The latest issue of the TRC published
Modern Locomotives Illustrated covering the
Class 86s is now available.

See the Modern Locomotives Illustrated Website for full details and how to obtain your copy post free today.

Submissions are welcome to Modern Locomotives Illustrated and we pay a minimum reproduction fee of £15 per image used, see website for submission details and forthcoming titles.

Above: Direct Rail Services Class 57 No. 57010 ran light loco late last week to Newport Docks to pick up recently arrived Fastline Class 66/3 No. 66303. The loco had arrived from EMD in Canada at Newport Docks on board Jumbo ship, MV Daniella from the Port of Toronto. On 26 August 2008, No. 57010 hauled the new arrival as the 0Z28 14.00 Newport Docks to Carlisle as far as Crewe. It is seen passing Ponthir running rather late.
Jamie Squibbs

20 August 2008 - Dawlish News and 2008 Special Trains updated - Dawlish Sea Wall
19 August 2008 - Items for Sale postcards added- Sale
12 August 2008 - Class 43 HST powercar MTU refurbishment and re-engineering details and pictures. MTU powercars
20 March 2008 - Update to Names Encyclopedia

The Department for Transport announcedon 20 August 2008 the list of shortlisted bidders for the new South Central franchise. They are:

* NedRailways South Central Limited (NedRailways Limited)
* NXSC Trains Limited (National Express Group plc)
* Southern Railway Limited (Govia Limited)
* Southern Trains Limited (Stagecoach Group plc)

DfT has recently consulted on proposals for the franchise, which included plans to increase capacity by around 10% overall. The consultation also stated that the winner must help facilitate the East London Line Extension from 2010 and the £5.5bn Thameslink Programme, both of which will provide a significant increase in capacity in and through London, once operational.

Other proposed improvements include smartcards rolled out throughout the franchise area, safer stations, later running services, improved reliability and better environmental performance. Passenger Focus have also advised the Department on key priorities for the new franchise.

Rail Minister Tom Harris said: "We look forward to seeing strong bids from each of the competitors for this important franchise. We want passengers across the franchise area to see improvements - longer trains, safer stations and later running services. It's also vital that the winner of this franchise helps facilitate the delivery of major projects that, when complete, will substantially increase capacity on some of the busiest parts of the rail network."

Responses to the consultation, which closed on 14 August, will inform the Invitation to Tender which will be issued in the autumn. The successful bidder is expected to be announced in early summer 2009.

The franchise will commence on 20 September 2009 and is for five years and ten months (expiring in July 2015), with the final year dependent on achieving acceptable performance levels.

Last Updated: 27 Aug 2008