Rich Wilcock

3 weeks ago | railmagazine.com | Rich Wilcock

The Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander MP attended her first House of Commons Transport Select Committee since taking up the role in December on April 23. With the spending review just around the corner, Alexander would not be drawn on specific projects or schemes ahead of the Treasury announcement in June, but she did give her thoughts on several of the biggest issues in the rail industry currently. Richard Wilcock delves a little deeper into what she said and what it could mean.

1 month ago | railmagazine.com | Rich Wilcock

A signalling error where the signaller forgot the level crossing gates were open was the cause of a passenger train collision with a car, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has found. The crash, which occurred at a level crossing in Redcar on May 1, 2024, resulted in injuries to the driver as well as significant damage to the Class 156 Northern train, although all the passengers and the train driver avoided injury.

1 month ago | railmagazine.com | Rich Wilcock

Rail operator Arriva has announced plans to introduce a direct rail service between Cleethorpes, Grimsby, and London. The company has formally submitted an open access application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), aiming to extend Grand Central’s existing route from Doncaster. The company is hoping that thew new service could begin in December 2026.

2 months ago | railmagazine.com | Rich Wilcock

Strike action on the Elizabeth line has been suspended after ASLEF members voted on an improved offer from the line’s operator (MTR Elizabeth line). The industrial action was due to have taken place on February 27, March 1, March 8 and March 10. Earlier in February, drivers had rejected a 4.5% increase which the operator argued was in line with other pay deals agreed by drivers.

Feb 12, 2025 | railmagazine.com | Rich Wilcock

Govia Thameslink Railway has launched its additional fleet of Class 379 Electrostars to support its services on the Great Northern and Thameslink routes. Leased from Porterbrook, the 30 units were built for Stansted Express by Bombardier in 2011. They were acquired from Akiem in March 2024. The first two four-carriage units (379002 and 379022) began service on February 10, operating as an eight-carriage train on the 1742 King’s Cross-Letchworth Garden City service.