West Midlands Railway (WMR) has achieved ‘Excellent Employer’ status for its industry-leading engineering apprenticeship scheme, becoming the first train operator to reach gold accreditation. The 12-month assessment, led by Next Gen Makers, bases results on feedback from existing apprentices to identify companies which deliver outstanding training opportunities. Provided in partnership with Birmingham Metropolitan College, WMR’s […]
Category: General Interest
West Midlands Railway becomes first UK train operator to strike gold with apprenticeship accreditation
West Midlands Railway (WMR) has achieved ‘Excellent Employer’ status for its industry-leading engineering apprenticeship scheme, becoming the first train operator to reach gold accreditation. The 12-month assessment, led by Next Gen Makers, bases results on feedback from existing apprentices to identify companies which deliver outstanding training opportunities. Provided in partnership with Birmingham Metropolitan College, WMR’s […]
West Midlands Railway becomes first UK train operator to strike gold with apprenticeship accreditation
West Midlands Railway (WMR) has achieved ‘Excellent Employer’ status for its industry-leading engineering apprenticeship scheme, becoming the first train operator to reach gold accreditation. The 12-month assessment, led by Next Gen Makers, bases results on feedback from existing apprentices to identify companies which deliver outstanding training opportunities. Provided in partnership with Birmingham Metropolitan College, WMR’s […]
Wensleydale Railway’s Model Railway Show returns in May!
Wensleydale Railway will once again be hosting its Model Railway Show on the 2nd weekend of May. The annual event will take place on 9 and 10 May at Leeming Bar Station. There will be layouts of various gauges from N to O on display, trade and model-making demonstration stands in attendance and hot & […]
CrossCountry’s Social Value report highlights £184m contribution to communities and the environment
Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has launched its 2026 Social Value report, outlining the positive impact of the business on people, places and the planet. Launching today (Friday 17 April), the report demonstrates how CrossCountry embeds social value into everyday work – from improving rail accessibility and creating inclusive employment opportunities, to supporting communities and enabling […]
Connecting East Anglia: the role of rail in everyday journeys
Friday 17 April 2026 marks the first World Public Transport Day, recognising the role public transport plays in keeping people and communities moving. It is a chance to step back and consider the role rail plays in everyday life across the East of England. Greater Anglia and neighbouring operator c2c connect people to work, education, […]
Passengers urged to plan ahead as Network Rail restores two of Brunel’s historic landmarks in Bath
Rail passengers travelling through Bath later this month are being asked to plan their journeys in advance as Network Rail begins major restoration work on two iconic railway structures. Sydney Gardens footbridge will undergo grit‑blasting, steel and masonry repairs, a full repaint and the complete replacement of its wooden deck over the next three months. […]
Passengers warned to plan ahead after overhead wire damage at Manchester Piccadilly
Passengers have been warned to expect further disruption following damage to overhead wires outside Manchester Piccadilly station. Wiring above the railway on the approach to the station was damaged this morning (Thursday 16 April) at around 11.20am. This has caused significant disruption to trains travelling into and out of Piccadilly station throughout the day. Network […]
FCA approval marks major milestone for Severn Valley Railway’s One Railway project
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has announced that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has approved its application to convert Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) Plc into a charitable community benefit society (CCBS), a key step in the organisation’s ambitious One Railway restructure. The newly constituted organisation will be named Severn Valley Railway Society Limited, a title […]
Alstom’s Traincare Centres welcome charity railtour
Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has welcomed a passenger service into three of its Traincare Centres as part of a unique charity railtour. On Saturday 4 April, a Branch Line Society charter visited Alstom facilities in Manchester (Longsight), Wolverhampton (Oxley) and Liverpool (Edge Hill) as it traversed rare track along the West Coast Main Line […]