Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Wednesday, 20th March 2024.
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Wednesday, 20th March 2024
A South Western Railway (SWR) Train Driver has opened up about the impact passenger abuse is having on him and his colleagues.
Speaking to BBC News, Ben Waterhouse said that behaviour had deteriorated since the COVID-19 pandemic – adding that people now seemed to have less patience.
He shared his experiences after SWR launched a new campaign to deter frustrated customers from verbally abusing its employees.
Ben explained that comments can sometimes hurt “more than they should”, particularly when they are made “time and time again.”
He stated that “everyone deserves to feel safe at work.”
Business Matters has reported that ministers are in “last ditch” talks with Alstom as they work to prevent the closure of Derby’s train manufacturing facility.
It added that thousands of jobs could be lost across the industry if the iconic plant closed.
French conglomerate Alstom has warned that it may move production to Poland or India if the Government fails to provide assurances about new train orders.
Work at the Derby plant has come to a standstill, and 1,300 workers have been told that they are at risk of losing their jobs.
Alstom’s UK Managing Director, Nick Cross, emphasised the need for certainty and collaboration with Government.
In a statement, the Department for Transport acknowledged the role that rail manufacturing plays in boosting the economy and improving passenger experience. It confirmed that it would continue to engage with Alstom about the plant’s future.
GB Railfreight (GBRF) has explained why Class 69 locomotives have been running regularly in West Yorkshire over the last few months.
The modern freight locomotives are converted Class 56s, created as part of a GBRF rebuild scheme. According to an article in the Telegraph & Argus, they have been used primarily in the South of England since their introduction.
Since Christmas, however, they have been spotted in Huddersfield, Marsden, and Mirfield.
Now, a GBRF spokesperson has revealed that the locomotives are being used for driver route learning, rather than a new freight flow.
The spokesperson added that the locomotives were spare, and had been put to work on road learning work for ballast trains.
And finally, The Northern Echo has shared new aerial images of the Darlington railway station project.
Taken by Northern Echo camera club member Neil Surgeon, they show the project’s progress – including new buildings around the existing station.
The £150 million overhaul project will see engineers create two new platforms and a new car park.
