From The RM Archives
Find out what The RM was reporting 20, 50 and 100 years ago.
YEARS AGO
MAY 1920
First aid equipment on trains
PROVISION of first-aid equipment on trains is recommended by Colonel Pringle in his report to the Ministry of Transport on the collision between a passenger train and goods train near Godley, on the Great Central Railway, on January 31.
Col Pringle said: “The addition of a small box of dressings to the emergency equipment carried on passenger trains, where not now so provided, is therefore desirable.”
Margate miniature line
A MINIATURE railway (15-in. gauge) is being laid down in the amusement ground at Hall-by-the-Sea, Margate. The railway has several interesting features, including a five-span Warren truss viaduct, 85ft line as well as several other bridges over and under the line.
YEARS AGO
MAY 1970
Southampton container traffic
WITH the development of Southampton as the country’s major container port it is estimated that within the next ten years the number of such trains moving in and out of the docks will average more than forty a day.
Minehead branch going
AGREEMENT has been given by the Minister of Transport to the proposal by British Railways Western Region, to withdraw the passenger service between Taunton and Minehead. Subject to the provision of certain additional bus services in the area.
Towers toppled
THE 100 ft. high coaling tower at York motive power depot, Eastern Region, was demolished by low-explosive charges on March 22. Built in 1932 to coincide with the Gresley Pacific era, it had four chutes and a bunker capacity of 500 tons.
YEARS AGO
MAY 2000
Dinosaur livery
ISLAND Line, operator of the franchise for the Isle of Wight, has adopted the oddest livery so far seen on Britain’s privatised railway system.
The TOC is outshopping five of its six Class 483 sets in an extraordinary ‘dinosaur’ colour scheme, using huge bodyside decals.
Railtrack unveils £52bn enhancement scheme
RAILTRACK’S 2000 Network Management Statement is offering to spend up to £52bn on a ‘menu’ of projects over 12 years. The main options in addition to already-announced schemes (WCML, ECML and GWML upgrades, ‘CrossRail‘, ‘Thameslink 2000‘) include:
■ Possible creation of a low-level station under Birmingham New St
■ Creation of split-level GW and CrossCountry routes at Reading
■ Platform and gauge extensions for SWT double-deck trains
■ Possible electrification of Uckfield and Ashford-Hastings lines
■ Flyovers at Didcot, Wootton Bassett, Shortlands and Croydon
■ Development of proposal for reopening Matlock-Buxton route
Eurostar on ECML
WHAT is almost certainly the most intensive high-speed train service ever operated on the ECML will see more than 25,000 extra seats added for the summer timetable when ex-Eurostar Class 373/2s enter service.
Nine additional trains on Mondays to Fridays between King’s Cross and York will be formed of 14-coach trains, leased from Eurostar UK.