There will be no trains between Luton and Bedford this week, as engineers work on removing the two trains which collided south of Bedford on Friday, killing a driver and injuring 100 passengers. Last night, nine of the injured passengers were still in critical condition in hospital, and inspectors from the
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Monday essay: what will be the lessons of Bedford?
It is now known that 100 people were injured in Friday’s train crash near Bedford, in which the driver of one of the trains was killed. Sim Harris asks what lessons might be learnt. The earliest railway engineers were well aware of the risks of a rear-end collision. The time interval system
Railways warn of hot weather disruption
An extreme heat weather warning has been issued for this week, and train operators are warning that services could be disrupted. Great Western Railway said speed restrictions are being imposed between Reading and London through the Thames Valley, where temperatures could reach 37 degrees later this week. The hottest weather is expected
First results of new passenger survey show most are satisfied
Almost nine out of 10 railway passengers are satisfied with their journeys, according to the latest survey by Transport Focus. The new Rail Customer Experience Survey has replaced the former National Passenger Survey. More than 100,000 passengers were invited to respond, and 87 per cent said they were satisfied. The results cover
Passenger journeys total sets new record
Updated 13.22More train journeys are being made in Britain than ever before, but the Office of Rail and Road has conceded that the new total of 1.83 billion for the year to March has been inflated to some extent by split ticketing. In some cases a journey is cheaper if it
New bi-mode locomotives on course to enter service
A test freight train has been run by GB Railfreight from DP World’s London Gateway to Maritime Transport’s Hams Hall freight terminal in the West Midlands, using a new Class 99 bi-mode locomotive. Yesterday’s intermodal service is being hailed by GB Railfreight as a ‘significant milestone’, particularly because it was one
Network Rail recruits drones to combat vandalism and theft
Two trials of drones which will keep an eye on the railway are set to start this year. The newly integrated Anglia management team, which consists of Network Rail, c2c and Greater Anglia, has been working to reduce vandalism, cable theft and trespassing on the railway, which are among the leading
Birthday honours for Network Rail staff
Two Network Rail staff members have been honoured by the King. Esther Lagden and Tyron Woodford have been awarded British Empire Medals in recognition of their exceptional contributions to their communities. Esther Lagden has been recognised for her dedicated voluntary service supporting young people, while Tyron Woodford has been honoured for his
Bedworth bridge bash: man arrested
A man has been interviewed by police after a railway bridge at Bedworth was badly damaged by a lorry on Thursday. Train services on the West Coast Main Line between Rugby and Nuneaton were disrupted until the following day while engineers checked for damage. When train services returned, speed restrictions were
Trains to return after Bedworth bridge damage
Normal train services are set to return to the line between Rugby and Nuneaton, after a lorry seriously damaged a bridge carrying the West Coast Main Line over a road at Bedworth. No one was injured in the incident yesterday, but the line had to be closed while Network Rail engineers