Today Arriva made known its rolling stock plan for the Glossop Line as from the start of its franchise in April 2016. The popular 323 electric units currently serving the line will remain until 2017. Then from 2017 to 2020 4 coach refurbished electric units will be used. These are likely to be the Class 319 units which are now appearing on newly electrified routes around Manchester. From 2020 new 4 coach electric units are scheduled for use.
We welcome the fact that the 323 units will continue to be used. Their acceleration is such that they are able to maintain the tight turn arounds needed in the current timetable and on the line's rising gradients. We also welcome the prospect of new trains from 2020. We do however remain concerned about the possible use of Class 319 trains on the Glossop Line from 2017. It is felt they may be unable to maintain current times - we published technical comparisons earlier this year on this site (click here to read the comparison) and alerted all concerned. We are now in regular discussion with Andrew Bingham High Peak MP, The High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership and the South East Manchester Community Rail Partnership about this crucial issue and we will seek clarification from them and Arriva in the New Year.

The DfT has announced today that ARRIVA - parent company Deutsche Bahn DB - has won the franchise to operate Northern from April 2016. First Group has retained the franchise for TransPennine Express. Please access the link below for the headline news regarding these new franchises. Both franchises will be managed from Leeds in conjunction with the emerging Rail North organisation.

When more details become clearer as to how the change to Arriva will impact on the Glossop Line we will, of course, share this information once it is known. Some of the details of the rolling stock from April 2016 are indicated in the government's Department for Transport press release: Click here to read the full release Massive boost to rail service brings Northern Powerhouse to life

We were delighted to welcome over 100 children and their families to our annual Christmas Gala at Glossop station on Saturday 5th December! It was a very blustery day indeed and we were very grateful that so many turned out in difficult weather conditions. The star attraction of course was Father Christmas who arrived promptly by train from the North Pole at 11.47. Waving jollily to the children, Santa made his way to the station waiting room where he gave out a free gift bag to every child supplemented with satsumas and sweets given to them by FOGS' Jacqueline Horne. The station looked a treat with Christmas decorations in place and the queue to see Santa was entertained by popular folk Group SPINDRIFT making a most welcome return! Glossop Model Railway Club had an interactive festive model layout on display and we thank Martin for organising this. Also very busy was the Christmas Tree decorations craftmaking table manned with good humour and flair by Andrea Strogen and her daughter Kate. We very much acknowledge with gratitude Simon Denvers at "mekkit" for his assistance in creating the Christmas shapes. It was not long before the tree, kindly donated by Glossop Garden Centre, was laden with an array of attractive decorations! New this year was a soft toy stall with toys kindly donated to us along with our customary raffle organised with skill by John LeGrove who manned the stall along with help from Eric, Sue Astles and County Councillor Damien Greenhalgh. We thank them and those who gave us prizes including Northern Rail's family day out ticket and Mettrick's for a very generous gift voucher!
Our guest from Northern was Natalie Loughborough Customer Service Director who was a most engaging and amenable guest. And a very hands on one too as she helped admirably with the queue to see Santa! Joining Natalie was Theo McLauchlan Glossop Line Manager whose support in the preparation for this event has been significant. Our sincere thanks to both especially as we recognise that this is the last time that the event will run under the current Northern franchise. Natalie was presented with a delightful seasonal candle holder created by FOGS' indefatigable Bunty Gibson! Also joining us for the first time as guests were Andrew Walker and his wife Linda. Andrew is Partnership officer for The High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership. We thank them both for joining us and to Linda for her sterling work in helping Santa! Andrew has given much time and valuable advice to us this year.
In conclusion we'd like to say that we appreciate the patience of passengers boarding and leaving trains during the two hour event as they encountered a very busy station! Our thanks as well to Matt Worman Client and Stakeholder Manager at Northern Rail for his generous provision of goody bags ( and to Stuart Patrick from Friends of Rose Hill for a reserve back up ), Christine and John Kimpton for looking after Santa and to Sean McGrath from Guide Bridge for invaluable assistance. Mike and staff from Twig cafe really entered the spirit too with free goodies for the children. We enjoy working with you Mike! We were also very touched to see the return of a disabled guest who, along with his parents, makes the trip to our event every year by bus and train from Chorlton as they say our gala marks the start of Christmas for them!
A very Happy Christmas from all of us at FOGS and a peaceful New Year.