Railnews Magazine July 2016 Back Issue

The continuing dispute between the unions and train operators over extensions of driver-only operation deepened during June, with more industrial action taking place. Strikes have now started on ScotRail while walkouts continued on Southern. Writing exclusively in July’s Railnews, RMT general secretary Mick Cash sets out the case against more DOO, following last month’s article in favour of it from Charles Horton of GTR. Other main news stories include the destructive derailment at Paddington, which was followed by several days of disruption. The weather has continued to pose challenges, with lines closed by landslides. Services in south London were also disrupted by lightning strikes and heavy rain. We report on campaigns to improve rail services in East Anglia and the South West, although an expected report about future rail services in Devon and Cornwall from a local taskforce has been delayed until more information becomes available. There is concern in the West Midlands about the possibility of fewer intercity trains calling at some stations on the Wolverhampton-Rugby corridor, to reduce overcrowding caused by local passengers, while the region’s current franchise competition now has only two contenders, after a third bidder withdrew. There were celebrations in June as railway staff and passengers commemorated the Queen’s 90th birthday, while several railway people were named in her birthday honours list. One small item in our Diary column has turned out to be spot on. We suggest that GWR buffet cars could have usefully sold wellington boots to passengers travelling to Glastonbury, and indeed this year’s event has now been described as the ‘muddiest ever’. Perhaps GW will take up our suggestion next year?