This week, Network Rail outlines its vision to decarbonise thousands of miles of rail lines across the UK by 2050.
Plus, rail bosses have been told to do more to crack down on graffiti on the UK rail network. Here’s this week’s round-up:
Grant Shapps calls for crackdown on graffiti across UK railway
Rail bosses have been told to do more to crack down on graffiti on the UK’s rail network.
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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has published a letter to Network Rail CEO Andrew Haines in the hope that the removal of graffiti would boost passenger confidence.
Mr Shapps said: “I want us as a nation, particularly as we continue our focus on improving and developing our national infrastructure as we recover from COVID-19, to feel proud of our rail infrastructure and public spaces by ensuring that they are maintained to a high standard.” Click here for more details.
Network Rail publish decarbonisation strategy by 2050
Network Rail has outlined its vision to decarbonise thousands of miles of rail lines across the UK by 2050.
In a new report, the transport body illustrated preliminary recommendations for decarbonising the rail network, including over 7,000 miles of electrification by 2050, and a key role for zero carbon traction – including hydrogen and battery.
The report acknowledges that reducing carbon emissions in rail is vital, stating it will bring benefits directly to the rail industry and bring a subsequent domino-effect of benefits across the transport sector and wider economy. Click here to see the full letter.
GTR and Porterbrook announce £55 million fleet modernisation programme
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and Porterbrook have announced a £55 million programme over five years to modernise the Southern, Gatwick Express and Great Northern ‘Electrostar’ fleets.
Enhancements range from real-time passenger information screens and USB/power points to high-tech on-board operation systems.
The trains include 214 ‘Class 377s’ that provide suburban and commuter services on the Southern network between London, Surrey, Sussex and the south coast, and over 56 ‘Class 387s’ working on Great Northern or Gatwick Express routes. Click here to see more.
HS2’s biggest tunnel site reaches milestone
HS2 has passed a major milestone at the high speed rail project’s first tunnel site, with the completion of structural work on the temporary pre-cast factory which will produce wall sections for the 10-mile long Chiltern tunnels.
The tunnel precast factory – and all 2,400 tonnes of structural steelwork at the south portal site, next to the M25 – will be made in the UK and delivered by specialist steel fabricators, Caunton Engineering, from their base near Moorgreen, Nottinghamshire.
The factory will allow HS2’s main works contractor, Align JV – a joint venture made up of three companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick – to cast all the tunnel segments on site and avoid putting extra HGVs onto local roads. Click here to see more.
Colour scheme for new £362m Tyne and Wear Metro fleet revealed
Nexus has revealed the colourful design for Tyne and Wear Metro’s new £362 million train fleet.
The public body, which owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, has chosen a modern and eye-catching yellow paint job with black and pale grey along the train sides, following input from passengers and employees.
The new colour scheme is a nod to the Tyne and Wear Metro’s iconic yellow PTE livery when the system first opened 40 years ago. Click here to see more.
Get your name in The North Yorkshire Moors Railway and the Esk Valley Line
Get your name in the limited edition copy of The North Yorkshire Moors Railway and the Esk Valley Line.
Mortons Books are launching a brand-new, limited edition book titled The North Yorkshire Moors Railway and The Esk Valley Line.
If you order your limited edition copy before September 20th, the first 300 people to purchase will have their names printed in the book. Simply pre-order your copy and the name you used to check out will be printed in the book. Click here to order your copy for just £35 today.
Latest service updates
Due to engineering work the following services will be affected. Please check before you travel and plan your journey ahead of time.
Circle line: On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, there will be no service between Hammersmith and Tower Hill or Edgware Road and High Street Kensington.
The special service operates between High Street Kensington and Barking via Victoria. Use alternative Tube or local bus services.
District line: On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, there will be no service between Edgware Road and High Street Kensington. Use alternative Tube or local bus services.
Hammersmith & City line: On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, there will be no service between Hammersmith and Barking. Use alternative Tube or local bus services.
Metropolitan line: On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, there will be no service between Baker Street and Aldgate. Use alternative Tube or local bus services.
No Night Tube or London Overground Night Service and limited Night Bus services are running.
See the latest status updates on London Underground, including a map of closures.
London Overground
Due to engineering work, the following London Overground services will be affected.
On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, there will be no service between: New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace/West Croydon. Use replacement or local bus services Gospel Oak and Barking. Use alternative Tube or local bus services. Rail replacement bus service J will run between Gospel Oak and Seven Sisters and bus service T will run between Walthamstow Central and Barking. On Sunday 20 September, there will be no service between Wandsworth and Clapham Junction. Use Southern Railway or local bus services.
On Friday 25 September, there will be no westbound service between Camden Road and Willesden Junction after 23:45. The last two trains from Stratford will terminate at Camden Road. Use local bus services.
No Night Tube or London Overground Night Service and limited Night Bus services are running. Check before you travel and plan your journey ahead of time.
DLR
Due to engineering work, on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, there will be no service between Stratford and Canary Wharf (via Bow Church).
Use local bus or Tube services. Check before you travel and plan your journey ahead of time.
TfL Rail
Due to engineering work on Sunday 20 September, there will be a reduced service between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington between 9:00 and 23:00.
Check before you travel and plan your journey ahead of time.
See an overview of planned track closures for the next six months.
See the latest status updates on London Overground, DLR, TfL Rail and Trams, including a map of closures and information about rail replacement buses.
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