From The Chair

Most of “From the Chair” appears in the 2024 AGM Minutes. Thanks to all who attended the meeting at the impressive venue of the Trinity Hub, in Clitheroe.

 

So far, this year seems to have produced some more positive development than previously. The Spring Northern Stakeholder Conference seemed more upbeat with the investigation and tendering process being put in place for the replacement of over 300 older trains in Northern’s fleet, with new ones. As these are diesel units, presently operating RV services, we can hopefully look forward to new trains - but not until 2028 (at the earliest) when the various options of biodiesel, battery/hybrid, or others have be evaluated, tested, and the trains built.

 

Another, very welcome, announcement has been about the new service, The Yorkshire Dales Explorer, covered in detail elsewhere in RVRN 139, and which commences on Saturday 8 June 2024. Preparations have been progressing well for Blackburn train crews to qualify for operating beyond Clitheroe, with almost daily train crew route-learning trains becoming a regular feature. For further details, including the very reasonable fares, see pages 18-22 of RVRN 139 or visit: https://communityraillancashire.co.uk/lines/yorkshire-dales-explorer

 

If you are able, please support this service. At the Conference, our Northern Area Director said that the Company hopes to build on the service, in the future.

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Peter Eastham