South Western Railway
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Island Line to remain in rail franchising system after four-year battle
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Vivarail trains for Isle of Wight as part of £26m investment by Phil Marsh THE unique Island Line will remain a heavy rail-operated route thanks to an investment worth £26million to cover new trains, a new passing loop, new platform height, and other infrastructure changes. The news comes at the end of a four-and-a-half year…
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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…
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Disruption after Strawberry Hill depot derailment
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South Western Railway Class 456 No. 456021 was derailed entering the sidings at Strawberry Hill depot on the evening of May 29-30. It blocked access, leading to several services on May 30 being cancelled or delayed. Recovery teams worked to re-rail the set. The other sets attached to the ‘456’ are Nos. 455917 and 455741. JAMIE SQUIBBS…
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More issues mean delays for SWR Class 442 return
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PLANS by South Western Railway to re-introduce Class 442s to the third rail network have been delayed again. The refurbished sets were due to enter traffic between London Waterloo and Portsmouth last December, but bodyshell corrosion was greater than envisaged. This meant more work was needed, with February being the predicted date for completion. So…
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Union threatens further action on fourth day of rail strike
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Rail workers were said to be “solidly supporting” the fourth day of strikes in a bitter dispute over guards on trains.
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With Full Regulator: LOCOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE THEN AND NOW
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In his latest column, Don Benn describes the performance of Ian Riley’s ‘Black Five’ No. 44871 on two main line trips in December 2018 and May 2010 – plus some additional information about Bulleid Pacific No.35028 Clan Line’s on November 24’s ‘The Chilterns & Downs’ tour. It HAD been some years since I had a…
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Designated charter network capacity
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In the latest in our series examining the issues of operating special trains on the main line with heritage rolling stock, Andy Castledine looks at what the future is likely to hold for pathing – and the processes and implications required in planning. He also shares the view of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s Graeme…
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Island Line Tube stock stored at Ryde pending future disposal?
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THE modernisation of the 8½-mile Island Line between Ryde Pierhead and Shanklin should have commenced at the start of 2019 but the Department for Transport extended its own deadline until the end of March to determine what shape the modernisation will take. When South Western Railway was awarded the franchise it was mandated to propose…
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Heritage Explorer: Four lines in four days
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Last summer Robert Drysdale embarked on an 800-mile round trip to visit four heritage railways in four days using the national rail network and occasionally a local bus. His personal account provides some interesting observations and food for thought. On the morning of Friday, July 3, 2018, I arrived at Newark North Gate station to…
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DfT decision on Island Line future deferred for three months
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By Phil Marsh THE Department of Transport has extended a deadline for South Western Railway’s (SWR) plan to transform the operation of the Island Line on the Isle of Wight (IoW). One of the franchise conditions of SWR taking over the loss-making Island Line was to work with the Isle of Wight Council and Isle…
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