UK railway round-up

This week’s roundup of news from the UK railway industry.

• Latest service updates

Fresh rail strike to cause disruption to services

A rail operator is warning of a “significant reduction” in services on Sunday because of a fresh strike by conductors in a long-running dispute over pay.

TransPennine Express (TPE) asked customers to plan carefully as there will be an amended timetable in place because of the action by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).

Quarter of train journeys on services run by public sector

The proportion of train journeys in Britain on services run by the public sector will hit 25% this week.

The milestone will be reached once the Scottish Government takes over ScotRail. That is the highest percentage since Britain’s railways were privatised in the mid-1990s.

New partnership brings steam to Llangollen

1925-built GWR 0-6-2T No 5619 will be visiting the Llangollen Railway for its 2022 season from its usual home at the Telford Steam Railway.

The Collett-designed 5600 Class will arrive at Llangollen for completion of its winter maintenance and then undergo its annual examination.

‘Black Five’ and tramway among big HRA Awards winners

The restoration of the oldest surviving ‘Black Five’, Seaton Tramway, and a young Kent and East Sussex Railway volunteer took the top honours at the Heritage Railway Association annual awards. 

Almost 250 heritage railway volunteers and staff from throughout the UK came together in Birmingham earlier this month for the return of the HRA Annual Awards evening. 

RMT union to protest outside recruitment office linked to P&O job cuts

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has planned a protest outside a Glasgow recruitment office which was reportedly involved in hiring staff to replace sacked union members on P&O’s ferry routes.

Union’s general secretary Mick Lynch said the demonstration will take place at the offices of Clyde Marine Recruitment, Govan Road, on Monday from 11 am.

Latest Service Updates

Gatwick Express  –  Gatwick Express services will be reinstated from April 3rd 2022.
Hull Trains – Hull Trains are currently running a reduced service, in line with passenger demand and current government advice.

Transport For London Status

If you need to travel this weekend, here are planned works that may affect your journey.

Our transport network has never been cleaner. Imperial College London run monthly tests for coronavirus on the transport network and found no trace. You can read their recently published report.

Air continuously flows through all our trains, trams and buses. For example, on average, air in a Tube train changes every few minutes. Buses are fitted with air extraction and ventilation systems and we also leave windows open throughout the passenger area to keep a flow of fresh air.

Please continue to walk or cycle part of your journey where possible. If using public transport, travel during quieter times if you can. This will make social distancing easier. The quieter times to travel are:

• Between 08:15 and 16:00 and after 17:30 on weekdays
• Before noon and after 18:00 on weekends

Our TfL Go app can help you plan your journey and show the quieter times to travel. 

You must continue to wear a face-covering over your nose and mouth at all times when on the transport network, unless exempt. The overwhelming majority of people are complying with this requirement, and the British Transport Police, the Metropolitan Police and our own officers are on the network to check compliance. Fines of up to £6,400 exist for anyone who does not comply. 

Please also wash or sanitise your hands before and after travel.

London Underground Status

Due to the coronavirus, the following service changes will be in place until further notice. Please plan ahead and check before you travel.

• RMT STRIKE ACTION: There is planned strike action every Friday and Saturday night between 2030 and 0429 the following morning until Sunday 19 June. 
• METROPOLITAN LINE: Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 April, no service between Northwood and Watford / Amersham / Chesham. No Chiltern Railways services between Marylebone and Great Missenden. Replacement buses operate.
• NORTHERN LINE: From Saturday 15 January until mid May 2022, no service between Moorgate and Kennington due to major upgrade works. 
• TFL RAIL: From 2200 Saturday 2 April, a reduced frequency, four trains an hour, operates between Paddington and Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3. 
• WATERLOO & CITY LINE: Closed on weekends and public bank holidays.

London Overground

• Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 April, no service between Highbury & Islington and Dalston Junction.
• Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 April, no service between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction. 
• Sunday 3 April, until 0930, no service between Willesden Junction and Clapham Junction.
• Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 April, no service between Gospel Oak and Stratford. 
• Sunday 3 April, until 1445, no service between South Tottenham and Barking.

Check before you travel and plan your journey ahead of time.