HPMRS RAILDATE 6 Jun 09

News

RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway =20 Society: http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/

NETWATCH

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The Wealden Line Campaign: http://www.wealdenline.co.uk/

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GMPTE has issued a leaflet to the effect that the Oldham loop will close after the final train on 3rd October. The stations affected are Dean Lane, Failsworth, Hollinwood, Oldham Werneth, Oldham Mumps, Derker, =20 Shaw & Crompton, New Hey and Milnrow. Trains are currently operated by =20 Northern Rail using a mix of class 142 and 150s, with an odd class 156. For =20 those wanting to photograph in the meantime, some trains terminate at Shaw =20 where there is a level crossing and a signal box adjacent to the station. The railway will be converted to Metrolink. Trams are expected to be =20 running by 2011. (Spotter: Neville Knight)

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"The Golden Age of Steam", and other programmes: http://www.factualtv.com/videos/trains

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Palma: Within twelve months of its re-opening, a little over one million people will have used Palma's new Metro, an average of 100,000 a month. The figure is much lower than the original forecast by the regional Transport ministry. For further information about railways in Majorca, and to sign up to newsletters, visit: http://www.majorcarailways.com/

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Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup

Redhill Tesco has applied for planning permission to build a new superstore on land just south of Redhill station. This poses a threat to a planned flyover that would be required should the proposed rail link between the Tonbridge and Reading lines for Channel Tunnel freight be given the go ahead.

High Wycombe Chiltern Railways have ruled out reinstating the through tracks at High Wycombe despite increased numbers of trains running non-stop through the station. A spokesman said the the benefits do not justify the heavy =20 costs involved.

King's Cross Work to build a new twelfth platform next to the existing platform 1 on the east side of the station has begun. It will increase capacity by allowing up to 24 more trains during peak periods and crucially reduce =20=

any service disruption while other platforms are refurbished. Meanwhile NR has appointed Kier Construction to carry out restoration of the roof =20 over the next three years. New glazing will include 2,500sq metres of photo- voltaic glass generating 10% of the stations electricity needs.

Blackfriars Work on the =A3350M redevelopment of Blackfriars station officially =20 started on 26th May 2009. The approach tracks to the terminus station had, however, already been removed. It will reopen fully in 2012 although longer 12-car trains are expected to be in use by the end of 2011.

ECML

The ORR has granted firm rights until 2015 for a National Express East Coast London-Lincoln service but London-Harrogate and Bradford only to Leeds with contingent rights onwards. Also confirmed were three new =20 daily Grand Northern trains each way from Kings Cross to Bradford. Rejected were applications from Platinum Trains for a new London-Aberdeen service and Hull Trains for a London-Harrogate service.

HSTs On Saturdays from 18th July to 5th September, EMT will be running HSTs =20=

to Skegness. Trains will leave Nottingham at 0811 and 1406 and return at 1124 and 1708. Also in July and August Cross Country will hire two sets from National Express to provide through services from Manchester Piccadilly to Newquay and Paignton.

HS1

=46rom Monday to Friday commencing 29 June Southeastern are to =20 introduce a limited high-speed "preview" service run on High Speed 1 between Ashford and St Pancras. It will offer passengers the chance to experience what the UK's first high-speed service will be like when it is fully =20 introduced using the Class 395 "Javelins". The draft timetable for services =20 starting on 13th December 2009 sees journey times of 37 mins from Ashford and 27 mins from Ebbsfleet. The dual voltage capability of these units will also see journeys from Dover reduced to 69 mins with a 59 min timing =20 from Canterbury.

Greater Manchester/Lancashire Network Rail has announced long term plans to electrify Manchester to Blackpool.

Glasgow Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) hopes that work on the =A320M refurbishment of all 15 stations on the Glasgow Subway will start in =20 2010. Plans to extend the system, modernise the signalling and buy new rolling stock have been shelved due to lack of funding.

Switzerland The Bern-Lotschberg-Simplon Railway (BLS) is introducing 23 new EMUs designed with large windows on the scenic Bern-Interlaken-Brig route. South of Spiez they will travel via the original mountain route not the new base tunnel.

Italy The new "Red Arrow" high-speed service covering the 360 miles between Milan and Rome in just three hours has seen passenger numbers between =20=

the two cities grow by 32% since the service started in December 2008. The Milan-Bologna section, reduced to 65 mins, now averages over a million passengers a month!

South Korea A new East-West railway is planned: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/06/116_46152.html

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IN THE NEWS

Network Rail sees profits slide: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8080370.stm

Southeastern 395 units enter public testing: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8076711.stm http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/index.php/news/news_items/view/94

Bridge alterations for "High Cube" containers near Birmingham: http://tinyurl.com/rd8y65

Derailment in Cumbria: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/8078721.stm

Multilingual ticket machines on London Underground: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8076510.stm

West Coast rail delays condemned: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8081325.stm

Train drivers forced back to work: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/8083722.stm

Late night trains for Stratford theatre performances: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/8075199.stm http://tinyurl.com/qehhbr

60163 visits South Wales: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/8075156.stm

Gate passes suggested for Derby (but not for Sheffield): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/8082607.stm http://www.supertram.net/latestfromsupertram_6740.html

Cromford station given a =A3300,000 revamp: http://tinyurl.com/qsglrm

RAIB report into two separate container incidents: http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources/0905021_R122009_Containers.pdf

RAIB report into two separate road-rail vehicle runaway incidents: http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources/090527_R112009_Brentwood.pdf

Steam giants on new =A350 bank note: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8075130.stm

Driver asleep on Indian Train: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8080656.stm

Sheffield Supertram mechanical refurbishment: http://www.supertram.net/latestfromsupertram_6755.html

Proposed sale of Plymouth City-Bus: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8075180.stm

New cruise ship terminal at Southampton: http://www.abports.co.uk/news20096955.htm

Spotters: Richard Buckby, Derek Gillkerson, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps

TV and Radio

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