Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has stunned her colleagues, the DFT and everyone in the railway by announcing her shock resignation just hours after a story broke regarding a Magistrates’ discharge almost 10 years ago. Her decision to go quickly rather than try and ride out the storm has thrown the rail industry into yet another period of uncertainty, right at the moment that it looked like a clear plan for the way forward was emerging. Nigel and Richard discuss the challenges facing the indust...
Nov 29, 2024•18 min
Storm Bert wreaks havoc across the railway with heavy flooding and high winds causing major disruption for trains. Richard visits Northampton station, which experienced major flooding when the River Nene burst its banks. Here’s just a snapshot of some of the problems: Great Western Railway was running very limited services at the start of the week and advising people not to travel. Greater Anglia stopped running from Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport and Cambridge, along with other routes. Th...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Have you ever wondered what goes into make a locomotive naming happen? Well, this is the story… following the process to name GB Railfreight 66312 Nigel Harris on November 4. From choosing the location, to negotiating timetable changes, casting the nameplate, moving the locomotive, to the final naming ceremony, we discover the logistical challenges behind a nameplate finally appearing on an engine. In this episode: (00:00) Intro (01:33) Planning a locomotive naming (07:29) Timetabling (15:43) Ch...
Nov 26, 2024•33 min
Great British Railways - Will it really take 2 years to create? We discuss Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh’s appearance at the Transport Select Committee and her comments on the creation of GBR. Is Northern Rail performance about to improve, or is there still a long road ahead? A deal is done on Rest Day Working for conductors, but many challenges remain. £26bn – that’s what rail’s value to the economy, environment and society has been valued at in a new report from the Rail Delive...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 60
We take a behind the scenes tour of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway to chat to WyvernRail Plc Chairman Neil Ferguson-Lee about how the railway is doing in the current climate of heritage railways that are struggling. We find out about the challenges of running a heritage railway and what it takes to make it work. And we learn about this wonderful little railway, while on a journey from Wirksworth to Duffield. In this episode: (00:00) Intro (03:30) Interview with Neil Ferguson-Lee, Chairman Wyver...
Nov 19, 2024•41 min
HS2’s £100 million ‘bat shed’… and the real story behind it. Why Natural England have taken issue with HS2 Chairman Sir Jon Thompson’s discussion at the Railway Industry Association annual conference of a bat mitigation tunnel in Buckinghamshire to protect Bechstein’s bat. Jacobite steam train - is West Coast Railways considering another Judicial Review over central door locking in its dispute with the Office of Rail and Road over the operation of Mk 1s carriages. And… Rail Minister Lord Hendy a...
Nov 15, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Wales train crash new evidence: RAIB (the Rail Accident Investigation Branch) issues a further update with new information on the Talerddig rail crash on October 21st What is going on at Northern Rail? And why is performance SO bad? A week after the Autumn Budget, what have we learnt about what it means for railways? The Welsh Highland Railway gets complaints from nearby residents about ‘acrid smoke’ from steam engines And East West Rail is finally going to be electrified! Or is it? In this epis...
Nov 08, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 58
On November 7th, Green Signals was live in person and on YouTube for the very first time at the Railway Industry Association (RIA) Annual Conference, joined by special guest Chris Green. Chris is a career railwayman in both the public and private rail industry. Among his industry achievements are creating the ScotRail brand during his time as General Manager Scotland and then Network SouthEast when Managing Director (MD). He also became MD InterCity before privatisation and then Chief Executive ...
Nov 07, 2024•52 min
Electrification and battery technology are never far from discussions about decarbonisation of the railway. There are a number of solutions, including discontinuous electrification and battery-hybrid technology. We visited Salisbury Traincare Depot, home to South Western Railway’s Class 159 fleet. Richard speaks to Neil Drury, Engineering & Infrastructure Director for SWR about how the operator is thinking about the electrification challenge on its network. In this episode: (00:00) Intro (01...
Nov 05, 2024•23 min
The Rail Accident Investigation branch releases its initial findings into the fatal train crash at Talerddig, Powys, Wales on October 21. Euston station sees some progress on the Government’s 5 point plan – but will it deliver real improvement? Plus… Richard speaks to Chiltern Railways Managing Director Richard Allan about electrification, battery trains and Chiltern’s future In this episode: (00:00) Intro (04:15) Wales train crash RAIB initial findings (11:34) Euston station industry summit on ...
Oct 31, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 57
This is a recording of a YouTube Live we did on October 30th - Autumn Budget Day 2024. Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her first Budget statement to MPs in the House of Commons and Richard and Nigel then went live for Green Signals members on YouTube to discuss what was in the Budget speech and how it affects the railways and wider transport. Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too. YouTube -...
Oct 31, 2024•19 min
Sir David Higgins is known to most on the railway for holding two of the biggest roles there are – as a former Chairman of Network Rail and former Chairman of HS2. But he was also Chief Executive of the London 2012 Summer Olympics Delivery Authority before that. Australian-born, Higgins has returned to the HS2 spotlight as chair of a private sector consortium proposing the Midlands-Northwest Rail Link (the alternative to the cancelled HS2 Phase 2). He speaks candidly of his time at HS2, the deci...
Oct 29, 2024•55 min
Ahead of the Autumn Budget on October 30 2024, Richard spoke to the Railway Industry Association’s (RIA’s) Chief Executive Darren Caplan about what the railway’s supply chain wants to see announced. They discuss: the economic value of investment in the railway, the importance of a pipeline of work to secure the supply chain, the part private finance might play, and some specific projects such as Euston station, new rolling stock orders and electrification. In this episode: (00:00) Intro (02:36) ...
Oct 28, 2024•26 min
It’s an HS2 special this week! Is an HS2 Phase 2a Euston to Crewe revival on the cards? We look into rumours that the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to reverse Rishi Sunak’s decision to cancel the project. Sir David Higgins – we preview an exclusive interview with the former HS2 Chairman. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh launches an independent review into HS2 Phase 1, led by James Stewart… and we’re pretty underwhelmed. In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:59) HS2 Special (01:20) Is...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Green Signals was exclusively invited to visit Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane train building and maintenance works to have a look around in the wake of the news earlier in the year that a follow-on order would be made for Elizabeth Line trains – securing the future the site. Richard speaks to a process manufacturing engineer who started as an apprentice, and to Alstom’s Communications Director about the Railway 200 The Greatest Gathering event that will be taking place at the site in 2025. Princi...
Oct 23, 2024•55 min
On the evening of October 21st, two Transport for Wales Class 158 trains were involved in a low-speed collision, right alongside the A470 main road, near Llanbrynmair (east of Machynlleth) in Powys, Mid Wales. Sadly, one passenger has died and 15 others were taken to hospital, with what have been described as non-life-threatening or life-changing injuries. In this short bulletin, we lay out the facts as we understand them at the time of recording on October 22nd and explain what investigators wi...
Oct 22, 2024•8 min
Northern Rail threatens to prosecute a man over a £1.90 16-25 Railcard misunderstanding – but backs down Alstom’s Derby works – we preview a Green Signals visit to Litchurch Lane Northern Powerhouse Partnership leaders call on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to support HS2 Phase 2 alternative In this episode: (00:00) Intro (05:52) Northern Rail 16-25 Railcard story (28:50) Northern Powerhouse Partnership leaders support HS2 (34:34) Alstom Derby Litchurch Lane visit preview (43:10) Thanks to SuperThanks...
Oct 17, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Freightliner CEO Tim Shoveller talks about rail freight's challenges and the battle against road haulage. Tim describes his early career and how he progressed to roles including: Managing Director of Network Rail's North West and Central Region, MD of South West Trains (where he led the development of the alliance with Network Rail), MD of East Midlands Trains from the beginning of its franchise in 2007, and senior roles at Virgin Trains and Eurostar. Tim is a man who believes in getting things ...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 2 min
£1bn fleet of South Western Railway Class 170 Arterio trains in storage ‘because their windscreen wipers are too big’… but is that the real story? Great Western Railway’s Fast Charge Battery Train – we find out more about this exciting project. Euston station gets a 5-point plan… but are we impressed? And Siemens’ Goole Train Manufacturing Facility opens in Yorkshire! In this episode: (00:00) Intro (01:00) South Western Railway Arterio windscreen wipers (05:57) GWR Battery Train (31:18) Euston s...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Locomotive Services Ltd has a uniquely comprehensive collection of locomotives at their main headquarters in what was once Crewe Diesel Depot. We were privileged to have the chance to tour the site and find out more about the incredible work they do preserving such a comprehensive collection of railway assets for future generations, in what they describe as the 'Noah's Ark' of the railway. Owned by Jeremy Hosking, LSL is part of the wider Locomotive Services Group, encompassing well-known brands...
Oct 08, 2024•43 min
Is Britain is broken and what are the reasons it feels impossible to build infrastructure anymore? We analyse a new essay called 'Foundations: Why Britain has stagnated' Inside the railway’s Noah’s Ark – we preview an upcoming special video where we visit Locomotive Services Ltd in Crewe What is going on at Euston and is going to get a grip? Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too. YouTube - ...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 53
New Office of Rail and Road Chief Inspector Richard Hines speaks to Green Signals about his views on safety priorities on the railway, current hot topics in the industry and his vision for the future. Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too. YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/join Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals Green Signals: Website - http:/...
Oct 01, 2024•30 min
Jacobite steam train – in an excerpt from an interview with the Office of Rail and Road’s Chief Inspector Richard Hines, we ask about the ongoing central door locking saga and Euston station. The RAIB answers YOUR questions about the Flying Scotsman crash report. And we talk about the BBC Panorama on HS2 that left us utterly appalled. Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too. YouTube - https:...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 52
The ‘It’s not HS2’ plan (Midlands-North West Rail Link) – we delve into the long-awaited Mayors’ report into HS2 alternatives in the North The Jacobite steam train is involved in a potentially serious Signal Passed at Danger incident We follow up on some of the many questions we received about the Flying Scotsman crash report And we witness Pete Waterman getting a Freightliner Class 90 named after him! Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, beco...
Sep 19, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Flying Scotsman crash report – the Rail Accident Investigation Branch releases its findings into last September’s collision at the Strathspey Railway, which injured two people…. We speak to recently-retired HM Chief Inspector of Railway Ian Prosser CBE – and I ask him for his views on West Coast Railways and the Jacobite steam train And… Britain’s longest railway viaduct deck is completed as Richard witnesses the final segment being put into place on HS2’s Colne Valley viaduct Membership: If you...
Sep 12, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Euston station: Lord Hendy – now Rail Minister - is accused of getting a railway engineer fired over raising safety concerns when he was Chair of Network Rail. We investigate… Shadow Great British Railways is launched and the Passenger Railway Services Public Ownership Bill enters the final stages in the Commons. An HS2 construction update at Birmingham as tunnelling reaches the halfway point. And Hitachi’s battery intercity train begins testing on the national network. Membership: If you want t...
Sep 05, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Is HS2 Phase 2 about to be revived? We discuss an important new report to Government says we must not allow the West Coast Main Line to collapse. Richard takes a trip on the UK’s most exciting freight train with GB Railfreight – an alumina train from North Blyth to Fort William in Scotland. He also gets to go behind the scenes on Network Rail’s New Measurement Train – the fascinating Doctor Yellow. And we have a lovely story about the All Aboard to Northampton project! Membership: If you want to...
Aug 29, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Train strikes – the fight we all thought was over, just became more heated than ever. We speak to ASLEF’s Mick Whelan to understand what’s gone wrong now. Is it time to close the Island Line? We visit the Isle of Wight’s railway to find out. And an HS2 construction update as bridges and viaducts move into place! 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 publish some...
Aug 22, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 47
The unscripted, uncensored, uncut blather from the Green Signals team after we've finished recording a show... When we finish recording an episode of Green Signals, the three of us always hang around for a while to chat about the show and what we've got coming up... so we decided to carry on recording and let our listeners in on the action. Expect some fun, more than a bit of silliness, and some sneak peeks into what we're working on. **This is a very special sneak preview of some of...
Aug 16, 2024•25 min
Is the most innovative and important rail site in Europe coming to Wales? We visit the Global Centre of Rail Excellence site to find out… CrossCountry services are cancelled on several routes and Transport Secretary Louise Haigh intervenes… Driver training begins on the Northumberland Line from Newcastle to Ashington, ahead of passenger services returning to the line on December 15th. Green Signals: Website - http://www.greensignals.org YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals Newsletter ...
Aug 15, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 46
