TheTrainatPla,orm1TheFriendsofHonitonSta6onNewsle9er14-May2021

WelcometotheMaynewsle0er.Thismonth,welookforwardtothepossibilityoffurthereasingoflockdownregula=onsand,whencondi=onsallow,topeoplebeingencouragedtotravelmorewidelyagain.Asourphotographdemonstratesonlytooclearly,thereissomethingrathersadaboutasta=onandatrainwithoutpassengers.Wealllongforthedaywhenwecanbegintoexploreourwonderfulrailnetworkagain.

Photograph:VernonWhitlock

RailwaysAreAnImportantIssue,SayHonitonElec6onCandidates

AsvoterspreparetogotothepollsonThursday,May6th,thevariouslocalpoli=calpar=esmadeclearthatthefutureofourlocalrailwaysisanimportantelec=onissueinFenitonandHoniton.

Inhiselec=onaddress,theConserva=vecandidatePhilTwisspromisedtocon=nuetopressfortheWhimpleLoop,whichtheChairmanhasdiscussedwithhimonanumberofoccasions.Theprojectwould,Mr.Twisssaid,finallyunlockthetwotrainsanhourservicewehavebeenpressingfor.Newserviceswould,hebelieved,improveaccesstojobsandreduceourcarbonfootprint.

SpeakingtotheChairmanwhenhemethimcampaigninginHoniton,theLabourcandidateJakeBone0asaidthathispartywascommi0edtothedevelopmentofDevonMetro,theprojectthatwoulddeliverthisnewtrainservice.HealsosaidthatLabourisinfavourofaDevon“OysterCard”forresidentsusingpublictransportinthecounty.

TheLiberalDemocratsarecommi0edtoimprovingDevon'spublictransportnetwork,helpingpeopletravelaroundthecounty.Theyplantomakeencouragegreateruseoftravelcards.Theyarecommi0edtodecarbonisingtherailways,byexpandingelectrifica=onandreducingtheuseofdieseltrains.TheircandidateinFenitonandHonitonisCathyConnor.

TheFriendsofHonitonSta=onisanon-poli=calorganisa=on.Itdoesnotendorseanyofthethreecandidatesinthiselec=on,norendorsetheplaTorms(punintended)ofanyofthepar=es.

However,wedoencourageourmembersandsupporterstoaskcandidates,andthepar=estheyrepresent,fortheirviewsonthefutureoftherailways,andtovoteinthis(andevery)elec=on.

Finally:SWRGuardsDisputeIsSe9ledAtLast

ItwasannouncedinAprilthatthefouryearlongdisputebetweenSouthWesternRailway(SWR)andtheRMTunionovertheroleofguardshadfinallybeense0led.

SWRannouncedthatguardshadvotedoverwhelmingforthedeal,underwhich,theBBCreported,theirworkingweekwouldbecutfrom42to37hours.

GuardshaveacceptedthatdriverswilloperatethedoorsonSWR’snewClass701Arteriotrains.Therewillbenochangetotheopera=onoftrainsontheExeter-Waterlooline.SWRhaveguaranteedaguardoneverytrainacrosstheirnetwork.

Thedisputeleadto74daysofstrikesbetween2017and2020,witharound800trainsadaycancelled.

AspokesmanforSWRsaid:

“Thisagreementisanimportantmilestoneonourjourneytoprovidinganevenbe7erexperienceforourcustomers,whileprovidingcertaintyforourcolleaguesandthecommuni=esweserve.Allpar=escannowmoveonfromthedisrup=onthisdisputehascausedandfocusonwelcomingourcustomersbacktoamorepunctual,reliableandcustomer-friendlyrailwayinthecomingmonths.”

TheBBC’sSouthernTransportCorrespondent,PaulClicon,wasreportedassaying:

“Bothsideshavecompromised-theyhaveagreedtochangestheypreviouslysaidwereredlinestheycouldnotcross.Inreturnforafundamentalchangeinwhatguardsdo,theunionhasachievedwhatitcalledthe‘guardguarantee’ofsomeoneoneverytrain.“Guardswillspendmore=meoncustomerservice,thecompanythinksperformancewillimprove,andtheunionisdroppingpreviousclaimsthatthiscompromisessafety.

“Bothsidesarekeepingthislowkey.Theunionisinthemiddleofchoosinganewleaderandthetraincompany'semergencygovernmentcontractisabouttorunout.Butwhateveryourview,theendofthislong-runningbutdormantdisputeiswelcomenewsforpassengers.”

EasterEngineeringWorkPreparesRailwaysforReturningPassengers

TrackimprovementandplaTormextensionworksawtheTarkaLinebetweenBarnstapleandCreditonclosedfromSaturday10thtoSunday18thApril.BusesreplacedtrainsbetweenBarnstapleandCrediton.AreplacementbusserviceranbetweenCreditonandExeter.

AtLapfordandKingsNymptonsta=ons,engineersrenewedtheballastthatsupportsthetrack,whilstatEggesfordsta=onplaTorms1and2wereextendedandnewligh=ng,drainageandfencinginstalled.

WorkwasundertakenonanumberofbridgesontheTarkaLine.AtPenstonerepairsweremadetotheunderbridgeincludingreplacingtheexis=ngwrought–irondeckwithanewstandardsteeldeck;nearColefordthetrackandbridgeatBa0esfordwasremovedandtheninfilled;andatYeofordbridgeengineersremovedthetrack,carryingoutsteelworkrepairs,gritblas=ng,pain=ngandwaterproofingthebridge.

GWRSta=onManagerfortheline,MelanieHarvey,said:

“Thisworkisimportanttoensurethatwecancon=nuetoprovideservicespeoplecanrelyonatthis=me,andwethankcustomersfortheirpa=enceinadvance.

“Wehavebeenworkinghardtomakesurethatpeoplecanbeconfidenttotravelsafely,andthatincludesrunningasmanytrainsandcarriagesaswecantomakeextraroom,andreplacementbuseswheretrainscannotoperate,aswellasenhancedcleaningandsocialdistancingmeasures.”Comple=onoftheworkwillallowtrainstorunatanincreasedlinespeed,providinggreaterresilience.PlaTormextensionworkbeingcarriedoutatEggesfordwillalsomakeboardingorleavingthetraineasierandimproveaccessibilityforless-abledcustomers.

Theseimprovementscomeaceramajor=metablechangewasintroducedontheTarkaLineinDecember2019,whichbroughtamoreconsistentandfrequentservicethroughouttheday.

TrainservicesbetweenWestburyandTauntonwerealsoamendedovertheEasterholidaytoallowtrackrenewalandotheressen=almaintenancetobecarriedout.

NetworkRailcarriedoutavarietyofvitalupgradesinSomerset,includingtrackrenewalsatWithamFriaryandSomertonTunnel,signallingupgrades,andreplacingabridgeovertheRiverToneatAthelneylevelcrossinginStokeStGregory.

Direct,fasttrainsbetweenLondonPaddingtonandtheSouthWestweredivertedviaBristol,extendingjourney=mesbyaround40minutes.StoppingservicesterminatedatWestburyorCastleCary,andrantoanamended=metable.

TrainsbetweenBristolTempleMeadsandWeymouthterminatedatWestburyorFrome,wherebusesreplacedtrainstoYeovilPenMill.

G7SummittoCauseRailDisrup6on

AlleyeswillsoonbeonCarbisBayinCornwall,asithoststhe2021G7Summitofmajorna=ons.Businessesacrosstheregionhopethatthesummitwillhavealong-termlegacyforthearea,notleastinpromo=ngthetourismindustry.However,intheshort-term,thesecurityplanforthesummitwillleadtosomedisrup=onfortravellers.

GreatWesternRailway(GWR)hasannouncedthatitwilloperateaRailReplacementBusservicealongtheCornishbranchlineroutebetweenSt.ErthandSt.IvesduringtheG7Summit.Thereplacementservicewillbeinopera=onfromMonday7thJuneun=lMonday14thJuneinclusive.ThisistoallowDevon&CornwallPoliceandthesecurityservicestosetupsecurezonesaroundloca=onsinvolvedinthesummit.

GWRwarnedpassengerstoexpect=metablechangesandsomedisrup=ontoservices.Aspokesmanadded,however,thattherewouldbeaddi=onalbusesontheTrurotoFalmouthLine,tosupplementthetrainserviceduringthesummit.AGWRspokesmansaid:

“WewanttokeeppeoplemovingandshowcaseCornwalltobetheplaceweallknowandlove.”

SWRReassuresPassengersAsTheyPreparetoReturntoRailways

SouthWesternRailway(SWR)hasannouncedtwonewini=a=vesdesignedtoreassurecustomersastheyreturntotherailway.

AnewWelcomeHostsservicewillbetrialledforfourtosixweeksateightsta=onsontheSWRnetworkandwillprovidecustomerswithanewwaytomaketravelenquiriesoraskforadvice.

TheSWRWelcomeHostswillhaveadesignatedareawhichcustomerswillseeastheyenterthesta=onandwillbeonhandthroughoutthedaytoanswercustomerques=ons,providereassuranceand=psforsafetravelontherailway,encouragesocialdistancinganddispensehandsani=ser.Itisan=cipatedthatthemovewillhelptoreduce=cketofficeandgatelinequeues.

Alongsidethisnewservice,apostercampaignisalsobeingtrialledatfivesta=ons.En=tled‘Cleaner&Cleaner’,thecampaignfeaturessta=oncolleaguesandhighlightstheireffortstokeepsta=onscleanandcustomerssafe.Thecampaignalsourgespeopletotakesomesimplestepstoprotectthemselvesandothers.

Thetrialsare=medtocoincidewiththeeasingoftravelrestric=on,whenSWRexpectstoseeasteadyriseinpassengernumbers.

TheWelcomeHostsarebeingtrialledatWimbledon,Richmond,WokinghamandPortsmouth&Southseasta=ons,withbothini=a=vesrunningatClaphamJunc=on,Woking,GuildfordandSouthamptonCentral.TheCleaner&CleanerprogrammeisalsorunningatBasingstokesta=on.

JamesDolling,HeadofCustomerExperienceChangeProgrammesatSWR,commented:

“We’relivingthroughuncertain=messowanttodoeverythingwecantohelpreassurecustomersastheyreturntotherailway.

“WehopetheWelcomeHostswillprovideausefulnewserviceforpassengers,aswellashelpingtoreducetheneedforqueuingat=cketofficesorgatelinesfortravelrelatedques=ons.

“TheWelcomeHostswillbeac=velyencouragingpassengerstomaintainsocialdistancingandwillhavehandsani=serattheirsta=onsforcustomerstouse.”

RailTimetablesSteadilyIncreaseAsLockdownEases

Longertrainsandsomeaddi=onaltrainservicesreturnedtoGWRonMondayApril12th,tohelppeoplereturningtorailtravelaspartofthegovernment’slockdowneasingroadmaptodososafelyandwithconfidence.Servicesreturnedtoabout70%ofpre-Covidlevels,withrisesplannedtoaround90%fromMay17th,whenrestric=onsareplannedtobeeasedfurther.

GWRManagingDirectorMarkHopwoodsaid:

“AsthegradualliOingofCovid-19restric=onscon=nues,wewillbestrengtheningourbusiestservicesandmoreofourlong-distanceserviceswillrunwith9or10carriages.“Wearealsoplanningfurtheraddi=onalservicesinoursummer=metable,whichstartsonSunday16May,whichwillbringusbacktoaround90%ofourusual=metable.Youshouldnowbeabletoseetheseinonlinejourneyplannerssocustomerscanplanfuturejourneysandbookahead.”

IndustrybodytheRailDeliveryGroupreportedthattrainservicesweresettoincreasefromApril12th,asthelateststageoftheroadmapforeasinglockdownrestric=onscameintoforce

MarkPhillips,CEOoftheRailSafetyandStandardsBoardsaid,

“Asrestric=onsease,itisextremelyreassuringthatrailcompaniesaretakingthenecessarystepstoensurepeoplecantravelwithconfidence.

“Whileresearchintothisfieldcon=nues,weknowthatven=la=onsystemsonmosttrainsareeffec=veinreplacingairincarriagesmeaningtransmissionmaybelesslikelyontrainsthaninotherindoorenvironments”

PaulTuohy,chiefexecu=veofpressuregroupCampaignforBe0erTransport,said:“GeYngpeoplebackontopublictransportisessen=altosuppor=ngeconomicgrowthacrossthecountryandavoidinganenvironmentallydamagingcar-ledrecovery.”

Morethan1,000dailyserviceshavebeenaddedtorail6metablessincemid-February,withmanytocome.However,noincreaseintheEastDevonLineserviceisexpectedun6lMay17th.

HappyBirthdayFeniton

Wesentourgree=ngstoTheFriendsofFenitonSta=on,thesta=onstaffandeveryoneinthevillageontheoccasionofthe50thAnniversaryofthere-openingofSidmouthJunc=onSta=onasFenitononMay5th1971.

PhotographbyVernonWhitlock,takeninaround1960atSidmouthJunc6onSta6on(Feniton)

Aswereportedinlastmonth’snewsle0er,theclosureofthesta=onwasoneoftheshortestoftheBeechingeracuts,havingshutwhentheSidmouthbranchlinewasclosedin1967.Sadlyitwastoolatetosavethebeau=fulsta=onbuildingdesigned,aswasthatatHoniton,byWilliamTite.

Ourownsta=onhousesoonfollowedin1971.Atthis=me,wealsolostthedoubletracksec=onswhichwearenowhavingtocampaignsorelentlesslytoreinstate.Howshort-sightedthesecutsnowlooktoday.

Thechairmancontributedar=clestotheMidweekHerald(duetoappearonMay5th)andtoHonitonandVillageNewsabouttheanniversary.

SouthWestMediaCampaignPromotesCommunityRail

March31stsawaconcernedmediacampaignacrosstheSouthWesttopromotetheCommunityRailmovement,andtohighlightitsvitalroleinsuppor6ngtherecoveryoftherailways.

Localcoverageofthecampaignsawanar6clesubmi9edbyourChairmanintheMidweekHerald,whichisreprintedbelow:

FiguresfromCommunityRailNetwork’s‘CommunityRailintheSouthWest’report,sponsoredbytheRailDeliveryGroupandreleasedon31stMarch,showthatmorethan600volunteersgiveover27,000hoursannuallytosupportsocialinclusionandwellbeing,sustainableandhealthytravel,economicdevelopmentandtourisminthearea,valuedat£2.3millionayear.

Sevencommunityrailpartnershipsand70sta=onadop=ongroupsacrosstheSouthWestregionengagelocalpeoplewiththeirrailwaysandsta=ons,workingwithtrainoperators,localauthori=esandotherpartners.

TheFriendsofHonitonSta=onworkwithSouthWesternRailway(SWR)toencourage,planorcarryoutvisualimprovementstothesta=onenvironmentsuchascarryingoutplan=ngprojects.ThegroupalsoseekstomakeHonitonSta=onacommunityresource,byorganisingdisplaysandbypromo=nglocalac=vi=esandeventsusingitscommunityno=ceboardontheplaTorm.

TheFriendsofHonitonSta=onalsopromoterailtravelfromHonitontolocalpeople,forinstancethroughitswebsite,aswellascampaigningforimprovementstorailservices.

Acrosstheregion,sta=onadop=ongroupstakepartincommunitygardening,foodgrowingandbiodiversityprojectsatsta=ons;communityartsandheritageprojectstohelppeoplelearnaboutandtakeprideintheirarea;workwithrailindustrypartnerstowardsimprovementsandintegra=on,suchasshelters,signageorpedestrianandcyclistaccess;andevents,workshopsandac=vi=estopromotesustainabletravel,bringpeopletogether,andcelebratelocalcommuni=es.

CommunityrailacrosstheSouthWestisnowlookingforwardtohelpingourrailwaystobeavitalcomponentofagreener,moreinclusivefuture,aspartofa‘greenrecovery’.

Forinstance,DevonandCornwallRailPartnershipisencouragingpeopletoplansustainabletourismbyrailwhenrestric=onsareeased,showcasinglocalhistories,stories,sightsanda0rac=ons,andhighligh=ngthegreatscenicviewstobeseenfromthetrainwindow.

JoolsTownsend,chiefexecu=veofCommunityRailNetwork,said:“Communityrailworkstomakeourrailwayscommunity-mindedandinclusive,andpromotessustainabletravelbyrail,bringingpeopletogetherandbolsteringlocalprideandwellbeing.

“AcrosstheSouthWest,communityrailpartnershipsandsta=onadop=ongroupshaveadaptedandresponded,suppor=ngcommuni=esthroughthepandemic,maintainingposi=vity,andadvisingrailpartnersonshiOinglocalneeds.”

TimetoTalkAboutRailTrespass

TheBri=shTransportPoliceandNetworkRailarecallingonparents,grandparents,carers,teachersandyouthworkerstotalktoteenagersaboutrailsafetyandthedevasta=ngpoten=alimpactoftrespasstothem,friendsandfamily,andthewidercommunity.

Newfiguresshowasurgeinrecklessbehaviourontherailwayinthesecondhalfoflastyear,whenBritainemergedfromthelockdownlastsummer.Theriseintrespassac=vitycon=nuedrightthroughtotheendofyear.

Alarmingly,thenumbersincreasedmostsharplyintheunder18sagegroup.Therewere2,087childtrespassincidentsbetweenJulyandDecember,a40%increaseonthesameperiodin2019.

Anewfilm:“YouvsTrain-ParallelLines”hasbeenlaunchedtogetchildrentothinkabouttheconsequencestrespassingcanhaveonthem,theirlovedonesandthewidercommunity.Every=mesomeonetrespassesontherailway,theyriskeverythingthatma0erstothem.

NadiaSawalha,televisionpersonalityandamotheroftwo,said:

“Iwassoshockedtodiscovertheriseinyouthtrespassincidentssincetheeasingofthefirstlockdown.IthinkInaivelythoughtthiswassomethingthathappenedmorewhenwewerekidsandhadsomehowmagicallydisappeared.

“Trespassingmightseemlikeharmlessdaredevilfuntosomechildren,butofcourseitmostdefinitelyisnot!That’swhyit’ssoimportantforusasparents,tohavetheconversa=onexplainingthedevasta=ngconsequencesrailwaytrespassingcanhave.

I’vesatdownwithmygirlstomakesuretheyknowthattrespassingcannotonlyharmthemandtheirlovedones,butalsoharmthosetheywouldn’teventhinkof,liketherailstaffwhomightbeleOdevastatedbyanyincident,evenanearmiss.Let’sallhavetheconversa=onguys.Itcouldsavelives.”

EngineeringWorkReport-MayandJune

Saturday1stMayun6lMonday3rdMay(BankHolidayMonday)Importantnote:ThisworkisdifferentfromtheschedulepreviouslyannouncedbySWR

ThelinesbetweenSalisburyandGillinghamwillbeclosedonthesedatesformaintenancework.ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenLondonWaterlooandSalisbury.BuseswillrunbetweenSalisburyandGillingham.TrainswilloperatefromGillinghamandAxminsteronly.

AreplacementbusservicewillrunbetweenAxminsterandExeterSt.David’s.

Saturday8thandSunday9thMay,andSaturday15thandSunday16thMay

ThelinesbetweenSalisburyandGillinghamwillbeclosedonthesedatesformaintenancework.ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenLondonWaterlooandSalisbury.BuseswillrunbetweenSalisburyandGillingham.

ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenGillinghamandExeterSt.David’s.

Saturday23rdandSunday24thMay

ThelinesintheSalisburyareawillbeclosedalldaySaturdayandSundayformaintenancework.ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenLondonWaterlooandAndover.BuseswillrunbetweenAndoverandGillingham.

ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenGillinghamandExeterStDavids.

Sunday30thMay

ThelinesbetweenSalisburyandGillinghamwillbeclosedalldaySundayformaintenancework.ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenLondonWaterlooandSalisbury.BuseswillrunbetweenSalisburyandGillingham.

ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenGillinghamandExeterStDavids.

Sunday6thJune

ThelinesintheSalisburyareawillbeclosedun=lmid-morningSundayformaintenancework.LondonWaterlootoExeterserviceswillterminateatAndover.BuseswillrunbetweenAndoverandGillinghamviaSalisbury.

ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenGillinghamandExeter.

Sunday13thJune

ThelinesbetweenSalisburyandGillinghamwillbeclosedun=lmid-morningSundayformaintenancework.LondonWaterlootoExeterserviceswillterminateatSalisbury.BuseswillrunbetweenSalisburyandGillingham.

ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenGillinghamandExeter.

AccessForAllUpdate

NetworkRailreportsthatitiscon=nuingtoworkhardacrossthenetworktoprovideAccessforAll,fromprovidingstep-freeaccesstothelatesttechnologytogivepassengersbe0erjourneys.TheAccessforAllProgrammeaimstoprovidesanobstaclefree,accessibleroutetoandbetweenplaTorms.Todaytherearestep-free,accessibleroutesatmorethan200sta=onsandNRisworkingonprovidinggreateraccessibilityatevenmore.

Thisyearhasseentheintroduc=onoftwonewfacili=estomaketherailwaymoreinclusiveatNR-runsta=ons.They'llbenefitpassengerswhouseBri=shSignLanguage(BSL)orwhoareblindorvisuallyimpaired.

SignLiveisanaroundtheclocksignlanguageinterpreta=onservice.Thiswillmeanthatpassengerscankeepuptodatewithsta=onannouncementsandsafetyinforma=oniftheyaredeaforhearingimpaired.

RoomMateisanelectronic,wallmounteddevicethatgivesblindandvisuallyimpairedpassengersabespokeaudiodescrip=oninanaccessibletoilet.RoomMatehelpspassengersaccessthetoiletiftheyareblindorvisuallyimpaired.

Thesta=onsofferingSignLiveandRoomMateservicesare:ClaphamJunc=on;Guildford;LondonBridge;LondonCannonStreet;LondonCharingCross;LondonVictoria;andLondonWaterloo.

Closertohome,thereisreportedlys=llnoprogressontheprojecttoprovideanaccessiblefootbridgeatYeovilJunc=on.Thesta=onremainsdifficulttoaccessbypeopleinwheelchairs,whohavetobehelpedacrossthelinebysta=onstafftogettotheplaTorm,whichisonlyotherwiseaccessiblebyaconven=onalsteppedfootbridge.ThelocalFriendsgrouphascampaignedhardonthisissue,andhavemetwithNetworkRail.Wewishthemwellintheirongoingcampaign.

IfasecondplaTormisbuiltatCranbrookaspartoftheproposedimprovements,itisexpectedthatitwillhaveafullyaccessiblefootbridgewithlics.Allnewlybuiltsta=ons,includingthatunderconstruc=onatMarshBartoninExeter,havetoconformtothelateststandards.ThisalsoappliedatAxminsterwhenapreviouslyclosedplaTormwasbroughtbackintouse.

TherearenoimmediateplanstoinstalanaccessiblefootbridgeatHoniton,asthesta=onisofficiallyclassedashavingstep-freeaccesstobothplaTorms.However,toreachPlaTorm2presentlyinvolvesalongdetour,leavingthesta=onviatheChurchHillroadexit,followingtheroadundertherailwaybridge,uptheaccessroadtotherearcarparkandthenusingtherecentlybuiltrampontotheplaTorm.

WhenPlaTorm2comesintomoreregularuseacerthelinehasbeenimproved,weexpecttrainstopasseachotheratthesta=onallday.Therefore,itmaybenecessaryatthat=metore-visittheneedforsuchafootbridgewithlics,similartothatatAxminster.Thisdoesnotcomecheap,butmayproveanecessaryinvestmenttomakethesta=onmoreprac=callyaccessible.

BranchLinesRemembered:BudleighSalterton

Wewererecentlysentsomefascina=ngphotostakenbyLeoDolling,ofBudleighSaltertonSta=on.

OpenedinMay1897,thelinefromTiptonSt.John’stoBudleighSaltertonwasalaterbranchoffthelinethatranfromSidmouthJunc=ontoSidmouth,whichhadopenedin1874.Thesta=onwasoriginallycalledsimplySalterton,itsnamebeingchangedin1898.

Un=l1903,thelinewassingletrack.ItwasdoubledwhenthebranchwasextendedfromBudleighSaltertontoExmouth.

OnthedownplaTormtherewasasinglestoreybricksta=onbuilding,witha=mberwai=ngshelterontheupplaTorm.Atfirst,passengershadtocrossthelinebybarrowcrossingsattheendofeachplaTorm.Afootbridgewasbuiltin1905.

Therewaseventuallyagoodsyard,withthreesidingsandabrickgoodsshed.Thegoodsyardclosedin1964.Thesta=onitselfclosedinMarch1967.

Thelocomo=ve‘BudleighSalterton’,shownabove,wasaWestcountryClass,builtatEastleighinNovember1945.ItspentmostofitsworkinglifeatExmouthJunc=on,althoughitwasalsoseeninBrighton.Thelocowasrebuiltin1958,bywhich=meithadclockedupoverhalfamillionmiles.Itwaswithdrawnfromservicein1965.

ThephotographshowsthenamingceremonyatBudleighSaltertonSta=ononJune26th1946.

Thenameplateandcrest,clearlyvisibleinthephotograph,wassoldfor£21,000inanauc=onin2007.Anameplateandcrest,believedtodatefromthe1958rebuild,isinamuseuminBrighton.

Nameplatesfromtheselocomo=vesarehighlysoughtacerbycollectors.Theyappearinspecialistauc=onsfrom=meto=me,andfetchveryhighprices.

Itisbelievedthattheywereoriginallyofferedtothelocalcouncilsofthenamedplaceswhenthelocomo=veswerewithdrawn.Someareonpublicview,forinstancetheoneatAxminsterTownHall.

Photograph:DavidMansfield

Others,suchasWhimple,canbefoundinlocalmuseumsorheritagecentres.Andsadlysome,suchasHoniton,arebelievedtobelost,goingtothescrapyardwiththeirlocomo=ve.

WebsiteChangesCauseUnexpectedIssueForPar6allySightedUsers

OneunexpectedeffectoftheannouncementofthedeathoftheDukeofEdinburghwashighlightedbyleadingsightchari=es.TheGuardianreportedthatpar=allysightedpeoplehadstruggledtoaccessrailinforma=on,acertheytemporarilyswitchedtoblackandwhiteinordertomarkthePrince’sdeath.NetworkRailandNa=onalRailwebsiteshadbothturnedfromcolourtogreyscaleinatributetotheDukeofEdinburgh.Butthegesturereportedlybackfiredwhencustomerscomplainedthattheywereunabletousethesitesproperly.OneTwi0erusersaid:

“Na=onalRailhavecolouredtheiren=rewebsitegreyto‘mournPrincePhilip’,renderingthewholewebsitecompletelyuselesstopeoplewithvisualimpairments.”

TheRoyalNa=onalIns=tuteofBlindPeoplesaid:

“Goodcolourcontrastonawebsiteisincrediblyimportant.Alackofthismakesitdifficulttoreadthecontentandcausesheadachesandeyestrain.AlthoughIcanunderstandwhyanorganisa=onmightmakeachangetoitswebsiteincircumstancessuchasthis,anychangeshouldbeinclusiveandaccessiblesothatallcustomerscancon=nuetousethesiteasnormal.”

Atthe=me,aspokespersonforNa=onalRailEnquiriessaid:

“TheNa=onalRailEnquirieswebsitehasbeentemporarilygreyscaledasamarkofrespectfollowingthedeathofHRHDukeofEdinburghonFriday.Wearelisteningtofeedbackabouthowpeopleareusingthewebsiteandaremakingfurtherchangestodaytomakeitmoreaccessibletoallourcustomers.”

ANetworkRailspokespersonsaid:“

“WetemporarilymadeourwebsitegreyscaleasamarkofrespectfollowingthedeathofHRHtheDukeofEdinburgh.We’vebeenmadeawarethishascausedproblemsforpeopleaccessingthecontentsoit’snowbacktoitsusuallook.We’resorryit’scausedissuesandwethankeveryonefortheirfeedback.”

SouthWesternRailwaypostedthismessageonthefrontpageoftheirwebsitesoonacerthedeathofPrincePhilipwasannounced.

GWRandNetworkRail,amongotherrailorganisa=ons,alsocarriedmessagesofcondolenceontheirwebsites.TheGWRtwi0erfeedalsoincludedamessageurgingcustomersnottomakespecialjourneysbytraintovisittheroyalpalacestolayflowers.

SWRLaunchesAnnualCommunityRailReport

AttheendofApril,SouthWesternRailwayuseditssocialmediumchannelstopromotethewide-rangingworkofthemanycommunityrailpartnerships(CRPs)andsta=onadoptersopera=ngacrossitsnetwork.

Thecampaigncoincidedwiththepublica=onofSWR’sannualreportonCommunityRailac=vity,whichprovidesaflavouroftherichandvariedworktakingplace.Thereportincludeddetailsofthe160thAnniversarycelebra=onsfortheYeoviltoExeterline,includingourcommemora=vebooklet,whichiss=llavailablefromHonitonLibraryandAllhallowsMuseum(whenitre-opens).

Launchingthecampaign,SWR’sCommunityRailManagerPaulaAldridgesaid:“Iknowthepastyearhasbeendifficult,butyouhaveallcon=nuedtodoanamazingjobenhancingthecommuni=esweserveanddeliveringafantas=ccustomerexperience.

“Iwouldliketothankyouforyourhardworkandpa=ence,andwearealllookingforwardtoaposi=vefuturewithrailtravelattheheartofeverythingwedo.”

SWRIssuesLatestRulesforSta6onAdop6onGroups

ThelatestversionofSouthWesternRailway’srulesforSta6onAdop6onGroupssetsoutrevisedstepstoallowsomeac6vi6estocon6nue,ortorecommence.Version7ofthedocumentstates:

Uptosixpersonsata=memaya0endsta=onstotendandwateroutsideflowerdisplays,withnolimittothenumberofdaysperweek.

Anysta=onadop=onac=vitymustcon=nuetostrictlyabidebytheGovernment’srulesonsocialdistancing,including‘Hands,Face,Space’andcomplywiththerequirementsofthisdocument.

SWRreservetherighttosuspendindefinitelyanyac=vi=esthatareunabletomeettherequirements.

Thecurrentrequirementsforpassengerstowearfacecoveringsatsta=onswillapplyequallytosta=onadopters.

Anyonewhoisexemptfromwearingafacecoveringdoesnotneedtowearone.Theseindividualsmaywishtogainasunflowerlanyard,availablefrommanyofourlargersta=onsorbycontac=ngourcustomerservicesteam.

Sta=onadop=onac=vityworkareasmustbesegregatedfromothersusingthesta=on.Thisincludesgivingpreferencetopassengers,railwaystaffandcontractors.

Inaddi=ontothisdocument,alladoptersmustcon=nuetocomplywiththeusualrulesandregula=onsrela=ngtotheirac=vi=esatsta=ons.

Anygroupwhoispartofana=onalorganisa=on,shouldalsofollowanyaddi=onalrulesassetoutbythem.

Interac6onwithSta6onStaffMinimalinterac=onshouldbeundertakenwithsta=onstaffandinaccordancewithsocialdistancingrequirements.

Alladop=onac=vi=esshouldonlybeundertakenoutsideofthemorningandacernoonpeakperiods.

Beforeandacerworks

Alladoptersmustadvisesta=onstaffoftheirpresenceorsigninandoutusingthe‘Informa=on’bu0ononHelpPointsatsta=ons.

Adoptersmustbringhandsani=sertothesta=onandusethisbeforeandaceradop=onwork.

Considera6onforothers

Whencarryingoutac=vi=esatsta=ons,socialdistancerequirements,including‘Hands,Face,Space’mustbeobservedbetweenadoptersandotherpeopleatthesta=on,asperGovernmentrules.

Adoptersmustgiveprioritytothemovementofpassengers,railwaystaffandcontractors,andstopworkifsocialdistancingrequirementcannotbecompliedwith.

Undertakingwork

Workislimitedtooutsidegardeningac=vi=esonly.

Li0erpickingac=vi=esareallowedtotakeplace.Shouldvolunteerswishtodothistheyarestronglyadvisedtowearglovesanduseli0erpickers.

Noupda=ngartdisplaysandcommunityno=ceboards,orcleaningofhardsurfaces(suchasdoors,windowsandsignage)istotakeplaceun=lotherwiseadvised.

Iftoolsaresharedbetweensta=onadopters,theymustbewipedcleanbeforeandaceruse.

Adoptersmustalwaysbearinmindsocialdistancingandkeepspaceclearforotherstomovearoundthesta=on.

Thismaymeanthatadoptershavetopauseduringtheirworkandmovetoaplaceofsocialdistancetoallowtheflowofpassengersaroundthesta=on,especiallywhentrainservicesarrive/depart.

Bookswapsandgroupproducedleaflets

Theseshoulds=llberemovedfromsta=ons,un=lfurtherno=ce.

SouthWesternRailwaysaythattheywillcon6nuetomonitorthesitua6on,andthatacompleteresump6onofnormalsta6onadop6onac6vi6eswillonlybepossibleoncetheCOVID-19AlertLevelhasreachedLevel1.

ArtCompe66onLaunchedbyNetworkRail:PassTheWordOn

NetworkRailhaslaunchedanartcompe==on,celebra=ngthemarvelofrailtravelandthedes=na=onswe’veallmissedvisi=ngduringlockdown.

The‘WishIWasThere’compe==oninvitesartstudents,aged18andabove,fromacrossBritaintocreateandsubmitpiecesofpostcardsizedartworkthatconjureupimagesoftheplacesthattheyhavebeenlookingforwardtovisi=ng.

Itcouldbeatown,cityorbeach,ashoppingstreetorevenjustapuborapark–aplacethatmeanssomethingspecialtothem.SirPeterHendy,chairofNetworkRail,said:

“Therailway,fromtheverybeginning,hasbeenanintegralpartofbringingpeopleandplacestogether.Fromvisi=ngfamilyandfriends,tothatcherisheddaytriptotheseaside.

“Therailwayhasalonghistoryofcrea=ngworksofarttopromotethedes=na=onsthatpeoplecouldtraveltobytrain,andtheartsubmi7edthroughthiscompe==onwillbecomepartofthathistory,documen=ngwhathasbeenanunprecedented=meforallofus.”

Upto100submissionswillbeselectedandwillbeexhibitedthissummeratmajormainlinesta=onsacrossthecountrybeginningatLondon’sWaterloosta=oninJuly.Therewillalsobeachancethatsomeoftheworkswillalsobedisplayedonlarge-scaledigitalscreensat20ofthebiggestmainlinesta=onsinthecountry.

Poten=alentrantsshouldnotethatthedeadlineforsubmissionsis16thMay.Itisan=cipatedthatthejudgingwilltakeplaceinJune.

Membersandsupportersareaskedtopassthewordonaboutthecompe==on,throughfamily,friendsandlocalnetworks.Thissoundsareallyexci=ngproject,andwellworthstudentsgevnginvolvedin.Experienceshowsthatcompe==onslikethesesome=mesgetfewerentriesthanyouwouldthink.Soitisalwaysworthentering.

Studentscanfindmoreinforma=onbyvisi=ngwishiwasthere.love

TransportCampaignGroupPredictsReturntotheRailways

TheCampaignforBe0erTransport(CBT)ispredic=ngthatfewlonger-termchangestotravelpa0ernswilltakeplaceacerthepandemic,quo=ngasurveyoftransportuserscarriedoutinMarch.Itsaidthatshoppingtripswouldbemadebycarin50percentofcasesandbypublictransportin49percentofthem,whichwasthecasebeforelockdownsbegan.

ButtheCBTpointsoutsomejourneypa0ernscouldchange.Beforethepandemic65percentofemployedadultstravelledtoworkeveryday,butthiscouldfallto53percent,withthegapfilledbymorehomeworking.

Thesurveyaskedwhatwouldencouragerespondentstoincreasetheiruseofpublictransportinthefuture.Lesscrowding(30percent)cametop,followedbycheaper=ckets(29percent),be0erroutes(29percent),andmorefrequent(26percent)andpunctual(22percent)services.

Simplerpaymentop=ons(suchastheabilityto‘touchin’)wouldencourage15percentofrespondents,with12percentsayingbe0eraccesstoreal=meinforma=onwouldmakethemchoosepublictransportmoreocen.TheCampaign’schiefexecu=vePaulTuohysaid:

“Carsarethemaincontributortocarbonemissionsandlethalairpollu=on,soreturningtoacar-dominatedtransportnetworkissimplynotanop=onpost-Covid.OurresearchhighlightsthatunlesstheGovernmentdoesmoretopromotepublictransportandencourageitsuse,wecannothopetoreduceharmfulemissionsorbuildbackinawaythatisfairandsustainable.”

TheRailDeliveryGrouprepeateditscallforfaresreformwithmoreflexiblefaresbeingintroduced,suchaspart-=meseason=ckets.

NewsInBrief

GreatWesternRailwaydispatchedaspecialtrainonApril30th,onanepicjourneyacrosstheGWRnetwork.IntercityExpressTrain800025–whichbearsthenameCaptainSirTomMoore–madeamammoth100stopsatsta=onsinjustover40hours,coveringnearly1,500miles.The‘CaptainTomCentennial’lecLondonPaddingtonat0637,takinginroutestoPenzance,Swansea,HerefordandBristolTempleMeads.

CaptainSirTom’sdaughter,HannahIngram-Moore,said:“Myfatherwouldhavesimplylovedtheideaofthe‘CaptainTomCentennial’trainmakinganepicjourneyaspartofthisspecialevent.HewasveryproudtoleavebehindthegrowinglegacyofhisFounda=onandwouldhavereallyenjoyedwatchingpeopleacrossthecountryuni=ngtohavefunandinspirehopewiththeirCaptainTom100challenges.It’sgoingtobeaveryspecialfewdays.”

Thenew6cketofficeatTauntonSta6onhasopened,markingasignificantmilestoneinthecomple=onofthemul=million-poundsta=onregenera=onproject.Improvementsforthesta=onincludethenew=cketoffice;sta=onentranceandforecourtwithaddi=onalbikespaces;andanewmul=-storeycarpark.

Workhasfinallybegunonbuildingthenewsta=onatMarshBarton,ExeteraspartofDevonMetro.ItwillbeonthemainlinesouthofExeterSt.Thomas.Thetwo-plaTormsta=onwillalsoincludeanewpedestrianandcyclebridgewhichwillconnectthesta=onwithAlphington,MarshBartonandtheRiversideValleyPark.Itisexpectedtoopennextyear.

SWRhasannouncedthattheintroduc=onofnewtrainsontheIsleofWighthasbeendelayed,dueasocwareissuewiththetrains,whichcametolightduringtes=ngonthemainland.Sofar,onlyoneClass484trainhasbeensuccessfullydeliveredbyVivarail.Nonewdatehasbeensetforthenewservicetocommence.TrainshavebeenreplacedbybusessinceJanuary.

Atthesame6me,SWRhasannouncedthattheprojecttouse18refurbishedClass442WessexElectricsmul=ple-units,familiarlyknownas“Plas=cPigs”,foritsLondonWaterlootoPortsmouthroutehasbeenhalted.ThesetswillnowbereturnedtotheleasingcompanyAngelTrains.

TheFrenchrailwayoperatorSNCFhasannouncedathree-monthtrialusingrapeseedoiltoreplacedieselfuelonalltrainsservingtheParis–Granvilleline.Followingtrialswitha30:70mixofrapeseedanddieseloil,theuseofB100oilmadefrom100%rapeseedwasauthorisedforuseintrainsinFrancein2018.Tes=nghasfarfoundthatfuelconsump=onisslightlyhigherthanfordiesel.ItisbelievedthatthenewfuelmaycutCO2emissionsby60%andpar=culatesby80%.

HighwaysEnglandisundera0ackoveraproposaltodemolishorinfillmorethanaround130oldrailwaybridgesandcuvngstoreducemaintenancecosts.Transportandenvironmentalcampaignersprotestedthatsomeareimportantaspartsofheritagetrailsandcycleways.Theyalsopointedoutthatfuturerailwayreopeningplansmaydependonsomeofthosewhichareatrisk.

SWRcustomerswillsoonbeabletoseehowbusyindividualtraincarriagesareinreal-=me,followingthetrialofasystemwhichusesonboardCCTVcamerastoanonymously‘count’thenumberofpassengersineachcarriage.ThesystemiscurrentlybeingtrialledbehindthescenesonSWR’sDesirofleet,whichoperatefromLondonWaterlootoWeymouth.

AndFinally…

Hereisonewaytoavoidthepost-lockdowntrafficjams:driveyourowntrain.VernonWhitlocksentusthisgreatphotographofthedayhelearnedtodriveaClass33attheWestSomersetRailway.Handsupallthosewhoaretotallyjealous…