"New" Trains Running Late

Today Rail Minister Theresa Villiers announced details of the new trains to be built by Siemens for the Thameslink line in London. The first of these is scheduled to arrive in 2015. Some of the displaced Class 319 trains are to move to the Northwest.

So, the lines from Liverpool to Manchester and Wigan are scheduled to be electrified by 2014, but the electric trains won't arrive until a year later?

New Liverpool South Parkway to Blackpool Service

From May 23 the existing Liverpool - Blackpool North service was extended in off-peak daytime hours to and from Liverpool South Parkway. This does not require any additional stock, as the trains previously stood for 55 minutes at Lime Street.

Website Launched

The website www.nw-sparks.co.uk has been launched today. The site will monitor and record progress on the project to electrify railways in Northwest England.

Work Under Way

Network Rail has announced the beginning of actual work on the ground: Work has commenced on the demolition and rebuilding of one pedestrian bridge and two road bridges over the railway between Eccles and Patricroft. This section of the line is scheduled to be electrified in 2013.

Government Announces Go Ahead

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has announced spending approval for a number of railway modernisation projects.

These include electrification in North West England, at a cost of "up to £300 million".

Work will commence in 2011 and should be completed in 2016.