Latest From Rail

News 8 May

ETCS dynamic testing to start on East Coast Main Line

The first section of the East Coast Main Line from London King’s Cross to lose its lineside signals in favour of cab signalling
Features 8 May

Eastside story on West Midlands Metro

Chris Howe chronicles the latest progress with the Eastside extension in Birmingham
News 8 May

Northern’s new leadership team take up roles

Northern’s new managing director and chief operating officer have officially started their new roles this week.
News 8 May

Network Rail Eastern Region launches new partnership to oversee its CP7 works

Network Rail Eastern Region has outlined the framework of its Eastern Routes Partnership (ERP) which will be in place for the whole Control Period 7 (CP7).
News 2 May

CAF agrees partnership with Global Centre of Rail Excellence

The Global Centre for Rail Excellence (GCRE) has agreed a deal with Spanish train manufacturer CAF for it to provide a range of services to the centre in South Wales.
News 2 May

High Speed Rail Group publishes five recommendations to kickstart the UK’s high-speed strategy

The High Speed Rail Group has released a report calling for a comprehensive long-term strategy for high-speed rail which it says will help stimulate economic growth and develop the country’s inter-urban rail network.
Insight 2 May

The changing role of our railway stations

Innovations to improve Britain’s stations often meet stumbling blocks in the form of red tape. PETER PLISNER investigates some of the ways train companies have been breaking through the regulations.
Features 1 May

Dawlish shows engineering at its best

“Extremes of feelings” is how Network Rail Programme Engineering Manager Emma Lewis contrasts the polar-opposite events at Dawlish on February 4 2014 and July 3 2023. On that first date, high winds and strong waves punched a 100-metre hole through the Great Western Main Line’s Sea Wall defences alongside Riviera Terrace.
News 1 May

Train operators join forces to spearhead innovation

Four UK rail operators are joining forces to launch an ambitious innovation programme, Future Labs. LNER, Northern, Southeastern and Transpennine Express will be aiming to drive innovation across multiple areas including customer experience, performance, and operations.
News 30 Apr

Porterbrook to electrify Long Marston test track

Porterbrook is continuing with its ambitious plans for Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire as it confirmed it will be electrifying and renewing the £3.5 kilometre (5.6 miles) test track.
Opinion 30 Apr

Private sector involvement in Rail Reform Draft Bill

It will be interesting to see how far the current Rail Minister gets with his invitation to his shadow to work together to get the Draft Bill through Parliament before the election. The general consensus seems to be that timings remain challenging.
News 30 Apr

New timetable to be introduced by ScotRail

ScotRail is to introduce a new timetable from June that is aimed at improving access for several communities. It has been introduced in part because of the reopening of the Levenmouth line, which will begin passenger services on 2nd June 2024.
News 29 Apr

C2C’s Class 357 Electrostar fleet hits significant milestone

c2c’s fleet of 357 ‘Electrostar’ trains has reached a significant milestone, recently surpassing 150 million service miles.
News 29 Apr

Dynamic testing starts on first freight locomotive fitted with digital signalling

The first locomotive in Britain’s principal freight fleet to be fitted with digital signalling equipment has now moved to dynamic testing on a test track.
News 26 Apr

LNER to scrap Sunderland to London service

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has announced that it is to scrap its Sunderland to London service from December 2024.
News 26 Apr

HS2 continues with viaduct construction in the West Midlands

Work is continuing on HS2 in the West Midlands as new images released show the first completed sections of the Curzon 3 viaduct. The viaduct once complete will stretch over Digbeth Canal as the line finally enters Curzon Street station.
News 25 Apr

Labour launches plan for rail

Labour will today reveal its plan for rail as it heads towards the election, expected later this year. Shadow Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh will outline plans to pursue the creation of the Great British Railways (GBR) body which it intends to be led by “rail experts” rather than Whitehall.
News 24 Apr

Lowest ever level of fare evasion recorded by Northern

Northern has recorded the lowest level ever for fare evasion on its network as it released its annual figures from its Debt Recovery and Prosecutions Unit.
News 24 Apr

Lukewarm response to union calls for Scottish freight operator

Scotland’s trade union movement has called for a “nationalised freight operator” to grow the sector north of the border - but the Scottish Government says it has “no plans” to consider this.
News 24 Apr

HS2 contracts imminent for track and depot construction

Three companies are in the race to win the deal to build HS2’s depot and control centre at Washwood Heath, close to the line’s Birmingham terminus at Curzon Street. HS2.