2017 (So Far) Review!

For those of you who follow us on Twitter, you'll see us sharing, liking and posting news, stories and photos. However, for those of you who aren't apart of the social media platform, I wouldn't want you to miss out on anything exciting. 

So that's why we've condensed down the year so far from our Twitter feed into this handy dosage.... It's practically a year review, so we'll call it just that.... 

• At the start of 2017, 345002 was on tests and trials prior to entering service on the Liverpool Street to Shenfield section of the Cross-Rail route. In June, the first of the new fleet went into passenger service. Also in February, Thameslink 387124 went on hire to Gatwick Express.
• Brand spanking new EMUs were planned for Mersey Rail.

• Between the 8th and 23rd April, there were significant upgrades to Bath Spa station. Primarily, the platform were widened to ensure that the gap isn't so big between the train & platform edge once the new stock arrives. 
• New class 67s for Colas were unveiled, whilst Tornado travelled from London to Cardiff on St David's day.

• In March, 170270 was 1st of the Greater Anglia class 170s to get fully overhauled, including livery and also internal upgrades too. Not only were plug sockets and improved air-conditioning/heating units added, but a further 6 seats were added because they removed the redundant guards office. The new livery and internal refresh also bring the units up to date. 
• The second of three Loram C44 grinders went into action, as seen here, plus 37714 was repainted. 

• EWS began to lease a few Class 90s to Virgin East Coast during the Spring, basically just to boost up the numbers at times when the existing fleet members were receiving maintenance. 
• Eversholt continue the Renatus Overhaul for Greater Anglia class 321s, meanwhile Greater Anglia provide a refresh for the units which aren't apart of this project. 321355 had new panels, seat covers and repainted grab rails fitted, plus it looks a lot more modern with effective LED lighting. 

• In March, GWR Class 387s commenced testing between Reading Traincare Depot and Didcot West End. This is because the line continues to be electrified, with OLE put up as far as Maidenhead by this time. 
• Also to report for March, class 317s transfering from Great Northern to Greater Anglia. 317346 was seen at Harwich, and will be one of the units (along with the transferred class 321s, too) to be overhauled within the next few months. This refurbishment will mean the 1st class area will be reduced in size (as there's more seating than demand), in favour for standard class accomodation, whilst internal panels, seat covers, lighting panels and flooring will also get attention. 

• The 377/5s sub-leased from Thameslink to South Eastern began to be repainted into the new style blue livery, just like many of the other fleet members have recently gone into. 
• Plus the first of the Class 88s power up! A video as well of 002 in action is here. 
• Then in April, even more of the class 88 batch arrived, whilst 319456 went into Northern livery, Direct Rail Services sent 37424 Avro Vulcan XH558 to Norwich, as well as some captivating stock moves. 

• 
  In May, Cambridge North station opened, the Chiltern Class 121s were withdrawn, and also 170204 returned to Greater Anglia following repairs (it was involved in a collision when it struck a tractor at a level crossing in 2016). We also learnt, from Greater Anglia PR, that "57 trains a day go through the carriage washer at Ilford depot" plus 321321 returned from overhaul. 
• By June, Northern Rail had overhauled 10 class 158s, plus 156471,  whilst a mock--up of the Greater Anglia StadlerFLIRT was unveiled. 
• Then in July, 319425 and 319428 went on a move to Long Marston and we also found out that 47813 (ex-DRS) is still seeing going strong and looks great. 

• In September, GWR lost their first of seven HST sets to ScotRail. As reported, these will be used on Scottish Mainline routes because GWR no longer need them due to the arrival of their Hitachi units. Meanwhile, it was farewell to the 377s at Thameslink, returning off sub-lease, going back to  Southern.  
• When the remaining ex-GatExpress Class 442s went into storage at Ely, Cambridgeshire in February, we first heard that they'd be awaiting their fate. Well since then, they've transferred to the new South Western Railway Franchise, operated by MTR. By September 2017, the time of publishing this post, 4 of these units had arrived at Bournemouth for refurbishment and traction modifications. Once overhauled, they'll be used on the Waterloo-Portsmouth corridor. 

Finally, as posted, Arriva Trains Wales will lease Class 319s from Porterbook, until 2021. These will be converted to bi-mode, with the addition of two diesel alternators under each driving-trailer. 

They are extremely beneficial to ATW who'd have otherwise been short of class 150/158 units, which need to all go away for overhaul (to meet new accessibility standards) by 2020.