Green Signals

Green Signals

By: Green Signals Productions

Language: en

Categories: News, Commentary

Green Signals is a show about railways - its politics, its economics, its people and history. We turn over the issues of the day and talk to the people making the decisions that affect all our lives. We also dig into many of the amazing events in the history of an industry that spans nearly 200 years. Nigel Harris (former Managing Editor and Events Director of the leading industry and opinion forming magazine RAIL) and Richard Bowker (former Chair & CEO of the Strategic Rail Authority) steer the show to make it sometimes controversial, frequently irreverent - but always topical and relevant.

Episodes

118. New Rules on Railway Access = Bad News for Freight?
Jan 08, 2026

New rules on access to the railway are coming… and it couldbe bad news for freight

Trenitalia gets serious about competing with Eurostarthrough the Channel Tunnel

A further 30 stations in the South East get contactlessticketing. But some commentators are pretty angry….

In this episode:

(00:48) Railway access rules incoming…

(27:09) Trenitalia get serious about Eurostar

(33:51) Cheadle station delays

(41:43) TfL expands contactless ticketing

(45:10) King’s New Years Honours for rail staff

(47:03) Thanks to Supporters

(48:56) Railways News Round-up

(49:00) Avanti West Coast S&C shut...

Duration: 01:09:15
117. Do We Have A Leaderless Railway?
Dec 31, 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we take a look at TransportSecretary Heidi Alexander’s first year…

We review the key moments from 2025…

And we take stock of the year that was Railway 200, with apreviously unseen interview about the Greatest Gathering.

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:34) Heidi Alexander’s first year

(17:08) 2025’s key moments

(39:15) Thanks to supporters

(41:07) Greatest Gathering interview

(01:04:24) The Quiz

(01:08:55) HS2 milestones in 2025

Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a m...

Duration: 01:14:05
Cross Channel Rail – What works and what doesn’t?
Dec 31, 2025

2025 finally saw some action to please those who have long campaigned for better use to be made of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link between London and the mainland of Europe.

Virgin Trains was successful in winning the right to access the all-important maintenance yards at Temple Mills in North London and the British Government signed two Memoranda of understanding with the German and Swiss Governments respectively.

But it is not straightforward to run direct services from London to other major European cities other than Paris, Bruxelles and Amsterdam. There are many issues to overcome.

<...

Duration: 00:58:54
116. Leeds Tram is delayed until end of 2030s!
Dec 24, 2025

Leeds Tram is delayed until the end of the 2030s!

RAIB issues an urgent safety update on lineside monitoring equipment

And RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey makes some concerning comments in a recent interview

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:28) Leeds Tram delayed

(19:29) RAIB urgent safety update

(28:58) Channel Tunnel Rail report teaser

(36:03) RMT interview with PoliticsHome

(42:44) Thanks to Supporters

(44:23) Railway News Round-up

(44:25) Five new station to open in Birmingham

(45:38) RAIB London Bridge report

(46:53) Cruach snow...

Duration: 00:57:47
115. Great British Railways has a new look… and we are NOT impressed
Dec 18, 2025

Great British Railways gets a new look… and meets with almost universal derision!

Billwatch returns to Green Signals with the second reading of the Railways Bill

And we find out how one of the biggest timetable changes in recent years has gone so far…

In this episode

(00:00) Intro

(00:27) GBR gets a new look

(08:03) Railways Bill second reading

(28:43) New railway timetable

(35:42) LNER intermediate stops

(39:20) ORR CEO steps down

(42:51) GWR fleet problems

(47:47) Thanks to Supporters

(49:10) Railway News Roun...

Duration: 01:05:56
Railway Signalling: In days, not decades!
Dec 12, 2025

Imagine being able to implement signalling solutions in days, not decades? Well, that’s the vision of Universal Signalling, an exciting new signalling tech start-up who are doing things differently – and to great effect.

They also have a smart approach to research, development and roll out by starting small, building knowledge and experience and growing from there.

Their first significant deployment is their U-Cross system which is being trialled on the Heart of Wales line between Llandeilo and Llandovery. It has the potential to revolutionise the safe and hassle-free operation of the 126 User Worked Crossings on t...

Duration: 00:22:23
114. Does the Railways Bill signal trouble for freight? And GBR unveils a new livery
Dec 11, 2025

It’s our first Billwatch! We examine the Transport Select Committee’s recent scrutiny of the Railways Bill ahead of its second reading this week…

Great British Railways unveils a new livery for GBR trains.

London to Germany by Eurostar! Excellent, but when can we book tickets?

And Richard gets a behind-the-scenes look at a potentially game-changing new signalling solution…

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:30) Billwatch: Scrutiny at the TSC

(30:11) New GBR livery

(36:38) London to Germany by train!

(39:17) Universal Signalling visit

(44:04...

Duration: 00:56:47
113. The Avanti West Coast 07h00 Ghost Train to London… nearly
Dec 04, 2025

Avanti West Coast is forced to run a ‘Ghost’ Manchester toLondon train… until they weren’t, when the decision was reversed!

Richard eats some humble pie over the fares freeze last week– and we update on how much it’s going to cost the taxpayer

And after months of speculation, Alex Hynes is announced asthe new CEO of DFTO

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:29) The 07:00 Ghost Train that wasn’t

(17:42) Fares freeze update

(34:45) Alex Hynes is appointed to DFTO

(41:06) Thanks to Supporters

(42:54) Railway News R...

Duration: 00:56:17
How To Get the Cheapest Train Tickets – Complete Buyer’s Guide
Dec 03, 2025

Booking train tickets in the UK is complicated – and knowing how to find the cheapest train tickets can be even harder. This is the complete guide, verified by experts, on how to do it. And if you get overwhelmed by information – just watch the bits you really need to know about, and make sure you check out the Quick Fire Step-By-Step Summary at the end.

Your questions answered:

(00:00) Intro

(00:23) 1. What is the cheapest way to buy train tickets?

(01:29) 2. What is the best website to book train tickets?

(03:33) 3. What is spli...

Duration: 00:23:50
112. Rail Fares Freeze Fiasco – Are there unintended consequences?
Nov 27, 2025

Rail fares are frozen for 2026! But is it wise and could there be unwanted consequences?

No passenger trains for East West Rail until 2026 – more than a year after it became operational. We ask what’s going on?

And we see the future of track worker protection demonstrated, as the use of “Lookouts” comes to an end on the mainline railway.

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:35) Rail fares freeze for 2026

(13:21) East West Rail: No trains until 2026

(22:07) An end to lookout working

(36:07) Thanks to Supporters

(40:00...

Duration: 00:54:52
Government need to look in the mirror – they're the ones who screwed up! Interview - Olly Glover MP
Nov 21, 2025

In a wide ranging and refreshingly direct and no-nonsense interview, Green Signals talks to Olly Glover, the Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson and member of the Transport Select Committee.

We cover the Railways Bill, the role of Government, the need to put in place a rolling programme of electrification and investment more widely, the pros and cons of rolling stock leasing and much more.

Olly spent plenty of time working in senior roles in the railway industry before becoming an MP and so his comments are rooted in a deep understanding of the issues. He doesn’t...

Duration: 00:51:11
111. Transport Secretary gives evidence to Transport Select Committee - but how does she score?
Nov 20, 2025

The Secretary of State for Transport updates the Transport Select Committee on her Department’s performance so far. But what score does she get from Green Signals?

Storm Claudia hits the railway, but one particular incident had us scratching our heads…

And Northern launches a plan to reach 30 million more passenger journeys by 2030 – and we find out more.

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:35) Heidi Alexander at the Transport Select Committee

(34:08) Storm Claudia hits the railway

(39:37) Northern 30 by 30 plan

(53:37) Thanks to supporters

(55:07) Railway News R...

Duration: 01:06:08
110. The Railways Bill is here… but what will it all mean?
Nov 13, 2025

The Railways Bill is here… but what will it all mean? And HOW will it be delivered? What happened when a Pendolino derailed at Shap last week?

And Transport for Greater Manchester announces amazingticketing reforms! But where's the catch?

BOOK TICKETS FOR THE SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY GREEN SIGNALS 'JOLLY'!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/severn-valley-railway-green-signals-jolly-day-tickets-1900231005089?aff=oddtdtcreator

In this episode

(00:00) Intro

(00:28) Railways Bill

(24:52) Olly Glover MP interview preview

(28:15) Shap Pendolino derailment

(33:52) Transport for Greater Manchester ticketing changes

(39:30) Remembrance Da...

Duration: 01:01:24
Behind the Scenes on the Severn Valley Railway
Nov 12, 2025

The Severn Valley Railway is one of Britain’s premier heritage railway lines. Running between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth it delights tens of thousands of visitors each year with its faithful recreation of a quintessentially Great Western Railway line coupled with bold and progressive events such as its very popular diesel galas catering for the more modern heritage rail enthusiast.

We visited the SVR during the recent Class 37 Diesel Gala when no fewer than 10 Class 37s were assembled from across the country to celebrate 65 years of the class. We spent time with Gus Dunster, Managing Director of the li...

Duration: 00:47:46
109. LIVE From the RIA Conference with Former Rail Minister Huw Merriman
Nov 06, 2025

This episode is livestreamed from the Railway Industry Association Annual Conference in London!

The Railways Bill is finally here…

Former Rail Minister and Chair of the High Speed Rail Group Huw Merriman joins us on stage

And we round up the news from what has been a difficult week for the railway…

LINK TO BOOK SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY ‘JOLLY’ DAY:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/severn-valley-railway-green-signals-jolly-day-tickets-1900231005089?aff=oddtdtcreator

In this episode:

The Railways Bill is launched

Huw Merriman joins us on stage

Rai...

Duration: 00:54:40
Virgin Trains is BACK! And ready to take on Eurostar…
Nov 04, 2025

Eurostar has been a feature of the UK railway landscapesince 1994. But in all that time it has been the monopoly provider – and the cracks began to show some time ago. The reduction in routes, the closure of Ebbsfleet and Ashford, the fact that Stratford International has never been used for Eurostar services and what consumers say are unjustifiably sky-high prices have all added to the clamour for competition to shake things up.

That day got a lot closer last week, when the Office of Railand Road said that it would be directing Eurostar to allow Virgin Trains to...

Duration: 01:04:44
108. Eurostar orders double-decker trains… but will we see them in the UK?
Oct 30, 2025

Eurostar orders double-decker trains – but will we see anyof them in the UK?

The reopening of the Cowley branch in Oxford in announced…but is everything quite as it seems?

And HS2’s link from Delta Junction to Handsacre junction isdelayed by a further FOUR years.

In this episode:

(00:30) Eurostar orders double-decker trains

(21:39) Cowley branch to reopen

(30:40) HS2 Handsacre junction delayed

(35:45) Thanks to Supporters

(38:44) Railway News Round-up

(38:46) Beaulieu Park station opens

(39:46) Beacon Rail to buy Eversholt Rail

(42:20) Train...

Duration: 00:56:34
Demystifying the planning process of major projects... Is the UK’s system broken?
Oct 29, 2025

The Planning Act 2008 was designed to seriously improve (and speed up) the process for securing consent for major projects – by establishing something called a Nationally Significant Infrastructure project.

But when the planning application alone for the Lower Thames Crossing has cost some £300m so far without a spade in the ground, can we say that it has? And why did HS2 still go down the Hybrid Bill route, event though by that stage, the Planning Act was on the statute books.

To dig deep into these issues, Green Signals was able to speak with two of...

Duration: 00:51:17
Transforming Rail in Wales – Transport for Wales boss gives exclusive interview
Oct 28, 2025

It is not that many years ago that the train operator in Wales was working to a franchise agreement that many criticised as ‘no growth’. Whether that was entirely fair or not, there was no doubt that train services in Wales were being run with ageing trains on infrastructure that in many places needed significant upgrade and investment. Fast forward to 2025 and the position has been totally transformed.

Transport for Wales is now in charge of forging a new path and they are doing a pretty good job of it. The Core Valley Lines are unrecognisable compared to t...

Duration: 00:39:28
107. CAF is ‘blacklisted’ by the UN – but what does it mean for its UK contracts?
Oct 23, 2025

Spanish train builder CAF is blacklisted by the UN… but what does that mean for its contracts in the UK?

We preview an interview with Transport for Wales’s James Price – and explain the Barnett Formula

And we discuss how projects get through the planning system… and what’s wrong with the system!

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:32) CAF ‘blacklisted’ by the United Nations

(09:01) 25th Anniversary of Hatfield rail crash

(11:44) James Price interview preview

(15:49) The Barnett Formula explained

(23:40) Planning mega projects

(29:26) Than...

Duration: 00:49:31
Running trains on the West Coast: Interview with Avanti West Coast MD Andy Mellors
Oct 21, 2025

Andy Mellors is a career railwayman with a successful careerin railway engineering and other senior leadership positions.  In March 2023 he took on his biggest challenge to date –Managing Director of Avanti West Coast. The challenge hasbeen tough and there is still much to do but there is evidence the supertanker is beginning to turn.

In this candid interview, we talk to Any about a wide rangeof issues including what went wrong when Avanti took over from Virgin Trains, whether First Trenitalia got the bid wrong, what is happening with recruitment of drivers in particular and whether the bus...

Duration: 00:37:54
106. 50% of Rail journeys now nationalised
Oct 16, 2025

Greater Anglia is renationalised… and the Transport Secretary makes some curious comments

Chiltern Railways launches its Mk 5a sets in a striking new livery

And there are developments on cross-Channel Eurostar competition

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:44) Greater Anglia is nationalised

(06:59) GWR droplight window fine update

(13:41) Chiltern Railways Mk 5a launch

(18:29) Eurostar competition update

(24:55) Huw Merriman appointed Chair of HSRG

(27:07) Andy Mellors interview clip

(31:05) Thanks to Supporters

(33:02) Railway News Round-up

(33:05) No further action on Le...

Duration: 00:49:01
105. £1m fine for GWR over droplight window death – what happened?
Oct 09, 2025

Great Western Railway is fined £1 million over a fatal droplight window incident in 2018 – we ask what the implications are for other parts of the network

And Rail Minister Lord Hendy demands that rail companies urgently hire more train drivers – but how realistic is it?

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:32) GWR droplight window fine

(17:34) Lord Hendy demands action on train drivers

(29:40) Thanks to supporters

(31:35) Railway News Round-up

(31:37) Docklands Light Railway new trains in service

(33:04) Caledonian Sleeper new Birmingham route

(34:29) Belmond Britannic Explo...

Duration: 00:46:14
104. Nature vs Railways – have we got the balance with biodiversity wrong?
Oct 02, 2025

Railways and vegetation, bats, dormice – and biodiversity in general – don’t always mix well. Are we getting the balance wrong?

The railway celebrates its 200th anniversary in style!

And Rail Minister Lord Hendy wades in on Eurostar competition…

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:33) Biodiversity on the railway

(22:35) Railway 200 Locomotion No. 1 event

(35:18) South Eastern Railway Networker tour

(43:44) Eurostar competition

(50:27) Thanks to Supporters

(52:26) Railway news round-up

(52:30) Huddersfield station re-opens

(53:52) Heritage stations listed

(57:08) Chilworth Chicken felled

(58:38...

Duration: 01:09:22
103. Northern Powerhouse Rail – The new HS2 for politicians to argue about?
Sep 25, 2025

Northern Powerhouse Rail – has it become the new HS2 for politicians to argue about? We chat to Northern Powerhouse Partnership CEO Henri Murison

The Liberal Democrats announce a new rail policy – and Richard has many questions.

And Avanti West Coast trials using the Settle & Carlisle Railway as a diversionary route – and Richard got to be on board…

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:33) Northern Powerhouse Rail

(31:53) Liberal Democrats rail policy

(35:01) Settle & Carlisle Railway diversions

(43:18) Railway 200 anniversary

(45:59) Thanks to Supporters

(47:23) Railway News Round-up...

Duration: 01:02:18
Ellie Burrows: In the hot seat for the biggest East Coast timetable change in a decade!
Sep 23, 2025

Imagine being responsible for the East Coast Main Line, or the Midland Main Line, or the whole of the Anglia – and then imagine actually being responsible for all of it – plus East West Rail, Trans Pennine Route Upgrade and the East Coast Digital Programme; all at the same time.

That’s the extraordinary challenge that Ellie Burrows,Regional Managing Director (Eastern) for Network Rail faces every single day. Over 6000 route miles, over 3400 passenger trains and 1740 freight movements every day, it’s a serious job with serious responsibility.

Filmed in Bedford, Ellie explains how she goes about en...

Duration: 00:29:29
Settle & Carlisle Railway Diversions On Test – and we’re on Board!
Sep 22, 2025

In the days of British Rail and Virgin Trains, the iconic and spectacular Settle & Carlisle railway line was used as a diversionary route whenever there were closures for engineering works or similar on the West Coast Main Line between Preston and Carlisle.

The Settle & Carlisle line has not been used for diversions for a decade however, much to the displeasure of communities along the route as well as rail enthusiasts and others who believe an opportunity is being missed to keep people on trains and avoid the dreaded rail replacement buses.

Now, there is good...

Duration: 00:17:16
102. HS2’s ‘Green Tunnels’ – Great idea or huge waste of money?
Sep 18, 2025

We visit TWO of HS2’s ‘green tunnels’ and discuss whether they’re a great idea or a huge waste of taxpayers’ money…

Reform says they’ll cancel HS2 and leave the part-built project as a “testament to British incompetence”. Yes, really.

And Midlands Rail Hub – full steam ahead? Or maybe not…

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:34) HS2’s Green Tunnels

(26:12) Andrew Gilligan and Reform on HS2

(40:59) Ellie Burrows interview preview

(44:09) Midlands Rail Hub

(48:31) Why are train tickets SO expensive teaser

(50:49) Thanks to Supp...

Duration: 01:04:16
Why Are UK Train Tickets SO Expensive?
Sep 17, 2025

Why are train tickets in the UK so expensive? In this short explainer video, we cover the top ten things that answer that question – and some of them are surprising!

Questions:

(00:00) Intro

(00:08) No. 1 What are the railway’s main sources of income?

(00:30) No. 2 How much subsidy do the railways need?

(01:39) No. 3 Who controls fares?

(02:25) No. 4 Why not just reduce the price of fares?

(03:26) No. 5 But they did it in Scotland!

(04:55) No. 6 How do rail fares in the UK compare to Europe?

(06:05) No...

Duration: 00:10:53
NEW Tyne and Wear Metro Class 555s - inside Stadler's £70m depot
Sep 16, 2025

The Tyne and Wear Metro has a fascinating story that very nearly didn’t happen.

We take a tour of Stadler’s new £70 million depot in South Gosforth, Newcastle to find out all about the new Metro Class 555s that are based there and what makes them different to the old Metros.

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Duration: 00:15:10
101. East Coast Main Line Timetable - Are fewer stops a good thing?!
Sep 11, 2025

East Coast Main Line December timetable changes – are fewer stops a good thing?

We find out more about how Network Rail is spending money with its suppliers…

And Scotland announces electrification of Fife and Borders!

In this episode:

(00:00 Intro)

(00:32) East Coast Main Line timetable

(16:22) Network Rail Supplier Spend Report

(36:27 )Tyne and Wear Metro teaser

(40:03) Thanks to Supporters

(41:59) Railway News Round-up

(42:02) Scottish electrification

(43:20) Oxfordshire vision for railways

(46:55) DB Cargo quits St Blazey

(49:19) Polmadie 150 open day<...

Duration: 01:05:24
100. Scotland scraps peak rail fares. Is England next?
Sep 04, 2025

Scotland scraps peak rail fares. Is England next?

Network Rail releases its supplier spending report… and it raises some concerns.

And the Office of Rail and Road seeks to find out just how much money open access is costing the railway.

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:51) Scotland scraps peak rail fares

(17:51) Network Rail Supplier Spend Report

(25:04) Open Access tender

(31:10) It’s our 100th episode!

(40:12) Thanks to supporters

(41:53) Railway News Round-up

(41:57) Bluebell Railway near miss

(44:09) Northumberland Line need...

Duration: 00:59:41
99. Eurostar: The full (mind-blowing!) guide to Channel Tunnel competition
Aug 28, 2025

Eurostar competitors submit detailed plans to the Regulator. We ask - has anyone made a compelling case?

We speak to a leading expert on cross border and Channel Tunnel rail services and ask – just what are the French up to?!

And Great Western Railway’s battery train sets a new world record

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:32) Eurostar competition

(43:34) Thanks to supporters

(45:23) Railway News Round-up

(45:29) Great Western Railway battery train record

(47:30) HS2 Lawley Middleway bridge move

(48:56) Crossrail 2 construction?

(50:30) Netw...

Duration: 01:01:45
South Eastern Railway – Track and Train reunited at last: Interview with Steve White
Aug 26, 2025

The Government believes that by uniting track and train together, performance on the railway will improve and costs will come down, leading to better outcomes for passengers and taxpayers. But after 30 years of vertical separation, reintegrating operations at a practical level will be more complex than just issuing a few soundbites.

On 18th June 2025, South Eastern Railway was created – this united the train operator SouthEastern and the Network Rail team who covered the same area bringing them both under the leadership of Managing Director, Steve White.

Steve has now had two months in the role an...

Duration: 00:38:02
98. ASLEF claims victory for train drivers over toilets… but is it a victory?
Aug 21, 2025

ASLEF hails a victory for drivers over access to toilets. But is it really a victory?

Network Rail is accused of “sabotaging” Alliance Rail’s open access application on the old Fawley Branch. Really?

And Jaguar Land Rover objects to the phrase ‘Ranger and Rover’ tickets being used on rail company websites.

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:40) ASLEF’s Dignity for Drivers campaign

(09:33) Alliance Rail Marchwood open access

(12:39) Steve White South Eastern Railway interview trailer

(18:39) Jaguar Land Rover objects to ‘Ranger and Rover’

(25:40) West C...

Duration: 00:44:11
97. The Brighton Belle - take a tour inside! And Chiltern Railways NEW trains - or not?
Aug 14, 2025

The Brighton Belle – We visit the iconic train that will soon return to the main line

Chiltern Railways new trains – or are they? We ask Managing Director Richard Allan

And Richard speculates about the forthcoming Budget and the state of public finances – and has some dire predictions for the railway.

(00:00) Intro

(00:33) The Brighton Belle - soon to return to the mainline.

(08:14) Chiltern Railways to lease Mk5a sets from TPE - Interview with MD Richard Allan

(23:47) Fiscal Dominance, the challenges facing the Chancellor and possible impacts on the ra...

Duration: 00:56:49
96. Inside Yorkshire’s £250m train factory: Goole Rail Village
Aug 07, 2025

Following on from our recent Piccadilly Line Tube Trainvideo, this week we go behind the scenes at Siemens’ Goole Rail Village in Yorkshire to see everything that is going on there.

The Government has announced the creation of a new property business called Platform4 to kick start the building of 40,000 houses on surplus railway land. We ask whether the plan is good business or just flogging off the family silver.

And we look back at Alstom’s The Greatest Gathering event in Derby and ask - was it the most spectacular railway event in living memo...

Duration: 01:02:40
95. The Greatest Gathering preview! Green Signals heads to Derby…
Jul 31, 2025

It’s the week of Alstom’s The Greatest Gathering Railway 200celebration in Derby – we preview what’s coming up this weekend.

West of England Main Line trains will not be stopping atCrewkerne until further notice. What on earth has happened And is it the right decision?

Plus Richard has a rant… about the Secretary of State’s social media

It’s the week of Alstom’s The Greatest Gathering Railway 200 celebration in Derby – we preview what’s coming up this weekend.

West of England Main Line trains will not be stopping at Crewkern...

Duration: 00:52:00
94. Have bimode trains scuppered electrification of the rail network?
Jul 24, 2025

Have bimode trains scuppered our chances of ever electrifying the UK rail network? The latest Transport Select Committeesuggests they just might…

The Secretary of State updates Parliament on HS2 – are weany closer to knowing when and how much?

And ORR delivers its annual performance review of Network Rail – with some rather chilling words…

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:37) Transport Select Committee hearing

(09:00) Midland Main Line electrification paused

(31:02) Sir Peter Soulsby interview

(39:15) HS2 construction update to Parliament

(43:04) ORR report on Network Rail performance

(47...

Duration: 01:03:53
New Tube trains for the Piccadilly Line – inside the factory!
Jul 22, 2025

New trains are being built for the London Underground’s Piccadilly Line – the very first deep Tube trains that will have air conditioning and walk-through carriages.

We visited the Siemens train manufacturing plant in Goole (Yorkshire) to find out more about them and to see them being built.

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Duration: 00:10:53
93. Midland Main Line electrification ‘paused’… But whose fault is it?
Jul 17, 2025

Government commits to 50 road and rail projects… or does it?

Midland Mainline Electrification is ‘paused’. But whose fault is it?

And the Severn Valley Railway pulls off a miracle to reopen just 6 months after a major landslip!

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:27) Green light for over 50 road and rail upgrades

(07:16) Midland Main Line electrification ‘paused’

(32:57) New Piccadilly Line trains video preview

(36:36) Severn Valley Railway to reopen

(45:49) Thanks to Supporters

(47:18) Railway News Round-up

(47:21) Van driver killed at level crossing in Kent Duration: 01:04:22

HS2 didn’t GO wrong. It STARTED wrong – James Stewart review interview
Jul 15, 2025

James Stewart, author of the recent review into HS2 and theDfT’s approach to major projects speaks to Richard in this fascinating interview.

Here’s the background to James’s review as set out by the Government: In October 2024, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced that James Stewart would lead a review of DfT’s approach to the governance and assurance of major infrastructure project delivery, drawing primarily on evidence from High Speed Two (HS2).

The review provides insights into DfT’s approach to delivering complex infrastructure projects and programmes. It provides an important contribution to the ongoi...

Duration: 00:58:19
92. Virgin trains is denied a return to the WCML… and so is everyone else!
Jul 10, 2025

Virgin Trains is denied a return to the West Coast Main Line…but in a big shock - along with everyone else

HS1 is judged poor value for money – but have all the benefits been accounted for?

And an Avanti West Coast Pendolino hits the buffers at Euston

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:32) ORR rejects WCML open access applications

(27:15) HS1 is judged poor value for money

(31:38) James Stewart interview trailer

(36:29) Thanks to Supporters

(39:51) Railway News Round Up

(40:00) Avanti West Coast Pend...

Duration: 00:54:41
91. The Royal Train is decommissioned & Derailment causes travel chaos on WCML
Jul 03, 2025

The Royal Train is to be decommissioned by 2027 bringing toan end to getting on for 200 years of association.

A derailment at Bletchley and a fallen tree near Beattockcause days of travel chaos on the West Coast Main Line.

And we speak to Stadler about their take on theUK rolling stock market.

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:33) Royal Train to be decommissioned

(11:39) Derailment at Bletchley

(17:35) Fallen tree at Beattock

(23:40) Class 99s teaser

(28:01) Stadler and the rolling stock market

(36:26) IMechE Railway Challenge<...

Duration: 00:58:10
Inside a Class 99 – The UK’s Most Powerful Locomotive
Jul 01, 2025

An exclusive tour inside GB Railfreight’s brand new Class 99 locomotive at UK Rail Leasing’s depot in Leicester. 8,000 horsepower in electric mode and 2,400hp in Diesel mode, this is a serious beast of a freight locomotive and the most powerful standalone locomotive built for the UK by Stadler.

#locomotive #trains #GBRailfreight

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Duration: 00:19:23
90. Are the Industrial Strategy & Infrastructure Strategy actually strategies? And what about rail?
Jun 26, 2025

Are the Government’s ‘UK Infrastructure Strategy: A 10-Year Strategy’ and ‘The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy’ actually strategies? And do they tell a positive story for rail?

1,800 people are evacuated from Thameslink trains on the hottest day of the year.

And the new Tube trains for the Piccadilly Line are delayed…

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:34) Breaking News! DfT Letter on Open Access

(10:18) All the strategies at once

(12:57) Infrastructure Strategy

(21:29) Industrial Strategy

(25:15) Mark Wild’s HS2 interim report

(33:34) 1,800 people evacuated on Tha...

Duration: 00:58:07
Interview: LNER’s David Horne on running a railway in the public sector
Jun 24, 2025

LNER Managing Director David Horne meets Richard in York to talk about running a railway in the public sector, delivering for the passenger, rail fares, Great British Railways and much more besides.

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Duration: 00:42:11
89. Rail passenger numbers are up! But is there more behind the headlines?
Jun 19, 2025

Rail ridership is almost back to pre-Covid levels! But is there more behind the headlines?

HS2 could be delayed yet again – and the blame game is already underway

Problems for East Midlands Railway Class 810s – is there a crisis coming?

And there’s Breaking News on Jacobite steam train operator West Coast Railways’ application for an exemption to run Mk1s…

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:40) Rail ridership figures

(17:53) HS2 delays

(20:12) West Coast Railways Mk 1s update

(25:39) East Midlands Railway Class 810s

(29:3...

Duration: 00:51:44
88. £15.6BN For Transport Outside London! But Is It Just Political Spin?
Jun 12, 2025

£15.6bn for transport investments outside of London and the South East. Fabulous news! But is any of it new money? Or is it just political spin?

Fares evasion is a big problem on the railway. But have train operators been acting irresponsibly in handling it?

And we find out more about potential competition for Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:34) £15.6bn for transport

(28:31) Fares evasion report

(40:47) Competition for Eurostar

(45:42) Thanks to Supporters

(46:59) Railway News Round-up

(47:02) New Cl...

Duration: 01:02:58
87. On location: What’s next for the Northumberland Line?!
Jun 05, 2025

We’re on location on the Northumberland Line! We take a trip along the line and chat to Northern about what comes next for the popular rail reopening.Plus, we chat about what else we’re up to in this part of the world…

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:30) Northumberland Line visit

(15:17) Visiting Stadler’s Gosforth depot

(18:22) Tyne & Wear Metro £900m plan

(21:42) Sir Bob Reid dies

(27:31) Thanks to Supporters

(29:23) Railway News Round-Up

(29:30) HS2 first platforms

(20:34) Network Rail solar farm from EDF Renew...

Duration: 00:45:55
86. Rail Nationalisation has begun: Great British Railways is ‘coming soon’!
May 29, 2025

Rail nationalisation has begun! South Western Railway is the first to re-enter public sector control. What happens next? We discuss the Secretary of State Heidi Alexander’s launch speech for Great British Railways at Bournemouth Traincare Depot and speak to Graham Eccles and Sir Michael Holden to find out what they think about the changes…

And we review our exclusive (and candid) interview with Rail Minister Lord Hendy.

In this episode:

(00:30) Rail nationalisation has begun

(06:18) Lord Hendy interview clip

(13:34) Sir Michael Holden

(19:25) Graham Eccles

(31:48) Thanks to S...

Duration: 00:48:23
Lord Hendy: The EXCLUSIVE interview with the Rail Minister that you NEED to watch
May 27, 2025

South Western Railway became the first train operating company to be formally taken back into public ownership on the expiry of its contract on Sunday May 25th. It marks the first visible evidence of the Government’s plans to radically change the way that Britain’s railway is structured and operated.

The person charged with leading this change process on behalf of the Government and the Secretary of State for Transport is Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy.

It was a wide-ranging interview and Peter Hendy was extremely candid. No deflection, no diversion – just straightforward answers to que...

Duration: 00:46:14
85. A railway with no signals?! First commuter line runs on digital signals alone
May 22, 2025

No signals! The Northern City Line becomes the first main line commuter railway to run on digital signals.

West Coast Railways is reported to have run a passenger train with Mk 1 coaches… and is being heavily criticised on the Jacobite steam train.

And Lord Blunkett proposes a £14bn 15-year plan for Yorkshire – but is it realistic…

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:48) Northern City Line ETCS

(18:23) WCR runs private charter with Mk1s?

(24:57) Jacobite receives 1 star reviews

(30:16) Lord Blunkett proposals for Yorkshire

(39:41) Thanks to supp...

Duration: 00:57:15
84. An End to 'Boom & Bust' For Rail Suppliers? Hmm...
May 15, 2025

An end to the ‘boom and bust’ of contracts for rail suppliers? Sir Andrew Haines, Network Rail CEO, describes the Rail Enhancement Pipeline as a ‘flawed proposition’ because it is ‘owned politically’ and is ‘not a strategy for the railway’. We ask - is he right?

You can now apply to become a train driver at 18! But will it solve the railway’s shortage of drivers?

And Network Rail apparently spends £10k a WEEK on internal flights! But is that the real story?

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(01:20) ‘Boom and Bust’ on the railway...

Duration: 01:02:15
Deltic D9015 lives! Fired up on a behind-the-scenes trip to Barrow Hill Roundhouse
May 13, 2025

Barrow Hill is a treasure trove of railway and locomotive history – the last surviving roundhouse in the country with an operational turntable. We were lucky enough to get a behind-the-scenes tour and got to see a huge list of steam, diesel and electric locomotives:

Steam

GER Class G58 (LNER Class J17) 0-6-0 no. 8217. Built in 1905. On loan from the National Railway Museum.GCR Class 11F (LNER Class D11) 4-4-0 no. 506 Butler Henderson. Built in 1919. On loan from the National Railway Museum.MR 156 Class 2-4-0 no. 158A. Built in 1866. On loan from the National Ra...

Duration: 00:14:59
83. Will private rail operators cost the taxpayer £BILLIONS, even after renationalisation?
May 08, 2025

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 preview

(26:18) Railway News Round-Up

(26:23) Transport for London tackles fa...

Duration: 00:36:32
Let's play fantasy Great British Railways CEO... With Tim Shoveller EXCLUSIVE
May 06, 2025

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 the railway at t...

Duration: 00:42:27
82. No Great British Railways until 2027?! Heidi Alexander at Transport Select Committee
May 01, 2025

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

(34:33) Tim Shoveller interview preview

(37:24) Wow! I didn’t know that preview

(40:18) Thanks t...

Duration: 00:55:00
The Future of the North: Henri Murison on Devolution, HS2, Rail Reform & Levelling Up
Apr 29, 2025

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 and rewards of devolution in the UK• The future of rail in the North: Network North, HS2 alternatives, and rail reform• North...

Duration: 01:00:03
81. EXCLUSIVE Is Gemini Trains the REAL Eurostar competitor?
Apr 24, 2025

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 system

(41:51) Cardiff bridge repairs

(46:12) The Quiz

(49:43) Isle of Wight Steam Railway bu...

Duration: 00:53:08
The Pioneer of Open Access on the Railway – Ian Yeowart interview
Apr 23, 2025

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. He’s been described as the Godfather of open access (a term he...

Duration: 00:35:42
Inside Northern Trains: COO Matt Rice on Fixing the North's Railway
Apr 22, 2025

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 his vision, addresses criticism, and outlines what’s next for rail passengers across the North. Whether you're...

Duration: 00:39:34
80. Tornado - First Digitally Signalled Steam Locomotive on the Main Line!
Apr 17, 2025

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 episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:38) Tornado digital tests

(07:15) Lord Hendy admits using phone while driving bus

(09:31) Ian Yeowart interview preview

(17...

Duration: 00:49:11
75. How late are YOUR trains? Train performance data shown at stations
Apr 16, 2025

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 will be patient enough

(17:4...

Duration: 00:52:19
77. Thousands of rail jobs to be axed… including on HS2?
Apr 16, 2025

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 new Live...

Duration: 00:52:02
On track for £15M of track renewals on the Cambrian Line & The future of ‘Local Railways’
Apr 15, 2025

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. Learn about the project's impact, the technology involved, and how this could shape the future of Britain’s railways under the new Great British Railways model.

...

Duration: 00:22:56
The killer you didn’t see coming… Shocking railway trespass near misses
Apr 11, 2025

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 prevent it, and the real-life impact it has on lives and the railway system. Watch now to understand why trespassing on...

Duration: 00:21:23
79. Will HS2 trains cause a ‘sonic boom’ effect? AND Exclusive Rail Minister interview
Apr 10, 2025

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 interview with Rail Minister Lord Hendy at the launch of Siemens Mobility’s new £1...

Duration: 01:00:01
78. £415 million for rail in the North… or government spin?
Apr 03, 2025

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 Thanks and Members(38:41) Railway News Round-up(38:46) Wareham level crossing campaign(40:33) LNER test run to London St Pancras(41:40) S&DR200 All...

Duration: 00:53:22
A NEW Liverpool to Manchester railway
Apr 01, 2025

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 Birmingham. Huw explains not only was he not consulted, just informed, some of...

Duration: 00:34:34
76. Virgin Trains comes out fighting for open access rights
Mar 20, 2025

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) Railway News Round-Up(36:19) Northumberland Line Newsham station opens(37:06) RMT calls off...

Duration: 00:49:48
74. Flying Scotsman DOES have a main line future & HS2 damning PAC report
Mar 06, 2025

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, Super Thanks and Members

(47:18) Railway Ne...

Duration: 01:03:58
Could some heritage railways be heading for the brink? HRA CEO Steve Oates interview
Mar 04, 2025

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 publish something new.

Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and...

Duration: 00:52:58
73. Railway structures: Has Network Rail got a grip?
Feb 27, 2025

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 country’s heritage railways.

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00...

Duration: 00:57:14
72. Has the government finally got something right?! Railways Bill Consultation analysis
Feb 20, 2025

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 Consultation

(40:25) Thanks to Supporters, Super Thanks and Members

(42:38) Railway News Round Up Duration: 00:58:23

HS2: What will it be like for passengers? West Coast Partnership Development interview
Feb 18, 2025

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 great customer experience.

Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Si...

Duration: 00:37:51
How to celebrate Railway 200 in 2025
Feb 17, 2025

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 Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.

YouT...

Duration: 00:16:13
71. Is a Virgin Trains comeback on the West Coast Main Line about to be crushed?
Feb 13, 2025

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) Transport for Wales Premier Dining

(45:08) Thanks to Sup...

Duration: 01:03:52
70. HS2’s incredible 4.5k tonne deck slide at Small Dean & semaphore signals in Shrewsbury
Feb 06, 2025

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 signals(42:23) Reflections on Rachel Reeves’ speech(45:52) Thanks to Super Thanks and Members(47:24) Railway News Round Up(47:28) Cardiff Parkway...

Duration: 01:01:04
69. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the speech of eternal ‘rubbish’
Jan 30, 2025

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 impact of NHS’?

(21:44...

Duration: 01:04:32
“Government has made a BIG mistake” Rail Partners CEO Andy Bagnall interview
Jan 28, 2025

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 both worlds, public and private, seems rather ideologically wedded to one approach - a st...

Duration: 00:43:31
68. Forget trains, roads are the way forward! Wait… what?!
Jan 23, 2025

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 Transport Select Committee

(19:15) Rachel Reeves news reports

(25:00...

Duration: 00:55:57
The new £5M railway being built in Wales – Bala Lake Railway extension (Snowdonia)
Jan 21, 2025

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 heart of town. <...

Duration: 00:39:23
Investigating railway accidents – Interview with RAIB Deputy Chief Inspector
Jan 20, 2025

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 October 2024.

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro

(00:20) What is the RAIB?

...

Duration: 00:23:41
67. Is Virgin Trains making a comeback with a £500m train order to challenge Eurostar?
Jan 16, 2025

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 reaches 500 million passengers in its first 2.5 years.

In...

Duration: 00:47:47
South Wales Metro – the transformational Welsh answer to the Tube!
Jan 14, 2025

We take a trip to the Transport for Wales Taffs Well depot to find out about progress on a remarkable project - the South Wales Metro. TfW CEO James Price talks to us about what’s happening on the project and plans for the future, as well as delving into the wider challenges (and successes) of running the railways in Wales.

Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.

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Duration: 00:33:03
66. Is Northern Powerhouse Rail dead? And levelling up with it?
Jan 09, 2025

Is Northern Powerhouse Rail dead? And levelling up with it…?

Has the Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander signalled the beginning of the end for Open Access operators on the railway?

Richard visits Transport for Wales to talk to CEO James Price and learns about South Wales Metro as well as the challenges of delivering rail in Wales

January train strikes hit the railway with RMT taking action on Avanti West Coast

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro (01:10) Is Northern Powerhouse Rail dead and HS2 at the Public Accounts Committee (28:33) Tr...

Duration: 01:00:57
65. Railways in 2025: HS2, Great British Railways, performance & more
Jan 02, 2025

What does 2025 have in store for the railway? We first take a look back at the big stories of 2024, before looking forward to the year ahead…

And an HS2 construction update – Euston station is confirmed at just 6 platforms, but the first Tunnel Boring Machine completes its journey under the capital to Ealing

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro (01:49) Biggest stories of 2024 (08:15) Good news from 2024 (14:53) Bad news from 2024 (16:23) HS2’s progress since the General Election (31:14) Train cancellations (34:46) A great year for Green Signals (41:01) New Year’s Day Whistle Up (45:54) What might we see in 2025? (49:15) Thanks to Super Th...

Duration: 01:00:04
A Life in Transport: Buses, trains and trams - Roger Bowker
Dec 26, 2024

Richard Bowker is in conversation with his father Roger Bowker, a legendary transport industry professional who spent 62 years in the bus industry working for Eastern National, Oldham Corporation, SELNEC, Greater Manchester Transport, Rossendale Transport, Eastbourne Buses, London Transport and Stagecoach Group.

A pioneer with the industry, Roger Bowker’s passion for excellence in service whilst at the same time delivering a profitable business means he is highly respected amongst his peers. His passion for transport began with railways though and in this video, he discusses the influence that his father (who also worked on the railways during th...

Duration: 01:12:22
64. Northumberland Line opens! & Bowker dissects Rail Minister's TSC performance
Dec 19, 2024

The Northumberland Line opens to passengers from Newcastle to Ashington after 60 years.

The Isle of Wight’s Island Line major engineering reaches the halfway point.

And… Rail Minister Lord Hendy makes his first appearance at the Transport Select Committee.

Bit of a different episode this week with Nigel in the UK and Richard in Abu Dhabi! So a shorter show, but still full of the all the latest railway news to keep you in the loop before the festive season gets underway.

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro (01:42) Northumberland Line opens (04:37) Rail...

Duration: 00:35:29
63. £500m Hitachi Rail new trains deal for Lumo – but is it in conflict with renationalisation?
Dec 12, 2024

A £500 million Hitachi Rail train deal for Lumo & Hull Trains. But is this in direct conflict with the Labour Government’s railway renationalisation plans? We speak to First Rail Managing Director Steve Montgomery to find out more about the deal and discuss what it means for the future of open access.

Blackpool Trams announces suspension of Heritage Trams

And we round up the latest railway stats for passenger journeys, rail freight, performance and more from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR’s) latest Rail Statistics Compendium

In this episode:

(00:00) Intro (00:48) £500m new...

Duration: 01:04:19
GO-OP: Can a community cooperative run a railway?
Dec 10, 2024

Open Access railway operation is a divisive topic. Whilst there have been undoubted success stories with major communities such as Hull and Bradford previously sidelined by the big operators suddenly being reconnected with through services to London, there have been challenges. How much do Open Access services abstract from existing operators, and can they really claim to be operated entirely at the risk of the open access operator, free from public subsidy?

GO-OP rail is a new type of Open Access operator who may just provide an alternative. It’s local, very community based and with a co...

Duration: 00:25:38
62. Heritage railways face ‘existential threat’ & New Transport Secretary takes the helm
Dec 05, 2024

Heritage railways face an existential threat as Autumn Budget tax changes will cost some more than £200,000 a year! We speak to Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway General Manager and Acting Chair of the Heritage Railway Association Paul Lewin to find out just how challenging things have become for steam and heritage railways.

Heidi Alexander becomes the new Transport Secretary following the shock resignation of Louise Haigh

The Public Ownership Bill to nationalise Britain’s railways receives Royal Assent

And Richard finds out more about Britain’s latest open access operator Go-Op

Membership: If yo...

Duration: 00:58:23
Shock as Transport Secretary Louise Haigh resigns. More chaos for the railway?
Nov 29, 2024

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 industry in the immediate aftermath of the news and what may lie ahead fo...

Duration: 00:17:42
61. Storm Bert rail disruption & Network Rail and SWR tackle leaf fall
Nov 28, 2024

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. The River Nene burst its banks at Northampton, causing severe disruption to London Northwestern and Avanti West Coast. Transport fo...

Duration: 01:04:25
Naming a locomotive: The story of GB Railfreight 66312 Nigel Harris
Nov 26, 2024

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) Choosing a location for the naming ceremony (17:57) Casting the locomotive nameplate (21:28) Naming day

Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, in...

Duration: 00:33:18
60. Great British Railways: Will it really take 2 years to create? & Northern performance plan
Nov 21, 2024

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 Delivery Group – we find out how it could be wo...

Duration: 01:15:34
EXCLUSIVE: Behind the scenes at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway!
Nov 19, 2024

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 WyvernRail Plc (09:35) Interview with Steve Orchard, Secretary & Treasurer, EVR Association (15:13) Interview with Donna Taylor, Business Development Officer (19:28) Interview with...

Duration: 00:40:34
59. HS2’s £100 million ‘bat shed’ – the real story & Jacobite steam train vs ORR again!
Nov 15, 2024

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 apologises for the tone of his letter to SYSTRA about engineer Gareth Dennis

In this e...

Duration: 00:56:35
58. Wales train crash new evidence & what is going on at Northern Rail?
Nov 08, 2024

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 episode:

(00:00) Intro

<...

Duration: 00:48:08