Rail Business UK

Rail Business UK

@railbusinessuk.com

Independent and informed news for UK rail industry professionals. For global railway news follow @RailwayGazette.com https://www.RailBusinessUK.com

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Rail Business UK
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First AI apprentices join the railway https://www.railbusinessuk.com/research-training-skills/2026/10/27/first-ai-apprentices-join-the-railway/

railbusinessuk.comFirst AI apprentices join the railwayThe first cohort of 20 Artificial Intelligence Engineering Apprentices has joined a national rail industry programme, based in York and London where they will combine specialist learning with hands-on experience. Their placements will be co-ordinated through innovation body GBRX’s AI Incubator Accelerator and distributed throughout the industry, building skills within individual organisations while strengthening capability…
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London Northwestern Railway to introduce Standard Plus tickets https://www.railbusinessuk.com/west-midlands-trains/2026/10/26/london-northwestern-railway-to-introduce-standard-plus-tickets/

railbusinessuk.comLondon Northwestern Railway to introduce Standard Plus ticketsLondon Northwestern Railway is to introduce a Standard Plus ticket offering ‘the chance to sit in a dedicated area of the train with at-seat features not available in other areas’ on services operated by Class 350 and 730/2 EMUs. On some services this will include a dedicated area with reclining seats, power and USB charging…
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Kier to lead design of Heaton Park Metrolink stop refurbishment https://www.railbusinessuk.com/manchester-metrolink/2026/10/26/kier-to-lead-design-of-heaton-park-metrolink-stop-refurbishment/

railbusinessuk.comKier to lead design of Heaton Park Metrolink stop refurbishmentTransport for Greater Manchester has appointed Kier to lead the design of improvements to Heaton Park stop on Metrolink’s Bury line. The stop serves the largest park in Greater Manchester, which is frequently used for small and large-scale events. The project which is being delivered as part of the Metrolink Stop Improvements Programme will make…
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Rail Quantum Inertial Navigation System awarded further funding following London Underground tests https://www.railbusinessuk.com/research-training-skills/2026/10/23/rail-quantum-inertial-navigation-system-awarded-further-funding-following-london-underground-tests/

railbusinessuk.comRail Quantum Inertial Navigation System awarded further funding following London Underground testsA share of £50m of government funding for quantum technologies has been awarded to support the further development and commercialisation of the Rail Quantum Inertial Navigation System. This aims to provide extremely accurate location information to support condition-based monitoring, train control and signalling applications without needing satellites or lineside equipment. Current train location systems use…
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‘Careful consideration’ of results needed as Severn Valley Railway commuter trial ends https://www.railbusinessuk.com/passenger/2026/10/23/careful-consideration-of-results-needed-as-severn-valley-railway-commuter-trial-ends/

railbusinessuk.com‘Careful consideration’ of results needed as Severn Valley Railway commuter trial endsThe eight-week trial of commuter services running over the Severn Valley Railway concluded on October 22, with the heritage railway reporting that more than 1 000 passengers had used the trains. At the start of September, the SVR launched the trial in partnership with the West Midlands Rail Executive and local operator West Midlands Railway to…
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Greater Anglia extends Stadler’s Flirt maintenance contract https://www.railbusinessuk.com/greater-anglia/2026/10/23/greater-anglia-extends-stadlers-flirt-maintenance-contract/

railbusinessuk.comGreater Anglia extends Stadler’s Flirt maintenance contractGreater Anglia has awarded Stadler Rail Service UK a two-year extension to its contract for the full-service maintenance of the operator’s Flirt Class 745 electric and Class 755 electro-diesel multiple-units. ‘We’re looking forward to working with Stadler to build on the major improvements in service and reliability these new trains have already been delivering for…
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Welcome Point roll-out gets underway at stations https://www.railbusinessuk.com/passenger/2026/10/23/welcome-point-roll-out-gets-underway-at-stations/

railbusinessuk.comWelcome Point roll-out gets underway at stationsInteractive station Welcome Points developed to provide a clearly identifiable place where people can access journey information, assistance and support are now being rolled out across England, following a successful trial at 37 stations. The Welcome Points are being supplied by LB Foster and Kadfire. ‘Welcome Points make it easier for passengers to find information…
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Welcome Point roll-out gets underway at stations https://www.railbusinessuk.com/passenger/2026/10/23/welcome-point-roll-out-gets-underway-at-stations/

railbusinessuk.comWelcome Point roll-out gets underway at stationsInteractive station Welcome Points developed to provide a clearly identifiable place where people can access journey information, assistance and support are now being rolled out across England, following a successful trial at 37 stations. The Welcome Points are being supplied by LB Foster and Kadfire. ‘Welcome Points make it easier for passengers to find information…
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LNER’s David Horne appointed to industry-wide Integrated Chief Customer & Commercial Officer role https://www.railbusinessuk.com/people/2026/10/22/lners-david-horne-appointed-to-industry-wide-integrated-chief-customer-commercial-officer-role/

railbusinessuk.comLNER’s David Horne appointed to industry-wide Integrated Chief Customer & Commercial Officer roleDavid Horne, Managing Director of London North Eastern Railway, has been appointed to a new industry-wide role of Integrated Chief Customer & Commercial Officer. This is being created to bring customer insight and commercial leadership together ahead of the formation of Great British Railways. Horne will start his role in November, sitting on the executive…
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Incorrect wheel diameter information led to wrong side ETCS failure https://www.railbusinessuk.com/raib/2026/10/22/incorrect-wheel-diameter-information-led-to-wrong-side-etcs-failure/

railbusinessuk.comIncorrect wheel diameter information led to wrong side ETCS failureA wrong side ETCS failure near Welshpool has been attributed to the onboard equipment using incorrect wheel diameter information to calculate the train’s position. At around 23.52 on September 15, an infrastructure monitoring train operating under ETCS Level 2 supervision stopped at a block marker which should have signified the end of its movement authority.…
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Stadler hands over final Tyne & Wear Metro train https://www.railbusinessuk.com/tyne-wear-metro/2026/10/22/stadler-hands-over-final-tyne-wear-metro-train/

railbusinessuk.comStadler hands over final Tyne & Wear Metro trainStadler has formally handed over the 46th and final Class 555 trainset to Tyne & Wear Metro operator Nexus, marking the final phase of the £362m rolling stock renewal project. ‘We set a target for the end of this year to achieve this milestone, and we’ve managed to get there a bit sooner than that’,…
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UK rail industry news round-up https://www.railbusinessuk.com/news/2026/10/22/uk-rail-industry-news-round-up-27/

railbusinessuk.comUK rail industry news round-upThis week’s round-up of business news from the UK railway industry, from Rail Business UK. Geospatial surveying company Plowman Craven has brought its Rail, Utilities and Inspection teams together within a new Infrastructure division, led by James Arnott, Managing Director of Infrastructure. The company said this would strengthen its ability to deliver connected surveying, inspection…
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Institution of Railway Signal Engineering to be granted royal charter https://www.railbusinessuk.com/research-training-skills/2026/10/21/institution-of-railway-signal-engineering-to-be-granted-royal-charter/

railbusinessuk.comInstitution of Railway Signal Engineering to be granted royal charterKing Charles III has approved the granting of a royal charter of incorporation to the Institution of Railway Signal Engineering. The approval was confirmed at a meeting of the Privy Council on October 14. IRSE will formally become a chartered institution when the Great Seal is affixed to the charter by the Crown Office at…
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Revised UK rail research approach sees 15 projects funded in three core areas https://www.railbusinessuk.com/research-training-skills/2026/10/21/revised-uk-rail-research-approach-sees-15-projects-funded-in-three-core-areas/

railbusinessuk.comRevised UK rail research approach sees 15 projects funded in three core areasThe Rail Safety & Standards Board and Network Rail have announced funding support for 15 projects as part of a change in approach at the UK Rail Research & Innovation Network. In April, RSSB and Network Rail announced a restructuring of UKRRIN. The two bodies said ‘the rail industry has changed radically since UKRRIN was…
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Entry deadline nears as Rail Business Awards head to Newcastle https://www.railbusinessuk.com/rail-business-awards/2026/10/21/entry-deadline-nears-as-rail-business-awards-head-to-newcastle/

railbusinessuk.comEntry deadline nears as Rail Business Awards head to NewcastleOrganisations across the UK rail and metro sectors have until October 30 to submit entries for the next Rail Business Awards, taking place on March 11 2027 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The 2027 edition of the awards will once again take place outside London, underlining the commitment of the organising team at Railway Gazette International and its…
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Morson Edge appointed exclusive UK recruitment partner for CAF https://www.railbusinessuk.com/caf/2026/10/21/morson-edge-appointed-exclusive-uk-recruitment-partner-for-caf/

railbusinessuk.comMorson Edge appointed exclusive UK recruitment partner for CAFCAF has appointed Morson Edge as exclusive recruitment supplier for its CAF Rolling Stock UK and CAF Rail UK businesses, following a multi-stage competitive tender. Morson’s specialist recruitment division will provide permanent and temporary workers, as well as access to executive recruitment, across an initial three-year term. Around 1 000 people work for CAF in…
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Amey to provide systemwide integration services for Northern Powerhouse Rail programme https://www.railbusinessuk.com/northern-powerhouse-rail/2026/10/20/amey-to-provide-systemwide-integration-services-for-northern-powerhouse-rail-programme/

railbusinessuk.comAmey to provide systemwide integration services for Northern Powerhouse Rail programmeNetwork Rail has appointed Amey to provide systemwide integration services for Phase One of the Northern Powerhouse Rail programme to improve connectivity between towns and cities in the north of England. The Systemwide Integration contract awarded through Network Rail’s Development & Design Partnership Framework will see Amey serve as the system integrator across six major…
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Immersive training hub opens in Crewe https://www.railbusinessuk.com/avanti-west-coast/2026/10/20/immersive-training-hub-opens-in-crewe/

railbusinessuk.comImmersive training hub opens in CreweAvanti West Coast has opened an immersive learning space in Crewe, to help staff put their skills to test in a safe environment which uses 270° video projections, sound, light and scent to recreate situations on the rail network.. ‘Immerse’ has been established within AWC’s existing Talent Academy. Designed to be a safe and controlled environment,…
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Greater Anglia extends Alstom’s Class 720 Train Services Agreement https://www.railbusinessuk.com/greater-anglia/2026/10/19/greater-anglia-extends-alstoms-class-720-train-services-agreement/

railbusinessuk.comGreater Anglia extends Alstom’s Class 720 Train Services AgreementGreater Anglia has awarded Alstom a 15-year extension to its Train Services Agreement contract to support the operator’s fleet of 133 five-car Class 720 Aventra electric multiple-units. Alstom said the £800m agreement would provide continuity for the fleet and a long-term framework to collaborate with Greater Anglia and the future Great British Railways on performance,…
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Pilot scheme looks at bringing Transport for London cleaning in-house https://www.railbusinessuk.com/transport-for-london/2026/10/19/pilot-scheme-looks-at-bringing-transport-for-london-cleaning-in-house/

railbusinessuk.comPilot scheme looks at bringing Transport for London cleaning in-houseTransport for London and its current cleaning contractor Mitie have begun a 12-month pilot to explore how TfL could bring cleaning services in-house in an ‘efficient, affordable and productive manner’. The project was first announced by Mayor Sadiq Khan in January, since when TfL has been working with Mitie and the RMT trade union to…
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Pilot scheme looks at bringing Transport for London cleaning in-house https://www.railbusinessuk.com/transport-for-london/2026/10/19/pilot-scheme-looks-at-bringing-transport-for-london-cleaning-in-house/

railbusinessuk.comPilot scheme looks at bringing Transport for London cleaning in-houseTransport for London and its current cleaning contractor Mitie have begun a 12-month pilot to explore how TfL could bring cleaning services in-house in an ‘efficient, affordable and productive manner’. The project was first announced by Mayor Sadiq Khan in January, since when TfL has been working with Mitie and the RMT trade union to…
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‘I want to help to build a simpler, more unified railway’, says first Chair of Great British Railways https://www.railbusinessuk.com/great-british-railways/2026/10/16/i-want-to-help-to-build-a-simpler-more-unified-railway-says-first-chair-of-great-british-railways/

railbusinessuk.com‘I want to help to build a simpler, more unified railway’, says first Chair of Great British RailwaysThe government has appointed Chair of Barclays UK plc Sir John Kingman as the first Chair of the future Great British Railways. Announcing the appointment on October 16, the Department for Transport said Kingman would begin his duties the same day, and play a critical role in shaping the design of the new organisation and…
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‘Coffee roulette’ and the New Street ‘pinnacle’: Wetton leads cultural change at nascent GBR West Midlands https://www.railbusinessuk.com/analysis/2026/10/16/coffee-roulette-and-the-new-street-pinnacle-wetton-leads-cultural-change-at-nascent-gbr-west-midlands/

railbusinessuk.com‘Coffee roulette’ and the New Street ‘pinnacle’: Wetton leads cultural change at nascent GBR West MidlandsAs she faces up to a swathe of challenges from summer fires to West Coast Main Line reliability, GBR West Midlands Managing Director Denise Wetton says the newly integrated business is already seeing signs of welcome cultural change. ‘The blame culture, where it’s their fault or it’s their fault, or raiding the commercials of different…
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Kier awarded £54m Manchester Airport station remodelling contract https://www.railbusinessuk.com/network-rail/2026/10/16/kier-awarded-54m-manchester-airport-station-remodelling-contract/

railbusinessuk.comKier awarded £54m Manchester Airport station remodelling contractNetwork Rail has awarded construction group Kier a £54m contract to undertake remodelling works as part of a £115m project to increase capacity at Manchester Airport station. The upgrade to support the operation of more trains and improve reliability include: extending platforms 1, 2 and 3 to accommodate two six-car trains per platform; changing the…
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UK rail industry news round-up https://www.railbusinessuk.com/news/2026/10/15/uk-rail-industry-news-round-up-26/

railbusinessuk.comUK rail industry news round-upThis week’s round-up of business news from the UK railway industry from Rail Business UK. Stockport Council and Transport for Greater Manchester have launched a public consultation on a transformation of Stockport station as part of a wider programme of investment in the town. This aims to improve accessibility, connectivity and the overall station environment…
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Derby city centre location confirmed for Great British Railways headquarters https://www.railbusinessuk.com/great-british-railways/2026/10/15/derby-city-centre-location-confirmed-for-great-british-railways-headquarters/

railbusinessuk.comDerby city centre location confirmed for Great British Railways headquartersThe Becketwell development in Derby city centre has been confirmed as the location of the future headquarters of Great British Railways. The government selected the city of Derby to host GBR’s headquarters in March 2023 after a competitive process, and in February 2026 the Transport Secretary announced the shortlisting of two sites, one at Midland…
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Regulator proposes measures to ensure a competitive ticket retailing market under Great British Railways https://www.railbusinessuk.com/ticketing/2026/10/14/regulator-proposes-measures-to-ensure-a-competitive-ticket-retailing-market-under-great-british-railways/

railbusinessuk.comRegulator proposes measures to ensure a competitive ticket retailing market under Great British RailwaysThe Office of Rail & Road has launched a consultation on a draft Retail Code of Practice that aims to ensure the train ticket retailing market remains open to competition and passenger choice once Great British Railways takes on a major role in ticket sales. Under the government’s plans, the future GBR will sell tickets…
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Tram safety reviewed ahead of 10th anniversary of Croydon derailment https://www.railbusinessuk.com/light-rail/2026/10/14/tram-safety-reviewed-ahead-of-10th-anniversary-of-croydon-derailment/

railbusinessuk.comTram safety reviewed ahead of 10th anniversary of Croydon derailmentAhead of the 10th anniversary of the fatal Croydon tram derailment, the Light Rail Safety & Standards Board organised a workshop for operators to discuss the implementation of recommendations made by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch. Seven passengers were killed and many more injured on November 9 2016 when a London Trams tram overturned after…
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GB Railfreight awarded long-term steel transport contract https://www.railbusinessuk.com/gb-railfreight/2026/10/13/gb-railfreight-awarded-long-term-steel-transport-contract/

railbusinessuk.comGB Railfreight awarded long-term steel transport contractGB Railfreight has been awarded a long-term contract to transport materials and steel products to and from 7 Steel UK’s Cardiff facilities. The contract runs for at least 11 years from October 2026. GBRf will move scrap to Cardiff, where the steelmaker produces steel from scrap using an electric arc furnace, and then deliver finished…
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Docklands Light Railway station upgrading works get underway https://www.railbusinessuk.com/docklands-light-railway/2026/10/13/docklands-light-railway-station-upgrading-works-get-underway/

railbusinessuk.comDocklands Light Railway station upgrading works get underwayMorgan Sindall Infrastructure has begun site mobilisation and enabling works for a major refurbishment of the Docklands Light Railway’s Pontoon Dock station, which has seen an increase in usage as result of local regeneration and population growth since it opened in 2005. Access to the elevated station is currently via eight flights of stairs and…
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CrossCountry to lease additional Voyagers to increase capacity https://www.railbusinessuk.com/crosscountry/2026/10/12/crosscountry-to-lease-additional-voyagers-to-increase-capacity/

railbusinessuk.comCrossCountry to lease additional Voyagers to increase capacityCrossCountry has confirmed that it will add eight additional five-car Voyager inter-city diesel multiple-units to its fleet, increasing capacity and providing greater resilience across its network. Bombardier Transportation-built units 221 101-106 were leased by Avanti West Coast until being replaced by Hitachi Evero units at the end of 2024. Since then, they have been stored…
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CrossCountry to lease additional Voyagers to increase capacity https://www.railbusinessuk.com/crosscountry/2026/10/12/crosscountry-to-lease-additional-voyagers-to-increase-capacity/

railbusinessuk.comCrossCountry to lease additional Voyagers to increase capacityCrossCountry has confirmed that it will add eight additional five-car Voyager inter-city diesel multiple-units to its fleet, increasing capacity and providing greater resilience across its network. Bombardier Transportation-built units 221 101-106 were leased by Avanti West Coast until being replaced by Hitachi Evero units at the end of 2024. Since then, they have been stored…
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Viewpoint: Great British Railways offers a chance to modernise train ticket retailing https://www.railbusinessuk.com/industry-viewpoint/2026/10/12/viewpoint-great-british-railways-offers-a-chance-to-modernise-train-ticket-retailing/

railbusinessuk.comViewpoint: Great British Railways offers a chance to modernise train ticket retailingIf we want a competitive market where independent ticket sellers can continue to invest, innovate and give passengers greater choice, we need the underlying commercial systems to be fit for what is an increasingly digital industry, says Matthew Peake of online travel trade association Online Travel UK. Under the current Rail Settlement Plan which allocates…
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Glazing renewal lets there be light on London Liverpool Street station platforms https://www.railbusinessuk.com/infrastructure/2026/10/12/glazing-renewal-lets-there-be-light-on-london-liverpool-street-station-platforms/

railbusinessuk.comGlazing renewal lets there be light on London Liverpool Street station platformsMorgan Sindall Infrastructure has completed a project to replace the 11 000 m² of glazing above platforms 1-10 at London Liverpool Street station, with the new glass reinforced polymer panels significantly increasing light levels for passengers. GBR Anglia said average light levels on platforms 1-10 are now between 11 and 56 times higher than before…
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Virgin Group places cross-Channel high speed train fleet order as depot access agreement signed https://www.railbusinessuk.com/news/2026/10/09/virgin-group-to-explore-air-rail-integration-as-it-orders-cross-channel-high-speed-train-fleet/

railbusinessuk.comVirgin Group places cross-Channel high speed train fleet order as depot access agreement signedVirgin Group confirmed on October 9 that an order for 12 Avelia Stream high speed trains had been signed with Alstom, including 30 years of maintenance. It also announced Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse-inspired social spaces at stations and integration of flight bookings into its rail offering.  Virgin Trains is seeking to begin running services between London…
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HS2’s Delta Junction viaducts near completion, but trains running over them remains a distant prospect https://www.railbusinessuk.com/high-speed-2/2026/10/09/hs2s-delta-junction-viaducts-near-completion-but-trains-running-over-them-remains-a-distant-prospect/

railbusinessuk.comHS2’s Delta Junction viaducts near completion, but trains running over them remains a distant prospectThe joint venture which is constructing HS2 in the West Midlands has completed two more structures over a vital section of the UK’s motorway network as the Delta Junction complex takes shape. Chris Howe reports from Water Orton. The Balfour Beatty Vinci Joint Venture is in the process of building a 90 km section of…
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Passenger assistance technology company enters urban rail market with Elizabeth Line roll-out https://www.railbusinessuk.com/accessibility-inclusion/2026/10/09/passenger-assistance-technology-company-enters-urban-rail-market-with-elizabeth-line-roll-out/

railbusinessuk.comPassenger assistance technology company enters urban rail market with Elizabeth Line roll-outTransreport has entered the high frequency urban rail market, with its Passenger Assistance digital tool to help railway staff co-ordinate support for passengers with reduced mobility now in use on London’s Elizabeth Line. This builds on previous deployments with the operators of less intensively used routes in Great Britain and Japan. The software developer said…
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Passenger assistance technology company enters urban rail market with Elizabeth Line roll-out https://www.railbusinessuk.com/accessibility-inclusion/2026/10/09/passenger-assistance-technology-company-enters-urban-rail-market-with-elizabeth-line-roll-out/

railbusinessuk.comPassenger assistance technology company enters urban rail market with Elizabeth Line roll-outTransreport has entered the high frequency urban rail market, with its Passenger Assistance digital tool to help railway staff co-ordinate support for passengers with reduced mobility now in use on London’s Elizabeth Line. This builds on previous deployments with the operators of less intensively used routes in Great Britain and Japan. The software developer said…
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Building materials company adds Sunderland rail freight route to offset ‘supply challenges’ https://www.railbusinessuk.com/freight/2026/10/09/building-materials-giant-holcim-adds-sunderland-rail-route-to-offset-supply-challenges/

railbusinessuk.comBuilding materials company adds Sunderland rail freight route to offset ‘supply challenges’Holcim UK has launched a rail freight service to the Port of Sunderland in response to supply chain pressures affecting its aggregates business in northeast England. The service has transported nearly 20 000 tonnes since June and is expected to reach 100 000 tonnes in its first year. The service connects Holcim’s Bardon Hill quarry…
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East Midlands Railway to extend Class 222 lease https://www.railbusinessuk.com/east-midlands-railway/2026/10/08/east-midlands-railway-to-extend-class-222-lease/

railbusinessuk.comEast Midlands Railway to extend Class 222 leaseEast Midlands Railway is to extend the lease of its Beacon Rail owned Bombardier Transportation Class 222 Meridian inter-city diesel multiple-unit fleet because of delays to the introduction of new Hitachi Rail Class 810 Aurora electro-diesel units. The Class 810 trainsets were originally due to be in service by December 2022. However, the trains first…
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West Coast Main Line open access train applications rejected over capacity and performance concerns https://www.railbusinessuk.com/passenger/2026/10/08/west-coast-main-line-open-access-train-applications-rejected-over-capacity-and-performance-concerns/

railbusinessuk.comWest Coast Main Line open access train applications rejected over capacity and performance concernsThe Office of Rail & Road has rejected applications by Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway, FirstGroup’s Lumo NW and Avanti West Coast to launch passenger services from London Euston to Wrexham, Rochdale and Blackpool. The regulator said it had concluded that there is insufficient capacity on the West Coast Main Line, and adding more trains…
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UK rail industry news round-up https://www.railbusinessuk.com/news/2026/10/08/uk-rail-industry-news-round-up-25/

railbusinessuk.comUK rail industry news round-upThis week’s round-up of business news from the UK railway industry from Rail Business UK. Heavy Haul Rail operated the first commercial freight train delivering construction materials directly into the Sizewell C nuclear power station site during September. The train delivered more than 1 000 tonnes of aggregate from Tarmac’s quarries in Derbyshire via the…
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Unified Revenue Protection software to be launched at specialist industry seminar https://www.railbusinessuk.com/ticketing/2026/10/07/unified-revenue-protection-software-to-be-launched-at-specialist-industry-seminar/

railbusinessuk.comUnified Revenue Protection software to be launched at specialist industry seminarRaspberry Software is to unveil a unified revenue protection system for train operating companies at its third annual Revenue Protection Seminar, to be held in Birmingham on October 15. The app brings together existing penalty and prosecution processes, allowing TOCs to make amendments quickly and cost-effectively in response to future changes in regulation and industry…
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Mind the colour clash as Transport for Wales expands Pay As You Go ticketing in Wales and northwest England https://www.railbusinessuk.com/ticketing/2026/10/06/mind-the-colour-clash-as-transport-for-wales-expands-pay-as-you-go-ticketing-in-wales-and-northwest-england/

railbusinessuk.comMind the colour clash as Transport for Wales expands Pay As You Go ticketing in Wales and northwest EnglandTransport for Wales Rail has activated Pay-As-You-Go ticketing functionality at 10 more stations across north Wales and into northwest England. The 10 stations are: Chester; Chirk; Flint; Frodsham; Gobowen; Helsby; Prestatyn; Rhyl; Ruabon; Runcorn East. Readers have also been added on the low-level platforms at Shotton, augmenting those on the Wrexham – Bidston line platforms.…
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Social Value Framework launched to help the rail sector measure positive impacts https://www.railbusinessuk.com/rssb/2026/10/06/social-value-framework-launched-to-help-the-rail-sector-measure-positive-impacts/

railbusinessuk.comSocial Value Framework launched to help the rail sector measure positive impactsThe Rail Safety & Standards Board has published a Social Value Framework designed in collaboration with the rail industry to help organisations better understand, measure and communicate the positive impact they create beyond the railway itself. The framework combines guidance, common metrics and practical advice to support consistent and credible reporting of the impact that…
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Social Value Framework launched to help the rail sector measure positive impacts https://www.railbusinessuk.com/rssb/2026/10/06/social-value-framework-launched-to-help-the-rail-sector-measure-positive-impacts/

railbusinessuk.comSocial Value Framework launched to help the rail sector measure positive impactsThe Rail Safety & Standards Board has published a Social Value Framework designed in collaboration with the rail industry to help organisations better understand, measure and communicate the positive impact they create beyond the railway itself. The framework combines guidance, common metrics and practical advice to support consistent and credible reporting of the impact that…
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Loram fits ETCS equipment to second on-track machine https://www.railbusinessuk.com/ertms/2026/10/05/loram-fits-etcs-equipment-to-second-on-track-machine/

railbusinessuk.comLoram fits ETCS equipment to second on-track machineLoram has begun fitting ETCS in-cab equipment to a second rail grinder, the first such fitment to be funded through the East Coast Digital Programme. The C44 Rail Grinder C44-02 is being fitted with the Hitachi Rail ETCS equipment at Loram’s engineering facility in Derby. This follows the successful introduction of Hitachi Rail ETCS equipment…
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Agreement seeks to bring Rust programming language to rail https://www.railbusinessuk.com/business/2026/10/05/agreement-seeks-to-bring-rust-programming-language-to-rail/

railbusinessuk.comAgreement seeks to bring Rust programming language to railDerby-based scale-up Universal Signalling has signed a partnership agreement to develop what it says is the first railway certification package for the Rust programming language complying with the EN 50716 software certification standards. The partnership with representatives of Ferrocene is intended to establish a certification pathway for using Rust in safety-critical railway applications. Universal Signalling’s…
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Sunshine to power Manchester trams https://www.railbusinessuk.com/transport-for-greater-manchester/2026/10/05/sunshine-to-power-manchester-trams/

railbusinessuk.comSunshine to power Manchester tramsTransport for Greater Manchester is to enter into a power purchase agreement with AGR Power covering 42 GWh/year, broadly equivalent to the amount of power currently used to run the Metrolink light rail network and over half of TfGM’s current energy usage. PPAs are long-term contracts where an organisation buys renewable energy at a fixed…
Rail Business UK
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Rail freight ‘is right for the business’ says Tesco as it marks 20 years of working with DRS https://www.railbusinessuk.com/freight/2026/10/02/rail-freight-is-right-for-the-business-says-tesco-as-it-marks-20-years-of-working-with-drs/

railbusinessuk.comRail freight ‘is right for the business’ says Tesco as it marks 20 years of working with DRSRail is a reliable way of getting goods to customers and ‘is right for the business, for sustainability and for servicing our customers better every day’, Tesco said when the supermarket chain and Direct Rail Services celebrated 20 years of the movement of the company’s goods by train. Tony Miles reports from Daventry International Rail…