SNCF's Ouigo operation is expanding, with its Vitesse Classique operation getting ready to start operations on the 11th of April. What can you expect? Corail coaches and broken nose trains. Starting 11th April - Image Ouigo/SNCF. Some of you know might know Ouigo, which currently operates high-speed trains in France, is akin to a low-cost operation. The Vitesse … [Read more...]

On the rails, it seems that Great Western Railway is taking another step forward on its battery-only powered rail adventure, as it teams up with Vivarail. With Great Western Railway (GWR) and Vivarail working together, they aim to bring rapid battery charging and battery-only trains to run in regular passenger service in the future. The trial will take place on the … [Read more...]

Once again, I had the "joy" of CrossCountry Trains again a few weekends ago and unsurprisingly, on a shoot to Manchester to work with a model for some photos for the holidays and beyond. I've skipped driving long distances since my accident, but there are times where I thought "I should have driven". This was one of these times. Booking As is common for me at the … [Read more...]

Avanti West Coast (the rail operator which plies services from London Euston) is making massive cuts temporarily to its timetable. The train company is putting the revised timetable in between 7 January and 25 February,  due to staff shortages that they are experiencing.  In summary, the train company plans to operate the following: Hourly Service … [Read more...]

So far in the UK, the work on Hydrogen-powered trains has been focused on upcycling older trains into "new" trains. Well, Alstom is to work with Eversholt Rail to develop a new-build Hydrogen Multiple Unit. Enter the Hydrogen Adventra, Image, Alstom  Both Alstom and Eversholt Rail announced a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at delivering the UK’s first-ever … [Read more...]

Open Access Train operator Lumo commenced operations, with the first train departing Kings Cross to Edinburhg on a press trip. Lumo Class 803 Hitachi AT300 - Image, Hitachi Rail. Lumo will operate between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh, operating between the principal stations of Stevenage, Newcastle, and Morpeth, with an end-to-end journey taking 4 and … [Read more...]

It seems all is not well, with Her Majestys government stripping Govia of the operating rights of Southeastern Railway. Southeastern Class 707 "CityBeam" train - Image, SouthEastern. For an action like this to be taken - either a train operator is close or near bankrupt, or there is serious fiscal mismanagement has been caught. And it seems money is the route of … [Read more...]

FirstGroup has been teasing its new Open Access rail operator between London and Scotland for some time now. Well - a brand has been unveiled - enter Lumo.  Lumo Class 803 train - Image, Lumo. Lumo will commence operations between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh on the 25th October 2021, operating between the principal stations of Stevenage, Newcastle, and Morpeth, with … [Read more...]