Gatwick Express Updates
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.
Other News To Report......
- In May 2017, Class 345s enter service on the first sections of the route, between Liverpool Street and Shenfield via Stratford, Manor Park, Romford and Gidea Park. Here one of the units is seen on trials and tests, which will be undertaken in the meantime.
- From 8th to 23rd April, Network Rail are undertaking engineering work at Bath Spa station. As a result, alterations to trains will occur. This is to allow platforms to be widened (so the gap isn't so big between the train and the platform, once the new stock arrives).
- From 8th to 23rd April, Network Rail are undertaking engineering work at Bath Spa station. As a result, alterations to trains will occur. This is to allow platforms to be widened (so the gap isn't so big between the train and the platform, once the new stock arrives).
- 37 714 goes into a new livery, though it's not unveiled just yet!
- Plans move ahead for a new Greater Anglia depot at Manningtree, just north of the station at the location of a derelict chemicals plant. The new depot will have 13 lanes to stable trains day and night as well as a train wash, wheel lathe and also 2 lanes for maintenance pits.
- Feb 2017: The Greater Anglia 170s have already received new seat covers however new carpets, upgraded loos, an additional 6 seats per 3-car unit, painted grabrails/doors and improved heating / air-conditioning systems are all on the cards as upgrades to the fleet throughout 2017 - plus a dab of paint into the new livery too, branded colours red/grey/white inside and out. 170270 was the first to receive the treatment, in February 2017.
- Feb 2017: The Greater Anglia 170s have already received new seat covers however new carpets, upgraded loos, an additional 6 seats per 3-car unit, painted grabrails/doors and improved heating / air-conditioning systems are all on the cards as upgrades to the fleet throughout 2017 - plus a dab of paint into the new livery too, branded colours red/grey/white inside and out. 170270 was the first to receive the treatment, in February 2017.
- GWR prepare to take on their new fleet, but also we take a sneak peak into how the refurbished sleeper coaches now look (interior snap here!)
- Finally, the RAIB have concluded the factors of why the Plymouth collision between a HST and Class 150 occured.
