Rolling stock

377312 sits at Selhurst Depot, waiting for its refurbishment to begin. RICHARD WILCOCK.

Feature

A new dawn for Electrostars as £100m project nears completion

Over the past five years, Govia Thameslink Railway has been quietly overhauling its fleet of Class 377s and ‘387s’. As the refurbishment reaches its completion, RICHARD WILCOCK visits Selhurst Depot in south London to learn more about Project Aurora.

Maintenance and refurb 22 Jul

Piccadilly Line train car at Siemens factory in Goole

Feature

Cautious optimism for rail's future, Siemens Joint CEO tells RAIL

Siemens Mobility’s Rob Morris has welcomed the recent government Spending Review with what he terms “cautious confidence”

GBR 15 Jul

Stored SWR Class 701s and former West Midlands Railway Class 323s at Long Marston. JACK BOSKETT/RAIL.

News

UK "fails to provide trains people want or like"

Panel discussion on the need for a rolling stock strategy also hears how current specifications are "too prescriptive".

Rail Live 2 Jul

News

Siemens Mobility CEO: Rolling Stock Strategy needs to come quickly

The recently announced 10-year infrastructure strategy should have rolling stock at its heart according to leaders from both Siemens Mobility and Alstom.

16 Jun

Feature

How to save a piece of history from the scrapyard

Preserving the past takes passion and perseverance. Chris Howe reports on the successful effort to find a home for a discarded Merseyrail Class 57 electric unit

Electrification 23 May

An Aventra for c2c on the assembly line. ALSTOM.

Feature

Alstom Derby’s days are looking brighter

Last year, Alstom’s Litchurch Lane train building factory almost shut down. One year on, Peter Plisner returns to the factory.

Engineering 21 May

Comment

Comment: A definitive role for Derby

A rolling stock strategy to secure the sector’s future

Editor's comment 21 May

Staff work on 195110 inside St Mary’s shed. The walkways at Solebar and roof height allow easy access to the interior and rooftop HVAC modules. PAUL BIGLAND

Feature

Inside Newton Heath's historic maintenance depot

Northern’s principal maintenance depot has a rich history, and is playing its part in the railway’s future as well. Paul Bigland is given an extensive tour.

30 Apr

They certainly aren’t ‘great lookers’ but the corridor connections on a Class 730 are vital for passengers and train crew. PIP DUNN

Feature

Review: West Midlands Railways introduces Class 730s

West Midlands Trains is introducing two Bombardier Aventra fleets into traffic and up first is the Class 730/0s for West Midlands Railways. By Pip Dunn.

Locomotives 14 Apr

Ian Prosser is former HM Chief Inspector of Railways and Director of Railway Safety at the Office of Rail and Road.

Comment

Guest Comment: A root cause of inefficiency

Rail need a set of strategies that will allow an optimised deployment of rolling stock across the network for years to come, says Ian Prosser

Industry views 31 Mar

News

Traction and rolling stock strategies urgently needed says former Chief Inspector of Railways

Ian Prosser says strategies are needed before GBR is set up to improve value for money and avoid potential safety risk.

Ian Prosser 18 Mar

A bird’s eye view of the Greatest Gathering launch at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane facility. STEVE DONALD.

Feature

Railway 200: Gearing up for the ‘Greatest Gathering’

The ‘Greatest Gathering’ at Alstom's Litchurch Lane factory in Derby will be one of the biggest events during this year's celebrations, explains Peter Plisner.

Staff and employment 12 Mar

Hitachi’s facility near Newton Aycliffe opened in 2015 and has produced hundreds of IEP vehicles - among them the Azumas. LNER 801109 passes Barkston (Lincolnshire) with the 0843 Bradford Forster Square to King’s Cross on September 4 2024. PAUL CLARK.

Feature

Will all of the UK train assembly lines survive?

UK train manufacturers face even leaner times ahead unless the government has a clear strategy for new rolling stock and places some orders, says Philip Haigh.

Locomotives 24 Jan

Stephen Joseph notes the contrast between frequent and lengthy trains in the southern counties, and shorter trains in the North. Northern 156447 approaches Villette Road Bridge (Sunderland) on November 25, with the 1215 Newcastle-Middlesbrough. PAUL BIGGS.

News

Northern begins negotiations with manufacturers for 450 new trains

Northern Trains has taken a significant step towards the largest investment in its history, with the potential to see up to 450 new trains introduced across its network.

Northern 17 Jan

The trial train arrives at West Ealing, where it will receive a fast-charge after its journey to Greenford and back. JOE CAMPBELL

Feature

Behind the scenes: GWR trials fast-charging battery technology

Joe Campbell joins the team conducting trials of fast-charge battery technology on the West Ealing to Greenford branch.

Electrification 15 Jan

Meet the Drain Train. On August 13, 20901/905 are at North Stafford Junction. DAVE PEACHEY.

Feature

Class 20s take the strain on the Drain Train

Balfour Beatty has operated on-track drain clearance trains for several years. Now it acquired two Class 20s for the task. Pip Dunn finds out more.

13 Jan

The first six InterCity diagrams included turns to Glasgow. 90007 ascends Shap at Greenholme with the 1415 Euston-Glasgow Central on August 31 1991. STEVE TURNER.

Feature

The many ups and downs of BR's Class 90 locomotive

Class 90s have experienced a chequered career, alternating from zero to hero and back again several times, as David Clough explains.

Locomotives 10 Jan

TransPennine's Mk 5A stock is currently in storage

News

Mk 5s moved to Wolverton ahead of assessment for Chiltern use

The move set moved in early December

Chiltern Railways 7 Jan

Comment

Comment: FirstGroup's plans for open access expansion

An order for new trains at Newton Aycliffe is welcome, but Philip Haigh asks where are the ambitions for new stock with low floors for accessibility.

Phil Haigh 30 Dec

News

Siemens Mobility to press ahead with new £100 million Chippenham factory

Siemens Mobility has received the green light to proceed with its £100 million investment in a new rail infrastructure, digital engineering, and research and development facility in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

Rolling stock 16 Dec