1999-10-11 Rail Regulator considers licence breach following Paddington crash (Office of the Rail Regulator)

1999-10-08 Rail industry to act immediately on safety report (ATOC)

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date 9 December 1999
source ATOC
type Press release

Britain's train operators have welcomed the 100 per cent blue Action 2000 rating for Year 2000 compliance. The blue rating, which is the highest possible, has been given to the industry following independent assessment carried out for the Office of the Rail Regulator and audits by Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate.

Association of Train Operating Companies Director General, George Muir said: "The blue rating is the culmination of the hard work that the industry has put in to ensure the network has a smooth and safe transition into the new millennium. This has been achieved through a systematic approach to the problem largely under the guidance of a unique industry body set up to co-ordinate millennium issues - the Rail Millennium Programme Office."

Train companies will be running special services over Christmas and the Millennium. London train operators will be running local services out of London in the early hours of New Year's Day to carry revellers home. ATOC advises anybody travelling over these periods to check for full service details with their local train operator or call National Rail Enquiries Service (NRES) on 08457 484950.

ENDS
For more information call: ATOC Press Office on 0171 904 3010

Note to Editors
The following is a general summary of train services over the Christmas and New Year period.

Engineering Work
Railtrack will be undertaking engineering work at Ashford International from Sunday 26 December to Tuesday 28 December and Leeds Station from Friday 24 December to Wednesday29 December.

o Friday, 24 December
A near normal weekday timetable applies until the early evening, with additional services on many long distance routes. Most services will be run down from approximately 2000.
o Saturday 25 December
Gatwick Express will be running a half hourly service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport from approximately 06.30 to 16.30. There will be no other train services on Christmas Day.
o Sunday 26 December
Services running are:
> London Fenchurch Street to Tilbury and Shoeburyness at 30 minute intervals (LTS Rail)
> Tottenham Hale to Stansted Airport at 30 minute intervals (WAGN)
> Bedford to Brighton via Luton, Kings Cross Thameslink, London Bridge and Gatwick Airport at 30 min intervals (Thameslink)
> London Victoria to Brighton via East Croydon and Gatwick Airport, at hourly intervals (Connex)
> London Victoria to Gatwick Airport, 30 minute intervals (Gatwick Express)
> London Charing Cross to Headcorn via Sevenoaks and Tonbridge, at hourly intervals (Connex)
> Glasgow area (Scotrail)
o Monday 27 December
Most trains will run a normal Saturday service. First Great Eastern will run a Sunday service. Anglia and First Great Western will run a Bank Holiday service. Virgin will run a normal Monday service.
o Tuesday 28 December
Most trains will run a normal Saturday service. First Great Eastern will run a Sunday service. Anglia and First Great Western will run a Bank Holiday service. Virgin will run a normal Tuesday service.
o Wednesday 29 - Thursday, 30 December
Most trains will run a normal Saturday service. First Great Eastern will run a normal weekday service and First Great Western will run a reduced service.
o Friday 31 December
Train operators will generally run a normal Saturday service. Most services will be run down from approximately 2200. There will be a break in services until after midnight.
o Saturday 1 January
A special service out of Central London will arrive on many routes between 0100-0400 on Saturday 1st January.
o Sunday 2 - Monday 3 January
Most trains will run to a normal Sunday service.
o Tuesday 4 January
The majority of train operators will return to normal services.
National Rail Enquiries Service
Anyone intending to travel is advised to check their arrangements with the National Rail Enquiries Service (NRES) on 08457 48 49 50. NRES will be able to provide callers with details of timetable and fare information.
NB: NRES will be closed from 0600 until midnight on Christmas Day when the normal service resumes.

Reservations
Reservations will be available on most long distance trains and travellers are urged to reserve a seat to ensure a comfortable journey.

Travel Restrictions
SuperSaver tickets will not be available or valid between Friday 17 December and Friday 31 December.

[Please click here for the ATOC Millennium Train services PDF file.]

Railhub Archive ::: 1999-12-09 ATO-001