This day in history 20 November

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Doncaster: Bulleid Southern Railway Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2 35026 'Lamport & Holt Line' is leaving Platform 5 at Doncaster, after a station stop whilst en route to York, on a William Deacon's Bank Club special working in November 1966

Peterborough to Doncaster Line (Great Northern Railway)
David Pesterfield 1966


Doncaster: Nameplate of former Southern Railway Merchant Navy Pacific 35026, seen during a station stop at Doncaster on a Williams Deacon's Bank Club special working to York in 1966.

Peterborough to Doncaster Line (Great Northern Railway)
David Pesterfield 1966


Doncaster: Fireman's view from the cab of Merchant Navy Pacific no 35026 Lamport and Holt Line on a Williams Deacon's Bank Club special at Doncaster Station in November 1966.

Peterborough to Doncaster Line (Great Northern Railway)
David Pesterfield 1966


Doncaster: Bulleid Southern Railway Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2 35026 'Lamport & Holt Line' is standing alongside Platform 5 at Doncaster, during a station stop whilst en route to York on a William Deacon's Bank Club special working in November 1966.

Peterborough to Doncaster Line (Great Northern Railway)
David Pesterfield 1966


Pennyvenie Colliery Nos 2, 3, 7: NCB West Ayr Area Barclay 0-4-0T No 21 sets off from Pennyvenie colliery, with Giesl-ejector fitted 0-6-0T No 24 taking a break in the sidings, in November 1967.

Dalmellington Iron Company
Robin McGregor 1967


Cutler Sidings: Giesl-ejector fitted NCB No 24 descends towards Cutler, on the NCB's Waterside system, with a loaded train of coal, probably from the Pennyvenie colliery in November 1967.

Ayrshire and Galloway Railway
Robin McGregor 1967


Minnivey Nos 4,5: NCB West Ayr Area Barclay 0-4-0T No 10 engages in a two-for-the-price-of-one run towards Cutler, on the NCB's Waterside system, propelling some spoil wagons but with a heavier haul of coal behind the locomotive. Further steam activity can be spotted at Minnivey, at the right of the picture, in this November 1967 scene.

Dalmellington Iron Company
Robin McGregor 1967


Cutler Tip [2nd]: NCB West Ayr Area Barclay 0-4-0T No 21 takes no prisoners, as it retrieves a set of empty spoil wagons from the Cutler tip, on the NCB's Waterside system, in November 1967.

Bairds and Dalmellington Limited
Robin McGregor 1967


Manchester Exchange: Trans-Pennine DMU passing the west end of the out-of-use Manchester Exchange in late 1970. The station's platform 3 became part of Britain's longest railway platform at 2,238 feet when it was extended east in 1929 to join up with the west end of Manchester Victoria's platform 11.

Manchester Exchange (London and North Western Railway)
John Furnevel 1970


Manchester Exchange: A Liverpool bound BR Trans-Pennine service passing the abandoned Manchester Exchange station in 1970.

Manchester Exchange (London and North Western Railway)
John Furnevel 1970


Manchester Victoria: Eastbound freight through Manchester Victoria in November 1970. Platform 11, Britains longest railway platform, is on the left and the east end of Exchange station (closed the previous year) can be seen in the left background.

Manchester and Leeds Railway
John Furnevel 1970


Dereham: Dereham station at sunset on 11th November 1977, looking north. The passenger service to Norwich had ceased 8 years earlier, but a daily goods train was continuing. In the future lay final closure to goods (1989), dereliction and resurrection by the Mid Norfolk Railway.

Dereham Branch (Norfolk Railway)
Mark Dufton 1977


East Winch: The derelict signalbox at East Winch on the Kings Lynn - Dereham line seen on 20th November 1977. Last active in 1968, the remains survived to be moved recently for restoration at Thuxton station on the Mid Norfolk railway.

Lynn and Dereham Railway
Mark Dufton 1977


Strathcarron: Token exchange at Strathcarron in the autumn of 1982, viewed from the cab of 26 046.

Dingwall and Skye Railway
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1982


Stromeferry: The heavy rock blasting needed to take the railway on from Strome Ferry to Kyle is evident in this view taken from the cab of 26046 on a Kyle-Inverness passenger service on 20th November 1982.

Dingwall and Skye Railway
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1982


Kyle of Lochalsh: A train for Inverness stands at the platform at Kyle of Lochalsh on a wet Saturday afternoon in November 1982. Freight activities (including coal in the foreground) still survive at this point in time.

Kyle of Lochalsh Extension (Highland Railway)
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1982


Edale: A Sheffield bound service runs east at Edale.

Dore and Chinley Railway (Midland Railway)
Ewan Crawford 2004


Earn Viaduct [Forgandenny]: Close up scene of flood water threatening Strathearn Viaduct. Network Rail on watch here.

Scottish Central Railway
Brian Forbes 2006


Earn Viaduct [Forgandenny]: Wide view of Strathearn Viaduct with the river in spate and flooding.

Scottish Central Railway
Brian Forbes 2006


Sneinton Junction: Former Junction box reduced to a gate box to the east of Nottingham.

Nottingham to Lincoln Branch (Midland Railway)
Ewan Crawford 2006


Trent Viaduct (Great Central Railway): All that remains of the Great Central Railways four track viaduct over the Trent is a slight rise on the north bank.

London Extension (Great Central Railway)
Ewan Crawford 2006


Brig: Two BLS Class 465 electric locomotives head an Italy bound freight train through Brig on 20 November..

Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon Railway (BLS)
Michael Gibb 2007


Brig: Loco hauled local service at Brig. Note the height difference between the loco and 1st coach.

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
Michael Gibb 2007


Craigentinny Depot: A Wi-Fi adorned GNER HST power car @ Craigentinny Depot, Edinburgh, on 20 November 2007. Photographed from a passing train.

North British Railway
John Furnevel 2007


Brig: RTS freight loco at Brig.

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
Michael Gibb 2007


Inverness: The First Class interior of recently refurbished ScotRail unit 158722 standing in Inverness station on 20 November 2007.

Inverness and Nairn Railway
John Gray 2007


Inverness: Standard class seating in 158 722, one of the refurbished First ScotRail units now operating out of Inverness, primarily on the far north line.

Inverness and Nairn Railway
John Gray 2007


Carnforth (Midland Shed): The other loco shed at Carnforth is the former Midland Railway Roundhouse that still stands alongside the Wennington line as seen here looking towards Borwick and Wennington. This opened in 1857 and, along with the former LNWR shed, closed in 1944 when the current LMS shed opened alongside Carnforth Station. The Midland roundhouse and associated buildings have been in industrial use for many years now.

Furness and Midland Joint Railway
Mark Bartlett 2008


Carnforth (Midland Shed): The base of the old water tower at Carnforth MR Shed, closed in 1944, still stands and has been converted into a small workshop. The building to the right was also part of the old shed complex.

Furness and Midland Joint Railway
Mark Bartlett 2008


Carnforth (Midland Shed): The centre section of the old Midland Shed at Carnforth still has the door by which the engines accessed the roundhouse, albeit bricked up. In 1920 there was an allocation of 61 locomotives here and it is still an imposing building, even though it is now in the middle of an industrial estate. View east with the Wennington line to the right of the building.

Furness and Midland Joint Railway
Mark Bartlett 2008


Forth Bridge: The 0950 Aberdeen - London Kings Cross HST service runs onto the Forth Bridge after passing through North Queensferry station on 20 November.

Forth Bridge Railway
Bill Roberton 2008


Keyham Viaduct: Keyham Viaduct soars over the buildings below. The section of line heading west out of Plymouth crosses several substantial viaducts in quick succession. The view looks north west at the viaduct.

Cornwall Railway
Ewan Crawford 2009


Dockyard: A 125 passes Dockyard (Devonport) in the foreground and approaches Keyham station crossing a viaduct of the same name. There's something reminscent of Durham in the pattern of those roofs to the right. In a very short distance the line crosses numerous viaducts going west from Plymouth.

Cornwall Railway
Ewan Crawford 2009


Inverkeithing: 43 251 prepares to depart Inverkeithing with the long-standing morning Leeds - Aberdeen HST service on 20 November 2010.  For some reason all Anglo-Scottish services call at Inverkeithing, even though some ScotRail trains don't.  The crossover in the foreground allows access from the goods loop and sidings to the Up line.  It sees little use.

Dunfermline and Queensferry Railway
David Panton 2010


Paddington: A line up of HSTs on the buffers at Paddington on 20th November 2010. Gone but not forgotten

Great Western Railway
Crinan Dunbar 2010


Woodacre Crossing: A1 60163 Tornado heads for Euston from Edinburgh, on a glorious autumn afternoon, with Day 3 of the Christmas Coronation railtour. The loco was running with The Cathedrals Express headboard and is seen at Woodacre, on the racing ground between Lancaster and Preston, with the M6 Motorway behind and the Grizedale Brook in between. Unfortunately, 60163 had to be assisted by a Class 66 diesel on the last leg from Rugby to Euston due to poor coal affecting its steaming.

Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway
Mark Bartlett 2010


Haymarket: Surprisingly for such a busy station Haymarket has no disabled access to 3 of its 5 platforms.  This long-felt want is at last being addressed with lifts to Platforms 2/3 and to 4.  Seen on 20 November, with the 1842 'A' listed station building in the background, the tower for the lift to Platforms 2 and 3 is substantially complete.  The lift to Platform 4 is in a similar state.  Platform 1 together with the seldom-used Platform 0 have level access.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
David Panton 2010


Inverkeithing: One two-car 158 unit normally suffices for the hourly Perth - Edinburgh semi-fast, but on Saturday 20 November there is a rugby international at Murrayfield and a six car train is deemed necessary on this occasion. The formation is seen here leaving Inverkeithing at 11.58 with a suitably patriotic-looking 158 870 leading.

Dunfermline and Queensferry Railway
David Panton 2010


Edinburgh Waverley: With the yawning, crumpled-looking passengers sent on their way, 90 024 is on the point of pulling out of Waverley's Platform 9 on 20 November with the empty stock of the Caledonian Sleeper from Euston. The current platforms 8 and 9 originally formed a separate station serving the grandly-named Edinburgh Suburban and South Side Junction Railway's trains. Even today that wall makes it feel like you are somewhere else, away from the hubbub of the main station. The awning here is due for a makeover as part of the station's long refurbishment programme.

North British Railway
David Panton 2010


Edinburgh Waverley: View west along platforms 19 and 20 on the north side of Waverley on 20 November 2010 with a service for Penzance at 19 and a Perth train at 20. The normal Waverley Steps exit to Princes Street, via the blue footbridge, will be closed from 10 February for modernisation with temporary access provided through Princes Mall using the bridge in the background. See image [[9662]]

North British Railway
David Panton 2010


Preston: A Class 57/3 in Arriva Blue stands in one of the bays at the north end of Preston station on 20 November 2011. The loco is below the access road to the front of the station, currently used as the taxi rank.

North Union Railway
John McIntyre 2011


Blackford: 20 November saw the first of three trial runs of containers from Highland Spring, Blackford to Coatbridge FLT operated by John G Russell and DRS. 66427 is seen with the containers in the sidings at Blackford.

Scottish Central Railway
Bill Roberton 2012


Blackford: Containers from the Highland Spring plant (in the background) being loaded at Blackford on 20 November 2012 see image [[41094]]. Due to the lack of run round facilities here, 66427 will take the trial train to Perth where it will reverse before heading for Coatbridge FLT.

Scottish Central Railway
Bill Roberton 2012


Blackford: The 07.55 East Coast Inverness - London Kings Cross HST runs over the level crossing and through the site of Blackford station on 20 November 2012. On the right DRS 66427 is preparing to take a trainload of containers from the Highland Spring bottling plant to Coatbridge FLT.

Scottish Central Railway
Bill Roberton 2012


Dalgety Bay Park: These hitching posts for ponies in a Dalgety Bay park look suspiciously like railway platform supports - perhaps from Donibristle Halt...? see image [[32608]]

Query
Notes and Queries 2012


Blackford: DRS 66427 leaves Blackford on 20 November with one of three trial runs of containers from the Highland Spring bottling plant to Coatbridge FLT. The train is heading for Perth where it will reverse. See image [[41100]]

Scottish Central Railway
Bill Roberton 2012


Ordsall Chord: An artist's impression showing one of the proposals for the Ordsall Chord. See news item.

Ordsall Chord (Network Rail)
Network Rail 2012


Ordsall Chord: A map showing the location of the proposed Ordsall Chord. See news item.

Ordsall Chord (Network Rail)
Network Rail 2012


Glasgow Central: A group of visitors on one of the recently launched Glasgow Central Station Tours returns via the main walkway along the station roof on 20th November 2014. See image [[49659]]

Glasgow Central Station (Caledonian Railway)
Colin McDonald 2014


Inverkeithing: DRS 66425 runs through Inverkeithing with the Inverness - Mossend Tesco train, diverted away from the Stirling route because of engineering work. 20 November.

Dunfermline and Queensferry Railway
Bill Roberton 2016


Kings Cross: Kings Cross on Sunday 20th November just after 8am. Whilst I was waiting for the 9:45 Virgin East Coast to Aberdeen I had the biggest ever Pain au chocolat from a Patisserie on the Mezzanine level!

London to Peterborough (Great Northern Railway)
Alan Cormack 2016


Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Queen Street looks very different now the ticket office had gone - much more open. View looking east to the circulating area with the former site of the ticket office to the left.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Beth Crawford 2017


Pockley Gates: Looking north west along Rape Lane to the former Pockley Gates Crossing Keepers houses sited around mid-way between Helmsley and Nawton stations. The track ran across where the entrances can be seen forward of the houses. The A170 road from Helmsley to Kirkbymoorside can be seen in the near distance.

Gilling to Pickering Line (North Eastern Railway)
David Pesterfield 2017


Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Soon to become a beautiful glazed exterior. Once the present concrete structures are gone.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Beth Crawford 2017


Dalreoch: Dreich at Dalreoch. Helensburgh Central to Edinburgh Waverley train drawing to a stop.

Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway
Beth Crawford 2017


Parkhouse Junction: QTS getting near the end of embankment stabilisation work for Network Rail to the north of Ardrossan. Improved drainage and webbing have been installed along a stretch of the embankment following clearance of undergrowth and mature trees. It is suggested that Network Rail had concerns about potential movement in the embankment due to poor drainage.

Largs Branch (Glasgow and South Western Railway)
Douglas Blades 2017


Blairhall Junction: Looking west towards Comrie Dean Viaduct, with the route of the Blairhill Colliery branch (closed in 1969) diverging to the left. See image [[57767]].

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
Bill Roberton 2018


Purton: LNER A4 60009 Union of South Africa, northbound on the south side of Purton on a dull day in November 2018. The train was heading for Gloucester on the line from Swindon.

Cheltenham and Great Western Union Railway (Great Western Railway)
Peter Todd 2018


Comrie Dean Viaduct: View of Comrie Dean Viaduct, near Blairhall Junction, looking east in November 2018. The railway closed to passengers on 7 October 1968 and to freight in 1982.

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
Bill Roberton 2018


Hatton [B and OR]: Looking northwards from the footbridge at Hatton on a wet and gloomy 20th November 2018. Through the small arch of the road bridge the Stratford-upon-Avon track can be seen curving away to the west but there is also a link back to the Birmingham lines making a passing loop through Platform 3. A Cross Country Voyager, working from Newcastle to Southampton, passes through Platform 1.

Birmingham and Oxford Railway
Mark Bartlett 2018


Hatton [B and OR]: A Newcastle to Southampton XC Voyager hurries through Hatton station heading for Leamington Spa on a wet 20th November 2018. Over on the right, in the platform normally used by passenger services to and from Stratford, a southbound engineering vehicle has been looped to allow the Voyager to pass.

Birmingham and Oxford Railway
Mark Bartlett 2018


Pickering: Just west of the junction with both the Malton line, and the Forge Valley line from Scarborough, lies the final structure on the line from Gilling East. This is Goslip Bridge - HMY36 - a humped road overbridge on Goslipgate, at the west side of Pickering. The land seen to the east of the bridge is now private with only a narrow fenced path alongside the trackbed, whereas there is a public right of way running for a fair distance west along the full width of the trackbed that is still intact through to Westgate Carr crossing.

Gilling to Pickering Line (North Eastern Railway)
David Pesterfield 2019


Sinnington: View of the west side abutment of the now deckless former rail bridge (HMY27), across the River Seven, immediately west of the level crossing by the former Sinnington Station.

Gilling to Pickering Line (North Eastern Railway)
David Pesterfield 2019


Sinnington: Two road bridges were sited some 100 yards apart over the line between Sinnington Station and Pickering. The first is Riseborough Bridge - HMY29 - viewed looking north on the local road between Pickering and Marton, with a left turn onto the bridge at each end, and the junction for the road to Riseborough seen at bottom right. This bridge sits astride a very deep cutting on the line to Pickering some two miles east, and I have since taking this view become aware that this is what is known locally as Sinnington Viaduct, due to its three arch structure which I noted recently but have still to get access for a photo. A few years ago a farm worker driving over in the early hours during harvest fell asleep and his tractor and trailer crashed through the east side parapet falling onto the trackbed below. The next bridge is a rail overbridge - HMY30 - across Spa Lane, showing how much the ground falls over the short distance. See image [[72002]]

Gilling to Pickering Line (North Eastern Railway)
David Pesterfield 2019


Sinnington: View south west along Spa Lane to the fine stone abutments of the now deckless overbridge HMY30, some 100 metres east of Riseborough Bridge - HMY29 - on the section between Sinnington Station and Pickering. Whilst this bridge is on a low embankment Riseborough Bridge is some 30 feet above the trackbed. Heading east between this bridge and Aislaby Carr level crossing there are two farm / stream underbridges extant, and a third, the furthest east, that has been removed.

Gilling to Pickering Line (North Eastern Railway)
David Pesterfield 2019


Sinnington: View of the east side abutment of the now deckless former rail bridge (HMY27), across the River Seven, immediately west of the level crossing by the former Sinnington Station.

Gilling to Pickering Line (North Eastern Railway)
David Pesterfield 2019


Sinnington: November 2019 view along the front of the former Station Cottages, sited to the rear of Sinnington Station by the former goods yard. An access road to the station runs along the rear of the cottages.

Gilling to Pickering Line (North Eastern Railway)
David Pesterfield 2019


Sinnington: View east along the former Sinnington Station platform in November 2019, and showing the ornamental garden now created on the trackbed.

Gilling to Pickering Line (North Eastern Railway)
David Pesterfield 2019


Dunbar: Work on the new Down platform at Dunbar seems to be progressing well and it is due to be commissioned early in 2020. There is a significant stagger and most of the new platform is off to the left. Coupled with the large gap between the platforms this is going to give it a rather spaced-out look.

North British Railway
David Panton 2019


Dunbar: A CrossCountry service for Plymouth pulls out of Dunbar on 20 November 2019. Work proceeds on the new Down platform which is due to open for business early next year. Perhaps this should have opened in 1846 so stopping Down trains didn't have to cross the Up Main for 173 years. Meanwhile with one platform it is never easy to photograph trains satisfactorily - as you can see.

North British Railway
David Panton 2019


Montrose: Colas 70814, on the 6A34 China Clay at Monntrose, and Scotrail 158714 waiting to head back to Aberdeen once it is able to get onto the single track bridge for the down line on 20th November 2019.

North British, Arbroath and Montrose Railway
Duncan Ross 2019


Pickering: Just west of the junction with both the Malton line, and the Forge Valley line from Scarborough, lies the final structure on the line from Gilling East. This is Goslip Bridge - HMY36 - a humped road overbridge on Goslipgate, at the west side of Pickering. The land east is private with only a narrow fenced path alongside the trackbed, seen to the left of the caravan, whereas heading west there is a public right of way; running for a fair distance along the full width of the trackbed that is still intact through to Westgate Carr crossing. View looking east.

Gilling to Pickering Line (North Eastern Railway)
David Pesterfield 2019


Pickering: Just west of the junction with both the Malton line, and the Forge Valley line from Scarborough, lies the final structure on the line from Gilling East. This is Goslip Bridge - HMY36 - a humped road overbridge on Goslipgate, at the west side of Pickering. The land east is private with only a narrow fenced path alongside the trackbed, whereas there is a public right of way running for a distance west along the full width of the trackbed that is still intact through to Westgate Carr crossing. View looking north along Goslipgate. See image {[73706]}

Gilling to Pickering Line (North Eastern Railway)
David Pesterfield 2019


Cameron Bridge [1st]: Looking west from Station Road, over the former Cameron Bridge station and yard on 20th November 2020, with vegetation clearance well advanced.

Leven Railway
Bill Roberton 2020


Cameron Bridge [1st]: Looking towards Levenmouth at Cameron Bridge on 20th November 2020, with long lost track revealed.

Leven Railway
Bill Roberton 2020


Taunton: This seating and waiting area at Taunton is new to me. The interior looks warm and cosy; but the wet wooden seats outside look a bit third class.

Bristol and Exeter Railway
Ken Strachan 2021


Taunton: Hitachi unit 802108 waits for time (19.45) to head for London via Bridgwater on 20th November 2021.

Bristol and Exeter Railway
Ken Strachan 2021


Angel: The wide southbound platform at Angel, Northern Line, on 20th November 2021. But it wasn't always so as, when opened by the City & South London Railway in 1901 and for the next 91 years, it had a narrow island platform in a single tunnel. By the end of the 1980s this had become totally inadequate and the whole station was rebuilt, the new being unveiled in 1992. The northbound platform on the south side of the island was abolished and built over, while the southbound on the north side was retained, leaving a very wide southbound platform. A new tunnel for northbound trains was constructed, leaving and rejoining the 1901 track either side of Angel station, to accommodate a new northbound platform which is of normal width with new passageways driven through the former tunnel wall to connect them. The old entrance on City Road was abandoned and replaced by a new one on Islington High Street. The former CSLR platforms at Euston also included a single island platform which disappeared during the construction of the Victoria Line in the 1960s but two examples of how Angel once looked survive at Clapham North and Clapham Common on the southern section of the Northern Line.

City and South London Railway
David Bosher 2021


Archway: Archway station, Northern Line, looking north on 20th November 2021. This opened as Highgate in 1907, the terminus of a branch from Camden Town of the Charing Cross, Euston & Hampstead Railway and was renamed in 1939 when the line was extended to the surface at East Finchley. Tube trains were extended over former LNER lines, replacing steam, to High Barnet in 1940 and from Finchley Central to Mill Hill East in 1941. The rest of the Northern Line 'Northern Heights' extensions were never completed. Until 20th September 2021, the Mill Hill East branch had just a one-stop shuttle service to and from Finchley Central, supplemented by a few through peak hour trains, but when the new Northern Line branch to Battersea Power Station opened on that day, this was abolished and Mill Hill East now has through trains to and from central and south London all day, seven days a week. As can be seen on the indicator board in this view at Archway.

Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway
David Bosher 2021


Events


Events from the chronology which occured on this day. This generally lists events before 1995, the creation of the website.

YearCompaniesDescription
1861Swansea Vale RailwayExtended from Ynisygeinon to Ystalyfera.
1868Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)Clyde Iron Works branch ('Lanarkshire and Midlothian Branches' railway number 8) opened from the new Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway) (1865), replacing earlier Clyde Iron Works Railways which ran directly from Cambuslang Goods on the Clydesdale Junction Railway.
1955Great Western Railway11 are killed when an excursion train enters a goods loop too quickly at Didcot.
1967Caerphilly Branch (Brecon and Merthyr Railway)^Down^ section closed, traffic diverted via Penrhos, Walnut Tree, Radyr and Cardiff.
2009Whitehaven Junction RailwayNorthside Bridge (A597) is washed away, leading to the opening of temporary station Workington North.

News


These are old news items which which occured on this day. This generally lists events after 1995, the creation of the website.

YearCompaniesDescription
2002Unmanned EWS class 90 locomotive runs out of Edinburgh Waverley station for 2 milesAn unmanned EWS electric class 90 locomotive ran out of Edinburgh Waverley station eastwards for 2 miles before being diverted into a (presumably not electified) siding at Craigentinny Depot.

From EWS^s press release: "tests carried out on the locomotive by EWS, in the presence of HMRI, have identified that a technical fault occurred on the hydraulic pipe work, which operates the parking brake on the locomotive."

EWS will be checking its other class 90s and has recommended that other companies do the same. A permanent way maintenance crew had to clear the track as it approached (trains normally sound their horn as they approach track maintenance crews, often at lowered speeds).
2004Train times get worse in first month of new rail firm^s reign [Scotsman]TRAINS in some parts of Scotland suffered their worst delays for years during the month after First ScotRail took over the franchise, according to figures to be published today.
2004Warning as children put iron bar on railway line [Scotsman]TWO children have been spotted placing an iron bar on the line at a city railway station - sparking a warning from rail chiefs.
2008Network Rail interim results [Network Rail Article]Network Rail today publishes its interim results for the half year to 30 September 2008. The results show the highest levels of train punctuality since records began (1992), averaging over 92% for the period, good all round performance across the business allowing continued high levels of investment, and a pre-tax profit of £706m.
2008Arriva acquires train maintenance co LNWR [Arriva PR]Leading European transport operator Arriva has acquired train maintenance company LNWR for £2.4 million, part of which represents repayment of a shareholder loan, and the assumption of approximately £2 million of debt. [From Mark Bartlett]
2008Coal power plan for nuclear site [BBC News Article]A new coal-burning power plant is being planned for the site of Hunterston nuclear power station.
2008Station Revamp at Ormskirk [BBC News]Preliminary work has begun on a multi-million pound revamp at Ormskirk, a Grade II listed railway station in Lancashire. [From John McIntyre]
2008London agrees new Oyster smart card contract [Railway Gazette]Transport for London announced on November 14 that it had agreed a new contract for the management of the Oyster smart card ticketing system [From Chris Taylor]
2009Flooding causes travel chaos [Telegraph]Floods have caused widespread travel chaos, with north west England and Scotland the worst hit.
2011Rail rage: is our train system going off the rails? [Herald]WHEN it comes to the demands of railway passengers, the wish list seems simple enough: reliable, punctual and frequent trains offering good value for money – and the ability to secure a seat. Yet plans unveiled last week for a major overhaul of Scotland’s railways set out the possibility of fares soaring ahead of inflation, and of passengers being forced to stand. The proposals in the Rail 2014 consultation document by Transport Scotland, an agency of the Scottish Government, triggered an outcry. The Labour Party said that a petition against the proposals had already attracted around 4000 signatures. Many of those are from the north of Scotland, where passengers could face the loss of overnight sleeper services to London, as well as having to change at Edinburgh for cross-border journeys.
2012Manchester railway station link plans are unveiled [BBC News]Plans for a viaduct linking three of Manchester^s major railway stations have been unveiled. The Ordsall Chord will link the city^s Piccadilly, Victoria and Oxford Road stations. Network Rail has said the new line will help free up space on the network, making way for more frequent and faster services across the north of England. A public consultation has opened on the plans which include two options for a bridge over the River Irwell. One is a statement railway arch and the other is an alternative flat bridge.
2012Architects say public^s views reflected in new Dundee Railway Station design [Courier]People power has helped to ^enhance^ the look of Dundee^s planned new £14 million railway station. The original plan was criticised by West End Community Council, who said it lacked character and was out of keeping with the Victorian buildings round about. Architects Nicoll Russell of Broughty Ferry carried out a 12-week consultation at which they received many comments from the public — most of them supportive. Now, the windows of the crescent-shaped structure — previously likened to a ^^banana split^^ — have been grouped in pairs and aligned vertically to give the building a ^^bolder^^ look. A planning application for the project has now been formally lodged with the city council and is likely to be considered next year.
2013Train crashes into Chester Station barrier [BBC News]The Virgin train, travelling from London Euston to Chester, hit the platform after pulling in to its destination at about 12:10 GMT. A 64-year-old passenger was taken to hospital suffering back injuries, the North West Ambulance Service said. Jake Pickering posted on Twitter: ^The @VirginTrains train I was on from London has just crashed at Chester station. I believe everyone is okay.^ No other trains were involved and there were not believed to be any serious injuries, Virgin confirmed. [From Mark Bartlett]
2013Borders to Edinburgh rail route work ^is damaging houses^ [BBC News]Galashiels residents claim their homes are being damaged by construction work on the Borders to Edinburgh railway. They say 21 properties in Glenfield Road East have been affected by heavy machinery building the line nearby. Concerns have been raised about cracks appearing in walls and radiators developing leaks. [From Richard Buckby]
2013Bombardier to overhaul British EMUs [International Railway Journal]BRITISH rolling stock leasing company Eversholt Rail has awarded Bombardier a two-year contract worth more than £30m to overhaul the fleet of 40 class 365 EMUs used by First Capital Connect. The work will be carried out at Bombardier^s Ilford depot in Essex and the first train is due to be completed early next year. Eversholt had originally placed the contract with Railcare, but the work was retendered after Railcare entered administration in July 2013.
2014Old railway stations to reopen [Evening News]MOTHBALLED railway stations are set to reopen after more than half a century after services for stops at the platforms were written into the next ScotRail franchise. Stations at East Linton, in East Lothian, and Reston, in Berwickshire, will be included in the two-hourly service between Edinburgh and Berwick under the new planning timetable. Both were closed following the Beeching Report of 1964 which moved to axe rail routes amid increased competition from road haulage services. If momentum continues trains could be running through both stations as early as December 2016.
2015Rocketing rail electrification costs unacceptable, say MPs [BBC News]A £1.2bn hike in the cost of the Great Western Main Line rail electrification is ^staggering and unacceptable^, the Public Accounts Committee has said. Upgrading the line between Maidenhead and Cardiff was set at £1.6bn in 2014 but is now estimated to cost £2.8bn. MPs said it was not clear why and said Network Rail had ^lost its grip^ on large projects. Network Rail said planning of the scheme had not been good enough but changes had been made to control costs.
2015Eurostar Velaro e320 enters passenger service [IRJ]EUROSTAR^s new fleet of Siemens Velaro e320 (class 374) high-speed trains entered passenger service on the morning of November 20, when one of the 16-car sets formed the 10.24 from London St Pancras to Paris Nord. [From Richard Buckby]
2016India train crash: 115 killed in derailment near Kanpur [BBC News]The death toll following the derailment of a train in India^s northern Uttar Pradesh state has reached at least 115, with more than 150 injured, police say. Fourteen carriages of the Indore-Patna Express derailed just after 03:00 local time on Sunday (21:30 GMT Saturday) near the city of Kanpur. Rescuers are still trying to reach the injured and recover the dead from the twisted carriages. The cause of the crash near the village of Pukhrayan is not yet known. Fourteen carriages of the Indore-Patna Express derailed just after 03:00 local time on Sunday (21:30 GMT Saturday) near the city of Kanpur. Rescuers are still trying to reach the injured and recover the dead from the twisted carriages. The cause of the crash near the village of Pukhrayan is not yet known.
2016Talks planned on public sector trains [BBC News]Scotland^s transport minister is to invite unions and other political parties to talks next week on setting up a public sector train operator. Humza Yousaf revealed the move after widespread criticism of existing ScotRail services. He said the contract could be cancelled in 2020 and contingency plans were in place for the Scottish government to take over train services earlier. ScotRail said it was working to implement a 246-point improvement plan. Dutch firm Abellio took over the ScotRail franchise in April last year in a 10-year deal worth up to £6bn but with the option for the Scottish government to cancel it at the halfway point.
2016Edinburgh Airport travellers opt for buses at trams’ expense [Scotsman]The proportion of Edinburgh Airport travellers taking the tram has fallen and three times as many use buses, according to a report published today. Some 8 per cent of journeys to and from the terminal were by tram at beginning of the year, compared to around 25 per cent by bus. The report by the Airport Operators Association (AOA) also showed trams’ share of passengers fell from 10 per cent over the previous months.
2018Deep seated problem revealed by Waterloo crash [Rail News]THE chief inspector of railway accidents has warned that the low-speed collision between a passenger train and wagons at London Waterloo last summer has revealed a deep-seated problem. Simon French of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said the incident on 15 August, which involved an early morning train and stationary engineering wagons, has aroused fears that the lessons of the fatal triple collision near Clapham Junction on 12 December 1988 may be fading from the railway industrys collective memory.
2019Central support for Glasgow City Mission [Network Rail]Glasgow Central station is encouraging passengers to show their generosity this Thursday by donating clothes and toiletries to the Glasgow City Mission.
2019Vintage tea dance with Garelochhead Station Trust [Helensburgh Advertiser]The Garelochhead Station Trust teamed up with Helensburgh and Lomonds Police Scotland Youth Volunteers to hold a 1940s-themed tea dance at the villages Gibson Hall community centre.
2019West Somerset Railway^s future in doubt after £800k loss [BBC News]The future of a heritage railway is in doubt after the company made a trading loss of more than £800,000. The annual report of West Somerset Railway, seen by the BBC, shows this compares with a profit last year of £12,000. Its author, auditors AC Mole, questioned the company^s ability to ^continue as a going concern^.
2019Leaf-busting trains help boost ScotRail punctuality [Scotsman]Record use of leaf-busting trains has helped Scotland^s Railway cut delays during the tricky autumn season, new figures have shown.
2019Railway campaigners praised on 25th anniversary [Inverness Courier]Tireless efforts by campaigners to protect rail services on the Far North Line have been hailed by an MSP as they mark their 25th anniversary.