This day in history 23 November

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Images



Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Given the interest in the current rebuilding of Glasgow Queen Street here is a BR PR&PO view of part of the station prior to a previous rebuilding. The caption simply reads 'No 1 Booking Office : Queen Street'. The photograph was taken on 23rd November 1955. The board below the advertising hoarding reads:

Tickets

Window No 6, Stations to Fife and North via Forth Bridge and Larbert

Windows 2 & 3, Stations to Edinburgh & England Lenzie Kirkintilloch Falkirk Grangemouth Bathgate & Bo'ness

Enquiry Office, Circular Tours, Reserved Seats, Sleeper Berths, Season Tickets

A handwritten note on the back states 'Must return Day Features' so this possibly suggests the photo was lent out for a press feature.

The top left hand corner '1/8' suggests this is one of eight of a series of views. I only have one and two!

I also don't recognise where in the station this might be. Possibly facing the high level platforms from the west side of the station?

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
PR&PO British Railways (Douglas Blades Collection) 1955


Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Given the interest in the current rebuilding of Glasgow Queen Street here is a BR PR&PO view of part of the station prior to a previous rebuilding.

The caption simply reads 'No 2 Booking Office : Queen Street'. The photograph was taken on 23rd November 1955.

The board to the right of the building reads:

No 15 Window
Airdrie, Milngavie, City and District Stations, Weekly Season Tickets and Railway Employee Privilege Tickets

A destination between Airdrie and Milngavie has been painted out. We think it may be Bothwell (closed a little earlier in the year - July 1955) - does anyone know better?

A handwritten note on the back states 'Must return Day Features' so possibly suggests the photo was lent out for a press feature.

Top left hand corner '2/8' suggests this is one of eight of a series of views. I only have one and two!

We think this may be the former Dundas Street entrance. This had an indoor taxi rank (left) and several arches. To orientate yourself, today the entry to the low level platforms is to the right.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
PR&PO British Railways (Douglas Blades Collection) 1955


Hawick Shed: Scott class 4-4-0 no 62435 Norna in the yard at Hawick in November 1957. Withdrawn from Hawick shed at the end of that year the locomotive was cut up at Inverurie Works shortly thereafter.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
Robin Barbour Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 1957


Thornton Shed [2nd]: J37 0-6-0s 64549 and 64564 standing in the shed yard at Thornton Junction on 23 November 1963.

Dunfermline Branch (Edinburgh and Northern Railway)
K A Gray 1963


Thornton Shed [2nd]: B1 4-6-0 no 61403 stands in the rain at 62A Thornton Junction in 1963.

Dunfermline Branch (Edinburgh and Northern Railway)
K A Gray 1963


Perth South Shed: A4 no 60004 William Whitelaw stands alongside Perth shed in November 1963 awaiting the return of several important mechanical components. The Pacific had almost 3 years operational life remaining at this stage, being eventually withdrawn from Ferryhill shed in July of 1966. Final farewell was in the yard of Motherwell Machinery & Scrap, Wishaw, in October that year.

Scottish Central Railway
K A Gray 1963


Perth South Shed: Carlisle Upperby Royal Scot no 46118 Royal Welch Fusilier stands alongside a Derby/Sulzer Type 2 in the fitting shop at Perth in November 1963.

Scottish Central Railway
K A Gray 1963


Dundee Tay Bridge Goods: BR Standard class 4 2-6-4T no 80090 shunting a van alongside its home shed of 62B Dundee Tay Bridge (off picture to the left) on 23 November 1963. Meantime a freight is pulling out of the former NB goods yard in the background. Much of this once extensive railway area is now occupied by retail developments, roads, car parks etc.

Tay Bridge and Associated Lines (North British Railway)
K A Gray 1963


Stirling Middle Junction: A4 60010 Dominion of Canada is about to pass Stirling South shed on 23 November 1963 shortly after restarting the 7.10am Aberdeen - Glasgow Buchanan Street. Stirling Middle box can be seen through the signal gantry.

Scottish Central Railway
K A Gray 1963


Wisbech: The 7-car DMU forming the Hertfordshire Railtours 'Anglian Vibrator' pauses at Wisbech Goods during its outing from Kings Cross on 23 November 1985.

St Ives to March Line and Wisbeach Branch (Eastern Counties Railway)
Ian Dinmore 1985


Wisbech: The Hertfordshire Railtours 'Anglian Vibrator' of 23 November 1985. The 7-car DMU, which had originated from Kings Cross, is seen here during a photostop at Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

St Ives to March Line and Wisbeach Branch (Eastern Counties Railway)
Ian Dinmore 1985


March: The Hertfordshire Railtours 'Anglian Vibrator' from Kings Cross stands alongside the old joint line platforms at March station on 23 November 1985.

Eastern Counties Railway
Ian Dinmore 1985


Wisbech: The 7-car Hertfordshire Railtours 'Anglian Vibrator' pauses at Wisbech on 23 November 1985.

St Ives to March Line and Wisbeach Branch (Eastern Counties Railway)
Ian Dinmore 1985


Wakefield Westgate: Then newly in service West Yorkshire PTE 4-car EMU 321901, one of three class 321s procured by the PTE at that time to replace life expired ex-Great Eastern Line Class 307 stop-gap units on the Doncaster to Leeds local services. The unit is seen at Wakefield Westgate heading for Leeds on 23 November 1991. See image [[31593]]

Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds Railway
David Pesterfield 1991


Wakefield Westgate: 47500 attached to the rear of a Kings Cross - Leeds class 91 hauled service prepares to leave Wakefield Westgate in November 1991 as a young assistant struggles valiantly with the photographic equipment. The train is about to depart on the final leg of its journey to Leeds via Normanton.

Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds Railway
David Pesterfield 1991


Loch Skerrow: Down platform at Loch Skerrow halt.

Portpatrick Railway
Ewan Crawford 2001


Dingwall: Dingwall Station frontage in November 2003.

Inverness and Ross-shire Railway
John Furnevel 2003


Beauly: A Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness train leaving Beauly in 2003, showing part of the original station building on the left.

Inverness and Ross-shire Railway
John Furnevel 2003


Dingwall: Trains crossing at Dingwall station in November 2003.

Inverness and Ross-shire Railway
John Furnevel 2003


Beauly: The northern approach to Beauly on a chilly morning in the Autumn of 2003, with a 158 off the Kyle line slowing to call at the station.

Inverness and Ross-shire Railway
John Furnevel 2003


Muir of Ord: On a bright autumn morning in November 2003 a Wick/Thurso service pulls into Muir of Ord station. The shed used when the line was cut at Inverness following the bridge collapse is in the left background (see image [[16138]]) and the abandoned east side platform, used at one time by Fortrose branch trains, is nearest the camera.

Inverness and Ross-shire Railway
John Furnevel 2003


Conon Bridge Viaduct: The early morning train for Inverness off the Far North Line crossing the river at Conon Bridge on 23 November 2003 on the way to its next stop at Muir of Ord.

Inverness and Ross-shire Railway
John Furnevel 2003


Dingwall: A chilly Dingwall station looking south on a November morning in 2003. The area beyond the abandoned platform (left) on the east side of the station is in danger of becoming a rubbish dump.

Inverness and Ross-shire Railway
John Furnevel 2003


Muir of Ord: Morning train from Kyle to Inverness arriving at Muir of Ord in November 2003.

Inverness and Ross-shire Railway
John Furnevel 2003


Beauly: Supervision of passengers leaving via the designated door of an Inverness - Wick service during the stop at the Beauly mini-platform in November 2003.

Inverness and Ross-shire Railway
John Furnevel 2003


Millerhill Yard: EWS 60029 Clitheroe Castle entering Millerhill Yard from the north in November 2004 with empties returning from STVA Bathgate see image [[18357]]. The train is passing a class 66 heading in the opposite direction with coal empties. The line visible top left is the reversing siding used by trains terminating at nearby Newcraighall station.

Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway
John Furnevel 2004


Tinsley Marshalling Yard: The pathetic remains of the once mighty Tinsley Marshalling Yard.

Tinsley Marshalling Yard (British Railways)
Ewan Crawford 2004


Tinsley Marshalling Yard: The southern portion of Tinsley Marshalling Yard. Lines here have now been lifted.

Sheffield District Railway
Ewan Crawford 2004


Tinsley Marshalling Yard: The northern portion of Tinsley Marshalling Yard remained open in 2004. It has since been rationalised to a few relaid sidings on the extreme north of the site.

Sheffield District Railway
Ewan Crawford 2004


Newcraighall: EWS 60029 Clitheroe Castle has just passed Newcraighall station on 23 November 2004 with a short train of empties from the STVA car terminal at Bathgate returning to Washwood Heath.

Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway
John Furnevel 2004


Larkhall: OHL engineering test train at Larkhall in November 2005 with Class 37 leading with Class 31 at rear.

Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Gordon Steel 2005


Edinburgh Park: The new stained glass window recently unveiled at Edinburgh Park station seen from the Eastbound platform. See image [[12444]]

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
John Furnevel 2006


Edinburgh Park: This stunning stained glass window, created by Japanese artist Yoshiro Oyama, now brightens the waiting area at Edinburgh Park station - see recent News Items.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
John Furnevel 2006


Leuchars: The 12.25 Aberdeen - Edinburgh service approaching Leuchars on 23 November.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Bill Roberton 2007


Solothurn: Swiss Re 6/6 loco on a tank train at Solothurn.

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
Michael Gibb 2007


Crawford: Another of my attempts to get completely soaked in under 30 seconds (successful, again). A southbound Pendolino approaches Crawford Viaduct from the north in bucketing rain. Due to the very heavy rain the nearby single track road was flooded.

Caledonian Railway
Ewan Crawford 2009


Abington: In increasing evening gloom a southbound Voyager (right) approaches a somewhat wet Abington from the north.

Caledonian Railway
Ewan Crawford 2009


Plates, signs, notices etc: New East Coast branding on power car 91108, photographed on 23 November 2009.

East Coast Main Line Company Ltd
Bill Roberton 2009


Shildon: Shildon signal box, seen from the NRM site in November 2010.

Stockton and Darlington Railway
John Furnevel 2010


Shildon Coal Drops: Dating from 1856, the Victorian coal drops at Shildon are now listed structures included within the grounds of the railway museum. View east towards Spout Lane road bridge and the main exhibition hall on 23 November, 2010, with maintenance work in progress around the foot crossing linking the museum site with Shildon station.

Stockton and Darlington Railway
John Furnevel 2010


NRM Shildon: Footplate of 4468 Mallard at NRM Shildon, November 2010.

National Railway Museum
John Furnevel 2010


NRM Shildon: Star attraction at Shildon on 23 November 2010 is no 4468 Mallard, seen here in the main exhibition hall. The record-breaker arrived on loan from York NRM in June (having made the journey behind A1 Pacific no 60163 Tornado).

National Railway Museum
John Furnevel 2010


NRM Shildon: The old goods shed at Shildon, seen here in November 2010. Dating from 1859 the shed was in use until the 1960s when Shildon lost its goods facilities. Today the refurbished building is part of the railway museum site. Note the adjacent stop used by the museums free bus service.

National Railway Museum
John Furnevel 2010


NRM Shildon: BR class 03 Drewry diesel-mehanical shunter no 03090, now part of the national collection, stands in the yard at NRM Shildon on 23 November 2010.

National Railway Museum
John Furnevel 2010


NRM Shildon: A Saltburn - Bishop Auckland train runs past the NRM main exhibition hall at Shildon on 23 November 2010 heading for its next stop just beyond Spout Lane road bridge see image [[61690]]. Photograph taken looking west from the 'excursion' platform located within the grounds of the museum.

National Railway Museum
John Furnevel 2010


NRM Shildon: The 14.00 Northern DMU from Saltburn to Bishop Auckland slows for the Shildon stop on 23 November 2010. On this side of the fence is the NRM site with the north wall of the main exhibition hall to the right. The view is east from the end of the 'excursion platform' located within the site and shows one of the coal wagons for which Shildon works became famous during its later years (over 10,000 HAA wagons were built there - almost the whole fleet).

Stockton and Darlington Railway
John Furnevel 2010


Wakefield Westgate: Late 2010 view across the former goods yard site at Wakefield Westgate station. The open area in this view would later be used for a replacement station main building. See image [[45751]]. A new joint use multi storey car park can be seen under erection at extreme left of view. See image [[33645]] for a view from twenty years earlier.

Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds Railway
David Pesterfield 2010


NRM Shildon: A notice that seems to work. Looking west from the entrance to the main exhibition hall at Shildon in November 2010. The locomotive is Class 600 diesel electric no 663 'Annette', originally built for the Dutch State Railways by English Electric and now used as the museum pilot.

National Railway Museum
John Furnevel 2010


NRM Shildon: Interesting juxtaposition of exhibits in the main hall at Shildon on 23 November 2010. At first glance APT-E would appear to be studying the entry qualification details for the Rainhill Trials with interest... although presumably hasn't yet got to the bit about bringing your own coal...

National Railway Museum
John Furnevel 2010


NRM Shildon: Former NER No 1 (BR class ES1 26500) in its new position within the main exhibition hall at NRM Shildon on 23 November 2010. See image [[28677]]

National Railway Museum
John Furnevel 2010


NRM Shildon: Class 600 diesel electric locomotive no 663 Annette is the resident pilot at Shildon and is seen here in the yard outside the main exhibition hall on 23 November 2010. Originally built for the Dutch State Railways by English Electric, it was withdrawn by NS in 2002. No 663 is one of several preserved members of the class.

National Railway Museum
John Furnevel 2010


Leyland: A pair of Class 50s from a previous Saturdays railtour head south through Leyland on 21 November 2011. In original railblue livery is 50044 leading 50049 in large logo livery. See image [[36479]]

North Union Railway
John McIntyre 2011


Cambridge Tram Depot: In 35 years of riding down East Street in cars, I missed this little gem, just a half block back; near Adam and Eve street, would you believe. Although this pub claims to be The Old Tram Depot, the building was actually the stables for the tram horses. The tramway had the unusual track gauge of 4 feet, and was only open from 1880 to 1914 (no, I wasn't there!). The only surviving tram is displayed in the Ipswich Museum of Transport, but there is a curved piece of track set in cobbles at a Cambridge museum.

Cambridge Tramways
Ken Strachan 2012


Crianlarich Shed: Track machine in the PW sidings alongside Crianlarich station on 23 November 2012.

West Highland Railway
Brian Smith 2012


Coppull: A southbound Pendolino passes the site of Coppull station on 23 November 2012. To the west of the once 4 track railway stands the Coppull Spinning Mill which has found new use as a series of retail and office units under the auspices of Lancashire Enterprises.

North Union Railway
John McIntyre 2012


Coppull: Looking south over the summit on the WCML between Coppull and Standish on 23 November 2012. A Pendolino runs towards its next stop at Wigan as a northbound Voyager heads for Preston.

North Union Railway
John McIntyre 2012


Nuneaton: Fare thee well in your travels, and may by fate we meet again... Sounds like the Shakespeare Express, but it's the 23.10 to Birmingham New Street. The dark void between platforms 5 and 6 includes the Southbound equivalent to the North chord. It's rumoured to be connected now, but still looks a bit rusty - even in daylight! Network Rail - reinstated Leicester-Birmingham flyover line

Whitacre Junction to Nuneaton (Midland Railway)
Ken Strachan 2012


Coppull: An up 9-car Pendolino climbs towards the summit between Preston and Wigan at Coppull on 23 November 2012. Coppull station was situated approximately a quarter of a mile to the north.

North Union Railway
John McIntyre 2012


Braids Tram Shelter: This is Braids Tram Shelter on Comiston Road, Edinburgh. The Shelter has been renovated to mark the 60th anniversary of the complete withdrawal of Edinburgh Corporation Trams in 1956.

Edinburgh Corporation
John Yellowlees 2016


Drem: Not a typical railway photo - spot the train. What a view after 132 steps up Garleton Monument near Haddington. North Berwick Law and Bass Rock evident, as well as a toy-town train some couple of miles east of Drem.

North British Railway
Bruce McCartney 2016


Brunna mines: The fences surrounding the mine openings in this iron-ore field consist of pieces of rail from the mine railway. Both the upright posts and the corner supports, some complete with fishplates, are recycled from materials left at the end of mining in the 1920s. This field is an extension of the Dannemora orefield (known as Öregrund iron) which supplied Scottish iron works, notably Cramond, in the early industrial period before the native Blackband and Clayband ironstones began to be extracted along with adjacent coal seams.

Brunna Gruvaktiebolaget
Charlie Niven 2016


Newbattle Viaduct: The 1054 Edinburgh - Tweedbank illuminated by the Autumn sun as it crosses Newbattle Viaduct on 23 November 2017 midway between Eskbank and Newtongrange.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
John Furnevel 2017


Tewkesbury Viaduct: One of the old railway bridges over the Avon at Tewkesbury survives, the other (out of shot to the right) has been replaced by a lattice structure carrying pipes. Passenger services finished in 1961 with complete closure three years later.

Tewkesbury and Malvern Railway
John Thorn 2017


Cadder Yard: 365513 leads an Edinburgh to Glasgow 8 car service past Cadder Yard on 23 November 2018

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
John McIntyre 2018


Cadder Yard: Cadder Yard is a shadow of its former self. On 23 November 2018 a 4+3 car Class 385 EMU, on an Edinburgh to Glasgow service, passes the west end of the yard.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
John McIntyre 2018


Bay Horse: Trains normally run through Bay Horse at their maximum speed but due to a signalling fault on 23rd November 2018 this Intermodal service was halted for a while. Freightliner 90049 and 90041 were slowly picking up speed when caught in the cutting at Forton.

Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway
Mark Bartlett 2018


Tondu Junction: The Tondu signalman collects the token from the driver of the 1016 Maesteg to Cardiff Central service on 23rd November 2018.

Llynvi Valley Railway
Alastair McLellan 2018


Inverkeithing: A CrossCountry Voyager calls at Inverkeithing on 23rd November 2018, with the 09.25 from Plymouth (which actually started from Totnes) to Aberdeen. The guard looks back ready to blow his whistle.

Dunfermline and Queensferry Railway
Bill Roberton 2018


Newcastle Central: An interesting contrast of front end design at Newcastle Central on 23 November 2018. A Cross-Country HST pauses on an Edinburgh to Plymouth working, passing 67028 awaiting a call to arms on Thunderbird duty.

Newcastle and Carlisle Railway
Malcolm Chattwood 2018


Sarn: Valley Pacer 142081 approaching Sarn with a Cardiff Central to Maesteg service on 23rd November 2018.

Llynvi Valley Railway
Alastair McLellan 2018


Maesteg: The driver of 158822 changing ends at Maesteg before departing with the return sevice to Cheltenham Spa on 23rd November 2018.

Llynvi Valley Railway
Alastair McLellan 2018


Bearsden: 334007 is the rear unit on a 6 car service heading away from the city as it departs from Bearsden on 23 November 2018.

Glasgow and Milngavie Junction Railway
John McIntyre 2018


Bearsden: Class 334s pass at Bearsden on 23 November 2018. On the left a 3 car set waits to head towards Westerton while on the right a 6 car set arrives heading to Hillfoot and Milngavie.

Glasgow and Milngavie Junction Railway
John McIntyre 2018


Tondu: A Pacer working from Maesteg to Cardiff pulls into the platform at Tondu on 23rd November 2018.

Llynvi Valley Railway
Alastair McLellan 2018


Maesteg: A plaque on the platform railings at Maesteg station commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Lynvi Valley Railway.

Llynvi Valley Railway
Alastair McLellan 2018


Garth (Mid Glamorgan): The 1115 Maesteg to Cheltenham Spa service departs Garth on 23rd November 2018.

Llynvi Valley Railway
Alastair McLellan 2018


Sarn: The 1120 Cardiff Central to Maesteg draws to a halt at Sarn on 23rd November 2018.

Llynvi Valley Railway
Alastair McLellan 2018


Events


Events from the chronology which occured on this day. This generally lists events before 1995, the creation of the website.

YearCompaniesDescription
1835Hartlepool Dock and RailwayHartlepool to Haswell opened. Line to Moorsley not completed. Littletown branch terminated between Thornley and Ludworth.
1911Bainsford Branch (Caledonian Railway)Orchardhall Swing Bridge to Fouldubs Junction opened, completing line.

News


These are old news items which which occured on this day. This generally lists events after 1995, the creation of the website.

YearCompaniesDescription
2000New coal Terminal at KirkconnelScottish Coal has plans for an open cast mine at Kirkconnel in Dumfriesshire and, to meet environmental objections, it promises to transport all of its production by building a new rail link to join the pit to the Nith Valley Line. Dumfries Council^s decision on the planning application is expected on Thursday 23/11.
2004Talk Rail Freight Developments: Mossend - Elgin by Councillor Martin Ford, Chair of North East Scotland Rail Freight Development GroupIn 2004 an upgraded rail freight terminal was opened at Mossend in Lanarkshire for rail freight in Scotland, and to provide a vital link for transporting Scottish goods to and from the rest of the UK and through the Channel Tunnel to Europe. In April 2004, the Executive awarded £500,000 to complete preparatory engineering work and establish the costs to upgrade the rail track between Mossend and Elgin via Aberdeen. The improvements should allow for the use of larger modern containers preferred by the food and paper industries, transferring up to 1.3 million tonnes of freight from road to rail.
2004Queen^s Speech boosts rail powers [BBC News]Plans to give Holyrood ministers more say on the railways are being outlined in the Queen^s Speech.
2004Travellers face rail disruption [BBC News]The main rail line in the North West between Preston and Carlisle is to be closed at weekends, the BBC learns.
2006Central rail link to be approved [BBC News]MSPs are expected to approve the reopening of the Airdrie to Bathgate railway line later.
2006Rail link tunnels plan unveiled [BBC News]Experts behind plans for a rail link to Edinburgh Airport reveal how tunnels under the runway will be designed.
2006Rail tunnel ^is most ambitious Scots project for generations^ [Scotsman]ENGINEERS from some of the world^s biggest tunnelling projects have been signed up to design and build the new underground rail link to Edinburgh Airport.
2007Mossend-Elgin upgrade completed [MR]Recently completed gauge enhancement work allowing the use of 9^6" containers on this route could see up to 1.3 million additional tonnes of rail freight reaching the area annually. The £4 million project, funded by Transport Scotland, was managed by Network Rail with contractor STRC.
2007Scotland - Europe train services will start again [Scotsman]Direct trains between Scotland and Europe are expected to resume next year. EWS announced yesterday it had acquired a second Scottish terminal at Grangemouth and trains should be running through the Channel Tunnel several times a week by mid 2008.... A spokesman for EWS which also operates the Eurocentral terminal at Mossend said a dispute over tunnel charges had been resolved clearing the way for trains from Scotland to resume. The trains are expected to carry goods such as sofas, electrical equipment and cars.
2007Network Rail - results to 30 September 2007 [NR]BEST PUNCTUALITY FOR A DECADE STRONG AND STABLE FINANCES MORE FOCUS ON MEETING GROWING DEMAND
2007NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED – INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2007 [Network Rail Article]BEST PUNCTUALITY FOR A DECADE STRONG AND STABLE FINANCES MORE FOCUS ON MEETING GROWING DEMAND
2009Business groups in rail link call [BBC News]Six leading business organisations write to the Scottish government asking it to reinstate the Glasgow Airport Rail Link.
2009Dog whose train adventure became famous dies aged 13 [BBC News]A dog which made headlines around the world after he lost his owner and caught the right train home has died.
2010Time to nationalise the railways again? [Telegraph]The privatisation of the railways was a mistake, or largely a mistake. There may be areas where it has worked, and where private companies should still operate, but it has largely been a failure – and perhaps the time has come to discuss renationalisation
2011Axe hangs over North rail services again [Inverness Courier]AS THE Caledonian Sleeper eases into Inverness railway station just after 8.30am, a steady stream of passengers disembark having made the overnight journey from London Euston. They include a mix of business and leisure travellers who have opted to make the 11 hour journey by rail. According to rail commentator Mark Smith of The Man In Seat Sixty One website, taking the Caledonian Sleeper train to Scotland is ^the most civilised, romantic, time-effective and environmentally-friendly way from central London to the heart of Scotland^. Equally, for those travelling the other way, the Sleeper is the most practical and time saving solution for an early morning meeting or short break in London. ^A little piece of Scotland that takes you right down to the Big Smoke,^ he reflects. So the suggestion in a Scottish government review that this direct rail link could be axed along with the daytime Highland Chieftain service between Inverness and London King Cross has been greeted with alarm by rail passengers, business and tourism leaders and politicians.
2011Fresh talks after ScotRail hits back in train driver row [Herald]A ROW over train drivers’ hours that could lead to widespread disruption for ScotRail services was triggered by two staff being refused a day off, the company has claimed. Steve Montgomery, First ScotRail’s managing director, claimed in a letter to the out-going general secretary of train drivers’ union Aslef that the dispute started after two “fail-to-agree” decisions were made in respect to lieu days but that more than 6000 lieu days had been agreed so far this year. The letter, dated November 19, undermined Aslef’s claims the row centred on staffing levels at ScotRail, asserting instead that the stumbling block in negotiations was the union’s refusal to allow staff to cover drivers’ shifts at other depots – a move which could lead to trains being cancelled even though a driver was available.
2011Railway worker found drunk and unconscious in charge of one of Britain^s busiest level crossings is jailed [Mail]The gatekeeper in charge of Europe’s second busiest railway level crossing has been jailed for three months after being found in a drunken stupor in his cabin.
2013Alan Titchmarsh: our railways gladden the heart [Telegraph]By now thousands of us have marvelled at the lofty vaulting that shrouds St Pancras station, and gazed upwards, along with that splendid statue of Sir John Betjeman by Martin Jennings, at the impressive ironwork – a lasting tribute to Victorian engineering. But it is not just at this great London terminus that the ingenuity and skill of everyday railway architecture can be enjoyed. Right across the country, from Thurso to Penzance, and from Milford Haven to Lowestoft, there are bits of artistry and engineering that will gladden the heart.
2014Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway extension work begins [BBC News]Work has begun to extend a heritage railway after a public shares scheme topped its £500,000 target. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) will now be extended to the Cotswolds village of Broadway. Shares in the rail line, which currently runs between Cheltenham and Laverton, went on sale last September, raising a total of £565,000. Finance director Chris Bristow said the extra money was ^a bonus^ and track laying would begin next year. When finished, the line will run to 14 miles long. [From Mark Bartlett]
2015Langholm station considered in Borders Railway extension study [BBC News]A station in Langholm will be considered as part of a potential future extension of the Borders Railway to Carlisle. The Scottish government has confirmed the prospect would be explored as part of a planned feasibility study. The commitment has come from Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown. [From Mark Bartlett]
2015Funding approval means green light for Croxley Link [Rail News]TRANSPORT for London has confirmed that it has secured full funding for the Croxley Link extension of the Metropolitan Line. The development means that a funding gap of £2.73 million has been closed. This was revealed a few weeks ago, casting fresh doubt over the future of the long-discussed scheme. The diversion of the line away from the present Watford station on the edge of the town centre will use the former Croxley Green BR branch and bring Metropolitan trains into Watford Junction. The extension will also bring London Underground trains back to Watford Junction for the first time since rush-hour Bakerloo Line trains were withdrawn in 1982. [From Richard Buckby]
2016Minster tells MSPs ^ScotRail has learned lessons^ [BBC News]Transport Minister Humza Yousaf has told MSPs that ^ScotRail has learned lessons^ following a series of problems on Scotland^s railways. In an emergency statement at Holyrood, he apologised to rail passengers who have been affected by disruption. It came on the day commuters faced severe disruption after overhead wiring problems affected services in Glasgow. ScotRail declared a major incident after finding a broken insulator between Partick and Glasgow Central.
2019More trains to link north-east town with city [Evening Express]Commuters travelling between Aberdeen and Inverurie will benefit from additional rail services from next month. There will be dozens of extra trains taking passengers from the town, to Dyce and on to the city centre.