Weekly Overview ~ 16/08/15.


321 447 departing Stratford - © Andy.
A very good welcome to all readers of East Anglia Rail Scene, Andy here, back after my holiday (eventually back, although that's a long story!)

Once again it is my turn to bring the news from the Rails this week, so without further a do, here we go;

AGA / Cross Rail News;
  • DRS locomotive 37 422 is now on the Short Set. 37 422 has replaced 37 419 which is expected to return north to Crewe. 37 422 travelled from Crewe Gresty Bridge to Norwich Crown Point on this past Thursday (13th August). 
  • Regarding the Norwich Station Update, New Departure CIS Screens have been installed and are in service (they are situated above the Ticket Barriers.) Soon, the ticket barriers are believed to be open in the next few weeks to allow other work to take place (including the new Customer Service office and First Class lounge). 
  • Class 315 UNIT 315 831 is now in Cross Rail Livery.
Class 360 - © Andy.
  • SPECIAL train services will be put on for Clacton Airshow by AGA on August 27th and 28th 2015.
  • AGA 360 102 now has new seat covers. Thanks to Robert for reporting it to us, it is much appreciated!
Test Train at Ipswich Yard

Thanks for Ian for sending this in, pictured to the right is Colas locomotive 37 219 on a Network Rail Test Train. As Andy understands, Colas have been awarded a contract to operate Test Trains starting next month, so testing with 37 175 and 219 has been taking place over the last couple of weeks.

Ipswich - © Ian Sharman.
Other News;
  • Chancellor George Osborne has given the Government commitment to conduct a full study of the proposed Brighton Main Line 2 study.
  • Balfour Beatty and Network Rail agreed that Balfour Beatty would not continue work on the North West Electrifcation Project.
  • Network Rail has been fined in the region of £2m by the Office of Rail and Road investigation after the company breached it's Network Licence.
  • The future of Island Line remaining in SWT franchise (located on the Isle of Wight) remains undecided according to the Department for Transport. 
Grand Central Class 180 arriving in to KGX.
  • RMT Union has announced another two twenty-four hour Tube Strikes from 9pm on 25th August to 9pm the following day, then again on 27th August between the same times.
MPV - © Andy Crawley.
  • Grand Central Railway Company has relocated it's head office into the same building as Northern Rail and Network Rail in York. Grand Central is part of the Arriva Group, and just last month the company had the highest-rated long distance train operator for Customer Satisfaction in Britain (94%), while topped the charts with 96% of passengers satisfied with service punctuality and value for money.
  • Finally, a couple of weeks ago, Andy Crawley sent us in a photo of MPV DR98973/DR98923 "Chris Lemon" at Guildford on Effingham Junction CHS - Effingham Junction CHS - thanks Andy!

That's all the news for this week!
Regards:

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