On Track - The Railway Hub

UK railway news roundup

This week’s roundup of news from the UK railway industry.
World-renowned Ribblehead viaduct repaired ahead of UK ‘Staycation Summer’

Restoration work to the famous Ribblehead viaduct for rail passengers and tourists in North Yorkshire is now complete.
Rail services ramped up ahead of next easing of lockdown rules

Industry body the Rail Delivery Group said more than 1,000 daily weekday services have been added to timetables since mid-February.
£31m Easter rail upgrades complete between London and Scotland

Network Rail has completed a range of essential upgrades to the railway between Euston, the Midlands, North West and Scotland over Easter.
New Time-lapse video shows completed Bicester railway underpasses

A massive civil engineering project to construct two new routes underneath the busy Chiltern main line has been completed this Easter.
West Somerset Railway announce reopening plans for May

The West Somerset Railway has confirmed it will reopen next month.
Churnet Valley Railway reveals plans to reopen line to Leek

The Churnet Valley Railway has announced plans to reopen the line to Leek after more than 40 years.
Easter Special – The Railway Magazine March digital issue for 99p!

The digital March issue of Britain’s best-selling rail title, The Railway Magazine, is on offer this Easter weekend for just 99p!

Diesel

Severn Valley Railway gearing up for Easter reopening

28th January 2021 Sam Hewitt

Severn Valley Railway has announced that the railway will reopen to visitors for Easter.

Hitachi Rail to launch UK first long distance battery trains

15th December 2020

Northern rail network makes final Pacer train journey

30th November 2020

National lockdown delays Blue Pullman launch

3rd November 2020

Electric

HS2 begins work on UK’s longest rail viaduct

17th March 2021 Sam Hewitt

An expert team of ground engineers working for HS2 have begun work on the foundations of the Colne Valley Viaduct.

Mr Breen, also known as Digger Down, is an anti-HS2 protester

Euston Square Gardens: Anti-HS2 protester appears in court

17th February 2021

The first of 270 trains in Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR’s) new £55 million fleet modernisation programme has returned to service with a host of new features.

First train in GTR’s fleet modernisation programme back in service

9th February 2021

Report warns ‘forensic focus’ needed to deliver Crossrail

4th February 2021

Steam

West Somerset Railway announce reopening plans for May

2nd April 2021 Sam Hewitt

The West Somerset Railway has confirmed it will reopen next month.

Churnet Valley Railway reveals plans to reopen line to Leek

1st April 2021

East Lancashire Railway reveals Flying Scotsman return

30th March 2021

Severn Valley Railway’s 1940s weekend to return this summer

30th March 2021

Metro

Travel advice as Government continues easing lockdown restrictions

26th March 2021 Sam Hewitt

Transport for London (TfL) is issuing guidance for passengers making journeys ahead of the Government’s easing of lockdown restrictions on March 29.

New TV documentary: Secrets of the London Underground to air this year

25th March 2021

Transport for London agrees bailout extension with UK government

22nd March 2021

Report warns ‘forensic focus’ needed to deliver Crossrail

4th February 2021

Subscriber to Britian's best railway magazines

Modelling

Win superb InterCity 125 bundle with Mortons Books

19th March 2021 Sam Hewitt

Mortons Books has teamed up with Hornby for a great competition to celebrate the release of a brand new InterCity 125 bookazine.

Bachmann Collectors Club unveils Super BG Coach model

3rd February 2021

Bachmann Europe announce new products for Spring 2021

3rd February 2021

Reviewing the New Steampunk Models from Bassett-Lowke

20th October 2020

Trams

Croydon tram crash driver ‘using sick notes to avoid inquest’

1st February 2021 Sam Hewitt

A driver involved in a Croydon tram crash is using “sick notes” to avoid having to “face the music” at an inquest, a lawyer representing the victims’ families said.

Network Rail, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) and Stagecoach Supertram have together launched the Tram Train Pilot Learning Hub.

Network Rail and partners launch Tram Train Pilot Learning Hub

11th January 2021

Extra Weekend at Crich Tramway Village

23rd October 2020

Government announces further cash boost for trams

23rd October 2020

Minature

Rolling stock for the new Wansford Miniature Railway will be based on a selection of standard and narrow gauge prototypes.

Help the Nene Valley Railway build a new engine shed – in 5 inch gauge!

12th March 2021 Gareth Evans

Rolling stock for the new Wansford Miniature Railway will be based on a selection of

Busy weekend at Guildford

28th September 2019

Pilgrim returns to service at Watford Miniature Railway

28th September 2019

Old and new attractions at Newby Hall Railway

27th September 2019

Network

World-renowned Ribblehead viaduct repaired ahead of UK ‘Staycation Summer’

9th April 2021 Shannon Butcher

Restoration work to the famous Ribblehead viaduct for rail passengers and tourists in North Yorkshire is now complete.

Rail services ramped up ahead of next easing of lockdown rules

8th April 2021

£31m Easter rail upgrades complete between London and Scotland

7th April 2021

New Time-lapse video shows completed Bicester railway underpasses

6th April 2021

Narrow Gauge

South Western Railway’s retiring Island Line fleet looking for new homes

5th August 2020 Sam Hewitt

South Western Railway (SWR) is looking for new homes for its retiring Island Line fleet.

Two hybrid locomotives unveiled as Snowdon Mountain Railway reopens

9th July 2020

The North Norfolk Railway is among the lines returning to action in July. LNER B12 No. 8572, BR 9F No. 92203 Black Prince and WD 2-10-0 No. 90775 are seen outside Weybourne shed on September 28, 2019: GARETH EVANS

Railways returning to action!

3rd July 2020

The story of London’s little-known narrow gauge underground line

23rd April 2020

Industrial

Rail services ramped up ahead of next easing of lockdown rules

8th April 2021 Shannon Butcher

Industry body the Rail Delivery Group said more than 1,000 daily weekday services have been added to timetables since mid-February.

Churnet Valley Railway reveals plans to reopen line to Leek

1st April 2021

Camilla praises station manager’s idea to help abuse survivors

31st March 2021

Report shows ‘left behind neighbourhoods’ disconnected from jobs & public transport

31st March 2021

Freight

Debut journey for West Coast Main Line ‘jumbo’ freight train

22nd March 2021 Sam Hewitt

The heaviest freight train ever to run on the West Coast main line has made its debut journey from the Peak District to London with essential construction materials.