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
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
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
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
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
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!
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...]
“Velvet Trains” rolls out – Private High Speed Competition in France
Something... different was unveiled by Alstom in France. A train rollout is normally nothing out of the ordinary. But it seems the first of Proxima (a private entity which wishes to operate high-speed trains on the French Rail network) has unveiled its first train... and its branding. And it's called Velvet Trains. Velvet Trains Avelia Horizon - Image, … [Read more...]
London Northwestern Railway introduces its new commuter trains
Recently, London Northwestern Railway (part of West Midlands Trains) introduced its new trains, the Class 730/2. The electric Class 730/2 fleet is made up of 36 five-carriage trains – a total of 180 new carriages. Like most new electric trains from Alstom (nee Bombardier), these are based on the Aventra family of trains(which is deployed on The Elizabeth Line, London … [Read more...]
Air Canada expands its Air+Rail options, with Lufthansa Rail Express
Air Canada is expanding its Air+Rail operation with an extension of its codeshare agreement with Lufthansa to include Lufthansa Express Rail services at Frankfurt Airport, operated by Deutsche Bahn. This agreement will allow for intermodal itineraries to be booked in one reservation, offering greater flexibility, more choice, and added convenience to connect with Air … [Read more...]
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