Enjoy the latest news, in-depth features and much more, all from your favourite monthly modern railway magazine.
Decarbonising the Western
A Network Rail strategy sets out a six-stage approach to eliminating diesel trains
WIN! Two tickets to our celebratory railtour!
We have an exclusive opportunity for readers of Modern Railways to win a pair of First Class tickets for our special HST railtour with Cross Country on Tuesday 27 September. Closing date: Friday 9th September.
800 Series cracking – ORR final report
■ No independent technical investigation
■ Call for review of standards
■ Six-year modification programme
■ Four weeks out of service for nine-car set
■ Fresh crack locations emerging
‘345s’ in the spotlight
How will the Elizabeth Line trains perform as the central section opens?
ROGER FORD
Carmont report triggers Mk 3 safety scare
■ Extensive industry studies validated life extension
■ Structural integrity the key
■ Crashworthiness standards focused on low-speed collisions
Glasgow and Edinburgh Map
An extract from the latest 15th Edition of Bakers Rail Atlas of Great Britain and Ireland
The Queen marks Elizabeth line completion
The Queen made an unexpected visit to Paddington Elizabeth Line station to mark the route's completion ahead of its imminent opening.
South Eastern milked over 13-year period
■ DfT imposes £23.5 million penalty
■ Overpayments hidden in TOC accounts
■ DfT recovers £64 million
Cautious changes for post-Covid era
JAMES ABBOTT reviews the timetable change coming on 15 May
James Abbott
Blockade blitz
Network Rail’s Southern Region has mastered the art of longer, more productive closures of the railway for maintenance, with Wessex Route leading the way. PHILIP SHERRATT reports
PHILIP SHERRATT
Return to Cardiff
‘The pithead bath’s a supermarket now’sang Max Boyce. At Canton the diesel fuel tank is now a substation, which doesn’t scan quite so well but is a sign of progress
Ian Walmsley
Rail reform – all words and no action?
Our columnist questions the pace of progress a year on from the publication of the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail
ALAN WILLIAMS
Limited scope for train operator cost cuts
■ Switch from net premium to subsidy signalled problems
■ Rolling stock and track access dominate rises
■ Costs stabilised after year-on-year increases
Staggering seats
PriestmanGoode offer the first-of-a-kind seat layout. Here is Proteus – brought to you by Innovate UK, Angel Trains and Chiltern Railways
Ian Walmsley
Community rail: as you like it
After just two years the work of volunteers is already having a major impact on the Shakespeare line
Vicki Pipe
HS2 East will be extended, claims West Midlands Mayor
WEST MIDLANDS Mayor Andy Street says High Speed 2’s eastern leg will go ahead in full eventually
Tony Miles
Green HST proposed for Heart of Wales ‘Red Kite’
Plans are being drawn up to capitalise on the scenic value of the Heart of Wales line in the summer of 2023 with a tourist HST service
James Abbott
Bradford will benefit from IRP, says Minister
Light rail boost is preferable to new line to Manchester, claims Stephenson
Waterside service could be restored in 2024
CONFIDENCE IS growing that the green light will be given for passenger services to be restored on the Waterside line on the west side of Southampton Water under the ‘Restoring Your Railway’ programme
James Abbott
GBR HQ: place your bets
The answer to the ultimate question is 42. The number of bidders for the new 222 Marylebone Road
Ian Walmsley
Trackwatch - May 2022 issue
Our monthly summary of network changes
Martyn Brailsford
Staycation Express suspended for 2022
RAIL CHARTER Services has confirmed that its summer service over the Settle to Carlisle line, popularly called the Staycation Express, will not operate in 2022.