesel locomotives to Picture: RICHARD CRANE once every other day. haul them over non-electrified Of course, the timetable chaos sections. in May and June generated a lot Why are train operating of interest in the railways, with companies so reluctant to couple as many as seven separate inter- and uncouple locomotives views being given on just one nowadays? Now that we have day, but there have been many automatic couplings, it is much First step to sitting more comfortably other topics as well, including easier than it used to be. I write further to Paul Abell’s article “Are you sitting comfortably?” in fares, overcrowding, electrifica- Maintaining a multitude of Railwatch 157. My photo shows how to travel in less discomfort on tion and re-nationalisation. underfloor engines must be the Department for Transport-specified Thameslink Desiro City class The second week in October costly and a nightmare for the 700 trains. Always head for the rear of the train to find tables, power was particularly busy, with two BUSY: Bruce Williamson people who do it. There is also sockets, and a better class of ironing board seat! separate appearances on UK- the cooling problem. It is all right Roger Blake, London [email protected] wide television on the same day, on our website where you can with a 300 hp engine but a as well as appearances on LBC, see and hear our interviews for 750 hp engine is pushing against Radio Wales, Radio Scotland yourself by typing “Railfuture the physical limits. to serve the new Cambridge trains being introduced shortly, and Scottish TV. We keep track in the news” into your favourite There just is not enough space DIESEL POWER PACK: Vivarail’s class 230 was Transport for Wales rail service. Meanwhile a South station. From Bedford, how will they cope with double- of all our media appearances search engine. to provide adequate radiator operating trial runs on the Bedford-Bletchley battery version of the class 230 was offering EWR could enter Biggleswade length trainloads plus the likely area. We have already had line in October, but a planned December date free trips on the Bo’ness and Kinneil heritage from the north, and turn east massive increase in traffic from ISSN 0267-5943 www.railwatch.org.uk some cases of bimode trains for introduction on to regular services has railway in Scotland in October as part of its before the Greensand ridge into the new housing development failing because of engines the Cam Valley. across the road? railwatch been postponed until the new year. The train test-running programme. Bill Reeve, director of is edited by Ray King, 4 Christchurch Square, London E9 7HU overheating in hot weather. has an “easily removable” modular diesel rail for Transport Scotland, said: “The Scottish The Hitchin corridor was Fortunately Wembley Stadium Tel: 020 8985 8548 [email protected] Rex Hora, Reading RG6 1EJ engine which is designed to be simple to Government’s programme for 2017-18 included discounted because of its limited station was purpose-built for Printed by Print-Out, High Street, Histon, Cambridge CB4 4JD [email protected] maintain. The former London District line train a commitment to trial hybrid self-powered big crowds but many of the capacity, and the problem of Tel: 01223 232709. Railfuture members receive ­Railwatch free. has thus been given a new lease of life, at a trains.” Vivarail’s Adrian Shooter said: “I have accommodating the varied trains that stop there are only Let’s be realistic time when train operators have complained long admired the stance and political will of the stopping, semi-fast and non- two or three cars long. The Railwatch abides by the National Union of Journalists’ code of conduct. that a shortage of diesel trains prevents Scottish Government to reduce emissions in risk here is that during the Ian Brown’s reference to the stop trains over the twin-track Non-members can subscribe online at www.railfuture.org.uk/shop or by them expanding services on branch and towns and cities.” evening peaks, these trains will Northern and Thameslink line. That could be overcome sending £8 (cheque payable to Railfuture) to: Alan Cocker, 11 Derwent secondary lines. Next year five of Vivarail’s INSET: The charging point for passengers’ be packed at Marylebone with timetable fiasco in May is fair but by running EWR west of the Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QR. class 230 trains should also be operating phones, a facility difficult to find in the new an influx of new homegoing does not attempt to apportion Hitchin line and joining it north of on the Wrexham-Bidston line as part of the Thameslink class 700 trains. Foxton. Wembley commuters, leaving Copy deadlines: For the next issue, published in March/April, please blame. no room for those returning to email ­material as early as possible to [email protected] A short link to EWR from north Now the dust has settled it short-platformed stations such Late copy: Friday 1 February. Emergency late news: Up to Friday 15 Feb- Coast main line? Collectively Biggleswade station urgently no bus operator would be has become apparent that the of Royston would then resolve as the Sudburys who have no ruary. Postal address: 4 Christchurch Square, London E9 7HU. Northern and TransPennine Birmingham, Manchester, needs a multi-storey car park, interested in serving a new rail another intractable problem, alternative services they can Advertising: Full page: £190. Half page: £95. Quarter page: £45. timetables, hastily produced by Liverpool and Glasgow are much and also disabled access to station in the middle of nowhere. that of Foxton level crossing, use. Small ads are free to members. Otherwise: 30p per word. Network Rail, are far from ideal. more populous than Leeds, every platform. But where is the The “Sandy corridor” could be where trains cross the A10 trunk Newcastle and Edinburgh. money to be found? EWR could anywhere between Biggleswade road at up to 90mph. As well This issue has been raised with Please report any problems with the delivery or condition of your copy of For example, turnaround Chiltern Railways, but again they With its various alignments be the answer. Any interchange and St Neots. Both have well as removing the source of the Railwatch to [email protected] or to the E9 7HU address above. times at Manchester Airport have no plans to address the and branches, the WCML station with the East Coast main established bus links, but the problem at Foxton, the loop thus and at Scarborough are about problem, seemingly hoping that also provides good services line will need a comprehensive problem with EWR going as far created would also allow semi- Railfuture 10 minutes which provides people will trek the considerable to places such as Coventry, public transport network, but north as St Neots would be how fast and non-stop trains to pass insufficient recovery time in distance to Wembley Park rather is independent and voluntary. Railfuture Ltd is a not-for-profit company Wolverhampton, Stoke, Chester, stopping services and freight the event of disruption on the than using the station which sits limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales No 05011634. Preston, Carlisle and Edinburgh. trains. trans-Pennine route. Delays directly below their balconies. ­Registered Office: 24 Chedworth Place, Tattingstone, Suffolk IP9 2ND. The ECML, on the other hand, are often caused by scheduling The EWR Central section needs In both cases, one can see through the Ordsall Chord makes little or no attempt to Join a holistic solution. My proposal major problems arising unless Media enquiries which may work in theory but serve Bradford, Huddersfield, Get four copies of Railwatch magazine a year, early-bird ticks all the boxes. something is done to tackle Bruce Williamson, 29 Granby Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4LT. in practice frequently does not. Hull, Grimsby, Middlesbrough or discount for our annual national conference Roger Smith, Meppershall, them in advance. Tel: 0117 9272954 Mobile: 07759 557389 I cannot help feeling sorry for Sunderland. and the chance to help improve Britain’s railways Shefford, Beds SG17 5LX Graham Larkbey, Carr Road, Email: [email protected] the operators who are now These major cities and YOU CAN JOIN AT www.railfuture.org.uk/join [email protected] London E17 5ER being blamed for an unreliable towns are surrendered to [email protected] Membership £18 per year. Pensioners, n Individual £18 per year service, when the cause lies open-access operators while Planning for growth students and unwaged: £14. Joint: £20. n Joint £20 further up the line. They need Leicester, Nottingham, Derby Does the railway plan sufficiently Railwatch welcomes User groups, community and parish councils: £21. Businesses: £35 and Sheffield are served by a n Pensioners, students and unwaged £14 realistic, rather than theoretical, n for major new housing You can join using PayPal via www.railfuture.org.uk or by post, please timetables. I believe Lord Reith different franchise. Leeds and Rail user groups, community and parish councils £21 articles and pictures n Businesses £35 developments? That question ­contact Railfuture Membership, 1 Queens Road, Barnetby le Wold (of BBC fame) said that if you Newcastle are not the only cities comes to mind in respect of two from rail users and DN38 6JH. Email: [email protected] want a good public service in Yorkshire and the North East. particular London locations, rail user groups do not let the Government LNER and HS2 planners please Name ...... alongside the stations at Send your material to: The anywhere near it. take note. Blackhorse Road and Wembley Renewals and other membership queries: Address ...... Editor, 4 Christchurch Square, Roger Hand, Stoke St Gregory, Peter Zemroch, Ellesmere Port Stadium. London E9 7HU Use PayPal on the website or send a cheque to Taunton TA3 6EW Railfuture Renewals, 24 Chedworth Place, ­Tattingstone, Suffolk IP9 2ND. Blackhorse Road Overground Email: [email protected] [email protected] East West option ...... Postcode ...... Email: [email protected] station has narrow steps and Please use email if possible narrow platforms, which even but include your postal Forgotten cities It seems that a route for the Email ...... Elections Board elections held annually. Nomination forms can be Central section of East-West now struggle to cope in rush address. Postal and email obtained from www.railfuture.org.uk/Elections Send to addresses may be published Why is the West Coast main Rail from Bedford to Cambridge Railfuture, 1 Queens Road, Barnetby le Wold DN38 6JH hours with two-car trainloads. Many other useful contact details can be found on the Cheques payable to Railfuture. Email: [email protected] unless writers specifically ask Who’s Who line more successful financially will not now be mooted until Yet there are no plans to widen for them to be excluded. ­Railfuture website: www.railfuture.org.uk than the beleaguered East the New Year. Meanwhile, them and with new four-car 18 railwatch December 2018 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ European Rail Timetable available at http://www.europeanrailtimetable.eu railwatch December 2018 19 Can the Midlands star rise in the east? Scotland By Ariadne Tampion [email protected] [email protected] n n In Railwatch 157 Railfuture West Ferry failure leads to more lorries on Scotland’s roads Midlands chair Colin Major The -Zeebrugge ferry was withdrawn after a fire on one of the reported on the launch of the DFDS ships. DFDS explained that it had given up hope of making the report Our Routes to Growth from route financially viable. Scottish freight customers had apparently regional transport agency Mid- been finding it cheaper to send lorries down to ferry ports in the lands Connect. north of England. One would have thought that sending freight by Picture: ALLISON COSGROVE lorry rather than sea is against transport economics, especially as This companion article looks at road haulage is subsidised by not being charged the full cost that the work of Midlands Connect lorries impose upon the network. Rather than level the playing field from the point of view of the East by subsidising more environmentally friendly rail freight, the British Midlands. Government and the Office of Rail and Road have increased rail freight Midlands Connect aims to secure access charges where they are competing against road. In other statutory sub-national transport words, the Government has knowingly loaded the dice in favour of body status in 2020. This will road transport. Why? give it direct control of funds which it can allocate to its own n nRail potential rejected as developer cash goes to roads priorities, rather than having to The Clydesdale village of Law, on the West Coast main line in Dumfries station must have one of the most magnificent make repeated pitches to a Gov- Lanarkshire, has campaigned for the return of its railway station gardens in Scotland, enhanced in this picture by the luxury ernment with many competing since Law station closed in the 1960s. There are now plans to build train, The Royal Scotsman. The station itself boasts baskets agendas. hundreds of houses, which will lead to increased commuting to of beautiful flowers and a window of historical photos In Railfuture East Midlands we Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is disappointing that South Lanarkshire n nBorders link options for Tweedbank Council has now ceased to insist upon a developer contribution certainly wish it well with that The Campaign for Borders Rail is supporting proposals to extend the aim! We have been impressed by towards public transport, but plans to use the money to widen roads instead. line from Tweedbank to Hawick and then on to Carlisle. There is also its insistence on evidence-based a proposal to connect Tweedbank with the East Coast main line at research to back up proposed n nDark days for the campaign to reopen stations in the East Berwick-upon-Tweed, which would mean Borders passengers would transport schemes, and by the On the evening of Storm Ali, dark clouds formed over Reston Village be able to travel south to Newcastle upon Tyne and York without apparently boundless energy having to travel north to Edinburgh. Overcrowding is now common of Midlands Connect director Hall where RAGES (Rail Action Group, East of Scotland) members were gathered, hoping to hear that the promised new stations at on the Borders Railway between Edinburgh and Tweedbank which Maria ­Machancoses. KEY CAMPAIGNERS: From left, Railfuture’s Steve Jones, Colin Major, Ariadne Tampion, David reopened in 2015. 4.1 million journeys have been recorded since the Harby and David Bill, who is also a councillor for Hinckley and Bosworth, at Curzon Street, Reston and East Linton would be completed within Network Rail’s We were able to welcome Andrew Control Period 6, that is by March 2024. Unfortunately neither the line reopened. Pritchard, a member of the Mid- Birmingham. They represent Railfuture’s East and West Midlands and Lincolnshire branches reports submitted by Transport Scotland and Network Rail nor the n nAllander could benefit from Milngavie doubling lands Connect project team, to local MSP Paul Wheelhouse could give any indication of when these give an excellent ­presentation at stations, originally scheduled to open in 2016, would finally come into Scottish Green Party Railfuture East Midlands 2018 existence. “The reports were completely anodyne and told us nothing MSP Ross Greer, pictured AGM. new,” said RAGES chair Tom Thorburn. “Our group has been put off left, is backing East Dunbartonshire Council’s We are encouraged by Midlands continually over the years by requirements to carry out numerous campaign to double Connect’s intentions to improve studies into the restoration of our stations, and we feel we are playing Glasgow’s busy line east-west rail links, downgraded pass-the-parcel with each successive transport minister.” between Westerton and by the Beeching programme. n nSt Andrews is hoping for positive news from STAG Milngavie, which could

The reinstatement of a Leices- Picture: BRIAN MORRISON Following the award from the Local Rail Development Fund, the lead to a new station ter-Coventry through service is initial part of the assessment is proceeding under the Scottish opening at Allander. The something for which we have Transport Appraisal Guide (STAG) process. The assessment by Peter current single track layout campaigned ever since it was KEY PERSON: causes continual delays to Maria Machancoses Brett Associates and entitled “The Case for Change” is expected to be discontinued in the 1990s. produced at the end of April, just four months away. In the meantime, commuter trains. We are delighted Midlands Con- the layout of the Dynamic Tri- StARLink ( Rail Link) continues to participate in the n nRail prospects boosted around Aberdeen nect is developing a business case angle of the East Midlands cities Rail Forum and is planning a suitable commemoration of the 50th for extra services on the Derby- anniversary of the last train into St Andrews on 4 January 1969. Kintore station is expected to reopen in December next year, after of Leicester, Derby and Notting- work, expected to start in January, on doubling the track between Stoke-Crewe corridor, which will ham, and that of the Summer Tri- beautifully complement our own n nFive-mile rail link that could transform Levenmouth Dyce and Inverurie. This follows doubling between Aberdeen and angle of Altair, Deneb and Vega. KEY LOCATION: East Midlands Parkway station “Inter-City Kitty” campaign (see An interim report into restoring a train service to Levenmouth, Dyce. Nestrans, the regional transport partnership, is also considering pages 4-5). That does not mean the East carried out by Peter Brett Associates, has been completed after 1,000 reopening Dyce-Ellon, with a possible future extension to Peterhead Midlands is well-starred for rail ­destinations, agricultural areas, a good night out in a town or city and Fraserburgh: We hope these initiatives will local people responded to the consultation. PBA is carrying out investment. On the contrary, the and a popular location for logis- to the south of one’s home, but counterbalance the current Lon- the Levenmouth Transport Assessment at the behest of Transport East Midlands rail network has tics operations, given the central not from one to the north. Contacts: don-centric ethos of our national Scotland. Levenmouth Rail Campaign is anxiously awaiting the final been starved of funding, and position of the region within Our biggest disappointment of Rail Action Group, East of Scotland (RAGES): www.rages.org.uk/ rail network. England. The attractive market report which is expected to be completed soon. Levenmouth has subjected to a string of broken all in Our Routes to Growth is the a population of 37,600 and is the largest urban area in Scotland Beattock Station Action Group: www.beattockstationactiongroup.org.uk/ towns offer an perfect middle However, our big concern is that, promises. The cancellation of total lack of any mention of the not directly served by rail, despite the presence of a five-mile-long from the point of view of the East lifestyle choice to their residents. St Andrews Rail Link campaign (StARLink): electrification reinstatement of passenger ser- mothballed line between Thornton (on the Fife Circle line) and Leven. www.starlink-campaign.org.uk/ facebook.com/StARLinkCampaign Midlands, it may be replaced by northwards from Kettering via More important for the people vices on the National Forest Line a Birmingham-centric ethos. Leicester is a recent high-profile of the East Midlands than good between Leicester and Burton n nFive-minute rail ride beats Portobello’s 20-minute buses LevenMouth Rail Campaign: The report describes aims to dou- example. links with Birmingham and Lon- upon Trent. We believe this line Unfortunately Capital Rail Action Group’s application to the Local Rail www.lmrc-action.org.uk/ facebook.com/LevenmouthRail/ ble the number of trains between Key to people’s prosperity and don are good links within the has the potential both to pro- Development Fund for a study into reopening Portobello station was Capital Rail Action Group (CRAG): www.capitalrail.org.uk/ Leicester and Birmingham via well-being is the ability to get region itself, for it can provide vide a badly needed local facil- unsuccessful, on the grounds that only rail was being proposed as a Newburgh Train Station campaign: Nuneaton and reinstate the direct around their local areas eas- most of what they need. ity to the communities along it, way to improve journey times to the city centre. A train would take http://newburghtrainstation.org.uk/ Leicester-Coventry service. ily. The East Midlands cities are At the moment these links leave and to play a strategic role in the just five minutes to reach the centre of Edinburgh from Portobello, while buses take 25 minutes. To a rail campaigner it looks obvious that Forth Rail Link (-Kincardine-): “This would bring 211,000 more small in comparison to London a lot to be desired. The issues are national network. www.forthraillink.com facebook.com/forthraillink/ or Birmingham, but together road solutions are unacceptable. people in Leicestershire within mostly nationally commonplace So while we see many causes for Thornhill Station Action Group: they form a significant centre of an hour of Birmingham, and ones, of services with inadequate optimism with regard to Mid- n nVerdict soon on three reopened stations for Dumfries [email protected] www.thornhillstation.co.uk/ population with a great diver- 161,000 more people within rolling stock, or that stop early lands Connect, including the New stations at Beattock (on the West Coast main line), Thornhill and sity of activities: manufacturing, an hour of Coventry,” says the in the evening, or do not run on involvement of Leicester’s rail East Riggs (both on the Glasgow and South Western route through Bonnybridge Railway Campaign: report. But we do not want the commerce, the arts, sport, and a Sundays. But one particular bug- enthusiast City Mayor, Sir Peter Dumfries), are being considered in a stage 3 assessment under the http://bonnybridgerailway.scot www.facebook.com/bonnybridgerailway plan to empty Leicester! wide choice of universities. bear, a direct result of the Lon- Soulsby, who opened the 2017 Scottish Transport Appraisal Guide process. The results are expected Campaign for Borders Rail: Readers in the habit of looking The counties surrounding them don-centric nature of national Railfuture Autumn Conference, shortly. http://www.campaignforbordersrail.org/ up into the sky may have noticed are more than dormitories rail services, is the way it is pos- we also see plenty of campaign- the uncanny similarity between for the cities. They are tourist sible to return home by rail from ing still to do. 20 railwatch December 2018 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Spain’s Extremadura region is demanding a high speed rail link to Madrid railwatch December 2018 21 Devon and Cornwall All the fun of the feest and no begging [email protected] By Bernard Marriott n nCulvert work to avert future flooding which sees it crossing over itself [email protected] at an interchange station, and Flood prevention work finally got under way this summer at Exeter’s The first of October saw the start Cowley Bridge Junction, which is where the Taunton and Barnstaple lines then completing the circuit at the of the 33rd Railfuture members’ start of the loop. diverge. The railway was closed for three days in June for the installation trip overseas, this time to Leiden, of 24 hollow concrete rectangular culvert structures. Railfuture was the near Amsterdam, organised by We rode the loop and had the first to recommend work on the culverts, when the line flooded three the indefatigable Trevor Garrod. impression of a vast new town, times in quick succession at Cowley Bridge Junction in late 2012. very neat and looking at ease Most of us travelled mid-morn- with itself. n nWork planned for Whiteball Tunnel ing from St Pancras, changing at Picture: RAIL BUSINESS DAILY Picture: RAIL We stopped at Driemanspolder, Line closures are anticipated next year on the Exeter to Taunton line for Brussels and Rotterdam, while work on Whiteball Tunnel from mid February to 10 March. It is therefore one person crossed by sea from Pictures: BERNARD MARRIOTT and there we used the fabulous disappointing that Railfuture’s recommendation, to make the single track Harwich to Hook of Holland. cycle and foot bridge (Nelson Mandelabrug – a long walk to Honiton route an effective diversionary route for London Paddington Another tried the direct morning freedom?), which crossed two trains, has still not happened. New passing loops at Whimple and near 08.31 St Pancras-Amsterdam ser- tram lines, a local road, a slip Crewkerne are needed. vice, with stops at Brussels and road, a motorway, two railway n nDiversionary route needed following culvert collapse Rotterdam, a worthy competitor for the airlines. A LONG WALK: The bridge at Driemanspolder which crosses lines, a local dual carriageway, The necessity for the diversionary Exeter to Plymouth via Okehampton and two bus lanes. We avoided the fast Thalys to two tram lines, a local road, a slip road, a motorway, two railway line reopening was also demonstrated once again this autumn. On 14 lines, a local dual carriageway, and two bus lanes On we went to The Hague, a October the coastal route was closed all day, due to a collapsed culvert Rotterdam and used the joint Belgian-Dutch international city with more tram routes than creating a large hole under the tracks between Teignmouth and Newton bus routes. Centraal station is Abbot. train. While not as fast as the Thalys, it was more spacious. remarkable in having trams Culvert work in progress at Cowley Bridge Junction n nDawlish closed three times by high tides and storms or Metro on three levels. Local It is not possible to reserve seats trams run at street and concourse Strong winds and a 4.7 metre early morning tide at Dawlish on on Belgian and Dutch trains but, Great Western local stopping trains. There was a third complete closure level. 7 November led to the closure of the Exeter-Newton Abbot line from the next evening, for another high tide which coincided with strong to compensate, their trains are 03.30. The last service through was the westbound Night Riviera, running winds. The line reopened in time for the westbound Night Riviera, but generally lengthy with plenty Visualise now the mezzanine 49 minutes early from Exeter to beat the tide. It passed Dawlish at around unfortunately the train had already been cancelled from Paddington. of accommodation for all com- floor at London’s Liverpool 03.40 and used the landward bidirectional track between Dawlish Warren A week later, DevonLive reported that Network Rail’s David Lovell met ers, and provide a very pleasant Street station over the ticket bar- and Teignmouth. The 09.00 Penzance to Paddington Cornish Riviera Teignbridge councillors to explain that a £500 million plan was being environment. riers. Imagine that, instead of a was one of the first trains to run through later in the morning. From drawn up to realign the line at Holcombe Beach, near Dawlish, and to Leiden and Oktober Feest row of shops, you have a tram 16:30 the next day, the high tide at 18.58 resulted in a five-hour evening line and station. This gives a create a “wave return” to deflect energy away from the line and the cliffs. Leiden is on a par, at least pop- closure of the line to CrossCountry Voyager trains, plus cancellation of Funding , however, had not yet been identified. good idea of the layout at Cen- ulation-wise, with Watford, and traal. From the upper tram sta- PLATFORM PARTY: Members of Railfuture enjoy going Dutch we arrived as preparations were tion, go up another escalator, London & South East in full swing for the Oktober and you arrive at the Metro line Feest, an official city holiday, operator to another you have to Marc at Zoetermeer, rapidly get- which runs to Rotterdam. [email protected] n nBriefings keep Railfuture in the public eye which marks the relief of Leiden check out on the first operator’s ting the hang of checking in and n nRailfuture accepts plan to close Overground ticket offices Railfuture has contributed briefings to Network Rail, the Department from the Spanish siege of 1574. reader and check in on the next. out every time we changed bus Impressions City centre streets were closed to Railfuture responded to the proposal to close ticket offices at 51 for Transport, the Greater London Assembly’s budget and performance The chip card is invaluable for or tram. Overall my impression was one motor traffic with funfair stalls stations on the London Overground network. Railfuture accepted the committee, and Wealden District Council, as well as London TravelWatch. locals, but not convenient for Zoetermeer has grown from a of huge public expenditure on and rides everywhere. plan, while noting that operator Arriva Rail London has a contractual The main topics of interest for Railfuture were East-West Rail’s proposed tourists as you have to buy one small village of around 6,500 transport infrastructure and commitment to maintain full-time staffing at the stations which lose their Bicester-Bedford improvements, the future long-term funding of Our hotel overlooked the station initially for €7.50, have a €20 people in 1950 to a population of housing, all of which is in excel- ticket offices. We acknowledge that some Overground stations which Transport for London, and a council’s planned housing growth areas. You and the adjacent (this is not the deposit on it before travelling by around 125,000 now, the same as lent condition, and a country UK) bus station. I marvelled at train, and the card itself expires inhabited by a well-heeled popu- do not have a ticket office have seen a growth in passenger numbers. can read the Railfuture contributions at: Leiden, and slightly more than the way cyclists, moped riders, after four or five years. lation. The public consultation was carried out by London TravelWatch, the https://www.railfuture.org.uk/Consultation+responses half that of Milton Keynes. It statutory consumer body. Railfuture advocated that the closures should pedestrians and buses interacted Tourists usually buy individual is connected by tram with The One gauge of their success is that be delayed or reviewed in locations where two ticket offices are in close n nLondon venue for Thameslink passengers workshop without apparent problem. disposable cards which can be Hague. When the tram arrives it I did not spot anyone begging on proximity. Once one ticket office closes, use at another may increase Railfuture provided input to the Office of Rail and Road’s inquiry into the The bus station handles 100 bought at stations for train and begins a long anticlockwise loop the street. above the required threshold. Railfuture also pointed out that it is buses an hour and relies on the May timetable problems. The ORR has since published an interim report some tram journeys, and on the ADVERTISEMENT essential that vending machines offer the full range of tickets. You can slick national OV-chipkaart vehicle for bus and other tram read the Railfuture response in full at: and planned a workshop for Northern and Thameslink stakeholders ticket system which works for journeys. Various day tickets are https://www.railfuture.org.uk/display1879 to discuss the report’s findings – in Manchester. That may have been trains and buses. also available. RDS GROUP TRAVEL to BERLIN fine for Northern, but it was not convenient for Thameslink passengers. Chip card Dutch railway museum n nRailfuture welcomes Lea Valley line improvements Railfuture’s intervention secured an additional workshop in London. Angel Road station, on Greater Anglia’s Lea Valley line in Enfield, is OV stands for public transport I visited the Dutch national rail- Seven-day London’s least-used station. The weekdays-only peak-hours service n nMonthly update for Railfuture London & SE members and covers all forms of public way museum at Maliebaan, visit by high attracted an estimated 33,544 passengers in 2016/17. Railfuture supports Railfuture’s London and South East members can now subscribe (without transport in the Netherlands. It on the outskirts of Utrecht. An closure of Angel Road because the new Meridian Water station will cost) to a two-page monthly e-newsletter inter-railse which fills the gaps works in much the same way hourly shuttle from Utrecht Cen- speed train open in May only a few hundred metres away. Serving a major new as London’s Oyster card except between the eight-page quarterly newsletter posted to all members traal serves the museum which development of homes and jobs, it will host an additional, and all-day/ that you cannot use a contactless has, among others, two Beyer to Berlin with with Railwatch. Both can be viewed or downloaded from the branch every-day, half-hourly connection with Stratford, via a new third track to bank card as a substitute. Peacock locos from Manchester. optional day Tottenham Hale and the Railfuture-inspired new station at Lea Bridge, website.

On local (non rail) transport Most principal Dutch stations are Picture: DEUTSCHE BAHN opened by Rail Minister Claire Perry two years ago. Meridian Water is https://www.railfuture.org.uk/London+and+South+East there is a boarding fee, currently trip to Poland being built to accommodate a fourth track for . gated, and you need to use a chip Twitter: @RailfutureLSE €0.90, plus a distance fee, set by card to enter and leave. Journeys the individual operator. can be broken without formality. In Amsterdam you pay €0.155 Later we had the pleasure of Celebrating our successes at the 2019 Annual General Meeting per km, calculated every 50 meeting Marc Schram, a mem- By Wendy Thorne ­followed by outlining our plans for the future are available on a bed and breakfast basis. metres. If you change bus or ber of Rover, Railfuture’s Dutch [email protected] and the presentation of a new award. Further details will be sent to members in tram within 35 minutes you do equivalent. He advised us to get The Railfuture board is changing the format not pay the boarding fee again. After a lunch break there will be a short pre- due course. Tourist Day Tickets (a well kept of our AGMs and the next one, to be held in sentation and/or workshop on a topic to The aim of the changes is to allow members By train, you must start travel- secret in Leiden, sold only at the Cardiff on Saturday 18 May 2019, will be the ling within 30 minutes of check- tourist information office) and be confirmed. The rest of the day will then to celebrate Railfuture’s successes and those Wednesday to Wednesday 8 May to 15 May 2019 first to introduce these. be free for people to network or to make of our fellow volunteers in an uplifting day ing in, and must complete the join him for a look at transport The day will start with formal proceedings, their way home. The venue, Sport Wales, is that encourages further engagement. If you journey within six hours. aspects of The Hague. carrying out our legal obligations such as approximately a 20-minute walk from the have not attended a Railfuture AGM before On all forms of transport you Zoetermeer and The Hague Details from Trevor Garrod, 15 Clapham Road South, reviewing the annual accounts and announc- railway station along the riverside and has a then hopefully you will give May 2019 a try. must check in and check out and, The Day Ticket is not valid on Lowestoft NR32 1RQ [email protected] ing results of board elections. This will be café and restaurant as well as bedrooms that The board will be happy to welcome you. if you change from one train trains, so we went by bus to meet 22 railwatch December 2018 Twitter: @railfuture www.railfuture.org.uk ◆◆◆◆ Saudi Arabia opened its new Mecca-Medina high speed railway in October railwatch December 2018 23 Picture: ROWLAND PITTARD

BRAVE NEW WORLD: Transport for Wales was launched in October at with this proud boast – on a Pacer train Pace of change speeds up in Wales By Rowland Pittard over sections not electrified. sultation before a new timetable fruition and will not be achieved [email protected] New trains costing £800 million is issued. overnight. Transport for Wales Rail Services will be in service by the end of First Minister “However, when I talk to the took over running trains on Sun- 2023 and 95% of services will be talked of the historic and eco- drivers, the guards, the mainte- day 14 October. operated by new trains. nomic significance of the new nance crews or ticket hall staff The first TfW train was the The first aim is to remove the contract. across Wales I am always struck 02.17 Fishguard Harbour to two-car Pacer units next year by He said: “This is an important by their enthusiasm and their ­Carmarthen, a similar working obtaining nine four-car trimode moment for rail in Wales – belief in what our rail network to the first privatised train in the Flex trains, five Vivarail three-car indeed for devolution itself. Led can be in Wales. 1990s. class 230 trains and other diesel by Transport for Wales with our “We are lucky to have so many The official launch took place trains. New CAF Cavity bimode partners KeolisAmey this will be people, who come to work for next day at Pontypridd with First units will be assembled at New- the very first ‘made in Wales’ rail a service every day, genuinely Minister Carwyn Jones travelling port and there will also be new service, designed and delivered wanting to make it better – and on a Pacer train, with the TfW Stadler Flirt bimode tram-trains. by the Welsh Government. who see in it the potential for growth. We need to harness their black banner on its side, from All the new trains and services “The opportunity to redesign Cardiff Cathays. will be in place by Christmas ideas and make our railway the and repurpose our railway net- envy of the world.” The Wales and Borders franchise 2023. work in Wales is a once in a gen- “is delivered by” Transport for A large increase in services is eration opportunity and I am Speaking at an earlier event in Wales Rail Services. The trains planned for the Core Cardiff Val- confident that by 2023 it can be North Wales, Transport Secretary are operated by KeolisAmey. ley lines but elsewhere improve- the best passenger rail service in Ken Skates outlined some of the many improvements passengers Responsibility for infrastructure ments are small and some routes the UK. The chance to develop an can expect to see in the next few of the Core Valley routes to Car- will see no increase in weekday integrated transport system that weeks, months and years. diff Queen Street and services. This is of concern, par- encourages economic growth (from Treherbert, Aberdare, Mer- ticularly on routes west of Car- and better supports our public “With investment totalling thyr Tydfil and ) will diff and Llandudno Junction. services is supported across all almost £5 billion over the next transfer next year from Network A substantial increase in Sunday political parties, and the oppor- decade and a half, our network Rail to TfW. services is also promised. tunities to develop Metro sys- will be transformed.” The rest will remain with Net- When Arriva Trains Wales tems here in South East Wales, “£194 million will be put to work Rail, including Metro introduced their Standard Pat- in the North East and around improving the passenger experi- routes in South East Wales tern Timetable there was a 20% Swansea Bay are drawing atten- ences at our stations across the (, Vale of Glamorgan increase in services. Railfuture tion from across the globe.” Wales and Borders network. and Maesteg). Only the Core Val- Wales wants to see a similar He added: “It is important to “There is £738 million earmarked ley routes will be electrified and ambitious increase from TfW understand that our bold ambi- to modernise the central Metro there will be battery operation and has asked for extensive con- tions will take time to bring to lines, support the next phase of Metro and run more trains every hour. Transport for Wales rail ser- Long wait for London’s new electric trains vices will offer 600 new jobs and By Graham Larkbey Trains (which will eventually receive the whole 450 apprenticeships over the 15 It has been an annus horribilis for London’s fleet), causing the withdrawal of five peak- year lifespan of the contract.” Barking-Gospel Oak line passengers. Far hour crowdbuster services and putting further from enjoying the luxury of new four-car pressure on the remaining units. Network Rail electric trains from the beginning of the year finally granted approval for the new class 710 as promised, they have continued to endure electric units in October, following which driver the misery of peak hours crush-loaded on to training was scheduled to start in November increasingly unreliable two-car diesel units, with cancellations a daily occurrence and some with the trains being progressively introduced passengers unable to board. as they become available. For the line’s long- To make matters worse, one of those units had suffering users, they cannot arrive soon enough. to be transferred in June to West Midlands For updates see www.barking-gospeloak.org.uk