
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

Oct 17, 2024 • 57min
55. Northern Rail 16-25 Railcard misunderstanding & Rail leaders support HS2 Phase 2 alternative
Northern Rail threatens to prosecute a man over a £1.90
16-25 Railcard misunderstanding – but backs down
Alstom’s Derby works – we preview a Green Signals visit to Litchurch Lane
Northern Powerhouse Partnership leaders call on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to support HS2 Phase 2 alternative
In this episode:
(00:00) Intro
(05:52) Northern Rail 16-25 Railcard story
(28:50) Northern Powerhouse Partnership leaders support HS2
(34:34) Alstom Derby Litchurch Lane visit preview
(43:10) Thanks to SuperThanks and Members
(44:24) Railway News Round-up
(44:29) HS2 Westbury and Turweston viaducts milestones
(45:27) Belfast Grand Central station opens
(46:36) Lineside fire at Stevenage causes King’s Cross chaos
(48:11) Delay to LNER introduction of Grimsby, Lincoln and
Market Rasen services
(50:40) The Quiz
(53:45) Windsor & Eton Central station 175th
anniversary
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/join
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals
Green Signals:
Website - http://www.greensignals.org
Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list
Follow:
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd
Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)

Oct 15, 2024 • 1h 2min
Freightliner CEO – ‘Tomorrow is too late. Get it done today’. Tim Shoveller Big Interview
Freightliner CEO Tim Shoveller talks about rail freight's challenges and the battle against road haulage. Tim describes his early career and how he progressed to roles including: Managing Director of Network Rail's North West and Central Region, MD of South West Trains (where he led the development of the alliance with Network Rail), MD of East Midlands Trains from the beginning of its franchise in 2007, and senior roles at Virgin Trains and Eurostar.
Tim is a man who believes in getting things done today, not putting them off until tomorrow. Determination, urgency and leadership are at his core.
Covered in the interview:
(00:00) Intro and why Tim joined the railway
(02:33) Tim’s big roles
(05:42) South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance
(10:48) Move to Network Rail
(13:07) Frustration that led to the move to Freightliner
(17:38) Does he have a vision or a plan?
(20:48) The state of rail freight in 2024
(23:20) The economics of rail freight
(36:28) HS2 and West Coast Main Line capacity
(39:17) Do capacity constraints put customers off?
(43:18) Great British Railways
(55:35) Positivity about the future
(57:29) Railway Benefit Fund
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/join
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals
Green Signals:
Website - http://www.greensignals.org
Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list
Follow:
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd
Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)

Oct 10, 2024 • 1h 12min
54. £1bn South Western Railway train fleet delayed by windscreen wipers? & GWR Fast Charge Battery Train
£1bn fleet of South Western Railway Class 170 Arterio trains in storage ‘because their windscreen wipers are too big’… but is that the real story?
Great Western Railway’s Fast Charge Battery Train – we find out more about this exciting project.
Euston station gets a 5-point plan… but are we impressed?
And Siemens’ Goole Train Manufacturing Facility opens in Yorkshire!
In this episode:
(00:00) Intro
(01:00) South Western Railway Arterio windscreen wipers
(05:57) GWR Battery Train
(31:18) Euston station five-point plan
(40:26) Laura Shoaf is appointed Chair of Shadow Great British Railways
(44:50) Tim Shoveller, Freightliner interview preview
(55:05) Video updates, SuperThanks & Member thanks
(58:49) Railway News Round-Up
(58:58) Goole Train Manufacturing Facility opens
(59:53) Bristol’s new Ashley Down station opens
(1:00:37) Grand Central strange tweet
(1:01:38) Business travel by rail rises 21%
(1:04:00) The Quiz
(1:08:25) Northern Yorkshire Dales Explorer
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/join
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals
Green Signals:
Website - http://www.greensignals.org
Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list
Follow:
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd
Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)

Oct 8, 2024 • 43min
Behind the scenes at Locomotive Services Ltd in Crewe
Locomotive Services Ltd has a uniquely comprehensive collection of locomotives at their main headquarters in what was once Crewe Diesel Depot. We were privileged to have the chance to tour the site and find out more about the incredible work they do preserving such a comprehensive collection of railway assets for future generations, in what they describe as the 'Noah's Ark' of the railway.
Owned by Jeremy Hosking, LSL is part of the wider Locomotive Services Group, encompassing well-known brands InterCity, Blue Pullman, Saphos Trains, Statesman Rail and Steam Dreams.
And if you need more persuasion to watch, here's a flavour of their locomotive collection that we feature in the film:
Class 47 D1924 47810 Crewe Diesel Depot
Class 47 D1948 47712 Lady Diana Spencer
Class 50 50050 Fearless
Class 20 D8118 20118 Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Class 20 D8132 20132
Class 43 43047 Midland Pullman (Midland Blue Pullman) HST
Peppercorn A2 60532 Blue Peter
Gresley A4 Pacific 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley
Class 45 Peak D67 45118 The Royal Artilleryman
5-BEL Brighton Belle
Class 55 Deltic D9000 55022 Royal Scots Grey
Class 40 D213 40013 Andania
LMS Royal Scot 4-6-0 46100 Royal Scot
GWR King 4-6-0 6024 King Edward I
GWR Castle 4-6-0 5029 Nunney Castle
Class 121 55022 960014 Flora Bubble Car
Stanier Black Five 4-6-0 45231 The Sherwood Forester
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/join
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals
Green Signals:
Website - http://www.greensignals.org
Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list
Follow:
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd
Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)

Oct 3, 2024 • 1h 7min
53. Why can't we build major infrastructure in the UK?
Is Britain is broken and what are the reasons it feels impossible to build infrastructure anymore? We analyse a new essay called 'Foundations: Why Britain has stagnated'
Inside the railway’s Noah’s Ark – we preview an upcoming special video where we visit Locomotive Services Ltd in Crewe
What is going on at Euston and is going to get a grip?
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/join
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals
Green Signals:
Website - http://www.greensignals.org
Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list
Follow:
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd
Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)

Oct 1, 2024 • 30min
New ORR Chief Inspector Richard Hines | The Big Interview
New Office of Rail and Road Chief Inspector Richard Hines speaks to Green Signals about his views on safety priorities on the railway, current hot topics in the industry and his vision for the future.
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/join
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals
Green Signals:
Website - http://www.greensignals.org
Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list
Follow:
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd
Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)

Sep 26, 2024 • 60min
52. Jacobite steam train saga latest & RAIB answers YOUR Flying Scotsman crash questions
Jacobite steam train – in an excerpt from an interview with the Office of Rail and Road’s Chief Inspector Richard Hines, we ask about the ongoing central door locking saga and Euston station.
The RAIB answers YOUR questions about the Flying Scotsman crash report.
And we talk about the BBC Panorama on HS2 that left us utterly appalled.
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/join
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals
Green Signals:
Website - http://www.greensignals.org
Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list
Follow:
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd
Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)

Sep 19, 2024 • 1h 2min
51. The 'It's not HS2' plan & Jacobite steam train SPAD
The ‘It’s not HS2’ plan (Midlands-North West Rail Link) – we delve into the long-awaited Mayors’ report into HS2 alternatives in the North
The Jacobite steam train is involved in a potentially serious Signal Passed at Danger incident
We follow up on some of the many questions we received about the Flying Scotsman crash report
And we witness Pete Waterman getting a Freightliner Class 90 named after him!
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/join
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals
Green Signals:
Website - http://www.greensignals.org
Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list
Follow:
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd
Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)

Sep 12, 2024 • 1h 5min
50. Flying Scotsman crash report & HS2: Britain’s longest railway viaduct visit
Flying Scotsman crash report – the Rail Accident Investigation Branch releases its findings into last September’s collision at the Strathspey Railway, which injured two people….
We speak to recently-retired HM Chief Inspector of Railway Ian Prosser CBE – and I ask him for his views on West Coast Railways and the Jacobite steam train
And… Britain’s longest railway viaduct deck is completed as Richard witnesses the final segment being put into place on HS2’s Colne Valley viaduct
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/join
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals
Green Signals:
Website - http://www.greensignals.org
Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list
Follow:
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd
Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)

Sep 5, 2024 • 54min
49. Euston station safety row: What happened? & Shadow Great British Railways is launched
Euston station: Lord Hendy – now Rail Minister - is accused of getting a railway engineer fired over raising safety concerns when he was Chair of Network Rail. We investigate…
Shadow Great British Railways is launched and the Passenger Railway Services Public Ownership Bill enters the final stages in the Commons.
An HS2 construction update at Birmingham as tunnelling reaches the halfway point.
And Hitachi’s battery intercity train begins testing on the national network.
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/join
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals
Green Signals:
Website - http://www.greensignals.org
Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list
Follow:
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd
Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers
Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)
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