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Economy Class & Beyond

Chiltern Railways unveils its Mark 5A rolling stock

16/10/2025 by Kevincm Leave a Comment

Chiltern MK5A train launch - Image, Chiltern Railways

With Chiltern Railways announcing earlier this year that it was to take up the lease of the Mark 5A rolling stock, the company has finally had its press launch of the new trains. Chiltern MK5A train launch at London Marylebone Station - Image, Chiltern Railways The trains, to be introduced between London and the West Midlands from early 2026, will enable Chiltern to … [Read more...]

Greater Anglia railway transfers back to government ownership

13/10/2025 by Kevincm Leave a Comment

Greater Anglia Class 720 arriving at Shenfied - Image ,Economy Class and Beyond

Another rail operator has transferred back to government ownership, with Greater Anglia making the move. The transfer took place on the 12th October. Greater Anglia’s services will become the third to enter public ownership under the government’s Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act, marking another step towards a simpler, more unified railway under Great … [Read more...]

Network Rail Unveils its Leaf Treatment Trains – Introducing Ctrl Alt Deleaf..

28/09/2025 by Kevincm Leave a Comment

NetworkRail AutumnMPVs (Photo credit: Kieran Cleeves/PA Media Assignments)

With the weather changing and leaves falling, autumn has arrived. Network Rail is gearing up for its annual multi-million-pound battle against Mother Nature and ‘leaves on the line’, aiming to keep millions of passengers and trains safe and moving over the next three months. Entering the fray this season is the newest leaf-clearing train, ‘Ctrl Alt Deleaf’. NetworkRail … [Read more...]

Avanti West Coast to use the Settle-Carlisle Line during a winter line blockade

24/09/2025 by Kevincm Leave a Comment

Avanti West Coast Ribblehead Viadact Image, Avanti West Coast

At the start of 2026, there are some major works on the West Coast Main Line, with Network Rail replacing a rail bridge over the M6 near Penrith, with the rail line being blocked. However, to keep people moving, Avanti West Coast will be running trains on the Settle to Carlisle Line.  Avanti West Coast Class 805 on the Ribblehead Viaduct- Image, Avanti West … [Read more...]

Chiltern Railways signs for modern rolling stock – enter the Mark 5A

07/08/2025 by Kevincm Leave a Comment

a train on the tracks

Chiltern Railways (which operates services out of London Marylebone) has recently announced they are to update its rolling stock, with the introduction of Mark 5A rolling stock on its services. Coming to London and the West Midlands soon - Mark 5A coaches. The trains will be used on the Chiltern Main Line, operating to destinations between London and the West Midlands. … [Read more...]

More Open Access Routes approved on the East Coast Mainline… with a number of denials

02/08/2025 by Kevincm Leave a Comment

London Kings Cross Station - Image, Economy Class and Beyond

The UK Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has been making further decisions about Open Access rail operations - this time on the East Coast Main Line. Some more services to London King's Cross, but capacity is starting to get limited.  The additional approved services are: Grand Central: two additional Wakefield Kirkgate to Bradford Interchange services on weekdays and … [Read more...]

West Midlands Trains set to move back into public ownership

01/08/2025 by Kevincm Leave a Comment

West Midlands Railway Class 172 train at Solihull Train Station - Image, Economy Class and Beyond

The march towards passenger rail network nationalisation is continuing with West Midlands Trains announcing when they are due to transfer back to public control. The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that West Midlands Trains – operator of services under the West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway brands - is set to transfer to public ownership … [Read more...]

UK Government reclaims the Essex Thameside Franchise – c2c returns to public control

21/07/2025 by Kevincm

c2c Class 720/6 train - Image, c2c

With the UK Government continuing its Great British Railways plans, Essex Thameside operator c2c has returned to public hands. c2c moves into public ownership. Pictured, Rob Mullen, Managing Director of c2c, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander - Image, UK Department for Transport c2c operates the Essex Thameside services from London Fenchurch Street (and sometimes … [Read more...]

Eurostar to boost London to Amsterdam route to five times a day

10/07/2025 by Kevincm

Eurostar trains at London St Pancras - Image, Economy Class and Beyond

As teased during Eurostar's recent expansion plans, the European train operator is to expand its London St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal service to five times a day. The new timetable will go into effect on the 15th December 2025.  Eurostar will operate five direct trains per day in each direction, offering passengers even greater flexibility and convenience when … [Read more...]

West Coast Open Access Rail requests… denied!

04/07/2025 by Kevincm

Rugby Railway Station on the West Coast Main Line - Image, Economy Class and Beyond

At Economy Class and Beyond, we have covered the emergence of new Open Access Operators who wish to operate new services on the West Coast Mainline.  It seems these are in vain, with the Office of Rail and Road concluding there is not enough capacity to let these operations commence. There were three companies in the mix to launch services. They were: Virgin … [Read more...]

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