Volvo BZL Electric Battery-electric Bus Chassis Range Launched

Volvo have announced the BZL Electric, the battery-electric bus chassis range, which is  focused on Australian, Mexican and British markets. 

With this new vehicle, Volvo is now able to offer a battery-electric bus chassis to the UK, therefore debuting as a new player in a growing market.

The new Volvo BZL Electric is to be launched on market later this year and has been developed to be over 90 percent recyclable.

The joint venture between Chinese BYD and Alexander Dennis has so far taken a large proportion of the growing market where London has committed to introduce only zero emission city buses from now on. Other cities are following, by tapping into the subsidies on offer in England and Scotland.

The Volvo BZL Electric features a driveline developed entirely by Volvo. The 200 kW electric motor is coupled to a two-stage automated gearbox. 

The BZL's feature powerful electric Volvo drivelines and optimised transmissions, delivering power and drivability for safe operation in the most demanding conditions. The driveline can be configured as a single or dual motor unit with a power output of no less than 540 hp. coupled to a two-stage automated gearbox. 

This increases wheel torque at low speed and evens out current peaks, thus reducing energy consumption and sustaining motor and battery health. As a result the Volvo BZL Electric an untiring hill climber and will allow for swift and smooth operation even on the tightest schedules.

The BZL Electric is designed for charging flexibility using hardware interfaces for both OppCharge high-power charging on route as well as CCS charging in the depot. 

Volvo Buses also offers a usable energy commitment, which means that Volvo guarantees capacity for an agreed amount of energy for the operation.

“We are committed to leading the transformation of our industry towards a more sustainable future. With the launch of the new Volvo BZL Electric, our ambition is to offer the world’s most responsible electric bus systems. We do it by focusing on sustainability, safety and reliability,” says Anna Westerberg, President of Volvo Buses. 

She adds: “With the new Volvo BZL Electric we offer a global platform for clean, silent, and energy-efficient public transport to meet the rising demand on important markets that are ready for the shift to electromobility,” says Anna Westerberg.

“The new Volvo BZL Electric is based on proven and successful technologies already implemented in Europe. All the chassis and driveline components have been developed and manufactured by Volvo. To safeguard the premium qualities of our buses we partner up with selected bodybuilders around the world,” says Dan Pettersson, Head of International at Volvo Buses.

Safeguard Coaches Takes Delivery of Plaxton Panther's from ADL

Alexander Dennis Limited (“ADL”) has announced that it has delivered two Plaxton Panther coaches to Surrey & Hampshire operator Safeguard Coaches Ltd.

The pair of Plaxton Panther coaches each have 57 seats and are built on a Volvo B8R chassis. They will become part of Safeguard Coaches’ private hire fleet which also trades as Farnham Coaches.

The coaches are also equipped with at-seat USB charging points, air conditioning, wood effect flooring, bi-xenon headlights and a ZF automatic gearbox.

The delivery marks the first touring coach order Safeguard Coaches has placed with ADL since 2008.

Safeguard Coaches Managing Director Andrew Halliday said: “These coaches will be a great addition to our fleet and represent our continued investment in making sure we have high-quality, reliable vehicles to help deliver a first-class service for our customers. Eye-catching messaging built into the livery application is designed to encourage potential customers to travel by coach and help the coach industry build back after the pandemic.”

Mark Taylor, ADL Sales Account Manager, added: “It’s been a pleasure to deliver these two vehicles to Safeguard Coaches and we look forward to working with them again in the future.

All photos by Richard Kirwin

Iveco Achieves New Record Mileage for E-Way: 543km on a Single Charge

 An IVECO BUS E-WAY has performed a record run by travelling 543 kilometers (337 miles) on a single charge in 48 hours. The record was certified by TÜV Nord.

The 12-m IVECO BUS E-WAY was operated in real operating conditions, demonstrating all the benefits of zero-emissions transport as well as the outstanding reliability and excellent performance offered by this full electric vehicle.

Carried out on the initiative of bus operator based in Lower Saxony, Verkerhrsbetriebe Bachstein last July, this test took place over two days, from 5.30 am to 4 pm. The 12-m E-WAY, equipped with a 350-kWh battery pack, finally ran 543 kilometers without any problems.

Certified by TÜV Nord, the bus had 3% residual load at the end of the test, meaning that it could have gone even further, thanks to its low consumption: 0.61 kWh / km.

“We had already completed a first test on our test track running already 527 kilometers on a single charge. We are delighted with this new record performed this time by a customer in real operating conditions. It proves the ability of the IVECO BUS E-WAY to go even further.” says Stéphane Espinasse, IVECO BUS Brand Leader.

"I didn’t believe it, but now I’m proud to have performed this feat on urban and suburban routes in the Braunschweig region in school missions,” said Malte Seek, the E-WAY driver.

Jan Behrendt, CEO of Verkerhrsbetriebe Bachstein said "this is a real challenge for drivers: They are the ones who hold the wheel and manage the entire vehicle. Thanks to on-board telematics, they know at all times what they can and cannot do. For me, this record foresees well the future of electro mobility ".

The IVECO BUS E-WAY range offers a wide choice of lengths (9.5, 12 and 18 metres) and charging modes (slow overnight charging, or fast charging with or without pantograph). The manufacturer says that "It also offers a supremely comfortable experience for drivers and passengers with a smooth ride and acceleration and that the E-WAY range incorporates over 20 years of development and manufacturing expertise acquired by brand in alternative energies and particularly in electric mobility"

New Leeds Park & Ride Launched With Five BYD ADL Enviro400EV Electric Double Deckers

Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and BYD UK jointly announced today that their electric vehicle partnership, the UK’s leading electric bus producer, has supplied five BYD ADL Enviro400EV zero emission double deck buses to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and bus operator First Bus for the new Stourton Park & Ride service in Leeds.

The electric buses are owned and operated by First West Yorkshire under contract with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority who secured funding from the Department for Transport’s Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme.

Built in Yorkshire at ADL’s factory in Scarborough, each 10.8m long BYD ADL Enviro400EV offers up to 69 comfortable seats and has a range of up to 160 miles on a single charge of its cobalt-free BYD Iron-Phosphate Batteries.

The site at Stourton is the first solar-powered Park & Ride in the UK. It is also the third Park & Ride site in Leeds. The scheme is delivered in partnership with Connecting Leeds at Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and First West Yorkshire, which operates the service.

Departing up to every 10 minutes, the new zero emission double deckers take less than 15 minutes to smoothly and quietly deliver motorists from the site at the M621 motorway to the heart of Leeds city centre.

Stourton Park & Ride boasts 45 solar panels that cover the size of 18 tennis courts and generate the capacity to power the entire site’s electrical needs via an innovative battery storage system. Other features of the new Park & Ride site include 26 fast electric vehicle charging ports and 4 rapid chargers totalling 30 EV charging spaces, secure bicycle storage and 1,200 vehicle spaces.

As well as using solar panels to generate electricity for lighting, electric vehicle charging, CCTV security and heat for the terminus building and waiting room, the design of the site has also considered opportunities to achieve benefits of nature. Over 11,000 trees and shrubs create an attractive environment for people using the facilities, walking or cycling, to enjoy. The terminus building features a ‘green roof’, helping to reduce urban air temperatures and creating a habitat for wildlife.

Councillor Kim Groves, West Yorkshire Transport Committee Lead Member for Public Transport, said: “As the UK’s first solar-powered Park & Ride, Stourton is enhancing transport links in Leeds and West Yorkshire and making a positive impact on the local economy and businesses. The reduced commuting times and lower commuting costs are a major boost for people working in the city, in terms of both their wellbeing and their daily routines. And of course, Stourton Park & Ride is also making an important contribution to the Leeds City Region achieving a net zero carbon economy by 2038.”

Martin Hirst, Commercial Director of First West Yorkshire, said: “Stourton Park & Ride is growing in popularity since we began the service as people discover how easy it is to get in and out from the south side of Leeds. 

We expect this to continue as more customers see the benefits of time and money saved through sustainable travel which helps to reduce congestion and create cleaner air in the city. This demonstrates how, with fully electric buses, we are building on the continued success of Park & Ride in Leeds with our regional and local authority partners.”

ADL Sales Account Manager Marie Connell said: “It is an honour to supply our electric double deck buses for West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s landmark Stourton Park & Ride project. These not only provide a sustainable travel option for commuters and visitors to Leeds, but having been built in Scarborough, these have already benefited Yorkshire through the skilled jobs and apprenticeships their production has supported, ensuring that the funding is re-invested into our communities.”

Frank Thorpe, Managing Director at BYD UK, added, “This latest delivery is an excellent example of a partnership approach to providing a ‘total’ solution. All stakeholders involved in the project shared a strong commitment to delivering a zero-emissions public transport solution, and to bring cleaner air quality to the region. Our combined effort will make a real difference,” he said, “offering safe, quiet, comfortable transport for Park & Ride users, and removing hundreds of CO2-emitting cars from the road every day – a better deal for everyone.”

Kingsbridge Running Day 2021

Ken Jones visited the 2021 Kingsbridge Running Day on 18th September and has kindly sent the following photos of the event.

The Running Day was centred on Kingsbridge Bus Station on the Quay, operating services from 11.00 until 18.00.

The extensive network and full timetable gave visitors the opportunity to ride on a range of vehicles to spectacular coast and country destinations all around Kingsbridge and the South Hams. 

The routes were formerly operated by the Great Western Railway Road Motors, the Western National Omnibus Company and/or other local operators such as Noyce, Tally Ho Coaches and the Coleridge Community Bus.

Free feeder services operated on the day of the event, to and from Totnes Railway Station, co-ordinated with connecting train and bus services.

Thanks yet again to Ken Jones for keeping us supplied with photographs from the events now taking place after the end of lockdown.

If you are attending transport events this year please feel free to email photos to focustransport2011@gmail.com 

Equipmake and Beulas Unveil State-of-the-art Double Decker Electric Bus With Up To 250 Miles of Zero Emission Range

Commercial vehicle electrification specialist, Equipmake, has launched a state-of-the-art electric bus, Jewel E, in partnership with Spanish coachbuilder Beulas, boasting up to 250 miles of range.

Featuring a cutting-edge British-built electric powertrain designed and developed at Equipmake’s purpose-built facility in Norfolk, with the body produced by Beulas in Girona, Spain, the manufacturers say that the Jewel E is a cost-effective and highly efficient electric double decker bus that will help to reduce local emissions in urban environments, improve air quality and reduce running costs for operators. 

It will also help meet ever-increasing enormous demand: the global electric bus market is expected to accelerate from 300,000 vehicles per annum to one million by 2030. 

Set to be manufactured from 2022 at an all-new facility in Norfolk, Jewel E will not only bring new jobs to the area but play a key role in helping UK Government achieve its target of introducing at least 4,000 more British-built zero emission buses into the UK market by 2024, through its Bus Back Better national strategy.

Globally-proven state-of-the-art e-powertrain
Under the skin lies Equipmake’s advanced propulsion technology – Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED) – which is modular and scale-able, capable of supporting different bus sizes. ZED is already being used in single decker form on the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina as part of an Equipmake partnership with Agrale.

Packaged according to specific applications to optimise space for battery/kWh, ZED now underpins Jewel E – the next step in Equipmake’s strategic plan to grow its line-up of advanced electric powertrains and vehicles.

Integrated into the Jewel E chassis ZED is the company’s HTM 3500 motor, which combines high torque with low motor speeds, and is fitted directly onto the propshaft negating the need for a separate gearbox.

Producing maximum torque of 3,500Nm at just 1,000rpm and offering maximum power of 400kW, it is driven by a Semikron SKAI inverter with energy stored in a variety of customer-specified lithium-ion battery pack options of up to 543kWh, the largest battery of any single axle double decker electric bus in the world, giving a maximum range of up to 250 miles, enabling more than enough daily operating mileage.

Jewel E efficiency is made possible by one of the most efficient thermal management systems on the market, which keeps the motor, inverter and battery at optimum operating temperature, featuring a water-glycol cooling circuit augmented by the capture of thermal energy to heat the interior in cold conditions. 

When the battery is depleted it can be simply recharged at the depot overnight using a CSS DC charging point.

First EV bus to meet TfL 2024 bus safety standard requirements
In London alone, buses on the capital city’s streets cover over 475 million kilometres a year, keeping people mobile and connected, forming an integral part of the transport network. Specifically developed for demanding daily usage cycles, Jewel E is the first EV bus to meet the latest Transport for London (TfL) bus safety standard specifications and requirements for 2024, including enhanced safety features to give the public, drivers and passengers piece of mind. It is suitable for operation in both London and the surrounding UK provinces.

Equipmake has worked with Spanish coachbuilder Beulas, which is manufacturing the Jewel E double decker body. Testing of Jewel E begins in Q4 2021 with in-service trials expected to take place in Q1 2022. Manufacture and sales of Jewel E will begin in 2022.

Ian Foley, Managing Director, Equipmake said: “Improving urban air quality is a global problem. At the same time, operators want vehicles that are cost-effective and highly efficient, while Governments and local bodies need bus manufacturers to bring advanced technology to market quickly. Equipmake has taken all of this into account and the result is our innovative new EV double decker, Jewel E.

“Featuring our cutting-edge ZED powertrain, it has up to 250 miles electric range, yet is cost-effective too. Set to be built at an all-new manufacturing facility near to our home in Snetterton, Norfolk, it will bring new jobs to the local area and has the potential to play a crucial role in supporting the Government’s commitment to introduce 4,000 EV buses in the coming three years. 

What’s more it’s also the first EV bus to meet TfL’s tough 2024 regulations too. And with demand increasing globally for electric buses, we believe it provides the right solution both nationally and internationally.”

Dolors Beulas, Managing Director, Beulas said: “We are delighted to be working with Equipmake on this innovative project. Its Zero Emission Drivetrain is state-of-the-art, offering exceptional efficiency yet is cost-effective too.

“Beulas is a leader in passenger transportation in Europe, and with Jewel E, we are further consolidating our position, launching a cutting edge zero emission bus that has huge potential to improve urban air quality.”

Equipmake provides EV technology to automotive OEMs and specialist supercar makers, producing everything from industry-leading high-performance electric motors to inverters and power electronic systems, all the way up to complete EV drivetrains, while also operating across marine, off-highway, emergency vehicles and aerospace.

Its purpose-built R&D facility, located next to the Snetterton motor racing circuit, allows Equipmake to deliver the complete electric mobility solution – whatever the sector – offering the capability to design, test and manufacture everything from motors to fully electrified platforms. 

It also sources and supplies the most advanced lithium-ion batteries, creating entire electric drivetrains for an increasingly international customer base.

National Rail is Now Sending Travel Updates Through WhatsApp

Exclusive to National Rail users, Alert Me is a unique, personalised, disruption messaging tool brought to you via either Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp.

National Rail provides customers with real-time, personalised information in times of disruption or if social distancing on their chosen services is predicted to be difficult. This is part of the rail industry’s commitment to put customers in control of their journeys and help provide a better experience so they can travel with confidence.

Customers can sign up to Alert Me by either Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp via the ‘Keep Me Updated’ buttons on the National Rail website. These buttons will appear when searching for a journey on the live departure boards or when looking in the details of a service within the journey planner.

Customers who sign up will be sent tailored information about their journey including details of alternative trains should their next or planned service be cancelled or delayed, or when social distancing is predicted to be difficult. Alternative services by the same Operator will be provided (when available) and alternative journeys on other Operators may also be shown when possible. Please check that your ticket is valid before boarding alternative services.

The technology being used was created by transport tech specialists, Zipabout. It uses a range of industry data feeds, direct input from Operators and journey planning data, and predicts how busy a service is likely to be by analyzing customer information and comparing it with historic trends. It also uses proprietary intelligence to make sure the information customers receive is relevant to their journey.

Instructions for use

- Visit the National Rail website and enter travel details as normal.

- Click the 'Keep me updated by WhatsApp' icon.

- Chose the journey you want to receive updates on.

- Enter your phone number to receive a WhatsApp message from National Rail.

Customers that do not have Facebook or WhatsApp will still be able to receive updates about their journey via National Rail Twitter, SMS and the National Rail app.

24 More Urbino 12 Electric Urbino's for Barcelona

Public transport operator for the Barcelona metropolitan area has opted once again for more Solaris electric buses. 

24 Urbino 12 electric vehicles will make their way to the capital of Catalonia by the end of 2022. The value of the contract, concluded as a result of a tender, stands at over €12m.

With the appropriate configuration of batteries and infrastructure the Solaris Urbino vehicles  can operate for up to 24 hours a day. 

Their low noise emissions and vibration level make them particularly suited for use in the centres of large cities. 

The residents of Barcelona have already had the opportunity to see for themselves thanks to 19 articulated Urbino 18m electric buses that have joined the public transport fleet so far. Now, the number of Solaris vehicles in the fleet will grow by 24 standard-length Urbino 12 electric buses.

The vehicles to be delivered to the capital city of Catalonia will be powered by Solaris High Energy batteries with a total capacity of over 400 kWh. They will be recharged both by means of a pantograph and plug-in technology. The buses will be powered by an electric central motor.

Their additional equipment will include automatic driver assistance systems such as the Mobileye Shield+ and the MirrorEye systems. The former allows risks related to the vehicle’s blind spot to be eliminated. Thanks to the cameras placed on both its sides, the driver receives warnings of pedestrians and cyclists located nearby. 

The MirrorEye is, in turn, a system of cameras that replace the rear- and side-view mirrors. Apart from ensuring optimal visibility regardless of weather conditions, as well as at night, they also reduce the total width of the bus, which is particularly important on narrow streets or with increased road traffic. The vehicles will also feature a passenger counting device that will allow the carrier to collect data on passenger flows in buses.

Petros Spinaris, member of the Management Board of Solaris Bus & Coach for Sales, Marketing and Customer Service said “We are very much looking forward to the next chapter in our collaboration with TMB in Barcelona. For us, this is a token of trust and the best proof of the high quality of our products. The capital of Catalonia is another city in a long list of European cities to implement sustainable development and we are proud that Solaris’s vehicles can be part of this process”.

It was in 2015 that Solaris vehicles first made their way to the fleet of the operator Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB). All of the Solaris vehicles the carrier has ever ordered have hybrid or electric drives. 

The last order carried out for the client was the delivery of 14 Urbino 18 electric buses in 2020 and 2021.

Solaris is a European leader in the production and sales of low- and zero-emission buses.

The electric buses are extremely quiet, locally emission-free and ensure low operating costs. 

 Almost 3000 zero-emission Solaris vehicles, including over 1000 electric buses, have already rolled out onto the streets of various European countries.

New Climate Hero Visits Glasgow Central

Glasgow Central has showcased a major step forward in the reduction of carbon in rail freight.

As part of Scotland’s Climate week 2021 and fuelled by hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO), DB Cargo’s “I am a Climate Hero” locomotive was displayed in the station enabling anyone to see up close the latest development in cleaner, greener freight trains and raise awareness of the environmental benefits of modal shift to rail.

The environmental benefits of moving goods by rail rather than by road are already substantial, with freight trains replacing several million lorry movements in Scotland each year.

DB Cargo UK, which operates services to and from one of Scotland’s largest rail freight terminals at Mossend, North Lanarkshire, is amplifying those benefits even further by using HVO.

The environmentally-friendly Class 66 locomotive could be seen close up from on Wednesday 15 September on platform 11.

Transport Minister Graeme Dey said:

“I’m pleased the Climate Hero Locomotive has arrived in Glasgow Central Station during the Scottish Government’s Climate Week to help highlight our vision for future rail freight.

We want to see a competitive rail freight sector playing an increasing role in Scotland’s ambition for a net zero, sustainable, inclusive economy by providing a safer, greener and more efficient way of transporting products and materials.

“Considerable work has been undertaken by public and private sector partners since the publication of our Rail Freight Strategy in 2016 to support and promote sustainable rail freight growth in Scotland.

The rolling programme of efficient electrification supports the key role that rail freight has to play in helping to achieve our climate change objectives and it is encouraging to see that the rail industry is also taking forward decarbonisation measures.

“DB Cargo has led the way through the conversion of a Class 66 Loco to run on Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil (HVO). Sustainably-sourced lower carbon alternative fuels and private sector innovation will be key to some areas of transport decarbonisation over future years and progress is moving at pace. I welcome DB Cargo’s commitment to this agenda and will continue to work with other potential partners to get more involved in creating a low carbon, successful rail freight sector for Scotland.”

Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s Railway said:

“DB Cargo is providing a fantastic opportunity for anyone to learn more about the work being delivered by rail freight companies as they build upon the sector’s unrivalled green credentials.

“The environmental benefits of rail freight are substantial - a freight train emits just a quarter of the carbon dioxide of the equivalent road journey. We want to start conversations with Scottish Businesses on how they can act now to decarbonise their supply chains through modal shift to rail.

“If just 10% of Scotland’s HGV movements were switched to rail it would reduce almost as much annual CO2e as the entire rail industry emits. Rail freight has a significant role to play in the decarbonisation of the transport networks in Scotland.”

Andrea Rossi, Chief Executive of DB Cargo UK said:

“We are proud to be playing our part in Scotland’s Climate Change Week and demonstrating our innovative approach to reducing not just our own carbon footprint, but those of our customers.

“Harnessing sustainable sources of energy like this will help us to achieve our bold and ambitious vision for a net zero carbon transport system in Scotland by 2045.”

Crewe Heritage Centre Has Successfully Acquired the 8,000th Locomotive To Be Built At Crewe Works.

Thanks to a generous donation by Porterbrook, Crewe Heritage Centre has been able to secure a second HST Power Car (43 081) as a permanent exhibit at the museum. 

43 081 was built a short distance away from the Heritage Centre in March 1978 and is officially considered to be the 8,000 locomotive to be constructed at Crewe Locomotive Works.

43 081 arrived at the Heritage Centre on Monday 13th September, and team at the Heritage Centre say that they "really excited about our plans to restore this very special locomotive".

Its arrival also marks 45 years to the day (13 September 1976) that British Rail officially introduced the first High Speed Train into service (Source: BBC Archive).

Since entering service the HST’s have become a common sight throughout the country. The HST was originally developed as a low-cost stopgap whilst the Advanced Passenger Train (APT) was still in development. However the HST proved itself to be far more than a stopgap, successfully running for 45 years with numerous members of the fleet still in service today.

The HST's are still operated on frontline services by Cross Country, ScotRail and GWR as well as specialist companies such as Rail Charter Services.

..

Unique Rail Heritage Centre Officially Opened in Doncaster

Doncaster's Rail Heritage Centre which takes centre stage inside Danum Gallery, Library and Museum has been officially opened.

Doncaster Council, the Trustees of the Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection and the National Railway Museum marked the occasion with a special ceremony.

The Rail Heritage Centre includes the Doncaster-built Green Arrow and Great Northern Railway ‘Atlantic’ locomotive no.251, loaned from the National Railway Museum, and masses of rail related exhibits and memorabilia from the Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection. Many of these items are on display for the very first time and will be refreshed with additional exhibits at regular intervals.

The Centre showcases the importance of the rail industry and the pivotal role Doncaster and its world famous Plant Works have played in creating the history of rail.

Damian Allen, Chief Executive of Doncaster Council, who was present at the event, said:

“It is fantastic to welcome to Danum Gallery, Library and Museum the people who have contributed to making this astounding Rail Heritage Centre possible. It’s been a true partnership effort. Having two locomotives back home in Doncaster where they were built, complemented by an incredible array of rail related exhibits and artefacts is just incredible. Together they showcase the golden age of steam and the vital role Doncaster played in making it happen.”

Cllr Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure, Culture and Planning, said:

“Danum Gallery, Library and Museum is a wonderful community asset and visitor attraction in Doncaster town centre. It features the restored frontage of the former Doncaster High School for Girls and many of its original features. It has modern libraries and educational facilities, fascinating museums, a great art gallery and, of course, a marvellous Rail Heritage Centre. The building offers visitors a remarkable experience as they are taken on a journey through Doncaster’s rich and varied history. It’s a place for people to learn and importantly enjoy. I thank everyone who contributed to this amazing Rail Heritage Centre.”

To mark the day, the Trustees of the Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection have also released a new book titled: ‘Treasures in the Tower’. The book tells the story of the unique collection they built up over many decades. It’s available to purchase from the Danum Gallery, Library and Museum shop and Doncaster Tourist Information Centre.’

Chris Barron, representing the DGSRC, commented:

“This is the result of a long, but successful, collaboration. The Trustees are delighted with the outstanding support we have received from the Council. We look forward to working alongside Heritage staff to make the collection better known and appreciated by local people and visitors from all over the world.”

Andrew McLean, Head Curator and Assistant Director at the National Railway Museum, said:

“The National Railway Museum is proud to partner with Doncaster Council to loan two of the most iconic of all Doncaster-built locomotives to add to the Danum Gallery, Library and Museum’s rich and fascinating displays. By celebrating Doncaster’s important contribution to the railways, I hope future generations will be inspired to make their own mark in continuing the engineering legacy of this great town.”

See our previous posting here