Railnews Magazine August 2019 Back Issue

CONFUSION grows over the outlook for HS2, with new Prime Minister Boris Johnson seemingly blowing hot and cold over the project. Transport secretary Chris Grayling has resigned and been replaced by Grant Shapps, while other ministerial appointments at the Department for Transport include the return of Paul Maynard.

Meanwhile, the man in charge of the DfT’s Rail Review says the DfT should take a back seat and stop managing franchises. Keith Williams says a new post or organisation could be the answer, because ‘someone needs to be accountable to the public’. He added that such a change would be ‘key for regaining public trust’.

The industry has been shocked by the accident near Margam, in which two track workers were killed by a London-bound express train. A full inquiry is now underway. Our regular feature Hot Topic considers the vital role of communication, especially when safety-critical work is involved.

The record July temperatures disrupted many train services in England on 25 July, and some problems continued into the following week. Network Rail activated its extreme weather action teams to maintain safety and keep at least some trains running. The Midland Main Line was particularly badly affected by damage to the overhead lines between Kentish Town and West Hampstead Thameslink.

It was wet weather which caused disruption in North Wales earlier this year, but trains are now running once again on the Conwy Valley line after extensive repairs. The branch from Llandudno Junction was closed on 16 March after serious floods had damaged more than 9km of the route.

We also have an exclusive report about what happens in Network Rail’s national control centre in Milton Keynes, and how a small team plays a vital role by helping to keep 23,000 trains running every day.

Railnews for August is out now.