Railnews Magazine

Proposals to limit the maximum speed of trains on HS2 to 320km/h to reduce the costs of the project lead the April edition of Railnews. In particular, it is said that 320km/h trains could be tested in advance on other high speed lines, but a 360km/h line would have to be completed before rolling stock testing could start, which would delay the opening still further.

Glasgow Central station had to be closed on 8 March because of a major fire in a neighbouring building, and some platforms remained out of use until 25 March. The station was only slightly damaged, but thousands of trains were cancelled or diverted.

There is still no prospect of passenger trains calling at Winslow in Buckinghamshire in the near future as the dispute over train staffing on East West Rail continues between Chiltern Railways and the RMT. Frustrated local people have now set up an Action Group.

Meanwhile, the renationalisation date of Chiltern Railways has been decided, and the present Arriva contract will end on 20 September, when DfT Operator will take over.

At least Bedlington station on the Northumberland Line was able to open on 29 March, completing the number of places served by the restored line between Newcastle and Ashington.

The last 800m section of the Core Valley Lines in South Wales has been electrified, and work is continuing on the Transpennine Route Upgrade between Leeds and Huddersfield in May and June, with 56 engineering trains being used during May alone.

Diesel trains built for the Midland Main Line in England more than 20 years ago are going to Scotland, where they will replace ScotRail’s High Speed Trains.

Finally, the last few calling points of the Railway200 exhibition train have been announced.

You will find the details in the latest edition of Railnews.