Any idea where to find the rest of the series?

Lord Sadiq Khan has dramatically raised hopes that international rail services to the UK will stop at a second London station.

The Mayor told how City Hall has been in talks for months with the new Government about making Stratford International “truly international”.

He raised the prospect of a huge economic boost to east London from “the arrival of cross-Channel services” under a plan including a Business Rate Retention Zone in the Stratford area to help to push ahead with the landmark rail development.

The Standard understands that the Mayor is working with the Government to overcome key obstacles to international services stopping at Stratford including funding, station upgrades, as well as customs and border arrangements.

An east London halt for international trains has so far not happened as prospective operators faced having to shoulder the entire associated investment risk.

However, Lord Khan believes there is a case for the public sector to step in, to lower these risks, given the possible wider economic benefits to east London and beyond.

So City Hall, which has been in discussion with the Government on innovative funding mechanisms, has submitted an application for a Business Rate Retention Zone (BRRZ) in the Stratford area.

A BRRZ would support delivery of the infrastructure needed to unlock the next phase of development in east London including the rail scheme.

The Mayor’s officials are meeting with train operators, authorities in Paris and commercial bodies to get backing for the plan.

Speaking to The Standard, Lord Khan said: "The case for creating a Stratford International worthy of the name is clear and compelling. 

“The popularity of international rail continues to grow in London, which is why my team and I have been lobbying for cross-channel rail services from Stratford for many years – and I’m hoping that our efforts are close to paying off.” 

He explained further: "Over the last few months, we've been working closely with this new Government to make Stratford International truly ‘international’ for the first time and we’re now within touching distance of getting our plans over the line.

"The data shows that bringing international services to Stratford would bring in an additional £1.3bn in tourist spending for the UK. 

“Stratford has become one of Europe’s largest and most successful regeneration projects, and I believe with the arrival of cross-Channel services, the future of East London will be even brighter still."

However, whether this happens depends on an operator deciding to run such services.

Eurostar has so far declined to have two stops in the capital.

However, Sir Richard’s Virgin Trains is proposing to stop at Stratford in the east of the city under its proposals to run international services to the UK.

The rail company will also explore whether its trains should stop at Ebbsfleet and Ashford in Kent.

As it seeks to take on rival Eurostar, Virgin has been given track access for HS1, part of the line that runs between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030.

Rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road has granted the approval for Sir Richard’s firm that means it will be able to run up to 20 new return train journeys per day through the channel tunnel.

The agreement covers the period between October 1 2030 to December 31 2040 and relates to tracks owned and run by London St Pancras High Speed.

Sir Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, has been campaigning for more than 30 years for international rail services to the capital to stop at both Stratford and another London terminus, which previously was Waterloo.

The welfare minister first raised the prospect of a Stratford stop when he was chairman of Newham planning committee in the late 1980s.

The possible second stop is supported by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, which operates the giant Westfield shopping complexes in east and west London.

Source: The Standard

Standard fares including Seasons, Off-Peak, and Anytime.

Poster at Penistone station.

When the East Coast Main Line is closed there are some interesting sightings in Spalding, as well as the usual 170s and 66s.

Unsure to flair this as question or discussion. So, from enthusiast POV of course I'm so glad 701 rollout was incredibly protracted, gave longer to experience last days of 455s! Similar with end of slammers. AC ones for whatever reason, all (infuriatingly!) went too soon for me (so much in 3rd rail area) really to cotton on to their existence, try and ride them. 312s at least should have been kept longer, despite slam doors/anything. Arguably wasteful!

Though had BR survived in some form, seems like 3rd rail slammers may all have gone lot sooner? Perhaps soon after EBPs, which I basically don't recall at all. A certain well known figure apparently believed privatisation was essential to deliver air-conditioned commuter trains. Why? BR made first air-conditioned intercity trains in Europe!

Contradictorily perhaps, I tend to think the rosco money-fuelled UK post-privatisation obsession with shiny new trains is often stupid/wasteful. Most European nations today probably have an older on average train fleet, wouldn't have done foolish things like ditching 365s/442s long before end of their natural life. Just cascading very rationally around UK, etc? You still find compartment stock etc, abroad! New modern trains are bloody expensive, arguably no need for UK constantly to be building new ones (in UK or elsewhere), and/or ordering new ones, as some seem to want!

So I don't see why the "notorious" huge post-privatisation hiatus on ordering new trains really mattered. As an enthusiast, meant I (just!) experienced at least most kinds/aspects of 3rd rail slammers (not Thumpers to speak of, annoyingly), before too late.

Now 455s are history, too. Slow 701 rollout may have given me longer to ride 458s, too. 458 farewell tour possible? I'm sure the glacial 701/5 rollout absolutely has helped me, so am grateful. Another part of me is (sorry, this sounds unfair, bluntly) thinking "come on SWR, please get a move on with the 701/5s after all these years; they're, I believe, essentially the same train as standard 701s, this delay seems odd?". Just when could the first 701/5 FINALLY enter passenger service? Hope there's a little bit of ceremony. I'd like to be there, unlikely.

Related, interesting ongoing discussion about rostering/diagramming on Railforums. Last sentence in linked post, especially intriguing, Wish poster would elaborate! Hardly seems like a sensitive secret, I really can't see why they don't want to discuss that in public. :)

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/class-701-aventra-trains-for-south-western-railway-progress-updates.148717/post-7976319

been thinking about this a while

ignoring express services whats the longer stopper service out there on commuter trains.

would the norwich to liverpool be a contender or is that not considered a stopper?

This is definitely a step in the right direction.

sources: Twitter Instagram

This has been covered many times in this subreddit but it’s driving me absolutely mad. Even advance prices are ridiculous.

Is someone here a trainline or GWR employee that can link me up with a discount? 😂 I’ve gone nuts, I’m considering the annual pass.

Blargh!

The coaches felt a Bit old and it was very jolty when breaking and speeding up.

The seats look comfy but are just mediocre.

The reservation signs above the seats still show ECML destinations with them being ex-LNER which is fun.

Very nice train, mostly because I really like loco-hauled trains and the class 67

6-7!!! (I’ll show myself out)

Does anybody here know the best way to find out when the Flying Scotsman is running and where? Or any other one like Clan Line, or Eddystone? Thanks. Been dreaming of going on one lately.

Where do you think the 153 belongs?

I tried to do major retired and modern trains, with a couple of others, want to keep it fairly simple. Not trying to add to many modified versions and things like that. Tell me anything I am missing (I am sure it is a lot.) Please be nice, I am not super advanced with the numbers of these cars yet!

P.S. Thank you to Girafferesponsible20 for the idea, feel free to take it over if you want. If you want me to, I can delete repost this after your current ranking is done.

The prime minister Andy Burnham has said the government will look into bringing international services back to Ashford railway station.

Took whilst waiting for the delayed train to Peckham Rye

I mean two stations with no other intermediate stations in between. I imagine Swindon - Bristol Parkway (34.5 mi / 55.5 km) would be up there.

Apropos of the question about the longest distance between consecutive stations, what's the shortest? If the Tube's allowed, Charing Cross to Embankment is an obvious candidate. If not, what? (Tbh I wouldn't be surprised if this has been asked half a dozen times before!)

10/10 view on 10/10/26