‘CITY BEAMS’ ENTER SERVICE:

The first Class 707s started work with Southeastern on September

27, with Nos. 707009+707010 working the first diagram and pictured at Petts Wood that day with the 11.11 Cannon Street to Orpington. SE is getting 30 five-car sets displaced from South Western Railway by new Class 701s, and it will use them on routes from London to Dartford, Hayes and Sevenoaks. The ‘707s’ have been called ‘City Beams’ by SE, and the full fleet is due to be in service by spring 2022. DAVID STAINES

STOP PRESS: The Government is to take over running of London & South Eastern Railway (trading as Southeastern) services as operator of last resort from October 17. This was said to follow an investigation that found more than £25m of taxpayer money was not declared by LSER, amounting to a breach of the franchise agreement. Southeastern is owned by Govia, a joint venture between Go-Ahead Group and Keolis. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that passengers will see no changes to fares, tickets or services.