What railway projects are you most looking forward to completing in 2021?

[Tallguy]

East-West rail and Aylesbury to Milton Keynes.

 

[JonathanH]

East-West rail and Aylesbury to Milton Keynes.

It will be interesting to observe developments but you won't see any passenger services operating on these routes until the end of 2024 so definitely not a project nearing completion which I think is the premise of the thread.

 

[Tallguy]

It will be interesting to observe developments but you won't see any passenger services operating on these routes until the end of 2024 so definitely not a project nearing completion which I think is the premise of the thread.

I thought Aylesbury to MK was scheduled to open next year?

 

[JonathanH]

I thought Aylesbury to MK was scheduled to open next year?

Aylesbury to Milton Keynes isn't scheduled to open at all let alone in 2021 (as noted in discussion in another thread today).

Whats this about Aylesbury to MK services being descoped (post upthread).

I really hope not. Trans Bucks connectivity was a core part of this.

It might not be dead, but it is on life support. A lot of it stems on how HS2 progresses as they will be rebuilding the Quainton to Claydon section I suspect.

 

[Non Multi]

I like to see Reading Green Park completed. According to Network Rail they completed Maghull north in 9 months and Horden in six months form start on site. When I looked this week the RGP platforms were complete structurally just awaiting edging and tarmac. So I assume this can all be done within 12 months.

Thanks for the update and the photo. They've not really got going yet on the buildings and footbridge so IMO it's going to be touch and go for completion by Winter '21/'22. Trains calling there in Q2 '22 seems more realistic. I'd love to be proved wrong though.

 

[bluenoxid]

Portway and Bow Street.

 

[Tallguy]

Aylesbury to Milton Keynes isn't scheduled to open at all let alone in 2021 (as noted in discussion in another thread today).

This is bad news To me. Chiltern committed to re-opening that route when granted their franchise as I remember.

 

[A S Leib]

This is bad news To me. Chiltern committed to re-opening that route when granted their franchise as I remember.

I think the plan is - was, at least - for the private company operating the rest of EWR to cover the Aylesbury branch as well.

 

[Bald Rick]

This is bad news To me. Chiltern committed to re-opening that route when granted their franchise as I remember.

They didn’t commit at all. It was listed as a ‘Secondary aspiration’, along with many other projects of varying prospects.

 

[greeny11]

As it is the most local to me, the introduction of the class 777 to Merseyrail. As much as I like the 507/508s, bringing new trains to Merseyrail has been discussed for years, and lots of work has gone on round the network to make stations ready for the new trains, so it will be nice to finally have the new trains when they eventually get introduced into service.

 

[Logan Carroll]

Hydrogen 314 and New Glasgow Subway stock (Here’s hoping)

 

[Oxfordblues]

775-metre intermodals from Southampton Maritime and Western Docks to the Midlands and North, due to start in May 2021. They should be a game-changer in improving the profitability of these trains and increasing market share, relieving the saturated A34 past Oxford.

 

[route101]

Hydrogen 314 and New Glasgow Subway stock (Here’s hoping)

Where is the Hydrogen 314 running?

 

[Logan Carroll]

Where is the Hydrogen 314 running?

It’s supposed to be revealed at some climate exhibition in Glasgow but i expect we will have pictures before that.

 

[GW43125]

701s coming online. We are in dire need of any rolling stock we can get our hands on on the Reading side.
Fed up of a pair of 455s turning up on a Reading whilst Alton and Basingstoke get 12 car 450s.

 

[43096]

701s coming online. We are in dire need of any rolling stock we can get our hands on on the Reading side.
Fed up of a pair of 455s turning up on a Reading whilst Alton and Basingstoke get 12 car 450s.

If the 458s were actually looked after (like they used to be), it wouldn't be such a problem. Is there a specific issue with them - plenty of 5-car formations around currently.

 

[GW43125]

If the 458s were actually looked after (like they used to be), it wouldn't be such a problem. Is there a specific issue with them - plenty of 5-car formations around currently.

I'm told there's a few units out of traffic, but no idea why.

Weybridge can't take pairs of 455s due to the platforms at V.Water so Reading and Windsor just seem to get whatever Wimbledon Park has that works!
Not an issue at this exact moment of course, but the 0842 off Reading has been a pair of 455s for about two years now.

 

[43096]

Not an issue at this exact moment of course, but the 0842 off Reading has been a pair of 455s for about two years now.

That's vice 8-450 isn't it? Wasn't it originally to do with releasing 450s to cover the absence of 442s and to cover the refurb programme.

 

[GW43125]

That's vice 8-450 isn't it? Wasn't it originally to do with releasing 450s to cover the absence of 442s and to cover the refurb programme.

Changed from 8-450 to 8-455 and pass.

 

[Halish Railway]

6 carriage 331s out of Leeds facilitated by platform 0 and the associated remodelling of the station throat.

 

[BigB]

Where is the Hydrogen 314 running?

Theoretically anywhere it likes!
There will be test runs before it goes anywhere near the public in Glasgow and footage will doubtless be shared in time, like with the class 19, battery 230 etc. And hopefully 37 403 starting up with a rebuilt engine soon

 

[AM9]

Top three things on the list:
1) do an Anglian Ranger to travel on 745 & 755s and maybe the new EMUs (720s?).
2) get to travel on an in-service 769, (Northern, GWR or even TfW although prefer one that does both modes).
3) travel the Crossrail core, (bit of a long shot for 2021), hopefully run the whole line. I suspect that I'll use it regularly once it is open.

 

[tetudo boy]

Crossrail. Seeing the media on it and progress, they should definitely open the core and Abbey Wood branch by early-mid 2021.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

1. Just getting back on a train again without needing PPE, to a predictable timetable.
2. Merseyrail 777.
3. HS2 tunnel boring under way, beyond the point of no return (it's there already, but the public don't yet comprehend that); Phase 2a authorised to Crewe.
4. 769s actually carrying passengers on bi-mode routes.
5. TP upgrade in progress on the ground, and NPR routes defined Liverpool-Manchester-Leeds.
6. DfT finally tells us what the railway's future structure is going to be (including fares revision).
7. Electrification newly authorised for at least one route in England.

Not much to ask, really.

 

[Jamesrob637]

TPE 68s and Mark 5 sets fully operational.

Wouldn't hold your breath for that occurring in 2021!

 

[Essexman]

My first All Line Rover and being able to make more journeys now I'm eligible for a Senior Railcard.

 

[NoMorePacers]

As of right now, being able to go on a train again.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Yes, just to get back on a train for leisure without having to explain myself

 

[YorksLad12]

My first All Line Rover and being able to make more journeys now I'm eligible for a Senior Railcard.

As of right now, being able to go on a train again.

Yes, just to get back on a train for leisure without having to explain myself

Yes... looking forward to completing my own "railway project" of visiting all GB railway stations. I've only 2,485-ish to go.

 

[Class 170101]

Top three things on the list:
1) do an Anglian Ranger to travel on 745 & 755s and maybe the new EMUs (720s?).
2) get to travel on an in-service 769, (Northern, GWR or even TfW although prefer one that does both modes).
3) travel the Crossrail core, (bit of a long shot for 2021), hopefully run the whole line. I suspect that I'll use it regularly once it is open.

1) Not much Class 720 operation covered by the Anglia Rover. 17:02 ex Liv St and 19:30 ex Norwich between Ipswich and Norwich unless they get put on Norwich Intercity services.

3) Hahaha, not until 2023, I think it was discussed elsewhere on this board.