Northern Rail threatens to prosecute a man over a 1.90 16-25 Railcard misunderstanding but backs down Alstoms 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 and M...
Oct 17, 2024•57 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Railways 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 station fi...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 railways Noahs 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 - https:/...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 53•Transcript available on Metacast 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://www.greensignals.org New...
Oct 01, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jacobite steam train in an excerpt from an interview with the Office of Rail and Roads 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://www.y...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr•Ep 52•Transcript available on Metacast The Its 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, become a m...
Sep 19, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 51•Transcript available on Metacast Flying Scotsman crash report the Rail Accident Investigation Branch releases its findings into last Septembers 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 Britains longest railway viaduct deck is completed as Richard witnesses the final segment being put into place on HS2s Colne Valley viaduct Membership: If you want to ...
Sep 12, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 50•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Hitachis battery intercity train begins testing on the national network. Membership: If you want to se...
Sep 05, 2024•54 min•Ep 49•Transcript available on Metacast 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 UKs 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 Rails 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 see e...
Aug 29, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep 48•Transcript available on Metacast Train strikes the fight we all thought was over, just became more heated than ever. We speak to ASLEFs Mick Whelan to understand whats gone wrong now. Is it time to close the Island Line? We visit the Isle of Wights 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 something...
Aug 22, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 47•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 46•Transcript available on Metacast Without HS2, the West Coast Main Line will soon be rammed. We speak to experts Simon Pilkington and William Barter to explain why. We ask whether the problematic Trent Valley bottleneck can ever be resolved on the WCML. And controversially, we ask whether we should just cancel HS2 right now. Is there any point in continuing if we only build Phase 1? We also bring you some little teasers from our upcoming videos on Network Rails New Measurement Train (the Flying Banana as it is often known), and ...
Aug 08, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep 45•Transcript available on Metacast HS2 cancellation of Phase 2 north of Birmingham means writing off 2 billion of costs. Restoring Your Railways (often referred to as Reversing Beeching) is cancelled by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Richard is jumping for joy. Meanwhile, HS2 from Old Oak Common to Euston appears to be safe for now. 75,000 fare evasion prosecutions are officially judged unlawful we speak to a leading lawyer on the subject about what happens next. Royal Mails decision to quit rail Varamis Rail tells...
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 44•Transcript available on Metacast Glenfinnan Viaduct, one of the world's most iconic railway viaducts, is having major repair work carried out. The Director of Engineering for Scotland's railway talks to us about repairs to the iconic structure on the route of the Jacobite Steam Train The Government launches its first piece of railway legislation in double quick time but we ask where (Shadow) Great British Railways has got to? A vast number of train tickets on Britain's railway are sold by third parties. We speak wit...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep 43•Transcript available on Metacast Frightening level crossing misuse footage from Network Rails Wessex region highlights the true dangers of abusing the railway. ScotRail slashes 600 services and introduces a temporary timetable because of lack of availability of staff for overtime and rest-day working, as it battles on with the rail unions. World-famous Flying Scotsman heads to the National Railway Museums Locomotion in Shildon for a special summer visit. The Isle of Wight Bus and Rail User Group speaks to us about further Islan...
Jul 18, 2024•1 hr•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast Is Royal Mail quitting rail after 194 years? Royal Mail announces that it will scrap its trains, but tells us it will continue to use rail services. The question is how much? Louise Haigh becomes Transport Secretary and Lord Peter Hendy is appointed a Minister at the Department for Transport. We examine their in-trays and key priorities. Richard gets to go underground in the Severn Tunnel on a very special trip to find out about major track renewals through this monster of a tunnel. And the bran...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast Could 75,000 train fare evasion prosecutions be unlawful? We discuss train operators use of the Single Justice Procedure and the rather extraordinary situation that appears to be unfolding in the courts. The Isle of Wight railway - Island Line - faces LONG closures for maintenance AGAIN. LNER and other train companies launch a Be Kind initiative to tackle unacceptable abuse towards staff. Its the end of the line for King Coal on rail a 200 year old relationship ends when the final coal train run...
Jul 04, 2024•53 min•Ep 40•Transcript available on Metacast The man who ran the three largest transit systems in three continents Andy Byford a.k.a. Train Daddys list of jobs is quite extraordinary. Hes been Operations Director of Rail Corp in New South Wales, Australia; CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission; CEO of New York Mass Transit Authority; and of course Commissioner for Transport at Transport for London in the UK. There have been some massive highs getting Crossrail finished and opening the Elizabeth Line, sorting out the Toronto Transit Commiss...
Jul 02, 2024•2 hr 36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Is the Jacobite Steam Train about to have a powerful rival in the new partnership between Locomotive Services Ltd & the Scottish Railway Preservation Society? We speak to LSL Managing Director Tony Bush to find out! We preview a not-to-be-missed interview coming very soon with former Transport for London Commissioner, Andy Byford (known in the US as Train Daddy) We take a thrilling ride on the Ffestiniog Railways Gravity Train Some shocking images from the CPKC Final Spike Steam Tour in Mexi...
Jun 27, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 39•Transcript available on Metacast Our General Election Manifestos special! We review the rail policies of the main parties: The Conservatives continue with their Network North plan The Labour Party continues with their Get Britain Moving plan And one party manifesto has Richard needing to go outside for some fresh air after reading it But we have some good news too! Transport for London has ordered 10 new Aventra trains from Alstom to secure the future of Derby Litchurch Lane! Green Signals: Website - http://www.greensignals.org...
Jun 20, 2024•54 min•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast Lumo and the divisive issue of Open Access. Richard Bowker interviews MD Martijn Gilbert and things get a bit lively! Is Open Access on the railway a good thing or a bad thing? Or perhaps a bit of both! One of the strongest advocates for Open Access on Britains railway is Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of First Groups open access operations, which includes Lumo and Hull Trains. We discuss: Martijn's early career and what got him interested in open access How Hull Trains are bouncing back...
Jun 17, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Flying Scotsman, the worlds most famous steam locomotive, is to have a new custodian. But what is a custodian, who are they, and what will it mean in practice? Jacobite steam train operator West Coast Railway Company is fitting central door locking after all BUTonly to Mark 2s it seems Lumo trains and the divisive issue of Open Access. Richard interviews MD Martijn Gilbert and things get a bit lively! And some good news the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is due to fully reopen! Green Signals: Websi...
Jun 13, 2024•56 min•Ep 37•Transcript available on Metacast Behind the scenes at Hitachi Rails Newton Aycliffe train building facility, where we find out about the process and skills required to build trains and discuss why its absolutely vital that the Newton Aycliffe factory is saved. We also speak to the Rt Hon Justine Greening about the work of the Purpose Coalition. Keeping with Hitachi Rail Avanti West Coasts new Evero train fleet launches! Nigel asks if Richard is going to get himself into some hot water with Richard Branson Breaking News! Jacobit...
Jun 06, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep 36•Transcript available on Metacast HS2 Phase 2 to Manchester may have been cancelled but the problems have only begun. How to deal with the 54 brand new Alstom / Hitachi trains on order? What about fewer seats being available on Britains most valuable route, London Manchester? And then theres Euston station what on earth do we build now? Chris Gibb, a senior figure in the railway industry previously a director of Virgin Cross Country, Virgin West Coast and Network Rail to name but three thinks he knows what to do and hes written ...
May 30, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 35•Transcript available on Metacast Hitachis new battery Class 802 train trial. We take an exclusive behind the scenes look at this ground breaking new collaboration between Hitachi, TransPennine Express and Angel Trains direct from Newton Aycliffe. Rishi Sunak fires the starting gun on a General Election. Are the railways about to enter a new era? Is Sir Richard Branson about to mount a Virgin Trains comeback on the West Coast Main Line, this time with Open Access? Southeastern Railway launches a major tender for brand new trains...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 34•Transcript available on Metacast Jacobite steam train controversy intensifies as customers vent their frustration at increasingly poor service. HS2 the Government makes a sensible u-turn on funding the HS2 tunnels from Old Oak Common to Euston but did Labour miss an opportunity with their response to the news? We discuss the initial findings of our look into train drivers terms and conditions following the feedback we received to our Big Interview with Rail Minister Huw Merriman but its seriously complicated. WiFi on trains jus...
May 16, 2024•1 hr•Ep 33•Transcript available on Metacast What the Metro Mayors want to spend YOUR money on we delve into some of the transport promises in winning Mayoral manifestos and ask how realistic they are. Richard has to eat a bit of humble pie over Yorkshire; and The Channel Tunnel turns 30! This time presented by Richard Bowker and Green Signals General Manager Stef Foster. Green Signals: Website - http://www.greensignals.org YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list Follow: X (Twi...
May 09, 2024•57 min•Ep 32•Transcript available on Metacast 
