Batley station in West Yorkshire has been upgraded with a new footbridge and lifts, replacing the subway to provide step-free access as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. Further works, including waiting shelters and car park reopening, will continue into spring 2027.
Services between Leeds and York resumed after a nine-day closure for TransPennine Route Upgrade works. The works included replacing Common Lane Bridge at Church Fenton, installing new power lines for future electrification, and other track, overhead line and drainage upgrades on the East Coast Main Line.
At Wandsworth Town station, piling for new lift shafts has been completed as part of a £19.8 million step-free access upgrade. The island platform is back in use, and the station is expected to become fully accessible in summer 2027. The project is funded by the UK Department for Transport and Wandsworth Council.
East Midlands Railway says the Derwent Valley Line between Derby and Matlock will close from 14 to 22 November 2026 for £3m of Network Rail upgrade works, mainly track renewals at Whatstandwell, Cromford and Matlock Bath. Over 3,500 sleepers and 6,400 tonnes of ballast will be installed.
Network Rail completed nine days of work to renew and strengthen Saxmundham junction on East Suffolk Line, converting it from manual to powered operation and upgrading signalling and infrastructure. The improvements support increased freight traffic to the Sizewell C construction site and resumed Greater Anglia services between Halesworth and Ipswich.
Transport for Wales has opened consultation on Swansea Bay Metro proposals, including a possible new Cockett station, a reopened platform at Swansea, and more frequent services between Swansea, Pembrey & Burry Port, and possibly Ammanford via Neath. Comments are open until 13 December 2026.
Network Rail has appointed Hawkins\Brown, working with 5th Studio, to lead a masterplan for Oxford station. The plan will assess new entrances, improved onward travel links and capacity upgrades as passenger numbers rise, driven partly by East West Rail and other service increases.
At Austria’s Wels intermodal terminal, two new gantry cranes have been erected and are now in technical installation. The €68 million, ÖBB- and EU-financed upgrade also adds extended tracks, a longer crane runway, video gates and automated truck entry/exit, with completion expected in mid-2027.
Network Rail will replace a substandard railway bridge over Agbrigg Road in Wakefield for £5m over the Christmas period. The work will require a line closure between Doncaster and Leeds and road closures near Sandal and Agbrigg station.
Wensleydale Railway in Yorkshire received free track design support from TECS Ltd, which surveyed Leeming Bar yard and Bedale station curve and offered to complete design work for a yard reconfiguration and track relay.
Transport for Greater Manchester will start redeveloping Bury Interchange later this month in two phases. The first phase includes a new footbridge, lift access to Metrolink platforms, platform resurfacing, canopy replacement, and upgrades to lighting, signage, CCTV, passenger information displays and ticketing facilities.
Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society and Vintage Trains Charitable Trust have formed a partnership to mark the society’s 75th anniversary. The collaboration was highlighted by twinning two Birmingham-built carriages during a heritage steam special. The Talyllyn Railway also received a £3.7m National Lottery Heritage Fund grant in January for engineering facility upgrades.
EBRD will fund €50 million for rehabilitation of Montenegro’s 39 km Golubovci–Bar railway section, including track, stations, bridges, signalling, telecommunications and power upgrades. Separately, ŽPCG and Stadler are progressing discussions on the design of three new electric multiple units.
Sydney Metro Southwest has opened passenger services, completing Sydney’s 66 km metro line with 31 stations. Alstom supplied Metropolis trains, Urbalis CBTC signalling and maintenance services for the extension, and also maintains the fleet at Metro Trains Sydney’s Tallawong depot.
The Malaysian government has approved over RM250 million to support ECRL development in Kelantan, including RM30 million for a new bus terminal at Kota Bharu ECRL Station and more than RM200 million for preliminary works on a proposed extension to Rantau Panjang.
Weardale Railway in County Durham will host steam locomotive Flying Scotsman from 13 to 15 November, with scheduled arrivals at Stanhope station, paid viewing areas at five stations, and safety restrictions around platforms and footbridges.
British Transport Police have released a CCTV image after a racially aggravated assault at Harold Wood station in East London on 9 October. The victim was abused on the platform and later followed outside the station, where they were hit and kicked. Police are asking for information.
VIA Rail has completed a C$310 million modernization of its Toronto Maintenance Centre, adding expanded heavy-maintenance facilities and a Vehicle Equipment Measurement System for early fault detection. The federally funded project supports VIA’s new Siemens Venture Corridor fleet and existing trains.
Robin Hood Line Community Partnership published its 2025 annual report, covering community engagement, rail safety education, station adoption, active travel, and local projects on the Nottinghamshire line. It also noted an award-winning Fusion Learning initiative and various community events and school visits.
HS2 reached a tunnel breakthrough at Old Oak Common station, linking the station box to the 8.8-mile West Ruislip tunnel portal. The 360-metre tunnel, excavated with miners rather than TBMs, used sprayed concrete and cast-in-situ lining. HS2 says other major route works are also progressing ahead of plan.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said a train not in service hit the buffers at London Liverpool Street on 15 October 2026 at about 7 mph, derailing the first three carriages and damaging the train and buffer stop. A safety digest will follow.
British Transport Police released an image and appealed for information after a fight involving three people and weapons at Worthing station in West Sussex on 11 October 2026. Two men, aged 18 and 22, have been arrested and charged.
British rail staff assaults rose 12% to 11,289 in 2025-26, with many incidents linked to late shifts. The article says operators can reduce risk through roster planning, station lighting, CCTV, body cameras, safe spaces and stronger incident reporting and follow-up.
Network Rail will replace the 160-year-old Selhurst railway bridge in London over the Christmas period. The old bridge will be removed using self-propelled modular transporters, and Selhurst Road will be closed from 12 December to 10 January while the station remains open.
Network Rail has advised passengers to plan ahead for heavy festive travel in Birmingham. Christmas markets and events are expected to increase use of Birmingham stations, with staff available at New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill, while some services to New Street will be suspended from 24 to 28 December 2026.