UK railway round-up

This week’s roundup of news from the UK railway industry.

• Latest service updates

Woman taken to hospital after falling on tracks at central London tube station

A woman has been taken to hospital after falling onto the tracks at a busy tube station in central London.

Transport for London (TFL) said an investigation has been launched after the incident occurred on the Central Line at Tottenham Court Road Tube station at just before 1 am on Saturday.

Storm Barra means service alterations for some passengers

Storm Barra is forecast to bring snow and winds of up to 70mph to parts of the country from late Tuesday afternoon and will affect some services in the south west and north east of Scotland.

Scotland’s Railway will be introducing speed restrictions and closing some lines to trains during the storm.

Avanti West Coast updates website to aid disabled passengers

Avanti West Coast has modified its website to help disabled passengers.

The firm said it made changes to ensure all customers can “plan their journey confidently and independently every time they travel”.

Sir Peter Hendy CBE appointed Chair of National Railway Museum’s Advisory Board

Sir Peter Hendy CBE has been appointed Chair of the National Railway Museum’s Advisory Board to spearhead delivery of the Museum’s Vision 2025 masterplan. 

The outgoing Anton Valk CBE, founding CEO of transport company Abellio, will step down from the museum’s Advisory Board. 

Unique Windrush photographs to join National Railway Museum collection

A collection of unique images showing the final Windrush migrants arriving at Waterloo station are to join the National Railway Museum’s permanent collection.

The 37 prints taken by photographer Howard Grey, will officially become part of the national collection of more than 1.75 million photographs held in the museum’s archive and will feature as part of a new exhibition in Station Hall.

Swanage Railway launch £25k appeal to restore Victorian T3 class locomotive tender

A £25,000 appeal has been launched to help fund the restoration of the tender belonging to a unique Victorian T3 class locomotive to assist its return to steam.

The work would see the locomotive return to steam for the first time since 1948 when the engine escaped being scrapped so it could celebrate the centenary of London’s Waterloo station.

HS2 signs £2 billion deal to build UK’s fastest trains

HS2 has signed a £2 billion contract with manufacturers Hitachi and Alstom to build the fastest trains ever produced in the UK.

The 225mph rolling stock will start off at Hitachi’s plant in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, before being finished and tested at Alstom’s sites in Derby and Crewe.

Latest Service Updates

Gatwick Express  – Gatwick Express services remain suspended until further notice.
Hull Trains – Hull Trains are currently running a reduced service, in line with passenger demand and current government advice.

Transport For London Status

If you need to travel this weekend, here are planned works that may affect your journey.

• RMT STRIKE ACTION: The RMT has announced strikes to coincide with the re-introduction of Night Tube services on the Central and Victoria lines on weekends throughout December.
• JUBILEE LINE: Sunday 12 December, until 1100, no service between Wembley Park and Willesden Green due to emergency works.
• METROPOLITAN LINE: Sunday 12 December, until 1100, no service between Wembley Park and Aldgate due to emergency works. 

Our transport network has never been cleaner. Imperial College London run monthly tests for coronavirus on the transport network and found no trace. You can read their recently published report.

Air continuously flows through all our trains, trams and buses. For example, on average, air in a Tube train changes every few minutes. Buses are fitted with air extraction and ventilation systems and we also leave windows open throughout the passenger area to keep a flow of fresh air.

Please continue to walk or cycle part of your journey where possible. If using public transport, travel during quieter times if you can. This will make social distancing easier. The quieter times to travel are:

• Between 08:15 and 16:00 and after 17:30 on weekdays
• Before noon and after 18:00 on weekends

Our TfL Go app can help you plan your journey and show the quieter times to travel. 

You must continue to wear a face-covering over your nose and mouth at all times when on the transport network, unless exempt. The overwhelming majority of people are complying with this requirement, and the British Transport Police, the Metropolitan Police and our own officers are on the network to check compliance. Fines of up to £6,400 exist for anyone who does not comply. 

Please also wash or sanitise your hands before and after travel.

London Underground Status

Due to the coronavirus, the following service changes will be in place until further notice. Please plan ahead and check before you travel.

• LONDON OVERGROUND: Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 December, a reduced service will operate. 

London Overground

Due to Coronavirus, there is no Night Overground service until further notice.

There’s good service across London Overground.

Most London Overground routes are currently operating with revised timetables.

Check before you travel and plan your journey ahead of time.