Representatives from across the rail industry celebrated last night (Thursday 27 November) at the RailStaff Awards 2025. Held at Birmingham’s NEC, the event shines a spotlight on the people whose dedication keeps the railway running. Rail managers, customer service assistants, apprentices, training managers and many more were there, reflecting the industry’s wide range of skills […]
Category: Featured
RailStaff Awards 2025 Finalists Announced
The Shortlist Is Here! It’s been an incredible year at RailStaff Awards HQ — and it’s all thanks to you! A huge thank-you to everyone who took the time to nominate and vote for their rail heroes. From apprentices and engineers to customer service stars and training managers, this year’s nominations celebrate the very best […]
RailStaff Awards 2025 Finalists Announced
The Shortlist Is Here! It’s been an incredible year at RailStaff Awards HQ — and it’s all thanks to you! A huge thank-you to everyone who took the time to nominate and vote for their rail heroes. From apprentices and engineers to customer service stars and training managers, this year’s nominations celebrate the very best […]
Boosting regional economies: More jobseekers progress into careers on HS2
In total, 5,191 jobseekers have benefitted from specialist training and support to help them to progress into new careers on the project. The continued success in engaging and upskilling people ready for work is attributed to HS2’s job brokerage model. Partnerships with the Department for Work and Pensions, the National Careers Service, local authorities, and […]
Railway 200 Inspiration Train is a great success at Norwich and Lowestoft
Over 5700 people have visited the special Railway 200 exhibition train during its eight days in Norwich and Lowestoft. The “Inspiration” train is touring the UK as part of a whole programme of events across the nation to mark Railway 200 – a national celebration of the 200th anniversary of the modern railway. Popular everywhere it’s […]
Network Rail announces Jeremy Westlake as new Chief Executive
Network Rail has today announced the appointment of Jeremy Westlake as its next Chief Executive, replacing Sir Andrew Haines who will be retiring. Jeremy, who is currently Chief Financial Officer, will formally take up the role in October following a transition period alongside Sir Andrew. In this role, Jeremy will oversee the amalgamation of Network […]
FirstGroup plc – rolling stock agreement for Stirling open access rail service
FirstGroup plc (or the ‘Group’) is pleased to provide an update on its new London to Stirling open access rail service. As previously announced, in 2024 the Group acquired Grand Union Wcml which included track access rights granted by the Office of Rail and Road (‘ORR’) to run open access rail services from London Euston […]
HS2 breaks through in Birmingham
HS2’s giant tunnelling machine Mary Ann broke through on Friday 9 May, marking the end of her mission to excavate the first bore of what will soon become the longest railway tunnel in the West Midlands. The 125-metre-long machine began constructing the 3.5-mile (5.8km) Bromford Tunnel, which starts at the Warwickshire village of Water Orton […]
World-First: Hitachi Rail Enables Digitally Signalled Steam Locomotive with ETCS Technology
In a historic first for the railway industry, testing of a steam locomotive fitted with Hitachi Rail’s European Train Control System (ETCS) in Level 2 has been completed successfully on the Cambrian line in Wales. As part of Network Rail’s East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), the historic Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado is the first […]
Network Rail Grants £1.1 Billion Contract to Four Firms for On-Track Maintenance Equipment
Network Rail has awarded contracts worth up to £1.1 billion to four suppliers of on-track maintenance machines vital in maintaining and renewing Britain’s railway network. The contracts have been awarded to Balfour Beatty Rail Limited, Colas Rail Limited, Swietelsky Babcock Rail (SB Rail) and VolkerRail Specialist Businesses Limited, to provide On Track Machines (OTM) including […]