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Tuesday, 03 March 2015

BBC News

• Railway's bike credentials queriedA Green MSP raises concerns about capacity plans for bicycles on the trains which will run on the new Edinburgh to Borders railway.
• HS2 'U-turn' leads to uncertaintyProposals lead to uncertainty

Department for Transport

• Patrick McLoughlin in Wolverhampton to discuss future of local and regional rail network.Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin visited Wolverhampton today (2 March 2015) to discuss local and regional rail links, including potential improvements to Wolverhampton railway station and proposals to devolve control of the railways in the West Midlands.
• Rail Minister at official launch of Virgin Trains East Coast service between London and Scotland.Rail minister Claire Perry visited King’s Cross station today (2 March 2015) for the official launch of the new service between London and Scotland.

The Guardian

• Repainted and rebranded Virgin Trains East Coast service leaves LondonThe reprivatised rail service embarked on its first journey on Monday but debate still rages whether it is best in private or public handsThe first repainted, rebranded and reprivatised Virgin Trains East Coast train left London Kings Cross station for Edinburgh at 11am on Monday, its new red-and-white livery signalling according to one set of politicians and businessmen – a fresh chapter and better services for passengers.After five years of public ownership, that view is disputed by unions and Labour, for whom East Coast became totemic in the argument over who should run rail transport.

The Herald

• Glasgow Subway to pilot technology that converts waste water into heat WATER seeping into Scotland's only metro system will be turned into heat as part of a pilot scheme launching this month.
• Company behind new East Coast franchise reveals plan for £3m community fund CUSTOMERS and communities along the new Virgin Trains East Coast network will be able to bid for a share of a £3 million innovation fund, the operator has announced.
• Company behind new East Coast franchise reveals plan for £3m community fund CUSTOMERS and communities along the new Virgin Trains East Coast network will be able to bid for a share of a £3 million innovation fund, the operator has announced.

Network Rail

• Preparation work begins to electrify South Wales railway and improve journeysNetwork Rail will soon begin major preparation work in the run up to electrifying the South Wales Mainline.
• Don’t risk your life at Grays level crossingPedestrians are risking injury or death by taking shortcuts and climbing over fencing at Grays level crossing in Essex, Network Rail and Thurrock Council have warned.

The York Press

• Q&A: What will the changes on the East Coast mainline mean for passengers? We look at what the latest railway shake-up will mean for fares, services and passenger input....

Doncaster Free Press

• VIDEO: Time lapse film of Doncaster bridge being builtA new time lapse film showing 80 tonne bridge beams being lifted into place over the East Coast Mainline in Doncaster as part of work building the new airport link road has been released.
• Doncaster to benefit from new East Coast rail serviceThe new East Coast train service between London and Scotland, passing through Doncaster, has been launched by Rail Minister Claire Perry.

North Wales Live

• Merseyrail wins 'Operator of the Year' at Rail Business AwardsIt is the first time the Liverpool-based operator has won the title

Peterborough Telegraph

• It is business as usual for Peterborough commuters on the new Virgin Trains East CoastIt seemed to be business as usual today (Monday) for thousands of rail commuters from Peterborough as they travelled on the newly privatised East Coast main line.

Rail Magazine

• Approval for Doncaster ‘iPort’Local authority approves plans for 35-acre rail freight terminal
• Warnes: Northern must retain DMUsNorthern Rail says DMUs must be retained, even though cascaded EMUs are entering traffic
• Virgin Trains East Coast launchesNew-look East Coast train unveiled at King’s Cross on second day of new franchise.
• VIDEO: Pedestrians risking lives at Grays level crossingCCTV footage captures people taking dangerous risks at Essex level crossing

Railnews

• Virgin promises new £3m East Coast fund Virgin and Stagecoach have launched their East Coast franchise this morning with rail minister Claire Perry joining managing director David Horne at London King's Cross. The first train to bear the new livery throughout has formed the 11.00 from London to Edinburgh, and its departure marks the conclusion of a long-running campaign by Virgin Trains to take over on the East Coast route.