Modern Railways

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Essential reading for professionals in the railway industry as well as individuals with a general interest in the state and developments of the British railway network.

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Extra tracks suggested here: West Midlands Trains Class 350s pass at Milton Keynes on 11 October 2022. On the far side of the shot No 350123 leads the 12.05 Northampton to Euston, while in the foreground another pair of units forms the 11.49 Euston to Birmingham New Street. Ken Brunt News Premium

Released capacity options for WCML all positive

Network Rail study: all scenarios provide economic benefits and modal shift

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Central London Railway Network map

View Modern Railways' map of Central London Railway Network

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Modern Railways October 2023

The full issue in page-turning format

Electrification priority: West Midlands Trains unit No 172215 leads the 11.15 Worcester Foregate Street to Dorridge service at Rowley Regis on the Snow Hill lines on 22 May 2023. John Whitehouse News Premium

West Midlands calls for long-term view

New tunnels under Birmingham and Wolverhampton-Coventry quadrupling proposed

Ready for opening at last: West Midlands Metro tram No 57 at Wolverhampton station on a driver familarisation trip on the new extension on 29 August 2023. John Whitehouse News Premium

Trams finally reach Wolverhampton station

New extension opened on 17 September

ScotRail marks 40th anniversary

Structures, staff and history celebrated on milestone date

New station, but stock on notice: the new White Rose station, between Leeds and Dewsbury, is taking shape in this view from 10 August 2023, as TransPennine Express Nova 3 set TP08 passes on the 14.48 Scarborough to Manchester Piccadilly. Mike Haddon News Premium

TPE Nova 3s withdrawn from December - to go to Chiltern?

Cracking solution developed; Chiltern could replace Mk 3s

Voyager on open access duties: Grand Central has recently taken on two former Avanti West Coast Class 221s to augment its fleet following availability challenges with its Class 180s. No 221142 has gained striking vinyls on the two driving coaches, visible as it heads north at Offord Cluny, Cambridgeshire with the 14.56 King’s Cross to Wakefield Kirkgate on 31 August 2023. Blake Cracknell News Premium

Grand Union revises Stirling plan to use ‘22Xs’

DEMUs to be refreshed and refurbished for Euston-Stirling operation

Extra Voyagers in new CrossCountry contract

Full fleet refurbishment and direct Cardiff to Edinburgh service also planned

NRC for Avanti following performance improvement

Longer-term deal could run to 2032

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Rail in Oxfordshire and the Midlands

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This year we visit a new city for our Midlands conference, Oxford in the South of the region

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Golden Whistle Awards

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The brainchild of Chartered Institution of Railway Operators luminary and now West Dorset MP Chris Loder, the Golden Whistles event was founded in 2010 to promote best practice and celebrate excellence in railway operations.

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Rail in Wales and the West

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Our Rail in Wales and the West conference moves to Swindon for 2025. With the exciting plans in for improvements in Wales and the Borders and continuing developments on the Western there is much to reflect on and look forward to.

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Railway Innovation Awards

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Founded in 1998, the Awards are the annual event at which everybody keen on seeing innovation in the railway sector meets up to discuss and celebrate the brightest ideas in the industry.

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Public Transport in the North of England

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Our established conference on Rail in the North of England expands this year into a two-day event, focusing on rail on the first day and buses on the second day.

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The Golden Spanners is an annual event at which all those interested in railway rolling stock meet to discuss best practice and celebrate excellence in train maintenance.

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Following on from a successful debut in 2023, our two-day event in Scotland returns with a focus on developments on both the rail and bus networks north of the border.

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