Bulletin: News Roundup

As you've probably seen, Southern Rail let a 15 year old on work experience takeover their Twitter account earlier this week. Within hours, #AskEddie was trending on Twitter, with many people asking questions like what they should have for tea, and requesting that Eddie solved their riddles or answered their dilemmas.

Exactly one month ago Greater Anglia unveiled an artist's impression of the Stadler FLIRT, which will replace class 153s, 156, and 170 units on its rural lines, as well as having another variation of the stock for the Intercity Norwich to London mainline and the Stansted Express. 

This invoked over 1000 responses, with feedback on the seating layout, wide doorways and vestibules, USB ports and plug sockets. Greater Anglia have used the Feedback to finalise the design of the Stadler FLIRT fleet. 

Also this week, the BBC have reported that Sugar Loaf station on the Arriva Trains network is Wales quietest station. A visitor book has been launched at the station, with space for 3,500 entries, though it has been said it could take 25 years to fill. 

'Sugar Loaf Halt was built in 1868 to accommodate a small number of railway works taking their children to school in Llanwrtyd,', the BBC added. It is a request stop, similar to Buckenham in Norfolk, so can go weeks without a train stopping here. 

Heading East again now, you'll have remembered we posted about the Class 387s transfering from Southern to Great Northern? These have been kicking up a storm! Free WiFi is soon to be added to these units, which already host a modern and spacious interior (plus air-conditioning, which is definitely needed in the weather conditions we've had recently!). 

Previously, the line was fully operated by 365s. From Kings Cross, the train used to divide at Cambridge, but now further services head to Cambridge North and Ely meaning that Ely now has a service every 30 minutes. 

Not only doubling frequency though, Network Rail is also working on upgrading the infrastructure so that 8-car trains can operate almost all day every day to Kings Lynn. 

Meanwhile, EWS continue to lease approximately 4 class 90s to Virgin Trains East Coast.

Also recently announced is that Arriva Trains Wales will lease Class 319s from Porterbook, until 2021. 

The units will be converted to bi-mode, with the addition of two alternators under each driving-trailer. This will mean that they can operate on diesel power, and are therefore extremely beneficial to ATW who'd have otherwise been short of class 150/158 units whilst they're away for overhaul (to meet the new accessibility standards from 2020). 

Between August 29th and September 1st, trains on the Maidstone East Line are diverted to London Victoria, whilst there are also rumours that some services will terminate at London Waterloo too, because of Engineering Works. 

Whilst I'm on the topic of Southern England, I may as well inform you that the South Eastern franchise is up for grabs. Govia continue to run the services, though SouthEasternHoldings (which is owned by Abellio, the East Japan Compact and Mitsui&Co), Stagecoach South East Trains and Trenitalia UK are also hoping to get their hands dirty.

Stagecoach recently lost their bid to continue to run the South West Trains franchise. First Group will be taking over, which'll probably mean we won't see such a good livery as this one....

Finally, an update for the new fleet for Northern! This link will direct you to a video containing the very latest.

Cheers 🙋