August 2017
August 2017   


Rail Express - August 2017

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Issue No. 255 August 2017

6 HEADLINE NEWS
Bidders announced for next West Coast and
South Eastern franchises; First passenger runs
for Class 230 ‘D-Train’; New look for ROG Type 4;
Swanage Railway reconnects to the main line;
Report highlights Southern woes; South Western
Trains orders new Bombardier ‘Aventra’ fleet;
First look at new Northern DMU; Alliance Rail
drops Blackpool ‘Pendolino’ plan for ‘91s’; First
IEP to Penzance; East Coast operator again faces
revenue shortfall; Coventry Electric Railway
Museum to close.

14 FROM THE ARCHIVES: LMR
We have delved into our photo library to dig out a
selection of rare and unseen images taken on the
London Midland Region in the 1950s and 60s.

20 SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS
The best ways to get Rail Express every month.

22 A YEAR AT SCROPTON
A year in the life of the not always busy
signalbox on the Derby to Stoke line.

27 THEN & NOW: HUDDERSFIELD
How trees have taken over at Springwood Junction.
28 0-60: CLASS 92
Neville Hill takes a stopwatch and torch on the
Caledonian sleeper.

29 MAILBAG AND REVIEWS
West Midlands ‘Gronk’ trips; Box Tunnel sunrise
problem; plus books covering Class 50s, Southern
Region signalling and freight times.

30 TIME TRAVELLER
Looking back to past August news from 10, 20,
30, 40 and 50 years ago.

71 LU WORLD
Sarah Siddons receives pre-overhaul inspection;
Tower tragedy closes Underground lines.

72 RAILTOURS
Ever been to Sevenoaks Gusset? Plus a full round-
up of future tours and announcements.

74 PRESERVATION
Severn Valley acquires second Class 09 shunter;
Deal sees ‘Grid’ based at East Lancs; ‘Choppers’
move to Butterley; GCR due for GWR gala.

80 POWER BY THE HOUR
Class 88s make revenue earning debut; Class 68
TransPennine preparations under way.

82 POWERSCENE
Notable workings from around the country.

90 UNITARY AUTHORITY
First Class 345 enters passenger service.

93 SHUNTER SPOT
RSS acquires first Class 09; HNRC collects ‘08s’.

94 COACH COMPARTMENT
Met-Cam Pullman returns to main line use.

95 WAGONS ROLL
New ‘shorty’ HRA hopper enters traffic.

96 IRISH ANGLE
GM diesels star on charters; Grand Hibernian
sees range of diesel traction.





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