CREWE RAIL

Hitachi looking to build a new Carriage site in the uk

2009-11-29T09:30:00.000-08:00

The story below highlights hitachi's intentions to expand their interest in the uk rail market,They are reportedly looking for a new site to build carriages for the uk market along with the creation of over 500 new jobs subject to completion of contract talks currently taking place.....
Tuesday, 24th November 2009
In Business In Japan,

Hitachi announces UK plans
Japanese firm Hitachi has announced it is to move into the UK train building market.

Under plans revealed today (November 24th), the firm will manufacturer railway carriages to be used on British tracks. The trains will replace existing high-speed models and are expected to be completed by 2018, a spokesperson for the group told AFP.

In total, Hitachi plans to build 1,400 hybrid carriages which will be run on lithium-ion batteries and will have diesel engines.

The deal is set to be finalised by March next year, reports suggest.

Hitachi manufactures a wide range of products and makes the famous high-speed bullet trains in Japan.

It is also involved with a deal involving making trains which run on the Great Western and East Coast main lines, as well as the manufacture of around 170 train carriages to be used in the Channel Tunnel linking the UK with France.

Following the announcement, shares in Hitachi rose on the Japanese stock exchange.

Written by Kimberley Homer

North Shropshire forgotten station may re-open...........

2009-09-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

A short journey down to a forgotten North shropshire railway station may soon be possible from crewe,serving Baschurch and its surrounding villages The station originaly closed during doctor Beechings spell of closures and now all theese years later there are calls for the station to reopen and to serve North shropshire and beyond.As you will see from the report here there would not just be benefits to the surrounding villaes but towns like shrewsbury and telford would also gain important links.......If only we could get the same sort of response for the one time proposal of reopening Beeston station.

Crewe heritage centre final weekend

2009-09-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

Next week will see another excellent season at Crewe Heritage centre draw to a close(other than special weekends during the winter),so If you havnt visited already this year why not take the opportunity and go along next saturday or sunday beetween 10am and 4pm.Below is a few pictures taken at the centre taken earlier today, they show the wide range of engines/locos on display as well as plenty of other Crewe and rail related exhibits in the hall(Bentley motors and a travelling post office to name but a few).Featured are 6233 The Duchess of Sutherland,6201 Princess Elizabeth,6009 The union of south africa......remember pop along and enjoy.For more information click here to see the heritage centre website.

Inside Crewe works(paint shop)

2009-09-19T09:06:00.000-07:00

I found this old 35mm image of the Inside of what was known as the paint shop at Crewe works,I cannot recall when the picture was taken but have a feeling It would of been In the early 90s at one of the open days or when as a youngster fences were for hopping over to get a closer look at engines under repair at the Works.I find the whole scale of what the works once was fascinating and find it hard to visualise what the place must of been like at Its peak, that is now such a long way in the past.

MORE CHESHIRE RAIL DAYS

2009-09-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

Crewe Station A tour (part one)..........................

2009-09-07T10:07:00.000-07:00

A set of photos that are the start of a more detailed set which will highlight as many areas of Crewe station as I can(Including some of the stations hidden gems).The photos below are all of the station platforms and bays on the main lines of the station,there are a number of other platforms and bays that are both used and unused which I will show in more detail soon............CREWE SOUTH,SERVING THE MIDLANDS,LONDON,SHREWSBURY,STOKE ON TRENT AND DERBY

ON THE RIGHT IS PLATFORM 12(NORTH WALES) WITH 11 IN THE MIDDLE SERVING LIVERPOOL AND EDINBOROUGHPLATFORM 5 AND 6 SRVING ALL NORTH AND SOUTH DESINATIONS WITH THE HIGH SPEED THROUH LINES IN THE MIDDLE/AND FRIEGHT LINES,
AS YOU CAN SEE IT WAS ANOTHER RAINY DAY IN CREWE.......................

North Wales coast rover ticket..............

2009-09-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

Arriva train wales offer a whole range of rover tickets covering a few or all of the counties in North wales(its your choice choosing from two to all counties/Varying prices).Rovers are an excellent way to discover the stunning scenery of Wales or even for a few trips to the sea side with the family.They arnet always advertised very well and restrictions on tickets can sometimes be complicated but not with this excellent service,with a excellent chester service in place the welsh border is less than 30 minutes away by train just click here to see all details of the service.

Crewe days...............They can be brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-08-29T11:27:00.000-07:00

Disapointing short spell at Crewe

2009-08-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

A quick stop off on the way home from work at Crewe station provided little in terms of results,However the three excellent class 47s sit proudly(and gleaming) awaiting there next charter duties on the old Crewe diesel depot sidings and as ever the class 350 london midland livery(Euston/Birmingham) bound trains were in abundance.

Mid cheshire line re-opening campaign gathers pace

2009-08-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

Below is an interesting article from the mid cheshire chronicle which is an interesting read for all those who work and travel to both Northwich and middlewich,your thoughts on the below proposals are always welcome.
Campaigners get platform for restoration of Northwich-Crewe rail link
Jul 29 2009 by Dave Goodban, Mid Cheshire Chronicle

A LONG-RUNNING battle to restore rail links from Northwich to Crewe is back on track.

Council chiefs have given their backing to a project to upgrade the obsolete line and reopen Middlewich Station for the first time in 50 years.

Supporters of the scheme say it is now ‘full steam ahead’ and rail users have welcomed the news, which follows a report by Railway Consultancy Ltd on behalf of the Middlewich Railway Steering Group (MRSG).

The dossier said upgrading the Northwich-Crewe line for passenger services and reopening Middlewich Station is viable and talks between project leaders, Network Rail and Northern Trains are imminent.

MRSG chairman Vernon Perkins said: “The option which provides a service from Northwich to Crewe via Middlewich far exceeded our expectations, providing a benefit-cost ratio which is substantially higher than the threshold required to take the project further.”

It is understood the cost of implementing the scheme could be as little as £1.5m – and rail bosses could rake in up to five times that amount in increased revenue.

Mid Cheshire Rail Users’ Association chairman John Oates told the Chronicle: “This is a great opportunity to do something really important for Northwich at relatively little cost – the infrastructure is already there.”

He said the project would mean passengers travelling from Northwich would be able to change at Crewe and go straight to major cities including Birmingham and London.

And, he claimed, the plans could be realised ‘in less than five years’.

Cheshire West and Chester council’s environment portfolio holder, Neil Ritchie, added: “A new direct rail service between Northwich and Crewe via Middlewich would be of great benefit to all the county’s residents.”

The report also said the project would reduce the volume of people commuting by car and the local impact of climate change, and will help stem the growth of fuel costs over the next 20 years.

With a population of 13,600, Middlewich is currently the largest town in Cheshire without a railway station.

Stakeholders have been calling for the return of a passenger service in the town for more than 15 years.

The Holmes Chapel Road station has not been used since 1959.

Cllr Ritchie said: “This paves the way for taking the scheme to the next stage, including getting the all-important backing from the rail industry.”

Steam tours through crewe.........

2009-08-23T02:56:00.000-07:00

Over the next week there are two uk steam railtours coming through or departing from Crewe,1st up is the scarborough flyer which is scheduled to depart from Crewe at 07:10 on friday the 28th of august heading off to scarborough and then returning to Crewe at approx 21:49.The tour is to be hauled by LNER A4 Class 4-6-2 no 60009 Union of South Africa (Courtesy of the railway touring company) the train is listed as fully booked.Next up is the Cumbrian mountain express which is to be hauled by one of three engines either 60009 as above/46201 princess Elizabeth/46233 Duchess of sutherland due to depart Crewe at 06:08 and returning at approx 22:08, The locos will be calling at carsile in beetween and the tour is courtesy of the railway touring company again.

Very sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-08-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

Just to say how sorry I am that the blog has been missing/not updated over the past few months.Thanks to a certain internet provider I have been without a connection for nearly three months,now finally with a new supplier and a great internet speed blogging just got a lot easier.............sorry again but hopefully there will be no future problems and the blog will go back to being updated on a regular basis.If you have any stories or pictures you would like to see included on the blog please feel free to leave a comment/e.mail and I will do my best to get them on to the blog page.Many thanks scott.

Crewe station DRS class 66 photos(july 29/09)

2009-08-22T03:59:00.000-07:00

Class 66425 and 66433 awaiting a signal to head south from Crewe station,on there way to the gresty road depot..........................66428 takes the lead.

Old Crewe videos..........

2009-02-02T10:31:00.000-08:00

Model railways for charity,this sunday!!!!!

2009-01-20T08:35:00.000-08:00

The latest Cheshire Railway Modellers exhibition takes place on Sunday 25th January at the Heritage Centre off Vernon Way (by Tescos). The enthusiasts held a similar event at this time last year to raise money for charity and are repeating the exhibition in aid of the same two charities - St Luke's Hospice at Winsford and the Heritage Centre in Crewe. It all starts at 10am and runs until 4pm in the afternoon. Admission is £4 for an adult and £3 for children and OAPs. There is also a bargain family ticket at £10 which will admit two adults and up to three children. Proceeds after expenses will be donated to the two charities.

BBC NEWS | England | North Yorkshire | Public unveiling for steam train

2009-01-06T02:40:00.000-08:00

BBC NEWS | England | North Yorkshire | Public unveiling for steam train

West coast overheads damaged again!!!!!

2009-01-04T09:52:00.001-08:00

Click on the west coast mainline title(above image)for news of yet more west coast mainline disruption.....

Class 52 westerns to visit crewe......

2008-12-13T11:00:00.000-08:00

The class 52 western diesel locomotives will make an appearance at Crewe over the festive period,On the 29th of December at around 10:15am on its way North to carlsile.The class52s may be double headed and should make an excellent site on what will probably be a cold and chilly winter morning.For more information follow the link for uk rail tours at the side of this page or go to pathfinder tours website :for times and prices:www.pathfindertours.co.uk

*******Update***********
Pathfinder tours have now announced that there will now be class 56s pulling this charter,not the "Westerns" as planned above..Timings are now departing Crewe at 10:40am.

Merry Xmas From the Blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-24T00:11:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a very happy and safe xmas for 2008,and a happy new year.I hope you all get what you asked for and that 2009 brings you all everything you would like.Ive featured a nice xmas day image from the welsh highland railway to set the scene,I don't suppose we will have a white xmas but if anyone gets any local snaps that they would like featured on the blog please e.mail them me or feel free to post a link on the comments section.Merry xmas again.............................

New Timetable comes into effect....14th December

2008-12-16T01:44:00.000-08:00

With Network rails major upgrade of the west coast mainline now complete new timetables have come into effect as of 14th december 2008 for local and national services affecting Crewe,There will be services which cover North/south/mid Wales all coming through to Crewe to head onto destinations such as Manchester.There will be the Manchester to london train calling at crewe and stoke as well as Northern rails standard Crewe to manchester/Airport services.Chester services remain unaffected as do Shrewsbury services...The major change comes with virgin announcing there will be on service from Crewe to Glasgow direct(london to glasgow service).For those who are affected by local services head over to the Manchester Community Rail Partnership website(link at the side of the page) to view most of the local service timetables as published by the relavant Train operating company

The good old days(click here for link)

2008-12-16T01:05:00.000-08:00

Here is a link i have been sent that shows just how much crewe station/traction has changed over the past ten to fifteen years,This excellent fotopic site is the work of Dave rowlands who has a collection of over 125 photos dedicated to Crewe in the early 1990s especially.

You Tube channels

2008-12-07T07:43:00.000-08:00

Over on you tube is a small band of people dedicated to bringing you a good selection of Crewes rail movements at its best and sometimes its worse,Todays featured is from a young lady who goes by the you tube tag of puffernutterlou,she has a large selection of videos covering all major steam and diesel events in and around Crewe....this one features one of Crewes finest steam engines"6233 The Duchess of Sutherland" on charter duties earlier this year,enjoy!

Steam Workings at Crewe(Black five locos)

2008-12-06T04:19:00.001-08:00

The 13th of December is the next steam run through planned for a stop at Crewe station ,that is the xmas"Cathedrals express going to Chester,with a Crewe built "Black five loco"...due in crewe roughly around 11:00-11:30am will pause and fill up with water on platform 12 before departing for Chester,as yet i have no return times and i am unsure if the loco will need to fill up again on the return journey...The black fives were probably one of the least glamorous classes of locos during there working life,known for there strength and versatility rather than speed and distance records.Now restored a selection of the locos are available to travel on at preserved railways such as the Severn Valley railway,and the East lancs railway..However its not very often we get to see one on a mainline working.I hope to get out and see the loco and will post any pics/videos over next weekend.

45 JOBS TO GO AT RAIL COMPANY

2008-12-04T01:58:00.000-08:00

Following on from the news that LNWR Crewe are being taken over by Arriva transport,Bombardier train maintenance company has announced plans for 45 job cuts of which 38 are office based staff and 7 in manufacturing.The company is "allegedly" going through a consultation period and have asked staff for voluntary redundancies first before any other action is taken.It seems it is just as tough times for the rail industry as with any other business sector at the moment and we can only hope that things don't get any worse over the next six months or so as the economic downturn continues..

From HST,S TO A NEW 125 FLEET

2008-11-30T06:34:00.000-08:00

BREL BUILT CLASS43S AT CREWE:1970S
Remembering the now old class 43 hst/hst2s its ironic that these old units are being used as the base for new plans to introduce a new fleet of intercity 125s on the East Coast(gives a general idea of what they are looking for)Under current plans, the trains will be available in electric, ‘self-powered’ (e.g. diesel) and dual-mode versions. According to the DfT’s specifications, it is ‘essential’ that the trains be capable of speeds of at least 125 mph, and ‘desirable’ that they be capable of higher speeds such as 140/155mph when under electric power, in order to allow for future line upgrades.

As part of their franchise commitments, National Express East Coast are to introduce the first ‘pre-series’ trains from the Intercity Express Programme on the East Coast Main Line in 2012.

On 16 November 2007 the Department for Transport issued its Invitation to Tender for the Intercity Express programme to three consortium's which have been short-listed to bid for the project:

Alstom-Barclays Rail Group
Express Rail Alliance (a consortium between train-builders Bombardier and Siemens with financial support from Angel Trains and Babcock & Brown)
Hitachi Europe
In late 2007, Network Rail suggested that the DfT should abandon the diesel version of the Intercity Express for cost reasons. They argue that because of new emissions regulations and the minimal demand for diesel-powered high-speed trains abroad, it would be cheaper to electrify the lines on which the IEP would operate (the Great Western and Midland main lines, and infill electrification on the Cross Country Route) than to buy new diesel trains.

On 12 February 2008, Alstom announced that they had withdrawn from the bidding process, preferring to focus on needs that can be met with existing technology. On 26 June 2008, four days before the end of the bidding process, it was announced that their partner, Barclays, had re-entered the project by joining forces with Hitachi Europe to form Agility Trains Ltd.
Timeline
16th November 2007 - Government hands out Invitation to Tender
Summer 2008 - Proposals to be received from bidders
April 2009 - Contracts Signed[8]
2013 - Start of pre-series train running
2014 - Fleet introduction
Even after all theese years of not producing built locos/engines "the works" is still setting the standard of future builds all over europe.