Operations
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Features
An open invitation or mixed messages for open access ?
Ministers appeared to back the latest open access deal guaranteeing private operation within a nationalised railway. Peter Plisner looks at the state of play.
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Features
Metro-style rail on the Core Valley Lines
Passengers in south-east Wales and beyond will soon benefit from new rolling stock, increased frequency and a large-scale upgrade of the Core Valley network.
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Features
Behind the scenes: GWR trials fast-charging battery technology
Joe Campbell joins the team conducting trials of fast-charge battery technology on the West Ealing to Greenford branch.
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Features
Class 20s take the strain on the Drain Train
Balfour Beatty has operated on-track drain clearance trains for several years. Now it acquired two Class 20s for the task. Pip Dunn finds out more.
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Features
The many ups and downs of BR's Class 90 locomotive
Class 90s have experienced a chequered career, alternating from zero to hero and back again several times, as David Clough explains.
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Insight
How is Shadow Great British Railways shaping up?
In September, the government said Great British Railways would be established in ‘shadow’ form. Paul Clifton finds out what the industry thinks of it so far
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Features
Bradshaw’s Britain: Havant to Guildford
For his final foray onto the south of England’s rail network armed with Bradshaw’s 1863 Handbook, Stephen Roberts is on a section of the Portsmouth Direct Line.
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Features
Mystery Shopper RAIL review: South Wales
Our Mystery Shopper is in South Wales, visiting revitalised lines on a network that has new trains coming and a new Metro system on the horizon.
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Features
Hitachi Rail's bold experiment with battery-electric bi-mode units
Hitachi Rail has been carrying out trials on a Class 802 aimed at advancing the use of battery-electric bi-mode units. Richard Wilcock finds out more.
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Features
Keeping the wheels turning on Elizabeth line Class 345s
Philip Haigh visits Alstom’s Old Oak Common depot, to gain an insight into the work that goes to maintaining a modern train fleet.
Top Stories
From poisoned chalice to Holy Grail?
RAIL magazine examines the troubled history of rail operations on the East Coast Main Line since privatisation in the mid-1990s
“I am forever in his debt”
PAUL PRENTICE reveals the extraordinary tale of how the actions of one Southern Railway employee saved a man’s life
The resurgent '60s'
RICHARD CLINNICK looks back at the history of the Class 60s
