
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

Nov 8, 2024 • 48min
58. Wales train crash new evidence & what is going on at Northern Rail?
Wales train crash new evidence: RAIB (the Rail Accident Investigation Branch) issues a further update with new information on the Talerddig rail crash on October 21st
What is going on at Northern Rail? And why is performance SO bad?
A week after the Autumn Budget, what have we learnt about what it means for railways?
The Welsh Highland Railway gets complaints from nearby residents about ‘acrid smoke’ from steam engines
And East West Rail is finally going to be electrified! Or is it?
In this episode:
(00:00) Intro
(00:55) Wales train crash new evidence
(02:32) What is going on at Northern Rail?
(10:41) Welsh Highland Railway smoke complaints
(15:08) GB Railfreight Class 66 66312 named Nigel Harris
(21:10) Reflections on the Autumn Budget
(29:34) Thanks to Members and Super Thanks
(30:45) Talylln Railway video preview
(34:37) Railway News Round Up
(34:47) East West Rail electrification plans
(37:33) East Kilbride to Glasgow line electrification upgrade
(38:34) Chris Hillyard obituary & The Royal Train stories
(41:58) The Quiz
(44:55) National Railway Museum 50 campaign
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)

Nov 7, 2024 • 52min
LIVE from the RIA annual conference in London - 7th November 2024 with special guest Chris Green
On November 7th, Green Signals was live in person and on YouTube for the very first time at the Railway Industry Association (RIA) Annual Conference, joined by special guest Chris Green.
Chris is a career railwayman in both the public and private rail industry. Among his industry achievements are creating the ScotRail brand during his time as General Manager Scotland and then Network SouthEast when Managing Director (MD). He also became MD InterCity before privatisation and then Chief Executive Officer Virgin Trains, where he introduced the new Pendolino and Voyager fleets.
This is a recording of that live broadcast. Join us to hear one of the most experienced and celebrated railwaymen of his generation, who has led transformational change both at British Rail and in the private sector. Chris will reflect on whether lessons from the past are still relevant today.
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)

Nov 5, 2024 • 23min
Electrification, battery trains, third rail – Finding solutions for South Western Railway’s network
Electrification and battery technology are never far from discussions about decarbonisation of the railway. There are a number of solutions, including discontinuous electrification and battery-hybrid technology.
We visited Salisbury Traincare Depot, home to South Western Railway’s Class 159 fleet. Richard speaks to Neil Drury, Engineering & Infrastructure Director for SWR about how the operator is thinking about the electrification challenge on its network.
In this episode:
(00:00) Intro
(01:21) How is the work on the Isle of Wight’s Island Line going?
(02:35) Weather challenges at Honiton Tunnel and elsewhere
(04:10) Vegetation encroachment onto the railway
(05:34) Future for the West of England Line
(08:21) More third rail?
(11:38) Is the plan for West of England similar to GWR’s Greenford Branch plans?
(13:30) Is it feasible to retrofit current rolling stock?
(17:07) How about retrofitting Electric Multiple Units instead of buying new trains?
(18:38) SWR could be one of the first operations to be nationalised next year…
(20:28) What customers feel and will see
(22:12) Introduction of Arterio trains
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 31, 2024 • 58min
57. Wales train crash RAIB investigation initial findings & Euston station progress?
The Rail Accident Investigation branch releases its initial findings into the fatal train crash at Talerddig, Powys, Wales on October 21.
Euston station sees some progress on the Government’s 5 point plan – but will it deliver real improvement?
Plus… Richard speaks to Chiltern Railways Managing Director Richard Allan about electrification, battery trains and Chiltern’s future
In this episode:
(00:00) Intro
(04:15) Wales train crash RAIB initial findings
(11:34) Euston station industry summit on progress
(18:52) Northern Rail ‘do not travel’ warnings
(23:16) Chiltern Railways interview
(34:54) Neil Drury, South Western Railway interview on electrification
(40:30) Thanks to SuperThanks and Members
(42:35) Railway News Round-Up
(42:46) HS2 trains mock-ups
(43:41) RAIB report into Island Line RRV collision in 2023
(45:11) East West Rail first train test run
(45:51) 16-25 Railcard terms and conditions
(47:23) Rail Wellbeing Live
(48:21) Newcastle station clocks restored
(50:15) The Quiz
(55:07) Maghull station wins World Cup of Stations
Rail Wellbeing Live: You can register here: https://www.railwellbeinglive.co.uk/
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 31, 2024 • 19min
LIVE: AUTUMN BUDGET 2024 - What's in it for railways?
This is a recording of a YouTube Live we did on October 30th - Autumn Budget Day 2024.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her first Budget statement to MPs in the House of Commons and Richard and Nigel then went live for Green Signals members on YouTube to discuss what was in the Budget speech and how it affects the railways and wider transport.
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 29, 2024 • 55min
Cancelling HS2 Phase 2 was “so illogical” – Former HS2 Chairman Sir David Higgins Big Interview
Sir David Higgins is known to most on the railway for holding two of the biggest roles there are – as a former Chairman of Network Rail and former Chairman of HS2. But he was also Chief Executive of the London 2012 Summer Olympics Delivery Authority before that.
Australian-born, Higgins has returned to the HS2 spotlight as chair of a private sector consortium proposing the Midlands-Northwest Rail Link (the alternative to the cancelled HS2 Phase 2).
He speaks candidly of his time at HS2, the decisions made on the project, its economics, and his views on former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to cancel HS2 Phase 2, while also delving into discussion of wider rail issues.
In this interview:
(00:00) Intro and what brought Sir David Higgins to the UK?
(01:28) His time at the Olympic Delivery Authority?
(03:50) Why join Network Rail before the London 2012 Olympics?
(05:41) Time at Network Rail
(08:39) Why did he join HS2?
(10:16) What did he think about Rishi Sunak’s decision to
cancel HS2 Phase 2?
(11:59) Was the strategic pitch and narrative for HS2 wrong?
(14:51) Was not including wider economic benefits a missed opportunity?
(19:02) Did the constant change of senior people involved have an impact?
(22:33) The costs of HS2
(29:59) HS2 contracts
(32:10) Skills and apprentices on HS2
(35:19) Government oversight of HS2
(38:34) Midlands North West Rail Link
(43:43) Are the urgent actions happening?
(45:00) The funding strategy
(47:30) Not going to Euston: Mad?
(50:15) What happens next?
(50:41) View of the current political landscape for the
railway
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 28, 2024 • 26min
Autumn Budget 2024: What does the rail industry want to see?
Ahead of the Autumn Budget on October 30 2024, Richard spoke to the Railway Industry Association’s (RIA’s) Chief Executive Darren Caplan about what the railway’s supply chain wants to see announced.
They discuss: the economic value of investment in the railway, the importance of a pipeline of work to secure the supply chain, the part private finance might play, and some specific projects such as Euston station, new rolling stock orders and electrification.
In this episode:
(00:00) Intro
(02:36) Labour’s first 100 days
(05:39) RIA’s Budget submission theme and motivations
(09:47) Economic value of rail investment
(14:58) The role of private finance
(18:02) Land Value Capture schemes
(20:02) Urgent actions – why no HS2?
(22:32) Optimism about 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)

Oct 24, 2024 • 1h 4min
56. HS2 SPECIAL: Is Phase 2a back on? And Louise Haigh launches review of HS2 Phase 1
It’s an HS2 special this week! Is an HS2 Phase 2a Euston to Crewe revival on the cards? We look into rumours that the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to reverse Rishi Sunak’s decision to cancel the project.
Sir David Higgins – we preview an exclusive interview with the former HS2 Chairman.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh launches an independent review into HS2 Phase 1, led by James Stewart… and we’re pretty underwhelmed.
In this episode:
(00:00) Intro
(00:59) HS2 Special
(01:20) Is an HS2 Phase 2a revival on the cards?
(05:55) Henri Murison, Northern Powerhouse Partnership
interview
(29:56) Sir David Higgins interview preview
(33:49) Independent review launched into HS2 Phase 1
(48:18) Thanks to SuperThanks and Members
(49:32) Railway News Round Up
(49:34) Strikes announced on London Underground
(50:43) First new Piccadilly Line train delivered
(52:29) HS2 Birmingham Curzon Street station construction progress
(53:12) Transpennine Route Upgrade Transport and Works Act Order
(55:03) Network Rail employs goats at Folkestone
(56:17) The Quiz
(1:00:39) Rail Delivery Group free travel for
military personnel and veterans
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 23, 2024 • 55min
Exclusive! Alstom Derby Litchurch Lane visit & MD Nick Crossfield interview
Green Signals was exclusively invited to visit Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane train building and maintenance works to have a look around in the wake of the news earlier in the year that a follow-on order would be made for Elizabeth Line trains – securing the future the site.
Richard speaks to a process manufacturing engineer who started as an apprentice, and to Alstom’s Communications Director about the Railway 200 The Greatest Gathering event that will be taking place at the site in 2025.
Principally, he speaks to Nick Crossfield, Managing Director for UK & Ireland for Alstom about prospects for the future and the outlook for the rolling stock market in the UK.
In this episode:
(00:00) Intro
(02:48) Interview with Chloe Turnbull, Process Manufacturing Engineer, Alstom
(06:08) South Western Railway Class 701 Arterio on Derby Litchurch Lane test track
(07:22) Interview with Nick Crossfield, Managing Director UK& Ireland, Alstom
(08:27) What did the news of an Elizabeth Line order do for Derby?
(11:32) Is Derby being a political topic helpful?
(13:06) Can we do anything about feast and famine in the rolling stock market?
(15:20) Is boom and bust a British problem?
(17:05) Is there potentially too much train building capacity in the UK?
(19:23) Why does train procurement take so long in the UK?
(25:19) Does DfT involvement have an impact?
(27:45) The future of Derby Litchurch Lane
(37:50) Does Labour's change of approach cause concern?
(41:23) Has Derby downsizing too much?
(45:08) Nick Crossfield's memories of Alstom
(51:11) Plans for The Greatest Gathering - Ben Goodwin interview
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 22, 2024 • 8min
Wales train crash: What we know so far
On the evening of October 21st, two Transport for Wales Class 158 trains were involved in a low-speed collision, right alongside the A470 main road, near Llanbrynmair (east of Machynlleth) in Powys, Mid Wales.
Sadly, one passenger has died and 15 others were taken to hospital, with what have been described as non-life-threatening or life-changing injuries.
In this short bulletin, we lay out the facts as we understand them at the time of recording on October 22nd and explain what investigators will be looking for to establish what the causes of the collision were.
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)