The modernised and enlarged station at Gatwick Airport opened to passengers this morning. The first train to call was the 05.48 Thameslink service from Bedford to Brighton. There has been a Gatwick Airport station since 1935, when the name was given to an existing station at Tinsley Green. This was replaced by another Gatwick Airport station in 1958. This was also an existing station called Gatwick Racecourse which was rebuilt to serve the airport. In 2019-20 the station was used by more than 21 million passengers, according to the Office of Rail and Road. Modernisation has added a second concourse, eight new escalators, five new lifts, four new stairways and additional ticket gates. The platforms have been widened and track has been upgraded. The station is within the North Terminal, but the linkspan to the South Terminal has also been improved. The two concourses have allowed a one-way system to be introduced. Passengers going to the airport terminals will use the new concourse, while the older concourse will be for passengers leaving the airport. Network Rail Sussex route director Lucy McAuliffe said: ‘I’m delighted to see the upgraded Gatwick Airport station open today, providing the millions of passengers that use the station each year with a fantastic and fit-for-purpose station that supports the ambitions of London Gatwick and the significant growth in passengers expected in the years to come. ‘This has been a highly complex and challenging project and I am proud of how hard our teams have worked in close conjunction with our partners to deliver a station upgrade that makes journeys to the airport much easier for all passengers and encourages people to ditch the car and travel by rail, the cleanest and greenest way to travel. ‘This project is not just for those making their way to the airport, the work benefits passengers right across the route by giving them quicker journeys and a more reliable timetable. I hope passengers enjoy this newly upgraded station.’ Govia Thameslink Railway customer services director Jenny Saunders added: ‘Our trains sustainably speed people to the airport in just half an hour from London - and that's much better for the environment than driving. ‘However, the station has been struggling with the numbers using it and that holds up our trains, delaying everyone. ’This stunning redevelopment has fixed all that. I genuinely believe our customers are going to love the extra space and improved accessibility that will make the journey between train and plane quicker, easier and more attractive.’                                                                                                                                                   

The government is said to be poised to reintroduce a degree of commercial freedom in National Rail Contracts, with the intention of allowing operators to increase profits. It is reported that the owners of operators are urging the government to loosen the tight restrictions of the present contracts. These were introduced in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic which led to the conventional franchises being suspended in March 2020 and then cancelled in September. Emergency agreements replaced the franchises, in which the Department for Transport collected the revenues and paid the operators’ costs, plus a management fee. They have now been replaced by new-style National Rail Contracts, which also involve a management fee and very little commercial risk for the operators. The Financial Times has reported that talks over changing the terms of these contracts have already started, amid concerns that passenger numbers, although rising, have not yet returned to pre-Covid levels on some routes. At the same time several operators, including nationalised LNER, say their passenger levels are now higher than they were in 2019. LNER is one of four renationalised operators in England. The others are Northern, Southeastern and TransPennine Express. Caledonian Sleeper, ScotRail and Transport for Wales have also been taken over by their respective devolved governments. The need to attract more passengers and increase earnings was emphasised by transport secretary Mark Harper last week. He told the Commons Transport Committee: ‘There are only two ways you can make the rail industry sustainable. You either drive up revenue or you reduce costs. And taking costs out means reducing services.’ Meanwhile, plans to create a new ‘guiding mind’ called Great British Railways, which would have its headquarters in Derby and control passenger contracts as well as the infrastructure, are apparently suspended for now. The government has not allocated any Parliamentary time to debating an Act of Parliament authorising GBR this side of the forthcoming General Election.

New trains for the Piccadilly Line of London Underground built by Siemens are being tested in Germany and Austria. The procurement has been running behind time because a new Piccadilly Line fleet had been intended to enter service almost 10 years ago, but the plan was frustrated by the failure of the Underground’s Public-Private Partnerships. One of the new trains is on the Siemens test track at Wildenrath, near Düsseldorf, while three cars are being assessed inside a cold chamber in Austria to make sure that the cars would function during severe winter weather on surface sections of the Piccadilly Line. Siemens Mobility is building 94 trains for Transport for London, and about half are set to be assembled at Goole in Yorkshire from next year. Merseyside devolution proposals Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram signed a ‘trailblazer’ Memorandum of Understanding about rail devolution with transport secretary Mark Harper during the official opening of Headbolt Lane station in Kirkby. The MoU opens the door to closer links between Network Rail and the City Region, which could gain more control over investments to improve the Merseyside network, including stations. HS2 Euston debate Liberal Democrats on the London Assembly have clashed with the Conservatives over concerns about the effects of HS2 between Old Oak Common and London Euston, following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 4 October. During Mayor’s Questions, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari said local businesses in Camden have been affected by the pausing of construction at Euston. Over 70 businesses were forced to move because of the work, while hundreds more have lost some of their customers. According to Assembly Member Bokhari, both residents and businesses in Camden could now face decades of disruption amid concerns over the private sector’s ability to fund the project. Castle commemorated A new Class 197 unit built by CAF for Transport for Wales has named by schoolchildren in a ceremony at Carmarthen station. The trains are being used first between Swansea and Carmarthen, but there are plans to extend their service area westwards to Milford Haven and Fishguard Harbour. The name ‘Carew Castle Express’ was chosen by year 5 pupil Rhys Protheroe from Johnstown primary school in Carmarthen, and it commemorates an ancient landmark in Pembrokeshire.

Alstom has warned Derby City Council that it intends to end the building of trains in the city. The news follows fears that more than 1300 workers, or two-thirds of the employees, were set to lose their jobs because of a lack of new orders. It has now emerged that Alstom is planning to go further by ceasing to build rolling stock at Litchurch Lane, bringing to an end a tradition in Derby which goes back to 1840. The decision raises a question mark over where Alstom will now play its part in building trains for HS2, in conjunction with Hitachi. Derby Council leader Baggy Shanker said: ‘We've been informed by Alstom this morning that after months of talks with Government, they must now plan to end the production of rolling stock within the city and will be starting a redundancy consultation affecting Derby manufacturing staff, coinciding with the end of current projects. ‘The Litchurch Lane factory site is a unique asset for Derby and the UK and we understand the impact these supply chain job losses will have on our residents and the wider region. ‘We’ve been working closely with Alstom, Unite and senior Government officials to explore potential resolutions to the current situation since the announcement of possible job cuts back in September and we're saddened to hear that a solution has not yet been possible. Minsters really need to commit and focus on this vital industrial sector. To date I’m disappointed that no Minister has agreed to speak to us on this matter. ‘The rail sector is immensely important to the city, and was recognised earlier this year with Derby being named the home for the new Great British Railways headquarters. ‘We stand with Alstom and their workers during this disappointing time and continue to support wherever we can.’ The Rail Forum, which is based in Derby, said: ‘The approach to rolling stock procurement has led to the current scenario of “feast and famine” and we are already seeing redundancies at suppliers as their work dries up. We have raised our concerns with government and the Department for Transport on a number of occasions over the last year as this situation was, sadly, predictable.’ If Alstom’s decision goes ahead, it will also mean the closure of the last traditional train-building works in Britain. Hitachi’s site at Newton Aycliffe and CAF’s at Newport in south Wales have both been opened during the last few years.

Updated 10.57 ASLEF has announced a series of strikes by train drivers between 2 and 8 December, in its continuing dispute over pay. Unlike previous walkouts, the strikes will affect different operators in England each day, but there will also be a general overtime ban from 1 to 9 December. ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan said: ‘Our members have spoken and we know what they think. Every time they vote, and they have voted overwhelmingly, for strike action in pursuit of a proper pay rise it is a clear rejection of the offer that was made in April.’ The drivers’ union has already staged 14 daily strikes since the dispute began in the spring of last year. It described the last pay offer, which was made some six months ago, as ‘risible’. The Rail Delivery Group said: ‘This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the ASLEF leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses ahead of the vital festive period, while further damaging the railway at a time when it is still getting an extra £175 million a month in taxpayer cash. ‘The fair and affordable offer made by industry, which would take average driver base salaries for a 4-day week from £60,000 to nearly £65,000, remains on the table. We urge the ASLEF leadership to put it to its members, give Christmas back to our passengers, and end this damaging industrial dispute.’ The Department for Transport added: ‘It is disappointing that ASLEF are targeting the public and hospitality businesses at the beginning of the festive period, when there is a fair and reasonable pay offer for train drivers on the table that would take their salary up to an average of £65,000 for a 35-hour, four-day week. ‘Taxpayers contributed £1000 per household to protect train drivers’ jobs during the pandemic. Instead of going on strike, ASLEF should be following in the footsteps of the other rail unions and giving their members a vote on this fair pay deal.’ The walkouts will affect East Midlands Railway and LNER on 2 December; Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, Great Northern, Thameslink and West Midlands Trains on the 3rd; c2c and Greater Anglia on the 5th, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express, South Western Railway main line, SWR depot drivers and Island Line on the 6th; CrossCountry and GWR on the 7th and Northern and TransPennine Express on the 8th. The strike call has come at a time when the separate dispute involving the RMT could be coming to an end. A vote on the latest pay offer is currently under way, and will close on 30 November.

The number of jobs which could be lost in Derby because of the Alstom crisis has more than doubled. Earlier reports suggested that 600 jobs could be shed because of a lack of orders, but it is now feared that more than 1300 workers could be laid off. In a statement issued a short time ago, Alstom said it is set to cut 1500 jobs worldwide. The company is facing a wider cash crisis. It says it is planning to raise money by selling assets worth up to one billion Euros and may also increase its capital to help its balance sheet. The markets have reacted badly, with the value of Alstom shares falling by 16 per cent since stock exchanges opened this morning. Litchurch Lane in Derby is running out of orders. Current projects include the Class 730 Aventra fleet for West Midlands Trains and a monorail in Egypt, but work on these will be completed in 2024. A likely reduction in size of the HS2 fleet is one problem, following the cancellation of the West Midlands to Manchester section last month by the Prime Minister. Alstom is to build the high speed trains in conjunction with Hitachi, but construction is not due to begin until 2026. Another threat is the lack of forthcoming orders for conventional lines in Britain. It now seems that 780 agency staff could lose their jobs, along with 550 permanent employees. If these losses went ahead, the current workforce would be more than halved. Alstom said it has been working with the UK government over the last six months to achieve a ‘sustainable future’ for the Derby factory, which it acquired when it took over Bombardier in 2021. Alstom’s statement continued: ‘No committed way forward has yet been found and therefore it is with deep regret that we must now begin to plan for a significant reduction in activity at Derby by entering a period of collective consultation on potential redundancies at Litchurch Lane. ‘We will fully support our dedicated colleagues during this exceptionally difficult time. We look forward to fulfilling our commitments on HS2 and successfully competing for rolling stock opportunities across the UK in the future. ‘We remain open-minded as to the future of non-production functions located at Litchurch Lane and to potential future alternative uses for the Derby site. ‘We will begin an extensive review of options, and will fully involve our stakeholders in this process.’

Money to pay for the first stage of work on a new station for Bradford has been announced, following the publication of the Network North proposals last month. The Network North schemes cover most of the country, and include projects in Devon and Cambridgeshire as well as the north of England. The government said last month that it would be investing £36 billion in the ‘long term’ schemes, which would include road improvements as well as railways and a new tram system for Leeds, all funded by money released from the cancellation of HS2 to Crewe and Manchester. Department for Transport permanent secretary Dame Bernadette Kelly has pointed out that HS2 between the West Midlands and Crewe cannot be abandoned without a further Act of Parliament, and the £400,000 allocated to Bradford comes from the previously announced West Yorkshire Devolution deal. The Network North proposals include £2 billion for Bradford’s new station, although it is not yet known where it will be built, or on what line. For now, the initial grant will fund the preparation of a master plan for the station by the council. The DfT said the work will examine how the new station can support regeneration and make the most of its potential to create new homes, jobs and economic growth. Once complete, the findings will form part of a wider business case for the project which will include details of the proposed location and opening date. Rail minister Huw Merriman said: ‘I have championed the case for a new railway station in Bradford for a long time and the funding announced today will make this commitment one step closer to becoming a reality. ‘Bradford is soon to become the UK's City of Culture and our scheme to deliver a brand new station and railway line will help attract tourism, unlock access to neighbouring cities and provide the area with the huge regeneration opportunities it deserves to boost connectivity and economic growth.’

The first Class 730 electric units built by Alstom in Derby went into service with London Northwestern Railway this morning, when two three-car sets coupled in multiple worked the 06.04 from Bletchley to London Euston. But the launch has been overshadowed by reports that 600 jobs are set to be lost in Derby after the Prime Minister announced that HS2 will not be built to Crewe and Manchester at the Conservative Party conference on 4 October.  Alstom is preparing a statutory consultation which will pave the way to shedding almost a third of the 2000-strong workforce at Litchurch Lane, according to The Times. Talks with unions are understood to be taking place this week. It is expected that most of the job losses will affect agency workers rather than established staff. There had been concern for several weeks that jobs at Litchurch Lane were at risk, after the Prime Minister’s decision implied that fewer trains will be needed for the High Speed line between London and Birmingham, which is still under construction. The HS2 fleet is to be built by a joint venture of Alstom and Hitachi. Even before the announcement about HS2, Derby City Council had sought talks with Alstom over the possibility that jobs were being put at risk because future train orders were being delayed. On 12 September, Derby City Council leader Baggy Shanker said: ‘The Litchurch Lane factory site is a unique asset for Derby and we understand the impact these job losses will have on our residents and the wider region. ‘As a Council, we’re ready to play our part and urge the Government and unions to work closely with Alstom to ensure a sustainable future for the factory, which would not only benefit the thousands of staff at the site, but many more across the local supply chain.’ Meanwhile, the new three-car Alstom Class 730/0s are only being used on the West Coast Main Line for now. They will be moved to local services in the West Midlands when the five-car Class 730/2s are delivered next year. The three-car 730s will next be seen between Walsall and Wolverhampton, early in 2024. The eventual fleet of 82 trains will consist of 324 vehicles. Some of the 730/2 five-car sets will also be worked in multiple as 10-car trains.

New figures released by the Office of Rail and Road show that passenger figures are continuing to recover since the Covid pandemic. Altogether 390.2 million journeys were made on National Rail between 1 April and 30 June this year, which the ORR points out was 19 per cent higher than the total of 327.6 million recorded in the same quarter last year. In the same quarter in 2019, before the pandemic, there were 437.5 million journeys, which indicates a shortfall between now and then of 10.86 per cent. But ASLEF staged strikes on 12 and 31 May and also on 3 June, while RMT members walked out on 13 May and 2 June. In addition, ASLEF imposed overtime bans on 13 May, from 15 to 20 May, and also on 1 June.  As June began, industrial tensions remained high. ASLEF drivers voted on the 15th in favour of further strikes, while a few days later the union announced another overtime ban to run from 3 to 8 July, and the RMT called more 24-hour strikes on 20, 22 and 29 July. This combination of actual disruption and reports of more to come must have put off many potential rail travellers between 1 April and 30 June. It is not possible to say exactly how many passengers were deterred, but with annual totals running at about 1.4 billion, we might estimate that at up to four million journeys a day were lost during industrial action. Taking the strikes between April and June alone, that suggests the passenger totals for that quarter might have been reduced by something like 20 million. If the strikes had not happened, the theoretical total could therefore have been more like 410 million. This is admittedly very broad brush, but 410 million is only about 6 per cent less than the 2019 figure we have already mentioned. In other words, it seems that 94 per cent of passengers have (or would have) returned in the first quarter of this railway year. Passenger kilometres and revenue are also rising, as you might expect. Passenger kilometres between April and June this year amounted to 14.9 billion, which was a 10 per cent increase on the 13.5 billion in the same quarter in the previous year. Passenger revenue for the same quarter was £2.6 billion. This total was 10 per cent more than the £2.3 billion in the same quarter in the previous year, adjusted for inflation. How do these figures compare with April-June 2019? Passenger kilometres then were 17.3 billion and revenue was £3,291 million, but as with the passenger figures, the gap between 2019 and 2023 is continuing to close. Hull Trains has recorded that the number of passengers using its services compared with 2019 is 28 per cent higher. LNER has also bounced back, and has been doing so for some time. As long ago as October to December last year, its passenger journeys were 96 per cent of the total for the same period in 2019, and the total for April-June this year was 6.4 million, compared with 5.7 million in April-June 2019. This looks like more than recovery. It is growth.

A total of 390 million journeys were made by train between 1 April to 30 June, according to the ORR. Journey totals are slightly inflated because each leg of a passenger’s trip is counted separately, but even so the total is 19 per cent higher than in the same quarter between April and June last year. Revenue was £2.6 billion in the latest quarter, and this total was 10 per cent higher than it was a year earlier, after inflation is taken into account. Underground workers approve more strikes Members of the RMT at London Underground have voted in favour of continuing strikes in the dispute over job security, conditions of employment and pensions. The union said there had been a turnout of 54 per cent, and 95 per cent of those votes were in favour of continuing action. When all members were taken into account, 52 per cent supported more strikes. The union said it would ‘now consider its next steps’. Trains set to return on landslip line Train services in West Yorkshire are expected to return to normal on Monday after a collapsed wall caused a landslip in Dewsbury two days ago. The crack in part of a retaining wall that runs alongside the railway south of Dewsbury station is several metres wide, and the line towards Huddersfield had to be closed. Some trains are being diverted while engineers repair the damage. Marston Vale Line to reopen Trains will start running again on 20 November between Bedford and Bletchley on the Marston Vale Line. London Northwestern Railway has been providing buses on the route since Vivarail went into administration in late 2022, when LNW withdrew the Vivarail Class 230s. Three Class 150 diesel units have been acquired from other lines.