Life On Rails

In this episode of Life on Rails, Lucy and Dom explore a major moment for the railway in the east of England, as Jamie Burles, Managing Director of GBR Anglia, joins them to discuss the new leadership structure bringing together c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia as part of Anglia’s journey to Great British Railways. Jamie explains what closer working between track and train means i...

In this episode of Life on Rails, Lucy and Dom sit down with Richard Clinnick, Editor of Modern Railways, to explore his 20 year career in the rail industry and his perspective on how the sector has evolved.   They are also joined by David Metherell, Greater Anglia’s Head of Commercial Development, who shares insights into the company’s marketing approach and the story behind its...

In this episode of Life on Rails, Lucy and Dom chat with Dan, from ‘The Right Track’, who uses his following to get people excited about the railways.   As well as that, Leon Kong, Greater Anglia’s Head of Data and Innovation stops by to share how the network uses data to continually offer the best experience for customers.   And the Careers Clinic is back for part 2. G...

In this episode of Life on Rails, Lucy and Dom head to London Liverpool Street to meet renowned train historian and railway enthusiast Tim Dunn. Together, they explore the station’s fascinating past and uncover some of Tim’s most memorable railway stories.   They’re also joined by Neil Atkin, Greater Anglia’s Head of Customer Experience, who explains how passenger feed...

Welcome to Series 3. In the first episode of the brand-new series, Lucy and Dom sit down with Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, to discuss Greater Anglia’s transition into public ownership and what it means for passengers.   In addition, Lucy and Dom bring you a brand new ‘Career Clinic’ segment, where they will be in conversation with Greater Anglia's Early Careers and Appre...

In the final episode of series 2 of Life on Rails, Lucy and Dom welcome special guest, Katie Frost, Route Director at Network Rail Anglia to discuss her role, vision, and what it is like running the UK’s busiest railway station - London Liverpool Street.   GA’s senior marketing manager, Ela Hawran Beaumont joins to share cheaper ways to travel across the network and great places f...

In this episode of Life On Rails, Lucy and Dom celebrate and pay homage to Pride month. They welcome special guest, Robert George, the co-chair of Norwich Pride and chat to Lee Ivor Smith who is a member of Greater Anglia’s LGBTQ+ network group, Affinity. Alan Neville is Greater Anglia’s Stakeholder, Community and Customer Engagement Manager and joins to discuss how he has just celebra...

In this episode of Life On Rails, Lucy and Dom celebrate International Women's Day by talking to and championing some brilliant women working in the rail industry.   Bessie Matthews, one of a handful of female freight drivers stops by to talk about her journey into the rail industry and why she wants more women to do the same. In addition, she'll be discussing the brilliant charity work she h...

In this episode of Life On Rails, Lucy and Dom talk to Alan Hyde of Railway 200 about celebrating the past, present and future of the modern British railway.  Dan Ribbits, Greater Anglia’s Learning and Development Facilitator stops by to talk about recruitment and training programs, and discusses how we support and develop our staff. Community Rail Partnership Officer, Jane Sumner, talk...

In this episode of Life On Rails, Lucy and Dom speak to Greater Anglia’s brand new Managing Director, Martin Beable as he settles into life in his new role. Greater Anglia's resident fares guru, Ken Strong, discusses how to find the best value fares whilst travelling on the network this Christmas. Katie Goldthorpe, the Community Rail Partnership Officer for the New River Line, talks about some of...

In the first episode of Series 2, Lucy and Dom speak to the journalist, broadcaster, and railway advocate Michael Portillo about his extraordinary adventures.  Greater Anglia's Safeguarding and Community Safety Manager, Georgia Payne, discusses how we can support people struggling with their mental health.  Talia Rushmore, the Community Rail Partnership Officer for the East Suffolk Lines, speaks a...

In the final episode of Season 1, Juliette and Lucy speak to Sally Shaw, Director of the Firstsite art gallery in Colchester, about creativity, rail travel and days out by train. Greater Anglia’s Engineering Director Martin Beable explains how the new trains have helped boost performance, while Georgia Payne, the operator’s Safeguarding and Trespass Prevention Lead, discusses partnership work with...

In this episode of Life On Rails, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes at Greater Anglia, we are back at Norwich Theatre Royal to speak to special guest, Dame Trott AKA actor Richard Gauntlett, from this year’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk. Dame Trott shares her love for the region before she is sent on a special surprise trip. Head of Business Readiness, Keely Lopes, explains how...

In this episode Juliette and Lucy take to the stage and speak to Stephen Crocker, CEO of Norwich Theatre Royal, about the bustling arts scene in the East and plans for the future. They also find out what’s it like in the hot seat in control with Addie Quinnear, who works in our control centre in Romford. … and just how clean is the air around your station? Environment and Energy manager Steph Evan...

In this episode of Life On Rails, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes at Greater Anglia, we speak to podcaster and writer Robbie Knox about relocating to Norfolk and his passion for the region. We also hear from a train driver about the dangers of trespassing and the impact it can have, and we meet one of Greater Anglia’s area managers, Paula Wilson, who talks about her career journey fro...

In this episode of Life On Rails, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes at Greater Anglia, we hear from the managing director of Greater Anglia, Jamie Burles, who talks about what it’s like to be in charge of a large train company. We find out everything you need to know about engineering works on the railway and learn how special gadgets have saved the equivalent of over 1000 tonnes...

In Episode 4 of Life On Rails we hear how two weeks’ work experience was the start of a lifetime career in the railway for Sarah Swanston, one of Greater Anglia’s first female drivers. ITV Anglia’s David Whiteley talks about rivalry between him and his wife, BBC Look East’s Amelia Reynolds and describes his dream day on the North Norfolk coast. Presenters Juliette Maxam and...

Juliette Maxam and Lucy Wright return to delve behind the scenes of Greater Anglia. East Anglian poet Luke Wright talks about how his love of East Anglia inspires his work in the latest episode of Greater Anglia’s Life On Rails podcast. Listen to find out what Luke is writing next, and hear him read a poem about his dad’s daily commute to London. This episode also reveals the extensive...

In Episode 2 of Life on Rails, Juliette Maxam and Lucy Wright take another look behind the scenes at Greater Anglia. Have you ever wondered who decides what colour trains should be and designs the interior? In this episode we speak to Jason Brandon, who as brand manager of Greater Anglia, was responsible for what the new trains should look like – and answers the question - "why do they have...

Listen to this first episode of Greater Anglia’s new podcast to discover some interesting nuggets about life on rails. Find out how trains are made, how they’re kept clean and sanitised, and why leaves on the line are like black ice on the road. Discover which destination we recommend to YouTuber Geoff Marshall, and how you can get the cheapest fares. We’d love to hear from you,...

Life on Rails is Greater Anglia’s new podcast, hosted by Juliette Maxam and Lucy Wright. In each episode we’ll speak to special guests to look behind the scenes and find out how the railway works. We’ll be talking about new trains, how to get the cheapest fare, what makes us green and putting a spotlight on some of the people who work at Greater Anglia. We’ll also be runnin...