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TransPennine accepts first Hitachi-built ‘Nova 1’ set
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TRANSPENNINE Express has accepted the first Hitachi Class 802 bi-mode train into its fleet. Dubbed ‘Nova 1’, TPE received the set following approval from the Office of Rail and Road. TPE has ordered 19 five-carriage ‘Nova 1’ trains, each containing 342 seats, an extra 161 compared to its current Class 185 trains. They will be…
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First Class 91 withdrawn to become spares donor
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LNER Class 91 No. 91108 became the first of the 31-strong class to be taken out of service on July 22. Withdrawal of Class 91s was anticipated following the introduction of the Hitachi ‘Azuma’ trains on LNER services, and is in line with LNER’s plans to hand locos back to the leasing company. The operator made…
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Heathrow Express Class 387s external livery revealed
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THE first units of a fleet of Class 387s that will take over Heathrow Express services by December have been returned from Bombardier Ilford with a new external livery. GWR is taking over responsibility for the 15-minute frequency operations, and the current Class 332s, now more than 20 years old and not fitted with TPWS,…
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GWR gives ‘Castle’ names to its HST power cars… and revives Class 255 designation
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GWR has unveiled a series of new cast nameplates with ‘Castle’ names that will be applied to its HST power cars. The HST power cars are used on the shortened 2+4 formations, which run between Bristol and Penzance. The plates are of a new design and feature the outline of a 2+4 HST set as…
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UK Railtours unveils Christmas charter line up
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Although summer is currently in full swing, charter operators have already turned their thoughts to the end of the year. UK Railtours is no exception and has announced a trio of days out by train visiting Christmas markets in Manchester, Lincoln and Beverley during December. On December 7, UKR will run a train from London…
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Brexit: Eurotunnel ‘ready’ for October 31
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Eurotunnel is prepared for Brexit “no matter the outcome” on October 31, the company said on September 2.
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Yorkshire BLS tour raises £15k for charity
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THE Branch Line Society and West Coast Railways operated the ‘Luca Pezzulo Express’ on July 20, visiting rare freight lines around Yorkshire. Highlights included a rare trip over the remnants of the Woodhead Route, running beyond the Network Rail boundary into Liberty Steel’s Stocksbridge Steelworks, near Sheffield, and the former Tinsley Yard. The train also…
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‘Royal Scotsman’ on Grand Tour
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Belmond’s ‘Royal Scotsman’ luxury landcruise train – more usually confined to itineraries within Scotland – embarks on an annual seven-night grand tour of Britain, visiting popular tourist spots in England and Wales. On the third leg from Edinburgh to Chester on July 7, No. 66746 leads the train through Carnforth. No. 66743 was on the…
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Staff charter takes GBRf ‘50s’ back to Scotland
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July 6 saw Class 50s Nos. 50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance work a GB Railfreight staff charter from Motherwell to Scarborough via the East Coast Main Line. The train worked the empty stock north from Burton to Motherwell via Lancaster and Carlisle on July 5, and then ran via Edinburgh and York to the North…
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‘Royal Windsor Steam Express’ to return in 2020
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Regular steam operation will return to London Waterloo in 2020 after Steam Dreams confirmed its ‘Royal Windsor Steam Express’ will run again next summer. Operating every Tuesday until September 3, the trains consist of three one-way, steam-hauled trips from Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside and an evening dining circuit known as the ‘Sunset Steam…
