TheGreatBritishRailScene

As you probably remember, the milestone SPM Depot Open Day was at the start of May, with an array of locomotives, stock and DMUs.  Such a good event, with such variety, that we've decided to take a trip down memory lane - we return to the Open Day for lots of photos plus a few descriptions.

Harry Back From Vacation! No Week Review Today Though, As Peter Skuce Has Sent In Some Great Images Of His.  First, Chiltern Rail. This is the interior of a Class 168 clubman, used on their services in Western England. Chiltern operate many types of this unit... 5 from 1999 (168001-005), 8 from the year 2000 (168107-113), 6 from 2004 (214/218/219 are 3-car, and 215-217 are 4-car) and also 2-car 168/3s numbered 168321-329.

Peter's made some excellent reports, so we couldn't resist using them! Part 6A yesterday highlighted the Chiltern Line Modernisation, and this will lead from that.  Between 2003 to 2005, Chiltern Railways carried out a major interior refurbishment to the Class 165 Chiltern Turbo DMU trains. The refurbishment featured the following enhancements:

319 Interior. P Skuce (C) WELCOME TO PART 2. Privatisation of the railway network in the mid 1990s saw Go-Via winning the Thameslink franchise and in 1997 they refurbished, at RailCare Wolverton Works, forty Class 319/0 EMU trains in a blue/yellow colour scheme, fitted the entire train with carpets, changed the seating layout to 2+2 with seats covered in a blue/yellow scheme and installed First Class cabin in one Driving Trailer vehicle with twelve First Class seats to the 2+1 layout. The Class 319/0 then became Class 319/4. At the moment same time, the Class 319/1 had their First Class accommodation removed, became Class 319/3 and moved onto Luton/St Albans – London – Elephant & Castle – Streatham – Sutton/Wimbledon Metro services.

2016 BRISTOL SPM OPEN DAY: As you probably remember, the milestone SPM Depot Open Day was at the start of May, with an array of locomotives, stock and DMUs.  Such a good event, with such variety, that we've decided to take a trip down memory lane - we return to the Open Day for lots of photos plus a few descriptions.

Harry here, covering Matthew who's away. As stated, in order to raise funds for EACH (East Anglia Children's Hospice), Abellio Greater Anglia ran a special Class 37 Short Hauled MK2 Charter Service today (Saturday 30th April). Normally, the short set usually only operates weekdays - with 2 MK2s not 4 so this is very special. Tickets sold out for the event, with all 4 carriages (200 seats) booked! Operated:  10:15 Norwich to Ely (11:20),  11:55 Ely to Norwich (12:55), 1 3:33 Norwich to Liverpool Street (15:33),  and  16:27 Liverpool Street London to Norwich (18:22). Before the event, it even reportedly operated 07:36 Norwich-Great Yarmouth and 08:17 Great Yarmouth - Norwich (services on the usual short set weekday diagram, but never usually formed of four MK2s, only two!

NOW, WE'VE GENERAL UPDATES FROM A VARIETY OF TOCS. LOTS TO STATE, SO LETS CRACK ON.... Firstly, the ex-Class 170s from ScotRail. These are now undergoing an overhaul at Southern, as reported. A reminder of the Charity Charter on Saturday 30th April. You may remember us posting about it in February? See this link for all the details  of this tour, which will consist of 4 trips using Class 37s and 4 MK2 coaches from DRS. The tour is fully booked, and will hopefully be a great success. Those of you who didn't get a ticket is still able to get some good photographs along the line!

Sister Just a short post today to bring you up to date with general news from around Great Britain.... In order to increase awareness for the BTP (British Transport Police), a vinyl wrap has been applied to  one of the turbostar London Midland units.  The Cheltenham Festival is between 15th and 18th March attracting thousands of supporters. Great Western Railway is certainly prepared for this increase in footfall to usual, providing an additional 12 services each day during the event - this adds an additional 5,000 seats to usual!

Hello! Welcome to our Weekly Review! The news is as follows... From around Great Britain: Firstly, 37405 . It's back in Anglia, whilst 37425 has gone for repair. Meanwhile, 68004 was on numerous stock moves last week, but has not been used following an Operating Incident. Instead, 66426 unusually went onto a Stock Move yesterday, taking 12103 and 11081 to Wolverton. Take note of this adaptation to technology for Norfolk.... As previously mentioned for The Class 125 Group, they have acquired 3 MK3 carriages. These transferred from Scotland to Ruddington last week after being recently repainted.  Next, to the South West. We can announce the refurbished GWR Class 166s are 166204, 205, 210, 212, 214 and 215. To clarify, these are in GWR green livery and have also received at internal refresh.

Welcome to Part 2, which will focus on Intercity Stock (Class 90s, MK3s and DVTs). Part 1 is here.  By October, will it be the current Abellio, or new First East Anglia, or National Express? The DFT will be revealing their opinion in roughly June, for the new franchise in October.  90034  continues to be loaned (until the refurb programme or franchise is complete, whichever comes first). In the same image, we see  90007  which is still in ONE livery (the last Class 90 in this style). Now  90006  is home in AGA colours,  90007  is ready for imminent departure for the same treatment.

As part of the TOC Focus Series, we welcome you to Part 1 of the AbellioGreaterAnglia Fleet Focus. Now, we will focus on the Class 153, 156 and 170 DMU stock before moving onto the Short Set and the Class 321/360 mainline units. Here, we see an Abellio Greater Anglia Class 156 at Bury St Edmunds. I assume this is 402 , as there aren't any fleet names on the sides of the saloon. 156402 is one of 9 Class 156 units operated by AGA. They have been passed down from ONE and NXEA days, along with the five Class 153 Bubble/Scud Units.  Of course we couldn't make an Anglia update post without mentioning the Class 37 hauled set. It still operates on the regular diagram on most weekdays, although it is now currently formed of MK2s 6117, 6046 and 9525 (brake van), and locomotives 37419 and 37422.

For the second of three posts today, I'll (Jonathan Maxim) be showcasing photos from my recent visit to Doncaster.  Firstly, a Class 321 (Ex-London Midland) which is awaiting conversion and overhaul before transfer to Abellio Scot Rail in February.  These units will then be able to comply and operate with the current fleet. For further updates, see some of our older posts in the archive. 

DRS Open Day 2015 - © Anthony. Andy here, bringing you this weeks overview - please note Lewis will now be posting a Train Operating Company Focus of Chiltern Railways tomorrow! Without further a do, here's this weeks news; 37 405 - © Ian Sharman. NEWS : It has been confirmed that FOUR additional trains will run between Norwich and Great Yarmouth each day, Monday to Friday only. The extra services are to cope with increased passenger numbers for holidaymakers visiting the seaside resort. The extra trains begin on July 20th, and will finish on Friday 4th September 2015. The extra trains will depart Norwich at 09:06, 10:25, 13:18 and 14:25, which will return (departing Great Yarmouth) at 09:52, 11:12, 13:54 and 15:42. Thanks Harry and others.

As previously reported: TFL take over some current AGA routes in May (Sun 31st). We aim to keep you updated, and this is the first stage - the routes. A summary: Liverpool Street to Shenfield Metro (As CrossRail) Liverpool Street to Chingford (As London Overground) Liverpool Street to Enfield Town (As London Overground) Romford to Upminster Branch (As London Overground) 170's on a move to the South East. Class 345s (CrossRail Stock) will eventually be running over CrossRail Services (built by Bombardier), & 378s over London Overground lines. Until then, CrossRail is getting  315818  to  315861  of the current AGA Class 315 fleet, whilst London Overground gains the remaining 17 (801-817). London Overground will also get some  317887  to  317892 , plus 317/7s (all except  317722  (demonstrator), which stays with AbellioGreaterAnglia). The CrossRail stock will first enter service on the Liverpool Street to Shenfield stretc...