The exciting railway event?

[nuneatonmark]

It all seems rather mundane at the moment, rail news wise. Little about re-openings, GWR electrification is taking ages, not a lot else happening. So what is the next thing each of you good people is looking forward to on the railway? The first 800 passenger run? A 230 in passenger service? A new Thameslink timetable, Crossrail opening? The Ordsall chord being completed?

 

[168lover]

It all seems rather mundane at the moment, rail news wise. Little about re-openings, GWR electrification is taking ages, not a lot else happening. So what is the next thing each of you good people is looking forward to on the railway? The first 800 passenger run? A 230 in passenger service? A new Thameslink timetable, Crossrail opening? The Ordsall chord being completed?

The most exciting railway event I'm looking forward to? The opening of Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway's new platform and interchange at Princes Risborough. Will be great to see out services interchanging with the 'big' trains over on the mainline.

 

[Iskra]

Class 68's (and other new stock) on TPE for me and new stock for Northern along with the associated timetable changes.

I'm also looking forward to see what's included in the EMT franchise and XC and ATW in the more distant future.

New services on VTEC too- half hourly to Leeds and Middlesbrough/Huddersfield services starting.

 

[47271]

Come to Scotland, there's plenty about to change here: electrification all over the place, HSTs on domestic services, new Caley sleeper stock...

 

[al78]

An end to the dispute and strikes, which will be reaching their first anniversary the way it's going on.

 

[cuccir]

As you say yourself, there's a lot there to start with!

On a purely 'things that affect my commute and region' perspective, I'm looking forward to:

* New Northern Connect services and increased TransPennineExpress services north of York and extending north of Newcastle, all as part of 2015 franchising agreement
* Azuma trains increasing East Coast capacity and cutting journey times from North-East to London down to under 2h30
* As noted, the Ordsall Chord opening

Looking further to the future, the idea of HS3 from Manchester to Leeds is great though the distance of that in time is a little disappointing!

 

[swt class 450]

I am really looking forward to the SWT 707s entering passenger service.

 

[squizzler]

I think East - West rail has the potential to be interesting, especially if it is used as a test bed for more integrated operations.

Felixtowe link upgrade?

Maybe it won't be hardware as much as the long awaited liberalisation of ticketing will be the big news this year?

 

[telstarbox]

Looking forward to Crossrail opening which will stop passengers being left behind at Central line stations.

 

[theageofthetra]

The day the K & ESR runs into Robertsbridge will be a special one. Still a few years off.

 

[blakey1152]

I'm looking forward to the day that the 1836 Sidcup to Slade Green train runs on time....

I can dream though!!!

 

[bookeyu83]

<snipped>

New services on VTEC too- half hourly to Leeds and Huddersfield services starting.

Does anyone have an estimate date for this?

 

[TimboM]

Looking forwards to a failed Class 800 being hauled by a Class 91 in a new 'Thunderbird' role - and keeping to the timetable

 

[fishquinn]

The future is looking pretty bleak for me - the HSTs are some of my favourite traction so I hate the thought of them being replaced on the East Coast and Great Western mainlines. Because of that, I'm dreading the first IEP entering service. I think what I'm looking forward to most is the TPE cats.

 

[Mag_seven]

A government that will renationalise the railways and put an end to the failed Tory privatisation experiment. (runs for cover)

 

[RichmondCommu]

Looking forwards to a failed Class 800 being hauled by a Class 91 in a new 'Thunderbird' role - and keeping to the timetable

I've never known anyone look forward to a train failing along with all the associated delays and inconvenience. I certainly don't think that your fellow travelers would have the same feelings of glee.

 

[TimboM]

I've never known anyone look forward to a train failing along with all the associated delays and inconvenience. I certainly don't think that your fellow travelers would have the same feelings of glee.

It was a comment made with tongue firmly in cheek, along with many others on here. And hence the " " at the end.

(Incidentally I did say the 91-rescued Azuma kept to the timetable, i.e. no disruption, i.e. clearly not a serious suggestion...)

 

[Clip]

The future is looking pretty bleak for me - the HSTs are some of my favourite traction so I hate the thought of them being replaced on the East Coast and Great Western mainlines. Because of that, I'm dreading the first IEP entering service. I think what I'm looking forward to most is the TPE cats.

You havent been on an IEP yet so how can you dread them?

Whats a TPE cat when its at home?

 

[Blindtraveler]

In the spirrit of some other daydream type posts on here,

I look forward to shaving with a piece of a 220/221, or a 170!

More realistically the pressure will be taken off the Central line and others when crossrail starts and TFL seam to generally good at surface heavy rail opps.

On the Franchise front XC is the one im keen to come round and maybe bring something fresh. Strike aggreements would be good too.

 

[fowler9]

Trans Pennine loco hauled services out of Lime Street. Hopefully big improvements with Northern and Trans Pennine in the North West in General.

 

[GusB]

I'm quite looking forward to seeing the various bits of the ScotRail improvement programme being completed, and the introduction of the HSTs.

Little improvements do make a difference, and when I last visited my dad I noticed that the section of track behind his house (Forres-Nairn) had been relaid at some point. There's a noticeable drop in noise from the line, which is good for those who live by the railway, although from an enthusiasts point of view it isn't necessarily a good thing!

 

[yorksrob]

As other posters have said, without any reopenings (on the near horizon at least) and the withdrawal of my preferred rolling stock from many routes, I am approaching the next couple of years on the railway with trepidation. As the theme tune to Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads put it "Is the only thing to look forward to, the past ?"

Actually, I'm quite looking forward to loco hauled stock relieving some of the pressure on TPE. Also, reopening the S&C will be good, particularly for accessing the Cumbrian coast.

 

[TheEdge]

AGA Flirt Fleet

 

[3141]

Stagecoach winning the next South Western franchise. Rather prosaic I know, but it should mean several more years of well-run services for those who use them (which includes me).

 

[westv]

Time will tell as to whether I'll get to travel on a bi-mode train between Hull and London for the first time with Hull Trains or VTEC.

 

[Bald Rick]

Royal Assent for HS2. Next week AIUI.

 

[306024]

This year, introduction of 345s on the Shenfield Metros which will help at Stratford in the evening peak and commissioning of the new layout at Shenfield.

 

[Chrisgr31]

I am looking forward to the day when Southern actually manage to run the full timetables service with their 171s and all the trains are the correct length. Apparently despite being introduced last year it certainly wont be happening until May as one service is reduced from 10 carriages to 6 until then!

 

[Bertie the bus]

Completion of Manchester - Preston/Blackpool electrification.

Apart from the fact it should hopefully end the disruption that has now been going on for years whilst electrifying it or preparing for electrification, it will be nice for this line to finally be electrified even though it should have been done decades ago.

 

[meridian2]

Trans Pennine loco hauled services out of Lime Street. Hopefully big improvements with Northern and Trans Pennine in the North West in General.

I'd missed that one, any more info?