Having seen and heard so much about the new rolling stock, station improvements, and overall changes to the railway network which are happening over the next few years, I was wondering; in a few years' time, will the UK railway system be at all like the one we have today?
The Class 800/801/802s were originally brought into service on GWR services in 2017, and by 2019 all lines which were going to be served by IETs were being served by them. The Class 43 HSTs were eventually taken out of service after almost 43 full years of work on the GWML.
But the ECML has waited 2 years for the "Azuma" trains to arrive; the Office of Rail & Road insisted that safety issues on these trains had to be sorted before they could be introduced. However, the trains they were stopping from running on the ECML were already running on the GWML and had been for the best part of 2 years.
A major issue that hindered the introduction of the ECML's new Azumas was the fact that the wires connecting the train carriages could be used as a ladder for people to climb up and get close enough to the OHLE to receive a deadly shock. On the GWML, this problem was not brought up; IETs run every day on the GWR network with this potentially deadly system of wires between the carriages and nothing has happened.
However, the GWML IETs run with differing numbers of wires in between the carriages. Two wires seems to be the normal amount between unit carriages, but sometimes enough wires can be there to mean that someone could climb up to the OHLE. This issue was raised by the ORR when the ECML Azumas were almost in service and it delayed them by a sizeable amount of time.
The original plan was for the Virgin Trains East Coast (VTEC) Azumas (as they were in the early days) to be released into service in December 2018 - but this was delayed until July 2019. Some reports from late 2018 stated that they were going to be delayed until 2020.
Now both mainlines are seeing Class 800/801/802 trains in revenue-earning service. These trains, on the GWML, have replaced Class 43 HST sets - on the ECML, they are replacing both the Class 43 HSTs and the Class 91s.
The introduction of these new trains in 2017/2019 was the first major example of the same classes of train being released in such a wide number and on such varied routes for many years. The introduction of Northern's new Class 195 and Class 331 trains have also marked the beginning of the end for more trains - this time the Class 142 "Pacers", which have been in service in the north since the 1980s.
TransPennine Express are also receiving new trains - in this case, they are in the form of Class 397s, Class 802s, and Class 68s. The Class 397s are both brand-new designs in the UK. The Class 802s have already been in service on the GWML as IETs for a couple of years now. The Class 68s, which will haul Mk5 coaching stock, have already seen a few years' worth of service on the Chiltern Mainline and on various freight journeys throughout the country.
I have almost certainly missed out some new trains arriving in the UK.
With the introduction of all these new trains over here, one can't help but wonder: Will the UK railway in, say, 2029 be at all recognisable in comparison to what we have today? Stations across the country are seeing improvements ranging from step-free access in the form of lifts to entire station building rebuilds. Will we be looking back at the railways of today and saying how much we miss being on the HSTs, the Class 91s, or the TPE units?
I think that in a few years' time we will be looking back at the old trains, and we will be sentimental about them, but it will pan out like the end of steam; new trains are replacing the old trains we knew and loved, and people will of course be annoyed and upset. But with these new trains come better services and more reliable services. We may not have the old loco-hauled trains, but we will have multiple unit trains which will provide quicker and better journeys.
I will be sentimental and sad about the loss of more "classic" trains on our rail network, but I am interested to see what the future holds for the railways. When the final Class 91 is taken out of service on the ECML, or the last Class 43, we will be sad about it, but we will have photos of them and we will have videos of them and we will be able to look back at the memories we have and think how different the railways were. We will also be able to look forward, to the future, and have a much better railway overall.
Thanks very much for reading this blog post.
-Peter
Wednesday 31 July 2019
The Heritage Circuit
The "Heritage Circuit" is a term used to describe the railway preservation network we have in the United Kingdom. Preserved locomotives which go around to different heritage railways are often said to be "going around the heritage circuit".
The main point of this blog post is to share my opinions on some of the heritage railways around the country and why I may and may not like about them. These opinions are mine and do not reflect those of anyone else; if you don't like my opinions, please stop reading and don't bother filling this place with negativity.
Bodmin and Wenford Railway
This small heritage railway in Cornwall is an amazing railway. The two different branches provide a lot of ways to enjoy the railway and have a nice day out. Another good aspect of this railway is the link to the mainline at Bodmin Parkway; this national network link means that people who live in that area of Cornwall could easily get to the B&WR by rail.
However, the location of this railway is not the best for those who do not live in the area. Yes, for many people, such as those living in Bodmin itself, the railway is perfectly placed, but for anyone else, such as myself, it is a lot of work to get to the railway. A holiday in the area provided the way for me to get to the railway; however, many people may live further away from Bodmin than me and therefore trying to get there can easily take a few days to get there, have a nice day out, and get back, as accommodation overnight will be necessary.
The railway has some quite interesting locomotives based there; a Class 50, a Class 121, and two small quarry steam engines. There are many engines here which are quite interesting and writing about the railway's stock here won't do it justice. I reccomend you go and read this Wikipedia article which contains a list of all the rolling stock based on the railway:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_stock_of_the_Bodmin_and_Wenford_Railway
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
This railway is longer than the B&WR and provides a lovely day out for families and enthusiasts. The 14-miles of track provide a different and nice way of seeing some amazing Cotswold scenery. Running from Cheltenham Racecourse, via Winchcombe and Toddington, to Broadway, this railway connects two well-known places and makes the day even better for visitors.
The GWSR is known across a wide area for being a longer line with a wide range of rolling stock. However, many of the people who have heard about this railway may not be able to get to it as there is no mainline connection. Rumours about a national network connection at Honeybourne have been going around ever since the railway extended to Broadway last year, but this has not been confirmed by the railway yet.
A lot of the rolling stock at the GWSR is older engines; steam locomotives bring in a lot of the railway's money and the diesel locomotives which are based there can, along with some visiting engines, can bring in massive crowds for a Diesel Gala. As with the B&WR, I would like you to read the railway's website to see the wide range of rolling stock the GWSR has:
https://www.gwsr.com/
^Please use the "Enthusiasts" section of the drop-down menu to find the locomotives section.
Severn Valley Railway
The SVR is, like the previous two railways, an amazing heritage railway. The line runs from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, via Bewdley, Highley, Arley, and Hampton Loade, providing a long ride. The Galas which are held throughout the year provide an even better way for enthusiasts to see the railway; a wide selection of locomotives and plenty of track to run them on makes a gala day a day to remember and enjoy.
The railway is easily accessible from across the country as a mainline connection at Kidderminster makes the SVR a good place for a day out. However, the SVR does not actually run to Kidderminster National Rail station, and those going from the mainline station to the heritage railway have to change between the two across the shared car park. Improvement works at the mainline station are making the area better for passengers.
The SVR has a wide range of rolling stock and plenty of areas to keep it all in; special depots at Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, with a visitor centre containing engines at Highley, mean that the engines the railway has are safe. They are all very well looked after and I would like all those who are interested in the line's stock to read the following webpage:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rolling_stock_preserved_on_the_Severn_Valley_Railway
I don't want this blog post to become too long so I'll end it here. Next post, I'll probably talk about the Great Central Railway and some other lines.
Thanks for reading.
-Peter
The main point of this blog post is to share my opinions on some of the heritage railways around the country and why I may and may not like about them. These opinions are mine and do not reflect those of anyone else; if you don't like my opinions, please stop reading and don't bother filling this place with negativity.
Bodmin and Wenford Railway
This small heritage railway in Cornwall is an amazing railway. The two different branches provide a lot of ways to enjoy the railway and have a nice day out. Another good aspect of this railway is the link to the mainline at Bodmin Parkway; this national network link means that people who live in that area of Cornwall could easily get to the B&WR by rail.
However, the location of this railway is not the best for those who do not live in the area. Yes, for many people, such as those living in Bodmin itself, the railway is perfectly placed, but for anyone else, such as myself, it is a lot of work to get to the railway. A holiday in the area provided the way for me to get to the railway; however, many people may live further away from Bodmin than me and therefore trying to get there can easily take a few days to get there, have a nice day out, and get back, as accommodation overnight will be necessary.
The railway has some quite interesting locomotives based there; a Class 50, a Class 121, and two small quarry steam engines. There are many engines here which are quite interesting and writing about the railway's stock here won't do it justice. I reccomend you go and read this Wikipedia article which contains a list of all the rolling stock based on the railway:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_stock_of_the_Bodmin_and_Wenford_Railway
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
This railway is longer than the B&WR and provides a lovely day out for families and enthusiasts. The 14-miles of track provide a different and nice way of seeing some amazing Cotswold scenery. Running from Cheltenham Racecourse, via Winchcombe and Toddington, to Broadway, this railway connects two well-known places and makes the day even better for visitors.
The GWSR is known across a wide area for being a longer line with a wide range of rolling stock. However, many of the people who have heard about this railway may not be able to get to it as there is no mainline connection. Rumours about a national network connection at Honeybourne have been going around ever since the railway extended to Broadway last year, but this has not been confirmed by the railway yet.
A lot of the rolling stock at the GWSR is older engines; steam locomotives bring in a lot of the railway's money and the diesel locomotives which are based there can, along with some visiting engines, can bring in massive crowds for a Diesel Gala. As with the B&WR, I would like you to read the railway's website to see the wide range of rolling stock the GWSR has:
https://www.gwsr.com/
^Please use the "Enthusiasts" section of the drop-down menu to find the locomotives section.
Severn Valley Railway
The SVR is, like the previous two railways, an amazing heritage railway. The line runs from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, via Bewdley, Highley, Arley, and Hampton Loade, providing a long ride. The Galas which are held throughout the year provide an even better way for enthusiasts to see the railway; a wide selection of locomotives and plenty of track to run them on makes a gala day a day to remember and enjoy.
The railway is easily accessible from across the country as a mainline connection at Kidderminster makes the SVR a good place for a day out. However, the SVR does not actually run to Kidderminster National Rail station, and those going from the mainline station to the heritage railway have to change between the two across the shared car park. Improvement works at the mainline station are making the area better for passengers.
The SVR has a wide range of rolling stock and plenty of areas to keep it all in; special depots at Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, with a visitor centre containing engines at Highley, mean that the engines the railway has are safe. They are all very well looked after and I would like all those who are interested in the line's stock to read the following webpage:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rolling_stock_preserved_on_the_Severn_Valley_Railway
I don't want this blog post to become too long so I'll end it here. Next post, I'll probably talk about the Great Central Railway and some other lines.
Thanks for reading.
-Peter
Welcome to my railway blog
Hello!
Welcome to my railway blog. Here, you can read all about my interests in railways and talk about the different aspects of railways I talk about on here.
If you have come here from the Rail UK Forums, you will know that I have an interest in Model Railways and the real thing. These are the two topics which I will cover on this blog.
Both my model railway and other model railways will be featured on here. I hope this will provide plenty of content for you to read through and enjoy!
Thanks for choosing to read this small blog post. I hope you will read the others and enjoy them a lot,
Thanks,
-Peter
Welcome to my railway blog. Here, you can read all about my interests in railways and talk about the different aspects of railways I talk about on here.
If you have come here from the Rail UK Forums, you will know that I have an interest in Model Railways and the real thing. These are the two topics which I will cover on this blog.
Both my model railway and other model railways will be featured on here. I hope this will provide plenty of content for you to read through and enjoy!
Thanks for choosing to read this small blog post. I hope you will read the others and enjoy them a lot,
Thanks,
-Peter
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