Latest Comment News
Rail industry experts provide their view on topics affecting the sector.
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What Is Going On with Avanti West Coast?
Avanti West Coast has been in the news, more so than other TOCs during this period of rail strikes. Jonn Elledge looks into what's going on.
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Some Potential Winners of 'Reversing Beeching'
Jonn Elledge considers some of the railway lines that were cut due to the Beeching Report that might reopen under Restoring Your Railway.
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Not Calling At...
Jonn Elledge wonders what the largest city in Great Britain is that doesn't have a direct rail link to London and what even is a city?
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British Steel Extends Network Rail Supply Contract
British Steel has been awarded another major rail contract extension by Network Rail, retaining its position as principal supplier to the co…
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Single to London? That'll Be an Arm and a Leg, Please!
Jonn Elledge looks at the story behind Andy Burnham's pointed comments about the exorbitant costs of rail fares in Britain.
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Rail Technology Venue Saxony: A Branch Hotbed of Innovation in Germany
The global players Alstom, Stadler, Goldschmidt Thermit, and Kirow Ardelt characterise the rail technology venue in Saxony.
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Some Places Crossrail Won’t Go
In this month's column, Jonn Elledge ponders the many places Crossrail could have gone, with decreasing plausibility.
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No Train, No Gain?
Jonn Elledge muses whether train operating companies currently have a perverse incentive to avoid running more services.
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What's So Great about Stratford?
In his January column, Jonn Elledge muses about how former non-entity Stratford (London) became Britain's busiest station in 2020/21.
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The Problem with Our Railways Isn't Boris, It's Scrooge
Jonn Elledge gets into the Christmas spirit and does some finger-pointing as to who is really to blame for the state of Britain's railways.
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The Integrated Rail Plan: A Disaster for Rail, Passengers and the Environment
The Integrated Rail Plan published today, 18 November 2021, announces a huge slash in new railway lines being built in England.
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COP26: Doing the Wrong Thing Better
Jonn Elledge laments COP26's focus on electric vehicles to the exclusion of all other modes of transport, including the cleanest of them all…
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To Build or Not to Build? The Uncertain Future of HS2's Eastern Leg
In this month's column, Jonn Elledge muses on the future of HS2's eastern leg and the political tug of war taking place behind the scenes.
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Sticking Plasters Won't Solve Transport for London's Funding Woes
TfL's recent ad campaign to get passengers back using its trains and buses is a symptom of its underlying funding woes, writes Jonn Elledge.
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Safe and Clean: Mobility Made in Germany
Jure Mikolcic, CEO of Stadler Pankow GmbH, at the VDB Digital Dialog Forum "Rail Revolution 4.0: Picking up Speed after the Crisis".
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PM's 10-Point Plan for 'Green Industrial Revolution' All about Cars
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's 10-Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution aims at incentivising driving and doesn't mention rail.
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British Steel Backs Carbon Cluster Bid
British Steel is supporting a bid to develop a comprehensive plan to help the Humber region achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
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Notice to Proceed and Coronavirus – HS2 in 2020
2020 has its challenges to the rail sector with the coronavirus pandemic but there has been good news too: HS2 has its notice to proceed.
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Going the Extra Mile – A White Locomotive to Say Thank You
Rail freight operator Lineas has turned one of its locomotives white to say thank you to all the key workers during the coronavirus pandemic…
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Through the Storm and Forward: Rail Transport at the Time of COVID-19
UNIFE takes a look at the impact of the coronavirus on the rail industry in Europe, both passenger and freight.
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Coronavirus – Rail Is Proving Its Worth beyond Its Green Credentials. It Deserves Support.
An interview with Dirk Flege from rail advocacy group Allianz pro Schiene about Germany's coronavirus measures for the rail sector and more.
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SMEs Are Vital to HS2 Success
Monica Barbosa, Xrail Group, writes about the importance of SMEs in delivering large-scale rail infrastructure projects such as HS2.
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Splitting the Difference
The advent of split ticketing on online ticket apps reduces prices for passengers but is problematic for train operating companies.
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Rethinking the Mobility Culture of the Future
Anu Tuominen on the mobility culture of the future in the context of the European Green Deal, which is to make Europe carbon-neutral by 2050…