Celebration Branch members joined the Railway Correspondence and Travel Society for its September meeting commemorating the 150th anniversary of the opening of Newcastle Central station. Speaking about 150 years of its operation was former BR area manager (and current RDS branch treasurer) Dick Taylor.
Future hopes "Franchise Replacement: What’s in it for the North?" was the subject of the October meeting in Middlesbrough with speaker Paul Salveson from TR&IN.
Liaison Our regular meetings with David Bishop, Northern Spirit’s general manager for north-east services, continued in August when we shared views about rail services in the region. Similar contact with the north-east Rail Passengers Committee is being sought.
Franchise hopes Branch officers were invited to presentations by Arriva in relation to their bid for the TransPennine franchise. Arriva’s proposals were welcomed and they were receptive to our comments. Perhaps all would-be franchise operators should be obliged to consult rail user groups! A meeting with colleagues from the North-West and Yorkshire branches is being sought to discuss the proposed Northern services franchise.
Service developments The winter national rail timetable is not the most exciting publication but the services on some winter Sundays between Whitby and Middlesbrough on the Esk Valley line are welcome and there is good evidence of progress in constructing the extension of the Tyneside Metro to Wearside ("Sunderland Direct").
New station Northumberland County Council has spent £4,000 on the Belford station feasibility study. Apparently, the cost of the platform would be £50,000. Northern Spirit is reported as having agreed to use it.
New campaign Concerned about the lack of rail freight facilities in the Tyne and Wear area (except for the Port of Tyne itself) the branch is considering a new campaign. A survey of business in the area is a likely first step.
You can e-mail Railwatch editor Ray King or e-mail Deltic Computers with comments about the Railwatch Web pages
for all your IT needs