photo: Network Rail/London Waterloo Station Marks 175 Years of Service with Cross-Industry Celebration
London's busiest station, London Waterloo, celebrated its 175th anniversary in a cross-industry event attended by railway colleagues from Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR). Commemorating the day the station first opened in 1848, fifty guests from across the rail industry including Rail Minister Huw Merriman MP, Network Rail’s Chief Executive Andrew Haines, Network Rail Chair Peter Lord Hendy, and SWR Managing Director Claire Mann, gathered at the station for the celebration.
The festivities kicked off with a unique choir performance by Network Rail and SWR staff, who treated the guests to renditions of iconic songs related to 'Waterloo', including ABBA's Waterloo and The Kinks' Waterloo Sunset. The day also featured several speeches, a plaque unveiling, and a special preview of one of SWR’s brand-new Arterio trains. A behind-the-scenes tour unveiled some of the hidden aspects of the station, like secret passageways, deserted shooting ranges, and an old snooker table.
Read more
Hitachi Rail has secured an eight-year maintenance contract for 19 Class 802 intercity trains, a deal awarded by TransPennine Trains Limited and Angel…
London Waterloo Station, initially called 'Waterloo Bridge', replaced the Nine Elms station in 1848. Today, it's the country’s busiest station with 24 platforms and serves as a significant transport hub for leisure travellers, commuters, and enthusiasts. Over its 175-year history, the station has witnessed substantial change and expansion, with the most recent addition being the first-floor balcony in 2012.
Mark Killick, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, and Claire Mann, South Western Railway’s managing director, expressed their delight in celebrating the landmark anniversary, emphasizing the station's rich history and its importance as a transportation hub. Rail Minister Huw Merriman praised Waterloo's historic role, from the early years of steam power trains to providing refuge during the World Wars, and looked forward to its continued service for future generations.
Read more
During the International Forum on High-Speed Rail in Europe & Private Capital, Prof. Andrew McNaughton, chairman of Network Rail High Speed Ltd., lectured…