In the light of the decision on HS2, we look at the West Coast Route Modernisation of 1997 - 2009 and discuss how close it came to being binned and how bold decisions got it done. We also consider whether the same environment exists today - and draw some depressing conclusions.

Nigel and Richard also launch a new feature on great railway journeys they have made and with surprising selections for their first choices!

We also touch briefly on a growing problem in the Heritage Railway sector and ask is there a crisis brewing?

In this episode, Nigel and Richard discuss the top 10 myths about HS2 and explain why so many people have misunderstood what HS2 delivers for the country - and why we are in trouble now that so much of it appears to have been cancelled.

There's also a bit about Richard's new role as Hon. President of the Class 40 Preservation Society and why without volunteers, the heritage rail sector in the UK wouldn't exist.

Welcome to Green Signals, the essential new railway podcast for anyone interested in railways: what they are for, how they work, and why we need them more than ever.

In this Trailer, Nigel and Richard reveal their first meeting on a Virgin Trains press trip to Italy, discuss the relative merits of Blackburn and Burnley and most importantly, consider whether the decision to scrap the northern section of HS2 to Manchester was a really, really bad idea. Or far worse than that.