Railnews Magazine

The November edition of Railnews leads with the news that a passenger service is to be restored on the former Oxford-Princes Risborough line as far as Cowley, with two stations at Littlemore and Cowley.

Tomorrow’s railway has been taking shape in other ways. Rail minister Lord Hendy and Braintree MP Sir James Cleverly opened Britain’s newest station at Beaulieu Park in north Chelmsford on 27 October, only a few days after the fourth Northumberland line station had opened at Blyth Bebside.

Double decker trains are set to be running to London six years from now, because Eurostar has ordered 30 Alstom sets and has an option for 20 more. In related news, the RMT is to hold a strike ballot at Eurostar in a dispute over working conditions.

Virgin Group could be able to run Channel Tunnel trains following a decision by the ORR to allow it to use Temple Mills depot, although there are still hurdles to be crossed, and another glimpse into the future was provided by a new design of clock unveiled at London Bridge.

An electric train has run under test on the East Kilbride line for the first time, construction of 10 more Elizabeth line trains has begun at Alstom in Derby, and Northern recorded its busiest month since before the pandemic, with more than 8.1 million journeys made.

The transport secretary opened Great Western Railway’s new Learning and Development Centre at its Swindon head office on 24 October.

We also hear from outgoing Network Rail CEO Andrew Haines, who is welcoming the newly unified Great British Railways.

Finally, we were closing for press when news broke about the tragic stabbings on board an LNER train, and we were able to include some early details on the front page.

Railnews for November is out now.