Archived News from 2009

December

General Electric 70001 visits Ipswich and Felixstowe

70001 became the first member of the class to visit Ipswich when it worked an intermodal train to Felixstowe on 03/12/09.

November

New 'Bacon Curve' Avoiding Line for Ipswich?

As part of the planned Felixstowe to Nuneaton (F2N) improvements for rail-borne containers, the construction of a long-proposed curve to connect the up GEML and the down East Suffolk line in the vicinity of Hadleigh Road bridge looks to be firmly on Network Rail’s agenda. Towards the end of the month it was revealed by the local media that Network Rail had ‘sent the design brief out for tender’ and was soon to embark on a public consultation exercise with the local authorities involved.

Felixstowe Branch Derailment

At around 12.30 on Thursday 12 November, a speeding car failed to negotiate the 90º left turn from Lindbergh Road into Cobham Road, close to the Ipswich Transport Museum, and instead ploughed through the bushes and metal fence on to the railway line. This occurred as 66558-hauled 4M89 12.06 Felixstowe to Ditton was passing and the car hit the 18th wagon towards the rear of the train. As luck had it, only one axle was derailed so the wagon remained upright after a split air-pipe brought the train to a rapid stand before too much damage - other than to some 300 metres of track - was done. Quite how the car driver survived the carnage is difficult to imagine, but he fled the scene only to be arrested later and charged with a number of offences.

The branch reopened to freight trains at c.05.00 the following morning and passenger services recommenced with the 09.27 ex Ipswich. Presumably the longer block for NXEA’s trains was designed to clear the backlog of container trains. Those trains stranded at Colchester restarted their journeys as 4Z97 08.00 and 4Z41 09.56 to Felixstowe on Friday the 13th while 4L85 was recoded 4Z85 for its 07.14 departure from Ely.

Harwich Branch Reopened Early

Good news was the reopening of the Harwich line some six days earlier than estimated following extensive reconstruction/renovation of the 5-metre high embankment at Copperas Wood near Wrabness. The condition of the embankment at this point meant there was a 10mph speed restriction in place for ¼ mile until the line was closed entirely to passenger trains from the evening of Wednesday 21 October. Freight trains were able to pass the site only over the up line at a maximum speed of 5mph. Network Rail predicted a reopening date of Monday 9 November but instead the first passenger train over the line was the 05.37 Manningtree to Harwich Town on Tuesday 3 November.

October

22/10/09 - NXEA capacity enhancements

NXEA released details of proposals to increase capacity on peak time trains running between the area and London, through increasing the number of carriages on existing services. Click here for the press release.

Harwich branch landslip sees passenger service suspended

A landslip in the Harwich area has necessitated the suspension of services on the Harwich line until remedial works have been undertaken.

August

Strike action severely reduces NXEA services

National Express East Anglia services were severely curtailed due to strikes held over five days in late July/early August. These took place on Thursdays and Fridays 30 & 31 July, 6 & 7 August and Thursday only 13 August. Drivers’ union ASLEF and other outside staff represented by the RMT declined to work on the first four dates while they were joined by white-collar union TSSA (ticket office staff, etc) on the final date. Although further strike days were planned for 14, 20 & 21 August and six days this month, these were suspended pending a vote on NXEA’s revised offer. However, the ban on Rest Day Working and overtime by Ipswich and Norwich drivers continues as a separate issue at least until mid-September so short-term cancellations due to ‘operating difficulties’ are likely to continue.

July

European funding for cross-country freight upgrade

Eight million pounds of European funding has been provisionally allocated to enhance the Felixstowe to Nuneaton rail route. The application for funding was approved by EU Member State government officials in Brussels in mid-July and will go before a Committee of MEPs for final sign-off in September.

Ipswich Station Stabling Point

A significant change was recently made to the layout of the Freightliner loco depot alongside Ipswich station. Commencement of the North London ‘drags’ has seen a marked increase in the number of locos taking fuel at Ipswich, and the old layout was causing considerable congestion at times. In order to relieve this congestion, a new pair of points have been installed at the back of the tunnel end of the yard, forming a crossover which links the ‘Foundout’ to the adjacent stabling road. This provides an alternative exit route from the fuel point, so that when several locos are lined up on the fuelling road, they can refuel and immediately move forward to depart, rather than being trapped in the ‘Foundout’ by the locos behind. The new crossover also provides an alternative route to the inspection pit, bypassing the fuel road.

June

15/06/09 - DRS commence NXEA 'Thunderbird' contract

Three weeks after DRS Class 47/4 locomotives took over the Norwich to Great Yarmouth summer Saturday workings, the Carlisle-based company also began providing locos for the weekday Thunderbird contract with effect from today.

15/06/09 - Ipswich station lightning strike

The station was closed and evacuated at around 18.45 on Monday 15 June after a chimney stack on the up side was struck by lightening during a tremendous thunderstorm. In order that the situation could be assessed, the overhead power was switched off so no electric trains could pass through for some two hours. The next morning saw platform 2 closed between the pedestrian entrance and the tunnel so there was no access to the toilets or waiting rooms. Using a very large mobile crane lifting a manned cradle, the damaged stack was strapped pending repairs that afternoon following which the platform was then fully reopened.

13/06/09 - Ipswich Griffin Wharf steel trains

An interesting development has been the revival of containerised steel traffic from Scunthorpe to Felixstowe. Utilising the wagons off the inwards Birch Coppice service, 4Z07 ran empty from Ipswich at 04.53 to Scunthorpe (via run-round at Parkeston) on Fridays 12 & 19 June and returned loaded as 4Z06 19.26 to Ipswich later on the same days, worked by 66053 and 66092, respectively. The containers were then moved by road to Felixstowe while the locos and wagons were then used for 4M74 on Saturdays 13 & 20/6.

May

29/05/09 - 47370 leaves the area

47370 left the Port of Felixstowe by low loader today on what is likely to be it's last journey.

25/05/09 - 47370 leaves Ipswich

It was on 20 November 2002 that Freightliner’s 47370 ‘Andrew A. Hodgkinson’ succumbed at Ipswich with a traction motor defect after working 4L56 from Cardiff. It was shunted to the end of one of the station sidings pending a decision as to what was to be done with it. As FL was discarding its Class 47s in favour of new Class 66/5s, the chances of 47370 being repaired and returned to traffic were slim but, that said, the company then still retained a small fleet. Indeed, it was not until 2004 that the final Class 47 workings from Ipswich took place. But it was not to be, so 47370 just sat forlornly where it was left - gradually turning green from the lichen growing on its sides - for what turned out to be for 6½ years. Along with sister FL Class 47s at more accessible locations, 47370 was sold to scrap merchants Thomsons of Stockton back in 2007.

However, the question of how to extract the loco then arose. For a number of reasons it was impractical to cut up the loco on site so it had to be removed for breaking elsewhere. Having been dumped for so long, it was said that Network Rail would not allow the loco to be moved over its running lines to reach either the Lower Yard (since closed) or Griffin Wharf for loading on to road transport. So 47370 just stayed where it was, looking more and more shabby as each month passed. There has obviously been a change of heart by NR as after a series of checks 47370 was very gingerly towed by 66532 away from its long term resting place at 15.15 on Monday 11 May.

Closely watched by a number of railwaymen, it was first taken into one of the Neck sidings, then propelled back past the fuelling point to the farthest end of the Found Out. The next morning saw 66538 place it over the pit for a further inspection and a clean up which removed the green lichen, making it look quite respectable. 47370 then spent varying periods over the pit, in the Neck, the Found Out and back at its former resting place. While over the pit, a through brake pipe was fitted passing via the marker light holes at each end. 47370 finally left Ipswich slightly as 8Z47 09.00 to Felixstowe South - hauled by 66569 with three wagons behind for brake force purposes and restricted to 25mph.

April

28/04/09 - Ipswich station ticket barriers

It has been reported that the long mooted ticket barriers have now been installed at Ipswich railway station.

24/04/09 - HMS Quorn

HMS Quorn today began a four day visit to Ipswich. Moored in the Wet Dock, it is open for visitors over the weekend.

23/04/09 - 70013 Oliver Cromwell

A Cathedrals Express tour to Norwich saw 70013 Oliver Cromwell back in the area, passing through Ipswich on both legs of the journey.

22/04/09 - Ipswich Transport Society excursion to Corus Scunthorpe cancelled

Regrettably this trip is now cancelled. Thank you to those of you who booked for the visit, however the numbers were such that we only reached marginally over half of what would have been required to break even. A number of groups and individuals unsuccessfully attempted to drum up support and even an enquiry for a smaller vehicle did little to assist the running of the trip. Even with the numbers booking it was felt to be prohibitive in asking participants to pay almost double the original tour cost. Those of you who paid deposits will have your cheques returned forthwith and again you are thanked for your initial support.

March

30/03/09 - Ipswich Buses cutbacks

In a bid to save £100,000 a year, Ipswich Buses announced plans to reduce the frequency of the number one and three routes from 01/06/09. The services currently run every 10 minutes, this will be reduced to 15 minutes.
Source: Evening Star, 30/03/09

February

27/02/09 - Last orders in the restaurant car

The last freshly cooked meals have been served on the Norwich main line, the final train on which dinner was due to have been available being the 19.30 Liverpool St to Norwich on Friday 27 February.

26/02/09 - Fire at Ipswich Lower Yard

The portacabin dumped on the concrete pad in the Lower Yard, formerly used by the EWS staff based at the yard, was the subject of an arson attack in the early evening.

12/02/09 - Bachmann model of Port of Felixstowe shunter

Today's Evening Star featured a model on the new limited edition Bachmann model of 08484 'Captain Nathaniel Darell', owned by Traditional Traction and working at the port of Felixstowe. The loco is named after Captain Nathaniel Darell, the man who was in charge of the fort in 1667 and fought off an attacking Dutch force, the last time England was invaded. Both the model and naming were suggestions from George Buckland, a member of the Landguard Fort Trust.
Source: Evening Star

09/02/09 - Official closure of the Lower Yard branch

Network Rail has now issued an official notice confirming the closure. Dated 9 February 2009, this states ‘The line from Ranelagh Road LC will be taken out of use. The connection to the Ipswich Docks Branch and a section of line towards Ranelagh Road LC will be retained as a head shunt. The out of use line beyond the head shunt will be protected by the catch points’. Part of the planned extension of the Upper Yard will bury the line leading to the now closed Lower Yard so presumably its retention to Ranelagh Road crossing is a temporary arrangement. In practice, it seems highly unlikely that any train or locomotive will actually use this short section.

07/02/09 - HMS Quorn adoption

It was reported in the EADT this week that Hunt Class minesweeper HMS Quorn is to be adopted by Ipswich, HMS Quorn having visited the town in October 2008. HMS Quorn was built by Vosper Thornycroft at Woolston, Southampton and was launched in 1988. Previously HMS Grafton had long been associated with the town, although this was sold to the Chilean Navy and delivered to them in 2007.

06/02/09 - Trimley railway station

A building preservation has today delayed Trimley railway station from being demolished. The council has asked the Government's Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to consider making the disused railway station a listed building. The preservation order will protect the site for up to 6 months until a decision is made. The notice was served on an 'urgent' basis after the council were informed by Network Rail of the plans to demolish it. Source: Felixstowe TV

January

16/01/09 - Great Eastern Mainline olympic Investment

It was reported in the EADT today that the Great Eastern Mainline is to benefit from a £500 million investment as part of the plans for the 2012 Olympic Games. Hugh Sumner, Transport Director of London 2012 says “Commuting drops 20/30% anyway in the summer and experience of every other Games suggests people will take time off. However we will obviously have to enhance levels of train service - particularly at night to get everyone where they need to be. There will also be direct coach services - from places such as Ipswich and Colchester. I am confident we will get the balance right.” Source: EADT 16.01.09

11/01/09 - Ipswich Transport Society Annual Dinner

Following the success of the Society dinner held last year to mark our 50th anniversary, another dinner has been arranged for the evening of Saturday 18th April. The booking form is available here.

09/01/09 - NXEA job cuts

After announcing jobs cuts at the end of last year, an employee of National Express East Anglia has written to the Eastern Daily Press suggesting that the numbers of staff volunteering for voluntary redundancy is far in excess of the numbers required.
Source: EDP 09/01/09.

05/01/09 - Ipswich And District Historical Transport Society

The IDHS now have launched their own website.