Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈

Freelance transport & engineering journalist and railway campaigner.

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

Finally made it to Stalybridge 🎉

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

As much as I love the Pennines I hope this is my final trip this year 😅

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

You probably shouldn't loiter, but these protrusions provide a satisfying view of the railway

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

@andybfcfan It's hilarious that charging is being sold as a perk of LNR's standard+. Unless they're planning to turn it off on the reat of the train, there's plenty of charging provision in standard class

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

Didn't TfW end up cancelling plans for Standard+ onboard 197s because there was no accessible toilet reachable by wheelchair users?

[Rail Business UK @RailBusinessUK]

London Northwestern Railway to introduce Standard Plus tickets https://t.co/HeXytA5AZ3

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

@NoelDolphin @RAILMag $200m in currency fluctuation allowance as well 😬. Just crazy

[The Transpennine Route Upgrade @theTRUpgrade]

Team TRU is making great progress on the replacement of Common Lane bridge in Church Fenton 🏗️

Despite Storm Boelo, the project remains on track for the railway between Leeds & York to re-open next Monday! 🙌

In the meantime, direct replacement buses between the two cities are in place, together with others calling at local stations - check before you travel at @nationalrailenq 📲

[Matt HB - matthodg.bsky.social @matthewhodg]

We seem to have a problem with chronically under predicting rail ridership and while it does make for some good news stories it does risk leaving completely viable projects unfunded.

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

@AnonSocials Show me where TfW has said that

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

@AnonSocials Perhaps there should be.

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

@AnonSocials This is a load of bollocks, TfW has abandoned plans to introduce Standard Plus on Class 197s. And has no plans 5o introduce it on the units.

[Tom Edwards @BBCTomEdwards]

Oxford Street now

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

@paul_winginit 390s have an wheelchair space and accessible toilet in Standard Premium. Averos have a wheelchair space and accessible toilet in first. TfW wouldn't have made their decision lightly, so I think it is right that we question potential discrimination.

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

@paul_winginit TfW invested in new stock, which didn't have an accessible toilet near the Standard+ section, and they must have thought there was legal reason for dropping standard+, so yes oversights can and do happen 2/2

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

@paul_winginit I just think that if a product is being offered on a new unit it should be open to all. You're argument is like saying trains operated for decades with non accessible toilets, so new trains shouldn't have to have accessible toilets. 1/2

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

@paul_winginit I didn't buy this as a credible argument. Like saying Mk4s are old and have 1st class, so 197s should have a derogation.

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

@paul_winginit 730s are new.

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

@paul_winginit I suspect it's more a case of no-one has challenged them yet these are new trains. I'm sure people will argue it's sour grapes. But it could certainly be seen as a discriminatory policy

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

@techienickb @CricketAleTrain Tbf they're not fridges, there's a huge hot water tank and space to stow the trolley. But if does take up a significant amount of space in a 2 car 197.

[Chris Howe (Rail Focus) 🏳️‍🌈 @EngFocus]

@paul_winginit I'm fairly certain TfW were forced to cancel the Standard Plus option due to accessibility. It'll be interesting to see if any groups challenge LNR. Especially given they're promising Standard+ will have features that others can't access.