Cycle train enters service on the Heart of Wales line
UK: Transport for Wales has returned to service the first of six Class 153 single-car diesel multiple-units which are being refurbished to carry bicycles.
Spring has sprung for GWR passengers
UK: A new design of seat cushion incorporating small metal springs instead of foam is to be fitted in the first class area of a Great Western Railway Class 166 diesel multiple-unit this month, with roll-out across the rest of the class planned.
ScotRail launches Tap&Pay ticketing app
UK: Following a six-month pilot scheme, ScotRail has launched a Tap&Pay pay-as-you-go ticketing app developed by Tracsis Rail Technology & Services using its Hopsta platform.
Simulators to transform traincrew training
UK: Northern has taken delivery of a prototype of the semi-immersive static cab simulators it has ordered as part of a ‘major transformation’ of its training which aims to speed up the time it takes for traincrew to achieve their rolling stock and route competence.
Hull Trains eyes Worksop and Sheffield launch
UK: Hull Trains’ proposed London King’s Cross – Worksop – Sheffield open access service would ‘give people more choice’, offer more flexibility in train fares and make the area better known, according to Labour Member of Parliament for Bassetlaw Jo White.
FirstGroup makes its case for open access alongside Great British Railways
UK: FirstGroup has set out its case for retaining a ‘thriving’ open access sector as part of the restructured railway, arguing that privately-funded services without government contracts can drive growth across all operators including those to be controlled by Great British Railways.
Southeastern brings Class 395 maintenance in-house
UK: Southeastern’s Train Service Agreement for manufacturer Hitachi Rail to maintain its Class 395 EMU fleet has been replaced with in-house maintenance backed by a Technical Support & Spares Supply Agreement.
New date for contactless payment expansion at four train operators
UK: The introduction of pay-as-you-go travel using contactless bank cards and mobile devices at further 47 stations is now scheduled for February 2, having been delayed from September 2024 as a result of a cybersecurity incident at Transport for London which how now been resolved.
Five manufacturers invited to bid for Northern Trains fleet renewal contracts
UK: Northern Trains has invited five manufacturers to negotiate for framework contracts to supply up to 450 new electric and electro-diesel bi-mode multiple-units.
Relief for Southeastern passengers as train toilets to be installed
UK: Southeastern has announced that a toilet is to be retrofitted to the Class 707 City Beam electric multiple-units used on London suburban services.
Platform scans to facilitate level boarding of new trains
UK: Cordel has installed Lidar sensors on two Network Rail maintenance units to make accurate measurements of platforms which will help to maximise the opportunities for level boarding of Southeastern’s next generation of London suburban trains.