Green Signals
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.
Latest episodes
Apr 1, 2025 • 35min
A NEW Liverpool to Manchester railway
Huw Merriman, former Minister of Rail in the last Conservative Government talks about his new role as Chair of the Liverpool Manchester Railway Board. He explains how Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester) and Steve Rotheram (Mayor of Liverpool City Region) have tasked him with leading the creation of far more than just a railway – an economic corridor to promote jobs and growth on a big scale.We also discuss HS2 and the decision of Rishi Sunak when Prime Minister to cancel Phase 2 north of Birmingham. Huw explains not only was he not consulted, just informed, some of his team were tasked with developing plans for the cancellation and the creation of Network North, yet he was not involved! Huw explains he’s still a big supporter however and that one day, he believes HS2 will get to Manchester!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 (unless stated on the image)Photos of Huw Merriman - By David Woolfall - https://members-api.parliament.uk/api/Members/4442/Portrait?cropType=ThreeFourGallery:https://members.parliament.uk/member/4442/portrait,CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86672593Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)
Mar 20, 2025 • 50min
76. Virgin Trains comes out fighting for open access rights
Richard Branson’s Virgin Trains fights hard to return to the West Coast Main Line with an appeal to the Office of Rail and Road over available capacityWe ask how many public officials does it take to have a meeting about railway projects these days?And a new Northumberland Line station – Newsham opensIn this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:40) Virgin Trains open access fight(31:50) How many officials does it take to have a railway meeting?(34:55) Thanks to Supporters, Super Thanks and Members(36:15) Railway News Round-Up(36:19) Northumberland Line Newsham station opens(37:06) RMT calls off Avanti West Coast strikes(37:49) HS2 TBM lifted out of Green Park Way site(38:58) HS2 A43 bridge progress(39:50) LNER named top of the TOCs(41:17) The Quiz(45:59) Furness Railway No. 20 to visit 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:Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)Image Credits (unless stated on images)Virgin Trains Class 390 at Liverpool Lime Street - Caron Badkin / Shutterstock.comPicture of people sat round boardroom table - Jacob Lund / Shutterstock.comDrone image of Newsham railway station - Northern Trains LtdLetter to ORR from Network Rail re West Coast South timetable issues (published by ORR on 14th March 2025)Film of LNER Azuma speeding passed Essendine - Nigel HarrisFilm of Class 91 set departing Peterborough northbound - Richard Bowker
Mar 6, 2025 • 1h 4min
74. Flying Scotsman DOES have a main line future & HS2 damning PAC report
Flying Scotsman DOES have a main line future – we speak to the National Railway Museum about plans for the world-famous locomotiveWhere now for HS2? The Public Accounts Committee asks what benefits can be “salvaged” from the project and we speak to former project Chairman Allan Cooke CBEAnd… Does the Royal Train have a future after all?In this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:47) Flying Scotsman’s main line future(18:58) HS2 PAC report(41:04) Rail fares increase(45:34) Thanks to Supporters, Super Thanks and Members(47:18) Railway News Round-Up(47:24) Royal Train future(48:16) AI ticket barriers for the Underground?(49:40) Steamology Class 60 project(50:35) Bluebell Railway & Network Rail collaboration(52:35) Railway 200 Inspiration train(53:34) Avon Valley Railway Bounce Back appeal(55:34) The Quiz(01:01:13) East Midlands Railway celebrates World Book DayMembership: 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:Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)Image Credits (unless stated on the image)Picture of Royal Train with Class 67 - Shutterstock (Licensed)Images of new AI Ticket Gates - Courtesy of CubicGraphic of how steam turbine works - Courtesy of SteamologyEMR mascot Miles and World Book Day - images courtesy of East Midlands Railway
Mar 4, 2025 • 53min
Could some heritage railways be heading for the brink? HRA CEO Steve Oates interview
Heritage Railway Association CEO Steve Oates talks about the challenges facing the heritage railway sector. Steam railways are under increasing pressure, threatening the financial viability of them as businesses. Steve provides a unique insight into difficulties and what railways are doing to try and ensure their survival.Subscribe: If you liked this video, please give it a thumbs up. Better still, hit that subscribe button. It supports the channel and means you'll be notified whenever we publish something new. 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:Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)
Feb 27, 2025 • 57min
73. Railway structures: Has Network Rail got a grip?
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) threatens Network Rail with possible enforcement action under the Health & Safety at Work Act. Could there be growing safety concerns with some of our railway structures?We look at the reaction to the government’s Railways Bill consultation on GBR and hear from the Rail Freight Group’s Director General, Maggie Simpson.There are strong words from the Heritage Railway Association’s CEO Steve Oates about the state of leadership and governance with some of the country’s heritage railways.In this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:56) ORR and Network Rail assets(07:15) Railways Bill consultation reaction(14:33) Freight’s reaction to consultation(26:05) Avanti West Coast and the Beattock landslip(32:22) Heritage Railway Association interview(37:29) Thanks to Supporters and Members(39:17) Railway News Round-Up(36:25) 1000th HS2 freight train(40:40) Class 395 Javelin recovery(43:41) East Midlands Railway vandalism(45:05) Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline(46:39) Class 465 Networker painted in Network South Eastcolours(47:44) Green Signals merch store!(49:27) The Quiz(54:03) Northern conductor praised for helping motherMembership: 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:Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)Image Credits (unless stated on images):1000 HS2 freight train at Quainton Road - images courtesy of GB RailfreightEMR vandalism - Images Courtesy of EMR (East Midlands Railway)
Feb 20, 2025 • 58min
72. Has the government finally got something right?! Railways Bill Consultation analysis
The government publishes ‘Delivering a railway fit forBritain’s future’. It’s the clearest indication yet of the government’sintentions for the future structure of GBR.In the most dramatic change of all, GBR will allocate accessto the network – and the ORR is downgraded to an appeals body. It marks the endof the 1993 Railways Act vision of access and access charges determined by anindependent regulator. In future, it’s GBR’s railway.In this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:58) Railways Bill Consultation(40:25) Thanks to Supporters, Super Thanks and Members(42:38) Railway News Round Up(42:43) Chiltern fare dodger offended 736 times(43:56) Network Rail fined over Margam deaths(46:07) National Railway Museum £15m Government investment(47:03) ORR writes to Network Rail about structureexaminations backlog(48:45) Tina the wheel lathe(50:27) Last limestone train(51:40) The Quiz(54:33) Flying Scotsman 2025 datesMembership: 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.org Newsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd Instagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallersCredits:Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)Images Credits (unless stated on images)Tina the Wheel Lathe - Courtesy of Northern Trains
Feb 18, 2025 • 38min
HS2: What will it be like for passengers? West Coast Partnership Development interview
Amongst all the HS2 construction updates, one important thing has been missing. What is HS2 actually going to be like for passengers? When will we see HS2 trains running? What will the customer experience be like? What has the cancellation of Phase 2a meant for plans to transform rail travel on the West Coast? All these questions and many more are the domain of West Coast Partnership Development Managing Director Shamit Gaiger – an expert in transformational change and a passionate advocate for great customer experience.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.org Newsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd Instagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallersCredits:Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)
Feb 17, 2025 • 16min
How to celebrate Railway 200 in 2025
2025 is a big year for the railway. It’s the 200thanniversary of the Stockton & Darlington railway, which is generally considered the world’s first commercial railway venture.Celebrations are getting underway, so Stef had a chat withEmma Robertson and Anthony Coulls to find out what’s being planned. Emma is the Railway 200 Programme Manager for GBRTT and Anthony is Senior Curator for Rail Transport and Technology at the National Railway Museum.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.org Newsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd Instagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallersCredits:Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)Image Credits: Courtesy of Science Museum group / National Railway Museum unless stated
Feb 13, 2025 • 1h 4min
71. Is a Virgin Trains comeback on the West Coast Main Line about to be crushed?
Is a Virgin Trains comeback on the West Coast Main Lineabout to be crushed?And the Department for Transport strongly objects to a swarm of other open access applications in a letter to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) setting out its concerns.And… Richard samples Transport for Wales’ Premier Dining…In this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:50) Virgin Trains comeback to be crushed?(25:47) Shamit Gaiger West Coast Partnership Developmentpreview(31:27) RIA/RBD news(35:04) Railway 200 update(37:14) Transport for Wales Premier Dining(45:08) Thanks to Super Thanks and Members(46:47) Railway News Round-Up(46:51) Wabtec plans to close Doncaster site(48:39) Transport for London economic benefits(49:28) Car crashes onto railway at Salford(50:40) Network Rail trials departure board changes at King’sCross(52:56) Hydrogen powered Class 08 shunter unveiled at SevernValley Railway(55:45) The Quiz(59:55) Heritage Railway Association Annual AwardsMembership: 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.org Newsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd Instagram -https://instagram.com/greensignallersCredits:Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)Image Credits (Unless stated on Images):Picture of Class 390 Pendolino Virgin Trains at Liverpool Lime Street (Shutterstock - Licensed)
Feb 6, 2025 • 1h 1min
70. HS2’s incredible 4.5k tonne deck slide at Small Dean & semaphore signals in Shrewsbury
An HS2 construction update this week with the completion of an incredible 4,500 tonne deck slide for a viaduct at Small Dean in BuckinghamshireRichard takes a trip to see the wonderful semaphore signals and manual signalboxes at ShrewsburyAnd… We find out all about hotly anticipated The Greatest Gathering at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane to celebrate Railway 200In this episode:(00:00) Intro(01:28) HS2’s Small Dean deck slide(21:45) The Greatest Gathering launch(27:16) Shrewsbury semaphore signals(42:23) Reflections on Rachel Reeves’ speech(45:52) Thanks to Super Thanks and Members(47:24) Railway News Round Up(47:28) Cardiff Parkway new station plans(48:22) End of Britain’s longest timetabled train journey?(51:50) RSSB climate change scenarios(52:47) Severn Valley Railway landslip update(55:06) The Quiz(58:04) Northern engineering apprenticeshipsMembership: 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.org Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallersCredits:Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)Image Credits (unless stated on the images):Footage of Greatest gathering Launch - Courtesy of Alstom
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