Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Tuesday, 30th January 2024. Sponsored by Petards Rail
InTheNews Sponsored by Petards Rail: The latest rail news on Tuesday, 30th January 2024
Staff working on London Overground are set to go on strike in February and March after members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union rejected a pay offer.
An article in The Independent says more than 300 members will walk out for 48 hours from 00.01am on Monday 19 February 2024 until 11.59pm on Tuesday 20 February 2024, and again from 00.01am on Monday 4 March 2024 until 11.59pm on Tuesday 5 March 2024.
Among those taking action are security, station, revenue and control staff.
The announcement comes on the first day of a separate series of rolling strikes being organised by train drivers union, Aslef, which has shut down some of the busiest rail routes in the country.
The introduction of new trains on the Tyne and Wear Metro has been further delayed, with bosses now hoping they will begin entering service at the end of 2024.
An article on the BBC website says it is the latest setback for passengers who were initially told the £362m fleet of 46 trains would be introduced between summer 2023 and early 2025.
However, Metro operator Nexus has now said further tests need to be carried out.
Michael Richardson, from Nexus, said the company is “still aiming” to have the first train in service in 2024.
Network Rail will complete the installation of new signals next weekend as part of an £11.2 million investment.
At the same time a four-month programme to maintain the footbridge and lifts at the station will get underway.
Engineers will commission and test the new signalling system from 1:20am on Saturday 3 February until 4:50am on Monday 5 February, with no trains running to or from Dunblane during that time.
A Southampton rail worker was given a VIP send-off when the curtain came down on his 50-year career.
An article on the Southern Daily Echo says friends, family, and colleagues gathered at Southampton Central station to watch 66-year-old Mick Wall dispatch his final train – the 10.30am to Waterloo.
Posting on social media, South Western Railway (SWR) said: “Mick has been a constant at Southampton for longer than most of us can remember.
“We will all miss him greatly. Central will not be the same without him.”
Photo credit: Network Rail
