Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

THE BAD, THE GOOD AND THE UGLY 2020 ( This was the year in which the franchise failed, a replacement was appointed, new and refurbished rolling stock was introduced, but the global pandemic raised its head, causing all manner of problems for the industry ). January On New Year’s Day trains were operating a service to a reduced timetable. Noted on a York to Blackpool North service was 195:109. Other workings on this trans-Pennine route were in the hands of Class 158 units. The local service was being operated by 156:485 in ‘as obtained’ livery. Although less than the retail price index, rail fares went up by on average 2·7% at the beginning of the year, which has brought protests from several quarters due to the overall poor standard of efficiency of the network as a whole, and more specifically on those groups concerned with the performance of Arriva Northern Rail. The parent company, Deutsche Bahn, had said it would not sell Arriva but instead, in May would float a ‘minority stake’ in the company. Having put it on the market it did not receive offers which went near to matching its £3·4 billions valuation (€4 billions). The only confirmed bid was of £2·1 billions from the United States based equity group Carlyle, which was less than the book value of the company. It was reported that Carlyle did not want to include the Northern Rail franchise in the deal. This comes as no surprise as the latest Transport Minister, Grant Chapps, had categorically stated he will strip Arriva of their franchise taking it back from the company unless things improve rapidly and substantially. He would have to act quickly as discontent was apparent all across the land as only 65% of all trains ran on time last year. However, the replacing of the bridge over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal during February was only a part of the £3·95 millions, to be spent on upgrading the lines through North East Lancashire. There would be further works at Gannow Junction, in Townley Tunnel and to strengthen the railway bridge over the canal at Rose Grove. This would see all trains cancelled between January 27 th and March 6 th , for the work at Rose Grove and between February 15 th and the 23 rd , for the section between Church and Rishton. Coaches replaced trains between Blackburn and Colne and Todmorden and Blackburn for the duration of these works. During Prime Minister’s Question Time in the House of Commons, when questioned about what the Government was intending to do about the performance of the Arriva Rail North, the strongest hint yet was made, that it could be stripped of its franchise within a short space of time. It had also been reported that the franchise holder was facing financial difficulties. The Prime Minister also stated, that the whole system of rail franchising was under review and was awaiting the publication of a report, before making a firm decision on this and other operators, including Trans-Pennine Express. I have to say that I was not surprised to hear of the financial problems, as on Saturday the 4 th , I travelled from Accrington to New Pudsey which is between Bradford and Leeds, and my tickets were not examined on either the outward or return journeys. They must be losing large sums of revenue through unpaid fares. It had been reported that five 195:xxx and three 1951xx units were still to be delivered to Arriva Rail North from CAF. The operator had successful applied for a dispensation to keep a large number of diesel multiple units (186 carriages in total),) in service beyond the 1 st of January, despite the fact they did not comply with the latest accessibility legislation. This was regardless of the fact that notice had been given some four years previously that this was to come into force at the end of 2019. Of the ones still available for service, there were 24 - Class 142:xxx, 3 - Class 150:1xx, 4 - Class 150:2xx and 6 - 156:4xx. The 2020 deadlines for the 142s to be out of service was now May 30 th , for the 150s it was September 30 th , and for the 156s December 31 st . There was also a stay of execution for 20 - 153:xxx units until the end of 2020, but these were not normally seen working on the East Lancs Line and are tagged on to other units only in exceptional circumstances. It had been revealed by the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Chapps, had been working on a plan to strip Arriva Rail North of their franchise since October, 2019. This plan would see the terms of the

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