www.rail.co News Headlines. 5th January 2012

Rail.co

• London Midland passengers to benefit from infrastructure improvements  London Midland customers will see faster journey times with forthcoming improvements to infrastructure on two key commuter routes. Work to improve the Chase Line, which includes the stations between Walsall, Hednesford, Cannock and Rugeley, will see the line speed increase from 45mph to 75mph. Originally closed to passengers during the Beeching era, passenger services were [...]

• ScotRail apprentice scheme scoops award A pioneering ScotRail initiative to develop young talent has scooped the Best Business Newcomer title at the Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Awards 2011. The prestigious award follows ScotRail last year launching the UK rail industry's first Modern Apprenticeship in Customer Service. The £250,000 initiative is designed to both boost business and provide opportunities for young people to enter the challenging [...]

• New venture for Ironman Andy  Andy Ridout has launched Advance Training and Recruitment Services, a Link Up approved recruitment company specialising in railway engineering and construction. The move marks the high point of Andy's 15-year career in the industry, including ten years as Director for a leading Rail Recruitment company. He is now using his wealth of experience to place [...]

• Porterbrook signs agreement for future of Class 458s Porterbrook Leasing has signed a contract with Stagecoach South West (SSW) to reconfigure the Class 458 fleet into 5-car units and to create 6 additional units by incorporating equipment from the Class 460 fleet which was previously used on the Gatwick Express services. The new fleet of 36 5-car units will be known as Class [...]

• Leeds Sergeants commended by British Transport Police  Two Leeds Sergeants who disarmed and arrested a knife-wielding man on the rail tracks in Kirkstall, Leeds, have been commended by the British Transport Police (BTP) Chief Constable. Sergeant Robert Pedley and Acting Sergeant Mark Mowvley were commended for their brave actions during a ceremony at Force's London Headquarters on Friday, 16 December. Certificates of [...]

• Cross-boarder sleeper train has ˜long term future"  The cross-border sleeper service linking England with Scotland has been assured a long term future with the Scottish National Party agreeing to match a £50 million funding package from Westminster, allowing the ageing sleeper fleet to be refurbished. It had been feared that, because of the options laid out in the Transport Scotland public consultation, [...]

• London Assembly calls on Mayor to cut fares  East London Assembly member John Biggs has called on Mayor Boris Johnson to cut fares by seven per cent to take pressure off Londoners and ‘put money back in their pockets’. The call comes after Londoners were ‘hit with the Mayor’s latest fare rises’ – up 5.6% on average from yesterday, 3 January. Local London [...]

• Race is on to run new generation of franchises  Expressions of interest in running the new Thameslink, Essex Thameside and Great Western rail franchises have been invited by the Department of Transport. The Thameside and Great Western franchises will run for 15 years, starting in May 2013 and April 2013 respectively. Bidders for the new generation of longer franchises will be expected to shoulder [...]

• Stansted Express launches mobile ticketing   Stansted Express, the fastest way between Central London and Stansted Airport has launched a new and convenient ticketing option via its website offering customers the opportunity to purchase tickets which can be sent direct to their mobile telephone or smartphone via a text message. Customers using Stansted Express can already request tickets through the Print [...]   

• Former Northern Rail manager receives MBE  A former Northern Rail manager, who dedicated fifty years to the railway industry, has received an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List. Phil Thickett, 65 of Darlington, who was recognised for ˜services to the railway industry", recently retired from his position as Area Operations Manager at Northern, but still works for the rail [...]