Track work and tamping at Mossley Hill will affect most train services at Liverpool Lime Street on Sunday, 8 November. Avanti West Coast will divert via Earlestown, while several other operators will terminate short or run amended services. Merseyrail services are unaffected.
Everything we read, routed to your cluster
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.
Avanti West Coast has released tickets through the new year and is advising customers to book Christmas travel early for the best fares. Peak restrictions will be lifted from 18 December to 3 January. Planned engineering work on the West Coast Main Line includes a five-day closure of Birmingham New Street.
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.
MRT Corp has awarded a RM2.69 billion contract for CMC2, covering design and construction of a 5.5km Penang Mutiara Line extension from Macallum Street to Penang Sentral, including a 3.05km sea-crossing bridge. The 22-station project is 16% complete and is expected to open in 2031.
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.
Great Northern will double off-peak train frequency between Moorgate and Hertford North from 14 December. Services will run every 15 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays, with faster running into London and limited stops at Bayford and Crews Hill.
TfL and Time Out released London After Dark, a report on how the Night Tube has supported London’s night-time economy. The study found 88% of surveyed Londoners stayed out later because public transport was available, and London was ranked first among 26 European cities for nightlife and public transport.
The Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society has formally taken ownership of steam locomotive 35025 Brocklebank Line. The group is assessing required restoration work, available parts and storage plans, with major components still needed for a future mainline return.
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.
Train services between Peterborough and London King’s Cross will be disrupted on 28–29 November due to digital signalling installation work on the East Coast Main Line. The work includes diagnostic system and software updates, track renewal, step-free access works, canopy work, and overhead line equipment upgrades.
A signalling fault caused by a power issue is disrupting trains on the West of England main line between London Waterloo, Salisbury, Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids. Engineers are replacing a cable, with delays, cancellations, diversions and rail replacement buses expected until about 3 pm.
Southeastern held its annual Remembrance Service in Dover on 4 November, with veterans, cadets and railway colleagues attending. The operator also reminded veterans, serving personnel and bereaved family members that they can travel to Remembrance services for free.
Network Rail will spend £1.75m to renew 1,300 metres of track, sleepers and ballast on a bridge between Rishton and Accrington in East Lancashire. The East Lancashire line will close on 22, 28 and 29 November, with rail replacement buses operating during the work.
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.
Network Rail completed drainage renewal and related maintenance on the East Coast Main Line in North Yorkshire after two weekend possessions. The programme included 300 metres of drainage at Chapman’s Bridge near Shipton, work on track, power lines and points, vegetation management, and a new bridge at Church Fenton for overhead line preparation.
Ground movement near Bentley on the South Western Railway line will require urgent embankment strengthening work from 6 to 8 November, with buses replacing trains between Farnham and Alton and speed restrictions in place before the work starts.
The Watercress Line in Hampshire will run Steam Illuminations from 27 November 2026 to 2 January 2027, featuring a steam train with synchronised LED lights, music, interactive activities, and festive station attractions.
The Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway in Middlesex will run Santa Specials on 12-13 and 19-20 December, with tickets booked in advance. The article also notes the railway won a 2023 HRA Infrastructure Award for a new coach shed and maintenance facility.
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.
Lappa Valley Railway in Cornwall held sold-out Fireworks Spectaculars on 30 and 31 October, attracting thousands. The railway said the 2026 event was its most successful yet and that tickets for the next event, expected in 2027, will go on sale later in the summer.
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.
The Northampton and Lamport Railway will run its Winter Warmer event on 3 January 2027, with two steam locomotives in service and Bagnall No. 2 making its last operating day before leaving the railway.
UK Railtours will run December trips in East Anglia, London and Kent using paired Class 37 locomotives. Swietelsky and Europhoenix will provide traction, RailAdventure will operate the locomotives, and Eastern Rail Services will provide Mark 2 coaches. Tickets are available through the UK Railtours website.
Kent’s Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway says it will mark its 100th anniversary in 2027 with galas, a golden ticket competition, and the return of locomotives Typhoon, Hurricane and the Armoured Wagon.