Shows / Green Signals
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…
Episodes
- Green Signals
63. £500m Hitachi Rail new trains deal for Lumo – but is it in conflict with renationalisation?
A £500 million Hitachi Rail train deal for Lumo & Hull Trains. But is this in direct conflict with the Labour Government’s railway renationalisation plans? We…
- Green Signals
GO-OP: Can a community cooperative run a railway?
Open Access railway operation is a divisive topic. Whilst there have been undoubted success stories with major communities such as Hull and Bradford previously…
- Green Signals
62. Heritage railways face ‘existential threat’ & New Transport Secretary takes the helm
Heritage railways face an existential threat as Autumn Budget tax changes will cost some more than £200,000 a year! We speak to Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland…
- Green Signals
Shock as Transport Secretary Louise Haigh resigns. More chaos for the railway?
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has stunned her colleagues, the DFT and everyone in the railway by announcing her shock resignation just hours after a story…
- Green Signals
61. Storm Bert rail disruption & Network Rail and SWR tackle leaf fall
Storm Bert wreaks havoc across the railway with heavy flooding and high winds causing major disruption for trains. Richard visits Northampton station, which…
- Green Signals
Naming a locomotive: The story of GB Railfreight 66312 Nigel Harris
Have you ever wondered what goes into make a locomotive naming happen? Well, this is the story… following the process to name GB Railfreight 66312 Nigel Harris…
- Green Signals
60. Great British Railways: Will it really take 2 years to create? & Northern performance plan
Great British Railways - Will it really take 2 years to create? We discuss Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh’s appearance at the Transport Select…
- Green Signals
EXCLUSIVE: Behind the scenes at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway!
We take a behind the scenes tour of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway to chat to WyvernRail Plc Chairman Neil Ferguson-Lee about how the railway is doing in the…
- Green Signals
59. HS2’s £100 million ‘bat shed’ – the real story & Jacobite steam train vs ORR again!
HS2’s £100 million ‘bat shed’… and the real story behind it. Why Natural England have taken issue with HS2 Chairman Sir Jon Thompson’s discussion at the…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
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…
- Green Signals
48. HS2 Phase 2 revival? & Behind the scenes on New Measurement Train
Is HS2 Phase 2 about to be revived? We discuss an important new report to Government says we must not allow the West Coast Main Line to collapse. Richard takes…
- Green Signals
47. Train strikes: Just when we thought it was over… & HS2 construction update
Train strikes – the fight we all thought was over, just became more heated than ever. We speak to ASLEF’s Mick Whelan to understand what’s gone wrong now. Is…
- Green Signals
Green Signals After Hours: Raw & Uncut | Ep 46
The unscripted, uncensored, uncut blather from the Green Signals team after we've finished recording a show... When we finish recording an episode of Green…
- Green Signals
46. UK's most exciting railway project? & CrossCountry trains cancelled
Is the most innovative and important rail site in Europe coming to Wales? We visit the Global Centre of Rail Excellence site to find out… CrossCountry services…
- Green Signals
45. HS2: Should we just cancel it now?!
Without HS2, the West Coast Main Line will soon be rammed. We speak to experts Simon Pilkington and William Barter to explain why. We ask whether the…
- Green Signals
44. HS2 £2BN write-off! Reversing Beeching cancelled & Royal Mail train alternative
HS2 cancellation of Phase 2 north of Birmingham means writing off £2 billion of costs. Restoring Your Railways (often referred to as ‘Reversing Beeching’) is…
- Green Signals
43. Glenfinnan viaduct: Jacobite steam train route repairs & HS2 Old Oak Common station progress
Glenfinnan Viaduct, one of the world's most iconic railway viaducts, is having major repair work carried out. The Director of Engineering for Scotland's…
- Green Signals
42. Frightening level crossing CCTV! Flying Scotsman at Locomotion & ScotRail cuts 600 services
Frightening level crossing misuse footage from Network Rail’s Wessex region highlights the true dangers of abusing the railway. ScotRail slashes 600 services…
- Green Signals
41. Royal Mail trains to run no more, inside the Severn Tunnel & priorities for new Government
Is Royal Mail quitting rail after 194 years? Royal Mail announces that it will scrap its trains, but tells us it will continue to use rail services. The…
- Green Signals
40. 75,000 Unlawful train fare prosecutions & UK's final coal train runs
Could 75,000 train fare evasion prosecutions be unlawful? We discuss train operators’ use of the Single Justice Procedure and the rather extraordinary…
- Green Signals
Andy Byford EXTRAORDINARY interview! Elizabeth Line, New York MTA, Toronto transit & Amtrak
The man who ran the three largest transit systems in three continents… Andy Byford a.k.a. ‘Train Daddy’s’ list of jobs is quite extraordinary. He’s been…
- Green Signals
39. Does Locomotive Services Ltd plan to rival the Jacobite steam train? We ask LSL's MD!
Is the Jacobite Steam Train about to have a powerful rival in the new partnership between Locomotive Services Ltd & the Scottish Railway Preservation Society?…
- Green Signals
38. GENERAL ELECTION 2024: The Rail and Transport Promises
Our General Election Manifestos special! We review the rail policies of the main parties: The Conservatives continue with their Network North plan The Labour…
- Green Signals
The Big Interview: Is Open Access good for the railway? YES! says Lumo & Hull Trains MD Martijn Gilbert
Lumo and the divisive issue of Open Access. Richard Bowker interviews MD Martijn Gilbert and things get a bit lively! Is Open Access on the railway a good…
- Green Signals
37. Flying Scotsman news, Jacobite steam trains to have CDL? & Open Access with Lumo trains
Flying Scotsman, the world’s most famous steam locomotive, is to have a new custodian. But what is a custodian, who are they, and what will it mean in…
- Green Signals
36. Building trains with Hitachi Rail, Avanti West Coast Evero & Levenmouth rail link opens!
Behind the scenes at Hitachi Rail’s Newton Aycliffe train building facility, where we find out about the process and skills required to build trains… and…
- Green Signals
35. Turbo Pendolinos for HS2? Is a directing mind required & why Tornado cost £1m to overhaul
HS2 Phase 2 to Manchester may have been cancelled but the problems have only begun. How to deal with the 54 brand new Alstom / Hitachi trains on order? What…
- Green Signals
34. Hitachi’s battery Class 802, General Election 2024 & Virgin Trains comeback?
Hitachi’s new battery Class 802 train trial. We take an exclusive behind the scenes look at this ground breaking new collaboration between Hitachi…
- Green Signals
33. HS2 WILL go to Euston & Jacobite steam train controversy intensifies
Jacobite steam train controversy intensifies as customers vent their frustration at increasingly poor service. HS2 – the Government makes a sensible u-turn on…
- Green Signals
32. Transport promises: How Mayors plan to spend YOUR money!
What the Metro Mayors want to spend YOUR money on – we delve into some of the transport promises in winning Mayoral manifestos and ask how realistic they are…
- Green Signals
31. Top 5 Rail 'Nationalisation' Myths Busted!
Our Top 5 myths of rail ‘nationalisation’ based on the reaction to Labour’s plans for the railway if it wins the next General Election. We discuss what’s been…
- Green Signals
The Big Interview - Rail Minister Huw Merriman: We ask him the questions you are all asking!
We meet Rail Minister Huw Merriman in his private office at the Department for Transport to ask as many of the big questions people have about our railways as…
- Green Signals
30. TRAINS vs PLANES – which is cheaper, greener & faster?
Trains vs planes – why taking the train can be up to 80% cheaper than flying and 17 times greener, according to new research published by the Rail Delivery…
- Green Signals
Labour’s Plan to Fix Britain’s Railways – key points & first impressions
Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has announced Labour’s Plan to Fix Britain’s Railways (Getting Britain Moving) – Richard and Nigel give their…
- Green Signals
The Big Interview – The Inside Story: Government and Railways – Sir Philip Rutnam
The inner workings of the Department for Transport and Government finances are revealed in this fascinating interview with former Permanent Secretary of both…
- Green Signals
29. Time for British Rail 2.0? & Jacobite steam train fails
The Jacobite steam train fails on its first run of the season from Fort William to Mallaig, stopping near Glenfinnan viaduct… and it had Mk 1 carriages on the…
- Green Signals
28. Jacobite steam train stand-off & last chance to save Alstom Derby
The latest updates on both the Jacobite steam train stand-off with ORR and the campaign to save Alstom Derby’s UK train manufacturing facility. We’re not…
- Green Signals
The Big Interview - Alstom Derby one minute to midnight - MD Nick Crossfield
Nick Crossfield, Managing Director of Alstom's UK and Ireland business discusses the background to the desperate situation at the Alstom Derby UK manufacturing…
- Green Signals
27. TRAINS: the end for UK manufacturing? Alstom begins Derby factory mothballing
Are 147 years of UK manufacturing of trains about to come to an end in Derby as Alstom begins the process of mothballing its facility there? The Jacobite steam…
- Green Signals
26. Jacobite steam train ‘Hogwarts Express’ cancelled & Mayors unveil HS2 alternative
West Coast Railway Company stops sales of Jacobite steam train tickets – the famous Harry Potter Hogwarts Express route across Glenfinnan Viaduct, amid another…
- Green Signals
25. Department for Transport good news… (finally!) & Heritage railways under threat
The Department for Transport appoints Scotland’s Railway Managing Director Alex Hynes as its new Director General of the Rail Infrastructure and Service…