Railways Illustrated May 2022

Whatever your thoughts on global warming and the more frequent weather extremes that seem to be affecting the UK, the triple battering of the country during February put huge pressure on Network Rail and our train operators that were desperately trying to keep trains running in especially challenging circumstances. Storm Dudley caused widespread disruption in Scotland and parts of England, followed just two days later by Storm Eunice, which caused further damage, particularly around the South West. Then, Storm Franklin brought even more damage to the railway, along with extensive flooding in Yorkshire, Wales and the north. There has been criticism of Network Rail and train operators for their apparent ease at which services were cancelled, but with people advised not to travel, what would be the benefit of running…

When I joined Railways Illustrated as editor last year I was fortunate to inherit a great support team of writers, with Simon Bendall, Pip Dunn, Mel Holley, Andrew Watts and Alistair Grieve – joined more recently by Richard Clinnick – providing the backbone of the magazine, alongside our fantastic photographic contributors. Without them, putting the magazine together each month would be so much harder. While the last issue was being printed I was shocked to learn that Alistair Grieve had died suddenly, aged 55, on February 22. A friendly, unassuming man who was a passionate and active supporter of railway preservation, particularly Class 20s, industrial railways, narrow gauge railways and photography, his loss has been felt deeply among his many friends, both in the preservation sector and the wider railway…

Work on the final testing and commissioning of the new Elizabeth Line in London is now nearing completion, with Transport for London stating that the opening of the new route should take place before the end of June. Railways Illustrated was invited to attend a preview of the route on March 7, where Crossrail chief executive Mark Wild and Transport for London’s chief operating officer, Andy Lord, provided a guided tour of the new Elizabeth Line stations at Paddington and Liverpool Street, with the invited guests also travelling between the two stations on one of the trains currently undergoing testing. Although a date for the opening of the long-delayed route has not yet been confirmed, it is clear that testing is now at an advanced stage and much of the…

At Paddington, the entrance to the Elizabeth Line is situated alongside Platform 1 on Eastbourne Terrace. The station is underground, and escalators and lifts are provided to access it. Descending the escalator, the first thing that hits you is the sheer size of the station; it may be beneath the ground, but the ticket hall is vast and covered by a large glazed canopy, complete with an attractive cloud effect etched onto the glass. At platform level, again the sheer size of the area is amazing, with platforms long enough to accommodate 11-coach trains, although initially TfL has confirmed that it will operate ninecoach units on the new route. The platforms are wide and lit well, with plenty of seating, signage, and route maps. Sliding platform doors are provided to…

Avanti West Coast teamed up with artist Daniel Lismore to celebrate the opening of the artist’s ‘Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken’ exhibition, taking place until June 26, as part of the events being held for the Coventry UK City of Culture. Guests at the opening night travelled to Coventry on Pendolino 390039 Lady Godiva. Tickets for the exhibition are free, with the venue a 15-minute walk from Coventry station. TransPennine Express unveiled a sculpture made entirely of recycled materials at Hull Paragon Station on March 18 to highlight Global Recycling Day. The sculpture, created by Hull-based artist Andy Peak, took 50 hours to create and featured more than a tonne of water bottles, cups, cardboard, newspapers, and plastic waste. The materials used were all collected from TPE trains…

THE RAIL Accident Investigation Branch has released its report into the fatal derailment of a ScotRail Inter7City train at Carmont following torrential rainfall on August 12, 2020. The train involved in the accident, 1T08 – formed of Class 43 HST power car 43140, Mk.3 trailer 42145, 42564, 42007, 40622 and trailing power car 43030 – was returning to Aberdeen after a blockage on the line ahead had been reported. It derailed after striking debris on the track that had been washed out of a drainage trench. The derailed train, travelling at 73mph, deviated to the left before striking a bridge parapet, with the train scattering around the site and the lead power car and first three vehicles all suffering extensive damage. Train driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie, and passenger…