The Chartered Institution of Railway Operators has warned that Great British Railways will need to respect local devolution while also maintaining a consistent approach throughout the country. In a new report, CIRO has set out its objectives for the organisation. CIRO says it recognises the ‘significant opportunities’ presented by bringing track and

The Italian operator Trenitalia has unveiled plans to launch services between London and Paris in 2029. Trenitalia said it has ordered 19 high speed trains from Hitachi, with an investment of €2 billion which will also cover long-term maintenance. Trenitalia will also operate between Paris and Lyon, Marseille and Milan. Work is already

Most trains in north west England are running again this morning, following yesterday's power cut in Manchester. This affected the Rail Operating Centre, where back up systems did not step in immediately. Network Rail is now investigating why its power contingency plan did not work as it should. Most operators are running

A proposal for for trains on East West Rail to be staffed by a driver and a customer service inspector have failed to break the deadlock between the Department for Transport and the RMT, which has been opposing plans to use driver-only trains between Oxford and Milton Keynes Central. The line

A working group has met for the first time to prepare a feasibility study examining the potential for a direct Caledonian Sleeper service to mainland Europe. The group, comprising representatives from Transport Scotland, Scottish Rail Holdings and Caledonian Sleeper, will explore the ‘technical and commercial opportunities and challenges associated with extending

The rules about 16-17 Railcards have been changed, so that they give young people a longer period of half-price travel. Until now, these Railcards had expired when the holder reached the age of 18, but from 17 August the cards will be valid for a year after purchase, even if they

A new station was officially opened in Devon on 31 July, and trains started calling the following day.  Okehampton Interchange is on the outskirts of the town, where the new £18 million station has a 200-space car park, sheltered cycle storage and a covered bus interchange, with electric vehicle charging points

HS2 Ltd has renegotiated two major contracts in a bid to reduce the costs of the project. New contracts have been signed with EKFB and Align which account for more than 100km of the HS2 route between London and the West Midlands between them. EKFB, which is a joint venture of Eiffage,

The RMT has called its 70 members at Manchester Piccadilly who work for Avanti West Coast out on strike again, in a dispute over the allegedly unfair dismissal of one of their colleagues. The 24-hour walkouts are set to be staged on 1 and 29 August, and again on 10 October. The

Trains have returned to a south Devon station which was badly damaged by fire on 21 July. Three boys were arrested on suspicion of arson at Paignton station, and have been given conditional bail, but the line was closed between Torquay and Paignton while repairs and safety checks were carried out. Trains