An innovative Aquarius road-rail Land Rover is helping drive Network Rail’s efforts to keep leaves off the line during autumn. At this time of year, falling leaves are crushed under train wheels, creating a slippery black layer on the rail. This significantly reduces the friction between wheels and track, and also creates a separation between […]
Category: Permanent Way
Full train services resume on the Isle of Wight after £3.5 million investment
Island Line services between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin resumed this morning (17 November) following a mix of full and partial closures over the past month. During this time, engineers replaced the rail between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St John’s Road, through Ryde Tunnel. Conditions in Ryde Tunnel are some of the most extreme in […]
UK’s first low-carbon track renewal takes place between Honor Oak Park and Forest Hill
1,150 yards of plain line track have been replaced on a stretch of railway line in south London using a suite of low carbon, sustainable materials – a UK first that will help Network Rail contribute to its net zero commitment The railway has successfully delivered the UK’s first low-carbon track renewal combining green steel […]
Network Rail issues level crossing safety reminder ahead of December timetable change
Network Rail is reminding members of the public crossing the East Coast Main Line to stay alert and safe at level crossings ahead of the December 2025 timetable change. Launching on Sunday 14 December, the new timetable will see changes to train schedules, including increased frequency and altered timings on several routes. These changes may […]
Manchester Piccadilly set for once-in-a-generation upgrade
Passengers using the North West’s busiest railway station are being given advance notice of once-in-a-generation track and signalling upgrades taking place in February next year. Network Rail will invest £7.9 million to improve tracks, points and signalling systems on the southern approach to Manchester Piccadilly station which date back to the 1980s. Teams will replace […]
Port Talbot level crossing reopens following safety improvements to address misuse
Network Rail is urging the public to stay safe as the Heol-y-Deliad level crossing, near Margam, reopens following essential works to improve safety. The crossing, which carries a public footpath over the South Wales Main Line, was temporarily closed in June 2025 due to repeated incidents of unsafe behaviour by members of the public – […]
Passengers asked to plan ahead of a major upgrade at Dartford Junction.
With just over three months to go, rail passengers in south east London and Kent are being reminded to plan ahead as the line is closing for essential track repairs in Dartford during the February half term next year. From Saturday 14 February to Sunday 22 February accessible buses will replace Southeastern and Thameslink services […]
Rail upgrades between Birmingham and London Marylebone this weekend
Passengers travelling between Birmingham Moor Street and London Marylebone this weekend are being advised of journey changes while engineering upgrades take place. The essential work, which includes track and drainage improvements, will help provide better and more reliable journeys for passengers and freight services. Across the weekend, Network Rail’s teams will be carry out track […]
Rail services severely disrupted after train derails in Cumbria
Rail services between northern England and Scotland have been severely disrupted after an Avanti West Coast train derailed near Shap in Cumbria this morning. The 04:28 Glasgow–London Euston service left the tracks at around 06:10 between Penrith and Oxenholme Lake District. Emergency services were quickly on the scene, with the North West Ambulance Service assessing […]
Shocking new CCTV footage at level crossing in Norfolk shows young person’s reckless game, with stark safety warning issued
Network Rail has released new CCTV footage showing a teenager risking everything to play a potentially deadly game at a level crossing north of Diss station. The footage, recorded earlier this month, captures the figure ignoring clear warning signage and a red light to stand in a dangerous place right next to the tracks, only […]