April News Summary

Welcome to this long-awaited summary of rail news, covering February and March 2018. 

The main news from March was of course owing to the Beast From The East. Let's not mention the weather, though. I'll just direct you to some fantastic shots... WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND. AND snow ploughs.... CLICK RIGHT HERE.  Oh, here is another photo you may like, it features 37s in East Anglia. If you're a fan of 66s instead though, this'll tickle your fancy... DAB THIS BUTTON.

Leading on from our special post about CIS displays at stations, it has recently been announced that Greater Anglia will also upgrade information screens at stations. NOTE - THESE ARE NOT PROVIDED BY INFOTECH.
Simone Bailey, Greater Anglia’s Asset Management Director, said: “We have been focusing our efforts on improving information provision for our customers – especially during disruption - and these new screens demonstrate our commitment to providing up-to-date information, in a clear, user-friendly format, which we know is a high priority for our customers.”
Stations like Beccles, Brundall Gardens, Elmswell, Gunton, Lakenheath, Oulton Broad South, Spooner Row and Whittlesea have never had them before, so these new systems will be a warm welcome.

The main aim is to provide live departure information, as well as special notices distributed from the control team such as information during service disruption or even safety notices during adverse weather. Greater Anglia report that works are underway at Diss and Witham to install these new systems.

Talking of Greater Anglia, 321315 is the latest unit to head off for overhaul. This is the Renatus programme, where the interior is upgraded as well as the traction system and brake system too so trains are more eco-friendly yet quicker at speeding up and slowing down than before.

Over at GWR, automated sliding plug doors are being fitted to some of the mark 3 carriages, so customers don't have to do this themselves. These will be used in the 2+4 sets, effectively a HST engine at either end of 4 carriages sandwiched in the middle. 

Also to mention is that Virgin Pretendolino MK3s 11018/48, 12122/38, 12011/78 & Ex-GreaterAnglia Buffet Car 10229 are currently leased to Transpennine Express, hauled by 68s for testings and training. This is whilst they await new MK5 carriages, which are currently being built. 

Meanwhile:

- The final 375 to be repainted has headed off to the paint shop. 
- MK5 coach testing for the Cal Sleeper has commenced .
- Standard class accomodation is being upgraded onboard the Grand Central Adelante fleet.
- Class 800s continue to be introduced.
- 66789 has been repainted!
- The future is uncertain for 43002, which is currently in heritage livery.
- A sneak peak at the 195 DMU fleet for Northern. Northern also have a class 68 operating on one of the class 37 diagrams at the moment.

Finally, GTR have some 717s on test at the moment, which will soon be ready to enter service. As a result, numerous class 365 units have gone into storage at Ely, Cambridgeshire whilst they await a new home.

That's all folks. And, at last it seems that Spring has finally sprung! 
Regards:

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