TheGreatBritishRailScene

57 310 "Pride of Cumbria" - © Andy. Just over a week ago, I had the opportunity to go and see the Northern Belle again on one of my local lines! After researching through Railtour Timings on the internet, I had found that there was a DRS Operated tour for Ladies Day at Ascot (18/6/15). A quick check on the Northern Belle wesbite confirmed this, so I imminently confirmed travel plans. I travelled on board the 17:58 service from North Camp down to Wokingham which arrived at around 18:15. 

Torbay Express - (C) Copyrighted to the contributor NEWS THIS WEEK: Firstly, Robert reports that OverGround unit  315802  is being painted into their livery. It was at Ilford on Tues 09th June. Meanwhile,  315856  was still in one livery on the same date. As stated on this page, the Torbay Express started up last week. We thank our contributor, who'd like to remain anonymous, for sending in their image. However, copyright remains to them still. Sourced from AbellioGreaterAnglia.  Onto Abellio Greater Anglia, their Twitter team confirm the next 317/6 to enter service with new seat covers is 317/658 . Barry H tells us that 360117 also has had new seat covers fitted, joining 360101 . However, hasn't entered service yet and is at Illford depot. Robert has sent us a number of updates. He states " 10247 (AGA livery) is now in use and  12035 is also now in AGA Livery. Also, 91131 in new VTEC livery". (C) Ian Sharman For the full list ...

360101 - Refurbed Interior - Sourced AbellioGreaterAnglia THE MAIN NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK: Firstly, 37405 , 37425 and 47818 were all on a move from to Norwich Crown Point on Friday. We presume the intro of 37s is getting closer! AbellioGreaterAnglia have begun replacing seat covers on their Class 360 stock which operates from Liverpool Street to Clacton and Ipswich via Colchester and Chelmsford. They'll receive the refurbishment in numerical order of the fleet. These 360 units were originally ordered for FirstGreatEastern (one of the previous franchises) which explains the previous seat pattern style! I'm grateful for the  photo permission of ( 360101 ) from AGA, the first unit to receive the treatment.  Class 317's and 315's continue to be repainted for TFLRail or Overground.  Andy says the Torbay Express begins tomorrow. It runs from Temple Meads Bristol to Kingwear. 

Class 315/7s, transferred to TFL Overground, are gradually being transformed into the LO trademark colours, orange and blue (as seen on their logo, heading the train below!) TFL CrossRail are also in the process of repainting their class 315 stock. We've updated our  FleetLists  to show these changes.  Antony Guppy Antony Guppy has allowed us to use his image of 315 817 , a Class 315 which is now in Overground Colours. ~ Harry

Today the Department for Transport announced the new bidders for the East Anglia rail franchise, which begins again in October 2016. The companies themselves comes of no suprise as all have operated service previously. Abellio East Anglia Limited. Abellio, the present operator, have bid to extend into the new franchise.  First East Anglia . First Group have previously owned the Great Eastern Franchise and are bidding for control of the Rural, Mainline and Intercity services in East Anglia. National Express East Anglia (possibly the return of NXEA, and their livery?) In order to gain the support of the DFT, the companies must prove they can operate a safe, efficient service which is financially liable and can afford to put investment into the franchise to transform services. The next franchise will be a longer term one, so obviously investment will be a big part which decides which operator the DFT will choose. The bids close at the end of the year. ~ Harry

Jonathan Maxin - Copyrighted 90034 hauls an IC AGA set into Ipswich As previously reported on EastAngliaRailScene, DB Schenker Locomotive 90034 (previously belonging to DRS, for use on West Coast Virgin train duties) was due to enter service this spring, on loan to Abellio Greater Anglia whilst their stock is sent for overhaul.  Well, we're proud of inform you that 90034 entered service today on the Norwich/London intercity corridor, after being fitted with a DRA (Drivers Reminder Appliance) - vital for passenger operations.  Contrary to popular belief, it isn't yet attached to the Pretendolino, also on loan. Jonathan Maxim was out to capture it, and has allowed us to use his amazing photo of 90034 hauling the mixed livery set into Ipswich, en-route to London Liverpool Street. This photo remains copyrighted to him. 

Class 315 Refurb by AbellioGreaterAnglia. Picture is sourced and copyrighted to NXEA321446 As most of you are probably aware of, TFL took over the Shenfield to London Metro and some West Anglia services yesterday, from previous operator Abellio. Abellio originate in Holland, and operated under the Greater Anglia brand. We feel it's appropriate to celebrate the life of the Class 315/317 EMUs, state what this change of operators will mean, and also show the variety of liveries that these stock have been over their lifetime.  METRO 315s - Liverpool Street to Shenfield and Gidea Park :  315s were built in York in the 1980s to replace  Class 306 units. Just like the Glasgow Class 314 EMUs, the 315s are also only able to operate from 25 KV Overhead electrics and are owned by the HSBC group (also known as Evelsholt) to be leased to the TOC.