Bishopstone
Established Member
Here in East Sussex....
Stagecoach won the mega Thameslink/Southern/GN contract from incumbents Govia and First.
The 313s have recently been retired from Coastway duties, displaced by refurbished 377s or 455s moved down from the London area following a new build of (3rd rail) suburban EMUs.
Gross overcrowding on the Marshlink and Uckfield lines has forced the hand of the DfT, who agreed a quick programme of 3rd rail electrification to fill in the gaps. Both lines are now in the hands of 377s. The Uckfield line is in the process of being re-doubled, after funding to re-open Uckfield-Lewes was finally granted.
The Bluebell Railway has collected enough donations to proceed with their Ardingly branch extension, but is riven with strife after controversial proposals were tabled to electrify the branch (3rd rail) for the use of preserved EMUs.
New-build stock has replaced the 442s on the Gatwick Express, and with no further interest in the 'Pigs', they have been cut-up.
The North Downs Line - now electrified (3rd rail) - serves Gatwick half-hourly, with the Redhill terminators extended.
The enhanced Thameslink service suffered a period of chronic unreliability after 2018, leading to near-revolt amongst commuters, but is now settling down.
First Class has been withdrawn from a number of routes across Surrey/Sussex: notably East Grinstead, all Coastway local services, and Reigate/Tonbridge/Horsham to London semi-fasts. Elsewhere, Stagecoach have made efforts to better differentiate and market the First Class service.
The railway re-opening campaigners have moved on from Uckfield-Lewes, and are now eyeing-up Guildford-Cranleigh.
Island Line is in the process of conversion to tram operation.
Stagecoach won the mega Thameslink/Southern/GN contract from incumbents Govia and First.
The 313s have recently been retired from Coastway duties, displaced by refurbished 377s or 455s moved down from the London area following a new build of (3rd rail) suburban EMUs.
Gross overcrowding on the Marshlink and Uckfield lines has forced the hand of the DfT, who agreed a quick programme of 3rd rail electrification to fill in the gaps. Both lines are now in the hands of 377s. The Uckfield line is in the process of being re-doubled, after funding to re-open Uckfield-Lewes was finally granted.
The Bluebell Railway has collected enough donations to proceed with their Ardingly branch extension, but is riven with strife after controversial proposals were tabled to electrify the branch (3rd rail) for the use of preserved EMUs.
New-build stock has replaced the 442s on the Gatwick Express, and with no further interest in the 'Pigs', they have been cut-up.
The North Downs Line - now electrified (3rd rail) - serves Gatwick half-hourly, with the Redhill terminators extended.
The enhanced Thameslink service suffered a period of chronic unreliability after 2018, leading to near-revolt amongst commuters, but is now settling down.
First Class has been withdrawn from a number of routes across Surrey/Sussex: notably East Grinstead, all Coastway local services, and Reigate/Tonbridge/Horsham to London semi-fasts. Elsewhere, Stagecoach have made efforts to better differentiate and market the First Class service.
The railway re-opening campaigners have moved on from Uckfield-Lewes, and are now eyeing-up Guildford-Cranleigh.
Island Line is in the process of conversion to tram operation.