Railwatch

Published by Railfuture

Railwatch is the quarterly magazine of Railfuture, which is free to members.


Non-members can subscribe to Railwatch, receiving it by post.

Subscribe

Railwatch 076 - July 1998

Yorkshire

By Peter G Davies

Thank you James Fifty members of the Yorkshire branch attended the annual general meeting and luncheon at the Queens Hotel, Leeds, on 21 March. A presentation of a framed photograph of a steam train crossing Ribblehead Viaduct was made to our retiring chairman, James Towler, after over 10 years as chairman. Happily, James will remain as branch president and a national vice president. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking James for his very hard work in the interests of rail users over many years. I have now taken over the duties of chairman. It will be a very hard act to follow.

Communications There would appear to be a lack of contact between the various railway companies following a recent experience on a return journey by Great Northern and Eastern Railway from Newcastle to York. Two of my colleagues were returning to Selby, and the senior conductor was requested to advise the station staff at York that they wished to make the connection. The response was that the senior conductor could do nothing as it was a different railway company. This matter is currently being dealt with as a complaint to GNER and the Rail Regulator.

Return fares A large discrepancy exists in the return rail fares between Leeds and Glasgow. An enquiry for the return fare quoted £52 via Newcastle and Edinburgh using a standard Saver Ticket. The return fare via Settle and Carlisle is £34 and is in the fare manual, but it is not on the computer so passengers are not told of the much cheaper fare. We will be following this up.

Northern SpiritRegional Railways North East which is owned by MTL relaunched itself as Northern Spirit in May with new liveries and, according to managing director Paul Davison, a "new culture". It is, however, disappointing that the 16 new electric trains for the Airedale and Wharfedale lines will not be built in Britain. Delivery is expected in December 2000.

Punctuality For the first quarter of this year punctuality has been poor, and overcrowding has been a problem on most services operated by Regional Railways North East. We are looking for more innovative ideas and a general improvement in services.

Diary date The next branch meeting is at 14.00 on Saturday, l9 September, at New North Road Baptist Church, Huddersfield (10-minute walk from Huddersfield Station).

Note: contact details (postal and email addresses, along with telephone numbers) in old editions of Railwatch out of date. Click CONTACT US for latest contact details.


[Issue 76 Index]

[Railwatch Home] [Prev Issue (75)] [Railwatch Issues] [RIS Progress Reports] [SRUBLUK Progress Reports] [Next Issue (77)] [Railfuture Home]


Rail users are encouraged to join Railfuture to help us campaign for a bigger and better railway - membership for individuals is just £20 per year

Railfuture is an independent, voluntary group representing rail users in Britain with 20,000 affiliated and individual members. It is not funded by train companies, political parties or trade unions, and all members have an equal say.

Railfuture campaigns for cheap and convenient rail services for everyone; better links for buses, bikes and pedestrians; policies to get more heavy lorries on to rail; new lines, stations and freight terminals. In short, a better rail service and a bigger rail system for both passengers and freight.

Railfuture is pro-rail but not anti-road or anti-air. However, we campaign for a switch from road and air to rail. We do not interfere in the running of the railway - we campaign for the quality and range of services provided, not how they are delivered. We are the only champion of all rail users.


Railfuture is the campaigning name of Railfuture Ltd.

A not-for-profit Company Limited by Guarantee.

Registered in England and Wales No. 05011634.

Registered Office: Edinburgh House, 1-5 Bellevue Road, Clevedon, North Somerset BS21 7NP (for legal correspondence only).

All other correspondence to 14 Ghent Field Circle, Thurston, Suffolk IP31 3UP


© Copyright Railfuture Ltd 2024.

Railfuture is happy for extracts to be used by journalists, researchers and students. We would, however, appreciate a mention of Railfuture in any article, website or programme. Except with Railfuture's express written permission, no one should distribute or commercially exploit the content.


Privacy Statement

Click Privacy to read Railfuture's GDPR statement on how we treat your data.

08.03.2024

This site does not use its own cookies, although Google Analytics does. Hosted by TSO Host (cPanel) and maintained for Railfuture by Billing Specialists Ltd.