TheGreatBritishRailScene

Aside from the  stories already highlighted in our developments page,  there isn't really much to report news-wise. However, here is a summary of the latest..... Mk5 coaches for TPExpress well underway. 66 Mk5s form 13 sets. Pacer s to begin to go off-lease in mid 2018, according to this article by RAIL GWR's new 800/802 fleet continues to be overhauled , as does for VTEC Farewell  to Gatwick Express Class 442s - Sunday 12th March  2017 37714 looks simply stunning following repaint, awaiting unveiling. ALSO TO REPORT..... 170270  now in AGA's full livery, as part of the Turbostar overhaul programme . This is the first of the batch to receive the treatment, and this unit was previously in ONE livery (unlike sister 2-car 170/2s of the fleet, which are currently awaiting repaint out of Anglia Railways colours). The 8 3-car 170s will also be overhauled internally plus to be painted out of ONE livery - 208 included

Soon we'll say farewell to the final few 442s which are being leased at Gatwick Express, as 387s step in fully.  But the 442s aren't going without a fight. On Sunday 12th March, it'll be there farewell tour as arranged by the Branch Line Society and Govia. The service will be formed of at least 5-cars, 442 402 or 410, and there'll be catering facilities onboard. The route currently planned (awaiting Network Rail schedule) is: 10:30 London Victoria - Clapham Junction - Beckenham Junction - West Norwood and then back to London Victoria via Clapham Jctn. The train will then run south towards East Croydon and Three Bridges, then onto Brighton before heading back up towards New Cross Gate, Selhurst Depot and London Victoria (19.43). Finally the train will operate down to Stewarts lane and back to Victoria in time for 21:09. 

Harry Here, Summarising Some Of The Interesting Fleet News Between Oct 2016 and Spring 2017...... 10/2016: 142073 heads to  Doncaster for overhaul , as all ArrivaTrainsWales are going into the new livery gradually. 27/01/2017: 37423 and an extra DRS MK2 arrive at Norwich from  Derby, for Short Set usage.  Meanwhile, 68021 and 68016 arrive to take over duty's on the 68 Hauled Anglia Short Set, because 68025 and 68005 both need exams.  01/17: Virgin East coast finish the overhaul of all 45 trains! 

London Midland have defended the short formation of some of their services. January 2017 "Customers regularly using our weekday trains to and from Euston during November and December will probably have noticed one or more services operating with fewer carriages than advertised. If you are one of these people, we are very sorry for any discomfort and inconvenience you have experienced. Below you will find information on why there has been an increase in short trains on the route and what we are doing to improve things."