UK spark of genius for a net-zero railway by 2050
The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has released an ambitious blueprint titled “Delivering a Lower Cost, Higher Performing Net Zero Railway by 2050”. The Association, which mainly represents the interests of supply chain members, says it...Read more
Network Rail’s Easter heavy metal message
Network Rail says the Easter programme of works on the UK rail network should be music to the ears of freight operators. It is delivering around ninety million pounds (105 million euros) of enhancement works...Read more
North of England freight route rebuild will heavily impact road traffic
Network Rail, the national infrastructure agency for Great Britain, plans to replace the Castleton Bridge this Autumn. That is earlier than usual notice, but this engineering work in the northwest of England could be a...Read more
Freight could return in Waterloo revamp
A joint future vision for London Waterloo station and its surrounding area has been revealed. The British infrastructure agency Network Rail, and the Borough of Lambeth Council, the local authority for the area, are collaborating...Read more
England: Hope Valley Project in final push
Work has started on the final engineering project to upgrade the Hope Valley line in the north of England. The line, which crosses the Pennines (north-south ridge chain), and connects Sheffield with Manchester, will be...Read more
Europe’s most remote railway viaduct about to undergo major upgrade
A temporary closure of Scotland’s West Highland Line will enable essential upgrades to an iconic bridge. Network Rail, the infrastructure management agency for Great Britain, has announced that the West Highland Line will be closed...Read more
Britain demonstrates affordable DAC alternative system
A British alternative has been demonstrated to the EU proposed Digital Automatic Coupler (DAC) programme. An examination has been backed by an industry-recognised safety body. The work has been carried out by a nationwide consultancy,...Read more
Scotland’s Levenmouth Rail Link opening signals new traffic potential
Scotland’s newest railway has taken a significant step towards completion. Trains have been given the green light to use the brand-new Levenmouth Rail Link. The national infrastructure agency, Network Rail, commissioned the signalling system on...Read more
Freight figures highly in UK Network Rail plans for Lincolnshire
Network Rail has published a long-term strategic advice study for the Lincolnshire area. The study focuses on the region’s main line, which parallels the busy East Coast Main Line. The route is of particular significance...Read more
Transpennine Route Upgrade proceeds apace
It has been the familiar limbo between Christmas and New Year. Yet, even as the festive season unfolded, Network Rail’s Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) project carried on regardless. The project extends well beyond the early...Read more
UK Hope Valley Upgrade bridges Bamford gap
The Hope Valley freight main line and passenger community lifeline is approaching the endgame of a multi-year upgrade project. Recent line closures have seen major work completed, with key milestones hit by the project team,...Read more
Network Rail Wales under investigation for its bad performance
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is launching an investigation into services in Wales. They say there is persistently poor punctuality and reliability, affecting both freight and passenger trains within the Network Rail Wales...Read more
England’s Midland Main Line given all clear after landslip scare
A call to Network Rail’s response unit on the afternoon of Monday, 27 November, sounded the alarm for the Midland Main Line. A passing express driver vigilantly notified the infrastructure manager of an unexpected movement...Read more
UK’s Victoria-era tracks are on a race against the changing climate
Bigger trains, bigger loads, and bigger weather. The legacy of Britain’s railway system is a persistent challenge for Network Rail, the infrastructure agency in the UK. Maintaining and upgrading the Victorian-era rail network to meet...Read more
South Wales quarry boosts rail freight traffic
It has been over sixty years since passenger services called at Machen, a once important railway hub in South Wales. The settlement was at the junction of two routes, and local goods traffic kept the...Read more
Transpennine Route Upgrade works between Leeds and York benefit freight
Fifteen extra freight paths across the north of England’s principal route and a recast passenger service are promised by Network Rail. The infrastructure agency for the UK says freight and passenger operators will eventually benefit...Read more
England-Scotland rail still struggling after bridge damage near Newcastle
The East Coast Main Line, the route of the famous Flying Scotsman, which suffered the effects of the weekend storms that hit the north of the UK, has a new challenge. The line, which also...Read more
Ely benefits from HS2 cancellation, but project still a decade away
The cancellation of the HS2 project between Birmingham and Manchester has resulted in the reassignment of funds initially allocated for Britain’s high-speed rail project. Instead, the prime minister Rishi Sunak has pledged a raft of...Read more
‘HS2 completion is not the only way forward,’ says Network Rail chief
INTERVIEWAndrew Haines, the chief executive of Network Rail, has called for unity in the rail industry in order to prosper. The appeal comes in the wake of the UK Government’s announcement that it will cancel...Read more