Railnews Magazine January 2021 Back Issue

NEW Covid restrictions affected the railways from early January, while regulated fares in England and Wales are going up on 1 March. Railnews reports the reactions to an increase which will be above inflation.

In other news, plans by Highways England to demolish more than a hundred structures on disused railways have been condemned because they could obstruct future railway reopenings, and although the first two tunnelling machines for HS2 are starting work this month between London and Birmingham, the National Infrastructure Commission has published a report which reduces the importance of the eastern leg of HS2 to Leeds in favour of regional schemes. Some of the reactions have been critical.

London King’s Cross was separated briefly from the rest of the railway network over Christmas, when all four running lines were lifted, while a report into near-collisions at a level crossing in Norfolk has revealed that the track was contaminated with leaves.

On the business front, the Avanti West Coast and South Western Railway franchises will become management contracts when the present emergency arrangements come to an end, an agreement to upgrade Electrostar EMUs with the European Train Control System has been signed in principle by Bombardier and Porterbrook leasing, and the purchase of Bombardier by Alstom is set to be completed this month.

This month’s extended feature discusses the forthcoming changeover from diesel traction to more sustainable sources of power, and compares it with the modernisation of the railways more than 50 years ago when the last steam engines were withdrawn.

Railnews also names the railway people who have been recognised by the Queen in her New Year honours list for their exceptional efforts, and Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines was guest of honour at the 2020 National Railway Heritage Awards. The January edition is out now.