800 Series cracking – ORR final report
■ No independent technical investigation
■ Call for review of standards
■ Six-year modification programme
■ Four weeks out of service for nine-car set
■ Fresh crack locations emerging
Rail reform – all words and no action?
Our columnist questions the pace of progress a year on from the publication of the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail
ALAN WILLIAMS
Staycation Express suspended for 2022
RAIL CHARTER Services has confirmed that its summer service over the Settle to Carlisle line, popularly called the Staycation Express, will not operate in 2022.
GBR HQ: place your bets
The answer to the ultimate question is 42. The number of bidders for the new 222 Marylebone Road
Ian Walmsley
Class 80x cracks to be repaired at Eastleigh
The entire Class 80x fleet is to have cracks repaired at Arlington Fleet Services, Eastleigh.
Chasing Will o’the WISP
■ Consultation on 30-year plan
■ Public competition for GBR HQ
■ Legislation lagging privatisation timescale
Vivarail’s battery ‘230’ for Greenford branch
VivaRail's battery powered Class 230 demonstrator will operate on the Greenford branch to test the underlying technology.
DfT outlines future role for operators
■ First PSC tendered next year – let in 2024
■ Includes responsibility for train procurement