Will private rail operators still cost the taxpayer billions of pounds, even after rail renationalisation? New analysis seen by Green Signals says they just might… And new findings emerge from the RAIB investigation into the train crash last year at Talerddig in Wales. In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:32) Open access report (15:29) WOW! New channel teaser (16:14) Talerddig rail crash report (20:13) Transport for Wales Transport Summit (22:03) Thanks to Supporters (23:17) Barrow Hill visit prev...
May 08, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 83
Great British Railways needs a leader… and a good one if it’s going to succeed. Richard speaks to a man with a unique railway background. He’s run train operating companies, held very senior roles in Network Rail, run an integrated railway, and is now CEO of Freightliner. Tim Shoveller is one to watch in the rail industry, so we ask him to imagine he’s just been appointed as CEO of GBR and chat to him about what he’d do in his first 100 days… as well as having a general chat about the state of t...
May 06, 2025•42 min
No Great British Railways until 2027?! We dissect Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander’s first appearance as Secretary of State for Transport at the Transport Select Committee. Spoiler alert – we were a little underwhelmed… We preview an exclusive interview with someone who could be a strong candidate to run Great British Railways And we have some very exciting news of our own..! #GreatBritishRailways #Railnationalisation #Railways In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:40) Transport Select Committee...
May 01, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 82
We sit down with Henri Murison, CEO of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, to discuss the past, present, and future of the North of England. From the realities of devolution to the controversial cancellation of HS2, Henri shares expert insights on how infrastructure, governance, and investment strategies must evolve to truly level up the North. 🔎 Topics covered: • Henri’s personal journey to leading Northern Powerhouse• The role of Northern Powerhouse in a changing political landscape• Risks a...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr
New Eurostar challenger Gemini Trains CEO Adrian Quine gives us an EXCLUSIVE interview. And we preview an upcoming interview with Northern Powerhouse Partnership’s Henri Murison, in which he does NOT hold back! In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:32) Gemini Trains interview (29:18) Henri Murison preview (36:12) Thanks to Supporters (38:51) Railway News Round-up (38:59) East Midlands Railway Class 170 refresh (39:46) Southeastern Class 376 Electrostar refresh (41:03) Coventry Very Light Rail syste...
Apr 24, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 81
Open Access services are an emotive topic. They also risk becoming a real political headache in the process of reforming Britain’s railway. Politicians are talking up the benefits of re-nationalisation and control. Yet they can’t help themselves seemingly wanting to claim some credit for a deal they had no direct role in when the factory that’s building new trains for open access services announces its success to the world. Ian Yeowart is widely regarded in the railway as the guru of open access...
Apr 23, 2025•36 min
Northern Trains operates one of the most complex and expansive rail networks in the UK, serving everything from scenic rural routes to busy urban lines across the North of England. But recent years haven’t been easy—staffing challenges, service cancellations, and political pressure have all taken their toll. In this rare and candid interview, we sit down with Matt Rice, Chief Operating Officer of Northern Trains, to discuss how the operator is turning things around. Filmed in York, Matt shares h...
Apr 22, 2025•40 min
We dive into the ground breaking test of A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s Tornado, the world’s first steam locomotive equipped with digital signalling equipment, ready for the planned introduction of ETCS. We also cover Rail Minister Lord Hendy’s admission about using his mobile phone while driving a vintage bus, and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander’s first major speech. #TornadoSteam #DigitalSignalling #UKRail #RailwayNews #TransportUpdate #HeidiAlexander #LordHendy #SteamLocomotive In this episo...
Apr 17, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 80
How late are YOUR trains?! Train performance data to be displayed at stations to ‘rebuild trust’ – but will it really do that? Rail Minister Lord Hendy doubts passengers will be as patient as they need to be with the time it may take to fix the railway’s problems… And we speak to former Chair of the Transport Select Committee Iain Stewart CBE about rail reform and the challenges ahead In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:52) Train performance data at stations (07:19) Lord Hendy doubts passengers w...
Apr 16, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 75
Thousands of rail jobs to be axed, including on HS2? We discuss the reports in the context of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) lock horns over access to the network And… Network Rail’s Head of Safety Martin Frobisher talks to us about the ORR’s concerns on railway structure safety In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:44) Thousands of rail job cuts (09:35) Network Rail and ORR on access to the network (17:57) Teaser of Huw Merriman interview on ne...
Apr 16, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 77
Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the major £15 million track renewal project on the Cambrian railway line near Machynlleth. In this video, we dive into the impressive 17-day blockade work, featuring full track renewal, bridge repairs, and innovative equipment like the Trac Rail Transposers. We also explore the exciting 'Local Railway' initiative – a collaboration between Transport for Wales, Network Rail, and other partners aimed at transforming local rail services. Lea...
Apr 15, 2025•23 min
Every year, thousands of people, especially teenagers, risk their lives by trespassing on railway tracks, often unaware of the deadly consequences. In this eye-opening video, we reveal shocking footage of near misses, showing the true dangers of railway trespassing. With trains reaching speeds of up to 125mph and overhead wires carrying 25,000 volts, stepping onto the tracks is far more dangerous than most people realise. Join us as we explore why this problem persists, the efforts being made to...
Apr 11, 2025•21 min
We dive into the intriguing topic of whether HS2 trains could cause a ‘sonic boom’ as they speed through the UK’s high-speed rail network. High-speed trains in other countries, like Germany and Spain, have experienced this phenomenon when entering tunnels, but what about the UK's HS2 project? Join us as we explore the science behind sonic booms, the technology used to prevent them, and take a close look at the world-first Chilterns Tunnel south portal on HS2. We also have an exclusive interv...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 79
The Prime Minister announces £415m investment in railways in the north! But what’s the real story? Virgin Trains moves a step closer to challenging Eurostar… but it’s still a long way off being a done deal And… passenger numbers are increasing… but revenue is still lagging miles behind. We investigate. In this episode: (00:00) Intro(00:47) £415m for railways in the North(11:24) Virgin Trains challenge against Eurostar(20:39) Passenger revenue investigation(35:52) Thanks to Supporters, Super Than...
Apr 03, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 78
Huw Merriman, former Minister of Rail in the last Conservative Government talks about his new role as Chair of the Liverpool Manchester Railway Board. He explains how Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester) and Steve Rotheram (Mayor of Liverpool City Region) have tasked him with leading the creation of far more than just a railway – an economic corridor to promote jobs and growth on a big scale. We also discuss HS2 and the decision of Rishi Sunak when Prime Minister to cancel Phase 2 north of...
Apr 01, 2025•35 min
Richard Branson’s Virgin Trains fights hard to return to the West Coast Main Line with an appeal to the Office of Rail and Road over available capacity We ask how many public officials does it take to have a meeting about railway projects these days? And a new Northumberland Line station – Newsham opens In this episode: (00:00) Intro(00:40) Virgin Trains open access fight(31:50) How many officials does it take to have a railway meeting?(34:55) Thanks to Supporters, Super Thanks and Members(36:15...
Mar 20, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 76
Flying Scotsman DOES have a main line future – we speak to the National Railway Museum about plans for the world-famous locomotive Where now for HS2? The Public Accounts Committee asks what benefits can be “salvaged” from the project and we speak to former project Chairman Allan Cooke CBE And… Does the Royal Train have a future after all? In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:47) Flying Scotsman’s main line future (18:58) HS2 PAC report (41:04) Rail fares increase (45:34) Thanks to Supporters, Supe...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 74
Heritage Railway Association CEO Steve Oates talks about the challenges facing the heritage railway sector. Steam railways are under increasing pressure, threatening the financial viability of them as businesses. Steve provides a unique insight into difficulties and what railways are doing to try and ensure their survival.Subscribe: If you liked this video, please give it a thumbs up. Better still, hit that subscribe button. It supports the channel and means you'll be notified whenever we pu...
Mar 04, 2025•53 min
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) threatens Network Rail with possible enforcement action under the Health & Safety at Work Act. Could there be growing safety concerns with some of our railway structures? We look at the reaction to the government’s Railways Bill consultation on GBR and hear from the Rail Freight Group’s Director General, Maggie Simpson. There are strong words from the Heritage Railway Association’s CEO Steve Oates about the state of leadership and governance with some of the...
Feb 27, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 73
The government publishes ‘Delivering a railway fit forBritain’s future’. It’s the clearest indication yet of the government’sintentions for the future structure of GBR. In the most dramatic change of all, GBR will allocate accessto the network – and the ORR is downgraded to an appeals body. It marks the endof the 1993 Railways Act vision of access and access charges determined by anindependent regulator. In future, it’s GBR’s railway. In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:58) Railways Bill Consulta...
Feb 20, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Amongst all the HS2 construction updates, one important thing has been missing. What is HS2 actually going to be like for passengers? When will we see HS2 trains running? What will the customer experience be like? What has the cancellation of Phase 2a meant for plans to transform rail travel on the West Coast? All these questions and many more are the domain of West Coast Partnership Development Managing Director Shamit Gaiger – an expert in transformational change and a passionate advocate for ...
Feb 18, 2025•38 min
2025 is a big year for the railway. It’s the 200thanniversary of the Stockton & Darlington railway, which is generally considered the world’s first commercial railway venture. Celebrations are getting underway, so Stef had a chat withEmma Robertson and Anthony Coulls to find out what’s being planned. Emma is the Railway 200 Programme Manager for GBRTT and Anthony is Senior Curator for Rail Transport and Technology at the National Railway Museum. Membership: If you want to see even more from ...
Feb 17, 2025•16 min
Is a Virgin Trains comeback on the West Coast Main Lineabout to be crushed? And the Department for Transport strongly objects to a swarm of other open access applications in a letter to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) setting out its concerns. And… Richard samples Transport for Wales’ Premier Dining… In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:50) Virgin Trains comeback to be crushed? (25:47) Shamit Gaiger West Coast Partnership Developmentpreview (31:27) RIA/RBD news (35:04) Railway 200 update (37:14)...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 71
An HS2 construction update this week with the completion of an incredible 4,500 tonne deck slide for a viaduct at Small Dean in Buckinghamshire Richard takes a trip to see the wonderful semaphore signals and manual signalboxes at Shrewsbury And… We find out all about hotly anticipated The Greatest Gathering at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane to celebrate Railway 200 In this episode: (00:00) Intro(01:28) HS2’s Small Dean deck slide(21:45) The Greatest Gathering launch(27:16) Shrewsbury semaphore si...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 64
Has Chancellor Rachel Reeves given the economy the growth serum it needs, or is she on a planet looking increasingly like it’s far, far away? Great British Railways could have the ‘scale and impact’ of the NHS. Seriously?! And the Transport Select Committee grills the Chair of Shadow GBR and the Rail Minister on progress setting up the new organisation – and we ask - have they made any?! In this episode: (00:00) Intro(00:55) Rachel Reeves speech on economic growth(14:17) GBR to have ‘scale and i...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Rail Partners is a trade body that was set up to promote and focus on the interests of the private sector train operators, both passenger and freight, on the railway. But it has become a casualty of the Labour government’s approach to railways and the increasing drive towards nationalisation of operators. Rail Partners announced recently that from March 2025 they will wind up their operations. They have been quite fierce critics of the approach being adopted that instead of combining the best of...
Jan 28, 2025•44 min
Forget trains, roads are the way forward – or that seems to be the message from the National Infrastructure Commission’s Chairman Sir John Armitt CBE at a recent Transport Select Committee session. … Not helped by news reports that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering scaling back rail spending. Big time. And we starting investigating what’s going on with planned upgrades on the West Coast Main Line and the Trilink project. In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:35) Sir John Armitt at the Transpo...
Jan 23, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 68
A brand new railway is being built in Wales. They have theland. They have the planning permission. Some of the ballast is even laid. All they need is the rest of the money to finish it and they can reconnect a railway with its town. The Bala Lake Railway (home of the beautiful Quarry Hunslets) on the banks of the glorious Bala Lake in Snowdonia is raising the money to take the railway from its current terminus on the outskirts of Bala, where there are no facilities to a brand new station in the ...
Jan 21, 2025•39 min
Railway accidents and train crashes are investigated thoroughly to find out what caused them and how they can be prevented from happening again. We spoke to Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) Deputy Chief Inspector Andy Lewis to find out how accident investigation has changed, what RAIB’s role is, and to learn about recent accidents. We discuss the Flying Scotsman collision at the Strathspey Railway in Aviemore in September 2023, and the more recent fatal accident at Talerddig in Wales in...
Jan 20, 2025•24 min
Is Virgin Trains about to make a comeback in the UK with a £500m train order to operate services through the Channel Tunnel to compete with Eurostar? Is passenger revenue now on the rise as well as passenger numbers? We review Office of Rail and Road figures and Great British Railways Transition Team analysis of the latest data. We speak to RAIB Deputy Chief Inspector Andy Lewis about the Strathspey and Talerddig accident reports in a preview to an upcoming full interview.And… the Elizabeth Line...
Jan 16, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 67
