Green Signals
Green Signals Productions
Green Signals is a show about railways - its politics, its economics, its people and history. We turn over the issues of the day and talk to the people making the decisions that affect all our lives. We also dig into many of the amazing events in the history of an industry that spans nearly 200 years. Nigel Harris (former Managing Editor and Events Director of the leading industry and opinion forming magazine RAIL) and Richard Bowker (former Chair & CEO of the Strategic Rail Authority) steer the show to make it sometimes controversial, frequently irreverent - but always topical and relevant.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 4min
94. Have bimode trains scuppered electrification of the rail network?
Have bimode trains scuppered our chances of ever electrifying the UK rail network? The latest Transport Select Committeesuggests they just might…The Secretary of State updates Parliament on HS2 – are weany closer to knowing when and how much?And ORR delivers its annual performance review of Network Rail – with some rather chilling words…In this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:37) Transport Select Committee hearing(09:00) Midland Main Line electrification paused(31:02) Sir Peter Soulsby interview(39:15) HS2 construction update to Parliament(43:04) ORR report on Network Rail performance(47:46) Thanks to Supporters(49:09) Railway News Round-up(49:14) c2c is nationalised(50:29) Beaulieu Park station to open early(51:29) Largest ever passenger satisfaction survey(52:28) Germany to UK rail services?(53:48) Lamb on a train(54:44) Folk music celebrates Railway 200(56:34) The Quiz01:00:01 Work experience success at GBRfMembership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdInstagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallersCredits:Thumbnail image - Network Rail
Jul 22, 2025 • 11min
New Tube trains for the Piccadilly Line – inside the factory!
New trains are being built for the London Underground’s Piccadilly Line – the very first deep Tube trains that will have air conditioning and walk-through carriages. We visited the Siemens train manufacturing plant in Goole (Yorkshire) to find out more about them and to see them being built.Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdInstagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Jul 17, 2025 • 1h 4min
93. Midland Main Line electrification ‘paused’… But whose fault is it?
Government commits to 50 road and rail projects… or does it?Midland Mainline Electrification is ‘paused’. But whose fault is it?And the Severn Valley Railway pulls off a miracle to reopen just 6 months after a major landslip!In this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:27) Green light for over 50 road and rail upgrades(07:16) Midland Main Line electrification ‘paused’(32:57) New Piccadilly Line trains video preview(36:36) Severn Valley Railway to reopen(45:49) Thanks to Supporters(47:18) Railway News Round-up(47:21) Van driver killed at level crossing in Kent(49:00) Transport for Wales heat disruption(52:24) Govia Thameslink Railway Class 717 ETCS(53:57) ORR Experiences of Passenger Assist survey(56:11) The Quiz(59:01) Great Western Railway 802022 Cyril Bleasdale OBEMembership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdInstagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallersCredits:Thumbnail image - Network Rail
Jul 15, 2025 • 58min
HS2 didn’t GO wrong. It STARTED wrong – James Stewart review interview
James Stewart, author of the recent review into HS2 and theDfT’s approach to major projects speaks to Richard in this fascinating interview.Here’s the background to James’s review as set out by the Government: In October 2024, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced that James Stewart would lead a review of DfT’s approach to the governance and assurance of major infrastructure project delivery, drawing primarily on evidence from High Speed Two (HS2). The review provides insights into DfT’s approach to delivering complex infrastructure projects and programmes. It provides an important contribution to the ongoing efforts to ensure successful delivery as HS2 undergoes a critical programme reset. It also makes recommendations for improvements to the wider government system for delivering major projects.Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdInstagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallersCredits - Thumbnail image: HS2 Ltd
Jul 10, 2025 • 55min
92. Virgin trains is denied a return to the WCML… and so is everyone else!
Virgin Trains is denied a return to the West Coast Main Line…but in a big shock - along with everyone elseHS1 is judged poor value for money – but have all the benefits been accounted for?And an Avanti West Coast Pendolino hits the buffers at EustonIn this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:32) ORR rejects WCML open access applications(27:15) HS1 is judged poor value for money(31:38) James Stewart interview trailer(36:29) Thanks to Supporters(39:51) Railway News Round Up(40:00) Avanti West Coast Pendolino buffer collision(40:49) Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in administration(42:09) Northumberland Line stations delayed(44:12) Belmond Britannic Explorer first trip cancelled(45:32) Eurostar breaks down in France(47:05) GCRE trains steelworkers(48:47) The Quiz(51:20) Deltic driver retiresMembership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdInstagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Jul 3, 2025 • 58min
91. The Royal Train is decommissioned & Derailment causes travel chaos on WCML
The Royal Train is to be decommissioned by 2027 bringing toan end to getting on for 200 years of association.A derailment at Bletchley and a fallen tree near Beattockcause days of travel chaos on the West Coast Main Line.And we speak to Stadler about their take on theUK rolling stock market.In this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:33) Royal Train to be decommissioned(11:39) Derailment at Bletchley(17:35) Fallen tree at Beattock(23:40) Class 99s teaser(28:01) Stadler and the rolling stock market(36:26) IMechE Railway Challenge(39:41) Thanks to Supporters(41:07) Railway News Round-up(41:11) EDF Renewables deal with Transport for London(42:15) Project Reach deal(43:27) Heidelberg Materials Horton Quarry rail link(44:30) “Network Rail wrongly fells 300 trees”(48:27) HS2 Northolt Tunnel excavation completed(49:07) Far North Line reopens(50:57) The Quiz(55:02) Great Western Railway FastCharge Battery recordROYAL TRAIN PHOTOGRAPHY: Thanks to Jack Boskett for kindly allowing us to use his photographs in this episode. You can find more of Jack’s award-winning photography at http://www.jackboskett.co.ukMembership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdInstagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Jul 1, 2025 • 19min
Inside a Class 99 – The UK’s Most Powerful Locomotive
An exclusive tour inside GB Railfreight’s brand new Class 99 locomotive at UK Rail Leasing’s depot in Leicester. 8,000 horsepower in electric mode and 2,400hp in Diesel mode, this is a serious beast of a freight locomotive and the most powerful standalone locomotive built for the UK by Stadler.#locomotive #trains #GBRailfreightMembership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdInstagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Jun 26, 2025 • 58min
90. Are the Industrial Strategy & Infrastructure Strategy actually strategies? And what about rail?
Are the Government’s ‘UK Infrastructure Strategy: A 10-Year Strategy’ and ‘The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy’ actually strategies? And do they tell a positive story for rail?1,800 people are evacuated from Thameslink trains on the hottest day of the year.And the new Tube trains for the Piccadilly Line are delayed…In this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:34) Breaking News! DfT Letter on Open Access(10:18) All the strategies at once(12:57) Infrastructure Strategy(21:29) Industrial Strategy(25:15) Mark Wild’s HS2 interim report(33:34) 1,800 people evacuated on Thameslink(37:44) Piccadilly Line trains delayed(43:01) Thanks to Supporters(45:05) Railway News Round-up(45:10) Ffestiniog Railway 200 Wheels on the Cob(46:22) Southeastern and Network Rail unite(47:39) Severn Valley Railway reorganisation(48:40) Keighley & Worth Valley Railway diesel gala drama(51:20) HS2 Lower Thorpe viaduct deck slide(52:25) The Quiz(55:11) Thomas the Tank Engine documentaryMembership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdInstagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Jun 24, 2025 • 42min
Interview: LNER’s David Horne on running a railway in the public sector
LNER Managing Director David Horne meets Richard in York to talk about running a railway in the public sector, delivering for the passenger, rail fares, Great British Railways and much more besides.Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdInstagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Jun 19, 2025 • 52min
89. Rail passenger numbers are up! But is there more behind the headlines?
Rail ridership is almost back to pre-Covid levels! But is there more behind the headlines?HS2 could be delayed yet again – and the blame game is already underwayProblems for East Midlands Railway Class 810s – is there a crisis coming?And there’s Breaking News on Jacobite steam train operator West Coast Railways’ application for an exemption to run Mk1s…In this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:40) Rail ridership figures(17:53) HS2 delays(20:12) West Coast Railways Mk 1s update(25:39) East Midlands Railway Class 810s(29:39) David Horne LNER interview preview(35:00) Thanks to Supporters(36:27) Railway News Round-up(36:31) British Steel £500m Network Rail contract(37:49) Go-op signs Track Access Contract(38:42) King’s Birthday Honours(42:27) GB Railfreight Class 99s arrive in UK(41:50) DB Cargo runs first East West Rail freight train(42:35) HS2 TBM completes drive(43:17) Tree clearance on West Highland Line(44:51 )The Quiz(48:32) Narrow gauge for The Greatest GatheringMembership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdInstagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallersCredits: Thumbnail image - Network Rail
