Permanent way

In the first of a three-part series exploring rail’s history and development alongside rival transport modes, Christian Wolmar looks at what happened to canals

Philip Haigh joins one of Network Rail’s video inspection units, to learn how the technology is improving detection, efficiency and safety.

Intensive prototype testing has been moving away from the main line network towards specialist test centres scattered across Europe, as Ben Jones discovers.

Network Rail’s Project Brunel should improve performance on the Wales and Western Region. How have the first six months gone? Tom Edwards find out.

Network Rail engineering teams are deploying industrial-sized ballast excavators on the West Coast main line on four successive weekends in August as part of track upgrades through Stoke-on-Trent.

Changes planned for LNER, Lumo, Cross Country, TransPennine Express and Northern services as Network Rail replaces track at Darlington.

Investors from around the world are being invited to consider a stake in the business planning to build a £400 million test track and facilities

Major track alterations and lineside drainage are due to take place at Water Orton (North Warwickshire) and Duddeston (Birmingham) from February 19-27

Network Rail Mobile Operations Manager (MOM) involved had not arranged protection from train movements before going on the track.

Why does hot weather still pose the same challenges for our railway, and what is being done to improve things? GARETH DENNIS explains