TheGreatBritishRailScene

NEWS: Just a few news stories to mention this week, as the majority was mentioned during the week.... As reported  Thursday , 90012 and set has been operating services in reversed formation in East Anglia, on the Liverpool Street to Norwich route. We question whether the auto-announcements are adapted to state this?  Usually the class 90 locomotive is at the London end but, as seen at Ipswich, Andy's captured it uniquely. We believe the set is now the right way around.  

Recently, and as reported prior to the project, Virgin Trains East Coast have announced that it will refurbish its fleet.  It's confirmed that the first refurbished train will operate on 14th December 2015, on its new route between Sunderland and London Kings Cross.

Since our 'Anglia Updates' post on Tuesday , I've been inundated with emails with even more news. Of course I had to publish these images, which remain copyrighted to their owners.  Firstly, Ian Sharman was at Ipswich at 09:59 on the 25th November. Capturing  90034 , it's seen hauling DVTs 82132/ 82152 and MK3 12166 on a Norwich to Ilford ECS move (probably for maintenance).

Network Rail Media Morning! Harry signing on to provide the latest rail news for the Anglia region. Firstly, we highlight that the NetworkRail 'High Output Ballast Machinery' will move on at the end of December 2015, as reported previously here on TheGBRailScene. This progression follows the announcement that the upgrades on the Great Eastern Mainline between Norwich to London are almost complete, including at Diss, Stowmarket, Ipswich, Colchester and Chelmsford.

Transport for London, CrossRail.  The designs for the brand new innovative Crossrail trains were unveiled last week by the Mayor and Transport for London. The new trains will entre service from 2017 onwards and will feature air conditioned walk through carriages and will have a capacity for 1,500 passengers. The 'Aventra' trains will be built by Bombardier in Derby and feature 9 carriages at 200 metres in length. The trains will operate over the new Crossrail route from Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the East and Reading in the West.

Harry here, covering for Andy during his Vacation. My task today is to bring you the Week Review! ABELLIO GREATER ANGLIA 12024  (standard class) returned from Wolverton and DVT 82133 from Loughborough, now in Abellio Greater Anglia livery. 57306 was the loco hauling this move. 12040 (Coach D- Standard) and 10403  (Buffet) both went the other way, and are now being repainted.  Meanwhile, Carriages 10404 (Buffet) and 12108 (1st Class) are due back soon from the paint shop.

EMT HST at Kings Cross working a Hull service (Orson Godfrey) Many of you people out there may have seen some East Midland Trains HST (High Speed Train) Power Cars or full sets on the East Coast Mainline. Here I will explain to you why this is! As reported, on the 1st of March 2015 the amazing Virgin Trains East Coast took over the well known franchise "East Coast". As one of Virgin's plans to expand the company, they introduced new services to reach out to other places.  

57 307 receiving it's 20 year vinyl! Today's post (Andrew) brings a Stock Focus on Class 57's. Class 57's were re-engineered in the late 1990's and early 2000's from Class 47's. The 33 rebuilt locos have a refurbished engine and overhaul of their alternator in a bid to improve reliability.

©Liam Jenkins Good Evening, Liam here, offering you a post regarding the last day of South West Trains Class 458/0 service. Enjoy! On Sunday 8th November 2015, South West Trains operated the last day of Class 458/0s on the units' final day of operations. These units are to be sent to Doncaster Works, where they will be refurbished with the Gatwick Express Class 460s into a new Class 458/5 class.

Class 180 Sister, this ones at (Firdy Group) Great Western Rail (GWR) Hey all! Lucas here for a focus on the TOC's First Hull Trains and Grand Central. My final post for some time, so hope you enjoy! Hull Trains:  Hull trains are operated by FirstGroup company. Hull trains operate between Hull Hull Hull and London King's Cross. Hull trains operating up to 6 daily returns services between Hull and London Kings Cross. Current fleet is Class 180. Around the time of 2020, a new class will be introduced, which is class 800 - I (Lucas) think!

Jacob here, as the dedicated Heritage Author Bittern at Alresford February 2015 courtesy of Jacob's Photo Collection After eight years, it is sad to say we bid a fond farewell to an iconic and record breaking locomotive, Nigel Gresley's A4 Pacific, Bittern.  Bittern's current lease of life started in 2001, when she went under full restoration at the Watercress Line in Hampshire, also where she has ended this part of her life. Bittern has, since 1937 had fourteen different boilers, and several different names, being used to recreate some of her now-lost running mates, most recently (2010-11) as 4492 Dominion of New Zealand .

Morning! Harry here providing cover for the Week Review; Slightly early this week, I know, but my vacation begins tomorrow so haven't got any other time to post. Now, the  NEWS: Six 2-Car Class 170s are still being prepared for Southern (previously at ScotRail). They are receiving new seats, couplers and also maintenance on the engines and wheelsets. Trains will also need to be adapted in order to communicate with the rest of the current Southern fleet (for example, Driver to Train Manager equipment). The trains will operate between London and Uckfield, in up to 10-car formations. Platforms are being lengthened for this reason.

Morning. Lucas here, back from vacation. I'm providing cover today. Lewis (C) I'll resume the TOC Focus series, beginning with the South Eastern railway franchise (2006 to 2018). SERVICES: South Eastern trains run, as you might expect, in the south east of England. They operate numerous services from London Bridge, Cannon Street, London Blackfriars and Charing Cross towards Kent and Sussex.