Today’s Railways UK 238 – December 2021

The November 2021 issue of Today’s Railways UK contains a range of interesting articles covering all aspects of Britain’s railways, plus all the very latest news from across the railway network. Our regular monthly sections take an in-depth look at light rail, heritage railways, preservation and railtours, with readers’ letters and our grumpy old man also in attendance.

Feature articles this month include:

Lumo Launches New East Coast Open Access Service: Robert Pritchard reports from the launch of Britain’s newest passenger operator – “Lumo”, who started operating between King’s Cross and Edinburgh in October.

Riding the Greater Anglia Class 720: The Greater Anglia order for 133 5-car Class 720s is one of the largest new train orders of recent years – at 665 vehicles. With the Class 720s now bedding down well into service, Robert Pritchard takes a few trips to find out what they offer the passenger compared to the trains they replaced.

East Yorkshire’s Last Stand: Located on the east coast of Yorkshire, Bridlington once boasted a sizeable railway station, with as many as eight platforms in its heyday, which were needed to cope with the high volumes of people that visited during the summer months. Nowadays, however, there are just two through platforms and a single west-facing bay. Daniel Stanyon looks at the rationalisation of the railway through the town, including the recent removal of East Yorkshire’s last remaining semaphore signals.

Only Three That Begin With ‘V’: Anders Beavis-Berry explores the only three stations on the national rail network that have names beginning with the letter V: Valley, Vauxhall and Virginia Water.

The Hythe Pier Railway: An Ancient Survivor Back in Business: John Vaughan visits this unique railway, which rarely features in the railway press.

Viva la Revolution: A Lifeline for Long Lost Branch Lines?: The culmination of almost seven years work, 7 October saw the launch of the Revolution Very Light Rail (RVLR) demonstrator vehicle at Ironbridge. Ian Beardsley reports on its development and how very light rail can be used to support the reopening of disused railways, the extension of existing lines and the reintroduction of regular passenger services to freight lines and heritage railways.

Urban Transport Group Makes Strong Case for Light Rail: Paul Abell delves into a comprehensive report on the merits of light rail, recently published bu the Urban Transport Group.

The Sittingbourne to Sheerness Line: The Sheerness-on-Sea branch is one of Kent’s least well-known lines, but also one of its most fascinating and has seen an almost uninterrupted service since it first opened over 160 years ago on 19 July 1860. Patrick Boniface and Robert Pritchard look back at the history of the line and at its current operations.

News stories this month include:

• 2021 Budget: £5.7bn for transport projects in cities outside London
• Planned ScotRail strikes called off
• DfT takes over Southeastern
• Freightliner grounds most of Class 90 fleet as electric prices soar
• Euston HS2 terminal down to ten platforms
• Train hits buffers and derails at Enfield Town
• Hull Trains back to a full timetable in December
• New freight flows from Doncaster iPort
• Manchester area 2022 timetable approved
• Go-ahead for Barrhead electrification but East Kilbride to remain single track
• Extending Borders Rail to Carlisle “best solution”
• Midland Pullman tour takes first HST to Mallaig
• Undetected track fault led to Sheffield freight derailment
• Dartmoor Line to reopen on 20 November
• Hull Trains celebrates 21 Years
• Two Night Tube lines to resume
• Yet another Portishead delay
• Dedication for Today’s Railways founder
• Northern trials dry ice as new method of removing leaves on the line
• Northern takes over Neville Hill
• New bridge at University
• Ex-BR Chairman John Welsby dies at 83
• Tyne & Wear Metro cars offered to community groups
• Work continues on Edinburgh extension
• New Southend Pier Railway train arrives
• Direct Rail Services to sell off heritage fleet
• RHTT season under way once again
• 66 naming celebrates Bescot upgrade
• First HST power cars moved for scrap
• Dual fuel unit enters service with Grand Central
• Northern names 195 “Pride of Cumbria”
• First Class 365s for disposal
• £3.1m windfall for Ffestinion and Welsh Highland Railways
• NVR hosts Three Peaks Challenge
• Landslip shuts Ravenglass & Eskdale
• “Santa Steam Expresses” prove popular