Green Signals

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 Operations Director of Rail Corp in New South Wales, Australia; CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission; CEO of New York Mass Transit Authority; and of course Commissioner for Transport at Transport for London in the UK.

There have been some massive highs – getting Crossrail finished and opening the Elizabeth Line, sorting out the Toronto Transit Commission, which he inherited in a real state and turned it round into North America’s best transit authority.

But there have been some real challenges as well… not least his final year in New York.

In this interview, Andy talks openly and honestly about all stages of his career, right through to his current role where he is responsible for the high speed rail programmes at Amtrak.

What really comes across is his passion and determination for getting the basics right, for leading from the front, and for backing his people whatever the role, however large the organisation, and whatever attacks they are facing. It’s a truly inspirational story.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals

Is the Jacobite Steam Train about to have a powerful rival in the new partnership between Locomotive Services Ltd & the Scottish Railway Preservation Society? We speak to LSL Managing Director Tony Bush to find out!

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals

Our General Election Manifestos special! We review the rail policies of the main parties:

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals

Lumo and the divisive issue of Open Access. Richard Bowker interviews MD Martijn Gilbert and things get a bit lively!

Green Signals:

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals

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 practice?

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals

Behind the scenes at Hitachi Rail’s Newton Aycliffe train

Keeping with Hitachi Rail… Avanti West Coast’s new Evero train fleet launches!

Nigel asks if Richard is going to get himself into some hot

Breaking News! Jacobite steam train exemption application update.

And we discuss the Levenmouth rail link opening!

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals

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 about fewer seats being available on Britain’s most valuable route, London – Manchester? And then there’s Euston station – what on earth do we build now? Chris Gibb, a senior figure in the railway industry previously a director of Virgin Cross Country, Virgin West Coast and Network Rail to name but three thinks he knows what to do – and he’s written it down in a dramatic new plan which we discuss in detail with him.

Andrew Haines has appeared at the Public Accounts Committee where he and the DfT officials

There’s mixed news in the Heritage Sector. In an interview with Steve Davies MBE, Chairman of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust which owns celebrity locomotive 60163 Tornado, we discuss how its recent general overhaul cost £1m as well as the challenges faced when installing a modern electronic signalling system onto a steam engine. Then we consider the desperate times faced at the Nene Valley Railway which needs £300,000 to stay afloat.

And, there’s good news from the Community Rail sector. We discuss Community Rail week and the marvellous work volunteers carry out to promote their loco lines and stations.

Green Signals:

YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals⁠

With thanks to the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust for additional material

Hitachi’s new battery Class 802 train trial. We take an exclusive behind the scenes look at this ground breaking new collaboration between Hitachi, TransPennine Express and Angel Trains direct from Newton Aycliffe.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals

Jacobite steam train controversy intensifies as customers

HS2 – the Government makes a sensible u-turn on funding the HS2 tunnels from Old Oak Common to Euston… but did Labour miss an opportunity with their response to the news?

We discuss the initial findings of our look into train

WiFi on trains – just when we thought a viable superfast solution was approaching, it appears to have been cruelly snatched away…

We talk to someone who can count five generations of his

And a little update on tree clearance in the South West following our recent visit with Route MD Nick Millington.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals

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.

Richard has to eat a bit of humble pie over Yorkshire; and

The Channel Tunnel turns 30!

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals