Week Review ~ 8th April 2015
As previously reported:
TFL take over some current AGA routes in May (Sun 31st). We aim to keep you updated, and this is the first stage - the routes. A summary:
- Liverpool Street to Shenfield Metro (As CrossRail)
- Liverpool Street to Chingford (As London Overground)
- Liverpool Street to Enfield Town (As London Overground)
- Romford to Upminster Branch (As London Overground)170's on a move to the South East.
Class 345s (CrossRail Stock) will eventually be running over CrossRail Services (built by Bombardier), & 378s over London Overground lines. Until then, CrossRail is getting 315818 to 315861 of the current AGA Class 315 fleet, whilst London Overground gains the remaining 17 (801-817). London Overground will also get some 317887 to 317892, plus 317/7s (all except 317722 (demonstrator), which stays with AbellioGreaterAnglia). The CrossRail stock will first enter service on the Liverpool Street to Shenfield stretch in May 2017, followed by Heathrow to Paddington a year later, then fully operating by December 2019. FleetLists will be made on here.
Class 170s headed from ScotRail, following acquisition. The first few are 170421/3. Mentioned in November
68007 now in ScotRail Saltire colours.
Andy also has some news for us:
- West Coast Railways were served a suspension notice which was effective from midnight, Easter Friday (3rd April.) The suspension from Network Rail comes after a steam excursion from Bristol Temple Meads to Southend, operated by WCR passed a signal at danger (SPAD) and stopped on a junction - a collision between this service and a First Great Western High Speed Train was missed by just under a minute. WCR has been given until May 15 to to have taken the required steps to meet the standard Safety Obligations - concerns were raised by Network Rail about recent Safety Obligations being met, and the recent events concludes that the operation of trains by West Coast Railways are a threat to the safety of the whole network. Some excursions have been cancelled and rearranged, while some may run with a different operator (for example DB Schenker.)
The 122- train order for Class 800's and 801's are as follows;
- 36 Class 800/0 five-car bi-mode sets for FGW.
- 21 Class 801/0 nine-car electric sets for FGW.
- 13 Class 800/1 nine-car bi-mode sets for VTEC.
- 10 Class 800/2 five-car bi-mode sets for VTEC.
- 12 Class 801/1 five-car electric sets for VTEC.
- 30 Class 801/2 nine-car electric sets for VTEC.
- Virgin, DRS and the The Rail Magazine are planning to run a second train on August 22nd to visit the Bournemouth Air Festival. The train will be named "The Bournemouth Flyer" with all proceeds going to Air Ambulance charities & the train is to be hauled by a pair of 37's ( expected to be 37 025 & 37 401) while a DRS 57 will be at the back of the train.
- Virgin Trains have struck a deal with the Nero Roasting Company to sell a new coffee brand on their train services - Aroma. Virgin's aim is to give customers better quality coffee without increasing costs - prices for the drinks will be between £1.95 - £2.05 per drink.
- It's April, and it marks the takeover of 6 Class 68 locomotives for Chiltern. All 6 locomotives are expected to be in service with Chiltern by the end of the month. Their introduction had been delayed due to issues with TPWS which had a knock on effect on with driver training, but fingers crossed the takeover should be completed in the next couple of weeks!
- DB Schenker have secured a new contract to deliver coal to Drax Power Station because of it's reliability and customer communication.
- GBRF has confirmed there will be five more Class 66's. They will be numbered 66 773 - 66 777 and should be delivered by the end of 2015.
Coming up this month on the blog:
- Mon 13th ~ Model Railway Update;
- Wednesday 14th ~ Arriva Trains Wales Contribution ~ Special Post;
- Fleet ~ AbellioGreaterAnglia;
- May Engineering Summary;
- Week Reviews; and
- much more!
Enjoy the rest of April, and hopefully we don't have too many showers!
