Trains

News

Northern begins negotiations with manufacturers for 450 new trains

Northern Trains has taken a significant step towards the largest investment in its history, with the potential to see up to 450 new trains introduced across its network.

Northern 17 Jan

Comment

Comment: A mix of modern and traditional on board the Shinkansen

Our columnist Christian Wolmar has been in Japan and on the legendary Shinkansen bullet train.

Christian Wolmar 25 Dec

Comment

Comment: Gatwick compares poorly with Far East counterparts

Our columnist Christian Wolmar has been in Japan and China, where he experienced three airport services.

Christian Wolmar 24 Dec

On July 10 2019, South Western Railway’s 1232 to London Waterloo (450110) stands at Haslemere’s Platform 3 (left), while 450548 its at Platform 2 (right) with SWR’s 1240 to London Waterloo. STEPHEN ROBERTS

Feature

Bradshaw’s Britain: Havant to Guildford

For his final foray onto the south of England’s rail network armed with Bradshaw’s 1863 Handbook, Stephen Roberts is on a section of the Portsmouth Direct Line.

Trains 23 Dec

Left: Multiple train classes and multiple operators fill the platforms at Manchester Piccadilly, offering a hint as to why lengthening trains can actually reduce services. PAUL BIGLAND

Feature

A rail network epic exploration: Wales to London via South Coast

Part two of Paul Bigland’s All-Line Rover trip takes him on trains battered by the elements… and teenage passengers

Reviews 18 Nov

A Stadler battery-electric Class 777 calls at Sandhills station in Liverpool, en route to Headbolt Lane. Photo by Paul Bigland

Feature

A rail network epic exploration: Halifax to Chester

Paul Bigland is back on his biennial travels, touring the nation’s rail network with an All-Line Rover, starting in the North West…

Trains 5 Nov

Feature

Train review part 2: Riding the route of the ‘Riviera Express’

David Clough concludes his Riviera trip by returning from Penzance in the time slot of the old ‘Cornish Riviera Express’.

Trains 4 Oct

Platform 1 at Paddington on April 25, as 57603 draws in with the empty stock for the 2345 Sleeper to Penzance. JO CLOUGH.

Feature

Train review: Aboard the ‘Night Riviera’ sleeper train to Penzance

In the first of a two-part feature, David Clough samples the night and day ‘Riviera’ services to and from the South West, starting with an overnight journey.

Trains 18 Sept

Comment

Opinion: Better WiFi would send out the right signals to passengers

The last government should never have scrapped wifi for passengers and Labour should restore it, says Christian Wolmar.

Christian Wolmar 27 Aug

Comment

Opinion: How should operators do better with stranded trains?

What happens when your train is stuck, and how equipped are operators to deal with the issues that arise? A new report has some answers, says Philip Haigh.

Phil Haigh 21 Aug

London Northwestern Railway 350241 pauses at Watford Junction Platform 8 on May 23 2019 with the 1027 service to Tring. STEPHEN ROBERTS

Comment

Bradshaw’s Britain: destination Bletchley

Stephen Roberts’ latest trip based on his 1863 Bradshaw’s Guide takes him from Watford Junction to the home of the Second World War codebreakers.

Industry views 6 Aug

803003 waits to leave Edinburgh with the 1613 to King’s Cross on a very rainy November 27 2023. PIP DUNN

Feature

Train review: Lumo’s no frills ‘803’

Open access operator Lumo competes with LNER and Avanti, as well as airlines, between Edinburgh and London. Its headline low fares and modern trains are proving a hit, but are the Class 803s any good? Pip Dunn finds out for himself.

Trains 25 Jul

Hitachi Rail fitting hybrid battery at Newton Aycliffe

News

Trial begins on UK first intercity battery train

Hitachi Rail has begun testing of the UK’s first intercity battery train. Peaking at a power of over 700 kilowatts has been retrofitted onto a TransPennine Express Class 802 “Nova 1” train and is a collaboration between TransPennine Express, Angel Trains and Hitachi Rail.

24 May

News

Level boarding fuels Southeastern’s new trains plan

Southeastern is inviting five train manufacturers to negotiate to replace “as soon as possible” the operator’s 30-year-old Networker fleet that run metro services in London.

Trains 22 May

Feature

Suppliers’ uncertain wait for new trains

Challenges - and opportunities - ahead for Britain’s train builders, refurbishment specialists and their supply chains, as they await vital new orders.

Locomotives 12 Mar