Simon Walton

United Kingdom

Head Of News And Digital Content at Yorkshire Living

Journalist and wanderer.

Articles

Flash: Power failure cripples London rail

2 days ago | railtech.com | Simon Walton

Published on 12-05-2025 at 18:38 The Elizabeth Line, the busiest service in Britain, along with central and significant parts of the Underground and Overground network, failed this afternoon (12 May). A major power failure brought significant disruption to London’s rail network on Monday afternoon, affecting services across the London Underground, Overground, and the Elizabeth Line.
XPO Logistics boosts Europe-Morocco freight links

3 days ago | worldcargonews.com | Simon Walton

Published on 12-05-2025 at 10:42 Worldwide operator XPO Logistics has turned its interest in cross-Mediterranean business into a boost for Europe-Morocco freight links. To take advantage of growing North African demand, the company has inverted in trailers for new shipping routes. It aims to meet increased industrial activity across the region.
UK freight rallies for Trent Valley works

3 days ago | railfreight.com | Simon Walton

west coast main line Published on 12-05-2025 at 09:27 A nine-day closure is planned later this month on Europe’s busiest mixed-traffic corridor, the WCML. Agencies and operators say it is vital for both high-speed passenger and heavy freight services. Freight operators have rallied around the project.
Europe’s busiest mixed-use rail route set for big disruption

3 days ago | railtech.com | Simon Walton

Major upgrades are set to close the Trent Valley section of the West Coast Main Line. The busiest mixed traffic route in Europe is set for disruption to passenger and freight traffic. Infrastructure agencies say essential works will shut the route between Rugby and Stafford for nine days. Freight is being forced into diversions. There are cuts to key passenger links.
Archbishop of York warns ‘good’ that came after VE Day is now ‘under threat again’

1 week ago | yorkpress.co.uk | Simon Walton

Stephen Cottrell paid tribute to “those whose sacrifice made our victory possible” against Hitler’s Nazi regime, and said he is praying again for “peace in Europe” amid Russia’s three-year invasion of Ukraine. His address was delivered during a service of thanksgiving to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, with a number of veterans among the Westminster Abbey congregation featuring the King, Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who read the lesson.
The UK wants teenage train drivers

1 week ago | railfreight.com | Simon Walton

Teenage kicks Published on 08-05-2025 at 09:12 The Government in London has proposed to drop the minimum age for train drivers to 18. They want to encourage more young people to jump into the driver’s cab, to offset older drivers retiring. Young people will be able to take up new careers as train drivers three years earlier, with the change happening this year.
Teenage kicks: UK wants younger train drivers

1 week ago | railtech.com | Simon Walton

18 til i drive Published on 07-05-2025 at 16:00 Dreaming of being a train driver? Dream no more. Eighteen now, and you can be in the cab before you’re twenty. That’s the promise of a new UK government initiative. Thousands of jobs and apprenticeships will be made available as early as December.
Britain’s wagon maker wins Irish order

1 week ago | railfreight.com | Simon Walton

Dublin desires Davis designs Published on 07-05-2025 at 13:48 Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail, the bilingual national carrier for freight and passenger services, has gone abroad for a large freight rolling stock order. The state-operated railway has signed an agreement for 150 freight wagons, with scope for up to 400 over a 10-year term.
Getting cross about level crossings

1 week ago | railtech.com | Simon Walton

Brits behaving badly Published on 07-05-2025 at 09:33 Network Rail has a policy of not installing any new level crossings. However, the British railway network has about 6,000 level crossings, about a quarter of them where the rails cross public highways. The rest are a variety of specific interfaces.
Big barge transport vetoed by small English authority

1 week ago | worldcargonews.com | Simon Walton

Published on 07-05-2025 at 07:02 A red light for blue water transport in England’s green and pleasant land. A local administration has refused permission for a barge to deliver heavy industrial equipment to a river port in rural England. The load will now have to be transported by road, requiring multiple disruptions and diversions for local businesses and commerce.