Rich Wilcock
@rtwilcock.bsky.social
Journalist | Industry Editor @Rail Magazine | Views my own | NUFC/CUFC | Got a story? DM Me...
If Sir Keir Starmer can sack Louise Haigh over a misplaced phone nearly 15 years before she was appointed Transport Secretary, then I'm not holding out much hope for Angela Rayner...
September 3, 2025 at 11:19 AM
If Sir Keir Starmer can sack Louise Haigh over a misplaced phone nearly 15 years before she was appointed Transport Secretary, then I'm not holding out much hope for Angela Rayner...
66099 Ben More Assynt looking truly gorgeous after its overhaul. And when I say overhaul, completely rebuilt! The livery is a showstopper with plenty of nods to its heritage
More lined up with 013, 022 and possibly 011 in the future
More lined up with 013, 022 and possibly 011 in the future
August 28, 2025 at 2:39 PM
66099 Ben More Assynt looking truly gorgeous after its overhaul. And when I say overhaul, completely rebuilt! The livery is a showstopper with plenty of nods to its heritage
More lined up with 013, 022 and possibly 011 in the future
More lined up with 013, 022 and possibly 011 in the future
Hendy in the hot seat at the Transport Select Committee today as they wrap up their inquiry into boom-and-bust
Expect a fair few questions on last week's decisions as well as a bit of a focus on how he expects reform to fix it
Expect a fair few questions on last week's decisions as well as a bit of a focus on how he expects reform to fix it
July 16, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Hendy in the hot seat at the Transport Select Committee today as they wrap up their inquiry into boom-and-bust
Expect a fair few questions on last week's decisions as well as a bit of a focus on how he expects reform to fix it
Expect a fair few questions on last week's decisions as well as a bit of a focus on how he expects reform to fix it
After two days of running around like a hot and sweaty blue arsed fly at another top-draw RAIL Live, I might get round to looking at the infrastructure strategy and HS2 report today
Then I'll write down what I think about it, as it is, you know...my job
Then I'll write down what I think about it, as it is, you know...my job
June 20, 2025 at 7:54 AM
After two days of running around like a hot and sweaty blue arsed fly at another top-draw RAIL Live, I might get round to looking at the infrastructure strategy and HS2 report today
Then I'll write down what I think about it, as it is, you know...my job
Then I'll write down what I think about it, as it is, you know...my job
First Group has announced plans for another OA route - Lumo services from Hereford to London via Cwmbran!
Would increase paths to Paddington by 4 to 6 and would form part of its second phase of fleet investment (not going to be using the 14 new trains they've ordered)
Would increase paths to Paddington by 4 to 6 and would form part of its second phase of fleet investment (not going to be using the 14 new trains they've ordered)
June 6, 2025 at 7:10 AM
First Group has announced plans for another OA route - Lumo services from Hereford to London via Cwmbran!
Would increase paths to Paddington by 4 to 6 and would form part of its second phase of fleet investment (not going to be using the 14 new trains they've ordered)
Would increase paths to Paddington by 4 to 6 and would form part of its second phase of fleet investment (not going to be using the 14 new trains they've ordered)
In one of the most obvious news stories you're likely to hear today, Alstom has confirmed the 222s mid-life refresh ahead of Lumo's London-Stirling service is to take place at its Widnes and Central Rivers plant
All told, deal worth £50 million
All told, deal worth £50 million
June 4, 2025 at 8:25 AM
In one of the most obvious news stories you're likely to hear today, Alstom has confirmed the 222s mid-life refresh ahead of Lumo's London-Stirling service is to take place at its Widnes and Central Rivers plant
All told, deal worth £50 million
All told, deal worth £50 million
My news analysis from the latest issue of RAIL.
The verdict on ECML abstraction is still ‘not proven’
www.railmagazine.com/news/2025/06...
The verdict on ECML abstraction is still ‘not proven’
www.railmagazine.com/news/2025/06...
Analysis: The verdict on ECML abstraction is still ‘not proven’
It’s said that there are two versions of events, and in the middle - the truth.
www.railmagazine.com
June 2, 2025 at 2:27 PM
My news analysis from the latest issue of RAIL.
The verdict on ECML abstraction is still ‘not proven’
www.railmagazine.com/news/2025/06...
The verdict on ECML abstraction is still ‘not proven’
www.railmagazine.com/news/2025/06...
Busy day looking at the final pieces of Project Aurora come together at GTR's Selhurst Depot! Impressive amount of work, at an impressive speed! It'll make for an interesting read
Pity for you guys, I'll be the one writing it 😂
Pity for you guys, I'll be the one writing it 😂
May 28, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Busy day looking at the final pieces of Project Aurora come together at GTR's Selhurst Depot! Impressive amount of work, at an impressive speed! It'll make for an interesting read
Pity for you guys, I'll be the one writing it 😂
Pity for you guys, I'll be the one writing it 😂
Trenitalia is also asking for four trains per day for overnight stabling at Temple Mills (three at 202, one in multiple) and two in the daytime in its application form to run services through the Channel Tunnel
April 25, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Trenitalia is also asking for four trains per day for overnight stabling at Temple Mills (three at 202, one in multiple) and two in the daytime in its application form to run services through the Channel Tunnel
Arriva and GC specifically will be applying to ORR for a service between Newcastle and Brighton
Stops at Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, York, Doncaster, Sheffield, Derby, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham NS, Oxford, Reading and Gatwick amongst others included
Stops at Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, York, Doncaster, Sheffield, Derby, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham NS, Oxford, Reading and Gatwick amongst others included
April 25, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Arriva and GC specifically will be applying to ORR for a service between Newcastle and Brighton
Stops at Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, York, Doncaster, Sheffield, Derby, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham NS, Oxford, Reading and Gatwick amongst others included
Stops at Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, York, Doncaster, Sheffield, Derby, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham NS, Oxford, Reading and Gatwick amongst others included
Always a treat to pass through Derby on my way back from press day as I get to see little treats like this at dusk...
April 23, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Always a treat to pass through Derby on my way back from press day as I get to see little treats like this at dusk...
FS Italiane (Trenitalia parent company) is launching a bid to operate channel tunnel services by 2029 between London and Paris.
Stock will be from its Frecchiarossa family so likely Zefiros' to be involved
It's a separate bid to Evolyn's despite both parties signing a MoU
Stock will be from its Frecchiarossa family so likely Zefiros' to be involved
It's a separate bid to Evolyn's despite both parties signing a MoU
April 8, 2025 at 10:47 AM
FS Italiane (Trenitalia parent company) is launching a bid to operate channel tunnel services by 2029 between London and Paris.
Stock will be from its Frecchiarossa family so likely Zefiros' to be involved
It's a separate bid to Evolyn's despite both parties signing a MoU
Stock will be from its Frecchiarossa family so likely Zefiros' to be involved
It's a separate bid to Evolyn's despite both parties signing a MoU
First time I've ridden on a new 730 and I have to say it's not half bad! Smooth and quiet! Feels really huge inside which is surprising
March 19, 2025 at 12:28 PM
First time I've ridden on a new 730 and I have to say it's not half bad! Smooth and quiet! Feels really huge inside which is surprising
I understand that the highly controversial Hinckley Rail Freight Interchange project has been rejected by Heidi Alexander
The project would have added huge freight capacity to the golden triangle but did have a large number of detractors
The project would have added huge freight capacity to the golden triangle but did have a large number of detractors
March 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I understand that the highly controversial Hinckley Rail Freight Interchange project has been rejected by Heidi Alexander
The project would have added huge freight capacity to the golden triangle but did have a large number of detractors
The project would have added huge freight capacity to the golden triangle but did have a large number of detractors
ASLEF and the Elizabeth Line have potentially struck a deal!
Vote to happen but strike action now suspended
Vote to happen but strike action now suspended
February 25, 2025 at 3:17 PM
ASLEF and the Elizabeth Line have potentially struck a deal!
Vote to happen but strike action now suspended
Vote to happen but strike action now suspended
As a journo, I like to play a little game with myself and start the day's Spotify shuffle with a song that ties into a news event of that day!
Today was Transatlantic Foe by At The Drive In
Quite pleased with that one tbh
Today was Transatlantic Foe by At The Drive In
Quite pleased with that one tbh
February 25, 2025 at 11:37 AM
As a journo, I like to play a little game with myself and start the day's Spotify shuffle with a song that ties into a news event of that day!
Today was Transatlantic Foe by At The Drive In
Quite pleased with that one tbh
Today was Transatlantic Foe by At The Drive In
Quite pleased with that one tbh
Wabtec has confirmed that its Doncaster works will be shutting, putting 300 jobs at risk
Work could move to Derby but Wabtec will withdraw from vehicle maintenance in the UK.
Work could move to Derby but Wabtec will withdraw from vehicle maintenance in the UK.
February 7, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Wabtec has confirmed that its Doncaster works will be shutting, putting 300 jobs at risk
Work could move to Derby but Wabtec will withdraw from vehicle maintenance in the UK.
Work could move to Derby but Wabtec will withdraw from vehicle maintenance in the UK.
Reposted by Rich Wilcock
News Analysis
Industry Editor @rtwilcock.bsky.social
examines GBR's search for answers to ticketing simplification
railmagazine.com/news/2025/02...
Industry Editor @rtwilcock.bsky.social
examines GBR's search for answers to ticketing simplification
railmagazine.com/news/2025/02...
News Analysis: GBR searches for answers to ticketing simplification
THE future under Great British Railways is one which few are privy to yet. But one area where it does appear to be marching forward with a clarity and purpose is ticketing.
railmagazine.com
February 6, 2025 at 9:37 AM
News Analysis
Industry Editor @rtwilcock.bsky.social
examines GBR's search for answers to ticketing simplification
railmagazine.com/news/2025/02...
Industry Editor @rtwilcock.bsky.social
examines GBR's search for answers to ticketing simplification
railmagazine.com/news/2025/02...
One thing that seems to have slipped under the radar is that the Mode Shift Revenue Scheme for rail freight has been extended to March 2026
Not clear on funding yet but potentially good news
Not clear on funding yet but potentially good news
February 5, 2025 at 12:14 PM
One thing that seems to have slipped under the radar is that the Mode Shift Revenue Scheme for rail freight has been extended to March 2026
Not clear on funding yet but potentially good news
Not clear on funding yet but potentially good news
Not a great start by Laura Shoaf at today's transport select committee
Admits she works one day a week and has no resources of her own when setting up GBR
Admits she works one day a week and has no resources of her own when setting up GBR
January 22, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Not a great start by Laura Shoaf at today's transport select committee
Admits she works one day a week and has no resources of her own when setting up GBR
Admits she works one day a week and has no resources of her own when setting up GBR
Reposted by Rich Wilcock
Freight sector awaits decision to ease Ely bottleneck as capacity is 'exhausted'
www.railmagazine.com/news/2025/01...
www.railmagazine.com/news/2025/01...
January 14, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Freight sector awaits decision to ease Ely bottleneck as capacity is 'exhausted'
www.railmagazine.com/news/2025/01...
www.railmagazine.com/news/2025/01...
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch is to retire. He's served as the union's chief since January 2021.
He will be missed (although the DfT are likely sighing a few sighs of relief!)
He will be missed (although the DfT are likely sighing a few sighs of relief!)
January 9, 2025 at 6:31 PM
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch is to retire. He's served as the union's chief since January 2021.
He will be missed (although the DfT are likely sighing a few sighs of relief!)
He will be missed (although the DfT are likely sighing a few sighs of relief!)
It's still unclear what the Government is planning on doing about land acquisition on the Phase 2 route. It has half of it so far, with options until 2036 on the other.
But DfT is advising the Government on this subject in case any "strategic rail investment" is needed
But DfT is advising the Government on this subject in case any "strategic rail investment" is needed
December 19, 2024 at 12:01 PM
It's still unclear what the Government is planning on doing about land acquisition on the Phase 2 route. It has half of it so far, with options until 2036 on the other.
But DfT is advising the Government on this subject in case any "strategic rail investment" is needed
But DfT is advising the Government on this subject in case any "strategic rail investment" is needed
Public Accounts Committee is reviewing HS2 costs today as part of its inquiry.
Wild is speaking and said HS2 has failed to control costs, started too early, and failed to ascertain a performance baseline.
Wild is speaking and said HS2 has failed to control costs, started too early, and failed to ascertain a performance baseline.
December 19, 2024 at 11:51 AM
Public Accounts Committee is reviewing HS2 costs today as part of its inquiry.
Wild is speaking and said HS2 has failed to control costs, started too early, and failed to ascertain a performance baseline.
Wild is speaking and said HS2 has failed to control costs, started too early, and failed to ascertain a performance baseline.
Extra platforms at Euston on top of the six already planned are dependent on HS2's expansion, Alan Over tells the public accounts committee
But it isn't a flat-out no at this point, but it's far from a formal plan currently
But it isn't a flat-out no at this point, but it's far from a formal plan currently
December 19, 2024 at 11:49 AM
Extra platforms at Euston on top of the six already planned are dependent on HS2's expansion, Alan Over tells the public accounts committee
But it isn't a flat-out no at this point, but it's far from a formal plan currently
But it isn't a flat-out no at this point, but it's far from a formal plan currently