A new Freightliner service made its inaugural journey from Southampton to Crewe using entirely Ocean Network Express (ONE) funded GD+ green biofuel. The train continued its journey to Freightliner Coatbridge terminal, Scotland, using an electric locomotive, making this one of the greenest rail freight routes in UK rail.
(Permalink) Coatbridge Freightliner Terminal Crewe Electric Freightliner GD+ Green Ocean Network Express Southampton

Plans include building a brand new station at Hythe. A month-long consultation will kick off on proposals to reopen the Fawley railway to passenger services, including reopening Marchwood station and building a brand new one at Hythe.

Network Rail said it was engaging specialist suppliers to develop design options and engineers are carrying out investigations on the line.
(Permalink) Fawley Branch (Southern Railway) Hythe [Fawley] Marchwood Southampton

Waverley will return to the South Coast this September and operate a variety of sailings from Southampton, Portsmouth, Yarmouth, Poole and Swanage. The first sailing on the South Coast will take place on Friday September 2.

The popular sailing Round the Isle of Wight features on the sailing programme each Tuesday and Saturday where passengers can enjoy viewing the islands coastline including the famous Needles Rocks and Lighthouse, Freshwater Bay, St Catherines Lighthouse and Cowes.

A key highlight of Waverleys visit will be attending the Bournemouth Air Festival on Sunday September 3 where she will meet the Steamship Shieldhall. Both historic ships will anchor between Bournemouth and Boscombe giving a stunning view of the air festival. For the ultimate steam heritage experience there is the option of combining a cruise on Waverley with the trip on the Swanage Railway.
(Permalink) Bournemouth Air Festival Isle of Wight PS Waverly Poole Portsmouth Southampton Swanage Yarmouth

Ambitious plans for an underground rail link in Southampton - akin to London's tube network - have been revealed as part of a £45bn transport plan.

If it goes ahead, the scheme would link Southampton Central and the Netley line providing a more direct route, cutting journey times between the city and Portsmouth.
(Permalink) Netley River Itchen Southampton Tunnel Woolston

Alliance Rail Holdings has started industry consultation on proposals to launch an open access passenger service on the Southampton - London Waterloo route in December 2017.
Managing Director Ian Yeowart told Railway Gazette on November 8 that Alliance aims is to increase capacity on the intensively-used route and make passengers' journeys 'less fraught', by offering a higher standard of comfort than on the current franchised services and helping to enhance rail's overall attractiveness.
(Permalink) Alliance Rail Holdings London Waterloo Southampton