An historic rail service run entirely by women marks International Women’s Day, plus could you be a signaller? If so, Network Rail needs you. Here’s this week’s news round-up:
Historic rail service marks International Women’s Day
Network Rail is celebrating International Women’s Day by launching the first ever rail service run entirely by women.
The service between London Victoria and Faversham marks the first time in British history, a passenger service will be operated and managed exclusively by female rail staff from start to finish – from the depot, to the train driver to the signallers along the route. Read the full story.
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Berwick-upon-Tweed station vandalism halts services
Trains were not stopping at Berwick-upon-Tweed station on the East Coast Main Line following vandalism to the building.
Pictures showed a police presence at the scene, with the front of the building cordoned off and a large amount of broken glass on the pavement outside. Read the full story.
Could you be signaller? Network Rail needs you
Network Rail is appealing to people in Yorkshire and the North East to join them as a railway signaller.
A signaller recruitment event is taking place on Saturday, 14 March at the Rail Operating Centre in York, with a host of Network Rail signallers, managers and staff attending to offer advice, answer any questions and show people some of the operational workstations which control the signalling systems on the railway. Read the full story.
Protestors demand government keep Northern Rail under public control
Rail passenger groups and union leaders are staging protests today, calling for the Government to keep Northern Rail under public control.
The northern franchise was taken away from Arriva Rail North on Sunday after months of complaints about poor service and commuter chaos. Read the full story.
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Service updates this weekend:
Great Northern
- No trains at Potters Bar.
Island Line
- Reduced Island Line service today.
Northern
- Disruption between Leeds and Goole until at least the end of the day on Saturday 14 March.
ScotRail
- Partial closure between Kilmarnock and Carlisle until Monday 16 March.
South Western Railway
- Buses replace trains between Salisbury and Romsey until Thursday 30 April.
- Disruption through Eastleigh until further notice.
Southern
- Line closed between Lingfield and East Grinstead until Monday 30 March. Read about this disruption.
- Disruption through Eastleigh until further notice.
- Partial closure between Redhill and Tonbridge until Tuesday 31 March.
Thameslink
- Line closed between Lingfield and East Grinstead until Monday 30 March.
Transport for Wales
Buses replace trains between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno Junction until further notice.
London Overground
Network Rail is carrying out work which will affect the following London Overground services.
On Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March, there will be no service between Romford and Upminster. Use local bus routes 165, 248 or 370.
On Sunday 8 March, there will be no service between South Tottenham and Barking until 12:00. Use alternative Tube routes between Seven Sisters and Walthamstow Central, and also between East Ham and Barking. Use local buses between South Tottenham and Walthamstow Queens Road. Rail replacement buses will run between Walthamstow Central and Barking.
From Monday 9 until Thursday 12 March, there will be no service between Hackney Downs and Chingford after 22:30 each evening. Use alternative Tube and local bus routes. Rail replacement buses will run between Liverpool Street and Chingford.
DLR
On Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March, westbound trains will not stop at Blackwall station. Use East India station, which is a short walk from Blackwall, or use local bus route D3. Alternatively, change at Poplar and take the train back to Blackwall, where you can exit at the eastbound platform.
