Green Signals

It is one thing carrying out track renewals on the railway when it is being done away from urban centres. But when it is in the centre of the capital city on a section of railway that is amongst the busiest in the world, it is quite another. But that is exactly what Network Rail and South Eastern are doing in a major, 22 day blockade to replace track and rebuild platforms between Waterloo East and...

ScotRail’s ticket app fiasco which is sending a powerfulwarning to GBR West Coast Railways is handed an Improvement Notice by theORR over droplight windows And ASLEF threatens industrial action over toilets In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:28) ScotRail’s ticket app fiasco (22:32) Okehampton Interchange opens (33:08) U-Cross roll out update (40:33) Railway News round-up (40:36) RMT strikes over E...

It’s almost 30 years since Deltic No D9015 Tulyar turned a wheel in passenger service. But thanks to the remarkable efforts of the Deltic Preservation Society, Tulyar made a triumphant return to traffic on 31st July 2026 at the Great Central Railway. We were invited to go and see the locomotive put through its paces and we got the chance of a much coveted cab ride in D9015 from Loughborough to Lei...

The boss of troubled East Midlands Railway leaves withimmediate effect – so what happens now? Will third-party ticket retailers face unfair competitionwhen GBR launches its own retail platform? And we speak to AllRail who represent independent railoperators as to why they think open access strengthens the railway, despiteclaims they abstract revenue. In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:39) EMR boss...

The North Norfolk Railway is one of Britain’s most delightful heritage railways. Beautifully preserved in an Edwardian time capsule, a visit to the North Norfolk Railway evokes memories of a long-gone Britain – of long, lazy summer days and holidays by the beach. Stef and Richard recently went to visit the railway and have a look behind the scenes at what it takes to keep this marvellous railway i...

East Midlands Railway is in crisis. Unreliable trains trigger a short-notice emergency timetable. Andy Burnham becomes PM – what does it mean for rail and devolution? And RAIB releases its initial findings into the fatal level crossing collision at Hoghton in Lancashire. In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:29) EMR emergency timetable (21:35) Andy Burnham and devolution (34:04) Manchester buses foll...

The Rother Valley Railway is a remarkable project to restore a missing 3.5 mile link to reconnect the Kent & East Sussex Railway with the London – Hastings main line at Robertsbridge. When it’s complete, this 14 mile long railway will take visitors through some of England’s most beautiful countryside past Bodiam Castle to Tenterden. The Rother Valley Railway recently passed a major milestone w...

Andy Burnham will be our next Prime Minister. But is theremoney for his rail promises? The Railways Bill starts its passage through the Lords – andRichard is underwhelmed! And Eurostar is said to have changed its new train order tobe able to cope with 55oC Heatwaves in future! In this episode: (00:00) Intro (03:00) Andy Burnham’s rail promises (09:55) Demystifying Fiscal Rules (30:00) The Railways...

When I was offered the opportunity to go behind the scenes on a Belle Trains luxury steam train holiday headed to the Alps, I jumped at the chance. Getting up close and personal with some huge steam locomotives, experiencing an abundance of delicious food, being looked after by some of the friendliest and most efficient staff I’ve ever come across… and the views. Well, breathtaking doesn’t really...

Failure to electrify Britain’s railway is costing the UKbillions of pounds How Network Rail is coping with the heat – we speak to NR’sDeputy CEO Jake Kelly And an HS2 tunnel extension in Bromford is judged not tohave had the correct planning permission… ** Book for the Green Signals Jolly on July 23rd here In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:34) Electrification (25:34) HS2’s Bromford Tunnel (29:58)...

Why does heat wreak havoc with the railway? And what can wedo about it? A so-called ‘near miss between two trains at Clay Cross turns out to be nothing of the sort… And the National Audit Office makes someremarkable recommendations on HS2 ** Book for the Green Signals Jolly on July 23rd here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/green-signals-jolly-to-the-keighley-worth-valley-railway-tickets-198653602171...

Bedford train crash latest – What do we know? And, crucially, what don’t we know yet? RAIB releases its report into October 2024’s Talerddig rail accident – and there are a few surprises … And the ORR rejects Alliance Rail again over its Marchwood open access application. **Link to download the TicketyBoo app: ⁠⁠https://myticketyboo.com/app_download/⁠⁠ Link to TicketyBoo website: ⁠⁠https://myticke...

The Great Central Railway is unique. It is the only main line double track heritage railway in Europe. And it’s brilliant! However, they are not standing still. They have an ambitious and exciting plan to reunify the two surviving sections of the Great Central Railway to create an 18 mile, living museum of transport, anchored by that unique double track section where it is possible to see steam tr...

The dramatic freight only railway line from Saltburn to Boulby potash mine on the Cleveland coast is a truly spectacular railway. Once forming much of the Saltburn to Whitby line, the 12 mile branch to Boulby is a railway delight with steep gradients, semaphore signals, closed stations, jointed track, token block signalling, even a tunnel on the section of the line that is privately owned and of c...

Is the Government’s Rail Reform failing? And how do we fixit? Andy Burnham says he’ll bring back HS2 to Manchester if he’ssuccessful at becoming PM And we catch up with RealTimeTrains founder TomCairns about the new RTT app **Link to download the TicketyBoo app: ⁠https://myticketyboo.com/app_download/⁠ Link to TicketyBoo website: ⁠https://myticketyboo.com/⁠ Use code GREENSIGNALS5 at checkout toget...

Two thirds of all Great British Railways spend will be with the railway supply chain. It’s a dynamic environment that is constantly adapting, constantly changing and constantly investing. One of the businesses at the heart of that supply chain is Wabtec and at the moment, they are changing more than most with a £30 million investment to create a new super site, a jewel in the crown of the UK rail...

Government plans to cut transport spend to fund defence –what could it mean for railways? Kernow Connect – Is the Okehampton to Launceston and Bodminnew railway proposal the most delusional scheme of the year? And DfT explains how GBR will be held to account – but isthe most important question still unanswered? **Link to download the TicketyBoo app: https://myticketyboo.com/app_download/ Link to T...

Why did the Government block train operators from buying cheaper fuel?! Can HS2 trains be tested on HS1, or not? And… the Jacobite steam train returns! But NOT with Mark 1 carriages. **Link to download the TicketyBoo app Link to TicketyBoo website Use code GREENSIGNALS5 at checkout to get £5 off your first booking** In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:27) Government blocked fuel hedging? (09:28) Ca...

Formed in 1908, WH Davis Ltd. has been based at Langwith Junction near Shirebrook its entire history and is today recognised as the UK’s last remaining independent rail wagon manufacturer. I’ve come to have look around this extraordinary place which remains a standard bearer of world class precision engineering and heavy duty manufacturing supporting the rail sector both home and abroad. Membershi...

HS2 planned to use a technology that “hasn’t been inventedyet”… Really? GBR’s livery begins rolling out on trains, but what happens next? And now Thameslink is following Avanti West Coast’s exampleand cancelling some summer services. What is going on? ** Find out more about the Emerald Isle Belle here: https://www.belletrains.co.uk/emerald-belle-2027 or by calling 01284 330123 In this episode: (00...

Over 25 years since the UK’s first open access passenger rail service, and the subject still divides opinion. Those for point to services to communities that had been forgotten, competition driving down prices as well as stimulating. Those against point to revenue abstraction not outweighed by the growth and to adding serious performance challenges on an already congested network. One person who h...

On the morning of Sunday 25 May, the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP boarded the first South Western Railway service to depart London Waterloo. The company’s new Managing Director, Lawrence Bowman, has been steadily working hard since to create an integrated SWR and Network Rail team, responsible for both train operations and infrastructure. As Great British Railways continues...

Artificial Intelligence is no longer science fiction. It’s increasingly science fact. And it’s coming to the railway whether we like it or not. GBRX has created the AI Industry Action Plan to show how Britain’s railway will move from isolated AI pilots to safe, scalable, system-wide adoption. Green Signals went along to the glitzy launch event for the AI Industry Action Plan at the Science Museum,...

HS2’s ‘Original Sins’. Up to £102bn cost. Slower speeds. Years late. What went wrong? Avanti West Coast prepares to cut 38 daily weekday servicesfor six weeks. Bristol to Oxford direct services are restored! And Artificial Intelligence is coming to the railway fasterthan ever… **Link to download the TicketyBoo app: https://myticketyboo.com/app_download/ Link to TicketyBoo website: https://myticket...

There is considerable debate about the causes of, and future predictions for, climate change. But what is not in any doubt is that our weather has become more unpredictable and extreme. The South West of England has always suffered more than most and the railway has always been at the forefront of meeting the challenge. In 2014, a serious breach of the sea wall at Dawlish caused the railway to be...