Oxfordshire leaders have unveiled a bold vision to transform rail services across the county through OxRail 2040: Plan for Rail. The strategy sets out proposals for four new railway stations, upgrades to all 23 existing stations, and the reopening of the Cowley branch line to passengers. A potential fifth station at Ardley is also being […]
Category: UK
Lanes Group wins major rail maintenance contracts for London Underground
The rail division of Lanes Group has won major contracts to provide track vegetation management and fencing repair, plus fencing renewal across the entire London Underground network. Transport for London (TfL) has awarded Lanes Group the two contracts, which run for five years with options for renewal, through a process of competitive tendering. The two […]
Seven new sites listed to celebrate 200 years of the railway
Five heritage railway stations, alongside two other railway sites, have been listed at Grade II by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England, in recognition of their historic and architectural interest and to mark 200 years of the modern railway. The earliest identified purpose-built railway pub in the world, the […]
Mark Hopwood CBE to succeed Jim Meade as CIRO chair
The Chartered Institution of Railway Operators (CIRO) has announced an important leadership transition. Jim Meade will step down as chair of the board in October 2025 after guiding the Institution through a period of change and innovation. He will be succeeded by Mark Hopwood CBE, managing director of Great Western Railway, who will take on […]
New HS2 exhibition opens at Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum
HS2 has teamed up with Thinktank, Birmingham’s award-winning science museum, to launch a brand-new exhibition celebrating the city’s past, present and future connection to the railways. The family-friendly showcase forms part of the nationwide ‘Railway 200’ celebrations, which mark 200 years since the birth of the modern railways. HS2’s year-long exhibition officially opens on Saturday, […]
Northern trials frozen-leaf tech to keep trains moving
A train fitted with cryogenic cleaning equipment, known as Cryogrip, will run between Bishop Auckland and North Road station in Darlington to help clear the line and minimise disruption. The train, which will not be carrying passengers, is due to run along the line between services in Northern’s timetable. Developed by engineers from the University […]
Avanti West Coast and WCPD set out their visions for rail
The managing directors for Avanti West Coast and West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD) have reiterated their commitment in keeping customers at the heart of collaborative working whilst speaking at this year’s Stakeholder Conference. Addressing over 100 delegates in Birmingham, Andy Mellors, Avanti West Coast’s managing director, highlighted the improvements the company has made to train […]
Scenic stretch of East Coast Main Line receives mobile connectivity boost
LNER customers travelling along a picturesque 45-mile stretch of the East Coast Main Line in Northumberland can now enjoy not only stunning views, but also significantly improved mobile phone and Wi-Fi connectivity. Thanks to a collaborative project funded by LNER and delivered in partnership with rail telecoms experts, Railsite Telecom, mobile network operators O2 and […]