UK Rail Services Disrupted as Cracks Found in High-Speed Trains
Britain’s rail network is experiencing significant disruption on Saturday after a number of high-speed Hitachi trains were taken off service after cracks were found.
“Routine checks of Hitachi trains early this morning identified cracks on part of the chassis of some trains. Safety is always our absolute priority, so these trains have been taken off the network to undergo full and rigorous checks,” said Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris.
“Hitachi are working to complete these strict precautionary checks. Trains will be returned to service as quickly as possible once they are fully approved as safe by the manufacturer,” he said.
Rail minister pledges planned new Blyth Bebside rail station will go ahead
Northumberland Rail Line will be built in full with six stations, rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris tells Chronicle Live
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The planned new Northumberland Rail Line between Newcastle and Ashington will go ahead with all six stations open from the start, rail ministers have pledged.
The firm is seeking thousands of people to be part of a new customer panel. Members will share views on everything related to the Northern network. Company bosses say the initiative will – for the first time – give customers “a real voice” in how rail services are operated. Participants will also be consulted on upcoming projects. Mark Powles, customer and commercial director with Northern, said: “We’re constantly looking for ways to improve what we do to provide a better service for our customers and the communities we serve. “In the past 12 months, we have made significant improvements to our network.
RAIL fares will rise by more than the rate of inflation next year despite taxpayers already pumping up to £10 billion into private operators’ pockets to help them through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fares usually rise in January but they will be “frozen” until March 1. Ripped-off passengers will then see fares rise by 2.6 per cent, one per cent above the retail prices index (RPI).
Typical increases will see a Brighton-London annual season ticket hiked by around £129 to £5,109, and a Manchester-Glasgow off-peak return rising by £2.30 to £90.60.
Rail unions and campaigners slammed the rise the first above inflation since 2013 announced by Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris.
Long-distance trains will run on battery power in a UK first, manufacturer Hitachi Rail has announced.
The firm has launched a plan for Great Western Railway (GWR) services between London Paddington and Penzance, Cornwall, to operate by a combination of electricity, diesel and batteries.
The line is only partially electrified, with the majority of the 300-mile route requiring diesel power.
Thirty-six Intercity Express Trains currently used for the journeys are bi-modes, which switch between electric and diesel power.
Developing tri-mode trains will take place in partnership with train owner Eversholt Rail and involve replacing diesel engines with batteries.
Testing is expected to begin in 2022.