Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

An episode all about metal wheels on metal rails.  Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker look at the latest parliamentary progress of the Railways Bill setting-up Great British Railways [01:56].  Porterbrook CEO Mary Grant explains how her company's investment in the newly electrified test track at its Long Marston Innovation Centre will boost capability in the UK's rail sector [20:10].  In an ex...

Christian examines two aspects of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz for the transport sector: civil aviation with Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent of The Independent [1:40]; and maritime shipping with Sascha Meijer, General Secretary of the Nautilus International trade union [13:10].  Christian then discusses with co-presenter Mark Walker the five transport bills announced through the King's S...

While researching the history and current plight of Africa's railways for a forthcoming book of his own, Christian takes time out to speak to David Williams, author of 'On the Railway: The Great South African Train Story' [2:31].  In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian asks whether passenger safety precautions on airliners are up to date [44:34]. Find 'Calling All Stations - the...

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker explore the themes and details of 'Better Connected: A Strategy for Integrated Transport' published by the UK Government on 2 April 2026 as the integrated national transport strategy for England [1:38].  Picking up a recurring podcast theme of road safety, Christian speaks to Louise Liddle who has channelled personal tragedy into a campaign for higher investi...

Christian speaks to legendary British Rail senior manager Chris Green OBE about the pioneering launch of the ScotRail business in the early 1980s, how this experience was than applied to Network South East across London and the surrounding counties and the lessons which could be learned by Great British Railways [1:24].  Turning to the future, Christian explores with Thomas Ableman of Freewheeling...

As the Welsh Government publishes 'Today, Tomorrow, Together - A vision for rail across Wales and Borders', Christian speaks exclusively to Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport & North Wales, about how train services are being envisioned as well as covering Welsh bus reform and the controversial 20mph speed limit policy for local roads [2:36].  Christian discusses with broadcaster an...

Christian speaks to Leo Murray, Chief Executive of Riding Sunbeams, about his company's quest to connect Britain's railways directly to renewable electricity sources [01:30], Ian Brown CBE, Policy Director at Railfuture, about the campaign's aim for a bigger and better railway [16:30] and Chris Todd, outgoing Director at Transport Action Network, about the case for choosing rail, bus, active trave...

In an exclusive interview prior to the publication of his book - 'When Something Happens' - Gerald Corbett discusses with Christian his years as Chief Executive of Railtrack, the new company at the heart of John Major's Conservative Government's controversial fragmentation and privatisation of Great Britain's main line railway industry, including the tragic fatal train crashes at the turn of the c...

With the UK Government intent on beginning robotaxi trials in London during 2026, Christian hears from Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, on why the capital's cabbies are robustly optimistic about their future [3:03].  Christian discusses with co-presenter Mark Walker the proposals in the UK Government's Road Safety Strategy for Great Britain and associate...

In our final (and seasonal) episode for 2025, Christian and Mark Walker look back on the year's transport highlights [1:58].  Christian explores with Dr Steve Denton FREng, Vice President at the Royal Academy of Engineering, the report 'Reviving Our Aged Infrastructure' published by the National Engineering Policy Centre [16:10].  After a look ahead by our presenters into what 2026 may bring in tr...

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss the full range of transport-related items in the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget statement issued on 26 November 2025 [1:38].  With the UK Department for Transport consulting on England's walking, wheeling and cycling strategy, Christian explores with leading writer in the field Laura Laker whether the thinking is ambitious enough [26:02].  In...

With the UK Government publishing its much anticipated Railways Bill, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker analyse what the legislation says about Labour's intentions for industry reforms and anticipate where controversy will flourish [1:10].  Christian meets Olympic and World championship legend Chris Boardman CBE at the launch of a pamphlet promoting access to cycling for people in deprived co...

Christian speaks to Transport for Wales Chief Executive Officer James Price about the transformation of rail services across the nation currently underway, with particular focus on the South Wales Metro [1:30].  With possible UK autonomous vehicle trials in the news, Christian visits the Smart Mobility Living Lab and hears about its work from Beata Szoboszlai, TRL's Head of Innovation Partnerships...

Our launch episode for Season 4 includes interviews with Andrew Gilligan on why he believes the money sought for Northern Powerhouse Rail could be better invested in other railway enhancements for the North of England [3:02] and with Graeme Bickerdike who is campaigning to save the disused Queensbury rail tunnel in Yorkshire as a cycling commuter and tourism route [28:56].  Christian also asks why...

In our Season 3 finale, Christian talks at length with the UK Minister of State for Transport and Minister for Rail, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, about the eagerly anticipated Railways Bill which will implement the Labour Government's plans for Great British Railways.  Their conversation covers crucial issues such the timing of the Bill, fares reform, investment, open access, capacity allocati...

Christian speaks to 'We Own It' Founder and Director Cat Hobbs at the parliamentary launch of the report 'Passengers not profit: a vision for the Railways Bill' [1:30].  In Toronto, Canada, Christian meets cycling campaigner Albert Koehl to hear about the culture war between the municipality and the Ontario provincial government over bike lanes [13:25].  In his final thought from the departure lou...

In her new book 'Off the Rails: the Inside Story of HS2', Sally Gimson meets with the politicians, engineers and ordinary people affected by the failure of HS2. Travelling from demolished council estates in Camden to ghost towns along the now cancelled northern branch, Off the Rails provides a forensic examination of how a vital social project imploded. Christian discusses in depth with the author...

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker pick up on some of the issues around driverless cars from the visit to Bosch in Stuttgart covered in episode 3/18 [1:30].  With the UK's Rail200 celebrations in full swing, our hosts discuss 'The Greatest Gathering' in Derby [7:12] and Mark reports back from an unforgettable journey to the event on 'The Belmond British Pullman' [10:32].  Looking to the future...

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine just which transport schemes ended up being funded by the UK Department for Transport through the Spending Review - and which ones didn't [1:20].  Ever interested in the issue of driverless cars, Christian reports back from a visit to Bosch in Stuttgart, Germany, who are developing software for the driver aids that potentially pave the way for this te...

We have two great interviews in this episode.  Christian visits the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire, UK, and hears from Tom Ingall about the 'Reunification' project for this leading heritage operator [01:48].  Christian then talks to Caroline Seton about London's Forest e-bike hiring and sharing company and its hopes to expand across the capital [21:07].  In his final thought from the depa...

In the midst of a flurry of UK Government transport funding and policy announcements, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine: the current status of Britain's high speed railway project, HS2 [2:25]; just how realistic are expectations for driverless cars [14:40]; and which schemes are so far known to be on the receiving end of Ministers' chequebooks [23:30].  Christian also reflects on the...

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine the return to public ownership of England's South Western Railway [2:09], discuss how Belgium's approach to road space and safety could promote cycling in the UK [11:25], link the lawlessness of parking on England's pavements with Robert Jenrick MP's highlighting of fare evasion [20:10] and update listeners on the investigations into the Heathrow Airp...

Christian experiences in person London's brand new Silvertown Tunnel and the mandatory cycle shuttle bus [2:18]; elaborates on striking new figures for the construction costs of HS2 [09:55]; releases a narrative of his book 'Liberation Line' by engaging AI bots [19:35} and welcomes proposals to lower the age requirement for train drivers in Great Britain [43:40]. Find 'Calling All Stations - the t...

One of the most exciting transport projects anywhere in the UK is the South Wales Metro which is now fully taking shape and promises to transform travel in and around the Cardiff Capital Region.  In an extended interview, Christian hears from the person widely acknowledged as the visionary behind this metamorphosis - Mark Barry, Professor of Practice in Connectivity at Cardiff University - about t...

Christian reports back to listeners on the latest leg of his worldwide exploration of high speed rail networks, this time with the extraordinary progress made in the People's Republic of China [1:22].  Mark Walker and Christian discuss the impact of and explanations for the recent total shutdown of London's Heathrow Airport as a result of a fire in the electricity distribution network [22:41].  In...