A new advertising campaign to ‘entice’ commuters, business and leisure travellers back to the railway has been launched by the Rail Delivery Group. The RDG said the campaign is ‘a reminder that taking a train to experience something in person is a reminder of  real life’. Using a mixture of shared social media material and film, the campaign is designed to boost demand from the leisure, commuter and business markets. RDG chief executive Jacqueline Starr said: ‘Rail is fundamental to helping connect passengers to the people, places and things they love. Nothing Beats Being There is a rallying call. ‘Revenue for commuting and business travellers has still not returned to pre-pandemic levels. So we want to use this campaign to encourage everyone back to rail.’

A Vivarail train has started to carry passengers in North Wales this morning, more than four months since the rolling stock conversion company went into administration. Five Class 230 units had been ordered for the former Wales & Border franchise from Vivarail in June 2018, but they have not entered service until now because Transport for Wales has been dealing with technical faults on the trains. The first battery-hybrid unit converted from former London Underground cars to carry passengers in Wales left Wrexham Cantral at 07.31. Similar units have been running in the Isle of Wight, but London Northwestern Railway withdrew its Vivarail trains from the Bedford to Bletchley line at the start of December, when Vivarail appointed adminstrators. Bedford-Bletchley services have been operated by rail replacement buses since then. Vivarail has rebuilt the interior of the D78 cars, equipping them with toilets, power sockets, passenger information screens, WifFi, bike racks and air conditioning. Transport for Wales’ chief commercial officer Alexia Course said: ‘We’re delighted that the first Class 230 train has entered service.  ‘We’re committed to improving services between North Wales and the Liverpool City Region. We’ve already introduced brand new trains on services between Chester and Liverpool, and we’re planning to increase the frequency of services between Wrexham and Bidston, as well as providing a new direct service between Llandudno and Liverpool via the North Wales coast.’

The RMT is urging the new Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf to keep his promise that ScotRail stays in public ownership. The private sector contract to run ScotRail had been held by Abellio, and it was terminated a year ago when the Scottish Government exercised a break point in the contract, which could have lasted until March 2027. During his successful election campaign Mr Yousaf had said: ‘Bringing ScotRail and Sleeper Services into public hands was as much about energy as it is about building a safe, reliable, and accessible public transport system then. It is the belief of the SNP that a successful just transition relies, in part, on the public ownership of our rail. For that reason alone, I will commit categorically to keep Scotrail and Sleeper Services in public ownership.’ The Caledonian Sleeper contract held by Serco is due to end on 25 June. The RMT is also calling on the First Minister to increase services to pre-pandemic levels, investing in infrastructure and ending any cuts to jobs. The union’s general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘The certainty provided by the new First Minister that ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper will remain in public ownership is very welcome and means all revenue can be reinvested in improving Scotland’s railway. ‘The First Minister must also improve rail access and connectivity by increasing funding for infrastructure by reversing cuts to ScotRail services. ‘We are also keen that he will act swiftly on Transport Scotland's report on improving safety of women and girls on public transport by ensuring adequate staffing levels and no closure of ticket offices on Scotland's railway stations.’

Network Rail has made a bid to improve communications between signal panels and boxes within each region by devising new phonetic alphabets which draw on local culture and language. A notice sent to signallers and seen by Railnews says: ‘Following consultation it has been agreed that the London and South East Region (LaSER) Region Specific Phonetic Alphabet (RSPA) will become active from 0001hrs Saturday 1st April 2023. The RSPA will work concurrently with standardised Alphabet as per Rule Book Section G1. ‘The introduction of the LaSER RSPA is a culmination of many hours of work to bring forward a tangible legacy to “2023, British Year of the Dialect”. This RSPA embraces local dialectic idiosyncrasies. ‘As I'm sure your teams are aware, Network Rail have been embracing dialect and local customs in our bid to remain Diversity Relevant in the modern era. The homogenization of language, while ensuring clarity, is diluting cultures nationally and internationally. ‘Network Rail’s policy of multiple RSPAs should go live following a successful trial of LaSER.’ The new alphabet for the London area draws inspiration from the classic BBC comedy series, ‘Only Fools and Horses’, and reads: A = Arfur; B = Boycie; C = Cushty; D = Denzel; E = Earner;F = Freddie; G = Geezer; H = Hooky; I = Incometax; J = Jubbly; K = Khazi; L = Liquor; M = Marlene; N = Nagshead; O = Occhetti; P = Plonker; Q = Quack; R = Rodney; S = Sullivan; T = Tea; U = Uncle; V = VAT; W = Wally; X = Xwife; Y = Yuppy; Z = Zebedee. Network Rail added: ‘It is important to note this can only be used for rail communications wholly encompassed within LaSER. In ALL other circumstances users must apply G1 SA.’ 

An HS2 tunnelling gang in Warwickshire has celebrated the breakthrough of tunnel boring machine ‘Dorothy’ as the cutterhead broke through the wall of the Long Itchington Wood Tunnel. It’s taken four months for the 2,000 tonne TBM to complete its 1500m second bore, from north to south. Long Itchington Wood is the first twin-bore tunnel to be completed on HS2. After completing the first bore of the tunnel in July 2022, the 125m TBM was dismantled and returned to the north portal where it was reassembled, ready to start its second journey. Staff from Balfour Beatty VINCI were on the site to see the cutterhead break through. It has taken three years to complete both bores. Rail minister Huw Merriman said: ‘This is yet another ground-breaking moment in the delivery of HS2 and the transformation of journeys and communities across Britain. ‘With the help of Tunnel Boring Machine Dorothy, these tunnels are paving the way for HS2 trains while preserving ancient woodland on the land above. These tunnels help ensure that we deliver this transformative project while protecting the natural environment.’

Network Rail is to close Barmouth Bridge for up to 13 weeks this autumn so that its restoration can be concluded. Network Rail will be working with its principal contractors Alun Griffiths to reconstruct the metal sections of the bridge, as well as renewing the track near Barmouth Toll House on the northern edge of the viaduct.   Work began in 2020 in order to protect the bridge for future generations and to maintain its magnificent appearance. The project has already seen the timber beams which support the 154-year-old structure replaced. The restoration has been split into several phases to reduce the effect on rail services, the community and local economy. Network Rail has also planned the work to avoid the busy summer season. Network Rail said Barmouth Bridge, including its footpath, will be closed from 2 September to 24 November, and probably again from 25 November to 3 December, although this has yet to be confirmed. Preparation has started and will continue until September. Engineering gangs and contractors are currently grit blasting the steel cylinders that support the metal parts of the bridge, to prepare them for painting. Wales & Borders interim route director Nick Millington said: ‘We are excited to begin work on the final phase of restoring this iconic viaduct. There is no other like it in Britain, so we have meticulously and carefully brought this structure back to life so it can serve passengers for future generations.’

The first of a fleet of new trains for South Wales Metro is being unveiled today. The Class 231 train, built by Stadler, was launched in Caerphilly by the deputy minister for climate change in the Welsh Government, Lee Waters. Transport for Wales says the trains have more capacity than the existing fleet, as well as improved seating, air conditioning, power sockets and information screens, space for six cycles and automatic level boarding. Lee Waters said: ‘Travelling on these new carriages is such a different experience from travelling on the old ones. There’s more room, it’s much more comfortable and it is quieter and smoother. Come and give them a try.’ Transport for Wales CEO James Price added: ‘This is another key milestone for TfW. People are now starting to see transformation across our network with the introduction of brand-new, modern trains that will attract people to use public transport. ‘We introduced our CAF Class 197 to the network at the start of the year and we’re proud today to launch yet another brand-new train in the Stadler Class 231 train. The South Wales Metro is a phased project and today signifies it is now starting to be delivered.’

The National Audit Office is warning that HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport cannot complete the high speed train terminus at London Euston within the existing budget of £2.6 billion, and that the estimated cost now stands at £4.8 billion. A new NAO report is also warning that budget pressures have been worsened by inflation, which is affecting the DfT’s capital programme. It says the department will need to manage this ‘closely’. The size of the HS2 station at Euston was reduced from 11 platforms to 10 in November 2020, but it still exceeded the budget by £1 billion. At the end of December 2022, HS2 Ltd had spent £0.5 billion on HS2 Euston, along with a further £1.5 billion on land purchases and preparatory works for the station and its approaches. This money was taken from the wider HS2 Phase One budget rather than the Euston budget. The report also says that the revised HS2 Euston design addressed previous issues concerning the design and construction of the station but it did not solve the challenge of designing it within the budget. Transport secretary Mark Harper announced earlier this month that work on HS2 north of Birmingham was being paused for two years, but the NAO says DfT and HS2 Ltd will also pause the work at HS2 Euston for two years as well, while they look again at how to achieve an affordable design that provides value for money. As a result of this pause there will be additional costs and overall expenditure could increase. The report concludes that the DfT’s and HS2 Ltd’s attempt to ‘reset the programme’ since 2020 has not succeeded, and that ‘further action is now required to develop an affordable and viable station’. The head of the NAO Gareth Davies said: ‘Government is once again having to revise plans for Euston HS2. Clearly, the 2020 reset of the station design has not succeeded. DfT and HS2 Ltd have not been able to develop an affordable scope that is integrated with other activity at Euston, despite their focus on costs and governance since 2020. Recent high inflation has added to the challenge. ‘The March 2023 announcement by the transport secretary pausing new construction work should now give DfT and HS2 Ltd the necessary time to put the HS2 Euston project on a more realistic and stable footing. However, the deferral of spending to manage inflationary pressures will lead to additional costs and potentially a more expensive project overall, and that will need to be managed closely.’ Meg Hillier, who chairs the Commons Public Accounts Committee added: ‘Attempts to reset the High Speed 2 Euston station have failed. It is still unaffordable and no further forward than it was three years ago. ‘Today’s NAO report show that the redesigned station would have cost nearly double what was budgeted. The delays to fix this will be felt not only by the taxpayer, but will continue to disrupt people and businesses around Euston. ‘Department for Transport and High Speed Two Ltd have wasted enough time and money. They must get Euston right next time or risk squandering what benefits remain.’

The RMT has suspended the strikes at 14 train operators in England which it had called for 30 March and 1 April. The move came last night after the Rail Delivery Group had tabled a new offer which the RMT said ‘could lead to a resolution to resolve the current national rail dispute’. The union said further talks will now be held. The suspension of the two 24-hour strikes has followed the ending of the RMT dispute with Network Rail, after its members had voted to accept a new offer. The possibility of a settlement has been welcomed by the Rail Delivery Group and the Department for Transport. The DfT said: ‘This marks a positive step and takes us closer to resolving this dispute. ‘After Network Rail employees overwhelmingly voted to accept a similar pay offer earlier this week, we’re once again asking the RMT executive to do the right thing and put this fair and reasonable offer to its members, giving them the pay rise they deserve and helping us end this dispute.’ The RDG added: ‘We are now jointly focused on working constructively towards a settlement to this dispute, which will mean we can do what we have always wanted to do – give our people a pay rise and help secure the long-term future of the railway with rewarding careers for all those who work on it.’

Derby is to be the home of Great British Railways, the government has announced. The East Midlands city will host the GBR headquarters, where several hundred people will work. More than 40 towns and cities had competed to host GBR’s headquarters, and six were shortlisted. The other five were Birmingham, Crewe, Doncaster, Newcastle and York. Transport secretary Mark Harper said: ‘It’s full steam ahead for the reform of our railways and today’s announcement is not only a huge win for the brilliant city of Derby, but a key milestone for the entire rail industry across the country. ‘Great British Railways will put the passenger first, promoting collaboration and innovation across a joined-up, efficient and modern network.’ Derby-based industry networking organisation Rail Forum has welcomed the news. Chief executive Elaine Clark said: ‘All of the finalists were strong contenders to be the home of GBR and Rail Forum would like to commend each of the locations on the quality of their bids. GBR will be the guiding mind and set the strategic direction for the future of Britain’s railways. Derby is an excellent location for the HQ and we look forward to continuing to develop our relationship with GBRTT, for the benefit of all our members across the whole of the UK.’ Maria Machancoses, who is the chief executive of regional transport body Midlands Connect, said: ‘I am thrilled to hear Derby has been selected as the home for the new Great British Railways HQ. ‘It is an excellent choice; Derby is right in the heart of the country and is home to the greatest cluster of rail sector businesses in the UK and indeed Europe making it a perfect location for the home of GBR. ‘Investing in Derby is a therefore a clear vote of confidence for the rail industry bringing a host of job opportunities to the region and we look forward to working together with GBR on our plans, including the Midlands Rail Hub.’ Rail Partners lobbies on behalf of the private sector. Its chief executive Andy Bagnall said: ‘It's great to see Great British Railways has found its future home in Derby, a city with a rich history of railway heritage and a track record of innovation. The strength of competition for the HQ from other great railway cities up and down the country speaks to the transformative power of rail as an engine for green growth. ‘Legislation in the next Parliamentary session is now the critical next step to establishing Great British Railways and maintaining momentum for reform of our railways in the interests of both customers and taxpayers.’