By Tony Miles The future of the Northern franchise is hanging in the balance after Transport Secretary Grant Shapps addressed the Transport Select Committee on October 16. He said: “I can tell the committee that I have already issued a request for proposals from both Arriva

THE RMT has called its longest series of strikes yet since disputes over on-train staff and the role of guards first flared several years ago.The union said its drivers and guards on South Western Railway will strike for 27 days next month, starting on 2 December and continuing until 11

BULGARIA remains the main user of ex-BR built electric locomotives, but the competitive nature of freight operations has led to mixed fortunes for the Class 86, 87 and 92s exported there. Operator Bulmarket has work for its well-maintained Class 87s (Nos. 87009/17/23/25), however its Class 86s, which are around 10 years

TRIALS using a Vivarail Class 230 battery hybrid multiple unit were operated on September 9-10 between Evesham and Moreton-in-Marsh. In addition to diesel power on its converted trains, Vivarail can harness battery power, with hydrogen eventually planned. The company is building on tests undertaken in 2018 when its development set

THE end of Virgin Train West Coast franchise is just two months away, and an on-going repaint programme has led to the release of the first unbranded Class 390 ‘Pendolino’ set.  The repaint work is part of the interim maintenance regime, which began in June 2017. Set

THE five Class 802 bi-mode trains that will begin work with Hull Trains (HT) are to be called the ‘Paragon’ fleet.  HT says it has significance in Hull from when Paragon station first opened in 1848, with the dictionary definition defining paragon as ‘a model of excellence’. In addition to

More trains on Victoria LineLONDON Underground has lengthened the hours of peak time services on the Victoria Line. Trains are now running every 1m40s for three hours rather than one and a half hours in the morning and evening rush hours. Transport for London said the more intensive services would

Bookazines from Mortons Media, publisher of popular railway magazines, tell you everything you need to know about the history of the UK’s railways and locomotives.  Each of these publications is supported by extensive research and an archive of fine photography. From steam and diesel to electric trains on the lines

STATIC factory-based testing of the first of 52 Stadler Class 777 four-car EMUs for Merseyrail has started in Switzerland.  When engineers are satisfied, the set will be moved to Germany for dynamic testing on Siemens Wildenrath test circuit, before the first completed set is delivered to Merseyside later in the

By Ben Jones GREATER Anglia’s (GA) rural services are beginning to see a radical transformation as new Class 755 bi-mode ‘FLIRT’ units enter service.  There was a ‘soft launch’ into passenger service on July 29, with GA officially introducing the new Stadler-built trains at Norwich on September