TOCs

Following on from the leadership merger between Southeastern and the regions infrastructure provider, Network Rail Kent Route last month, which was subsequently named South East Railways, a new approach to its railway maintenance inspections has been announced as one of its first initiatives.

The decision from The Office of Rail and Road could spell the end of many open access operators aspirations for expansion as the reality of the ECML and WCML capacity issues begins to bite.

Richard Brown, former chief executive and chairman of Eurostar, says the plan for GBR “is quite superficial, full of ambition and fine words, with little in it”

CrossCountry has warned passengers of “short notice cancellations” to its services across the network as an unresolved dispute with the RMT union begins to affect its timetable.

Much more work needs to be done to ensure that the rules governing rail fares enforcement are fit for purpose believes ORR’s director of strategy Stephanie Tobyn.

The Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway could be on the verge of approval for its service to London Euston. Peter Plisner talks to those behind the plans.

As funding is confirmed for a feasibility study into extending the Borders Railway to Carlisle, Andy Comfort explores the route beyond the Tweedbank buffers.

West Midlands Trains is introducing two Bombardier Aventra fleets into traffic and up first is the Class 730/0s for West Midlands Railways. By Pip Dunn.

After two years of strike action, ASLEF struck a deal with the new government in September. For Mick Whelan, it was just another chapter in his fight for his members. RICHARD WILCOCK speaks to the union chief

East West Rail is opening a 10-week consultation into its updated plans to reconnect Oxford and Cambridge