All is not well on both the Great Western and East Coast rail routes in the UK, as the Class 800 trains have had to be taken out of service en-mass. A number of Class 800 series Hitachi trains in use by several train companies have been withdrawn from service for precautionary safety checks. The decision to withdraw the trains had been taken because of cracks found on the … [Read more...]

East Midlands Railway (EMR) is on the edge of rolling out its "new" electric train fleet. Let us see what they will offer the passenger (and yes, there is an aviation angle). EMR will deploy its Class 360/1 trains into squadron service from 16th May, as part of the Midland Main Line upgrade. This has allowed electrification of the line beyond Bedford, up to Corby, with … [Read more...]

With the dust settling over the Class 442 being shunted off into history and the Class 458 taking their place in the future, there's a lot to be done. Thankfully, Porterbrook - the owner of the Class 458 trains, has signed a contract for the refurbishment of the units, extending their use to 2027. Soth Westerns Railway Class 458 (shot in 2017 in South West Trains colours - … [Read more...]

It seems that South West Railway is to bid farewell to the Class 442 "Wessex Electrics" trains, with the trains to be withdrawn and returned to the lessor South Western Railway Class 442 (Refurbished) - Image, South Western Railway The Class 442 trains were in the process of being refurbished for use on the London Waterloo to Portsmouth route, with both internal refits … [Read more...]

Transport for London (TfL) and Siemens Mobility has unveiled the detailed design of the new generation Tube trains for the Piccadilly line. The Inspiro London - or the New Piccadilly Line train - Image, Siemens Mobility/TfL These trains will replace the existing trains which entered service in the 1970s. The move comes whilst TfL is suffering from lower revenue from the … [Read more...]

With mass-vaccination centres popping up, transportation companies are stepping up to assist. Great Western Railway is supporting this, with the train company adding an additional stop Newbury Racecourse for some of its services. Great Western Railway InterCity Express Train arriving at Newbury Racecourse - Image, GWR. The additional station stops on trains between … [Read more...]

Let's turn to trains and East Midlands Railway, who are in the awaiting their new fleet of bi-mode trains. The Class 810 "Aurora" will feature new seating on its new units. East Midlands Railway Class 810 "Aurora" - Image, East Midlands Railway East Midlands Railway will install a variant of the FISA Lean seat. The company claims it has refined it to offer enhanced … [Read more...]

With the National lockdown in effect in England, the open-access rail operators are again shutting down their services. Both Grand Central Railway and Hull Trains have suspended their services. Grand Central operates services from London Kings Cross to Sunderland and Bradford Interchange, whilst Hull Trains operates services from London Kings Cross to Hull … [Read more...]

Heathrow Express has stood down its stalwart Class 332 trains that it uses to connect London Paddington to the Heathrow Terminals. Farewell, old expensive friend. The trains were introduced in 1997, built by Siemens and CAF, initially operating "Heathrow FastTrain" to Heathrow Junction in January 1998 and then operating the full "Heathrow Express" service later in June … [Read more...]