TheGreatBritishRailScene

TIM MILLER   First Video Progress Of The Manufacturing Of ScotRail Class 385 - First Units Undergo Tests -  CLICK HERE... SUMMARY ONCE AGAIN: The first 24 are due in service in December 2017, arriving from Japan .  The 385s will be used on routes around Edinburgh and Glasgow, replacing some of the TurboStars ( some already at Southern ) - Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street (via Falkirk), Edinburgh to Dunblane/Alloa, Glasgow to Dunblane/Alloa, Glasgow to Cumbernauld/Falkirk Grahamston, Edinburgh to North Berwick / Dunbar / Berwick and Edinburgh to Newton/Neilston routes  FACTFILE HE RE. 

06:19 London Midland Service from Milton Keynes to London Euston station formed of 350264 at the front  has derailed at Watford Junction.  This is after hitting obstruction on track as result of a landslide outside the Hunton Bridge tunnel which occured due to heavy rain. There are currently two injuries, and the train has some damage to the cab as it was clipped in by 350 233 going the other way. Line reopened 4 hours later. Now From George Browning Rail Photos: "66727 Approaching Eastleigh platform 3 working 0Z27 Eastleigh Works GBRF - Peterborough GBRF. Seen in a brand spanking new livery with a covered name plate. Previously in First GBRF Barbie livery."

As stated last December , 7 catering coaches at Abellio Greater Anglia were to be overhauled and converted. FORM COACH H ON NORWICH TO LONDON LIVERPOOL STREET LINE. Reducing the size of the kitchen area to just a counter and stock storage has meant that more seating has been added... 600,000 more seats each year. Rather than having just 24 First Class seats, each of the 7 carriages now have 54 standard seats due to the additional space.

As you probably remember, the milestone SPM Depot Open Day was at the start of May, with an array of locomotives, stock and DMUs.  Such a good event, with such variety, that we've decided to take a trip down memory lane - we return to the Open Day for lots of photos plus a few descriptions.

In order to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of GBRf, numerous charity tours will take place around the UK between the 8th/11th September - where momey will be donated to the British Heart Foundation, Ripple Project and Woking Hines - as nominated by GBRf staff. These tours will be using 15 of their locomotives,  including  59003  since it has returned to the UK and  66779  ( the final built 66 ), along with 20s, 47s, 73/1s,  73/9s,  86s and 92s, trailed by a convoy of air-conditioned MK2s with First Class and Standard Accommodation available (plus a buffet car for a selection of light refreshments and a sales outlet for memorabilia. 

As Many Of You Are Aware, The AGA Franchise Renews This October For Services In East Anglia, Including To Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. Abellio Continue The Franchise, But Renamed East Anglia Ltd.  Greater Anglia, as it was at first, began in February 2012 - operating the short term tender which was due to expire in July 2014. However, the Government later extended this franchise, and it then became the rebranded Abellio Greater Anglia.

East Coast Main Line Modernisation, by Peter Skuce. The East Coast Main Line is Britain’s flagship main line, with a length of 393 miles between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh Waverley, with a secondary main line from Doncaster via Wakefield to Leeds. It is noted for both it’s high speed of 125 mph and also the sheer amount of tunnels on the route, particularly on the southern stretch of line, indeed Gasworks Tunnel is located immediately north of Kings Cross and then it is quickly followed by Copenhagen Tunnel.