News Archive  July - August 2009                      Back to News Archive index

National Network

New station and freight spur at Rackheath are part of eco-town project 

Rackheath, north-east of Norwich has been named by the government as one of four locations for ‘eco-towns’ which could be built by 2016. As every resident in the new settlements must live no more than 10 minutes’ walk from public transport, Building Partnerships, developer of the Rackheath project, has pencilled in a new railway station south of Salhouse. Track upgrades are likely to be required to support the developer's aim of providing a 15-minute train frequency in peak hours. 
The preliminary map shows a freight spur running north-east from Salhouse to an industrial area, but it is not clear what type of business could produce traffic suitable for rail. 

NXEA laid low by two-day strikes... 

In dispute with NXEA over salary demands, rail unions called four 48-hour strikes in July and August. 
The first stoppages, on July 30/31 and August 6/7, saw ASLEF and RMT pickets out in force. Main line trains from Norwich ran hourly, with just six running through to or from London. There were no rural services at all. Further walkouts were called for August 13/4 and 20/21, and TSSA members voted to join the dispute. 
Andrew Chivers, NXEA’s managing director, described the unions’ demands as unrealistic in the current economic climate. 'Among a variety of demands', he said, 'ASLEF wants a minimum pay increase of 2.5% and a four day working week for all members. Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said his members were determined to secure a fair deal on pay and conditions. 
Meanwhile, at East Midlands Trains, ASLEF decided to suspend a series of two-day strikes planned for July while it considered a revised pay offer from EMT. 

...while another strike hits Ipswich 

As well as leaving thousands of Suffolk homes without power, a violent storm and torrential rain caused Ipswich station to be evacuated on June 15 after lightning hit a chimney at the station at around 19.30. Trains were halted and the overhead power lines had to be switched off. This, together with damage to signalling between Manningtree and Ipswich, meant that the 17.50 (1P52) Liverpool St – Norwich spent nearly 21/2 hours the London side of Ipswich, with six main-line trains stacked up behind. It was not until two hours later that two platforms at the station were opened and trains began to run again as work continued to stabilise the chimney. DRS ‘Thunderbird’ no.47501 Craftsman was pressed into service to work the 21:00 from Norwich. 

Euro approval for Felixstowe – Nuneaton improvements 

In July EU government officials in Brussels provisionally approved a £8m project to develop the Felixstowe to Nuneaton rail route. This would allow more freight to be carried by rail from Felixstowe and Harwich to the north and west without using the congested North London line, and might in turn create opportunities for more passenger services on the GEML and between Ipswich and Peterborough. 
The upgrading work would include gauge enhancements to cater for larger containers, capacity improvements and the removal of speed restrictions imposed on freight trains between Ipswich and Peterborough. 
A Committee of MEPs is likely to give final approval in September. 

Extra trains for the Air Show 

Traction photographers gathered for the Lowestoft Seafront Air Show on July 23 and 24 – but their quarry was NXEA's Class 47-hauled extra trains between Norwich and Lowestoft. On both days, including e.c.s. workings, there were three return trips, consisting of an eight-coach (inc. DVT) set powered by DRS nos. 47501 Craftsman (Lowestoft end) and 47802 Pride of Cumbria (Norwich end). A 2+3 car Class 170 formation operated additional services. 

Could NatEx lose Anglia too? 

Following the July 1 announcement that National Express's loss-making East Coast franchise will soon revert to operation by the state, there has been speculation that NatEx may lose its East Anglia and c2c franchises as well.

The debt-laden bus and train operator has been struggling to make the London to Edinburgh route pay and can no longer afford to support it. Under cross-default clauses, transport secretary Lord Adonis says his department may have grounds to strip National Express of its other rail contracts, but the company says it would vigorously oppose such a move. 

NR fined for Croxton crossing errors 

Network Rail has been fined £70,000 and ordered to pay £25,000 costs for inadequately maintaining a level crossing which resulted in a derailment in September 2006. 

The 05:33 Norwich to Cambridge train, a 2-car Class 170 unit with five staff and eight passengers on board, was crossing the A1075 at Croxton near Thetford when it struck a Holdfast rubber level crossing panel which a lorry had dislodged. The train was derailed, causing NR to close the Norwich to Cambridge line for nearly 24 hours (NRS Newsletter Sep/Oct 2006). 

More and longer GEML trains in prospect – but more changing trains at Ipswich too? 
In April this year NXEA agreed with the Department for Transport that it would introduce extra capacity to comply with the DfT’s High Level Output Specification (HLOS) plans. Under the agreement NXEA will, by the end of 2012, receive 120 new and 68 refurbished carriages (i.e. 30 Class 379 emus and 17 Class 321 emus respectively), which represent a 17% increase in the size of its train fleet.
With the extra rolling stock NXEA could make a raft of improvements. For example it could:

• provide additional train service capacity into London Liverpool Street on a weekday morning for an additional 16,000 passengers (11,000 seats and 5,000 standing) passengers between 07.00 and 10.00, and an additional 5,000 passengers between 08.00 and 09.00 by December 31 2011;
• introduce 120 new electric vehicles for the Stansted Express route, but also on some Cambridge – London services;
• redeploy 84 Stansted Express Class 317 electric multiple unit vehicles to other NXEA routes; 
• introduce 68 more Class 321 EMU vehicles on the Great Eastern Main Line; 
• extend most GEML peak outer suburban services to 12 carriages; 
• provide extra stops at Stratford, especially in peak hours; 
• introduce an extra carriage on four peak Norwich – London intercity services;
• introduce extra capacity on off-peak Ipswich/Colchester – London services;
• extend most Norwich – Cambridge services from two to three carriages; 
• extend most Ipswich – Cambridge services to two carriages; 
• introduce an hourly Ipswich – Saxmundham service; and from December 2012 an hourly Ipswich – Lowestoft service (providing Beccles loop is installed);
• introduce an extra morning and evening peak service between Norwich and Gt Yarmouth; 
• provide an increase of over 4,000 seats and 6,000 total capacity on main line off-peak services to and from London by replacing Class 170 DMUs with Class 321 and Class 360 EMUs between Ipswich and London; 
• provide a fast Norwich – London morning service (probably around 07.40 with a journey time of around 1hr 45 minutes), in addition to the fast 17.00 London – Norwich service.

NXEA stresses that the HLOS plans do not include any additional diesel trains, so these major improvements are only possible if the current Lowestoft and Peterborough – London through trains start and finish at Ipswich, with passengers changing to/from a main line London train. 
The changes are likely to be phased in between December 2009 and December 2012. Passengers are invited to send their views to the company before September 11. 

Wisbech named in ATOC reopening plans 

The moribund March – Wisbech line, which the Bramley Line group is dedicated to reopening, has been named as a line where passenger trains could be reintroduced. 
In a report entitled Connecting Communities, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) demonstrates an outline economic case for trains to return to a number of English towns that were once served by rail, and calls for fourteen routes to be safeguarded. ATOC says a station at Wisbech would also serve a catchment area of villages and towns such as Long Sutton. An hourly Wisbech – March – Peterborough service could connect with Cross Country trains. Wisbech might also have an additional park and ride station adjacent to A47. The report notes that signalling alterations would be required at March to avoid conflict with Whitemoor depot. Reopening the Wisbech branch, it says, would cost around £12m.

Two-for-One Theatre Deal 

Under a scheme launched jointly by NXEA and Cromer’s Pavilion Theatre, people who travel by train to Cromer this summer can also buy two tickets to the theatre's Seaside Special show for the price of one. To promote the offer, unit no. 156409 was given a ‘Cromer Pier Seaside Special’ vinyl nameplate at Norwich station on July 10 while cast members performed an impromptu show. The plate will be carried for a ‘limited period’. 

Local operators’ punctuality improves 

During the four weeks to May 30, NXEA recorded its highest punctuality figure since it took over the franchise in April 2004. NXEA trains notched up an average punctuality of 94.3%, 2.3 points higher than the same period last year. East Midlands Trains’ punctuality went up to 93.5pc, but First Capital Connect drifted back slightly from 93pc to 92.3pc. 
Peter Lawrence, NRS member and president of RailFuture was quoted as saying “....there will always be occasions where there will be problems, but this is cause for great optimism.” 

Updated rail info for cyclists 

In conjunction with the Bittern and Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnerships, NXEA launched a new edition of its CycleRail leaflet on June 16. The first batch of leaflets arrived at Norwich station accompanied by a 1895 Crypto Bantam vintage bicycle. The CycleRail leaflet provides information such as cycle hire facilities, reservations and the cycle rescue scheme, for people who plan to explore the Bittern and Wherry line routes by rail and bicycle. 

NXEA stations are tops for cafés 

Refreshment facilities at three NXEA stations have found a place in the ‘Ten of the Best Railway Cafés’, published on The Guardian’s website. They are The Whistlestop Café at Woodbridge, the Station Buffet at Manningtree and the Brief Encounter at Wymondham. The report’s author, Dixe Wills, comments: "Great station cafés actually do exist in some corners of the country, with train travellers in East Anglia having the fortune of being particularly well served." 


Heritage, Narrow-Gauge and Miniature 

B12 goes to Lancashire 

The NNR reports that B12 4-6-0 61572 has moved to Riley & Son’s workshops at Bury for attention to the alignment of its main axles in the frames. Meanwhile at Chatham Steam work continues on the B12’s boiler. 
The railway’s WD Austerity 2-10-0 no.90775 requires firebox repairs and has been withdrawn from traffic. After visiting other heritage lines including the nearby Mid-Norfolk Railway, N7 0-6-2T no. 69621 has returned to the NNR, and now faces Sheringham. 

Sponsor a chain and help 37003 

December 1960 saw the first class 37 loco enter service with BR. The Class 37 Loco Group, owner of no. 37003 which took up residence at Dereham station in February, plans to return its loco to main line operational statusin time for it to celebrate the 50th anniversary next year by hauling a railtour from Dereham to Liverpool Street. The two stations are 136 miles and 54 chains apart, and to find the necessary work on the loco the group is inviting well-wishers to ‘sponsor a chain’ for £2.75 – or a mile for £200, 5 miles for £1,000 or 10 miles for £2,000. 
The Class 37 Group has also announced that Bachmann is to produce a limited edition of 512 models of no.37003 in BR corporate blue, priced at £79.95 each plus £4 p&p. Details of the appeal and the model can be found at www.c37lg.co.uk/ 

North Norfolk reveals its steam visitors 

The North Norfolk Railway has released details of three steam locos which are scheduled to visit the line this summer. 
GWR 0-6-2T no. 6619, based at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and a previous visitor to the NNR, arrived in mid-July and will operate during the summer season and at the autumn steam gala (Sep 4-6). Also arriving in time for the gala is GWR no.3440 City of Truro. The outside-framed 4-4-0 is scheduled to be in Norfolk for most of September. Visiting specifically for the gala is GCR-based N2 0-6-2T no.1744, which has just returned to service following an overhaul – 'a perfect match,' says the NNR, 'for the Quad-Art set.' 
These three visitors – and possibly a fourth – will join the home fleet for the gala. 

Class 24 takes on Sheringham diesel turns 

With no. 25057 out of traffic for repairs, the NNR is, unusually, hosting a visiting diesel locomotive. Privately-owned no. 24081, built by BR at Crewe in 1960 and normally resident on the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway, arrived at Sheringham on July 17. It is expected to work demonstration goods trains on Sundays during the ‘red service’ and some Saturday services. The goods trains leave Holt at 12.25 and 13.55 and return from Sheringham at 13.10 and 14.40. The loco goes on to haul two late-afternoon return passenger services between Sheringham and Holt. 
No.24081 will be on the NNR until mid October. Before returning to the G/WR it is hoped to pair it on a train with no. 25057.