PLANS by Highways England to demolish more than a hundred structures on disused railways have been condemned for potentially preventing future railway reopenings. Responsibility for non-operational railway land was transferred to the Department for Transport’s Highways Agency and then to Highways England after the British Railways Board had been finally wound

The National Railway Museum’s Station Hall is set to receive a £500,000 refurbishment, thanks to the Friends of the National Railway Museum. The charity organisation which supports the work of the museum, has raised £300,000 from members to develop and refresh Station Hall’s permanent exhibition, which is housed inside the historic,

Vital upgrade works are set to take place on the Great Eastern Main Line this month. The work will take place between January and February between London Liverpool Street station and Shenfield and on the Southend Victoria line to improve reliability for passengers. Related articles: Major renewal works will continue to replace

Martin Frobisher. Photos: Network Rail Three Network Rail employees have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours list 2020, published on 30 December. Martin Frobisher OBE, group safety and engineering director, is recognised for his work supporting the railway response to COVID-19, the construction of the Nightingale hospitals and supporting the army

THE last train on the Isle of Wight formed of redundant London Underground tube stock ran last night, bringing to an end an era which goes back to 1967. After permission to close the last surviving line on the island between Ryde and Shanklin had been refused, British Rail electrified the

THE first test trains ran on the Northern Line extension of London Underground over Christmas, and the successful trips through 3.2km of tunnels from the new step-plate junction at Kennington to Nine Elms and Battersea were described as a ‘major milestone’. The trains were able to reverse at Battersea Power Station,

Photos: PA Media Passengers who crowded on to trains to escape the tightening of COVID-19 restrictions in London have been branded “totally irresponsible” by the Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Mr Hancock condemned the busy scenes on Saturday night which came after the Prime Minister announced tougher coronavirus measures for the capital. Extra police

Newcastle City Council has refused planning permission for a new surface coal mine at Dewley Hill. The decision means an end to UK-based coal production, and has dashed the hopes of Britain’s heritage railways, who need affordable coal to continue operating. Earlier this week, we reported how the Heritage Railway Association called

THE Railnews website is taking a Christmas break. We will be back on Monday 4 January. Thank you for being with us in 2020 and for all your comments. We hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. The next print edition of Railnews will be published on

WHILE millions of people are looking forward to turkey and treats, thousands of Network Rail workers will be spending their Christmas on the track instead. Among the many projects which will be undertaken between Christmas Eve and the New Year, the East Coast Main Line upgrade will be continuing and London