Good News on the U.K. Rail Network in 2020

[EcsWhyZee]

It’s been a year of doom and gloom for many. However, some good has happened this year and it would be a shame not to highlight it. Indeed I believe the absence of good news recently has been just as bad as the volume of bad news.

With that in mind I thought it might be a nice idea to have a thread of just good things™️

Some rules
* Only positive news
* If it was delivered late, but still delivered this year (e.g. new units) it still counts as good news
* Let’s try not to discuss the relevant weight of good vs bad news. We know there’s been more bad, that’s the point of the thread.
* Small local good railway news that might not be common knowledge is preferred.

In that vein I’ll start us off: The ridgemont road entrance to St. Albans station, which previously had more in common with a bike shed then a railway station that serves circa 7 million people was finally replaced this year with a nice brick building. It’s due to be completed very soon, but has already been in regular use for a few months

 

[Ianno87]

Some new train fleets have snuck into service - the 745s and West Anglia 710s, for example.

King's Lynn 8 car infrastructure delivered and nearly ready for use.

The volume of Covid related timetable changes delivered.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The TDNS was published. (Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy)

 

[gg1]

Although some regard it as a white elephant, I view the opening of Worcester Parkway as very welcome news for the area.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Despite the great unknowns we faced in the March onwards period - the core railway continued to run almost perfectly - 93% PPM day after day , the freight and passenger services were succesfully ramped up over various timetable changes thanks to some serious hard work by all grades. That is seriously good news.

 

[SussexLad]

Punctuality is at a modern day high. 86% arriving at stations within a minute of the timetable is the last i heard.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

A little sliver ( circa 5 miles iirc) of electrification between York and Leeds got approved. Huddersfield to Leeds major improvements got approved.

 

[EcsWhyZee]

Another local(ish) one. Stevenage platform 5 was completed a year early!

 

[daccer]

Network Rail have managed to retain their funding for the Control Period and stations continue to be revamped and capacity improved despite demand temporarily disappearing. Glasgow QS is about done, work has started on Gatwick Airport and also on Bristol TM. SMaller stations such as Wolverhampton and Coventry are also in the midst or redevelopments. Optimism is still around and is still leading to improvements being made.

 

[DorkingMain]

It's finally socially acceptable to put your bag on the seat and not have a stranger sitting next to you, that can only be considered a good thing

On a serious note:
- Pacers are now almost all gone from service aside a handful.
- Electrification to Corby has been completed.
- Class 345s are finally cleared down to Heathrow
- Class 701s have begun testing over at SWR.

 

[py_megapixel]

The 319s are going from Northern, and the much nicer and more modern 323s will replace them, rather than the other way round. And they have that awesome sound!

 

[squizzler]

The zombie franchise structure from the 1990's re-privatisation finally got a stake driven through its heart.
The reform of the increasingly crufty BR era fares and reservations system will be next.
Oh yes, and a little project called HS2 began construction in earnest.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Yes HS2 starting is a biggie

 

[yorksrob]

There's a nice station building going up at Castleford, after about thirty years of having a glorified bus shelter !

 

[Dr Hoo]

Horden station opening.

Does the Trafford Park Manchester Metrolink extension count or is this thread 'National Rail' only?"

 

[EcsWhyZee]

Horden station opening.

Does the Trafford Park Manchester Metrolink extension count or is this thread 'National Rail' only?"

I think we can expand out to anything steel railed!

 

[YorksLad12]

P0 and the rebuilding of P1 at Leeds are progressing. The revamped main/southern concourse works were completed (late, but it looks good).

 

[83A]

East West Rail is progressing!

 

[InOban]

The stunning new frontage to Glasgow Queen Street High level.

 

[GLC]

Electrification to East Kilbride starting, albeit still at a very early stage has been a long time coming (nearly 60 years since the neighbouring Cathcart line was done but I’ll take it!). And in a similar vein, the Scottish Government’s published plans to decarbonise the rest of the network in Scotland

 

[johntea]

There's a nice station building going up at Castleford, after about thirty years of having a glorified bus shelter !

Steady on, they might open P2 next!

 

[BigB]

From adversity, some great shows of teamwork have been shown. Rebuilding the track and wires to get the Glasgow - Edinburgh main line back running whilst there was a lot of other work ongoing in Scotland stretched Network Rail and their contractors.

 

[Halish Railway]

A significant number of train fleets will have finally become fully accessible and refurbished, especially on Northern.

Also on the topic of Northern, all of the 144s, 321s & 322s have absconded.

 

[yorksrob]

Steady on, they might open P2 next!

Fingers Crossed !

 

[jfowkes]

Work has started (or will start shortly?) on the new station at Soham, to be opened in late 2021 hopefully.

 

[SussexLad]

Hmm - helped by a vast drop in passenger and train numbers! An emptier system is a more punctual one.

Its still a positive and shows how a focus on extra capacity improves resilience and punctuality (not that it really needed proving in my honest opinion).

Another one is the infamous third train on the North downs line is finally running (at selected times)

 

[Old Rugelian]

... the opening of Worcester Parkway ...

The new station is named, of course, Worcestershire Parkway (the opposite of the Stafford Knot which is sometimes inaccurately given the name of the county).

IHTH

 

[BigCj34]

The new station is named, of course, Worcestershire Parkway (the opposite of the Stafford Knot which is sometimes inaccurately given the name of the county).

IHTH

Like North York Moors and North Yorkshire Moors Railway? Might need a spinoff thread for this...

 

[Penmorfa]

The Conwy Valley line has reopened (again)

 

[davetheguard]

work has started on Gatwick Airport and also on Bristol TM

What's happening at Temple Meads?