A unique show written and produced by an Avanti West Coast employee is touring the UK as part of nationwide celebrations to mark 200 years of the modern railway. Railway 200: A new theatre show tells the story of the nation’s railway – from its beginning in 1825 to the present day. Geoff Baker, customer […]
Category: Train Operating Companies
CrossCountry confirms new additions to leadership team
CrossCountry has announced the appointments of a new customer and commercial director and service delivery director who will join the executive leadership team imminently. Mark Anderson joins CrossCountry as customer and commercial director in a permanent move, having held the role on an interim basis since July 2024. Mark has worked across commercial, marketing and […]
LNER driver completes final journey after 46 years ‘up front’
An LNER train driver, who has been on the railway for 46 years, has completed his final journey before retirement. Mick Ingledew, 65, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, joined British Rail in January 1979 as a traction trainee. While working for the local council, a train driver parent of one of Mick’s friends asked whether he had thought […]
Publicly-owned train operators co-ordinate maintenance plans to improve efficiency
Train operators in public ownership have begun co-ordinating their maintenance plans at Heaton depot in Tyne & Wear in an efficiency drive that is expected to be rolled out across the country. Northern is the depot facilities manager for the site on the outskirts of Newcastle, but it is also used by LNER and TransPennine […]
ORR rejects West Coast Main Line applications due to insufficient capacity
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has rejected applications from three companies seeking track access contracts with Network Rail to run services on the West Coast Main Line (WCML). ORR concluded there is insufficient capacity on the West Coast Main Line southern section for the introduction of any of the proposed services: from East […]
West Midlands Railway names train ‘Jess Carter’ ahead of Euro 2025
West Midlands Railway (WMR) has named one of its newest trains in honour of England footballer Jess Carter as the Lionesses prepare to defend their Euros title. Experienced defender Jess, age 27, grew up in Warwickshire and pupils from her former secondary school were among the guests at a special ceremony in her honour at […]
Avanti West Coast completes Wigan North Western station overhaul
Avanti West Coast has completed an investment programme totalling nearly £1 million at Wigan North Western station aiming to improve customer experience and creating jobs. Working with Network Rail, the intercity operator has redesigned the main entrance by widening the doors, relocating Ticket Vending Machines, repainting the space and adding new lighting and more CCTV. […]
Journeys to be affected by flood works in South Gloucestershire
Great Western Railway services will be affected by rail improvement work in the Chipping Sodbury area affecting trains between Swindon and Bristol Parkway. Network Rail will carry out tunnel drainage alongside work to lift the track level which will affect train services from Monday 7 to Sunday 13 July, and on Sunday 20 July. In […]
Publicly-owned operators in West Yorkshire announce trial to improve travel for blind people
Publicly-owned train operators serving West Yorkshire are working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Network Rail on a trial to improve the travel experience for residents who have a blind person’s travel pass. The pass provides free rail travel for blind people on all LNER, Northern, and TransPennine Express services in the region, as part […]
Rail services revised in face of soaring temperatures
Passengers travelling on the Brighton Main Line are advised to check before they travel on Monday and Tuesday. Network Rail, Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express, are advising passengers to check before they travel on Monday and Tuesday this week, particularly on the sections of the Brighton Main Line where speed restrictions will be in place. […]