Railnews Magazine October 2016 Back Issue

A PROPOSAL by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to take over nearly all the suburban railways in Greater London and add them to the Overground network is the lead story in Railnews for October, and our report includes a detailed map of his proposals showing the lines and stations which would be affected. The debate over driver-only operation is continuing but there are signs of a settlement on ScotRail, where union members are now being balloted on a new agreement with a recommendation that they accept. The situation on Southern over DOO proposals remains difficult, however, and the RMT has announced a new series of strikes this autumn, while a senior industry figure is to lead a project board to assist with finding a solution. The Rail Delivery Group has launched a campaign called ‘British runs on rail’, which is intended to start a debate about why and how railways should be funded. RDG chief executive Paul Plummer said it is time for an ‘open conversation’ about the ‘tough choices’ which lie ahead. Electric GWR trains started running from Paddington in early September, but what would Brunel have thought? Our picture suggests what his reaction might have been. Hot Topic continues our series examining the advance of the digital railway – not just with train regulation but in many other ways – and points out that although innovation is vital, just because something is new it is not necessarily better. Our feature reports major developments on the Midland Main Line, with some electrification going ahead alongside line speed and capacity upgrades. The route’s main franchise East Midlands Trains has also set out some intriguing rolling stock proposals for the route. In other news, we have the latest on the new Chiltern services to Oxford, the unforeseen consequences of the landslip at Watford and why nine platforms at London Waterloo will be closing next year. All this, and much more, is in Railnews for October.