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Daily news from Rail Technology Magazine
And here's today's news from rail technology magazine in association with Trans City Rail on Wednesday, 24th April, 2024. Brand new trains have been launched on the Ebbavail line this week. Built in Newport, the class 197 trains have started to enter service on mainline routes around Wales and the borders. They'll run between Ebbavail and Cardiff Central, as well as Newport, following the introduction of brand new services on the line earlier this year. The trains are part of an 800,000,000 pound investment in new trains to transform rail travel that's currently being delivered by Transport For Wales, replacing trains that were between 30 40 years old.
Speaker 1:Assembled in Wales, there will be 77 of the class 197 trains operating throughout the country and along its border routes, forming the backbone of the mainline fleet. The trains will be able to run up to a maximum of 4 carriages on the Evervale line. Govia Thameslink Railway has announced that John Whitehurst has been appointed as its chief operating officer and will begin the role on Monday, 20th May. At the time when g t r continues to focus on growing passenger numbers and building a thriving railway, John will be responsible for ensuring g t r's operations are safe, reliable, and sustainable while maintaining a relentless focus on making sure customers receive a high quality service. The role will see John lead the planning and delivery of services across g t r's 4 brands, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, and Thameslink, which collectively represent approximately 18% of UK rail passenger journeys.
Speaker 1:It'll also hold key relations with the supply chain and industry partners such as Network Rail. An inspirational Great Western Railway and Network Rail director, Ruth Busby, was at Buckingham Palace on Friday to receive her OBE from the Princess Royal. Ruth, people and transformation director regional for GWR and Network Rail Wales and Western was recognized in the new year's honors list for services to diversity in the rail industry. Her award recognizes not only her work within GWR and Network Rail, but also numerous other organizations she represents to champion equality, diversity, and inclusion in the rail industry. And that's the latest.
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