13 March 1989 - Brighton EMU sidings empty stock derailment blocks Up Main towards London and cuts out 3rd rail power in the station area severely dislocating services until late evening.
15 March 1990 - ‘Three Counties’ route identity/logo introduced for Bletchley - Bedford - Kettering - Corby services; ceremonially unveiled on DMU at Bedford Midland, these trains serve Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, whose county crests form the route logo. 16 March 1989 - NSE Beilhack rotary Snowblower (No ADB968501) unveiled; the £500,000 German-built self-propelled vehicle promises quicker clearance of snow blockages with versatility to be used for shunting, inspection platform or vegetation clearance duties the rest of the year. It had been delivered to Stewarts Lane depot on 10 February - and remains in use with Network Rail in 2011. 16 March 1992 - Kent Coast penalty fares scheme introduced. 16 March 1992 - Westbourne Park closed to enable London Paddington remodelling/resignalling and due to low patronage not justifying a replacement station; the adjacent LT Hammersmith & City Line platforms remain open. |
16 March 1993 - London St Pancras announced as terminal for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in Government Budget Day statement; supersedes the more expensive London King’s Cross International new low-level station option; Thameslink 2000 to now use the existing Thameslink route, upgraded for the purpose (see 24 January 1994).
16 March 1993 - Heathrow Express given go-ahead with expenditure authorised in Government Budget Day statement. 16 March 1993 - London St Pancras announced as terminal for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in Government Budget Day statement; supersedes the more expensive London King’s Cross International new low-level station option; Thameslink 2000 to now use the existing Thameslink route, upgraded for the purpose. 16 March 1993 - Heathrow Express given go-ahead with expenditure authorised in Government Budget Day statement. 17 March 1989 - Slade Green derailment of 0500 empty stock working off depot to Dartford wreaks disruption to morning peak services and through to early afternoon. |
A personal tribute by Mark Battle - Inspired from memories... |