Cambridge University Railway Club

A look at the comings and goings in the local area

Trolleys give cheap travel

There is a dearth of trolleys at Cambridge station at the moment due to unauthorised trolley-napping. In an attempt to retrieve a few back, the manager of the station as offered a free Railcard to those who bring back a trolley!

Kings Lynn

The sidings to the closed British Sugar works have been lifted. Also an application for the derelict land east of the station to be developed as a major foodstore has been made.

Networkers will arrive in August

The safety case has not yet been made for the new 365's that will replace some of the 317 units used between King's Cross, Cambridge and Kings Lynn. It is hoped that they will be passed for use by late July allowing entry into squadron service by mid August. Meanwhile, driver training continues on the ECML, and platforms 2 and 3 at Cambridge station have altered at their southern ends to allow clearance for the new units.

Above: 365501 is an example of the new units to be introduced, although this unit will be used on the Kent Coast. It is seen in platform 6 at Cambridge during the weekend of the 24/25th June 1995. Right: The interior of the 365 units Duncan McKay

New and old line progress

The Liberal Democrats wish to open four new stations around the city, namely Addenbrooke's, Coldham's Lane, Cherry Hinton, and Fulbourn. These proposals are expected to cost £40 million and is known as CamRail 2000. Meanwhile, the County Council have abandoned plans to re-open the March to Wisbech line to passengers until there is greater financial support by the government to cover the Railtrack access charges. The County Council have also abandoned plans to re-build the line from Huntingdon to St.Ives to connect with existing, disused, line at St.Ives. They are now looking at the possibility of re-opening the Bedford to Sandy and Cambridge line which has fewer obstacles in its way.

Coldham's Lane in doubt

The future of the RES maintenance depot at Coldham's Lane is in doubt due to the building of the new Willesden postal hub. Once this is open, the supply of vehicles from the depot for services at Kings Cross and possibly Peterborough will no longer be needed.