Chris Howe - Rail Focus @EngFocus Twitter profile

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

28 days

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

9 months

People seemingly only now realising the cost that has been imposed by a small but vocal group of people who made it their mission to make the construction of HS2 as difficult as possible. Not to mention the cost of legal battles and additional security to keep workers safe.

Tom Harwood

@tomhfh

9 months

Tell me this isn't the most frustrating thing you've ever seen. We're burying most of this train line for literally no reason at all. Ballooning costs, just so people don't have to look at a train in a flat field.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

19 days

'Just bury cables at sea', noone would possibly oppose that....... 'Chaos' feared in planned Morocco power cable link

'Chaos' feared over planned Morocco to Devon power cable link - BBC News

The project would bring cables ashore in north Devon, connecting with a solar and wind farm in Morocco.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

Comments on yesterday's video "it's not too late to cancel HS2" we can just leave half built structures all over the place 🤦🙄

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

Ah yes the "emergency vehicle" argument. 🤷

The New Statesman

@NewStatesman

1 year

If cars and trucks are banished from the pedestrian village, how are medics in ambulances to get to victims of heart attacks? How are the infirm elderly to be taken by relatives and friends to medical appointments?

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

2 months

I'll say one thing, I've never seen so much support for building HS2! It's almost like the penny has finally dropped. Now only if Labour would realise how vital Phase 2a is!

Louise Haigh

@LouHaigh

2 months

The Tories recklessly mismanaged HS2 and allowed the costs to spiral out of control. This report lays bare the sheer scale of Conservative incompetence. We won’t make the same mistakes. We’re assessing the books and will set out next steps in due course.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

I do find #EWR opposition a little bit funny, after all the years people saying re-open existing lines, upgrade existing lines or they only oppose #HS2 because of the speed. Turns out people in the UK just hate new infrastructure.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

6 months

The gap on platform 4 at Chester is ridiculous. I knew it was bad, but never seemed that bad when boarding a Voyager.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

12 days

Misrepresenting what was said then limiting replies. What a strawman weasel.

Andrew Gilligan

@mragilligan

17 days

Even HS2 supporters are less than convinced by today's report.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

17 days

"a steering group" are they having a laugh? We can't afford to talk about an alternative for another 5 years. There's a viable route available now, which we need to start building now. I will wait to read the report, but this isn't looking good. #HS2

RAIL magazine

@RAIL

17 days

"Doing nothing is not an option" New report claims new privately funded West Mids-Manchester rail link is possible Read More 👇

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

And we were told people opposed #HS2 because it was "high speed" or that it didn't have intermediate stations. Nope Brits just love opposing infrastructure 🤷 Campaigners rally against East West Rail route in fresh bid to get Government to cancel scheme

Campaigners rally against East West Rail route in fresh bid to throw out scheme

The letter was signed by councillors and organisations across the county

www.cambridge-news.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

2 months

If Labour says we can afford £9bn for a new road, but not £5-7bn for a transformational and nationally significant section of railway then I'm afraid I'll have lost all faith in this government already.

Phil Sturgeon (BlueSky/Threads @philsturgeon)

@philsturgeon

2 months

🚨 Rachel Reeves trying to plug a £22bn budget gap is going to slash social care and freeze your nan for a few billion but we’ve got to support £9bn for London commuters to smash a motorway through ancient woodland to “save a few minutes on their drive”.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

6 months

It's always great to see freight on rail, but can't help but feel it shouldn't be passing through one of the most constrained rail corridors in the country.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 month

I know there's an 9-5 office culture in which working through lunch is thought to be essential for continue employment. But when it comes to being responsible for the safety of hundreds of people, breaks are (rightly) tightly regulated. Just google HGV driving hours.

Marcus Walker

@WalkerMarcus

1 month

A whole group of us on a train to reach a funeral in Shropshire at 11am. An announcement has just informed us that we are being delayed because the driver needs a break. So glad they got their massive, budget-smashing, pay rise without any improvements to service.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

Why do I get the feeling TOCs simply aren't adapting to changing travel patterns? £20 each for the privilege of standing for an hour. And we wonder why people drive. @tfwrail

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

So Sunak based his decision on some spad who convinced him scrapping HS2 was a vote winner? And now they're surprised it had no effect. Sounds about right.

Steven Swinford

@Steven_Swinford

11 months

No 10 said to be 'bruised' that conference, particularly HS2, did not shift dial Tory MPs concerned King's Speech & Autumn Statement will underwhelm Economic constraints will severely limit room for manoeuvre in Autumn Statement

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

3 months

Seeing all the 701s lined is almost a bit of an embarrassment. Will they all be in service before Rail Live 2025?

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

10 months

Work starts on UK’s most expensive road project under construction £100m per mile! But building railways is too expensive 👀

Work starts on UK’s most expensive road project under construction

National Highways’ £1 billion upgrade of the A428 will transform the key route connecting Milton Keynes and Cambridge.

www.independent.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

7 months

Oxford to Cambridge railway link compared to 'failed' HS2 Do the people behind these sorts of "reports", protests and legal challenges not realise they're a big part of the problem with building anything in the UK?

Contentious Oxford to Cambridge rail link compared to 'failed' HS2

Concerns have been raised about handling of an East West Rail project consultation in Bicester which aims to connect Oxford and Cambridge.

www.oxfordmail.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

If I'm reading this correctly an inheritance tax cut would cost almost as much over 6 years as HS2 2a &b?!

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

3 years

I don't know why the railway seems to get so much flack from the press when there's disruption caused by extreme weather, but roads seem to get a free pass. Pictured is a brand new road, closed within weeks due to flooding. I think our 200 year old railway deserve some slack.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

4 months

A coupling has occurred. Seems to be a spectator sport. @AvantiWestCoast #Class805

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

Oh, FFS, trust the Daily Fail not to appreciate how things are actually constructed 🤦. Was there such utter tripe reported when the motorway network was constructed?

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

9 months

It's time for the yearly reminder that "the railways" ie the track and stations are publicly owned. Fare rises are set by Government. Timetables, routes and rolling stock dictated by Government. Northern, LNER, TPE, TfW, Scotrail & Southeastern already directly operated 1/2

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

2 months

Oh the sad irony. They never stopped #HS2 passing near to where they live. But southern HS2 opponents helped foster an atmosphere which made cancelling the northern leg easier. Now the North is left with the mess created by HS2 opponents.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

8 months

"Rail services worse after Northern Powerhouse plan - mayor" Northern Hub, ❌ cancelled HS2 phase 2, ❌ cancelled NPR, ❌ Cancelled It's almost like the Tories don't give a damn about the North.

Rail services worse after Northern Powerhouse plan - mayor - BBC News

Andy Burnham says services are poorer than in 2014 as transport chiefs defend investment in the region.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

@Peston @kitchentowel Please tell me you're not going to swallow the "re-allocation of funds" line. You know that's not how infrastructure spending works and there are no shovel ready projects to "re-allocate funds" too. If he says it will be "re-allocated" to TRU, that will be a lie!

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

24 days

A car park is part of the "war on motorists". That's an interesting take 😶

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

GWR's Class 230 battery train on display at #RailLive2023 .

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

6 months

New Staffordshire-Manchester rail line proposed A new line is needed between Handsacre and Manchester, who could've predicted that?! #HS2

New Staffordshire-Manchester rail line proposed - BBC News

The proposed line is the preferred option to improve connection between the West Midlands and north.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

8 months

Needless to say I really dislike this plan. Just build was already flipping planned and stop wasting time, energy and money. HS2 phase 2 is the best way to connect Manchester and Birmingham and is the most likely way NPR would be delivered

Mayors in talks to bring HS2’s northern leg back to life

Tory Andy Street and Labour’s Andy Burnham to discuss private sector plan to pay for project with transport secretary

www.independent.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

9 months

Imagine being a lover of the Channel Tunnel and CTRL, but being a vocal opponent domestic HSR which would benefit the North of the UK. Bizarre 🤔

Christian Wolmar

@christianwolmar

9 months

My Guardian article about the Channel Tunnel

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

Has @AndyBurnhamGM been told by Labour to tone it down regarding HS2? I find it strange that he's peddling Tory nonsense about "freed up money". He knows full well the Tories have no interest in providing £12bn for a new line between Liverpool & Manchester

There is 'opportunity' in the wake of HS2 scrapping, says Andy Burnham

The mayor for Greater Manchester spoke out at the recent GMCA meeting

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

This is really important. If Manchester is served by only by HS2 3 trains per hour, that are only 200m long, this will actually deliver a reduction in seating capacity vs what Manchester has today! @MENnewsdesk @RishiSunak #HS2 #CPC23 #CPC2023 1/2

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 month

This is deeply concerning. Someone who was effectively working for the Government should not be involving themselves in internal employment matters of private companies and certainly not making threats to withhold contracts. 1/2

Gareth Dennis

@GarethDennis

1 month

In May this year, @LordPeterHendy pressured my now-former employer @SYSTRA_UKIRL to sack me by threatening them. Why did he do this? Because I'd highlighted safety and accessibility issues at Euston station. He is unfit for office and should resign.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

Ah yes, "rail enthusiast" has come to mean anyone who thinks the nation should have a great railway' network instead of supporting yet more car dependence.

Cambridge Approaches

@CambApproaches

11 months

@EngFocus We don’t oppose all new infrastructure. The business case for the Bedford to Cambridge section of EWR is dreadful. £4million per Cambridge commuter. I wish rail enthusiasts would consider taxpayer value for money occasionally.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

Rishi getting desperate. Is cancelling CapEx to fund OpEx really the sign of a "great nation"?

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

DMU shortage just gets worse and worse. There's no rolling stock strategy in this country, and the situation isn't helped by the Government promising large scale electrification then pulling the plug instead relying on "technology", leaving TOCs and ROSCOs in limbo.

Paul Clifton

@PaulCliftonBBC

1 year

Services on @SW_Help West of England line under restricted emergency timetable "until further notice" because biodiesel is clogging fuel pipes and filters on most of the Class 158/9 trains at Salisbury depot. Engineering director Neil Drury explains:

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

2 years

£9bn for 14 miles of road, yet supposed greens with 🍃🍃🍃 by their names are outraged by an electric railway

£9bn tunnel link 'billions over budget'

A bid to build the country's longest road tunnel and ease congestion on the Dartford Crossing has been accepted for review despite budgetary concerns.

www.kentonline.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

What ever people's thoughts on HS2 are, surely they can see that scrapping the section to Manchester is an insult to the North. Without #HS2 to Manchester we can forget about Northern Powerhouse Railway and any hope of improved links to Scotland.

Steven Swinford

@Steven_Swinford

1 year

EXCLUSIVE: Rishi Sunak warned by David Cameron and Boris Johnson not to drop second leg of HS2 to Manchester Johnson tells Times that pushing ahead with a 'mutilated' line would be 'insanity' Michael Gove also opposed

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

2 years

Why don't people use buses 🤔 ❌ No timetable on bus stop ❌ Difficult to read displays on buses ❌ Grumpy bus driver when I stopped wrong bus ❌ £5.50 return 3 mile journey ✅ USB charging points ✅ Bus driver of correct bus was friendly enough. Still not a great experience

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

"environmentalists": if #HS2 were slower it could avoid woodlands. Reality: here's a 50mph road not avoiding woodlands

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

If only there was an alternative route that didn't leave passengers from the North stranded 🤔

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

HS2 being scrapped means fewer trains and higher rail prices, experts warn

Scrapping HS2 to Manchester will mean higher rail fares and fewer trains running, experts warn

The move will mean the new fleet of HS2 trains currently on order will only be able to reach their 225mph capacity for a maximum of 50 minutes

inews.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

25 days

Colne Valley Viaduct Very last segment! #HS2

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

10 months

Train to Liverpool is absolutely packed! But no one's.......

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

It's funny, the Tories are trying to make HS2 politically toxic, by using this "reallocation of funds" lie (us vs them). But in fact people seem to finally be realising what HS2 was for and actually building it was/is a good idea.

Department for Transport

@transportgovuk

1 year

We're taking action to help people with the cost of living. Redirecting funding from HS2 means we can extend the £2 bus fare cap on single journeys in England until 31 December 2024, helping millions more passengers get out and about for less. #GetAroundForTwoPounds

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

7 months

Everything must look like it did in the 1800s, regardless of cost, timescale and CO2 impact 🙄

createstreets

@createstreets

7 months

What railway bridge would you rather was built near you? This is what the British public think. And here’s why it matters if we want to #GetBritainBuilding and #CreateConsensus that transcends politics … 🧵 ⬇️

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

I'm not going to say it ..........

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 month

Transport experts write to transport secretary demanding #HS2 be completed from Euston to Crewe

Transport experts write to transport secretary demanding HS2 be completed from Euston to Crewe

The open letter, titled Fix the Spine: Elevate the present, leave room for the future is calling for...

www.newcivilengineer.com

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

3 months

Shock horror, less capacity = more expensive fares. Who knew.........

Ben Gartside

@BenGartside

3 months

Scoop: HS2 cancellation will mean fares increase between London and the north to reduce travellers amid capacity problems. There will be 8% fewer seats on future trains after the high-speed line was scrapped, and prices are set to go up to reduce demand

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

8 months

Hadn't realised @tfwrail will be operating 5 car cl197s from Holyhead to Cardiff. Great to see extra capacity finally being delivered.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

5 months

Trainbows!! @EastMidRailway Class 158 and @AvantiWestCoast Class 390 at Manchester Piccadilly 🌈❤️

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

10 months

"The facts have changed", yet increasing numbers of people are using rail. 26.6m passengers used Avant last year despite the poor level of service and industrial action.

RIA

@railindustry

11 months

Hugely encouraging figures from the Great British Railways Transition Team published today show that an upturn in leisure travel has boosted quarterly rail revenue by £295 million - further evidence that customers are returning in a big way.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

2 months

"Transport for Liverpool City Region", catchy 🤔

Merseytravel to become Transport for Liverpool City Region

The Merseytravel network is to change its name for the first time in almost four decades.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

5 months

Oh geez 😬, I think I prefer the old livery

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

The Green (Tory) Party wanting to cancel construction of an electric railway whilst it's under construction? Couldn't make it up.

Leicester Green Party

@LeicsGreenParty

11 months

Every week brings a fresh HS2 scandal. It’s time to shut it down – all of it | Simon Jenkins | The Guardian #HS2 #scandal

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

7 months

So the Tories in a bid to prove 'they're good with finances' have cancelled spending which wasn't expected to kick in until 2027, on a transformational project. And instead are going to spend money next year on random ad hoc projects with no BCR calculations? #HS2 1/2

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

9 months

Rails! It's getting close now. Could be hope for a late 2024 opening? Perhaps a little ambitious

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 month

Well, at least he's calling it a bus 👀

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

6 months

What? Can they legally enforce penalty fares if you have a valid ticket? I'm sure I've been allowed through Lime St underground with an e-ticket

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

👀

Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

I do find #EWR opposition a little bit funny, after all the years people saying re-open existing lines, upgrade existing lines or they only oppose #HS2 because of the speed. Turns out people in the UK just hate new infrastructure.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

Bridge 👀

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

3 months

'Plans for new train services between London and Manchester' This actually seems like a sensible idea, but I have to wonder where the spare capacity into Piccadilly is coming from?

Plans for new train services between London and Manchester

Operator London Northwestern Railway is seeking permission to extend its existing services which run between the capital and Crewe

www.standard.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

23 days

'The decision on how employee conduct is handled is a matter for Systra'. So why did Hendy feel it was appropriate to make threats to Systra when he was unsatisfied with their initial action. People arguing Euston is safe are glossing over Hendy's inappropriate actions.

Gareth Dennis

@GarethDennis

24 days

Ah, I see @NetworkRail has released a new, more bullish statement about the Hendy situation. If I was trying to make the Euston situation look like a cover-up (whether it is or not), I couldn't do a better job than this.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

18 days

Failures of #HS2 are all political, say engineers

Failures of HS2 are all political, say engineers

A study of lessons to be learned from the cancellation of the northern legs of HS2 says that politicians are to blame for the spiralling costs, not engineers or the construction industry.

www.theconstructionindex.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

6 months

This is a little bit of good news for beleaguered XC. The only real issue, other than diesel under the wires, is the inability of 5 car sets to work in multiple. So will have to ensure 8 car formations stay on the busiest routes

RAIL EXPRESS

@railexpress

6 months

It’s now 12 additional @AlstomUK 221/1s for @CrossCountryUK , instead of the previously confirmed seven. They are coming from @AvantiWestCoast as @HitachiRailENG 80x fleets enter traffic.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

10 months

Be interesting to see if the Woodland Trust continues to effectively give LTC a free pass whilst spending considerable time and money opposing an electric railway 🤔 'Lower Thames Crossing: Trees along planned route are ancient woodland'

Lower Thames Crossing: Trees along planned route are ancient woodland - BBC News

Campaigners renew calls for the project to be scrapped as part of the planned route is redesignated.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

Everyone's working from home, so we don't need to invest in rail infrastructure. Meanwhile there are still 28 flights from Glasgow Airport to London airports a day! #NetworkNorth completely fails Scotland and the @theSNP @ScottishLabour should be furious. #HS2 #SunaksFolly

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

6 months

New mile-long dual carriageway will cost £147m But new building roads is apparently cheaper than building new railways.......

New mile-long dual carriageway in Aylesbury will cost £147m - BBC News

The council leader says it will help clear congestion and "is of massive importance".

www.bbc.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

9 months

Opponents so blinded by HS2 opposite they're throwing weight behind Stafford bypass, even though it is basically Phase 2a. We should just rename Phase 2a to Stafford bypass, maybe it'd gain more support then 🙄.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

Given Curzon St will only be served by 3tph it's difficult to see how 7 platforms can be justified, but the first sections of approach are just about to be poured, so it's too late to stop now. So the only thing Sunak can re-scope is perhaps the roof. #HS2 #SunaksFolly

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

"no blank cheque" but £2.3bn for 4.3km of road. 🤔

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

5 years

Having worn PPE on occasions I feel for the 10k+ engineers working on the railway wearing full PPE in 25°C heat, whilst people take to twitter to attack Network Rail for closing the railway. Spare a tbought for those working hard for our benefit.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

25 days

Feeling almost sad after following Dominique for 2 years. I don't think I'll see anything again like this in the UK in my lifetime. It really is an impressive piece of kit. #HS2

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

3 months

Excellent news, a clear sign that Labour will be forging ahead with rail reform.

Department for Transport

@transportgovuk

3 months

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE @LordPeterHendy has been appointed Minister of State in the Department for Transport.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

Workers on one of the Colne Valley Viaduct piers shows the sheer scale of the structure being built. #HS2

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

10 months

@HardHatAlex And people think weather warnings are a joke, yet decided to go out unprepared anyway.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

2 years

A 30 year old train apparently better than brand new units? 🤔

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

There are a lot of units here. Ridiculous that they're still not in service.

Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

So all of SWR's 701s are at Long Marston then 😬

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

21 days

Yeah........ I remember now why I had to take a break from engaging with HS2 opponents.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

2 years

We don't more capacity on the WCML, say man traveling on the WCML 🧐

Iolo Williams

@IoloWilliams2

2 years

3rd time in 5 months I’ve travelled to London by train. 3rd time I’ve had to do this. We don’t need HS2, we need proper investment in the current rail network. Thank you @AvantiWestCost

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

19 days

@robertwoolley And we wonder why it is so difficult to build the infrastructure we need. One campaign is busy fighting new pylons, saying we should bury cables, while I'm certain a campaign will shortly be established to fight this buried cable 🤦

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

The porous tunnel portal under construction at the southern end of the Chiltern tunnel. The portal will reduce the sound created by the ‘piston effect’ of the trains moving through the tunnel. #HS2

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

So @RishiSunak is going to build around half #HS2 phase 2b, the most expensive bit (tunnel under Manchester) and new Piccadilly station platforms for 3 or 4 trains per hour? I'll believe that when I see it! #NetworkNorth

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

Whether you're opposed, indifferent or supportive of #HS2 a PM taking a unilateral decision which goes against a project that has had Parliamentary support for a decade should be concerning and deserves scrutiny.

Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

Petition. Keep compulsory purchased land for #HS2 to Manchester.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 year

The proposed service diagrams for each phase really does highlight how absurd it would be if #HS2 were only built between Old Oak Common and Birmingham. I just don't think people realise how for and wide the benefits of HS2 would be spread if built to Manchester.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

9 months

@Penmcgregor There's a difference between genuine local concerns and the well funded campaign against HS2, backed by cash from local authorities. I know there are many factors, but tunneling in open countryside, litigation, and protesters have added to the cost.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

It's amazing how many "retired train drivers" oppose HS2 and always assert themselves as pre-eminent experts, even when they don't seem to know the WCML is largely 4 tracked already 👀.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

6 months

I do rather like the approach into Manchester

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

6 months

Can someone please add a community note. The lies and misinformation are getting out of hand. Even the most staunch critics of HS2 must be able to see this as well.

Huw Merriman

@HuwMerriman

6 months

The upgrade is just one of hundreds we’re delivering as part of our Network North plan, made possible by reallocated HS2 funding – delivering further upgrades on this vital line, including electrification, to cut journey times and improve capacity.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

5 months

It's so sad seeing Class 175s moving around to go into storage. Especially considering there are tired 15Xs rattling around on the Northern network. I'm fairly sure they were reasonably reliable, but TfW and CAF took their eyes off the ball with maintenance.

Cuckoo About TRAINS

@CuckooTrains

5 months

Ex @tfwrail 175110 & 175011 head past Little Downham with 5Q46 1117 Crewe South Yard to Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings for storage. 09/05/24

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

2 years

⚠️ Latest video⚠️ which is the final part of the #HS2 "What, Where Why?" mini series and this episode is simply called "Why HS2" and will hopefully explain why it is we need to build a new railway line. Featuring @GarethDennis

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

4 months

Excellent news. Quite surprising that a relatively small order was all that is needed to save Litchurch Lane, before construction of the HS2 sets begins. What about Newton Aycliffe though?

Alstom

@Alstom

4 months

We're proud to announce that we've signed a €430 million contract for 10 Aventra trains with associated maintenance for @TFl 's #ElizabethLine and the trains will be manufactured at Alstom’s UK facility in Derby. Read more:

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

7 months

Still a lot of 2 car trains working on the TfW network, but hopefully that will change this year, with 3-car being the minimum 🤞

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

11 months

New map shows how East West Rail would connect Cambridge to other UK cities This shows the real transformational benefit of EWR.

New map shows how East West Rail would connect Cambridge to other UK cities

East West Rail will connect with five key railway arteries

www.cambridge-news.co.uk

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

2 years

Look at the current Avanti calling pattern, Can't believe Nuneaton isn't served at all, and Rugby and Stafford's single stop per hour is poor. This is why we need HS2. MK will benefit too.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

9 months

Labour could revive HS2 northern legs after government fails to sell off land

Sources say land bought for train route north of Birmingham unlikely to be sold before polls – paving way for project’s revival

www.theguardian.com

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

8 months

Spending a lot of money to facilitate tunneling to Euston without knowing if it'll reach Euston 😬. Sunak is bonkers.

Tom Edwards

@BBCTomEdwards

8 months

Engineers at Old Oak Common say it’s “crucial” the line goes all the way to Euston. Building has been paused at Euston, talks ongoing over private funding for the Euston tunnel & station. Today a Euston supply tunnel was finished …

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

1 month

@christianwolmar This sends a bad message that railway employers should not raise valid safety concerns. And that Government employees have the right to dictate who private companies should hire and fire. Arms length or not Network Rail is a Government company. Questions should be asked.

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Chris Howe - Rail Focus

@EngFocus

2 years

What a tiresome day trying to explain some basic construction realities to people. I remember now why I gave up trying to talk to HS2 opponents. These days I just have to hit mute for the sake of my mental health.

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