Railnews Magazine August 2016 Edizione posteriore

THE cabinet reshuffle in mid-July had a major effect on railways, because Patrick McLoughlin was replaced as transport secretary by Chris Grayling. In the new edition of Railnews we hear from Mr Grayling, who has promised that there is 'no backing away from HS2'. One of the former DfT ministers took her own decision to step down just as the reshuffle was getting under way. Claire Perry, who had been 'rail minister', said she was ashamed to be in the job after the major disruption which has accompanied the driver-only operation dispute on Southern. The dispute is continuing, and Railnews has graphic images of the mass demonstration staged in protest by commuters at London Victoria. One of the protestors, speaking to Railnews, said she wanted management to 'sort it out', because the reduced train service was affecting her business. July was also notable for providing first sight of two new fleets of trains. Railnews was on board the first Intercity Express to run with passengers on board between Reading and London, and then almost at the end of the month the first examples of the large fleet of London Crossrail trains were unveiled under test at Derby. Of course, Railnews was there too. Another train which is set to enter service this year is anything but new, but hopes are high that Vivarail's conversion of District line cars to diesel units will prove successful when one set starts running for London Midland between Coventry and Nuneaton. Among many other stories we have pictures of a Royal visit to Fort William, and the cheering tale of Piggy the cat, who became trapped under a live conductor rail -- and survived. All this, and much more, is in Railnews for August.