Week Review 12/07/2015

Hi everyone! What a week it has been! On Tuesday 7th, we observed a 1 minute silence for all the people who sadly lost their lives on the 10th anniversary of the 7/7 London attacks, Greece's economy moves further into turmoil, and of course, who could forget?! The man himself Prince Phillip was caught on camera swearing at a photographer!

    ©Harry Rawding
RAIL NEWS:

On some DRS MK2 stock, anti-window-hang bars have been fitted on the NorthernRail Loco Hauled Cumbrian Coast services. This is to prevent people putting their safety at risk by putting their head too far out of the window.
©Jonathan Maxim

New Sunday services include 8.20am and 3.20pm Norwich to London and 2 return trains, an extra service from Lowestoft to Ipswich at 17:05 & 19:07 Ipswich to Lowestoft and also the new 09:55 Ipswich to Felixstowe & 10:25 return. 

These services will be operated by Abellio Greater Anglia (AGA) 'Sprinter DMUs'. These are comprised of Class 153s, 156s and 170s. A 156 image has kindly been sent in by Jonathan Maxim, as seen to the left.

© BBC News

On the 30th June, a freight train derailed near Langworth, Lincolnshire at a level crossing. There were no injuries, but significant damage was caused to the track and eight wagons. Network Rail are still investigating into what caused the derailment and are not ruling out the hot weather causing rails to overheat and buckle. The line has now reopened and trains can now run. A picture courtesy of BBC News. 

London Underground undertook the largest strike walkout in the decade on Thursday over the new work guidelines for the new night tube work conditions for drivers. LU have planned to introduce a night tube service on 5 routes with a frequency of every 10 minutes. Members of the RMT union took strike action over this because they were unhappy with the way LU had planned drivers work hours etc. The London Underground services are now back to normal after Thursdays strike. Passengers had to use bus services or other means of travel to commute to work on Thursday.
©Liam Jenkins

©Liam Jenkins

    First Great Western also undertook strike action for 48 hours on Wednesday morning over the possible axing of guards and buffet cars with the introduction of the new 140mph capable Hitachi Intercity Express (IEP) trains. Customers were advised to avoid travelling with First Great Western where possible. Services are now back to normal after the strike action. 
    The iconic Forth Bridge in Scotland has gained a 125th anniversary World Heritage award. It has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site by a committee of the United Nations, meeting at Bonn in Germany. The Forth Bridge was built between 1883 and 1890 by Arrol & Co of Glasgow to the designs of John Fowler and Benjamin Baker. 
    The Gresley Society Trust has sponsored a P2 new built locomotive smokebox. The unique smokebox .for new-build Gresley P2 2-8-2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales is being sponsored by The Gresley Society Trust
Regards:

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