Grand Central Rail’s Post

South Yorkshire's Forgotten Railway Station South Yorkshire has lost a few useful railway stations over the past 40 years. Probably most significant was Wadsley Bridge, which was so useful for delivering football supporters to Hillsborough Stadium but Attercliffe Road and Brightside also bit the dust. Looking around South Yorkshire now, it is Thorne South which causes the most concern. With a rail service every 2 hours generally, stretched to every 3 hours in the middle of the day, the Doncaster to Scunthorpe train really has been slashed to below what could really be described as a service. Perhaps we should not complain too much, as the Thorne South train was fully replaced by a bus for a period after Covid. At least it now has a train again. Actually, yes, we should complain! To be meaningful, a train service must be at least hourly and right across Northern's network, we have services reduced to 1 or 2 trains per day or worse - Heysham Port, Leeds to Goole, Stockport to Stalybridge, the Brigg Line and a number of others. Too easy to focus on exciting projects like re-opening the line to Blyth and Ashington in Northumberland [which is important], when reinstatement and development of some decimated local services elsewhere, could well produce as good a return. Trouble is, we all know spending money on something new gets much much better publicity for those in charge. However, when all the infrastructure is already there, it is much much cheaper to provide a full service. Thorne South's timetable from this past Friday and the rail map of South Yorkshire stations from Travel South Yorkshire showing the local rail stations is here, courtesy of the excellent Real Time Trains [www.realtimetrains.co.uk]: 👇 https://lnkd.in/eudugQNr Thorne South apart, most stations benefit from at least an hourly service, except when Northern's struggle with trains and crews at their Sheffield depot, which does not seem to be getting any better, with numerous daily cancellations. We are not hearing enough about the Northern failings and I hope the matter is being addressed behind the scenes by politicians with the operator's management team. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Tim Taylor Pat Beijer Melanie Corcoran Doncaster Council Doncaster Chamber Business Doncaster Oliver Coppard Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce Sheffield City Council #southyorkshire #sheffieldbusiness #sheffieldrail #sheffieldissuper #doncasterisgreat #doncasterrail #doncasterbusiness #doncastertransport

Today's rail headlines - InTheNews: White Rose Rail Station uncertainty, ORR research into resident food outlets, Northumberland Line could be extended, and damage to East Lancashire Railway train. Listen here: #UKrail #railways #headlines

🏙 Waterloo Station to be "transformed" in new improvement plans from Network Rail and Lambeth Council 🔵 Waterloo is the 3rd busiest transport hub in England, after Liverpool Street and Paddington 🔵 There are plans in place for a new southern concourse, a renewal of the northern concourse design, and 40 enhanced walking and cycling routes 🔵 Lambeth Council has pledged £1.5m of investment to develop this project 🔵 The upgrades are to alleviate platform congestion, improve navigation, and provide accessibility to passengers who are less able What is the realistic cost of upgrades for a station the size of Waterloo? How soon could a project this size be completed? #londonwaterloo #railnews #rail #waterloo #railindustry #railinfrastructure

Please support and write in favour of this local rail reopening:  https://lnkd.in/gwCWs4MM It would make the existing remnant rail network more relevant and boost patronage all year round, sustaining local businesses and informing widespread regeneration.  The railway, even if 10 years, is a worthwhile project and can be modernised to inform end-to-end fast transit times and challenge the pro-road building lobby which informs endless demand for parking guzzling land which is needed for other things. If we take the Borders Line reopening, it was very much a cynical reception but devolution and campaigning resulted in the go-ahead and it has carried millions to a largely rural landscape and demand for full rebuild to Carlisle exists but the British Westminster Government has dithered despite the resounding support and exceeding usage data. You have to make a start, Oxford-Cambridge direct rail has taken 35 years campaigning, so 10 years is a drop in the ocean by comparison! Start now and take it seriously. https://lnkd.in/ety4Q4Sr Regeneration of West Wales and South West Wales in particular likely, more freight by rail as well. Jobs, sustaining hotels for families to revisit these locations rather than just walkers and single groupy camping styles. Wales needs diversity and all round year-on-year sustained vistorship. Please give this project your support. #rail #wales #transport #modalchoice #planning #cost #environment #infrastructure #dft #networkrail

Sitting at Hope station ready to head home after an awesome few days hiking in the Peak District, I’m reflecting on how the railways can take us right to the places we love, connecting friends, families and colleagues with stunning scenery, industrial heartlands and most importantly, home. However, this isn’t just a post about how amazing the railway can be. Whilst the potential is there, so often we get it wrong. I decided to get the train to the Peaks from London to save the hassle of driving, parking, traffic etc. On Tuesday, my inbound train to Sheffield was delayed, meaning I missed my connection and having to get an (albeit very scenic) hour long bus to my final destination. Today, my connecting train to Sheffield has been cancelled, meaning I need to leave the Peaks earlier than planned to get home at a reasonable time to see my Wife and Son. Working in the railway, I will always be a massive advocate of the greatest form of transport, but whilst we (rightly) celebrate the amazing things we are doing, we must not forget that we are here to get people from A to B, to the places and people they love. If that doesn’t happen, we are failing ourselves and our customers. We have a great opportunity over the next few years to refresh and revolutionise our industry, let’s capitalise on it, get those cars off the roads, drive the economy up and get people where they want to go. Network Rail #networkrail #greatbritishrailways #hs2 #connectivity #hopevalleyline #strategicplanning

Northern Powerhouse Rail link between Liverpool and Manchester progresses The next steps of development for the Liverpool to Manchester section of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) have been announced following extensive engagement with local leaders and MPs. This latest iteration identifies a primary route option serving both Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Airport, broadly confirming the previously proposed route. Northern Powerhouse Rail aims to be a catalyst for economic growth across the North by transforming east-west transport links and better connecting people to work, education and business opportunities. Once delivered, passengers will benefit from quicker, more frequent services, which could see journey times cut by around a third, meaning the route between Liverpool and Manchester Piccadilly would be reduced from around 50 minutes to 35 minutes. And with more frequent services it will also mean passengers are able to turn up and go, knowing the next train will only be 10 to 15 minutes away. Capacity could also be trebled between Liverpool and Leeds, offering 2,100 extra seats per hour in each direction. Transport Secretary, Mark Harper said, “We are setting out the next steps for how we can transform east-west rail links in the North, helping to boost economic growth between key Northern cities as part of our Network North plan... Find out more 👉 https://buff.ly/3UdYUD0 #rail #railway #railindustry #TheNorth #Liverpool #Manchester #IntelligentInfrastructure #TransportInfrastructure #ConnectedTransport #transport #infrastructure

#WestYorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has unveiled proposals for a new tram system that will run between #Leeds and #Bradford, with a later extension to #Dewsbury also a possibility. Subject to being agreed at a final Combined Authority meeting this week, this will represent a major step forward for the area’s proposed mass transit scheme. The first phase is planned to begin construction in 2028 and begin operation by the early 2030s. Future phases are intended to follow and the Combined Authority plan to work with Kirklees Council to look into how to include a Dewsbury Line in future. The full network is projected to be completed by 2040. The first phase would include two lines between Leeds and Bradford: The Leeds Line and the Bradford Line. The Leeds Line would take people between St James’ Hospital, through Leeds city centre and on to Elland Road and the White Rose Shopping Centre. The Bradford Line would run from Leeds city centre to Bradford city centre – also linking Bradford Forster Square station with the new Bradford rail station. This line supports Bradford’s plans to regenerate the city’s southern gateway, which includes the new Bradford rail station. A consultation this summer will see the public asked for their views on potential route options for the first phase of #masstransit The Combined Authority will also work on a £1 million Mass Transit development fund to be set aside to support the Dewsbury Line Development Project, which will look into how to get mass transit to connect #Kirklees with Leeds. The mass transit system will form a key part of a wider integrated transport system in the region, integrating with bus, rail, cycling and walking, so that everyone can get across the region with ease. The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: ‘Today is a key milestone in our plan to create a better-connected region that works for all. By setting out our plans to submit to government, we are taking a major step forward towards the biggest infrastructure project West Yorkshire has seen since the development of the motorways six decades ago. ‘This will be transformational for the North, helping our communities to thrive and our economy to flourish – benefitting generations to come with greater opportunity and prosperity. ‘We know that mass transit systems have successfully helped to regenerate areas right across the country by boosting connectivity, opportunity and prosperity – and we will work tirelessly to make sure that happens here in West Yorkshire.’ 🔻🔻🔻 Click/tap image below to see video on YouTube 🔻🔻🔻

While it's pleasing to see my hometown get some attention from open access operators, is the capacity trade-off between additional long-distance services coming through an already congested network in central Manchester worth it or should these corridors prioritise higher frequency local/regional metro style services... ⚖ It will be interesting to see if the existing infrastructure at Rochdale can accommodate the turnarounds for these services 👀 https://lnkd.in/dsh6rYXS

So over the weekend, London NorthWestern railway increased their prices by approximately 4.1%. In comparison, this equates to an extra £15 per month. People may see this as a “oh that’s only an extra £15 per month”, but here’s the thing: Now, price raises are initially a good thing whereby the quality also goes up, and to support those who genuinely need it. However, they’ve taken a step backwards. - Smaller seating - Slightly less trains (fractionally over the day) - More standing room - A tad longer journey into Euston (by approx. 1-3 mins) - Coupled with more chaos at Euston Make this make sense? A monthly season ticket costs over £370. In Germany, the comparative costs less than 1/5 of that price. And they say the future of British Rail is improving and bright? #commuting #london #trains

Big changes next week as we continue to deliver the South Wales Metro and improve public transport in Wales