Latest Rail News

MR CHRISTOPHER HARRIS   30/01/2018 at 18:08

Those carriages still smell of fuel, the suspension is still hard and the breaks, deafening... New carriages please, not painted, 40 year old stock from the chassis of busses.

Chris   30/01/2018 at 23:32

As mentioned. New trains for 21st Century travel. Not painted old stock. It’s disgraceful that profit is going back to Germany, Holland and China. Directors and shareholders lining there pockets. Modern, clean and extra carriages. ‘Glad to have you aboard’ is really a joke!

Pete   31/01/2018 at 08:03

Painted turds. That Leyland buses on wheels still represent the backbone of rail services in large parts of 21st century Britain is nothing less than a national embarrassment.

Andrew Gwilt   31/01/2018 at 08:45

The Class 142’s and Class 143’s operated by GWR and Arriva Trains Wales will be replaced by other trains including the Class 230’s. As well the Northern Class 144’s are also to be replaced.

Revolting Peasant   31/01/2018 at 11:07

Andrew, on what basis do you make the racy claim that 230s are being introduced in Wales, have you had sight of the winning franchise bidder's fleet strategy, or are you actually an employee of Transport for Wales?

Mark Stay   31/01/2018 at 15:27

Were you not aware Revolting that Andrew is the World's foremost authority on stock allocations and transfers. He's also adept at filling empty space....

Wearyreader   31/01/2018 at 15:50

clearly not the space between his ears......

Andrew Gwilt   31/01/2018 at 21:30

How about you shut it Wearyreader.

Allhailthegwilt   01/02/2018 at 12:20

Usual intelligent response from Andrew when someone challenges him on his spurious claims which have no basis or foundation in fact. Again Andrew, where has it been published that Class 230s are heading to Wales?

Andrew Gwilt   01/02/2018 at 13:02

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_230 There’s your answer.

Andrew Gwilt   01/02/2018 at 13:04

Vivarail stated that they planned to pitch the converted trains to a number of train operating companies (TOCs), especially those bidding for the Northern franchise which was awarded in December 2015. They positioned them as a cost-effective alternative to buying brand new rolling stock, enabling TOCs to replace the "Pacer" railbuses in the North of England with upcycled Tube stock. However, Arriva won the bidding for the Northern franchise in December 2015 and their rolling stock plan involves purchasing brand new stock as well as taking on additional cascaded 4 car EMUs. So there you have it.

Spanish Pete   01/02/2018 at 21:34

“So there you have it.” Oh dear. Andrew, read the Wikipedia article again, more carefully this time. The piece you quoted appears under the heading “Marketing”. This is something companies do to try to close the gap between the fantasy of what they would like to happen and the reality of what is actually happening on the ground. It is a distinction you appear unable to make. In fact, mention of Arriva Trains Wales appears under the heading “Potential customers” further down the page. The clue is in the word “Potential”.

Andrew Gwilt   02/02/2018 at 10:05

Spanish Pete. Fair point.

Nonsuchmike   02/02/2018 at 17:58

Well, if the Arriva company is so proud of these boxes, let them be put on the regular Waterloo to Hampton Court route, or the Caterham flyer, or to Epsom via Raynes Park. Then have plenty of media people handy to take the comments of the commuters as they get off at the terminals. They wouldn't last the week, I'll be bound.