A test freight train has been run by GB Railfreight from DP World’s London Gateway to Maritime Transport’s Hams Hall freight terminal in the West Midlands, using a new Class 99 bi-mode locomotive. Yesterday’s intermodal service is being hailed by GB Railfreight as a ‘significant milestone’, particularly because it was one
Network Rail recruits drones to combat vandalism and theft
Two trials of drones which will keep an eye on the railway are set to start this year. The newly integrated Anglia management team, which consists of Network Rail, c2c and Greater Anglia, has been working to reduce vandalism, cable theft and trespassing on the railway, which are among the leading
Birthday honours for Network Rail staff
Two Network Rail staff members have been honoured by the King. Esther Lagden and Tyron Woodford have been awarded British Empire Medals in recognition of their exceptional contributions to their communities. Esther Lagden has been recognised for her dedicated voluntary service supporting young people, while Tyron Woodford has been honoured for his
Bedworth bridge bash: man arrested
A man has been interviewed by police after a railway bridge at Bedworth was badly damaged by a lorry on Thursday. Train services on the West Coast Main Line between Rugby and Nuneaton were disrupted until the following day while engineers checked for damage. When train services returned, speed restrictions were
Trains to return after Bedworth bridge damage
Normal train services are set to return to the line between Rugby and Nuneaton, after a lorry seriously damaged a bridge carrying the West Coast Main Line over a road at Bedworth. No one was injured in the incident yesterday, but the line had to be closed while Network Rail engineers
Government places barrier against future rail reprivatisation
A late change to the Railways Bill means that Great British Railways will not be subjected to casual or informal privatisation. The government says the amendment will make it impossible to change the status of GBR by simply reintroducing the private sector, because such a change would need a full Act
The Monday essay: Build it, and they will come
‘Build it, and they will come,’ is sometimes attributed to Peter Hendy who, when he was transport commissioner for London, used the phrase to justify the large investment in London Overground. Those words are actually a misquote from a 1989 film, but he was right about the Overground, which was created
New test track opened at Long Marston
A new 3.5km electrified test track has been opened at Long Marston by rail minister Peter Hendy. Lord Hendy was joined by Porterbrook CEO Mary Grant. The rolling stock leasing company acquired the 56 hectare site at Long Marston, between Honeybourne and Stratford-upon-Avon, in 2021, and bought the freehold three years
Underground services disrupted by second strike
Another 24-hour walkout has begun on London Underground, as the dispute over a voluntary four-day working week goes on. The RMT has called out its driver members, although ASLEF staff are working normally because their union is not in dispute. Lines worst affected include the Circle and Waterloo & City, which are
GWR and Welsh Government clash over trains plan
The Welsh Government is calling for intervention by the Department for Transport after it clashed with Great Western Railway over proposals for Transport for Wales trains to run between west Wales and Bristol. The plans are for two-hourly services between Fishguard Harbour or Milford Haven to Bristol Temple Meads via Cardiff