National Railway Museum - The Heart of International Steam Locomotive Preservation.
Bob Gwynne talks about two centuries of railway record breakers as part of our Mallard 75 series of celebrations. The is the first of a series of Curators Talks exploring the history behind the world's fastest steam loco. http://www.nrm.org.uk/mallard75
In this presentation as part of our Mallard 75 celebrations, Tim Proctor (Curator - Archives & Library Collections at NRM) explores the A4 Pacifics in our archive collection.
Network Rail - Latest Press Releases
Rail safety in Essex to improve as bridges and an underpass replace six level crossings
Work to replace six level crossings in Essex with modern, safer alternatives has begun as part of Network Rail’s national level crossing safety improvement programme.
The six level crossings at Motts Lane (Witham), Long Green (Marks Tey), Shaw Avenue (Shenfield), Billericay West Park Avenue, Golf Links (Chelmsford), and Ingatestone Hall will all be replaced by either a footbridge or underpass enabling the public to cross the railway safely. The closures have been enabled by the support of Essex County Council and Braintree District Council follow the closure of 93 other level crossings in the Anglia region, as part of Network Rail’s efforts to reduce the risk of accidents taking place at level crossings.
Richard Schofield, route managing director, Network Rail, said: “Where a road, footpath or cycleway meets the railway there will always be a certain level of risk to motorists or pedestrians. Network Rail is committed to reduce that risk as much as possible, so if we can close a level crossing and replace it with alternative means of crossing the railway, we will.
“Safety is our number one priority. By working closely with our local authority partners, the new, modern alternative crossings at each of these Essex level crossings will provide the public with a much safer route across the railway.”
Work on site to close Motts Lane level crossing in Witham and replace it with a ramped bridleway bridge began in September, with the bridge deck due to be lifted into place over the Christmas period. The £2.3m scheme, which has received a £500,000 contribution from Braintree District Council, will be completed and open to the public by March 2014. Long Green level crossing in Marks Tey will be replaced by a ramped footbridge, and will follow the same timeframe for closure as neighbouring Motts Lane.
Shaw Avenue, Billericay West Park Avenue and Golf Links level crossings will all be replaced with stepped footbridges when work begins in the coming weeks. There have been five incidents of misuse and one near miss since 2007 at Shaw Avenue level crossing in Shenfield which is set to be closed from February 2014. Work to close Golf Links level crossing will begin in November and is due for completion in March 2014.
Following a temporary closure, a new pedestrian underpass will replace Ingatestone Hall level crossing when it is completed in March 2014.
Network Rail has closed over 700 level crossings across Britain since 2009 as part of its £130m investment programme to improve level crossing safety. The Office of Rail Regulation has also confirmed it will provide funding to close a further 500 level crossings over the five year period starting from 1 April 2014.
Network Rail launches public consultation on plans to increase rail capacity on the Hope Valley line
Network Rail has launched a consultation giving members of the public the opportunity to comment on plans to construct two new sections of railway track close to Grindleford and Dore & Totley stations.
The events will take place in Dore & Totley on the following dates:
Mainline Steam ScheduleRailway Herald - Railtours
Listing offered in good faith. No guarantees offered or implied.
Please confirm runnings with operators.
Please observe Network Rail photographic guidelines.Thank you.
Monday 11th November 2013
The Strategic Case for HS2 can be found on the GOV.UK website at:
www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-strategic-case-for-hs2
Supporting the Strategic Case for HS2 are the updated Economic Case for HS2 and related documents, which can be found in the Economic documents section of this website
Long-distance rail travel in Britain has doubled since the mid-1990s and continues to grow. The West Coast Main Line effectively has no capacity for more trains, many of which are already full at times when people most rely on them.
The Government has considered potential solutions across all modes of transport. A £9 billion upgrade of the West Coast Main Line was completed in 2008, but still train operators cannot run all the direct services required: there isn’t enough space. Schemes to extend trains, platforms or track would not provide improvements on the scale we need, but would still require passengers to endure years of rail closures and disruption.
HS2 will not only carry over 300,000 people every day, it will be fully connected to the existing network, restoring value in the railways we already use. People around the country will notice the benefits – even if they never take a high speed train.
HS2 is a statement about the country’s ambition for this century. In redrawing the economic map, it will support British business, but also create opportunities and strengthen our society by better connecting the communities in which we live.
Richard Schofield, route managing director, Network Rail, said: “Where a road, footpath or cycleway meets the railway there will always be a certain level of risk to motorists or pedestrians. Network Rail is committed to reduce that risk as much as possible, so if we can close a level crossing and replace it with alternative means of crossing the railway, we will.
“Safety is our number one priority. By working closely with our local authority partners, the new, modern alternative crossings at each of these Essex level crossings will provide the public with a much safer route across the railway.”
Work on site to close Motts Lane level crossing in Witham and replace it with a ramped bridleway bridge began in September, with the bridge deck due to be lifted into place over the Christmas period. The £2.3m scheme, which has received a £500,000 contribution from Braintree District Council, will be completed and open to the public by March 2014. Long Green level crossing in Marks Tey will be replaced by a ramped footbridge, and will follow the same timeframe for closure as neighbouring Motts Lane.
Shaw Avenue, Billericay West Park Avenue and Golf Links level crossings will all be replaced with stepped footbridges when work begins in the coming weeks. There have been five incidents of misuse and one near miss since 2007 at Shaw Avenue level crossing in Shenfield which is set to be closed from February 2014. Work to close Golf Links level crossing will begin in November and is due for completion in March 2014.
Following a temporary closure, a new pedestrian underpass will replace Ingatestone Hall level crossing when it is completed in March 2014.
County Councillor Rodney L Bass, Cabinet Member for Highways & Transportation said, “Essex County Council supports the commitment from Network Rail to provide safe public rights of way at level crossings across the county. The works at each of the crossings concerned will necessitate temporary closures, and Essex Highways is working in partnership with Network Rail to ensure the extent of disruption is kept to a minimum during the closure periods.”
Network Rail launches public consultation on plans to increase rail capacity on the Hope Valley line
Network Rail has launched a consultation giving members of the public the opportunity to comment on plans to construct two new sections of railway track close to Grindleford and Dore & Totley stations.
The rail infrastructure company is investing in this key package of work to improve capacity on the Hope Valley railway line, between Sheffield and Manchester. The work is part of a programme of investment to deliver faster, more frequent services across the North of England and stimulate economic growth by better connecting towns and cities.
The new sections of track being proposed will enable passenger services to overtake slower moving freight and stopping trains, helping create extra capacity on the line and improving the reliability and frequency of services.
The plans for the Grindleford area include a new section of track running alongside the existing railway through two cuttings and an embankment with modifications to the footbridge. At Dore, the railway line between West View Lane and Dore West Junction will be extended and a new platform constructed with a footbridge and lifts.
Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “The plans for Grindleford and Dore & Totley are an important part of a wider investment programme for the North of England. That programme of improvements includes the Northern Hub and electrification and will create space for up to 700 more trains every day and help provide over £4bn worth of wider economic benefits for the region. We look forward to meeting local people to discuss the scheme.”
A Transport and Works Act Order from the Secretary of State for Transport will be required to build the new sections of track. It is anticipated that an application will be submitted in spring 2014 following a period of consultation and, subject to consent, work will be complete by the end of 2018.
Notes:
To find out more, please visit one of our public consultation events. Members of Network Rail’s project team will be on hand to answer any questions:
The events will take place in Grindleford on the following dates:
- Thursday 7 November, The Maynard Hotel, Grindleford (10am – 2pm and 4pm – 8pm)
- Friday 8 November, The Maynard Hotel, Grindleford (10am – 2pm)
- Saturday 9 November, The Maynard Hotel, Grindleford (10am – 2pm)
The events will take place in Dore & Totley on the following dates:
- Thursday 14 November, Abbeydale Sports Club, Dore (10am – 2pm and 4pm – 8pm)
- Friday 15 November, Abbeydale Sports Club, Dore (10am – 2pm)
- Saturday 16 November, Abbeydale Sports Club, Dore (10am – 2pm)
Mainline Steam ScheduleRailway Herald - Railtours
Listing offered in good faith. No guarantees offered or implied.
Please confirm runnings with operators.
Please observe Network Rail photographic guidelines.Thank you.
Monday 11th November 2013
Kentish Belle Armistice Day (Railway Touring Company)
- 34067 London Victoria (pu) - Dartford - Gravesend - Chatham - Gillingham - Faversham - Whitstable - Margate - Ramsgate - Deal - Dover - Folkestone - Ashford International - Paddock Wood - Edenbridge - Redhill - London Victoria
The Cathedrals Express (Steam Dreams)
- To be confirmed Peterborough (pu) - Ely (pu) - Cambridge (pu) - Royston (pu) - Stevenage (pu) - Potters Bar (pu) - Canterbury West (break) & return
Cancelled
Saturday 23rd November 2013
The Capital Christmas Express (Railway Touring Company)
- 34067 Weymouth (pu) - Poole (pu) - Bournemouth (pu) - Southampton (pu) - Eastleigh (pu) - Basingstoke - Woking - Wimbledon - London Waterloo (break/rev) & return
The Tynesider (Railway Touring Company)
- 60009 Newcastle (pu) - Durham (pu) - Darlington (pu) - York (pu) -Doncaster - Grantham - Peterborough - London Kings Cross
- 60009 London Kings Cross - Peterborough - Grantham - Doncaster - York (sd)
- WCRC Class 47 York - Darlington (sd) - Durham (sd) - Newcastle
The Cathedrals Express (Steam Dreams)
- 60163 London Waterloo (pu) - Woking (pu) - Salisbury (pu) - Bath Spa (pu) - Hereford - Ludlow - Shrewsbury (break/rev) & return
The Elge Explorer (Vintage Trains)
- 4965 Tyseley Warwick Road (pu) - Coleshill Parkway (pu) - Nuneaton (pu) - Leicester (pu) - Peterborough - March - Ely (break/rev) & return
Thursday 28th November 2013
The Bath & Bristol Christmas Market (Railway Touring Company)
- 34067 Poole (pu) - Branksome (pu) - Bournemouth (pu) - Christchurch (pu) - Southampton (pu) - Eastleigh (pu) - Salisbury (pu) - Westbury - Bath Spa - Bristol Temple Meads (break/rev) & return
Saturday 30th November 2013
Christmas In The North Country (NENTA Traintours)
- WCRC Class 47 (Pair) North Walsham (pu) - Hoveton & Wroxham (pu) - Norwich (pu) - Diss (pu) - (Colchester by connecting service train) - Ipswich (pu) - Stowmarket (pu) - Bury St. Edmunds (pu) - (Cambridge & Wymondham by connecting service train) - Ely (pu) - March (pu) - Peterborough (pu) - York - Durham - Newcastle Central (break/rev) & return
The Festive Festival Express (Pathfinder Tours)
- DRS Class 37 Whitchurch (pu) - Shrewsbury (pu) - Craven Arms (pu) - Ludlow (pu) - Leominster (pu) - Hereford (pu) - Abergavenney (pu) - Cwmbran (pu) - Filton Abbey Wood (pu) - Salisbury - Portsmouth Harbour (break/rev) & return
Additional Tour Information
Pathfinder confirm that the traction for this train has been changed to DRS Class 37s, rather than the previously advertised DRS Class 47s.
Added 08:53 on Tuesday 29th October 2013The Christmas White Rose (Railway Touring Company)
- 60009 Cambridge (pu) - Ely (pu) - March (pu) - Peterborough (pu) - Grantham - Doncaster - York (break/rev) & return
The Christmas Cheshireman (Railway Touring Company)
- 70013 Bristol Temple Meads (pu) - Filton Abbey Woods (pu) - Cwmbran (pu) - Abergavenny (pu) - Hereford (pu) - Craven Arms - Shrewsbury - Gobowen - Ruabon - Wrexham - Chester (break/rev) & return
The Cathedrals Express (Steam Dreams)
- 70000 London Euston (pu) - Milton Keynes Central (pu) - Northampton (pu) - Lichfield Trent Valley (pu) - Chester (break/rev) & return
St. Nicholas Fayre In York 125 Special (UK Railtours)
- East Midlands Trains HST London St. Pancras (pu) - Luton Airport Parkway (pu) - Bedford (pu) - Kettering (pu) - Leicester - Loughborough - York (break/rev) & return
Sunday 1st December 2013
Melton Mowbray Christmas Fayre (Vintage Trains)
- 9600 and L94 (7752) Tyseley Warwick Road (pu) - Coleshill Parkway (pu) - Nuneaton (pu) -Leicester - Melton Mowbray (break/rev) & return
Need to keep up to date with the HS2 situation?
The Strategic Case for HS2
The Strategic Case for HS2 (which is available on the GOV.UK website), explains why HS2 is the best way to meet the challenge of an increasingly overcrowded rail network. It demonstrates how HS2 will transform intercity travel, radically improve commuter services into our major cities; allow more freight to be carried by rail; support economic growth; and make a major contribution to rebalancing the economy.The Strategic Case for HS2 can be found on the GOV.UK website at:
www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-strategic-case-for-hs2
Supporting the Strategic Case for HS2 are the updated Economic Case for HS2 and related documents, which can be found in the Economic documents section of this website
Meeting a growing need for travel
Our north-south links are among our most important transport arteries and are also most exposed to future pressure. We need networks that allow fast, dependable travel between cities; and provides enough capacity to keep freight moving.Long-distance rail travel in Britain has doubled since the mid-1990s and continues to grow. The West Coast Main Line effectively has no capacity for more trains, many of which are already full at times when people most rely on them.
The Government has considered potential solutions across all modes of transport. A £9 billion upgrade of the West Coast Main Line was completed in 2008, but still train operators cannot run all the direct services required: there isn’t enough space. Schemes to extend trains, platforms or track would not provide improvements on the scale we need, but would still require passengers to endure years of rail closures and disruption.
A north-south rail link; an engine for growth
Making the right investment now can make a huge difference to our future, and only HS2 can give us the boost in capacity we need for future decades. The new North-South rail link will revitalise the network, providing the capacity and connectivity we need to drive national and regional competitiveness.HS2 will not only carry over 300,000 people every day, it will be fully connected to the existing network, restoring value in the railways we already use. People around the country will notice the benefits – even if they never take a high speed train.
HS2 is a statement about the country’s ambition for this century. In redrawing the economic map, it will support British business, but also create opportunities and strengthen our society by better connecting the communities in which we live.
High demand for high-speed rail supply chain conference
5 November 2013
There has been a huge amount of interest from businesses looking to plug into over £10bn worth of supply chain contracts from the UK’s much-needed high speed rail network.
Over 600 companies registered to attend the event on 5 November at the Birmingham International Conference Centre within weeks of it being announced and 800 delegates will be in attendance on the day.
The Supply Chain conference is the first of a series of events looking to inform businesses about how they can get involved in the planning, design and construction of HS2.
“The new north south railway will revolutionise travel in the UK, providing desperately needed capacity. It will also bring jobs and growth to communities across the country for generations to come.”
Speakers confirmed as follows:
Over 600 companies registered to attend the event on 5 November at the Birmingham International Conference Centre within weeks of it being announced and 800 delegates will be in attendance on the day.
The Supply Chain conference is the first of a series of events looking to inform businesses about how they can get involved in the planning, design and construction of HS2.
Beth West, HS2 Ltd Commercial Director, said:
“HS2 will bring enormous benefits for the UK in terms of freeing- up capacity on the railways and connecting up our biggest cities. It will also act as an engine for economic growth through regeneration around the new stations, job creation and the multi-billion pound supply chain. The conference is an important step in gearing up UK PLC for the business opportunities to come from this massive infrastructure project. “Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, said:
“Today’s conference is a fantastic opportunity for businesses from across the UK to find out more about how they can be part of building HS2 in Britain.“The new north south railway will revolutionise travel in the UK, providing desperately needed capacity. It will also bring jobs and growth to communities across the country for generations to come.”
Speakers confirmed as follows:
- The Rt. Hon. Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport
- Alison Munro – Chief Executive, HS2 Ltd
- Andrew McNaughton – Technical Director, HS2 Ltd
- Beth West – Commercial Director, HS2 Ltd; and
- Doug Oakervee – Board Chair, HS2 Ltd.
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